Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

Review Tour for Stuck With You by Jay Northcote

 

Buy Links:Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2R8QXwe

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2AewoqS

 – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow in Kindle Unlimited

 
Length: 53,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
 
Blurb
 

Two clashing colleagues stuck together for Christmas—will opposites eventually attract?


Patrick has been single since he broke up with his cheating ex almost a year ago. With Christmas looming, he’s resigned to spending it alone with only memories of happier times for company. When a business trip with a co-worker leaves them stranded in the Lake District due to heavy snow, it seems Patrick will have company for Christmas after all. It’s a shame his companion is Kyle, who’s undeniably attractive, but annoying as hell.


Aware of Patrick’s reluctant admiration, Kyle basks in the attention even though Patrick isn’t the type of man he normally goes for. Averse to relationships after being hurt in the past, Kyle enjoys the occasional hook up, but has given up on seeking anything more meaningful.


Stuck together, their antagonism escalates along with a heavy dose of sexual tension until it finally ignites. What starts as a Christmas fling soon feels like something special; but will their tentative connection melt away as the snow thaws? If they’re going to take a chance on finding happiness together, they’ll have to put their differences aside and learn to trust one another.


Contains: enemies-to-lovers, snowball fights, bickering, spanking, a cute dog, a wise old lady, mistletoe, and a happy ending (of course).



November 23 – Gay Book Reviews, Diverse Reader, BFD Book Blog, Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Lelyana’s Reviews, November 26 – CupcakesAndBookshelves, The Day Before You Came, Mirrigold, Mainely Stories, Mikku-chan, November 28 – Megan’s Media Melange, The Geekery Book Review, Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed, November 30 – Momma Says: To Read or Not To Read, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Xtreme Delusions, December 3 – Gay Fiction Addiction, December 5 – Book Corner Reviews, Boulevard des Passions, December 7 – Valerie Ullmer, Southern Babes Book Blog, Kimmers Erotic Book Banter, Lillian Francis, Book Lovers 4Ever, Open Skye Book Reviews, Jessie G, Bayou Book Junkie, Making It Happen

 

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review here.  We highly recommend it!

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.


One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.


Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has been published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are also available as audiobooks.


Website: https://jaynorthcote.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jay_Northcote
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotewriter
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction
Facebook author group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jaysplayground
Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/JN-readers

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Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Christmas Lane (Lighthouse Bay #1) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Age gap and slow burn are two of my favorite tropes. Add to that, snow and Christmas holidays and I couldn’t be happier. This lovely, sweet tale of the romance between Zach Greenfeld and his former elementary teacher, Holland Stone, is perfect in every way.

Zach is back in Lighthouse Bay after graduating with a degree that will allow him to be an event planner—a role that fits his highly organized habitual list-making life. While waiting for an interview that will get him out on his own, he’s helping his sister in the family-owned café and crushing on Holland Stone, the gorgeous older handyman who was once his third grade teacher.  So what if Holland is fifteen years older? He’s hot and that’s enough to start.

Holland has started his own business making custom doll houses, and in between doing handyman work for townsfolk he’s working on his float for the annual Christmas parade competition.  He hopes to draw attention to his skills but is surprised when his work on the float draws Zach to him instead.  Zach has accepted the temporary position of town event planner so he gets to spend a lot of time with Holland in the warehouse where the floats are being built.  And slowly, Holland begins to view Zach as more than a happy-go-lucky kid. 

I loved the very slow buildup of their attraction and all the events, activities, and character interactions that happened along the way.  Their chemistry was strong and their emotions high. Their sex was off page and that didn’t matter to me at all. There was so much more to enjoy on page that using my imagination for what may have happened in the bedroom was just fine.

There’s really nothing about this story I didn’t like and I think it would make an excellent gift to a best friend and/or fellow MM romance lover.

The cover art by Jay Aheer at Simply Define Art is a park bench covered in snow. The bench plays a major role in the story, and that plus the snow are the perfect symbols to choose for the cover. Read the story to find out why.

Sales Links:

Amazon: http://geni.us/XmasLane

iBooks: http://geni.us/XmasLaneApple

B&N: http://bit.ly/XmasLaneBN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/XmasLaneKobo

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition
Expected publication: November 29th 2018
ASIN B07J5SZXMD
Edition Language English
Series Lighthouse Bay #1

A MelanieM Review: The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

 

Teru came to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the glam-metal visual kei scene, but three years later, all he has to show for it is a head of hot pink hair and some skill with an eyeliner pencil. He may look the part, but he doesn’t sound it, and constant bickering among his bandmates has him worried about his future. When he finds a mysterious business card in his bag, he’s willing to take any help he can get.Vi   V

Help comes in the form of Rei, a crippled, disfigured composer whose own career was ended by an accident before it had really begun. With Teru’s voice and looks, and Rei’s money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true – but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers – and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves.

The Phantom of the Opera story is one of my favorites, tragic, dramatic, horrifying in some ways, and romantic.  It’s been told and retold countless ways  from the original novel by Gaston Leroux to movies, plays, and yes, more novels with multiple twists and turns to the original theme and storyline.  I always wonder where the next author or  songwriter or whoever will take it next.  And what their spin will be.

Didn’t expect it to be Visual Kei and Japan.  But it turned out to be an unexpected draw for me and a perfect fit for a M/M retelling of Phantom of the Opera. Visual Kei is a form of Japanese rock, think American Glam rock of the 80’s.  It’s still popular today but it’s heyday was the 80’s and it’s stars (GACKT was/is one as was bands like Malice Mizer, Raphael, and Dir En Grey) were gods.  They wore makeup, elaborate costumes, and often appeared gender fluid.  It’s into this world that Estella Mirai takes us.

The author sets her story in Tokyo and a visual kei band, La Rose Verboten, already in turmoil.  The self involved lead singer Bara is looking for an excuse to quit, the small time’s band’s popularity is dropping and the remaining members, Yasu, Minori, and the drummer Teru are trying desperately to hold on when Teru gets handed a card that states.

I can help you.  Call me.

And with that a familiar story is launched, turned, and becomes one of pain, lost chances, a young man’s discovery of his sexuality, hurt/comfort, anguish, and finally redemption and great love.  In Mirai’s hands the reader falls deeply not only under the spell of Japan and these young men but get’s pulled into the world of visual kei, it’s music and lyrics, the music industry itself, and the personal costs associated with stardom.  That is quite the narrative load and the author manages to combine it all into one incredible romance.

I will admit that I stumbled a bit on the romance part at the beginning.  As with every Phantom retelling, there’s a romance triangle to deal with.  The mystery man behind the card is Rei, tortured, scarred and wounded, he wears a mask of silver.  More of his background I won’t reveal but it is peeled back ever so slowly, each layer a revelation to Teru and to us the readers.  The other?  A young girl, Kiyomi, who went to school with Teru and is now his biggest fan.    For Teru, each represents a different direction his life can take.  With Kiyomi he can stay safe, pretend to be “het”, go home, and take up his old name.  Or accept he’s gay, and his feelings for  Rei as incredibly scary as they are, embrace the path he’s on and understand  love in all its forms.  And he can become not just a  drummer but the singer he was always meant to be.  And a star.

This is not an easy romance as one hopefully would expect.  One person has been traumatized and has the personality that comes from living in constant pain and dealing with a haunted past.  One is confused about his sexuality, his future, his gifts musically, he’s in the throws of his first real love and it’s with a person almost guaranteed to make a a road strewn with walls and boulders.  Then there is a young girl who wants to make everything easy….

Those  who hate cheating will have issues here but honestly this reads so real and human you understand  the issues here and how messy the human heart can be.

But the best of the best?  The final third of this story.  The parts that break your heart and put them back together again.  And oh that ending!   As they say in the theatre, that’s worth the price of the ticket!

Estella Mirai has a marvelous story here, borrowed from Gaston Leroux, and given a Japanese rock twist.  Her characters are beautifully layered, her story well written, and destined to stay with you long after the last bars of the song have been sung.

“sakikaeru made”

Yes it did.

Find out what that means by buying this incredible book.  I highly recommend it.    And don’t forget to read all about the real people chapter at the end.

Cover art: MiblArt. I loved the cover.  Perfect for the characters, tone, and storyline.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 309 pages
Expected publication: December 11th 2018
ISBN 139781684547715
Edition Language English

 

 

 

 

THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is  at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after the pages are closed.

***

A Lila Review: Beat of Their Own Drum (Replay #3) by KM Neuhold

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

Jude
Every rock band needs their bad boy, right? That’s me. Hookers, drugs, DUIs— been there, done that. I’m in a Downward Spiral and proud of it (see what I did there?). When the band manager, Archer, hires Bennett to keep me from screwing up while the band is on hiatus, I may have finally met someone who won’t take my attitude lying down. With the three of us cooped up together for weeks on end, I have a feeling things might get interesting.Archer
Downward Spiral is my baby. Not only am I the band manager, I discovered them ten years ago when they were nothing but a bunch of high school kids playing in a hole in the wall bar on the weekends. But it’s obvious I haven’t done a great job because they’re falling apart. If the lead singer isn’t trying to kill himself, it’s the bass player telling me he can’t write any new songs. And no one gets under my skin more than Jude, who seems determined to snort and drink himself into an early grave. There’s only one man I can think of who might be able to get Jude back on the right track, Bennett Schmitt. Unfortunately, he’s also the man I let get away sixteen years ago and haven’t gotten over since.

Bennett
If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s taking control of a situation. In fact, control is kind of my thing. Which is probably why I’m the best in the business when it comes to getting out of control celebrities back on track. When my ex calls and tells me he’s desperate for my help, I can’t turn him down. Between the infuriatingly sexy drummer with no idea what kind of trouble he’s asking for, and my ex looking better than ever, there’s no way this isn’t about to get messy.

Beat of Their Own Drum is much more than I expected. I didn’t realize this book was part of a series until I requested it for review. Based on the blurb, it can be read as a standalone but I will recommend to read the books in order. They are parallel to each other and worth reading. Each guy in the band has a great story.

So far, this is the only MMM in the series, which I love. I do have some mixed feelings, though. Not about their relationship but about Jude’s treatment. At times it became inconsequential, reducing their relationship to sub & Dom instead of counselor and patient. That’s the main reason why this book is not a perfect five stars for me.

As for their love story, I really enjoyed how each men had a separate relationship with each other. Also, how they complemented their strengths as a triad. There’s love, fun, mischief, and heartache. All three men had trouble adjusting to their new reality but did their best for the other two.

I need to accept that Archer was my favorite. I love overachievers with a heart of gold. Plus, he needed a little saving of his own. Just add some Daddy kink and he becomes perfection.

This is definitely a great Rock n Roll, hurt comfort story. It’s sexy and heartbreaking. With lots of hot men and great friendships. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, from a new for me author.

The cover by Ink Design follows the series and goes well with the story and the characters.

Sale Link: Kindle Unlimited

Book Details:
ebook, 380 pages
ASIN: B07KC7G6WX
Published: November 12, 2018, by K.M. Neuhold
Edition Language: English

Series: Replay
Book #1: Face the Music
Book #2: Play It By Ear
Book #3: Beat of Their Own Drum

Jeff Adams On Vid, with Excerpt and Giveaway to Celebrate the Releases of ‘Audio Assault (Codename: Winger #3)’

Audio Assault (Codename: Winger #3) byJeff Adams
Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:

Harmony Ink Press |   Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Jeff Adams here today on tour for his latest novel Audio Assault.  Welcome, Jeff.

✒︎

The Audio Assault blog tour continues today on Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Thanks so much to Stella or Melanie for hosting me for this third installment in the Codename: Winger series.

In this video post I talk about some of the changes that are in store for Theo in this installment and I’ll also let you know about some other exciting things happening in the Winger series this week.

 https://youtu.be/qyhINoYQiFI

In the video, I read an excerpt from chapter four, which is also below in case you’d like to read for yourself. Don’t forget to use the Rafflecopter below to get your chance to win an ebook copy of Audio Assault or the grand prize signed paperback copy.

Excerpt

“So, I’ve got to go out of town again.”

“You just got back.”

At least he didn’t sound pissed, which might’ve been better than the disappointment.

“I know. Not work this time, though. Family thing. We’re going to see some college friend of Dad’s.”

“How’d you get roped into that? You’re here all the time when they travel.”

“I know.” I released his hand, rolled over to my side and propped my head up on my fist. “They pulled the parent card on me.”

“Damn.” He sounded as surprised as I’d felt earlier. “I didn’t think they ever did that to you.”

“They usually don’t. This means a lot to them, though.”

“Do you at least get to go someplace cool?”

“New York. I’ve never been, so that’s something. You might know who we’re seeing. Some music guy—Glenwood.”

“Are you for real?” Eddie bounded from the bed and went to his desk where he opened his laptop. “That dude’s only done some of the best music, like, ever—going back to when he was our age, like, twenty-five years ago.”

I hadn’t expected he’d shift to excited, or that we’d be back on my lack of music knowledge.

“Didn’t I get grief just a few hours ago for listening to old music?”

He looked at me with a mix of shock and disbelief. “There’s old and then there’s classic. Just listen.”

He played a few different songs—some of which I recognized from Dad’s collection. Instrumentally they were great, and his voice was pretty good too. I stood behind him to see the song list, so I could grab them from Dad.

It wasn’t that I was antimusic. I was just picky. It needed to have some complexity in the rhythm or the vocalist needed to be outstanding. Of course, a perfect blend of instruments and vocals was a ticket to my heart.

“Okay, those were really good,” I admitted.

“He’s an amazing songwriter and producer. And even though he’s got the huge company, he’s still creative, working with a lot of his artists. It would be nice if his daughter got all of his talent, but she’s mostly just a cookie-cutter teen pop singer. I mean she’s great to listen to, but you wouldn’t like it.”

Eddie brought up YouTube and typed in Sofia Glenwood. He played the first video that came up. She was beautiful, black hair pulled back tight and a body I was sure many straight boys fantasied about. He was right. I didn’t like it. It was bland without much creativity. Sofia’s voice was good, but she just wanted you to know why she’d be the best girlfriend.

Eddie caught my frown. “Exactly. How is she even in the same family? She’s famously turned down her father’s offer to collaborate. Her stuff sells, though, likely because her voice is good, and she had the family name to work with.”

“How do you know all this stuff?”

Eddie shrugged. “I watch TMZ.”

I reached around Eddie and did a search to see more about the family. They were gorgeous, and it was surprising that only Sofia was usually in front of a camera. Oliver Glenwood reminded me of Ben Affleck with the chiseled jaw and the perpetual five o’clock shadow. Marcella might as well have been an older Selena Gomez. Sofia was the perfect blending of her parents. Apparently Marcella didn’t do too much with the company, instead using her law degree to run the family’s foundation, which worked with a number of charities that benefited children, education and equal rights.

“You’re gonna have a week with the beautiful people. I think I’m kinda jealous.”

“I’m sure.” Sarcasm spilled out. “I can’t imagine I’ll hang around while Mom and Dad catch up with their friends. Besides, I’ve got work and school stuff to do. I wish you’d be there to explore the city with me. That’d be much better.”

“Totally.” Eddie spun around in his chair and grabbed my hips before he looked up at me. “Just watch out for Sofia. She’s got a rep, and you’re a hot guy.” He didn’t sound like he was kidding either.

“And I’m gay with a boyfriend, so it’d be a waste of her time.” I buried my face down in his Afro until I could plant a kiss on his scalp.

He looked up at me. “When will you be back so we can get our summer going again?”

“It shouldn’t be more than a week.” I stole a look at the clock on the computer screen and saw it was nearly eleven. “I should go. We’re headed out early, and I have to pack.”

Blurb:

Theo Reese is just like any other seventeen-year-old—with one small exception.

This summer all he wants is to spend time with his boyfriend, Eddie, and work on his MIT research project. His parents have other plans.

An old friend needs the help of Theo’s family. Oliver Glenwood is an ’80s music star who runs his own label. His wife and his daughter, Sofia, now a chart topper herself, are the targets of kidnappers. Oliver hopes they can eliminate whoever is behind the threat.

When Theo uncovers an even more insidious plot, the covert agency the Reeses work for, Tactical Operational Support, swoops into action.

Song files have been modified to steal personal data from devices and emit a tone that drives listeners into a homicidal rage. Theo and his parents race against the clock to stop this mysterious enemy from releasing the music on an unsuspecting populace and causing worldwide chaos.

Just when Theo thinks the mission couldn’t be more complicated, Eddie shows up in New York looking to hang out with his boyfriend.

No one ever said being a teenage secret agent would be easy.

About the Author

Jeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a gay romance writer in 2009 when his first short stories were published. Since then he’s continued to create, often with a hockey player at the center of the story.

Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty years, Will. Some of his favorite things include the musicals Rent and [title of show],the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams, and the reality TV competition So You Think You Can Dance. He also loves to read, but there isn’t enough space to list out his favorite books.

Jeff is the co-host of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast, a weekly show devoted to gay romance as well as pop culture. New episodes come out every Monday at BigGayFictionPodcast.com.

You can learn more about Jeff at JeffAdamsWrites.com.

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Love a LIttle Rock n Roll with your Romance? Check out Beat of Their Own Drum (Replay #3) by KM Neuhold (excerpt and giveaway)

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BEAT OF THEIR OWN DRUM

REPLAY SERIES, BOOK 3

K.M. NEUHOLD

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 11.08.18

Beat of their own drum cover

BLURB

Jude

Every rock band needs their bad boy. Hookers, drugs, DUIs— been there, done that. I’m in a Downward Spiral and proud of it (see what I did there?). When the band manager, Archer, hires Bennett to keep me from screwing up while the band is on hiatus, I may have finally met someone who won’t take my attitude lying down. With the three of us cooped up together for weeks on end, I have a feeling things might get interesting.

Archer

Downward Spiral is my baby. Not only am I the band manager, I discovered them ten years ago when they were nothing but a bunch of high school kids playing in a hole in the wall bar on the weekends. But it’s obvious I haven’t done a great job because they’re falling apart. If the lead singer isn’t trying to kill himself, it’s the bass player telling me he can’t write any new songs. And no one gets under my skin more than Jude, who seems determined to snort and drink himself into an early grave. There’s only one man I can think of who might be able to get Jude back on the right track, Bennett Schmitt. Unfortunately, he’s also the man I let get away sixteen years ago and haven’t gotten over since.

Bennett

If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s take control of a situation. In fact, control is kind of my thing. Which is probably why I’m the best in the business when it comes to getting out of control celebrities back on track. When my ex calls and tells me he’s desperate for my help, I can’t turn him down. Between the infuriatingly sexy drummer with no idea what kind of trouble he’s asking for, and my ex looking better than ever, there’s no way this isn’t about to get messy.

* This is an MMM romance with D/s play and mild daddy kink (NO age play)

mybook.to/Botodreplay

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EXCERPT

I’m at my desk, doing my daily news check to make sure there haven’t been any new stories picked up in the past few days, when a sharp knock comes at my door. I tense in my chair, memories filling my mind of Bennett in my office, in my bedroom, following me with his eyes, tempting me to give in to something that can only end in heartbreak.

“Archer?”Jude’s voice is quiet, almost unsure, and like nothing I’ve ever heard from him before.

“Come in,”I call back, my heart beating faster as the door pushes open to reveal the young drummer looking slightly flush after his morning run with Bennett. He hesitates in the doorway for several seconds and I take the time to take him in. I know we’ve only been here nine days, but I can already see a difference in Jude—he seems more settled, less volatile, maybe even happier? I suspect that has more to do with whatever he and Bennett were up to last night than the cabin itself.

My stomach twists at the memory of last night, Bennett and I having a wonderful chat, just like we used to when we were in college. Then Jude came by to say he was going to bed and Bennett excused himself to follow a few minutes later. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together, which is a good thing because I’m obviously not a genius, getting jealous over my ex and my client.

“What can I do for you?”I ask gently. It’s not Jude’s fault my feelings are all mixed up and I refuse to take it out on him.

“I don’t…um…”He looks a little lost like he’s not even sure what he’s doing in my office, let alone what brought him here.

“Why don’t you come in and have a seat,”I suggest, waving to the small couch in the corner of the room. He gives a jerky nod, stepping all the way inside and closing the door behind himself before making his way to my couch. “Things good with Bennett?”I check, worry rising up in my chest that maybe he’s here because something happened that made him uncomfortable.

“Hm? Oh…um…yeah.”

Not the most reassuring answer I’ve ever gotten.

“Look, I know it’s not my business and the last thing I want is to pry for details but are you happy with the arrangement you have with Bennett? Are you comfortable with the things he wants you to do?”

KM Neuhold Logo 2

I’m an author of m/m and new adult romance. I have a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well.

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Release Week Blitz for Christmas Lane (Lighthouse Bay #1) by Amy Aislin (excerpt and giveaway)

Christmas Lane by Amy Aislin

Series: Lighthouse Bay #1

Publisher: self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 29, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): approx. 65,000 words

Genre: m/m contemporary romance

Tropes: May/December, small town

Cover design: Jay Aheer at Simply Defined Art

All buy links or pre-order links:

Amazon: http://geni.us/XmasLane

iBooks: http://geni.us/XmasLaneApple

B&N: http://bit.ly/XmasLaneBN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/XmasLaneKobo

Synopsis:

It’s recent college graduate Zach Greenfeld’s favorite time of the year and he’s just received a temporary gig planning Lighthouse Bay’s Christmas parade. Not only does it speak to his penchant for organization, it also puts him face to face on a daily basis with his unrequited crush—Holland Stone. But his new job starts off in disaster when the most important float—Santa’s sleigh—gets damaged. 

Holland needs to win the Lighthouse Bay Christmas parade float competition in order to grow his new dollhouse-making business. The prize is an article in a major city newspaper, and nothing beats free advertising. Except, eager to help the adorable parade organizer, he volunteers to help fix Santa’s sleigh, leaving no time to work on his own float, and putting his prize at risk.

Damaged floats, snowstorms, and a last-minute parade emergency force Zach and Holland closer than ever. All they need is a little bit of Christmas magic to help them realize they belong together. 

Release Blitz Excerpt :

“Where’d this come from?”

Zach sipped his tea. “I dunno.”

The lines around Holland’s eyes were more pronounced when he squinted. “You don’t know, huh?”

Shaking his head, Zach hid a smile behind his mug.

“Hmm.” Holland brought it up to his ear and shook the package gently. “Then I guess whoever left it won’t mind if I open it.”

“I’m sure they won’t.”

Grinning, Holland tore into the snowman wrapping paper. He kept sneaking peeks at Zach, smile on his face, eyes full of life and laughter. With the color in his cheeks and the way he barely paused for breath before lifting the lid on the box and pulling out the small tube nestled inside, he looked like the grown-up version of a three-year-old on Christmas morning.

“Wood glue?” Holland said, holding up the tube.

“Maybe someone thought it might come in handy. Since you build dollhouses and all.”

Holland hummed. “Thoughtful, yet functional.” He sat next to Zach again and squeezed Zach’s thigh. “Thank you. You don’t have to keep buying me gifts.”

“I know.” Zach threaded their fingers together. “But I like the look on your face when you unwrap them.”

Holland kissed the back of Zach’s hand and Zach’s heart jumped. “Ready to head out?”

Zach was putting on his scarf when he spotted it, a flat, slim package, roughly three inches by six, wrapped in paper with tiny snowflakes on it, sitting on his desk. “What’s this?”

Holland grinned at him as he shrugged into his coat. “I dunno.”

“Really? You don’t know?” Zach slipped a nail underneath the tape. “Think whoever left it will mind if I open it?”

“I think they’d want you to.”

Zach snorted a laugh and opened his gift, revealing a pocket day planner for next year. “A calendar?”

Standing on the other side of Zach’s desk, Holland bent over to get a better look at it, forehead furrowed. Yeah, he wasn’t fooling anyone with that innocently confused expression. “Someone must know you pretty well.”

“What makes you say that?”

Holland turned his head toward the wall, where Zach had three different calendars pinned. Then he rearranged a couple of items on Zach’s desk, uncovering two separate day planners. “And I bet you have a pocket-sized one in your pocket,” he said.

Busted.

About Amy Aislin:

Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs of Toronto, Amy is a marketer/fundraiser at a large environmental non-profit in Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very) amateur photographer, her interests are many and varied, including travelling, astronomy, ecology, and baking. She binge watches too much anime, and loves musical theater, Julie Andrews, the Backstreet Boys, and her hometown of Oakville, Ontario. 

Connect with Amy Aislin:

Website: https://amyaislin.com/ 

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

Twitter: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/amyaislin 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amyaislin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.aislin  

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

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ddvWFv 

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-aislin 

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/amyaislin 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16693566.Amy_Aislin  

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/amyaislin    

QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/amy-aislin/  

LoveRomanceReads: https://www.loveromancereads.com/amyaislin.html  

 

Giveaway: Amy is giving away a Christmas Lane prize pack, including a signed paperback of Christmas Lane, a personalized Christmas tree ornament, vanilla-flavored loose leaf tea, and a character art print.

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Direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c8c1c6417/?

A Lucy Review: Stay Awhile by Kassandra Lea

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The holidays are usually a whirlwind of busy activity for Anson—decorating, baking for friends—but this year, his heart isn’t in it. He’d hoped coming out to Daly as asexual would be the right thing to do. Since then, he hasn’t heard a word from the handsome photographer.

Now Daly’s suddenly shown up at his front door, asking Anson to trust him, to come with him. He doesn’t dare hope in case this is just another build up to a bigger heartbreak.

The story starts with Anson, drinking hot cocoa and feeling heartsick.  His cat, Noodles, is his only company right now. He’s been waiting for some kind of message from his boyfriend, Daly, and so far hasn’t received one, until Daly shows up at the door.  Apparently, it’s been weeks since he heard anything from Daly and now Daly starts out by enthusing about the pie Anson made.  That was a little odd, but Daly wants to show Anson something. 

I was excited to see this holiday book featuring an asexual MC and I was curious to see how the sex aspect would be handled.   It is a short story at 33 pages and so there isn’t time to fit everything in.  We get the flashback of Anson and Daly’s about-to-be first kiss, which is followed by “And that was the moment he chose to blurt it out, the words popping out of his mouth.  “I’m asexual.”  So that was how Daly finds out, except I can’t help but think he had to have some idea when you’ve been with a guy for months and haven’t even shared a kiss.

While I liked what was here, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a chapter.  We are told Daly needed time but we aren’t shown that, or what his actual reaction was, or how that conversation went after Anson’s blurt out.  I needed that to better connect with these guys.  The end also seemed a little too easy, needing more of a conversation.

So it’s a very short, sweet scene of Anson and Daly.

Sales Links:  Mischief Corner Books | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1, 33 pages
Expected publication: November 28th 2018 by Mischief Corner Books, LLC
ASIN B07K6S8L6K
Edition Language English

A Lila Review: The Billionaire’s Wish (My Billionaire #3) by Geoffrey Knight

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Tis the season to be jolly, but romance writer Matt Darcy is feeling anything but festive. With a pile of rejection letters as high as his latest manuscript, Matt is questioning whether his career as an author will ever take off. And while his perfect husband Cal has planned a week-long trip to a mountain chalet for Matt, Mrs. Mulroney, Mr. Banks, Tilly and Angus—so that everyone can be together and enjoy the lead-up to Christmas—Matt can only hope his feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt won’t ruin the trip.

But when a bump on the head knocks Matt out and he wakes up miles from the chalet, the journey he must undertake is not a trek through the snow, but an eye-opening insight into the lives of those he loves most if he, Matt Darcy, had never, ever existed.

Will Matt let his feelings of uselessness and self-doubt lead him forever into the Forest of Darkness… or will this Christmas open his eyes to the magical truth that it is indeed a wonderful life?

The Billionaire’s Wish is the most recent installment in this series. I did read the previous books but this story can be read as a standalone. As with any other series, it’s best to take the time to read the previous books. It would help the reader understand the characters best, as well as their reactions.

This is definitely a comedic romance to the style of I Love Lucy, The Odd Couple, etc.  If you are not ready for the absurd, this story is not for you. It is funny, odd, sexy, and a little disconcerting, but overall, it works. It gives us a small taste into an established couple’s future and how they adapted after the first two books.

All these, mix with the A Christmas Carol story is a nice start to the holiday season. The topics shaped the story, bringing the characters from a contemporary standpoint to a classic, seamlessly.

The author did an excellent job creating this cover. It goes perfectly with the story and it’s engaging. Something I will stop to look at before reading the blurb.

Sale Link: Kindle Unlimited

Book Details:
ebook, 114 pages
ASIN: B07GCW94HL
Published: November 1, 2018, by Geoffrey Knight
Edition Language: English

An Ali Review : Mr Winterbourne’s Christmas by Joanna Chambers

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Lysander Winterbourne and Adam Freeman have been living happily at Edgeley Park for the last eighteen months. By day Lysander is Adam’s estate manager, by night, his lover, but neither man has spoken of their deeper feelings. Is this a happy-ever-after or just a convenient arrangement?

When the two men are invited to Winterbourne Abbey for a family Christmas, matters quickly come to a head. Snowed in at the Abbey with a house full of guests, they have to face up to shocking revelations, long-held secrets and a choice Lysander never expected to have to make.

This was my first Christmas read of the season and may end up being my favorite.  I had read the first book Introducing Mr. Winterbourne when it first came out and I was dying to see more of this couple.  The author definitely didn’t disappoint when she gave us a peak into what is going on with them.
The first book ends with these two starting a new relationship.  This book takes us a year and a half down the road.  They’re still together and very happy but neither has made a long term commitment and they’re both unsure of what their future holds.  They head back to Lysander’s family estate to celebrate the holiday.  
 
The plot is fast paced and super entertaining.  Parts were funny and parts were swoon worthy romantic.  There are a bunch of interesting side characters and the plots are varied.  Even though this is a short story I found myself thoroughly invested in a few of them and I’d love to see stories about them down the road.  
 
A Christmas miracle wasn’t needed because these two already love each other, they just had to figure out how to let the other know.  When they do you’ll have a giant smile on your face.
 
This should not be read as a standalone.  You need to read the first book* prior to reading this one.   This is a must read for fans of the first story.  
 
The cover was done by Natasha Snow. I find myself ambivalent about the cover.  I really like the top two thirds a lot but I don’t care for the two heads at the bottom.  I know they’re under the mistletoe but it still looks off to me. I’d have preferred it to just be the greenery.  
*Volume #1 – Introducing Mr. Winterbourne – CURRENTLY FREE – Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Book Details:
ebook, 111 pages
Published November 19th 2018 by Joanna Chambers
ISBN 139781999709198
Edition Language English
Series Winterbourne #2