Contemporary fiction

A MelanieM Review:Tough Guy (Game Changers #3) by Rachel Reid

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Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

I discovered Rachel Reid through this blog’s recommendations for M/M Hockey Recommendations.  All it took was one story to know I had a new author for my auto buy list.  Luckily for me , the author also loves to write M/M hockey romances so I’m absolutely overjoyed twice over.

Game Changers is one of her fabulous series that I just impatiently wait for that next story to fall.  Tough Guy is the third installment and , again, just another outstanding tale of romance intertwined with the game of ice hockey and its players.  It’s a game I’m fanatic about and deeply appreciate those authors that share my love as well as have the ability to not only understand the complexities of the game but of the players and their careers.  It is a far cry from football, much closer in passion and spirit to baseball in what it takes sometimes to continue on because of the love of the sport.

In Tough Guy (Game Changers #3) by Rachel Reid, the author also writes about what happens when that passion begins to fade, what’s next.    Something that can cut deep  emotionally and mentally.  Reid’s characterizations have been a major draw of her stories.  They are layered portraits of real people, flawed, human, pained, and lovely.  So easy  to connect with, as you do here with both hockey star Ryan Price and musician Fabian Salah.

They have a complex back history, together and apart but when they mesh and reconnect, they are so endearing, so open, so, well perfect for each other, that the story just flew by as I was so engaged by their relationship and their path towards love.

By the end (as I feel with all the stories in this series) I was loathe to leave the couple behind.  I had fallen for them and wanted to linger a bit longer.

Oh well, now to wait for the next story in the series.  I hope Rachel Reid won’t make me wait too long.

I highly recommend this story and the entire series.  And this author.  What a splendid time you will have getting acquainted!

Cover art by Carina Press is just ok but doesn’t really relate to the storyline or character.  Meh.

Sales Links:  Carina Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Details:

ebook
Published January 13th 2020 by Carina Press
ISBN 1488068917 (ISBN13: 9781488068911)
Edition Language English
Series Game Changers #3

Join Us for the Release Blitz with Excerpt for Say It (Fascination #1) by Sky McCoy

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Say It (Fascination Series Book 1)

Author: Sky McCoy

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: January 30, 2020

Genre/s: Gay M/M Romance

Trope/s: Help me heal, enemies to lovers, billionaire bad boy,

straight to gay, friends to lovers, single father 

Themes: Coming out

Heat Rating:  5 flames   

Length: 65 000 words/ 216 pages

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Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK  |   Amazon CA  |    Amazon AU     

 

Blurb  

“If Jeremy thinks I will ever go away and leave him to himself to destroy what I want and need from him, then he will have to—say it.” 

“I like who I am. It took years to create this persona, and I’ll be damn if I allow a brash, gorgeous, hot young twink like Dorian make me into someone I’m not.”

When a straight man meets an openly gay man, sparks fly in a good and bad way. Jeremy Westbrook is running from commitment, and Dorian Hart is looking for the love of his life after being ditched by his partner. If their lives aren’t complicated enough, a man shows up at Jeremy’s door and will turn his life upside down. 

 

Excerpt 

Chapter 1

Jeremy

“No fucking way?” I murmured into the empty silence, just as I’d planned to pour myself a drink of Scotch on the rocks after I stepped out of the shower and dried off. I needed something strong. I placed the bottle down after pouring a slug. I closed my eyes for a moment, then I collected my thoughts. I wasn’t about to reach for a robe. If whoever had the nerve to show up at my door, they’d get what they were looking for—a naked ass with a hard cock.   

 After a quick sip, I placed the much-needed drink on the table, and sauntered over to the intercom to call security. Where the fuck was security and what the fuck were they doing? Giving each other a blowjob? I questioned.   

Wasn’t it their job to scrutinize my guests and at least ask if I wanted to be bothered tonight? Or tell them I’m not here. Which wouldn’t be a lie. I glanced over at the clock. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was supposed to be dressing so I could go over to that fucking country club. This was the third ring. 

“I explicitly left orders for security to say that I’m out for the fucking evening,” I huffed, raising my finger to hit the button. Then came a loud knock. 

Now I wanted to see just who had the balls to knock on my door.     

 I enjoyed my privacy. Everyone who knew me knew I didn’t want any company, especially since I’d been home for only a few days. Everyone except Max Gold that was. He didn’t respect my boundaries when he wanted something. I looked down at my watch sitting on a table with my keys, and saw it was later than I thought. “Fucking jet lag has my body all screwed up.”  

 I didn’t expect anyone today, must be a package, I rationalized. I inadvertently turned the lock, opening the door without looking through the peephole.

“What the fuck do you want?” I barked. I peered at the man in black with wide eyes and open mouth. Now I was shocked. My eyes locked on the six-foot, blue-eyed, black sheep of the Westbrook family. There’s always one in the family, and Jack Westbrook my twin brother was the one who now carried that title. Once it had been me, when my family wondered if I’d ever get married. I’d been postponing that for far too long, and everyone—especially my brothers and their wives —had started gossiping about me behind my back.

 I’d been suspect of being gay, and my older brothers with their wives had questioned me at every turn. 

“When are you going to marry Annalisa?” They’d corralled me at a family gathering in front of her, just to ask that question, hoping to get me to commit to something. 

I did—my freedom. 

They’d asked me too many times, and I’d forgotten what my excuses were. I’d finally given them different answers until even I became nauseated at the sound and thought of my voice, and the idea of marriage. The only one who didn’t appear to care had been my youngest brother, Carter, and Jack.   

However, Thomas and Jarrett were wearing me down to the point that I was willing to give up my freedom, say, “fuck it,” and do the right thing—whatever that was.

Jack, nevertheless, had the balls to admit that he was gay and owned it. With me I couldn’t. I couldn’t admit that I loved men, wanted to be with one, wanted to spend the rest of my life with a man whom I loved, and turned me on in the worst way. That was my one and only desire—to find a man I could hold in my arms, look him in the eyes and say that I loved him. 

I wanted to spend the rest of my life inside his hard body once I found him, go to sleep at night with my cock inside his hole. That was a dream of course, but it would never come true, because I had yet to meet anyone that incredible, who would hold my attention for more than a minute, and would make me want him the way I’d envisioned. 

Besides, I was supposed to be straight and I couldn’t see starting over and having to endure what Jack had suffered by our family. A family of five fucking men, all straight and one gay. I’d say that was a good ratio. Out of five boys only one was gay—if you took me out of the equation.      

“Aren’t you going to invite me in, big brother? How long do you expect me to stand out here while you gawk at me as if you’ve never seen me before?” Jack questioned as his glance wandered to his right and left, and then over my shoulder. “Don’t tell me you have company because I know you better than that, Jeremy.” Jack uttered with a weak voice. I reached for my robe on the hallstand and shrugged my arms through the sleeves, then tied the belt as I watched Jack, and I wondered what it could be this time.  

“Since you know me so well, then why are you invading my privacy?” 

Jack’s eyes met mine and then he pushed past me. I turned to see him march over to my glass and bottle on the table, reach for the bottle, then pour Scotch into my glass after emptying the ice into the butler’s sink, then filling the short glass to the brim, he guzzled down my expensive liquor. 

“What the fuck is it this time?” I asked, standing behind him. “Who are you running from?” I met his glare as he turned, his brow furrowed making a V. Then his closed mouth curled up to the right into a tight smile. 

“No one. Can’t I show up at my brother’s apartment without insinuations about my past?” Jack poured himself another drink, which fed my suspicions about him. There was something he wasn’t telling me. Someone or something had him on the run. 

“You know why I asked you, Jack.” I sat and observed his body language. Maybe that would tell me something. “You’re my twin and whatever the fuck you’ve gotten yourself into now, I need to know about it.” 

Jack slid down heavily on the sofa across from me as if he’d been up for days, and by the looks of him, dark circles around his eyes, and his soiled clothes with coffee stains, that left only one question in my mind.  

“What is it this time? A disgruntled lover or two, the Russian mob, or both?” 

 

 

About the Author 

Sky McCoy writes HEA M/M Romance and erotica books of men who enjoy being gay, hot, sexy and in love. Love is the theme of Sky’s M/M books where you find drama, hot men, hot sex where the sex never cools, even if the drama does. 

When Sky isn’t writing, you can check the interstate, because you may discover Sky driving west after living in New York for years. You can reach Sky here skymccoy0@gmail.com anytime you want to chat.  

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |    Newsletter Sign-up  |   Pinterest  |   Email 

 

 

 

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A Dan Review: Love on the Spectrum by Alec Nortan

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Rating: 2 stars out of 5

 

 

Hervé has Asperger’s, a specific kind of autism that makes him unable to interact with other people.

 

Luc has been severely scarred by fire and flees human presence to avert the way people glare and frown when they see him.

 

It was impossible for them to meet, but life sometimes likes to cheat the odds. Is it just a trick or a way to bring together two men who could be each other’s lifeline?

 

 

 

I gave this book two stars because the author’s blurb at the end of the book states that he had recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s. If a neurotypical person had written this book, I would give it one star.

 

Everyone experiences their autism differently. That’s the very nature of a spectrum disorder. People on the spectrum have different stims, different vocal and verbal abilities, different special interests, different skills and strengths, different triggers and anxieties. I know a lot of people with autism who span the spectrum, in real life and as part of the ASD community on the internet who are all impacted by autism in different ways, and I certainly don’t speak for all people with autism, but in all my years, I have never met a person who experiences with world with the same level of misery as Hervé. 

 

He is overwhelmingly joyless, which I sincerely hope don’t reflect the author’s experiences. I understand completely that the world is an overwhelming sensory experience and that people can redouble that, but even Hervé’s stims and special interests don’t bring him happiness, even when we have full access to his internal states. He constantly refers to his autism in terms of ‘difficulties’. There are flashbacks to hateful teachers and mentors, which took me out of the narrative and only served to reinforce that I didn’t like this book. There are portions in which people react to Luc’s facial scarring as if he’s a literal monster, instead of a human man with scars, and outloud declaring that he’s too hideous to be in public, which seems extreme.

 

Sometimes, the words didn’t flow exactly right, which given that English isn’t the author’s first language, makes sense. I hope this use of language also accounts for some of the way in which the author describes Hervé and his experiences. This book has an uncomfortable reference to cure narratives as well, in which Luc, the love interest, and Hervé manage to ‘cure’ each other’s disabilities in a way. 

 

As a love story, it’s cute and relatively unproblematic, the story of two men navigating each other’s boundaries. It has a happy ending and has no homophobia, even interalized, always a bonus for a gay story. There are some tricks to navigating the world on the spectrum that the author captures honestly, like looking near someone’s eyes instead of at them. The plot itself is lighthearted, and some parts of it feel unfinished and too easy, and I’d really like to see this story reworked with as much love, ease, and acceptance for the ASD community as it has for the gay community.

Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon \ Barnes&Noble

Book Details:

 

37900 words

Ninestar press 

January 6, 2020

Contemporary romance

gay/cis 

 

 

BL Dayhoff on The Right Move (guest post and excerpt)

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The Right Move by B.L. Dayhoff
Published January 25th 2020
JMS Book
Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Buy links: JMS Books – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Kobo

 

“Please don’t touch me,” the guy snapped.

“Sorry!” Trevor jerked his hand back from the shoulder he’d grabbed for balance, which had the unfortunate side effect of throwing him off-balance and turning him ass over backwards. That would have been fine, except he was holding an open Scrabble box—tiles went flying (4,1,4,1,1,2). Thirteen points overhead.

This is the introduction to Chase (“the guy” in the above scene) and Trevor, and the opening of The Right Move. It was the first piece of this story that fell into place (I very much write A to B to C), and the visual was so strong that the rest of the story sprung from it as I wondered who these men are and what their accidental meeting means for them.

Scrabble is the first game mentioned in The Right Move, but it’s not the last, as Trevor invites Chase to join his board game club, which he admits is just an excuse to play board games and get the college to pay for them! Although Chase is initially resistant to making new friends his senior year in college, the club sounds too fun for him to resist. On his first night there, he plays Settlers of Catan with Mike, Sarah, and Annie, although the game has trouble keeping his attention, as you can see in the excerpt below:

Annie rolled her eyes, but said nothing, and the conversation slipped onto other topics and Chase’s gaze slid to Trevor. He was deeply involved in his game now, with all the pieces in their right place (Chase assumed), and fierce intensity on all of their faces. Chase wondered if they were even having fun. It looked more like work than anything.

Then someone at the table said something, and Trevor smiled. Fuck, it was beautiful. Vicious but not cruel, daring, perhaps, like some rogue pirate. Chase could imagine it: Trevor on the deck of a ship, rope in one hand, leaning off the side while the wind whipped through his hair. Of course, instead of short auburn curls they would be long, unruly locks.

“Well, look at that smirk.”

Chase twisted his gaze back to the table, where Sarah was watching him, a smirk of her own on her face.

“See something you like?” she asked.

“Um.” Heat built on the back of his neck and he tilted his head so his braid tumbled over his shoulder. His fingers immediately went for the frayed ends. “No?”

Sarah giggled and shared a glance with Annie. “Right.”

The other girl giggled as well and bumped her shoulder against Sarah’s. Chase ducked his head briefly and fought the blush spreading any farther. “Just seeing what’s happening at other tables.”

The girls giggled again. Mike, seemingly oblivious, asked, “We playing another round?”

Chase nodded, thankful for the out. “I’m up for it.”

The girls agreed, and they began to rebuild the board.

To see the boys geeking out about board games, fandom, and TV shows, check out The Right Move, available now at all major retailers!

The Right Move by B.L. Dayhoff

Length: 56,013 words

Release date: January 25, 2020

Blurb:

Trevor can never leave good enough alone. So when he meets model-gorgeous Chase who has an aversion to being touched, he spots a challenge. After all, no one wants to go through life not being touched by anyone, right? Despite a friend’s plea not to, Trevor sets his sight on fixing Chase.

After being forced to transfer his senior year of college, Chase just wants to avoid drama, pass his classes, get his degree, and move on (and back to his friends). He’s not looking for new friends, and his attitude gives him a reputation that makes it easy to accomplish. At least until he meets Trevor.

Despite an awkward beginning, common interests — and Trevor’s persistence — draw Chase and Trevor together. It’s almost inevitable that their friendship develops into something else. But when secrets come out, it might end the game early.

About the Author:

BL Dayhoff is working on coming out of her shell. She’s always had an interest in writing, but only recently has done it for more than just her own personal amusement. She loves to fill her time with too many things, and her initials really are “BL” but unfortunately do not stand for Boys Love. Although maybe her parents knew something about the future…

You can email her at BLDayhoff@gmail.com or find her online:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BLDayhoff

Tumblr: bldayhoff.tumblr.com

Blogging: bldayhoff.wordpress.com

Check Out the New Release Blitz for Better Than Beginnings (Better Than Stories #5) by Lane Hayes (excerpt and giveaway)

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Title: Better Than Beginnings, A Better Than Good Short Story Collection

Series: Better Than Stories, 5

Author: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Lane Hayes

Release Date: January 30, 2020

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 105000

Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Established Couple, MM Romance, White Collar, Gay romance

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Matt Sullivan knows he met someone special the night he spots the sexy man on the dance floor. However, he doesn’t know his life is about to change forever. First of all, Matt is straight. Okay, maybe not, but he doesn’t think falling in love and spending the rest of his life with a hotheaded, unapologetically fabulous diva is an option.

Aaron Mendez is confident, smart, and very comfortable in his skin. He knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go for it. And though he might have reservations about falling for someone newly out of the closet, no one has ever looked at Aaron the way Matt does.

Navigating a relationship has its challenges, but both Matt and Aaron are willing to deal with difficult parents, holiday blues, and learning curves. They know their happy ever after is worth fighting for and that true love is better than good.

*This collection of short stories follows the lives of Matt and Aaron from my first novel, Better Than Good. The end of one chapter is the beginning of a whole new story from ordinary everyday life to an engagement, a wedding, and more. This collection is dedicated to Matt and Aaron fans and those who believe that the real love story happens after the first “I love you”.

Excerpt

Better Than Candy from Better Than Beginnings, A Better Than Good Short Story Collection

Aaron gave me the silent treatment for a while, and I have to admit I didn’t mind the quiet. For an hour anyway. Then I did mind.

“Come on. You can’t not talk to me all day.”

“Oh, so now you want to talk?” he huffed.

“Yeah. Let’s talk. Come closer so I can touch you too. I’ll be good.” I perched on one of the stools at the island in our kitchen and swiveled to face the hockey game on the flat-screen across the room.

“I don’t trust you,” he grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring at me.

“Come on. I’ll behave. Give me a kiss. Please?” I gave him my best “You can trust me” look.

Aaron sighed dramatically before shuffling over to stand between my thighs. Directly in the way of the hockey game.

“Are you going to make it up to me? Or are you going to watch the Steelers?”

“Okay, funny guy, let’s start with a little re-education. The Steelers are a football team.” I pulled him into my arms and squeezed him tightly, burrowing my chin into his shoulder and blowing raspberries on his neck. “Sadly, their season is over, but thankfully it’s basketball and hockey season now. You’re currently blocking a hockey game, but not my Penguins, so I’ll let you off the hook.”

“Excuse me?” he huffed irritably.

“You heard me. If you’d like to take some time to make up for my hour in hell, I will more than gladly join you…on the sofa, in the bedroom, or even in that green guest bathroom with the cool new towels we just bought. What’s it gonna be?” I held him even tighter and tickled his sides.

He laughed, his eyes twinkling with restored humor as he stepped out of my reach and peeled off his T-shirt.

“First of all, the color is eucalyptus, not green. Hockey and basketball are only marginally better than football and…” He furrowed his brow when I smacked his ass for sheer blasphemy. “And, you are making up with me. Not the other way around. You behaved like a five-year-old. I had no idea you were such a brat.”

“You promised not to torture me, but you did anyway. Even that lady at the store agreed you should have gone alone,” I singsonged.

He stepped between my thighs and rested his arms over my shoulders.

“She called you my husband. That was kind of funny.”

“Yeah.” I kissed his nose and pulled him closer to squeeze his ass.

“It didn’t freak you out?”

“Nope. And you wanna know why?”

“Hmm?”

“ ’Cause I’m gonna marry you someday.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just do. You’re my person. And even though I can think of about ten other things I’d rather do with you, going shopping wasn’t the worst ’cause I still got to be with you.”

Aaron bit his bottom lip and nodded. “Oh, that was good, Matty. I almost can’t remember why I’m mad at you.”

“You’re not mad. You love me. You just don’t know it yet.” I scooped him over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold before he could protest. “No more talking. You have some making up to do.”

I carried him into our bedroom and tossed him onto the bed before kicking off my shoes and pulling my sweater over my head. Aaron undressed quickly, then folded the duvet back and got on all fours in the middle of the bed. I gulped when he shook his ass in invitation. Fuck, he was sexy. I stepped out of my jeans and boxer briefs in a hurry and immediately reached for my cock. I was so hard it hurt. I approached the bed and kneeled behind him, running my fingers along his spine and over the curve of his hips.

Aaron turned to give me a seductive look. “What are you waiting for?”

“Sometimes I can’t believe I’m here with you.”

He frowned before straightening and scooting toward me, wrapping his arms around my neck. “But here we are. And I think this is the way it’s supposed to be,” he whispered.

I brushed my lips over his and closed my eyes for a moment. “Mine.”

Purchase at Amazon

BETTER THAN GOOD is on sale for just 99 cents. Available HERE.

Other books in the Better Than series. Get them all HERE!

Meet the Author

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

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Goodreads |Instagram | BookBub

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Stay Lucky by Leta Blake

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Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This story started slow for me. I got messed up by the out of order flashbacks until I got further in and was able to “anchor” the time in my own mind. I also wondered why anyone would be attracted to Dr. Grant Anderson, who, in his own words, was “…brusque. Rude. Insulting. Demanding. A perfectionist.” But by the end, I was Team Grant. I totally turned around and loved it. Apparently, I have a soft spot for crusty surgeons who only fall in love once and when they do, their insides turn to ooey-gooey love mush.  😀

Six years ago, Leo left town with his ex-boyfriend who promised him the world. Curtis had just gotten a lead role in what promised to be a smash hit and came back to take Leo with him. Turning away from his new love interest, Grant Anderson, he puts his eggs in what turns out to be the wrong basket. Now back in town, he’d like to get to know Grant better, but he has his daughter in tow and he has a major health issue he needs to deal with first.

Grant wants no part of reconnecting with someone who deserted him, but when he starts to see Leo around the hospital where he’s on staff as a surgeon, he learns what is going on medically, and it’s not good. More worrying, he gets to know Leo’s daughter, teaches her chess, and befriending the precocious five-year-old who has to wait while her dad gets dialysis. He’s finding a soft spot in his heart for her—and for Leo. Oh, oh, the great stone-faced Dr. Grant is headed for a downfall. 

I love the way the author built Grant’s character and the way the past was woven through the story in flashback sequences, so we get to know the real men—both Grant and Leo, and we get to bite our nails during Leo’s surgery, hang out with Lucky, the little girl, as she comes to love Grant, and watch Grant have his emotional meltdown. There’s room for Leo’s ex in this story too and plenty of opportunities to fall in love with all the characters.

What struck me about a third of the way through, as I kept thinking this guy reminds me of someone, in that Grant is very much like Patrick in the Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series. And Leo, like Will, has a medical condition that the hard-shelled surgeon can’t fix. Very similar, and the author mentions this was written originally as part of a short story collection so I suspect Will and Patrick grew from these characters. I would have liked to have known that going into it but in any case, I fell in love by the end of the story and so did Leo and Grant. Tissues are highly recommended—both for tears of sorrow and tears of joy. A must read for those who enjoy opposites attract MM romance and, of course, Will and Patrick Wake Up Married.

Cover art is simply adorable and works for the story.

Sales Link:  Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 2nd Edition, 209 pages
Published January 9th 2020 by Leta Blake Books (first published February 28th 2018)
Original Title Stay Lucky
ASINB083QMBK7Q
Edition Language English
settingNorth Carolina (United States)

Check Out the Release Blitz for Bound to Liberty (Bound #5) by Kai Tyler

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Title: Bound To Liberty

Author: Kiru Taye writing as Kai Tyler

Series: Bound, Book 5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Queer Romance

Bound to Liberty-NewCover600pw

TAGLINE: James isn’t ready to lose his heart again. Will Ethan fight for his love?

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As if life isn’t tough enough for James Coker, rejected and nearly killed by family, he is also a closeted gay man in a country where being gay is outlawed. So when the first man he’s ever loved gets engaged to a woman, James’s solution to heartbreak is to indulge in a holiday fling.

In contrast, Ethan Eze has had life relatively easy. Born in the ‘Land of the Free’ and nurtured within a family where he can be whoever he wants to be, he’s a military veteran who is not afraid of going for what he wants. When he meets James, Ethan wants him.

Desire burns between them and soon blurs into devotion. But James is not ready to lose his heart again. Ethan has fought for his country. Now will he fight for love?

Bound to Liberty is a story about breaking free from mental chains and living a life of boundless love.

Content Warning: homophobia, threat of forced outing, depictions of anxiety,

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black man posing at the night club

EXCERPT

Ethan let the men out and locked the door. When he turned around, James wasn’t in the living room.

“James?” he called out as he strode across the space. Getting no response, he knocked on the closed door to the younger man’s room. “Can I come in?”

“It’s not locked,” James’s muffled voice came through.

Ethan pushed the door and stopped at the threshold.

His ward paced the room manically, muttering to himself. Although the AC was on, sweat beaded his hairline and his hands were clenched.

The sight of James’s distress undid Ethan. His job was to keep James physically safe and find his stalker. His professional remit didn’t extend to dealing with emotional baggage.

Nonetheless, he’d be damned if he just had to stand guard while the young man hurt. He stepped into the room without a second thought. Nothing else mattered but taking away the suffering. Neither his misgivings about getting personally involved with his ward nor the risk of losing an influential client if he cocked this up stopped him.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He halted in front of James, blocking his pacing path.

James shook his head and tried to swerve past him.

He reached out and settled his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Talk to me.”

AUTHOR BIO

As a lover of romance novels, Kiru wanted to read stories about Africans falling in love. When she couldn’t find those books, she decided to write the stories she wanted to read. She writes sensual African stories as Kiru Taye and writes queer romance as Kai Tyler.

KIRU TAYE

Website: www.kirutaye.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKiruTaye/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiruTaye

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirutaye/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/kirutaye/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kiru-taye

KAI TYLER:

Website: http://www.kaityler.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaiTylerAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaitylerauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitylerauthor/
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Looking for Your Next Contemporary Romance? Check Out the Release Blitz with Excerpt Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold #1) by Colette Davison

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold Book 1)

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher:  Independently Published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: January 29, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Second chance, sports, slow burn, hurt/comfort

Themes:  Forgiveness, trusting others, dedication, self-care

Heat Rating:  2 – 3 flames

Length:  68 500 words

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

 

 

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link   |   Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

 

Blurb

Can second chance love survive past trauma?

 Reece has one goal: to compete in the Olympic Games. With the gymnastics World Championships looming, his dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

When his childhood sweetheart, Alex, walks back into his life unexpectedly, Reece’s world is turned upside down. Alex was the boy who inexplicably pushed him away and broke his heart; the boy he still loves.

When the truth behind their break-up is revealed, Reece wants to hold Alex up and give him the strength to heal.

But can Reece be Alex’s rock, and remain focused on his training, or will his Olympic dreams suffer in the process?

Hold Me Up is a MM second chance romance, with a slow-burn relationship and lots of hurt/comfort. It’s the first in a series of books that follows male artistic gymnasts as they chase gold.

Trigger warnings: Hold Me Up features a character who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks due to a past event that is briefly described.

 

Excerpt 

“Pizza and beer, as requested.”

Alex’s smiled deepened as he stood back, allowing Reece to enter.

“Are we eating at the table, or are we going to be uncouth?” Reece made eyes at the sofa and then frowned playfully. “How can you be uncouth when you can’t be couth?”

Alex chuckled. “You’re an idiot.”

“It’s true, though,” Reece pointed out, kicking the door shut behind him. “Just like you can be over- or underwhelmed, but you can’t actually be whelmed. The English language is weird.” Raising the hand carrying the beer, he pointed to the table and then the sofa. “Table or sofa?”

Alex considered the question. The sofa would be far more relaxed, but he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. In just a few days, most of his barriers regarding Reece had crashed down. He was enjoying having Reece back in his life, but he felt like it was for all the wrong reasons.

Reece took the decision out of his hands. “The table is occupied by your laptop. Let’s take the sofa.” He put the pizzas and beer on the coffee table before flopping down on one end of the sofa. He looked up at Alex expectantly. “Are you joining me?”

Alex glanced at the table, wondering if he should offer to move the laptop. It would have taken him two seconds to close the lid and prop it against the wall and only slightly longer to take it back through to his bedroom, but he didn’t want to. Instead, he wandered to the kitchen units and grabbed the bottle opener from the drawer.

“Good call,” Reece said as he pulled two bottles out of the cardboard pack. He held them both while Alex flipped the lids off, and then gave one to Alex. “I got us garlic bread,” he declared. “And I seem to remember that you’re not much of a fan of topping on pizza, so I’ve got a margherita for you and pepperoni for me.” He took a swig of beer before opening up the pizza boxes and handing Alex his. Then he reclaimed the bottle. “We should have a toast.”

Alex raised his eyebrows as Reece lifted his bottle.

“To you. Reporter extraordinaire.”

Alex felt heat creep up into his face. “I don’t—”

“I do,” Reece cut him off. “Like I said earlier, your article was amazing.” He glanced around the room. “You should cut it out and frame it.”

The heat swept up to Alex’s hairline and into his ears. “My boss already did.”

“Where is it? I don’t see it up anywhere.”

“At work.”

“On the wall?”

Alex shook his head.

“You need to bring it home. I’ll help you put it up, if you want?”

Alex dipped his chin. “I—”

“It’s your first article. It’s a big deal, Alex and you should be bloody proud of yourself.”

 

 

About the Author 

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website

Facebook

Twitter

Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub

Goodreads

Instagram

Mailing List

 

 

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $10 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

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Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts here

A MelanieM Review: Ted of the d’Urbervilles by Rob Rosen

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Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Ted is an orphan, a young gay man living on the streets following the death of both his parents. Hope seems futile, though hope is exactly what he finds when a surprising email informs him that an unknown wealthy relative has died, that a reading of a will is soon to occur clear across the country. Ted will inherit something, but what that something is remains to be seen.

Benny is a young, homeless drug addict, straight except for when cash is involved. Benny has never had a reason to be hopeful about anything until a chance encounter with Ted.

Both men are soon traveling together from state to state, making ends meet however they can, rushing to the reading of the will that may or may not change both their lives forever. An unexpected friendship quickly forms, and then just as unexpectedly blossoms into something more as their adventure ultimately leads them to their fates.

At turns darkly funny and tragic, deeply erotic and poignant, Ted of the d’Urbervilles uniquely shines a light on the phrase “Love is Love” — though who they will find it with remains a mystery until the very end.

Rob Rosen has given me werewolves, unforgettable drag queens, drag queens zombies apocalypse, romance and intergalactic oddities, and now it’s his take on the classic Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Tom Hardy.  By that I mean a spin on family, society, class levels, and one’s place within it.  Here woen heavily with sex, pathos, intrigue, and an ending Tess herself wouldn’t have seen coming.

No indeed,Ted of the d’Urbervilles by Rob Rosen is a story that kept both my heart and interest focused on the characters and page from the moment I met Ted, homeless, starving, and desperately in need of a change of direction for his life.  Which he gets.The sheer pain of Ted’s past history and loss comes through, never more so in his first lucky tide when hitchhiking.  I will remember that trucker and her friend for many novels to come.  Awash in platitudes, warmth, and generosity, she is memorable and has a strength that will stay with the reader and Ted.

This book is full of interesting relationships and unusual dynamics, the one between Ted and Benny perhaps the most special.  The biggest element is that Ted and Benny come to love each other in a non typical  romance way but it actually manifests itself in sexual acts.  As though that is the only way both men know to show love, no matter what type of love it is.  Ted is gay, Benny is straight.  They love each other non romantically but have sex often.  Yes, it’s that complex a relationship and their future becomes equally involved when others are added to it.  Rosen has written these characters and their strange love and relationship in a way we get them.  And accept them as they are.    For the pain, the humor, and the angst they cause each other, but also the love and support.

Sometimes I feel Rob Rosen should come with a warning.  Read Rob Rosen at your own risk.  He’s not for the faint hearted.  He’s never boring.  He takes risks.  Sometimes they don’t pay off but most of the time they do.  And the emotional payload smacks you right in the heart.  As this one did just when I least expected it too.  Rosen likes to zig when other’s like to zag with their narrative flow and the waters can get stormy, but it’s worth every whitecap and high wave to get to shore.

When you get to the ending here, you will understand that sentence.  It’s the same feeling I get at the end of every Rob Rosen story.  A feeling of contentment, a journey will taken, a story well told.

Not familiar with this author?  Lucky for you there is a great library to discover but why not start here?  I definitely recommend Ted of the d’Urbervilles by Rob Rosen

Cover art definitely works for Ted and this story.

Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  JMS Books  |  GooglePlay

Book Details:

ebook, 195 pages
Published January 18th 2020 by JMS Bools
ISBN139781646562503
Edition LanguageEnglish

A MelanieM Review The Edge of the World by Garrett Leigh

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Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Shay Maloney is living his dream—on tour with his pirate/folk-rock band. But you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’re from, and that’s where moody filmmaker and researcher Ollie Pietruska comes in.

The band’s management persuades Shay to let a television company film a documentary about his roots beyond his adoptive Irish family, and Ollie comes into his life knowing more about Shay than Shay’s ever known about himself.

But while Ollie holds the key to Shay’s past, he’s also hiding deep scars. Even as the hardships of the tour bring them closer, Ollie’s demons threaten the blossoming romance. They might both reach the breaking point before Ollie realises he’s been standing on the edge of the world for too long, and it’s Shay who holds the key to his future.

A friends-to-lovers, rock star, road-tripping romance, with a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Shay Maloney and Ollie Pietruska just may be my favorite Garrett Leigh couple yet.  And that is saying a lot after all the wonderful stories I have read by this author.  But it didn’t take long for me to fall under the spell cast by these men, their incredible chemistry, and the intriguing format that Leigh created for their tale in The Edge of the World by Garrett Leigh.  

Add up two indelible characters, a memorable ragtag fusion folk band on tour, and a mystery of a lost ancestry, and Garrett Leigh had me hooked not only on a hurt/comfort romance but a mystery as well.  A narrative rich in intriguing characters, nationalities,  with a realness seated in one man’s coping with diabetes and another’s trauma, this story has it all.

And connecting it, an elusive music just out of reach, full of drums, flutes, pianos, and a pounding of feet the reader so dearly wants to be a part of .

This is a book of the  senses we ache to feel, beautifully written, gorgeously constructed.  With men so believable I hung on every part of their relationship. so fully invested I couldn’t bear to put down the Kindle until it was finished.  And then was sorry to leave them there, happy and in love.

Definitely a story for me to revisit, I love them that much.  I think you will too.   I guess you already you I am recommending it. Of course you do!

Cover Design: Black Jazz Designh:  How perfect is that cover!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited
 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 223 pages
Published January 16th 2020 by Fox Love Press