Category: Contemporary fiction

A Caryn Review: Lying Eyes by Robert Winter

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Robert Winter has definitely made it onto my favorite author list.  This is his third book, and they just keep getting better!  This book is a standalone, but it does contain spoilers for Every Breath You Take, and cameo appearances from David and Brandon from September. 

Randy Vaughan is the enigmatic owner of the piano bar Mata Hari, first introduced in Every Breath You Take.  He’s reserved, doesn’t make friends easily, and his six-foot-three muscle bound body is definitely intimidating.  Some know that he’s retired from the secret service, but he hasn’t shared his artistic side with anyone in years.  He displays the art he’s collected from all over the world in the bar, but mainly for his own enjoyment rather than making a statement.  He was burned, badly, in the past by a lover, and since then has preferred to keep to himself. 

Life was moving along as it always does, and then in only a few weeks two men shook up Randy’s carefully ordered existence: Jack Fraser, London art historian, and Danny, a homeless teen. 

Jack is looking for a very specific painting.  He thinks Randy may own it, and came all the way from London to see it.  When he first approaches Randy, however, he can’t seem to look past the big, tough guy exterior to see the intelligent and discriminating artist behind the facade, and everything he says and does just pisses Randy off.  When Jack won’t say why he needs to see the painting, Randy refuses to show it.  But there is a chemistry there that both men instantly recognize, which makes it impossible for either to walk away for good. 

Danny was getting beat up behind Mata Hari in the middle of the night when Randy came upon him.  He saved Danny from the thugs, and took him home with the intention of finding him an LGBT shelter, but when days and ultimately weeks go by without an opening, Randy finds himself enjoying having a platonic roommate.  Randy modeled most of his life on his gay uncle Kevin, and still lives by a moral code that he learned from Kevin and his partner Luc.  He starts to look at Danny as a way to pay forward everything that Kevin did for him.

None of what I’ve written so far is a spoiler, but this is:  these two occurrences are not random, but are connected as part of a bigger plot that involves blackmail, kidnapping, and priceless art.  It was obvious what Randy’s painting really is, but the rest of it was actually took me by surprise.  There is also a lot of character development of both Randy and Jack, which made their difficulty learning to trust each other despite physical and intellectual attraction understandable.

The dom/sub relationship mentioned in the blurb is actually a minor aspect of Randy and Jack’s romance, and there is not a lot of sex in the book.  There was only one scene that involved bondage, and to be honest, I think the book probably would have been better without it.  My biggest irritation with this book is that it didn’t end at the right point.  I’d get to the end of a chapter and be satisfied that was it, and then there’d be another, and another.  I wanted to tell Mr. Winter, you don’t have to wrap up every single little thread out there!!!  So although I was captivated throughout 90% of the book, I got a little bored at the end.  Still, Randy is easily my favorite of all the characters I’ve seen so far, and I am looking forward to reading more in this universe and hopefully seeing him again.

I’ve got mixed feelings about the cover art by Dar Albert.  The classy bar in the background is perfect, but I just can’t look at this model and see Randy.  In my mind, he’s bigger, bulkier, and doesn’t have the smarmy smirk on his face that this guy has.  Oh well, sometimes cover models add to my mental picture of a character, and sometimes I just need to look past them.

Sales Links: Amazon USA        Amazon CA        Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 239 pages
Published July 7th 2017 by Robert Winter Books
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Edition LanguageEnglishsettingWashington, DC

An Ali Review: Scoring the Boss by Ali Atwood

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Cody Madrid wasn’t born into privilege. He grew up in a crime-infested trailer park and suffered a childhood from hell. The gritty start to life didn’t break him. It fired his determination to make something of himself. With discipline, hard work and some unexpected luck, he founded Starwest Industries and built it into a multimillion-dollar empire.

Ben Jackson grew up in a loving family, enjoyed a picture-perfect childhood and aspires to become a fine artist. He’s vacationing in Greece when he literally falls at Cody’s feet. Their meeting is electric, but forestalled when Ben receives tragic news from home. As a result, he puts his artistic ambitions on hold, and looks for a full-time job to help support his family.

When Ben is hired by Starwest Industries, he has no idea that Cody Madrid owns the company. Their professional relationship means Ben has to work closely with the most compelling man he’s ever met without falling in love with him. Though Cody is still closeted, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the blond, blue-eyed Ben. But Cody has issues to work on, and someone has a hold on Ben. He’s been trapped into living a lie that could ruin any chance of a future with Cody. 
This was a low angst story about two men who meet in Greece and feel a connection and then later run into each other back in the US when they find they work for the same company.  Turns out Cody is the owner of the company Ben now works for.  In addition to that complication, Cody doesn’t want anyone to know he is gay and Ben doesn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who is not “out”.
I liked the set up of the book and the beginning when they meet in Greece.  Unfortunately the rest of the story didn’t work for me.  There is a  plotline I don’t want to spoil, but it has to do with how Ben ends up working with Cody.  I thought it was completely unrealistic and I didn’t buy a second of it.  It was so over the top that I struggled to keep reading the book.  
I was hoping that once I got past that I would connect with the characters or the plot but I didn’t.  I couldn’t believe any of it.  These guys are only together two times and then Cody is deciding he can’t live without Ben and he’s going to change his entire life by coming out for him so they can be together.   Two times!  I didn’t feel any connection between these two at all.  There was a lot of telling their feelings and not enough showing.  It’s also a pet peeve of mine when authors use the coming out plotline device and then skim over it and make it seem like some Disney movie grand gesture.  Coming out is very serious and should be treated as such in my opinion.  
There was nothing wrong with the writing style or the technical aspect of the writing so this may appeal to different readers.  If you enjoy light, low-angst, insta-love this may work for you.  
Cover:  The cover artwork was done The Book Khaleesi.  I think it is a good representation of the story.
Sales Link: Amazon
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 163 pages
Published June 16th 2017
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Release Day for Treading Water (Forgotten Soldier #2) by Jessie G

Title: Treading Water
Series: Forgotten Soldier #2
Author: Jessie G
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: July 18, 2017
After devoting eighteen years of his life to the US Navy, Petty Officer First Class Shane Parker is struggling with the very real possibility of becoming unnecessary. If he doesn’t make Chief Petty Officer before his twenty—and it doesn’t seem likely that he will—he’ll be retired from active service and placed on the Fleet Reserve list until his mooring lines are officially cut forever. While it would all be very honorable and ceremonial, he simply wasn’t civilian material.
Before even swearing-in, Julian Brand knew he wasn’t cut out to be a soldier, but refusing wasn’t an option. Generations of Brand man made careers in the military and the expectation of every Brand son was to follow in those prestigious footsteps. Though the prospect of being rolled back dodged his every step, somehow he made it through boot camp and did his time. Six years after not reenlisting, Julian still struggles to find familial acceptance as he fights to live life on his terms.
On the surface, they couldn’t be more different, but when Jared Ramos calls, neither are capable of refusing. If they can find a way to work together, they might be able to save a wounded warrior and each other in the process.

NOTE: The first story in this series is a 6K word short story originally written for an anthology. While it’s a different couple, I’m happy to provide that to reviewers as they have a brief appearance in the new book and are central characters to this benefit series.



10% of royalties earned from this and future books in the Forgotten Soldier series will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation, but I’m not content to stop there. I’ve set up a fundraising page directly on the Foundation’s website and I’m asking for your help in reaching (and maybe surpassing) my goal. Every donation of $10 equals 1 entry to win signed books. If you donate more than that, every multiple of 10 will be an additional entry (so $20 = 2 entries and so forth).

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive all my paperbacks signed (8 books) 
4 Runner Up Winners will win a signed copy of Treading Water

Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I’d begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: to be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With three series in the works and a full schedule of releases planned for the next two years, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics, and happily ever after. I’m a lover of strong secondary characters, and series filled with families—biological or chosen. All are themes you’ll find throughout my books.


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In the Spotlight: Losing My Religion by A.S. Tucker (tour & giveaway)

Title: Losing My Religion
Author: A.S. Tucker
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: July 27, 2017
Only 99 Pennies

 

Jaden Barker is a good boy.

For as long as he can remember, he’s been preparing for the day he’ll be called as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He’s ready. He’s more than willing. And he can’t wait to spend the next two years serving the Lord and his church. But when a new proclamation from the church is announced, it leaves him questioning everything.

Quinn Owens is trouble with a capital T.

An aspiring actor living in the bowels of Los Angeles, he’s fought long and hard to get where he is, and he’s not willing to give it up for anything. Working for a homophobic boss presents quite a challenge when you’re a gay man, but Quinn knows losing this job means losing his dream. 

Jaden is lost and confused.

Quinn won’t let anything stand in his way.

But when Jaden finds himself living downstairs from the enticing Quinn, neither are prepared for what happens next.

Will Jaden be able to resist Quinn’s charms and remain a devoted Mormon missionary? Or will he fall, finding himself face to face with losing his religion?
A military brat growing up, A.S. Tucker now resides in Utah with her loving husband. When not writing, you’ll find her reading, binge watching Netflix, or drinking wine. Her three favorite things are animals, coffee, and Harry Potter, not necessarily in that order. She is the author of three other novels, published under a different pen name. She loves hearing from her readers, so please drop her a line!

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A.E.Via is Back with Promises 3!

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Author A.E. Via
Title: Promises Part 3
M/M GAY CONTEMPORARY/ACTION
Edited by: Tina Adamski
Cover Artist – Jay Aheer
PAGE COUNT – 222
Release Date: June 30, 2017

Synopsis
A bounty hunter’s partners to lovers’ story.
The hunt is on… and he’s the prey.

Bradford (Ford) King was sure he had the rest of his life mapped out. Though he was no longer a SEAL Lieutenant, his brother was home safe and he had a job that still allowed him to satisfy his hunger for hunting bad guys. Life was simple, no distractions or complications – at age forty-six – that’s all Ford wanted. What he didn’t want was his work partner, sniper/watchman, Dana, giving him s**t all the time.

Dana Cadby had grown up labeled a roughneck from the wrong side of the tracks. He’d fought, scrounged, and survived despite a father that constantly told him he couldn’t. Dana pulled himself up by his own boot straps and made a name for himself in the marksman community. He’d been Duke’s bounty watchman for five years. It was his job to ensure their safety, watch their backs. At thirty-three, he was trusted, well respected by his peers, his bosses, his friends… so why couldn’t he earn the same respect from his partner?

Dana knew he was bisexual before he graduated high school. He also knew he was attracted to the huge, 6’3”, SEAL from the moment he and his brother came to join their team. It wasn’t easy for him to tamp down his immediate reaction to Ford’s thick muscles, full beard, and dark eyes. Still, Dana exhibited nothing but professionalism towards him, not wanting to make his ‘straight’ partner uncomfortable.

After Dana took back his ex-girlfriend, he’d noticed an intensification in Ford’s bad attitude. One that turned aggressive and downright antagonistic, and Dana was damned if he’d just lay down and take it. He was gonna make that man respect him if it was the last thing he did.

When Duke sends Dana and Ford out to track down their most dangerous bounty yet, they both embrace the fact that they make one hell of a team… but they fight tooth and nail against the powerful intimacy brewing between them.
Beware: When Ford and Dana connect, no fugitive can hide from the hunter and his watchman.

This story is a part of a series but can stand alone. It does not end on a cliffhanger and has a HEA.
Disclaimer: This book is about MM romance, albeit there is a very brief MF scene.

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AUTHOR BIO:
A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children.
Adrienne has tons of more stories to tell, so be sure to visit her site to learn more! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

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Amazon Link: https://goo.gl/KQ32Uz
Kobo: https://goo.gl/qXPIzK
Smashwords: https://goo.gl/tSpzyz
Goodreads: https://goo.gl/AbfTzJ

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com
A.E. Amazon Author Page: https://goo.gl/AVpOeJ
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

Excerpt
Dana
Sway talked around a mouthful of burger, juice dripping down his chin that he didn’t bother to wipe away. He may be pretty but his eating habits were all manly. “I’ll tell my mom you’re coming to see her real soon. Now, moving on. What’s got those dark spots under your eyes and your forehead crinkled?”
“A man.”
Sway’s big eyes widened comically. “A man! Oh wait… wait… don’t say another word.” Sway ordered two shots of Patrón and their third beers.
“Damn, man. I’m not depressed about it.” Dana smiled, thanking the waitress for the fresh glasses she placed in front of their half-eaten dinners.
“These are celebration shots!” Sway laughed and held up his shot glass. “If you’re even considering dating a guy again, I’m celebrating.”
While they drank top shelf tequila and ate their burgers Dana told his best friend all about his new crush. And yes, that’s exactly what it was… a crazy crush. He admitted to the nervousness in his stomach when he knew he was about to see Ford. The sparring match that had ended with him pinned and completely submissive to Ford’s control. He told him how Ford insisted he deserved better than Jessica. Even described Ford’s look from his cropped cut, to how big his boots were. He confessed to the way he infuriated Dana by calling him kid and telling him to grow up.
“Sounds like he’s flirting back to me.” Sway chuckled around a deep belch. He hit his fist against his chest and let another go. “So, you gonna go for it?”
“I don’t know, man. He’s pretty wound up.”
“What do you mean? You said he’s military, does he have some PTSD issues?”
Dana shook his head. “No, not that I know of. He works fine around the crazy shit we have to deal with. Even his brother, who’s mute, does fine. They seem to be okay, compared to how a lot of those guys come back. He’s so driven and professional. Ford was like the shit when he was enlisted, too. He had rank and he saved lives. Maybe I’m overshooting, here. He’s kinda awesome.” Dana stopped and hid his blush around taking a large drink of water when he realized he was gushing over Ford, and his friend was looking quite amused as he did.
“You’re kinda awesome too, D. That’s why I don’t like Jess, because she makes you feel like you aren’t. You pulled yourself up by your bootstraps despite how your dad constantly came down on you. You can shoot like no one’s business and you’re recognized for it. Has Ford seen your marksman awards?” Sway waved his hand in the air, continuing his point, not looking for a response. “You save lives too, every day. Keeping those batshits off the streets. I think Ford probably recognizes that. The issue is not if you’re equally matched, like you questioned with you and Jess. The question is can you really have something with him? Can this actually go the distance? You’ve had quite a bit of fun in the sex department, if you know what I mean, no shortage of bunnies over the last couple years.

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Check Out Smitty’s Sheriff by Cardeno C.! Out Now!

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Smitty’s Sheriff, a sexy, heart-warming MM romance by Cardeno C. is now LIVE!

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Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

SS-ANKU

Read Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2t27rtK

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/d7gCWQ

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/m1T8tj

Start the Series Today!!

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McFarland’s Farm

Start the Series Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

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

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/PjzM88

Audio: https://goo.gl/AvDuHs

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/hNFaHU

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Jesse’s Diner

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2tf0SVf

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/tibqX7

Audio: https://goo.gl/7hnF2G

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/jLqoym

About Cardeno C.

Cardeno C.—CC to friends—is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few awwws into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

CardenoC.

Connect with Cardeno C.

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/CardenoC

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CardenoCWrites/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CardenoC/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CardenoC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tfq5z8

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

Tumblr: https://cardenoc.tumblr.com

Blog: http://caferisque.blogspot.com

Join the Romance Readers Club Today to stay up to date with Cardeno C. and get a free read every month:

https://theromanceauthors.com

http://www.cardenoc.com

Garrett Leigh on House of Cards, the Porthkennack series you Can’t Miss! (Interview & Giveaway)

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House of Cardsby Garrett Leigh

Riptide Publishing

1. What was the inspiration behind the story?

The inspiration was the wonderful world that Alex Beecroft created for every author that took part in the project. All the books are individual stories, but there was a real sense of teamwork going on. We all contracted our books several years ago, and to see them come to fruition now is wonderful. Alex gave us magic to play with.

2. When you use various locations in a story, is it to places you have traveled or places you have researched or both?

Both. I’ve never been to any of the American locations I’ve used in my earlier books, but London is very familiar to me, so it’s swings and roundabouts. On occasion, I create fictional towns too, which is always fun, for me, at least. Not so much my editors who I forget to tell, so they end up goodgling facts on a place that doesn’t exist.

3. I know so many people love a friends to lovers story which this sounds like it is…what draws you to that storyline?

Relationship development is a huge hook for me when I’m writing, particularly with men who can sometimes be more reticent than women when it comes to communication. Non-verbal clues are key, and so are all the senses. I like to write warmth between my characters, and F-2-L is the perfect platform for it.

4. Is there some mystery here as well? Do you love to read mysteries too?

Porthkennack is the real mystery. There’s so much to it, and more and more is revealed with every book that comes out. That being said, Brix has his secrets, and so does Calum, so yeah, I guess there is a dash of mystery.

Reading wise, a mystery has to be extremely well done to keep me interested. In romance, there’s a lot of melodrama and that irritates me too much to keep me reading.

5. What is the most magical place on earth in your opinion? What speaks of home to you?

Home to me is my bed with a cuppa and my whole family—furry and human—all piled in to watch Star Wars. Away from home, we have a campervan that carries its own magic wherever it takes us. We love being on the road and truthfully, we all make our own magic, right?

 

About House of Cards

Calum Hardy’s life has unravelled. Reeling from the betrayal of a man he once loved, he boards a train heading south, with no real idea where he’s going except a world away from London.

Brix Lusmoore can hardly believe his eyes when he spots one of his oldest friends outside Truro station. He hasn’t seen Calum since he fled the capital himself four years ago, harbouring a life-changing secret. But despite the years of silence, their old bond remains, warm and true—and layered with simmering heat they’ve never forgotten.

Calum takes refuge with Brix and a job at his Porthkennack tattoo shop. Bit by bit, he rebuilds his life, but both men carry the ghosts of the past, and it will take more than a rekindled friendship and the magic of the Cornish coast to chase them away.

Available now from Riptide Publishing. http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/house-of-cardsn

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About Porthkennack

Welcome to Porthkennack, a charming Cornish seaside town with a long and sometimes sinister history. Legend says King Arthur’s Black Knight built the fort on the headland here, and it’s a certainty that the town was founded on the proceeds of smuggling, piracy on the high seas, and the deliberate wrecking of cargo ships on the rocky shore. Nowadays it draws in the tourists with sunshine and surfing, but locals know that the ghosts of its Gothic past are never far below the surface.

This collaborative story world is brought to you by five award-winning, best-selling British LGBTQ romance authors: Alex Beecroft, Joanna Chambers, Charlie Cochrane, Garrett Leigh, and JL Merrow. Follow Porthkennack and its inhabitants through the centuries and through the full rainbow spectrum with historical and contemporary stand-alone titles.

Check out Porthkennack! http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/universe/porthkennack

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About Garrett Leigh

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Social media:
Website: http://garrettleigh.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighbooks
Cover art enquiries: blackjazzdesign@gmail.com

 

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of House of Cards, one lucky winner will receive a $25 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on July 22, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!