Category: Contemporary fiction

Book Blast PRIDE OF LOVE by Kevin Dwyer (excerpt)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Pride of Love

Author: Kevin Dwyer

Publisher: Alibris

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Fiction or Non Fiction: Fiction

Genre/s: Contemporary, Literature & Fiction, Coming of Age

Length: 143 Pages

Blurb

Twenty-five-year-old Jesse Coleman endures a heinous act on him. After the case is dropped, his mother, Claire, accedes to his request to move. Leaving behind his old life, he is left with a disturbing scar on his back. Hopelessness comes in on him and he takes off the bracelet that he has worn his whole life, which means something to him. Looking for a new beginning, Jesse who dresses differently meets Jaden who dresses like an outcast and the two fall in love with each other. With love from their mothers and good friend Liz, they try to bury their pasts behind.

Buy Links

Author’s Website

Amazon US 

Amazon UK   

Barnes & Noble  

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Excerpt

The talk show host woman sits on the stage with a fancy couch alongside her with a mother and young grown-up son. The supervisor with the headset on counts down from five to one with his fingers, and the cameras go live. There is audience applause and then a pleasant smile comes on the host’s face. “Thank you for tuning in on the Tina Live Show. I’m Tina and my guests today are Claire along with her son, Jesse Coleman.” Tina sets her attention on Claire and Jesse. “Thank you for joining us today.”

“Thank you for having us,” Claire replies back with a smile, then looks at her son, Jesse. She slides Jesse’s brown hair bangs to the side from his forehead. “You comfortable being here, sweetie?”

Jesse sets his focus on Tina, who is looking on with the smile diminishing away. “Yea . . . I’m all right,” Jesse says.

Tina takes a moment and gathers words to say, then looks at the audience looking on in their seats. “About a year and a half ago, Jesse Coleman was attacked from behind in a wooded area. He was beaten and his back was cut open. Basically, he was left for dead. What’s so horrifying about this attack is that the cut on the back spelled a word.” Tina looks over at the two sitting right across from each other.

A nod comes from Claire’s head, like she’s reliving the day. “Yes, the cut spelled out a word. It was not a cut in his back . . . more like a butcher does. My son’s back had to be stapled shut.”

Tina puts her attention on Jesse. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. You’re a strong man to live from that.”

“Yea . . . ,” Jesse replies back; he is wearing plain clothes with brown shaggy hair covering his head. “Others say that I cheated death.”

“How old are you?” Tina asked.
“I’m twenty-six, but I was twenty-five when I was attacked.”
Tina looks around his arm area. “Can you explain what that bracelet you have on means?”

Glancing down at his arm, Jesse lifts up the arm and shows a blue, white, and green sown bracelet with “Pride of Love” stitched in black in the colors. “Pretty much means take pride in yourself and love yourself.” Jesse sets his eyes on Tina through his glasses. “I’m gay, and that is the little thing that defines me. I was attacked for being who I am. Wasn’t bothering no one. Just kept to myself.”

Tina looks over at Claire with a blank stare down. “You all right, Claire? Looks like it’s hard to talk about.” “Yea, I’m fine. After the first court hearing, it was best to leave and start over and I’m thankful for that.”

“How did you deal with the attack? I’m a mother of two,” Tina tells Claire. “I mean it had to be tough on you, emotional wise.”

“Hope . . .” Claire wipes her eyes with fingertips. “Jesse found what he needed when we moved. Found someone that understands him. Small world, don’t you say?”

About the Author  

Kevin Dwyer self-published his first novel called Pride of Love in the year of 2014 in which it got an overall of 3+ star on BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. Kevin rewrote the novel into a screenplay and was a finalist in the Tea Dance screenwriting contest and one of the top 5 winners in the 2016 International Las Vegas screenwriting contest (winner in LGBT category.) Pride of Love was a February Platinum Award winner in 2018 for best screenplay in the Mindfield Festival.

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Riptide Publishing – A New Statement

Riptide Publishing – A New Statement

 

As the situation as Riptide Publishing has progressed from bad to worse and many authors are still pulling their books from the publisher, here is the latest statement from that house:

 

 

What does that mean for  some of your favorite authors?  Well, you will need to go to their author and FB pages to see who exactly is leaving.  Some authors like Garrett Leigh, LB Gregg, Alexis Hall, Lisa Henry, Cari Z (some of her stories will remain as she explains on her FB page) KJ Charles, Christine d’Abo, Vanessa North, Roan Parrish, JA Rock, among others have stated they are pulling their stories.  Authors that have stories linked to series like the Porthkennack or Bluewater Bay universes will have those stories remain with Riptide Publishing, can they can’t “unlink” them as the Origin World itself belongs to the publisher. Others still like Ally Blue are caught up with contractual obligations and have no other option but to stay. So many complications. I feel for them all.

Many are offering these authors free covers, editing services, help with self publishing, promo work etc. Help will be needed as you can imagine.  Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is offering up our sidebar space to all the ex Riptide authors (no cost) for them to help promote their new releases on a rotating basis as well as Book Spotlight Promos too to replace the tours they’ve lost.

Riptide Publishing has closed down for  all new submissions.  What does this mean for their future? I have no idea.

Even now other authors are coming out with their own stories of horror about Sarah Lyon, the racism they experienced and more.  I don’t think this is over yet.

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is going to honor our commitments to the authors at Riptide Publishing to review the stories we have in house and the tours we have scheduled.  We in no way want to hurt the authors that are innocent here.

What we will do in the future is under heavy discussion at the moment should we be asked for any future tours if Riptide Publishing survives.  That it will remains to be seen.  More work is needed starting at the top before people can believe in them again. But to do that you need to survive, and that’s looking bleaker by the minute.

Pertinent Links:

 

A MelanieM Review: Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5

Six hundred and ninety-five days. That’s how long it’s been since Jude’s fiancé broke off their engagement. With the help of his brother and his all-encompassing love for music, Jude glued the broken pieces of his heart back together, but when his ex shows up on his doorstep late one evening, Jude fears it will fall apart again.

Two years ago, Vincent made a terrible mistake. He left the love of his life for stupid, ill-advised reasons. It took a traumatic event to bring what was truly important in his life into focus. Older and wiser, he’s now ready to do whatever it takes to win Jude back.

Their chemistry is as explosive as ever, but will they be able to work through the real issues? Can trust once broken be rebuilt?

 

I thought Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris was a sweet contemporary romance. In the trope of lovers reunited and second chance at love that so many people love, myself included, it’s the story of Jude and Vin’s love affair broken off by Vin leaving Jude crushed.  Now two years later Vin reappears wanting a second chance, saying he had made a huge mistake.  And Jude give it to him.  That’s the story in 92 pages.

I liked the premise.  Lovers reunited with a second chance at love is always a favorite theme of mine.  You have a support system for Jude in his brother and sister in law who helped pick up the pieces when Vin broke it off.  There is a nice start of seeing Jude as a teacher which I wish there was more of seeing that it’s his love of teaching and Vin’s inability to recognize it’s importance that leads to the split.

I think the shortness of the story works against it here.  It’s a likable story but Jude after being crushed to the point of not functioning and still in recovery mode after 2 years, immediately takes him back.  Which I found exceedingly strange without a strong narrative to support it.  Also Vin’s excuses for the breakup, while valid, haven’t exactly disappeared nor does he put forth any well thought out ideas of how he will cope in the situation exactly.  I don’t know, perhaps his character just needed a little more depth here. And again, you get little of Jude as a teacher, something so central to  him as a person and as a part of their breakup.  Instead you get music? How did that feed into Jude’s supposed lack of ambition?

No a longer story to help with the holes in the narrative and perhaps flesh out the charactions would have left this a richer story.  But as it is, its an immensely likable one.

Cover art is nice and certainly has all the right elements, right down to the long hair on the character of Jude.

Sales Links:Universal Buy Link

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 92 pages
Published March 3rd 2018 by JMS Books, LLC
Original TitlePromise Me We’ll Be Okay
ISBN139781634865869
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Alisa Review: Valentine’s Day Dreaming (A Touch of Love #9) by Pelaam

Rating:  3.5 stars out of 5

When restaurant owner and executive chef Marcus finds he has a secret admirer leaving mouth-watering tarts and teasing quotes as a hint to their identity, his attention is instantly piqued. But when the sender reveals their identity, Marcus’s gut instinct leads him to a different conclusion—and his just desserts.

This was a cute short story.  Callum is adorable, he works hard in a mostly thankless position and just as he gets up the courage to make his feelings known someone else jumps in and takes the credit.  Marcus hasn’t had any real interest in anyone in years but know whoever is leaving him the desserts is not who it claims to be.  It seems these two have been dancing around each other for a while and this Valentine’s Day gives them the perfect opportunity to make it known.  This wasn’t too in depth but what can you expect from just over 30 pages, however I enjoyed this story.

The cover art is cute however the donut doesn’t do Callum’s desserts justice.

Sales Links: Painted Hearts Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 33 pages

Published: February 5, 2016 by Painted Hearts Publishing

Edition Language: English

The Ballerino and The Biker by Rebecca James Release Day Blitz (excerpt and giveaway)

The Ballerino and The Biker RDB Banner

The Ballerino and The Biker

Rebecca James

M/M Romance

Release Date: 03.10.18

TheBallerinoAndTheBiker-400x600

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2FcjM4E

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2Fl642Y

Blurb

Most of his young life, Morgan Wentworth has dreamed of becoming a principal dancer in a prestigious corps de ballet. After years studying the art in Milan, Morgan comes home to New York City to apprentice with the Manhattan Ballet Company only to be hit by the unexpected death of his older brother, Jake. The grieving dancer learns his life is threatened by a dangerous rival motorcycle gang and that pierced, tattooed, HOT biker Zeke Ivers has been assigned by Jake’s MC to guard him. Saddled with the constant presence of the infuriating man, Morgan juggles the demands of an exhausting dance schedule as well as his new responsibilities as CEO of his family’s multi-million-dollar company. He never expects to develop an attraction for the straight, obnoxious biker, but that’s exactly what happens.

Estranged from an abusive family, Zeke Ivers has lived at the Sentinel’s club house and worked on cars since he was a teen. When fellow club member Jake Wentworth and a rival club president’s girl are killed on Jake’s bike, the Sentinel’s president delegates the protection of Jake’s little brother, Morgan, to Zeke. Zeke would do anything for the club that pulled him off the streets, but Morgan’s a ballet dancer, for Christ’s sake, as well as annoying as hell. Still, Zeke finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young man. The more attracted Zeke becomes to Morgan, the more the biker is forced to examine his sexuality and decide whether two people from opposite sides of the tracks could possibly have a future together, or if Zeke should do what is fast becoming too painful to consider: let Morgan go.

The Ballerino and The Biker Teaser 2

The Ballerino and The Biker Teaser 3

Excerpt

For another week after the shooting, I continued escorting Morgan to his long-ass rehearsals where he didn’t rehearse, just watched intensely, and his classes where he danced until he was slick with sweat and breathing hard. And I continued studying him, memorizing every expression that crossed his face. His high cheekbones, full lips, and expressive eyes captivated me, and I’d quit asking myself why. Scared I was letting him distract me too much, I renewed my efforts to watch the exits. I’d learned the face of every person who was supposed to be around and kept a watch for those who weren’t.

The list of people wanting me to fix their cars was growing, but I never had any time. Several of the guys offered to take a day or two watching Morgan for me, but I didn’t trust the kid in anyone else’s care, and besides, there was my cover to consider. I was supposed to be a reporter doing a story on Morgan. Why would someone else show up in my place? Anyway, I knew the layout of the building, knew the corps de ballet’s schedule, and I knew Morgan. I would take care of him.

Saturday came around, and I once again thanked God the fucking masochist ballet company let the dancers have Sunday off. I planned to spend mine sleeping, unless Morgan got other ideas. The kid looked exhausted, so I doubted it. Halfway through the day, the big guy, chief of the ballet or something, announced some chick named Katie had had to leave and called Morgan in to dance her part during rehearsal. My gut twisted. How was the kid supposed to dance a part he’d only watched a few times, and a female part, at that?

But Morgan did it. He filled in for the girl like he’d been dancing the part himself every day since he got there, and I was in awe. I could tell the chief guy was impressed, too, or at least satisfied. I got the feeling he’d been testing Morgan, otherwise why the fuck hadn’t he asked one of the female apprentices to fill in? At the end of the night, like a proud daddy, I tossed Morgan a candy bar from the machine in the hall.

Morgan looked at the Hershey bar like he didn’t know what to do with it.

“For doing so great at the spur of the moment,” I told him. A smile lit up his tired face that made the embarrassing moment worth it, and he unwrapped the candy bar. He broke it down the middle and handed half to me.

“For putting up with all this,” Morgan said. Our eyes met. The whole thing felt so goddamn cheesy, I grumbled and didn’t speak again until we were pulling out of the Arts Center.

I hated the scared look Morgan had every time we walked outside the building since the shooting. I wanted to rip Spoons’s face off for putting it there, and I would if I got a chance.

“If it makes you feel any better, he ain’t gonna try the same thing twice,” I said to Morgan as he inched closer to me on the walk to the car.

He looked at me. “You mean he’ll devise another way to kill me?”

“Well, yeah.” We climbed in, and I headed for the Midtown Tunnel. I’d been changing up our route, even if it took longer to get home going a different way.

Morgan sank down in the seat and fiddled with the edge of his sweatshirt. “I can’t go on like this. I’m so fucking stressed out.”

“The way I see it, you ain’t got much choice,” I said. “You wanna be a dancer, so you gotta go to school. You wanna stay alive, so you gotta have me with you. Thing is, you gotta trust I’ll take care of you and relax.”

Morgan brought up his knees to his chin. He was like a fucking bendable toy. I bet he could put both feet behind his head. His face was broody.

“It’s gonna be okay, kid,” I said. “I got you. Concentrate on spinning around and looking pretty.”

Morgan groaned. “Shut up.”

I laughed, feeling suddenly light.

Rebecca James Logo

I’ve always loved to write and have written since I was a child, usually to entertain my family. I enjoy writing m/m romance because there’s nothing hotter than two men in a loving relationship. I write contemporary romance but am not limited to that. I enjoy writing alpha/omega and vampire stories, and I wouldn’t rule other things out. I’m very prolific, so look for a lot of things to come!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/rebeccajamesgayromance/about/?ref=page_internal

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Website: https://rebeccajamesgayromance.wordpress.com/

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Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Wheels and Heels by Jaime Samms

Wheels and Heels (Stories from the Hen and Hog #1) by Jaime Samms
Riptide Publishing
Cover by: Christine Coffee

About Wheels and Heels

 

As a teenager, Ira Bedford fled a troubled home life and people who didn’t understand his penchant for feminine things. In the city, he fell in with Cedric, who found him work as an underage stripper. It took him years to escape Cedric’s influence and try to build a life of his own.

 

Now, he just wants to be left alone to create his art. But Cedric’s on-going harassment means Ira had to drop out of art school, is squatting in a friend’s apartment, and is still relying on his allure as a sexy, skirt-wearing exotic dancer to pay his bills.

 

Then he meets Jed. Part-time bartender and the apartment building’s superintendent, Jed is just the right mix of strong, kind, and protective to pull Ira out of hiding. He also welcomes Ira into his chosen family at the Hen and Hog Pub. But Ira yearns for more. Still, he doesn’t dare to hope that Jed will want him and his questionable past, his skirts and high heels, his hang-ups, and the profession he seems unable to escape. But Jed will do anything to prove him wrong.

 

Available now from Riptide Publishing!

 

About Jaime Samms

 

Jaime has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she’s been writing for herself far longer. Her Stories about men falling in love are the stories that she loves to read, so it seemed to make sense if she was going to write, they would also be the stories she wrote.

These days, you can find plenty of free reading on her website. She also writes for Various Publishers.

 

Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, is spent crocheting, drawing, gardening (weather permitting, of course, since she is Canadian!), or watching movies. She has a day job, as well, which she loves, and two kids, but thankfully, also a wonderful husband who shoulders more than his fair share of household and child-care responsibilities.

 

She graduated some time ago from college with a fine arts diploma, and a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. One always needs an official slip of paper to fall back on after all . . .

Connect with Jaime:

Website: http://jaime-samms.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000982219151&ref=tn_tnmn

Livejournal:http://dontkickmycane.livejournal.com/

Deviantart: http://dontkickmycane.deviantart.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/JaimeSamms

Amazon Author page: amazon.com/author/jaimesamms

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Wheels and Heels, one lucky winner will receive a $10 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on March 17, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Release Blitz – Out Of The Ocean by Lynn Michaels (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Universal Buy Links
 
Length: 26,500 words approx.
 

Cover Design: Decorous Anarchy Studios

 
Blurb
 

Cal Bigsby spent his life working the fishing boats and ignoring who he really is and what he needs to be happy.


Prescott ‘Scott’ Vandenburton is being primed to take over Daddy’s company, but he craves a life of his own. His only escape is sailing his yacht.


When a freak storm hits, both are forced to think about life from a whole new perspective.


Shipwrecked, fighting for their lives, and finding unexpected love.

Excerpt


“Well, we do have some food here,” Scott said, as Cal sorted the nets.


“Yep.”


“I have some crackers and a can of smoked oysters. Want that for breakfast?”


“Nope.”


“Aren’t you hungry, Cal?”


Cal grunted. “You need to ration that food. Who knows how long we’ll be out here.” There was no way Cal was going to take food from Scott. He couldn’t.


“Uh…you mean we.”


“Huh? No.”


“Don’t grunt at me. This is serious. You’re sharing this food with me. Now what do you want to eat?”


Cal ignored him. Scott meant well, but his own instincts wouldn’t let him compromise. No matter what happened, Cal had to do everything he could to protect Scott, make sure he survived. Nothing else mattered. “Have some crackers, Scott. I’m busy.”

 

Author Bio


Lynn Michaels lives and writes in Tampa, Florida where the sun is hot and the Sangria is cold. Lynn is the newest addition to Rubicon Fiction, and she loves reading and writing about hot men in love. She writes paranormal and contemporary MM Romance


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Release Blitz: Would It Be Okay To Love You Box Set by Amy Tasukada (excerpt and giveaway)

 

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Length: 287 pages
 
Blurb



A robot fanboy. An erotic voice actor. Will their secrets overwhelm their love?


Sato doesn’t get out much. The anime company accountant spends his days at a desk and his nights working on his own small-scale robots. His geeky life is like a dream, but it has just one piece missing…


The world only knows outgoing playboy Aoi for his moans. The budding voice actor has sworn off relationships since they’ll only distract him from his budding voice acting career. That was until he met Sato.


As Aoi’s popularity rises and secrets about his past begin to reveal themselves, can the accountant and the voice actor rise above their problems to create something real?

Excerpt
 

After a few more minutes of searching, Sato found two model kits worthy of assembling. He liked one figure more, but the other would be more challenging. After all, he couldn’t spend his entire New Year’s vacation watching anime like last year.

“It’s really hard to pick one sometimes, isn’t it?” Sato said.

“I guess so,” the teenager said.

Sato bit his lip. Usually he wouldn’t hold a conversation with random strangers, but the teen clearly loved Gundam as much as he did. Why else would he linger as much as he had?

The teenager lifted his sunglasses and perched them on his black beanie. Blond hair peeked out from under the hat. He smiled at Sato, showing the dimples on his cheeks.

“They let you dye your hair in school now?” Sato blurted out without thinking. “A friend of mine got in trouble when he lightened his to brown.”

“I’m twenty-five.”

“Oh, please excuse me, I didn’t mean…” Sato bit his lip.

“Is it because I’m short?” The dimples disappeared, and a mischievous glint appeared in the man’s green eyes. “Maybe you’re just really tall.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t worry so much. I once bought my friend a pack of cigarettes and a cop popped out of nowhere and said I was too young to use the vending machine. He went into this big lecture, then I showed him my ID and he thought it was a fake! He threatened to call my parents and everything.”

Sato gave a weary smile and rubbed the back of his neck. Knowing the blond was close to his own age zapped away what little social courage he possessed.

The man’s gaze met Sato’s, then wandered down his body without shame. Sato’s face grew hot, and his heart thumped in his ears.

“So is everything else about you as big?” he asked.

“I—ah…”

The guy was actually flirting with him? Sato’s technique consisted of vaguely making eye contact and hoping the other person realized he was into him. The way the blond’s crooked smile spread across his face didn’t make Sato’s heart beat any quieter.

In the accounting department, the most out-there anyone got was wearing a khaki suit. Sato had never even talked to anyone bold enough to wear colored contacts and dye their hair so drastically. He pushed up his glasses but couldn’t squeak out a reply.

“So which one did you decide on getting?” the blond asked.

Sato swallowed. The man still wanted to hold a conversation with him?

“I think this one.” Sato picked a five-hour do-it-yourself kit. It would take him three if he was lucky.

“Nice choice.”

Sato rubbed his sweaty palms against his coat. “I—ah—which one are you getting?”

“Oh, these.”

He held up a few manga graphic novels. The cover of one had a man clinging onto another man, his private parts covered by a conveniently placed bedsheet. They were boys’ love novels. Sato’s tongue twisted into a Windsor knot like his tie.

If the guy was reading them, then he surely had to be gay, or at least bi. Though the fact he’d flirted with Sato had to be the biggest giveaway.

Sato’s breath caught in his throat even thinking of buying a gay manga himself.

Sure he’d dated people who were out before. There’d been that upperclassman in high school, but that had only lasted three days. His college boyfriend had lasted longer. They’d been in the same trigonometry class and had even studied together. Then he’d stopped taking Sato’s calls after the final exam. Sato tugged at his tie. He couldn’t really count those as meaningful relationships.

The man stared at Sato.

“So you’re not getting a kit?” Sato asked.

“I ducked here to hide from them.” The blond pointed to the door where the group of women walked out.

“All of them?”

He laughed. “What can I say?”

 

Author Bio


Amy Tasukada lives in North Texas with a calico cat called O’Hara. As an only child her day dreams kept her entertained, and at age ten she started to put them to paper. Since then her love of writing hasn’t cease. She can be found drinking hot tea and filming Japanese street fashion hauls on her Youtube channel.


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A Lila Review: Undercover Star by Jackie Keswick

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

It sounds like the stupidest idea in the history of stupid ideas. Detective Inspector Josh Ingram wants to find a deadly medieval locket and through it, a murderer. So why does his boss decide to team him up with Matisse Vervein, a pop idol many consider just a pretty face… and expect the two of them to hunt down an art thief?

Marissa Godwin, Matisse’s no-nonsense manager, isn’t stupid. Neither is her brother-in-law, Detective Superintendent Tim Montgomery. Each is looking out for a lonely man on the verge of quitting what he does best, and both believe that their charges would make a great team.

The attraction sizzling between Josh and Matisse is hard to miss, but there’s plenty of resentment, too. Focused on pushing Josh and Matisse towards each other, Marissa and Tim haven’t imagined the kind of trouble a music star and a detective can find when they ditch their prejudices and accept that the attraction between them is mutual. Or how far each is prepared to go to prove it to the other.

Undercover Star is a mix of intrigue, adventure, and romance. It starts right into the action which can be confusing. It takes time to learn all the names and follow Matisse first meeting with Josh. His acceptance seems rushed and out of nowhere, but after that, the rest of the story takes a more linear form.

There’s a disconnection between catching the thief and the romance arc. One is the catalyst to the other, but the investigation becomes secondary, and almost pushed aside after the MCs’ relationship starts.

As always, the author did an excellent job setting the story in a realistic part of the world. And adding the right amount of politics and procedures for the investigation to feel realistic. I’m almost sure people who know the area easily recognized the towns and stops in the book.

Overall, it’s a nice story. The end was somehow abrupt and there’s no sense of ending. Not really a cliffhanger, but a HFN. Hopefully, there’s more to see in this world.

The cover by Emma Griffin has several important elements of the story, but it’s a bit cluttered.

Sale Links: Wintergreen | Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 130 pages
Published: November 22, 2017, by Wintergreen Publishing
ISBN: 2940154955376
Edition Language: English

Series Review Tour for Infinity #1 and #2 by C J Lynne (excerpt and giveaway)

SERIES REVIEW TOUR

Get to know the secretive men of Infinity nightclub as they find love in the most unexpected places.  True love has no beginning or ending…it simply is.

They are standalone stories, but characters from previous books make appearances in successive books.

Book Title: Worth the Risk, Infinity #1

Author: C.J. Lynne

Publisher:  Self-published

Cover Artist:  C. J. Lynne

Genre/s:  LGBTQ, Romance, Erotic

Length: 154,000 words/362 print pages

Blurb

Love doesn’t exist…

Or so Tyler Johnson thinks.  He’s never had much, if any, of it thrown his way.  A chance meeting with the enigmatic Jaxon Markham causes Ty to—if still not believe in love—at least know without a doubt that lust is alive and well.  Ty’s not looking for forever, but what’s the harm in spending a few days, and scorching nights, with Jax—as long as Jax plays by his rules and keeps things casual and uncomplicated?

Jax knows his luck has finally changed for the better when he lays eyes on Tyler.  The man is gorgeous, and stirs feelings in Jax he’d never thought he would experience. The more time Jax spends with Ty, the more certain he is that Ty’s his soulmate.  Now all that remains is convincing the stubborn Tyler of that elating fact. Jax is more than up for the task, because he’s nothing if not persistent—a fact the elusive Tyler is soon made aware of.

Jax quickly, and much too easily, demolishes all of Ty’s protective walls and Ty reluctantly begins to think that maybe, just maybe that intangible emotion called love is alive and well after all, and perhaps finally within his grasp.  However, when his ugly past returns to haunt him, making him doubt all the good he’s experienced with and because of Jax, Ty’s positive outlook crumbles, giving way to doubt, fear and despair making him wonder if he can truly be the man Jax needs and deserves—or will past and present demons destroy Ty’s one chance at true happiness?

Goodreads   

Excerpt  

“Since we’ve been dating for a week, and after last night—which was fucking fantastic by the way,” Jax began. “Can I—”

“I totally agree,” Ty interrupted around a kiss.

“Mmmm, good.”  Jax nibbled at his lower lip.   “In that case, I hope I’ve proven I‘m not a loon.”

“You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t,” Ty assured him with a chuckle.

“Good to know.”  Jax fingered his hair before resting his arm along the back of the sofa. “Since you now trust me to know where you live, have invited me into your home, bed and…your body—for which I’m very grateful, I might add.”

“Yes?” Ty’s breath arrested at Jax’s statement and the downright decadent look in his eyes.

“I was thinking that maybe I can know your last name.”  Jax gave him a wink and begged, “Please?”

Ty’s chuckle quickly morphed into a full-blown laugh as he leaned into Jax’s side.  He laid his head on Jax’s shoulder and smiled up at him. He really liked this man.

“Well…since you now know my body intimately, I guess I can tell you my last name.”   Ty acquiesced and informed, “It’s Johnson.”

“It’s nice to meet you Tyler Johnson.”  Jax brushed strands of his hair off his forehead and reciprocated, “I’m Jaxon Markham.”

Ty’s grin slowly fell and he sat up, staring at Jax horrified.   Yep, horrified was the perfect word for how he felt.  His eyes grew wide with shock and his mouth fell open as he struggled not to pass out.  He shot off the sofa, quickly standing as if he’d been burned. Oh fuck, this is Jaxon Markham?  It can’t be.  

Wait a minute, Ty tried to calm himself.   Maybe he wasn’t the same Jaxon Markham Ty was thinking of.  But…hell, it wasn’t a common name; Jax had to be the Jaxon Markham Ty knew—well, knew of.  When that appalling possibility raced through his mind, he suddenly remembered where he’d seen Jax before—the jacket of his latest legal-thriller novel, which Ty had read twice, and owned along with the six others Jax had written.   Jax had sported a beard on the book jacket, and his hair had been longer, which is why he hadn’t immediately placed him.   

Jax was a famous writer, but that wasn’t the worst of it.  Jaxon Markham was also soon to be his… He closed his eyes and shook his head trying to ward off that unwelcomed thought.  Horrified eyes sprang open, and he stared speechlessly at an obviously baffled Jax.

Oh shit, I had sex with Jaxon Markham!  How fucked up is that?

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Book Title: Finally Letting Go, Infinity #2

Author: C.J. Lynne

Publisher:  Self-published

Cover Artist:  C. J. Lynne

Genre/s:  LGBTQ, Romance, Erotic

Length:  133,000 words/320 print pages

Blurb

Take What You Want…

Brandon Rosen is a man who refuses to admit what he wants—namely, a life with another man.  Being gay just won’t do.  It will not go over well with his family, particularly his overbearing father.  Thus, for years Brandon has tried to tamp down his attraction to men, refusing to entertain even the possibility that his other half might be a…him.  That was the plan and it had worked wonderfully until he meets Simon Carter—an arrogant star swimmer and law school student who also happens to be the best friend of Brandon’s first and only miserably-failed attempt at dating a man.  

Simon is constantly in Brandon’s face taunting him to admit he’s gay.   The more confrontations he has with the stunningly handsome man, the harder it becomes for Brandon to deny the part of himself he thought he’d buried years ago—the one that craves the touch of another man, and now not just any man…but Simon—the one person who hates his guts.

Simon Carter is self-assured, knows who he is and what he wants out of life.  He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy who will do anything to protect his loved ones, so when his best friend’s asshole ex, Brandon Rosen, makes an unexpected reappearance in their lives, Simon is determined to keep Brandon from ruining his friend’s new relationship.  That will be easy to do—right? Simon thought so, but what he didn’t count on was an insane attraction to the deeply closeted man.

Simon soon finds out there’s just something about Brandon that reels him in, no matter how mightily he fights against it, making him question what kind of man he is to want anything to do with the person who once broke his best friend’s heart?  He doesn’t know, but one thing quickly becomes apparent—he craves Brandon Rosen, and despite his better judgment, he intends to have him…consequences be damned.

Goodreads 

Excerpt

Brandon watched mesmerized as Simon’s mocking lips slowly lowered toward his.  His parted in anticipation of touch and being devoured, but before his silent wish was granted, he found the strength to push out of Simon’s loose embrace and take a few steps to the side, ending all physical contact between them.  He needed to stop this. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—give into the insane desire coursing through him…not for a man, and certainly not for this man.

“You need to leave me alone,” Brandon firmly suggested, even though his heart was beating so loudly in his ears, it deafened him.

“Why?”

“Because, I’ve told you repeatedly that I’m not into men.”

Simon laughed heartily and gave him a chastising look before accusing, “I’ve never met someone more into men than you, Blondie.”   Then he smugly coaxed, “Why don’t you admit it? Things would be so much easier if you did.”

They’d become that much more complicated, Brandon silently admitted.  Having a relationship with a man would throw his world into complete and utter chaos—that was something he was determined to avoid at all costs.  With that in mind, he straightened his spine and hardened his expression, and tamped down his overwhelming want for the man staring at him like he was a meal he couldn’t wait to devour.  Oh hell, I need to get out of here…now!

“If we’re unfortunate enough to meet again, keep your damned hands to yourself,” Brandon ordered and without waiting for a response, he jerked open his car door and got inside, slamming it shut behind him.

Just to fuck with him, Brandon was sure, Simon leaned down and rapped his knuckles on the dark tinted window.  He waited a few seconds thinking over the pros and cons of lowering it, but eventually despite his good sense, he did just that.  

“What?” he tightly asked the man staring down at him.

“What about my lips?” Simon flippantly asked in response to Brandon’s previous statement.

“Fuck off,” Brandon growled, raising his window again.  When there was another knock, he sighed loudly before rolling it down a bit, not bothering to hide his irritation as he gritted out, “Now what?”

Smiling eyes danced over his face, lingering on his lips before Simon said the last thing he expected, “Nice car.”

He frowned and uncertainly responded, “Thanks.”

Simon placed a hand on the hood of the car, leaned in closer and, in a bedroom voice if ever he’d heard one, suggested, “Maybe one day soon you’ll take me for a nice, long ride.”

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About the Author 

C.J. is first and foremost an avid reader of romance.  Nothing is better than watching two strong-willed people meet, connect and work through personal challenges while fighting to overcome internal and external obstacles to be together.  

C.J. is a southerner who believes that love is love, and if you’re ever lucky enough to find it, you should hold onto it with both hands and feet.  C.J. writes love stories filled with emotion and hopes you—the reader—will enjoy them as much as C.J. enjoys creating them.

C. J. writes M/M romances with heart and heat.  She believes that love is love and if you’re ever lucky enough to find it, you should hold onto it with both hands and feet.

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