A Lila Review: A-dork-able by J.D. Walker

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

a-dork-able-by-j-d-walkerAlister Redgrave knows he’s a dork. He dresses in ill-fitting suits and trips over imaginary obstacles constantly; then there’s his Star Trek underwear. Still, he hopes to find the love of his life one day. And when he meets Jaiden Greyson, the new Assistant CFO in the Finance department, Alister knows he’s found his dream guy. Except, Alister makes a fool of himself repeatedly in front of Jaiden and decides he doesn’t have a chance in hell.

Jaiden Greyson doesn’t know what to make of Alister when he meets him. A more klutzy guy had never existed. But despite all that, there’s something about the man that draws him in, and he’s determined to find out what it is, no matter the antics of a jealous coworker intent on ruining everything.

Jaiden has Alister in his sights, and Alister won’t know what hit him, in the best sense.

A-dork-able is a sweet & simple story. It’s a fast tale that reads like a diary confession more than a drama-filled story. Alister does an excellent job as a narrator even when he gets lost at times. I wanted more from Jaiden but that’s one of the shortcomings of a short story.

The plot is predictable but it works. The author gave the characters enough depth to get the reader to want more, but at the same time, allowing the story to move at a quick pace. Alister’s mishaps might sound a bit over the top but the light weight of the story is enough to make them seem as an endearing quirk.

The main characters are thirty-seven and forty-one, something that I love. They’re comfortable with their sexuality and sure of what they wanted in a partner. They have good chemistry and their work relationship isn’t a concern to their love life. It brought them together.

Yes, there are some miscommunications, awkward moments, and a couple of things that might not work out of fiction, but overall, this is a good short story. A quick read for a quiet afternoon or to read between two longer stories.

The cover by Written In Designs is cute but I don’t see the characters in it. Well, personality-wise, that is, the clothing it’s up to par.

Sale Links: JMS Books | Amazon | Nook

Book Details:

ebook, 38 pages

Published: January 21, 2017, by JMS Books
ISBN: 9781634863186
Edition Language: English

In the Release Day Spotlight: Unzipping 7D (Unzipped Shorts #2) by J.C. Long (excerpt and giveaway)

Title:  Unzipping 7D

Series: Unzipped Shorts 2

Author: J.C. Long

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: February 20

Heat Level: 5 – Erotica

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 10600

Genre: Erotica, Erotica, travel, exhibition, PWP, hook-up apps, sexting, businessmen

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Synopsis

Jordan Price is used to the boring wait in airports, given that he practically lives on business trips. He’s all set for this to be more of the same, until he meets a self-described power bottom on Unzipped—a guy who happens to be in the same airport. It seems like a perfectly good way to kill time until his flight, but soon Jordan realizes that Heath, his newfound friend on Unzipped, will be taking the same flight, and the wheels in his head get spinning. Jordan is determined to test Heath’s bottoming skills himself, and if he has his way, the flight will be anything but boring.

Excerpt

Unzipping 7D
J.C. Long © 2017
All Rights Reserved

Jordan didn’t bother formulating a reply; it would just be a waste of time. He sat around, catching up on his fantasy football team until they called for boarding. It was pure luck that Jordan spotted Heath going to join the boarding call, wearing a T-shirt and khaki shorts. Jordan had priority boarding—one of the few benefits his job actually provided on his work flights—but he decided to forgo the slightly quicker boarding in order to fall in line behind Heath.

“Hello, 7-D,” Jordan said softly, enjoying the way Heath jumped a little before glancing back at him. “You’re pretty handsome in person—though you look better without your clothes on, if you don’t mind me saying.”

The back of Heath’s neck turned pink, along with his ears, and Jordan felt a devilish grin coming on. It looked like his dirty app pen pal blushed easily. There were so many ways he could have fun with that, if only they were seated together.

That same regret ran through his mind on repeat as the line slowly progressed. When it was his turn to present his ticket and photo ID to the attendant, he did so without taking his eyes off Heath’s ass as he went before him. It was a damn fine ass.

Once Jordan entered the plane, he was greeted by the sole flight attendant, who, with a big fake smile plastered on her red-painted lips, said, “Thank you for flying Alliance Air.”

Jordan languidly made his way down the aisle, gaze raking over Heath as he loaded his luggage into the overhead compartment above row seven.

He didn’t know if it would work—didn’t even know if Heath would appreciate it or go along with it—but he decided to give it a try. The overweight businessman who had taken the bench next to him while waiting at the gate was currently seated in seat 7-E, the window seat.

“Excuse me, sir,” Jordan said, leaning around Heath and ignoring the What the hell are you doing? look Heath shot him. “Sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if I could persuade you to switch seats with me?” Jordan put his hand companionably on Heath’s shoulder. “My friend here and I are flying back home for his brother’s wedding—he’s the best man—and we were supposed to work on bachelor party plans, but we’re sitting apart. I know it’s inconvenient, but could we trade? I have an aisle seat.” Jordan showed the man his ticket.

The man heaved a great sigh, like Jordan was asking him to do something truly inconvenient and not just move to a seat a few rows farther back in the plane. He was fully prepared for the guy to say no, but he didn’t. Instead he got up and shuffled past Jordan and Heath, reaching up and removing his carry-on from the overhead bin.

“Enjoy your wedding,” he said in a wheezy voice before he took Jordan’s ticket and waddled back along the aisle.

Excitement building, Jordan tossed his carry-on in the overhead compartment and took the window seat, grinning cheekily at Heath when he got situated. “You just going to stand there holding up traffic, buddy?”

Blushing once more, Heath finished putting away his bags and took his seat, shifting uncomfortably as he buckled his seat belt. Jordan spread his legs a little and let his knee touch Heath’s, almost laughing when the other man nervously moved it away.

“What are you doing?” Heath asked in a low voice.

“Nothing,” Jordan said, face innocent even as he lowered his hand to his crotch, giving it an obvious squeeze. As he expected, Heath’s gaze followed his hand right to where he wanted it. “I figured it’s going to be a boring three-hour flight, so might as well make it more interesting.”

Heath’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How?”

“Oh, we’ll figure something out, I’m sure.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Meet the Author

J.C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his life-long involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that. J. C. Long’s favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing and Korean food (not in that order…okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts and wishing he was writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

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Release Blitz – Find Me (Rent Me Series #5) by Brina Brady

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK


Cover: Book Cover By Design


Length: 90,000 words


Rent Me Series
Rent Me (Book #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK
Own Me (Book #2) Amazon US | Amazon UK
Make Me (Book #3) Amazon US | Amazon UK
For Me (Book #4) Amazon US | Amazon UK 


Blurb


Dmitri and Brennen have been happily married for five years, raising their five year-old daughter. Brennen practices law and mob-free Dmitri works with his brother Mischa at their night club. Dmitri enrolls into some BDSM workshops with Master Ethan as his mentor.

An order from an old drug lord friend disrupts their lives. Brennen worries about Dmitriís life, his law career, and the safety of Dominika. Antonio Cortezís request takes them to Germany to fulfill Dmitriís last obligation to his gangster friend.

Once they arrive in Germany, Dmitri plans to spend time with his husband in the evenings. During the day he and Mischa do Antonioís bidding. Everything changes when an unexpected event rips their family apart.

Brennen meets many challenges as he tries to deal with his new responsibilities. To make matters more complicated, Dmitri’s ex-wife Nika sues for custody of their daughter.

 
Author Bio
 

I am from Huntington Beach, Ca. I taught various subjects at a Continuation High School in Los Angeles, California for 27 years. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history, Secondary Social Science Credential and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Reading and Secondary Education from California State University, Long Beach. I also enrolled in some creative writing classes at UCLA. You can contact me at brinabrady@gmail.com. 

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Release Day Blitz College Discipline by Caitlin Ricci

Title:  College Discipline

Author: Caitlin Ricci

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: February 20

Heat Level: 5 – Erotica

Pairing: Male/Female

Length: 20200

Genre: Erotica, Erotica, BDSM, age gap, college, businessmen, law enforcement, over 40

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Synopsis

Four stories of sex, romance, and college boys learning to kneel.

Hitachi is a police officer reduced to being a glorified babysitter for a rich man’s son. He resents his assignment, but Gabriel isn’t the brat Hitachi believes he is. He’s a man who likes pain, and who wants Hitachi to let loose with him too.

Leo fantasizes about having sex with a complete stranger, but when he gets his chance it isn’t nearly as wonderful as he imagined it to be. His dad’s boss tries to teach him a lesson about making stupid choices, but his education in submission doesn’t end there.

Jensen is horrible at math, and now he’s in a calculus class that he’s barely getting through. His parents get him a tutor, but this tutor is interested in teaching Jensen about far more than just math.

Timothy comes back home, to a tiny town he can’t stand, when his mother’s illness gets worse. He’s made a string of bad decisions, and his mother’s friend is determined to turn his life around before Timothy gets lost entirely.

Excerpt

College Discipline
Caitlin Ricci © 2017
All Rights Reserved

Jensen was ten minutes late for his initial tutoring session. It wasn’t the best way to make a great first impression, but he’d had a hard time getting up when his alarm sounded and then missed his bus. Who actually got up before ten on a Saturday morning anyway? Definitely not him.

But he made it to Sam’s door anyway. His new college tutor, the one his parents had insisted Jensen get because he had such a good reputation, lived in a nice house on the outskirts of Denver. There was a new SUV in the driveway that still had the temporary plates on it. Something like that, with 4-wheel drive, was definitely fun to go off-roading in, and if he’d had a vehicle like that, Jensen would never have to sit on the bus again or deal with the driver being late or get hit on by drunk guys in the middle of the night while riding it either. He was still practically drooling over the SUV when a man opened the front door.

“I assume you’re Jensen? I’m Sam.”

He gave Sam his attention and quickly nodded. “Sorry I’m late. The buses and stuff.”

Sam shrugged. “You’re here now at least. Come on in. Let’s get started.” Jensen kicked off his shoes as soon as he was inside and was glad to put his heavy backpack down for a while. “When your parents hired me, they said you were having trouble with calculus, right? Anything else I should know about?”

Jensen stripped off his sweatshirt. The house was too warm, and Jensen was already dying in the heat. His T-shirt came up with his sweatshirt, like it always did, and he quickly pulled it back down.

“Uh… Math in general, I guess. I have a hard time focusing since my mind goes all over the place and I get bored easily.” He dropped his sweatshirt on the back of the couch and grabbed up his backpack again. “So where do you want me?”

Sam nodded toward the kitchen, where Jensen saw two glasses of water and some popcorn already spread out for them. His cheeks flamed. “You were waiting a long time for me, huh?”

“A little bit,” Sam confirmed for him as he led the way into the kitchen. “We can get started now, though, and next time you’ll be here when you’re supposed to be. If the busses are an issue, I can come get you. Or we can do the sessions at your place.”

Sam’s house was so neat and tidy compared to his apartment. Jensen definitely didn’t want him there. He had enough to be embarrassed about with how bad his grades were and how stupid he felt that he didn’t want to add how much of a slob he was to the list.

He sat across from Sam and sipped his water. “How long have you been a tutor?”

“Five years. Since I graduated college with my bachelor’s degree in education. How long have you been bad at math?” Sam smiled at him, and Jensen started to relax.

“Pretty much forever. I just don’t get it.”

Sam chuckled, and Jensen started pulling out his books. He didn’t want to delay any longer in case Sam started to get the idea he just didn’t care if he passed math this semester or not. He did care, but not because he wanted to be good in math or anything like that. He mostly just wanted his parents to get off his back about how he clearly wasn’t applying himself.

“What part are you having trouble with?”

Jensen waved vaguely to the entire textbook. “All of it. I can’t even do long division. I shouldn’t be in this class, but I got lucky on a few questions on the placement test, so now I’m there and I just want to pass.”

Sam put the book down on a nearby chair. “We’ll get to that later then, since it sounds like you need some of the basics reworked first, and I don’t want to overload you on your first day here with me. When you’re having trouble concentrating, what’s normally going on?”

Jensen had a hard time concentrating whenever his teacher was nearby. He pressed his lips together and tried to think of a better answer than that, but he didn’t have one, whenever he was struggling, it was normally because Professor Anderson was there with his tight khakis on. He’d be standing close to Jensen’s desk since he sat right in the front, and all Jensen could think about was leaning over and offering his professor a blow job.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Meet the Author

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader, and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. She comes from a military family, and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful husband and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

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Of Comfort Reads and Love Stories. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Of Comfort Reads and Love Stories

We’ve been talking about our top books for comfort reading and love stories, some of which have ended up on each list with authors common to both.  I had to admit it got me thinking what makes a ‘comfort read’? What is that indefinable something a story contains or that an author offers that makes us want to read it over and over again.? Is that its a “known quantity”? That we go into that story knowing that the pleasures (and even some pain) it holds are ones that not only have touched us so deeply but that fulfill some hope or want in us?  Tales that reach us in multiple ways?  We love these men, their journey to love and a long term relationship, whether it be a contemporary world or something supernatural or otherworldly.  And we love these authors and their talent to create not only believable, vivid men and beings as well as for their ability in which they pull us into their characters lives and worlds over and over again, making it feel like home every time we read these stories.

That’s a wonderful gift and it shows in how many of the same authors and stories/series show up in list after list, including my own.  My gratitude to them.  And thank you to all our readers who contributed these last few weeks and days, letting us look into your favorite lists and authors too.  You’ve definitely added to my TBR pile and brought back a few books I’ve forgotten. Thank you!

Of course, our lists keep growing as we find new authors and new stories to share with you and hopefully, you our readers to share with us.  I love reading your lists too.

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Here’s some of our readers favorite couples and Love stories/series:

♡H.B. loves:

Jory and Sam from Mary Calmes’ A Matter of Time series
Jin and Logan from Mary Calmes’ A Change of Heart series
Rand and Stefan from Mary Calmes’ Timing Series
Ty and Zane from Abigail Roux/Madeleine Urban’s Cut & Run series
The couples (Dex/Sloane, Ashe/Cael, Calvin/Ethan) from Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS series
Tucker and Elliot from Josh Lanyon’s All’s Fair series
Kit and J.X. from Josh Lanyon’s Holmes & Moriarity series
Gaven and Vlar from J.C. Owen’s Gaven series
Neil and Andrew from Nora Sakavic’s All for the Games series

(I agree H.B.  You  named Tucker and Elliot, 2 I left off of mine by accident, Gaven and Vlar because I had just forgotten about them!  Argh! Thank you for  bringing them back to mind.)

♡From Didi:

Jonty and Orlando, and Ty and Zane by Abigail Roux (and by Madeleine Urban)
Here’s my addition favorite couples to the above:
– Kit and JX from Holmes & Moriarity series by Josh Lanyon
– Tucker and Elliot from Fair Game by Josh Lanyon
– Mark and Stephen from I Spy series
– James and Sedgwick from the Dickens with Love
– Lucien and Stephen from A Charm of Magpie series
– Whyborne and Griffin from Jordan L. Hawk’s Whyborne and Griffin series
– David and Murdo from Enlightenment series

Again, thanks, Didi, I see  some I’ve been meaning to get too.  This is a wonderful reminder!

♡And from Jen:

Some of my favorite couples are:
Whyborne and Griffin from Jordan L. Hawk’s Whyborne and Griffin series
Jonty and Orlando from the Charlie Cochrane’s Cambridge Fellows series
Cole and Jae from Rhys Ford’s Cole McGinnis series
Charlie and Travis from NR Walker’s Red Dirt series
Laurie and Sasha from Harper Fox’s A Midwinter Prince series
Gray/Caleb & John from Jordan L. Hawk’s SPECTR series
Crick and Deacon from Amy Lane’s Promises series

Crick and Deacon were on my Comfort list, Jen, but I so agree with you!  So were Charlie and Travis, Cole and Jae, love them!  Do you know there are series here I need to add to my list?  Yay! Thank you all to add to my staggeringly high TBR pile!

Announcement clip art

Winner Announcements!

♥︎Winners of our Comfort Story Reads are:

Purple Reader
Shirley Ann

♥︎Winner of our Love Story Read/List is:

Didi

 

Congratulations to you all.  Stella will be in touch with you about your prizes.  Now all our readers keep you eyes turned to us for more giveaways coming soon!  Meteorological Spring is within 2 weeks.  I’m sure we’ll think of some way to celebrate new beginnings and the coming of Spring!  Give me your suggestions and stay with us!

📚

Now for this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.   We handed out a new list of questions to authors for our author interviews and the results have been wonderful.  Everything from how they feel about their covers to what they think about ebooks and Gary Stu writing.  Don’t miss out on those.  Plus we have plenty of Release Day Reviews and audiobook reviews for those who  love to listen as well as read!  Something for everyone!

book-blanket

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

tropical-depression-by-ba-tortugaimago-by-nr-walkerunzipping-7d-by-j-c-longeverything-changes-audiobook

Sunday, February 19:

  • Of Comfort Reads and  Love Stories
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, February 20:

  • Release Blitz – Find Me (Rent Me Series #5) by Brina Brady
  • Release Day Blitz College Discipline by Caitlin Ricci
  • Release Day Blitz Unzipping 7d by J.C. Long
  • A Jeri Review: Down By Contact by Sloan Johnson
  • A Lila Review: A-dork-able by J.D. Walker
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Tropical Depression by BA Tortuga
  • A PaulB  Review: Dead Camp book 3 by Sean Kerr

Tuesday, February 21:

  • Review Tour – NR Walker’s Imago 
  • Jared’s Family Blogger Tour and Giveaway
  • DSP GUEST POST Andrew Grey on Poppy’s Secret
  • Review Tour – Lyssa Dering’s fangjunkie27
  • A MelanieM Review:  Imago by NR Walker
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Leaning Into Love (Leaning Into #1) by Lane Hayes
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Unzipping 7D (Unzipped Shorts #2) by J.C. Long

Wednesday, February 22:

  • DSP GUEST POST: Catt Ford on Cross My Heart
  • TWO NATURES* by Jendi Reiter 4 Tour
  • A Caryn Review: Unspoken by R.A. Padmos
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: Off Stage (Off Stage #1-2) by Jaime Samms
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Rushing Love (States of Love) by Meg Bawden
  • An Ali Audiobook Review: Murmuration by T.J. Klune and Kirt Graves (Narrator)

Thursday, February 23:

  • DSP GUEST POST Meg Bawden on Rushing Love
  • Release Day Blitz Justin’s Season by S. M. Sawyer
  • RIPTIDE BLOG TOUR Dating Ryan Alback by J.E. Birk
  • An Alisa Review: Dating Ryan Alback by J.E. Birk
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Open Road by M.J. O’Shea and Robbie D (Narrator)
  • An Ali Audiobook Review:  Everything Changes (Resilient Love #1) by Melanie Hansen and Robert Nieman (Narrator)

Friday, February 24:

  • DSP GUEST POST Matthew Lang on Better with Bacon
  • Book Blitz: Fallen Angel by Eden Winters
  • Release blitz: AFTER THE FIRE by Felice Stevens
  • Release Blitz & Review Tour – Goodnight My Angel by Sue Brown
  • A Stella Release Day Review:  Ringo and the Sunshine Police by Nick Wilgus
  • A PaulB  Review: Max (Demon Elite 7) by April Kelley
  • An Alisa Audiobook Review: Kieran: The Atherton Pack 4 By Toni Griffin
  • A PaulB  Review: The Chains of Their Sins (Taking Shield #4) by Anna Butler

Saturday, February 25:

  • 3 day release blitz: *Snapshots by Addison Albright*
  • DSP GUEST POST Ariel Tachna on Talking in Code
  • A MelanieM Review: Man and Tree by Wayne Mansfield

open-road-audiobookdating-ryan-alback-by-j-e-birkthe-chains-of-their-sins-taking-shield-04-by-anna-butlerringo-and-the-sunshine-police-by-nick-wilgus

 

 

A Jeri Review: Paint the Stars (Free Fall #3) by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

paint-the-stars-by-nyrae-dawn-and-christina-leeI’ve had a soft spot for Ezra since book 1 of this series and I was so happy he got his own book. He was featured pretty heavily in book 2 which just whetted my appetite for more of him.

Ezra is an introverted artist who doesn’t let a lot of people see who he really is. He’d much prefer to binge on Netflix than go to a club with his friends. While Conner (book 2) came the closest to really getting to know Ezra as his roommate, Ezra still kept him at arm’s length. Until Daevonte starts to wiggle his way into Ezra’s life.

Daevonte is a yoga instructor at a studio where Ezra has been commissioned to paint another mural. A lover of life and sex, he wants to hook up with the quiet painter. But Ezra doesn’t do the hook up thing. So after some false starts, they become unlikely friends.

As you can imagine the friends part of the book evolves. It is a nice slow burn which really fits with Ezra’s character. He is demisexual- meaning he has to really connect with someone as a person before he feels any attraction to him. So as the book progresses, as does the connection between Ezra and Daevonte.

I really love that books are starting to have main characters on different  colors of the rainbow. Of course gay (this is the genre we are reading) and bisexual (which opens a lot of past story lines), but now we are seeing a lot more asexual, demisexual, and pansexual. I love seeing these people represented and their stories told in such a manner that makes you truly understand what it is they are about.

Because Ezra is demisexual, this book actually inadvertently gives us my favorite trope- friends to lovers.  Daevonte is so confident in who he is and has a unique way of starting to bring Ezra out of his shell- without trying to change who he is. He has utter respect for Ezra and it shows.

We, of course, get glimpses of the guys from past books. In fact, I really love that they have a once a week dinner together.  AND that one of the secondary characters develops a het relationship. Real life.

Book one, Touch the Sky, is my favorite of the three but this is definitely a very close second.

The cover illustration is gorgeous and seeing all three covers together is perfectly cohesive.

Sales Link

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: February 20th 2017 by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn
ASINB06WRQ4LVH
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesFree Fall #3

A MelanieM Review: Danced Close (Portland Heat #6) by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

 

danced-closePortland, Oregon, is one of the hottest cities in America. Just ask all the hard-working men sweating it up behind the counters of the restaurants, boutiques, and cafés all over town …

Newly clean and sober, Todd’s taken a shine to his job at Portland’s most talked about bakery. It’s not just the delicious desserts they sell, but the tasty treats who keep walking through the door. That certainly includes Kendall Rose, a wedding planner with eyes the color of brown sugar and skin to match. Todd doesn’t try to hide his attraction to Kendall’s elegant confidence and unique style, even as he worries about exposing the secrets of his past.

For Kendall, the attention is just part of the anything-goes Portland he’s grown to love. But he’s still looking for that special someone who will embrace all of him—including his gender fluidity. So he takes a chance and asks Todd to be his partner in a dance class leading to a fundraiser. When the music starts and he takes Todd in his arms, Kendall is shocked at how good it feels. Turns out taking the lead for once isn’t a mistake. In fact, it might be time to take the next step and follow his heart …

Ever read a book that made you want to do a little singing and a swaying?  For me that’s Danced Close by Annabeth Albert, the sixth book in her warmhearted, and lovely series Portland Heat.  I’m a fan, both of this author and series (let’s get that out of the way) so I look forward to seeing what Albert will bring to enliven up an already quirky, surprising series.  We start off back at the Bakery owned by Vic (couple Vic and Robin) from Baked Fresh (Portland Heat, #2).  Vic’s employee is Todd, who had rough times in his past where he turned to drugs.  Now clean, he’s learning about baking and staying sober.  Its a constrained life until the stylish and outgoing genderfluid Kendall Rose enters the bakery and his life.

Now one of the things I have always loved about Annabeth Albert’s writing and characters is that she loves to defy peoples expectations.  You might look at that blurb above and carry some expectation about each character with you into the story.  Fine, great.  Than enjoy Albert turning those expectations right on their proverbial heads as she reveals lovely unexpected layers and backgrounds to Todd and Kendall.  Its a dance not only on the ballroom floor but of relationship dynamics that sometimes make you sigh, sometimes smile, and don’t be surprised if even you can imagine the dancing and here yourself singing in your head.

With all  that, there’s still a goodly amount of heartache, discarding of old wounds and healing to be done before these two can move forward together.  Still sighing here.

I throughly enjoyed the journey to happiness for both Kendall and Todd.  I loved their give and take with each  other.  And of course, Portland always keeping it strange.  What on earth is Annabeth Albert going to do next?

Cover art absolutely works.

Sales Links

 

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: March 14th 2017 by Lyrical Shine
ASINB01HA426NM
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesPortland Heat #6

A MelanieM Review: Necessary Medicine by M.K. York

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

necessary-medicineWith intelligence and humor, debut male/male author M.K. York delivers an emotionally charged slow-burn romance set in a prestigious Bay Area teaching hospital

In the high-intensity world of hospital residency programs, there’s no room for romance. So it’s a good thing for first-year surgical resident Neil Carmona that his crush on the gorgeous cardiologist Eli Newcombe is sheer fantasy. Not only is the sexy doctor Neil’s superior, he’s also recently divorced.

As Neil’s skill as a surgeon grows, so does his friendship with Eli, and his silent, hopeless longing for more. It isn’t until Neil’s final year that Eli at last admits his own deepest desires. But Neil’s joy is short-lived: Eli has no intention of pursuing a relationship. Their positions in the hospital would make it unethical, even if he was emotionally ready for someone new.

Wounded and furious, Neil is determined to forget about Eli once and for all. But when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?

Well, I just  adored Necessary Medicine by M.K. York, probably because it hit so close to home as a close family relative lived with us during his residency here. During that time period I got an up close look at his hours, his total exhaustion and the dedication it took to get him through those years (and all those rotations).  York knows that world intimately and brought it back to me so vividly I almost got on the phone to relive it  with my cousin again. Almost!

First-year surgical resident Neil Carmona felt so believable in every way.  From his fumbling through the different rotations, to his trying to find some semblance of ties to other people to ground him, I understood this man completely and loved him.  And when transplant surgeon extraordinaire appeared during one of his lectures, I could see the crush coming his way.  Neil’s world is an insular one and York does a fine job of describing its pressures and incredible around the clock adrenaline rush of procedures, stress, and Expectations that bombard residents so that we can see why he wants to reach out to someone he’s attracted to so badly even though it might be the worst idea ever.

Eli Newcombe is more of an enigma, at least at first.  Its when we meet up with him a second time that we get to know the man behind the reputation and realize that perhaps that, beyond the chemistry these two have, there just might be a future.

This is a slow burn sort of relationship that’s has its foundation in the reality of a teaching hospital.  York gives us not only Neil and Eli but Neil’s mentor (and Eli’s friend), other residents and Neil’s small circle of friends and the insular world of surgery and the transplant field.  I think this book is a marvel, and I found so many things about it fascinating. Yes, I did remember my cousin’s similar stories from his internship and they pretty much measured up to the ones here.  I wonder who  York has been talking to.

However, if you’re not a fan of things like tv medicine show dramas with ensemble casts and romances, this book might not be your thing.  But it was absolutely mine.  As I said I adored it.  I so hope M.K. York write more like this as the author has found a fan in me.

Cover art works but I’m not a fan of reds like this in cover art.  I find it offputting.

Pre Order – Sales Links

Carina Press

Other links to come

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 251 pages
Expected publication: April 24th 2017 by Carina Press
Original TitleNecessary Medicine
ASINB01MYM441N
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Caryn Review: Too Soon For Love by Kimberly Gardner

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

too-soon-for-loveI love reading books that contain a grieving character, and I think it’s my favorite subset of the hurt/comfort trope.  I guess I like the idea that it is possible to move past what can seem initially to be permanently devastating pain, and these stories always make me full of hope.  I also like stories that have MCs with disabilities, especially when those MCs learn to thrive despite the disability.  So this book really hit a lot of buttons for me, and I enjoyed it.

The book opened as Michael Stricker was attending the funeral for Phillip DiMartino, his partner of 12 years.  Phillip suffered a devastating stroke, which left him comatose for a time (which was not specified, but I got the impression it was a week or two) before he died.  During that time he was in a nursing home, but also had a private caregiver, Alan Stuart, who came to admire Michael and his devotion to Phillip as he died, and developed a rapport of sorts with Michael.  The funeral was difficult for Michael not only because he lost his husband, but also because Phillip’s family was smothering him with their concern – Michael was blind, and hadn’t lived alone for years, and they didn’t think he could function independently.  When the family became particularly overbearing, Alan stepped in and rescued him.

From that moment, the two men became friends.  And though Alan was very attracted to Michael, he knew it was inappropriate to initiate a relationship so soon after Phillip’s death, and tried just to be a friend.  When he inadvertently discovered evidence of Phillip’s infidelity, he didn’t know what to do with that information – tell Michael and cause him pain, or hide it and hope that he never found out?  Alan was falling hard for Michael, which made that decision especially difficult.

I thought the portrayals of Phillip – through Michael’s remembrances, flashbacks, his family’s memories, his other lover’s recollections – were really well done, and I found myself alternately liking Phillip, despising him, being suspicious of him and eventually forgiving him.  I would like to say more about this, but really can’t without giving away major spoilers!  These little snippets of Phillip were revealed very slowly as Michael dealt with his grief over weeks and months, during which time Alan only fell more in love with him.

The romance between these two men was a mixture of quickly developing physical attraction, with a slower burn of the emotional bond.  Michael had to regain his independence – which introduced some really great side characters – and Alan had to learn to respect and promote it.  Their HEA didn’t come without false starts, steps backward, little betrayals, and even though this is a romance, and the HEA is expected, there were still moments when I thought it wouldn’t happen.  I actually like that, because it makes the story seem all that more real to me!

I would have rated the book higher, but found the changes of POV between Michael and Alan to be to abrupt and frequent and made the flow of the book choppy.  There were also multiple times the author referred to Michael’s actions or thoughts as if he was a sighted person – in the first pages of the book, Michael mentioned “seeing him now” in regards to Alan.  Every time that happened, I noticed it and it bugged me.  There were some great secondary characters, but some of their stories were completely superfluous, and just left me irritated because there was no resolution to those problems, and it would have been better if they’d never been mentioned in the first place.

Cover art by Natasha Snow was only OK.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 315 pages
Published January 17th 2017 by Loose Id (first published February 15th 2011)
Original TitleTo Soon For Love
ISBN139781682522929
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Caryn Review: How the Other Half Lives (London Lads #2) by Clare London

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

how-the-other-half-livesThis was a cute, quick, funny read, perfect for an hour of pure, angst-free entertainment!

Martin Harrison is an uptight, obsessive neat freak who has trouble tolerating disorder in any part of his life – or in other people’s – who is perfectly happy with his regimented, solitary life.  His best friend Ethan nagged him to at least try to interact more with people, so Martin promised to get involved with the flat-sitting scheme his apartment set up (which was the first thing he thought of) to get Ethan off his back.

Russ McNeely is a free lancing chef/food critic with an admitted authority problem.  He’s enthusiastic and creative, but flighty and forgetful and has no idea why his best friend Don gets upset that he still hasn’t unpacked after living in his apartment for 6 months.  He’s OK with his cluttered, chaotic apartment, messy clothes, and lack of a social life, but he agrees to sign up for the apartment’s flat-sitting scheme as a way to meet some new people.

So of course these two are assigned to each other, and both are horrified to see how the other one lives, so they start making little changes in the other apartment that gradually lead to changes in themselves as well.  I loved the difference in their voices as they talked to their friends – Martin was ever so posh and snooty, Russ was emotional and earthy.  By the time they finally met each other, romance was clearly inevitable.

The meddling best friends were awesome, the descriptions of the completely opposite ways the men saw the same things were hilarious, and of course the way they finally met was just adorable.  Finished off by an over-the-top, wildly successful collaboration that let the two men ride off into the sunset while their best friends applauded from the sidelines.

Normally a book I’d give 3 stars, but this gets another half star for sheer cuteness!  And for the very clever introductions to each chapter.

Cover art by Valerie Tibbs doesn’t exactly indicate that this is a comedy, but it’s OK.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 65 pages
Published February 15th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published February 5th 2011)
ISBN 1635333156 (ISBN13: 9781635333152)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesLondon Lads #2