Category: Contemporary fiction

Blog Tour Terrible Things by Beth Bolden (excerpt)

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TERRIBLE THINGS

BETH BOLDEN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 01.19.19

terrible things cover

Cover Design: Cate Ashwood

BLURB

When Caleb Chance walked out in Detroit five years ago, leaving his band, millions of his fans and his lover behind, Leo knew he could never forgive.

Some things, no matter what the cause, are unforgivable.

But Leo never expected Caleb to show up again, clean and sober and wanting to get their band, Star Shadow, back together. He definitely never expected to agree to Caleb’s plan.

He never expected to confront the love of his life again—or the disaster of his past, the hopelessness of his future, and every terrible thing he’s been carrying inside him.

But maybe some things aren’t so terrible after all.

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EXCERPT

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay setting up without help?” Caleb asked.

Leo rolled his eyes, trying to return to normal interaction. Caleb didn’t need to know about all the little, unbearably painful, things that still caught him unawares. It turned out that grief wasn’t only that yawning chasm of missing someone so much your teeth ached; sometimes it was the tiny, most insignificant bits of a destroyed, disintegrated life.

“I’m perfectly capable, you know,” Leo insisted. “I can have people over without making a mess of it.”

“Of course you can. I just want to help,” Caleb said, sounding flustered. “That’s why I offered to cook.”

“You shouldn’t be cooking for your own celebration,” Leo said.

“You used to like it when I cooked.”

Leo couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of him at this understatement. “I fucking loved it when you cooked.”

Caleb looked pleased. “That’s good. Really good. I mean, I want to make you feel that way. Again. Um.” He hesitated, mouth twitching. “All the time, actually.”

It was good to hear. Leo had missed someone taking care of him.

But again, that wasn’t exactly accurate. For Christmas two years ago, Benji had given him the services of a housekeeper for six months. At the time, Leo had been over the moon, thinking it was the perfect gift. But it turned out that he hadn’t liked someone in his business all the time. He didn’t like the way she’d look down her nose at him for leaving dirty dishes overflowing on the coffee table or the way he’d track mud in after a run or that sometimes he wouldn’t leave his warm, comfy bed until two in the afternoon.

In the end, he’d written her a big check, buying both her absence and her silence.

So, specifically, what Leo missed was Caleb taking care of him.

“Maybe that’s something we could do again. Dinner sometime.” At first Leo couldn’t believe he was suggesting it—hadn’t he just thought that Caleb back in the kitchen was too much to handle? But he also told himself that they were trying to be friends again. And friends could share a friendly meal.

“Really?” Caleb sounded incredulous, but he was looking at Leo like he’d just hung the moon and the sun and the stars in the sky.

“Of course,” Leo said, like it wasn’t a big deal. “I know we’ll be off on the tour soon, but maybe when we get back.”

“That would be so great.” He paused. “Like maybe even . . . maybe even a date?”

Leo was twenty-six years old but he honest-to-god blushed when Caleb said the magical d word.

“Sure,” Leo said. He couldn’t believe he’d said yes. He also couldn’t believe Caleb had asked after last night’s conversation.

“I know it seems sudden,” Caleb added.

Leo shrugged. “It isn’t like we set a date and time. Just . . . sometime in the future.”

“Nice and vague,” Caleb agreed. “Vague is good.”

Leo was aware they were both grinning at each other like idiots. This was confirmed when Max wandered over and did a double take.

“You two,” he said with a short, barking laugh. “Stop flirting and get going. You’ll see each other soon, I promise.”

beth bolden logo 2

Beth Bolden lives in Portland, Oregon with her supportive husband. She wholly believes in Keeping Portland Weird, but wishes she didn’t have to make the yearly pilgrimage up to Seattle to watch her Boston Red Sox play baseball. She’s a fan of fandoms, and spends too much of her free time on tumblr.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published eight novels and two novellas, with Catch Me, the next novel in the Kitchen Gods series, releasing in May 2018.

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

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Website: www.bethbolden.com

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Late Summer Night’s Dream by Eleanor Harkstead and Catherine Curzon

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

What a wonderfully sweet, old-fashioned romance between an older man, who happens to be a professor and a widower, and a younger man, who happens to be pursuing his doctorate. They meet at the theater when Simeon mistakes his seat for one already taken and disputes it earnestly just as the curtain is about to go up.  When he realizes he’s in the wrong, he attempts an apology at intermission and is shocked to see the gorgeous older gent, dressed to the nine’s for the theater, with silver in his blond hair—everything that pushes Simeon’s buttons.  Afterward they go for a meal and both men realize they may have just had an encounter they will remember for a very long time. 

Anthony is enjoying his first evening out since his husband died several years before, and he’s even more excited by his, er, excitement with the younger man.  But even though they both agree to take it slow, and kissing is enough for now, Anthony has second, and third, thoughts and realizes he can never make such a good-looking younger man happy, so he puts a quick stop to their evening.

Is that the end of the story?  The end of their attraction? The end of this wonderfully humorous, sweet, tender-hearted romance? No way.  I actually slowed down to take my time as I was reading because every page, every moment in this story was filled with hope and love and energy.  I wish I could describe it better, but suffice it to say, this was a grand romance, worthy of the stage, no doubt a play on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it deserves to be read and enjoyed.  Slow burn, age gap, recovery from grief, humor, romantic dinners, sweet kisses, and more.  I absolutely adored it.  And therefore, I highly recommend it.

The cover by Cherith Vaughn features a young man wearing a denim jacket in the foreground with an older silvery blond haired man in the background.  Though they represent the MCs in theory, they certainly aren’t an exact match and the cover isn’t necessarily one that would grab my attention.

Sales Links:  Pride Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 79 pages
Expected publication: February 19th 2019 by Pride Publishing
ISBN 139781786517067
Edition Language English

An Ashlez Review :Bad Deal (Belikov Crime Family #1) by Faith Ryan and Ember-Raine Winters

Rating : 4 stars out of 5

JR Richards

What’s worse than wanting the one person you can never have? How about finally getting them. Don’t get me wrong the sex was great, but everything that came after? Yeah, it’s like they say, be careful what you wish for.

Ruslan Belikov

My brother made a deal that didn’t go as planned. Now I have to get back what’s ours and pretty boy Jacoby is the tool to make that happen. I’ll torture and use him until I get what I want, then I’ll toss him aside like the rest.

A motorcycle club and a Mafia family shouldn’t make deals. Someone’s bound to lose. Family, friends and hearts, nothing’s safe in a world fueled by drugs, money and sex.

WARNING: Ruslan Belikov and Jacoby Richards may not be for everyone. They are two dominant men thrown into an impossible situation. Some readers may find their story makes them uncomfortable. If you don’t like dark and dirty mafia bosses who use torture and sex to get their way turn back now. You have been warned.

I honestly agree with the Warning – if you’re not into precarious sexual situations really do not read this book – it’s not bad like most of the books I enjoy but it was enough for most to probably get a head scratcher and put it down.
I went through this book debating between 2 and 4 stars, it’s mainly just sexual content with a bit of a side story, the side story takes over more toward the end of the book and it’s super fast paced and exciting, hell mob bosses and shootouts. I kind of wished for a different ending though i’m not going to lie, I think it would have been quite a different end in my head but alas, I’m not an author.
Ruslan was pretty bossy and authoritative which I liked, I thought that the use of Nyet during the book as one of the only russian translated words was a bit much, honestly, once or twice would have been fine but so often I was a bit frustrated, or at least give some other words I think da and maybe 1 or 2 other words were used throughout the whole book and they’re russian .. I don’t know why that bothered me
JR was a tricky bugger and worth his salt I think, I think the battle between them could have been abit more heated sometimes but I had a vision of them committing crimes together in the end, like a massive murder spree so that’s fun!
Overall it was a good book, OK storyline, and lots of inappropriate sexual content (which I enjoyed) – heed the warning if you’re squeamish to non-consent (though is it really) and enjoy a filthy book!

Cover – apt, and hot – though I picture mains way different than the photo.

Buy Links

Amazon Universal Link

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 157 pages
Published January 29th 2019
ASIN B07KYX1VTF
Seriesb Belikov Crime Family #1

Love Contemporary Romance? Check Out the Book Release Blitz for Living on the Inside by Londra Laine (excerpt and giveaway)

Title: Living on the Inside

Author: Londra Laine

Publisher: Independently Published

Release Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: About 55,000 words

Genre: Romance, Single dad, gay romance, interracial, ex-con, domestic abuse, work romance

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Synopsis

Micah Grayson lives in his baby mama’s guesthouse. It’s unconventional and awkward, but he’s happy for a chance to reconnect with his teenage son. He doesn’t have time for other distractions—no matter how sexy, independent, and compassionate that distraction might be. Besides, he’s not good enough for more than a fling—no one would ever take him home to meet their parents.

Adrien Darling has book smarts, but no street savvy—at least that’s what his family says. And after a heart-breaking betrayal by the man meant to love and protect him, Adrien believes them. But then a gorgeous guy with a defeated look in his eyes walks into Adrien’s coffee shop and makes him want to take a chance.

After years of living on the outside as two misfits looking in, both men are afraid to reach for more. But in each other’s arms, Micah and Adrien find out what it’s like to live on the inside. As their tender bond grows and blossoms, old insecurities bubble to the surface. Will their commitment crumble under the pressure? Or will the two find the strength to fight for each other.

***Please be aware that this book contains a flashback of and several references to domestic abuse that may be triggering to some readers.***

 

Excerpt:

 

“Is that what we are?” Micah asked quietly. “Friends?”

“Yeah,” Adrien answered. “I hope so.” 

Then he was surrounded by Micah’s body. Adrien hesitated for a moment before returning the other man’s embrace, locking his arms around Micah’s torso. A few seconds into the hug all the reasons why he needed to pull away from Micah—now—raced through his mind. But he couldn’t make himself do it.

Adrien had been fighting his attraction, but the man had slipped past Adrien’s defenses. Micah’s earnest joy at making progress with his son. His trust in Adrien as he shared his insecurities. His nonjudgmental attitude. Their growing friendship. All those things made him feel strong and needed. Adrien wanted more of that feeling. He leaned into Micah.

Micah sighed as he squeezed Adrien tighter, and Adrien’s body sagged against him, the fight against his attraction to Micah leaving his body. He tucked his head into the crook of Micah’s shoulder, and gave in to defeat, breathing in the salty sweet scent of Micah’s skin, running his palms up the man’s back.

The scent and feel of Micah was heady, and Adrien’s head swam as he let his eyelids flutter shut, let his lips graze the exposed skin between Micah’s neck and shoulder. Micah tensed against him and his breath hitched, making Adrien wonder if he’d gone too far. But then Micah’s palm slid up Adrien’s neck, cupping his nape, grazing a thumb along his hairline.

Micah moved his other hand lower, resting it right above Adrien’s ass, his fingers lightly grazing the swell below Adrien’s hips.

“Adrien,” Micah grated out. Adrien pulled back, slowly opening his eyes. Micah licked his lips, his eyes skimming Adrien’s mouth, and then he leaned forward.

Adrien met him halfway, their lips connecting in a kiss. The light brush became a firm press then flared, hot and wet, as Adrien ran the tip of his tongue against the seam of Micah’s lips. Micah submitted to Adrien’s silent request, parting his lips to give Adrien access to his tongue and mouth.

Then a loud honk made them jerk apart as a car sped past them, headlights bright and blinding. Their chests heaved, and Adrien took in Micah’s disheveled hair and damp lips and wondered if he looked nearly as enticing to Micah.

Adrien’s gaze skittered away, and he grimaced, embarrassment replacing the intense need he’d felt moments ago. What was he doing? He knew better than this. He’d been down this road before. He couldn’t get involved with an employee again.

Then a terrible thought occurred to him. What if Micah felt like he had to hook up with Adrien? Had Adrien pressured him in some way? Shit. Negative thoughts tumbled through his mind, making him dizzy. He had to nip this in the bud.

“Micah, about what just happened—”

“Our kiss?” Micah moved closer to him.

Adrien’s eyes wandered, unable to meet Micah’s. “Yeah, the kiss. I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to—I’m sorry.” He shook his head and Micah stopped the motion by gripping Adrien’s chin between his forefinger and thumb. He lifted Adrien’s face to his.

“I’m not sorry.” Micah’s voice was quiet in the night.   

at Amazon

Meet the Author

Londra has loved reading since she figured out how to do it. She writes to give her guys the happy ending she wishes everyone––no matter their race, religion, gender, or orientation––could experience in real life.

Londra makes money as a communications manager. She is a former journalist, a runner and a mezzo soprano.

In 2010, she moved from her native California to New York City where she lived in Harlem for nearly eight years. In early 2018 she relocated to Seattle with her spouse.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail | Queer Romance Ink

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A MelanieM Review: Inside Out (Road to Blissville #6) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Romeo Bradly and Julius Shepherd moved to Blissville for the same reason: a fresh start. Romeo was looking for a school district where he could make a real impact in the lives of students and faculty, and Julius was eager to teach one of his passions to the best and brightest at a school with a nationally ranked science program. But the sleepy little town offered them much more than they’d bargained for—quirky people, unlikely friendships, and an all-consuming attraction that turns them inside out.

When unexpected circumstances threaten to cancel the school play, Romeo’s theater background and Julius’s musical expertise make them the perfect pair to save the day. Working together so closely makes it harder for the men to ignore their growing feelings. After all, the heart knows what it wants and doesn’t care about age gaps, race, or professional conflict of interest. Romeo and Julius will learn that they have far more in common than they realize, and their differences will make them stronger if they give love a chance.

Their commitment to each other and the play will be tested when outside forces target them as a couple and exert pressure to cancel the production. Romeo and Julius vow to prove their love can conquer any challenge and will burn strong well beyond the curtain call.

Inside Out is a whimsical, May/December romance featuring a man learning to love again and a man falling in love for the first time. It is the sixth book in the Road to Blissville series and can be read as a standalone book or part of the series.

I had no idea when I picked up a book called Unscripted Love set in a small town called Blissville about a veterinarian and a writer looking for love how deeply I would come to love this series and a small fictional place that exists nowhere else but in Aimee Nicole Walker’s imagination and this series.  Should it actually exist, my bags would be packed, the boxes stacked, and the car running, ready for the move I’d make without hesitation.  You see, over the course of; as of Inside Out, six books, I know Blissville as intimately as any of these characters.  I want to have my hair done at the Curl Up and Dye, walk the quaint, beautiful tree lined streets with my dogs, meeting my neighbors, heading over to Books and Brew. There I’ll have my coffee, choose from any number of pastries, get a baked doggie treat from Mae or her brother and go outside to sit at a table.  Maybe I’ll read the local paper, get caught up on the gossip, learn how to get mustard out of my clothes, and find out how the Blissville Bulldogs are doing as well as all the other local school sports teams. If I don’t feel like cooking?  Always head to the Dinner for some of the best home cooked food in the area and see friends as well.   The charm and magic of Blissville runneth over, book after book, couple after couple.  Inside Out is one more wonderful novel in this series that captivates me.

If you are looking for angst, there’s a little but this is mostly a character and relationship based story, which I loved.  Told in alternating povs, each man is new to Blissville, having accepted new jobs in the Blissville school system recently.   Both are making adjustments in their lives, not only in location, but emotionally as well.  There are differences in age, type of support system, even race in our main characters, but the author shows that they also have so much in common from the very beginning that their very differences add flavor to a romance that not only works but is perfect for each other.

There is a wonderful story thread about a student play called Inside Out that has multiple meanings here.  The play itself becomes as real as the three students who wrote and fight to put it on, that I almost wished it too was as authentic as it came across.  I certainly wanted to listen to the score.

And by the end, I was so happy.  Not just with the wonderful romance and love of Rome and Julius, but with Howard, who’s friendship with Rome helped  to lift him out of his mourning and back into life.  And with meeting Priscilla, the Dragon who guarded the desk of the Superintendent and much more,  Rome’s sister and family, Julius’ mother and younger brother, on and on. When you enter a Blissville story, you enter a community of people you will soon take to heart, Inside Out is no exception.  The end result is that it left me happy, content, and wanting a swift return to a place I so wish was real.

You don’t need to read these stories in order but in doing so it’s like gathering a group of friends that you see again and again in each tale.  I think it’s just lovely and I highly recommend them all.

Cover Art: Jay Aheer.  I really like this cover with the clasped hands, touching and works.d

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 222 pages
Published January 14th 2019 by Chasing Rainbows Press LLC
ASINB07MTLPZZ4
Series Road to Blissville #6

Road to Blissville Series

Unscripted Love

Someone to Call My Own

Nobody’s Prince Charming

This Time Around

Smoke in the Mirror

Inside Out

Release Blitz – The Other Book by Roe Horvat (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited
 
Length: 42,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design:
 
Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing
 
Blurb
 

It was supposed to be just sex… Famous last words.

Tyler doesn’t overthink pleasure and avoids complications. He knows it might be stupid to get involved with his closeted boss, but the temptation is too great. At first, the cold and beautiful Joel Sandstrom seems to loathe Tyler’s guts.

Except one late night at the office, his reasons become clear…and his control breaks.

Every time they touch, Joel’s stony face comes alive, harsh lines smooth out, and for a minute, he looks serene. Happy, even. Just sex – dirty, intense, spectacular sex.

During their covert encounters, Tyler discovers the power he has over the lonesome man, and it’s a heady feeling. What if he could set Joel free and give him peace of mind? When Tyler realizes how much Joel needs him, he doesn’t regret breaking his own rules.


Excerpt
(warning: adult language, but no explicit scenes)

Thursday was a long day.

I messaged Christoffer to say I wouldn’t be able to make it this weekend because my boss was a slave-driving ass.

At least it’s a good-looking ass, Christoffer replied.

Tina knocked on my booth at half past eleven.

“Tyler? Joel says he wants you in the conference room at one for the meeting with Mercury.”

I scowled, my mood getting worse by the second. “He could have emailed me, messaged me, or come down here to tell me himself. You’re not his secretary.”

Tina rolled her eyes. “Calm down, Avenger. I bumped into Joel in the kitchen. He mentioned you might need to be there. I told him I’d let you know.”

It took a me a while, but in the end, I had to admit I had no comeback to something so…normal. Damn it. He didn’t even give me valid reasons to hate on him.

“I’ll be there,” I mumbled, turning back to my screen.

“He’s a good guy, Tyler. Cut him some slack,” Tina said.

“Me?” I pivoted on my chair to face her. Joel was the one being a jerk. And he was the boss! How was I supposed to cut him slack?

“You know what I mean,” Tina threw over her shoulder, walking away toward her desk.

“What?” I called after her, but she didn’t reply.

Two hours later, I parked my butt in the conference room, opposite Joel. He was looking at his laptop screen intently, not acknowledging me. He never talked to me unless he absolutely had to.

“Nice tie. Matches the ice in your chest,” I commented.

“They will be here in three minutes. Please behave,” Joel said evenly, still not lifting his gaze from the laptop.

“You don’t like it when I behave,” I told him, leaning back.

His eyes flashed to me for an instant, and his lip twitched. Otherwise, expression Number One: immaculate control and contained rage. “Tyler, can you act professionally for ninety minutes?” he hissed.

That was it. How come I was suddenly the unprofessional one?

“How’s your throat today, Joel? Sore?” I asked loudly just as the door creaked open.

Joel sucked in a breath and clenched his jaw. Red stain crept up his neck, but he stood gracefully and offered his hand to the forty-something woman who entered the room. A tall young man in a lovely dark-blue suit followed her. He had high cheekbones and porcelain skin, and he blushed fiercely when he saw me. Nice. I made sure to smile at him when we shook hands. His eyelids fluttered. Matt, who held the door for the Mercury people, gave us a tight greeting and closed it.

We sat, and my attention shifted from the young beauty back to my boss. Joel’s stare became glacial. I smirked. This was going to be fun.

It wasn’t fun. At all. Their requirements were unspecific, their expectations exaggerated, and the pretty boy was a pretentious jerk. I suffered through the hour and a half trying not to let them know they had only wasted my time.

Joel accompanied the Mercury people to the hall and shook hands with both. I tried to slip past them back to my soundproof sanctuary, intent on closing myself in there for the rest of the day. I hated client meetings with a passion—even when they involved pretty young things. But Joel called after me, ruining my escape.

“Tyler? Can you wait in the conference room? It will only take a minute.”

I let out my frustration by making the face of a backstabbed warrior, and slowly turned around.

Back in the conference room, I sat down on the same chair, which was still warm from my butt. Hopefully, Joel would only want to go through the details of the meeting and then I could go hide again.

He stepped inside and closed the door.

“I have a request,” he began slowly. He stayed by the door, as far from me as possible.

I leaned forward and supported my chin in my palm, waiting.

“I can’t let the situation get out of hand,” Joel continued, suspiciously vague. “I have some serious private matters going on right now. I hope you will understand and help me to…handle this gracefully. I can’t afford any added complications.”

Oh, it was that kind of a request!

“Joel, I told you, I won’t out you. I’m not a complete shit,” I said with disgust. What the hell did he think of me?

Joel flashed me a disturbed look. “No, I know that. I only need us to…stop being personal.”

“You mean you won’t suck my dick anymore, boss?”

He had the grace to wince, yet he didn’t reply.

 
Author Bio
 

Queer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the post-communist wasteland of former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri, with equal passion. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.

More about the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roe.horvat.98
Twitter: @roehorvat
Website: roehorvat.com
Publisher: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=107

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Cover Reveal for Touch Of A Yellow Sun (Colors of Love #2) by V.L. Locey (giveaway)

 

ADD TO GOODREADS
 
Release Date: February 27 2019
 
Cover Design: Designs By Sloan
 
Length: 88,600 words approx.
 
Colors Of Love Series
 
Book #1 – Lost In Indigo – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Blurb
 

It’s been a rough couple of years for Marek Hafer, roaming hockey protagonist and pugilistic expert. Ending up in Berger Lake, Pennsylvania, on a financially unstable minor league team might just be the ending his wretched career deserves. On the other side of thirty, Marek knows his time on skates is dwindling. His goal now is to spend a few quiet years playing for the Berger Lake Badgers, knock a few helmets together as needed, and then call it quits before his salty personality gets him booted out of hockey permanently.


After a bloody encounter his first night on the ice, the Badgers coach suggests that Marek find a way to lower his violent tendencies before he’s sent packing yet again. That decree leads Marek to knock on the door of his next-door neighbor, Shey Pierson, the owner of Sun Touch Yoga Studio. Shey ticks every box Marek has with his soft blue eyes, flowing golden hair, and long limber legs. The only problem is that Shey is yin to Marek’s yang.


Can a man famed for throwing punches find serenity in the arms of a man known for his tranquil ways?

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.



V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.


When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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A Lucy Review: Forever Starts at Midnight (an Against All Odds novella) by Kim Breyon

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Most days, I just go through the motions. Stuck in a job I don’t enjoy, I plan my breaks around when I can talk to my boyfriend. Our conversations are the one thing I can look forward to, the one thing that gives me joy. Our love for the band Indigo Rose brought us together, and two years later, it’s our weekly line wars on movie night and his unmatched ability to make me laugh that makes Aspen more than just my boyfriend. He’s my best friend, too.

The only problem is, I’ve never actually met him.

A last-minute business trip right before New Year’s Eve sends me back to the familiar town of Reedsport, where I am forced to team up with my sexy co-worker. I’ve always had a hard time tearing my eyes away from Cameron, and spending time with him has given me a glimpse of what my life could be like if I stepped out from behind the computer screen. What it could be like to hear the laugh of someone I care about late at night or feel the warmth of their skin against mine.

When Indigo Rose announces they will be part of the line up at the annual New Year’s Eve party, it feels like the perfect opportunity to see if my connection with AspenW743 is as strong in person as it is online.

Will Aspen agree to meet me? And if he does, how will I choose between the man I’ve just met yet know inside and out or the man I see every day and still remains a mystery?

A favorite trope – the online lovers who have yet to meet.  Hunter has an online boyfriend, Aspen, who shares his love of the band Indigo Rose.  A boyfriend who he can talk to about anything and everything.  He can’t wait to meet Aspen and hopefully that time is coming soon.  When he gets thrown into a last minute trip by his boss, a scary and awesome female who happens to be Hunter’s aunt by marriage, he ends up going with Cameron, the cute, quiet intern from work who has been taken advantage of and as a result barely has enough money to live on.  He was supposed to be moving ahead to an employee after six months but now it’s been fourteen and he is still in the same position, where everyone dumps all their work on him.   It’s just one more thing to do when he has to accompany Hunter.

The two head off to Reedsport to run an open house for their employer, Gentry Homes.  Hunter wants to be in the design department and he has great idea.  Cameron just wants to make enough money to eat and pay his rent.  The two end up hitting it off and becoming friends.  I liked how they talked to each other and how even though Hunter got super protective of Cameron he was able to step back when Cameron wanted to do things himself.

When the favorite band comes to Reedsport, it is the perfect opportunity for Hunter to meet his boyfriend.  Except now he’s conflicted because he’s starting to have tender feelings for Cameron.  Now what? 

Even though you can see what’s going on a mile in advance, I liked the buildup and especially liked that when the two realize what is happening there is no horrible “it’s him” moment and that we get to see them continue to develop their relationship past that point.  They have some struggles to overcome and adjustments to make.  They are worth it!

The cover, Hunter and Cameron kissing, is cute if a little nondescript.

Sales Links:   Amazon link coming soons

Book Details:

ebook, 100 pages
Expected publication: April 2019
Other Editions
None found

An Alisa Release Day Review: The Case of the Voracious Vintner (Middlemark Mysteries #2) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

 

Where Bo Marchand comes from, gay men are just confirmed bachelors who never found the right girl. But now Bo’s a successful winemaker on the central coast of California, supporting his whole damned Georgia family, and all he really wants is the beautiful, slightly mysterious Jeremy Aames.

 

Jeremy’s vineyard is under threat from Ernest Ottersen, the voracious winemaker who seems to know all Jeremy’s blending secrets and manages to grab all his customers. Bo tries to help Jeremy and even provides a phony alibi for Jeremy when Ottersen turns up dead in Jeremy’s tasting room. But it’s clear Jeremy isn’t who he claims, and Bo must decide if it’s worth tossing over his established life for a man who doesn’t seem to trust anyone. When Jeremy gets kidnapped, some the conservative winemakers turn out to be kinky sex fiends, and the list of murderers keeps dwindling down to Jeremy. Bo has to choose between hopping on his white horse or climbing back in his peach-pie-lined closet.

 

Ok, so I liked this story, though not nearly as much as the first one, it seemed to take longer to really get going.  Bo lives his life taking care of his family and it seems as if for the most part he has let them walk all over him.  Jeremy is trying to live his life but hiding at the same time.

 

So there is all kinds of backstabbing and childish behavior throughout this book and not just by the MCs but a majority of the secondary characters, truthfully I felt like I was reading about teenagers at many points.  I just hope more stories in this series have a little more depth and some more mature characters.  I know we all deal with those who aren’t but it wasn’t real enjoyable to read about them.

 

Getting to see the story from both characters’ eyes made it a little easier to understand them.  With how easily Bo decides to come out for Jeremy it made me question why he was so determined to hide it in the first place and even went on dates with women to appease his family.  Jeremy was a bit harder to get to know as he was keeping so many secrets in regards to his past that we didn’t even know anything until he was kidnapped.  I kind of wish there had been more to them building a relationship, they were kinda dating in secret and suddenly all in, it was hard to get.  I loved getting to see Llewellyn and Blaise again and how Llew is looking into more mysteries, though I’m not sure his research did too much help but it gave some more interesting things to think about.

 

I love the cover art by Kanaxa is great and gives visuals of the characters and lots of little things from the story.

 

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 279 pages

Published: January 29, 2019 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-840-9

Edition Language: English

Series: Middlemark Mysteries #2

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