A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

There’s so much to enjoy each time I pick up a book by Victoria Sue—depth of character, complexity of story, amazing secondary characters, and a well-planned plot, usually with lots of mystery and drama. This book did not disappoint.

Mav Delgardo can’t seem to come to terms with the loss of his foot and consequently the loss of his career as a USAF helicopter pilot. Wallowing in a bottle, sleeping in his sister’s spare room, it’s not until she needs his help to guard a former musician that he manages to pull himself together. Deacon Daniels (real name Danny) was a teen idol until a scandal resulting in the death of a woman and her child brings his career crashing down. Add to that the fact he’s lost custody of his two-year-old niece, for whom he was named guardian when his brother died, and a stalker is now out to get him, and it’s a wonder the young man doesn’t give up.

Mav is entranced by the real Danny and realizes there’s no way the news reports and gossip sheets have any inkling of what the young man is really like. And Danny sees Mav, beyond the scars on his face and torso and his artificial foot, Danny reacts to the person who cares about others and desperately wants to be needed and find his place in life after the loss of his career. The two become close as those involved in perpetrating the scandal that destroyed Deacon’s career are murdered and the stalking and threats increase.

It’s not until the two start to hope for a brighter future that the situation takes a turn for the worse and it looks like Danny won’t have a future at all if the murderer has his way. I really enjoyed the action in this story. The story was interesting, the characters well-developed, and the mystery intriguing. When the murderer is revealed there was still plenty of action and suspense and I had a hard time putting the book down.

Victoria Sue creates real characters with real feelings. I can rarely stay an arm’s length from getting caught up in their lives. This story is for those who want to experience second chances, hurt-comfort, lots of intrigue, and a couple who deserves a solid future together.

Cover by Jay Aheer is a clever blend of the MCs and the action of the story. Against the white shirt on the Maverick’s chest, the artist has superimposed a man in shadows, a large apartment building and an orange glow, depicting a fire or fires, something the mystery murderer uses in this story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 230 pages
Published March 19th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB 07NNL14XR
Edition Language English

A Lucy Review : The Forever Kind Of Love by LA Bryce

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

You never forget your first love … especially when they cause you pain. Chase thought he was doing the right thing when he left Liam years earlier, but when he finds out he was wrong, it might be too late. The trust they once shared may be past the point of repair.

The Forever Kind of Love is a story of second chances that asks the question — is a good reason enough to wash away the years of hurt it caused? Chase comes home from the military ready to start his life with Liam. But he discovers Liam’s life has already started without him. Is there a place for him in it? Is the possibility of more pain worth the risk for Liam?

If that isn’t hard enough, they only have the week Chase is on leave to come to terms with their future. Can they find forever in seven days?

First off, the blurb is a little misleading. “…when he finds out he was wrong, it might be too late.” A bit inaccurate, since Chase’s plan from the beginning was exactly what he did. He never thought he was wrong, he just never bothered to consider things from Liam’s point of view.

I was worried when I started this book due to the length. While I love second chance tropes, I also need enough time and detail to make me want them to get back together and to really understand why they were apart. Forever Kind of Love is only 44 pages long and I didn’t get what I needed to make the story work.

Chase and Liam were in love, telling each other they were in love, and then Chase just up and leaves with no word, no message, no nothing for four years. Now he’s back and expecting Liam to open arms wide, take him back and then move the life he’s built in Chase’s absence to be with Chase, because Chase hasn’t left the military, which is where he went. It’s not really clear why the first four years were a turning point because even though Liam works for Chase’s mom at her art gallery, where he also shows his own art, Chase has never asked about Liam. We know this much because he was surprised Liam was showing his art work at the gallery, as well as not knowing that Liam no longer lived with his dad. No one knew about Chase and Liam back then, so Liam didn’t discuss it with mom either.

“And now it was time to finally go home and get his man.” He just shows up at his mom’s, where they happen to be throwing a party for Liam. He didn’t even do the courtesy of a phone call, a message, nothing. Then he is so shocked with Liam’s reaction because really, he didn’t bother with how Liam would have felt. “Just what? Explain what you were thinking? You didn’t think enough of me to explain at the time.” “Chase took a deep breath. This wasn’t going the way he planned.” There were so many WTF moments for me but I continued on, waiting for the groveling to happen. Which didn’t.

“Again, he’d known Liam would be mad about him just leaving, but he’d hoped that after four years some of that pain would’ve subsided.” What??? How does the pain subside when now Liam is faced with Chase, who has done absolutely nothing to make things better. Add in that it is really Chase’s mother who does the explaining to Liam and Chase gets no respect from me. Let’s also mention that throughout the book, Chase NEVER ONCE says he is sorry to Liam. Liam says sorry a few times but never Chase. Liam is still expected to give up his job, his house, his friends, his relationship with Chase’s mom as his boss, and with a day or two to decide, just move on. Chase doesn’t grovel at all during this time and for two days just mopes but makes no effort to clear up the mess he made.

The ending, which is supposed to make us feel good about them, just made me more aggravated with it. This is where the length of the book really worked against the author. We don’t get the sense at any point that Chase really loved Liam. Yes, the high handed reason for leaving (who knows why in four years he couldn’t be bothered to reconnect) is supposed to be for “Liam’s sake” but communication is more important and there is none. We are told that he loves Liam but nothing shows that he does. There needed to be more time between his return and the inevitable magical rekindling. “Did he really have a picture of Liam jumping up and proclaiming his undying love? Even after all Chase had done to hurt Liam? Yep, Chase did. Maybe I also needed to see how they were four years ago to make it seem like Chase really did love Liam and wasn’t just claiming him, as he says.

This is my first time reading this author and while this story absolutely was not for me, I would give her another try with a different type of story line.

Cover art, showing a naked male torso with dog tags, is simple but effective.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 44 pages

Published March 2nd 2019 by JMS Books LLC

ASIN B07NVZ8HJD

Edition Language English

BLOG TOUR Wicked Games (Queen City Rogues #2) by Aimee Nicole Walker (excerpt and giveaway)

Wicked Games

Queen City Rogues Series, Book 2

Aimee Nicole Walker

M/M Romance/Suspense

Release Date: 03.11.19

wicked games-eBook-complete

BLURB

Ryder Jameson and Lucien Clarke have a complicated past: Ryder conserves art; Lucien steals it. Their love-hate relationship spans six years and two continents and has endured multiple heists. Hoping to restore his tarnished reputation, Ryder returns home to Cincinnati to accept a position at an acclaimed museum. When Lucien suddenly reappears in Ryder’s life, the treasure seeker hopes to nab a priceless Shang Dynasty artifact and recapture Ryder’s jilted heart.

Something more sinister than stolen art is stirring in the Queen City. Ryder and Lucien must join forces to untangle a web of secrets, lies, and treachery bigger than either of them expected. Trust won’t come easy, but they’ll need to rely on each other because pulling the wrong thread could have deadly consequences.

Is it fate that keeps bringing Ryder and Lucien together, or are they merely pawns in someone’s wicked games? Will they play for keeps this time or become collateral damage?

Wicked Games is a second-chance romance filled with passion, humor, and intrigue. It’s the second book in the Queen City Rogues series but can be read on its own. Wicked Games contains mature sexual content intended for readers 18 and older.

http://mybook.to/Wicked_Games

Wicked Games Teaser 1
Wicked Games Teaser 2

EXCERPT

Ryder said nothing else until we arrived at the hotel. “Really? You’re staying inside a museum? Talk about irony. Do you steal the towels and robes from the luxury hotels before you scurry out of town? Is your urbane polish nothing but a veneer?”
Ryder knew fully well the ways my inner beast and baser needs could make a person forget all about the polish that had initially caught their attention. I’d never felt bad about using my looks, charisma, or my body to get what I wanted until I met Ryder. Then each day became one regret after the other until my life was nothing more than a cold existence. I recognized the same loneliness when I looked into Ryder’s stunning blue eyes. I couldn’t remember a time when I hated myself more.
“Come on,” Ryder said irritably. “I have things I need to do this evening.”
Rage and lust were such a heady combination, and it was all I could do to keep from pushing Ryder up against the lift wall and giving him the reunion we both so badly wanted. I didn’t speak to him, and I kept my hands in my pockets to prevent myself from reaching for him until we arrived at my hotel room. Don’t cross the line again. You’ve caused him enough pain.
“Are we doing this or not?” Ryder challenged when my hesitance became obvious.

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day. I’d love to hear from you.

GIVEAWAY

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RELEASE BLITZ Clean Break (Farm College #2) by Erin McLellan (excerpt and giveaway)

A romantic story about two men with opposing life plans find a way back to each other.

Clean Break by Erin McLellan

Series: Farm College Series #2

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook): March 19, 2019

Subgenre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, College Romance, M/M

Warnings: explicit sex including mild kink; explicit language; instances and /or discussion of racism, homophobia, and transphobia; depiction of anxiety and OCD; consumption of alcohol; character with a deceased parent; lots of insects.

For more info about these warnings: http://smarturl.it/cleanbreakcws

Purchase here: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Connor’s To-Do List:

Learn to accept my future on the family farm
Be social, to a degree
Make a secret bucket list
Have a real conversation with Travis Bradford

Travis’s To-Do List:

Get into my top law school
Get the hell out of Elkville, Oklahoma
Stay focused on my dreams and goals—no crushes, no distractions
Get spanked by hot and perfectly fussy farm boy, Connor Blume

Travis and Connor do not like each other, but after being paired together in Entomology 101, their mutual hostility explodes into secret after-class hookups and unexpected feelings. With graduation looming near and their careers taking them in different directions, they’ll have to decide if a future together is worth adjusting their to-do lists and letting go of their carefully laid plans.

Teaser Excerpt #1:

CONNOR

My day had been going exactly as planned. I’d walked to all of my classrooms yesterday, so I knew the most efficient route to each. I’d woken up with enough time to iron my shirt and still get to my first class early. And I’d remembered quarters, so I could get a snack before said class started.

I’d also made three different lists last night, so I felt prepared for the day.

One for class materials:

Planner
3 College-ruled Notebooks
4 Pens
Notecards
Whiteout
Yellow highlighter

A to-do list:

Schedule meeting with advisor
Buy Scantron forms
Deep clean kitchenette in apartment
Work shift at Feed Store

And, lastly, a list of goals for the week:

Complete class readings for next week
Finish deep clean of entire apartment
Be social – to a degree
Delete Tinder, again
Go to the gym twice

Travis Bradford was not on any of my lists.

Teaser Excerpt #2:

TRAVIS

I was frozen, arms and legs heavy with desire or shock. I wasn’t sure which. I wanted Connor to keep kissing me, and I wanted him to stop right fucking now.

He must have sensed my unease because he pulled back and stared at me. My vision had adjusted to the dim light, so I could make out the muddy hazel of his eyes and the way his jaw ticked. He had faint acne scars on his cheeks that I’d never noticed, giving his face a rugged quality that was almost offset by all his adorable freckles.

“I’m sorry. I should have asked you first,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I whispered. My voice was shot.

“Can I kiss you again?”

This was the weirdest day. First, I’d discovered I was going to get a pet cockroach, and now the guy who I’d lost an entire semester pining after was asking permission to kiss me in a closet. There was a metaphor in there somewhere, but I was not in the right mind to analyze it.

I was curious. And he was sexy as all fuck. Maybe because he was so repressed and stoic? I wanted to be the one to unravel him.

“I suppose,” I said.

This time he sucked on my bottom lip, and my knees immediately went weak. He didn’t kiss like other guys. He kissed like he wasn’t totally sure of himself, and maybe it made me a jerk, but I wasn’t helping him out at all. I stood stock-still, and let him explore.

He kissed slowly around my mouth, his lips slipping against mine, almost reverently, and my head spun.

This was not a breath-stealing kiss. His tongue wasn’t stuffed so far in my mouth I couldn’t think. In fact, he hadn’t used his tongue at all. He captured my top lip, suckled lightly, then nibbled on it.

I couldn’t help it. I groaned and pulled him closer so our bodies touched. He pressed me into the door with an intensity that scared and excited me all at once. The back of my head ground into one of those plastic glowing stars.

“Shhh,” he mumbled, his mouth not leaving mine.

“Don’t shush me,” I snapped before gripping his face in both hands and biting his lip hard.

He grabbed my hands, ripped them off his cheeks, and pinned them above my head against the closet door.

We stared at each other, both breathing hard.

“I liked that,” he said. His voice was wary, as if he didn’t want to give too much away.

I wanted him to give everything away.

Teaser Excerpt #3:

TRAVIS

“I’ve never done this before,” he whispered, stroking his thumb down my crack through my briefs. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“What feels right?”

I wasn’t sure if that made any sense, but my brain was full of static. I wasn’t with it enough to have this conversation coherently, not if he kept touching my ass like that.

He hummed and kneeled beside me on the bed, caressing and squeezing my butt until my eyelids drooped shut from the attention. I was practically purring.

As my body went boneless, he brought his hand down hard onto my left ass cheek. I gasped, a piercing sound that was as loud as his palm hitting my flesh. Then I thrust against the bed as the heat from his slap spread through me.

“Oh. Wow.” His voice was so awed that I almost rolled over so I could see it mirrored on his face, but before I could move, he spanked me again.

I shuddered and let him at me. He played for a while, alternating between spanking me lightly and gripping my ass, testing it like he was examining a piece of fruit at the grocery store. It made me feel dirty, but in the best possible way.

My briefs held the warmth from each smack close to my skin, and within minutes, I was humping the bed. Spanking usually made me hot, made me have to fight orgasm if my dick was touching literally anything at the same time. I craved it. The sharpness of the sting as it spread on my skin, the sound, the lift and jiggle of my ass—it all coalesced into one perfect moment.

So close.

“Don’t come yet,” he warned.

“I won’t.” Damn. Talk about a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.

His hand came down with more force, right on the crease of my ass and thigh, and I ripped his bedding off the corner of the mattress. The pain knocked something loose in me, and I fell into that shiny place I craved but rarely reached, where everything was amplified.

“Harder. Connor, oh fuck.” He wasn’t giving me a break now, and I started to babble, my breath hitching. “So good. So good . . . Connor. Oh fuck, I want you so bad . . . Hated seeing David with his hands on you . . . Hated when he almost made you smile . . . Harder.”

About the Author:

Erin McLellan is the author of several contemporary romances, all of which have characters who are complex, goodhearted, and a little quirky. She likes her stories to have a sexy spark and a happily ever after. Originally from Oklahoma, she currently lives in Alaska and spends her time dreaming up love stories set in the Great Plains. She is a lover of chocolate, college sports, antiquing, Dr Pepper, and binge-worthy TV shows. Erin is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Alaska chapter.

Connect with Erin:

Website: https://www.erinmclellan.com

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16700859.Erin_McLellan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emclellanwrites

FB: https://www.facebook.com/authorerinmclellan

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/244545999752447/

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

Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/mclellannewsletter

Giveaway: To celebrate the release of Clean Break, Erin McLellan is giving one lucky winner a choice of one of her back list titles (reader’s choice!) plus $5 Amazon gift card

Giveaway Code: <a class=”rcptr” href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88d45f0386/” rel=”nofollow” data-raflid=”88d45f0386″ data-theme=”classic” data-template=”” id=”rcwidget_0wzjcl25″>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

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Giveaway Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88d45f0386/

***Please note: To celebrate the upcoming release of Clean Break, the first book in the series, Controlled Burn, has been discounted to $0.99 (USD)!

Pick up this sexy, angsty m/m college romance now!

https://www.amazon.com/Controlled-Burn-Farm-College-Book-ebook/dp/B07GNFFTVT/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1552359977&refinements=p_27%3AErin+McLellan&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Erin+McLellan

An Ali Review: In His Sights by L.A. Bryce

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Meet two men who need each other’s help but don’t realize it until it’s almost too late.

Noah is gay and terrified someone might find out. So much so that when he was blackmailed with pictures of himself with another man, instead of coming clean, he left his SEAL team without a word.

The other man is openly gay Mason, a former Marine and now part of the FBI’s Joint Terrorist Task force. It takes eight years after their first meeting in the desert for a chance event bring the two men together again. Now Noah must decide if he’s ready to accept who he is or if it’s easier to cut and run. Can they navigate the obstacles in their path to build a relationship? And why does the thought of that scare them more than investigating a group of terrorists?

I had never read this author and the blurb seemed like it would be something I would like. Unfortunately the writing style didn’t really work for me.

I felt like the overall plot was good but I struggled with the two main characters. There was this ongoing push and pull and it got on my nerves. There was a lot of drama between them and they would be mean to each other for no apparent reason. I actually didn’t find either of them that likable. They both could have used some anger management classes. They got aggressive with each other and said very mean things to each other which I’m not a fan of in my books. Also, Noah kept running off like an over dramatic teenager. There was not enough relationship development for me and I wasn’t too sure what these two saw in each other.

The reason Noah left his SEAL team was kind of odd in my opinion and then the way his and Mason’s past lives crossed without them knowing took a suspension of reality that I wasn’t able to do. Parts were interesting but overall the pacing felt off and I was losing interest in the story towards the end.

I don’t think this was a bad book, it just wasn’t the book for me. The writing itself was fine but the characters and their lives were something I just could not connect with.

Cover: I think the cover is fine. There is nothing wrong with it but there is also nothing that makes it stand out from other books in the genre.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 325 pages

Published February 2nd 2019 by JMS Books

ISBN13 9781634868730

Edition Language English

URL

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Whiskey to Wine (Leaning N #3) by BA Tortuga

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Love is hitting the slopes, and the competition is fierce.

It’s Gay Ski Week in Aspen, and blind sculptor Bleu Bridey and his ex-fiancé, Dan, are at the Leaning N Ranch to unveil Bleu’s latest commission.

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Shields is there too… and he’s Bleu’s true love who got away. Seeing Bleu again, Ryan remembers how they couldn’t get enough of each other in college.

Too bad it looks like Bleu is with Dan now, because Ryan would love to remind Bleu how good they were together, in and out of the sheets.

Between Ski Week parties, a bunch of exes, a private ski lesson, and one terrible accident that leaves Bleu stranded and Ryan in rescue mode, it’ll be a wonder if these two manage to survive, much less find a few seconds alone to remember how much love they have to keep them warm even in the worst of storms.

I am really enjoying the Leaning N series from BA Tortuga and this story especially checked a lot of my boxes for contemporary romances. The first beingOK it’s author! yes, I can never pass up a BA Tortuga story, and Whiskey to Wine (Leaning N #3) by BA Tortuga has so many elements in it that I love to red about. It has cowboys and kids in the family that owns the Leaning N (they are central to every story here. It also has a wonderful second chance at love, lovers reunited aspect to the romance and main couple. Plus the couple itself has two men whose characters and personalities are just so compelling that it makes for a story and romance that grabs you right from the start.

Told from both the perspectives of Bleu and Ryan, BA Tortuga manages to bring the reader inside the darkness of Bleu’s everyday life and give us a feel for the way in which he lives and manages his life, with the assistance of his service dog. I’m not sure who was helping with this realistic portrait but I suspect they are close to the subject or know someone like Bleu given the cringeworthy moments and comments from other characters and situations Bleu finds himself in, the authenticity rings true throughout the story. Everything about Blue pulls you to him, and makes you want to shove Dan, his ex right off the next ski lift. Dan is one of the less enjoyable characters there but has been a minor series character throughout the three stories so far.

Ryan the former Olympic snowboarder also has that personality down, as well as that of regret for the past and the real sense of loss when it comes to Bleu. When it comes to writing chemistry, BA Tortuga can make two men and their connection seem almost organic, it’s that natural and mighty. I really loved watching them reconnect, worth through their old issues, and current ones, including current exes that won’t go away.

There is adventure, huge drama, and a wonderful end to everything that I adored. Plus the secondary cast of characters some of which …cough..Geoff. cough..I’m hoping which eventurally get his story.

While each book easily can be read as a standalone, it’s far more fun to read them as a series, a method I recommend. I have fallen in love with the Leaning N and the family and crew that lives there. I only hope we will be getting so many more romances and novels to come.

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza. Handsome man, beautiful background. Both in keeping with the series although I could wish for more from the story. I just find it cute but lacking.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, Dreamspun Desires #78, 181 pages
Expected publication: March 19th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB07NNLYLYG
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Leaning N :

Commitment Ranch

Finding Mr. Wright

Whiskey to Wine

Come Back Around coming out in July 2019

Release Blitz and Giveaway for A Heart Divided (Social Sinners #3) by TL Travis

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 60,000 words approx.

Social Sinner Series

Book 1 is the only book in the series that can be read as a stand-alone.
Book 1 – Behind the lights (MM) – Amazon US | Amazon UK –
Book 2 – In The Shadows (MM) – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book 3 – A Heart Divided (MMM)
Book 4 – Beyond The Curtain (MM)
Book 5 – After The Final Curtain (MM/MMM)

Blurb

How can one’s heart be divided without someone feeling left out, even if it’s yourself?

That was the challenge Mickey Payne, bass player for the band Social Sinners, was tasked with when he fell in love with two men. “The heart wants what the heart wants, and you’d be a fool to deny it,” his mother told him when he brought his concerns to her over the unconventional relationship he was in.

Entering into the triad, he of course had his reservations, but all doubt gets cast aside when they need his help.

Will his heart be able to survive?

Author Bio

TL Travis is the author of The Sebastian Chronicles along with numerous other erotic novelettes (and many more in the works), The Elders Trilogy – an erotic paranormal (Vampire) romance novel series and many non-fiction articles.

In her spare time she likes to fish, enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer, spin spicy erotic webs for readers to enjoy, and rescue any 4 legged lost souls she comes across. Since her children are grown and have flown the coop, she’s taken to spoiling her two deaf white boxers even more so than they were before.

To view TL Travis literary and photography works please visit her website atwww.tltravis.com
TL Travis can also be followed on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tltravisauthor
Or via twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tltravis1

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A MelanieM Review: No Big Deal (#lovehim #1.5) by S.M. James

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Angus Reid has always hoped for a roommate. As the only openly gay student at Pinebrook Private, he’s never had the kind of friendship everyone else in his year does, until Tyler shows up. Tyler is sweet, thoughtful, and absolutely adorkable—and better still, he couldn’t care less that Angus is gay.

Unfortunately, falling for your straight roommate is never a good idea, and during a snowed-in weekend, Angus learns this lesson the hard way.

A YA contemporary short story, No Big Deal is the prequel to To Be Honest and will show you where it all began for Angus and Tyler

No Big Deal is as the blurb says the prequel to the marvelous YA road story romance, To Be Honest, second novel in S.M. James’ outstanding YA #lovehim series. And yes, yet another story I’ve read out of sequence. I just can’t seem to read this series in order which is really doing it, the author, and me a disservice.

Because had I read this before To Be Honest, I would have had so much more insight into the characters and the issues they faced going into that story. It would have made an already layered and moving reading experience that much richer.

No Big Deal is the story of Angus and Tyler’s first introduction, our look into their first steps as roommates and friends, and some hidden clues into each person’s back histories and personalities, especially when it comes to the LGBT community. All of which have important roles to play in the next story.

This is a short story of 38 pages so it does just fly by but the writing is smooth and so beautifully done. The characters as bright, funny, thoughtful, and engaging as I remembered. They act their age, with so much depth to their emotions and mental acuity that its a pleasure to watch them grow as individuals and in their relationship. In this story and in the series.

Told you, I read the other story first.

Don’t you do that. Read all these amazing book in the order they were written. Each and every one is a treasure. More to come that, yes, I read out of order too. Sign.

Oh, and no sex, no heat, definitely YA all the way, this is also just meeting for a first time story.

Cover Artist: Story Styling Cover Designs. The cover art is so simple yet appealing, and perfect for the characters.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 38 pages
Published October 23rd 2018 by May Books
ASINB07FX69TTC
Edition Language English
Series#lovehim #1.5

Series #lovehim

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Blue Umbrella Sky by Rick R. Reed

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Milt’s husband of many years, Corky, has passed away after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, a horrible deterioration of mind and body. As is the case with many who suffer from this disease, Corky forgot who Milt was at times and at other times was angry and resentful toward him. He escaped his home, sometimes while nude, and in short, tested Milt’s reserves to the nth degree. But Milt never stopped loving him and now, sitting in his new mobile home in Palm Springs, California, he’s far away and yet still close in his heart. Some thought Milt was being too reactionary when he packed up and moved across country, but he and his adopted dog, Ruby, are beginning to acclimate to their new lives together.

Then, along comes a flash flood and a friendly neighbor to rescue them. Billy Blue, handsome, young, a former singer, now working at Trader Joe’s is an alcoholic in recovery for several years and planning to stay that way, despite the emotional ups and downs he begins to feel when Milt enters his life. Though several years older than Billy, Milt is nevertheless exactly the man of Billy’s dreams and Billy has to exercise all his life lessons to remember that good things happen in their own time, not on his time schedule.

Those who follow my reviews know I get a little (okay, a lot) peeved when authors glaze over a “drinking problem” or have their character in detox and then have him live a happy life, drinking again whenever he’s out with friends—with no consequences. But in this story, Mr. Reed presented alcoholism and recovery, through the twelve step fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, as clearly, kindly, respectfully, and honestly as I’ve ever read. And I’m old, so I’ve read a lot! I appreciate his attention detail more than I can say.

A frequently heard term in AA is “the joy is in the journey, not the destination.” And for me, the joy was in the journey of reading this beautiful portrayal of a man coming to grips with the death of his husband, moving through the stages of grief as time goes on, and ultimately recognizing that it’s okay to love again. There’s also joy in being present for Billy’s journey as he follows direction from his sponsor and does what he’s learned is most important to his balance—to put his sobriety first. After all, he wouldn’t have any chance with Milt if he wasn’t the man he is today and that’s due to working the program.

I simply loved this story. It’s not explicit, thankfully. That wasn’t necessary. What was necessary was to allow two men to have an opportunity to get to know each other, become friends, and eventually move to a firm and loving relationship. Slow burn, hurt-comfort, age gap, men over forty, grief, men with pets—I can think of many more tags I’d use for this one. But ultimately, the tag I’d use first and foremost is amazing. Thank you Rick R. Reed! You have set the bar high.

The cover by Reese Dante features two men in an embrace—perhaps a kiss about to happen—set against a beautiful blue background of the sky over Palm Springs.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 190 pages

Expected publication: March 19th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press

ASIN B07NNX7J4Q

Edition Language English

Looking for that Second Chance at Love Story? Check Out Release Blitz for Rewind by Rowan Shaw (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Rewind

Author: Rowan Shaw

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Molly Phipps

Genre/s: MM Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 73 350 words/ 343 pages

Release Date: March 18th, 2019

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All other vendors (Nook, Kobo, iBooks)

Tagline

Were Enzo and Florian truly meant to get a second chance or were they doomed from the start?

Blurb

The day Enzo Chevalier lost his hearing, everything changed. Forced to rebuild his future and fight for his dreams, Enzo refused to let anything take him down…until the man of his life walked out on him and shattered his heart.

Florian Beaudry had his whole life figured out. His business was flourishing and everything was settling down at last. Or so he believed…until he walked in on his girlfriend and best friend.

Still on the rebound and unable to trust another man, Enzo never expected a chance encounter with Florian. The one person he thought he would never see again. The one person he missed the most.

Were they truly meant to get a second chance or were they doomed from the start?

REWIND is an MM romance novel set entirely in France. Though part of a series, it is a standalone story without a cliffhanger.

Excerpt

I stared at Enzo, unsure what to do or how to react. I hadn’t seen him in such a long time. When I smiled at him, the deep scar on his left cheek carved into his skin as he replied with a grin of his own, along with a shy wave. I gaped like a moron. He was even more breathtaking than he used to be, taller and stronger too.

My eyes caught on the gorgeous male with his arm around Enzo’s shoulders. Something inside me sank. I could either be a coward and ignore Enzo, or I could be the bigger person and ask him to join me for a drink—even if that meant watching him flirt with that hot guy all evening.

Enzo was staring back at me without moving, so I took that as my cue to beckon him forward. The man next to him raised a questioning eyebrow, but Enzo signed at him, explaining I was someone he used to know in high school. The guy crinkled his forehead and glared at me with eyes so green, I couldn’t help but stare. Even their hypnotizing tint wouldn’t soften the warning in his glower.

Enzo chuckled at the guy’s reaction and grabbed his hand, leading him toward me.

I had also forgotten how beautiful he was when he laughed. Even in my fondest memories, he had never looked as good as he did now. The scar on his face only heightened his splendor, especially since I knew what it represented. I tried hard not to gawk, but it felt so good to see him again and get confirmation he was well.

Enzo kept smiling at me shyly, but before he could reach my level, the other guy stood in the way.

“Florian, is that it?” he asked with a hint of hostility.

“Yeah.”

I held out my hand to shake his, but he snubbed me, leaning forward instead, blocking Enzo’s view. “I don’t remember Enzo telling me about any friends in high school. If anything, I only remember him talking about his bullies.”

I clenched my teeth at the threat under his tone. “I’m not going to hurt him if that’s what you’re implying.”

About the Author

Rowan Shaw is a human being from Planet Earth (originally from the country of France). She’s also the queer author of Rewind, an MM romance series set entirely in her home country.

Addicted to reading and writing, Rowan can usually be found with a book in her hands or sitting in front of her computer typing some kind of story while listening to music from the 80s.

Author Links