Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Safe Place (Rainbow Place #2) by Jay Northcote

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

We first me Alex, the son of the real estate mogul-slash-local politican-slash-major outspoken homophobe in Porthladock, England, when Alex showed up to help Seb and Jason restore Rainbow Place, an LGBTQ-friendly café, after vandals nearly ruined it before it opened. Alex is seventeen, finishing high school, as the story opens, and he’s still harboring his crush on Cam, one of the gorgeous rugby players he met the night he came to Rainbow Place feeling embarrassed that the vandalism was in response to his father’s letter to the editor.

Cam wants to be friends with Alex, and he’s definitely attracted to the young man, but Cam decides not to get involved because he doesn’t want to lose Alex as a friend if their sexual relationship doesn’t work out. Later that summer, Alex’s abusive father catches him with a Grindr hookup at the campground his father owns, and the homophobe punches him, bruising his face and his back.

When Alex resulting needs a new place to stay, Cam and his roommate offer Alex their couch, and Seb offers Alex a job at the café, the place Alex has always considered his personal “safe place” so he accepts both offers. Time goes by and the guys are still attracted to one another but Cam keeps holding back. Get the picture? Very slow burn, a good foundation of friendship, and finally Cam gets his act together in time for a lovely HEA—but it takes a while.

I like Jay Northcote’s work. Like many of his other stories, this story is sweet, the characters are nice guys, the plot fairly simple, and the enjoyment level very high. Sometimes I just like to escape with good writing to a place where nice guys don’t finish last. So I highly recommend this to those who enjoy that as much as I do.

The colorful cover by Garrett Leigh depicts the bare torso of a handsome young man. The rainbow hue title banner ties it to the first book, Rainbow Place. To be honest, the picture doesn’t seem to match either MC as described in the story but it is nevertheless attractive.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 186 pages
Published August 31st 2018 by Jaybird Press
ASINB07GT541W2
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Rainbow Place #2

Rainbow Place

Safe Place

An Alisa Review: The Long Way Around by Quinn Anderson

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

A wrong turn could lead to Mr. Right.

Sam Cooper is the definition of an introvert: shy, bookish, and the sort to think a wild Friday night involves ordering takeout. He enjoys his quiet life, but after a bad breakup, he’s been yearning for a change of scenery. Luckily, his best friend and former college roommate has the solution.

Wesley Reed—a jokester and expert Sam-handler—proposes an epic road trip to a wedding across the country. They’re both between jobs and boyfriends. Why not hit the open road and make some memories?

Stuck in close quarters for the first time since their dorm days, they’re both surprised at the heat that springs up between them. As best friends, they’ve shared so much over the years, so why does sharing a hotel room—and occasionally a bed—make them want more? Chemistry this smoldering is hard to ignore, but there are road blocks to their romance. Wesley’s keeping a secret, and Sam can’t rely on Wesley to drag him out of his comfort zone forever. If they’re not careful, their relationship may take the ultimate wrong turn.

This was a nice story; however, I liked the ending much more than the rest of the book.  Sam has been avoiding his family since he called off his wedding the year before and hasn’t really spent the time to try and move on from the fall out.  Wesley has stayed by Sam’s side but they aren’t always together and he doesn’t want to bring Sam down with him.

I loved the friendship between these two and how, even with their vast differences, they make it work.  Sometimes you need someone different from you to help pull you in the right direction, even if you don’t realize it.

I felt that I was able to get a pretty good read on these characters since the story is told from both of their viewpoints.  Sam is incredibly sweet and has no idea of his worth but gains some of that confidence throughout their journey.  Wesley has to figure himself out a bit but in the end realizes it’s okay to have the support of someone else to get through the hard times.  I liked seeing them in the future with the big anniversaries but just didn’t feel invested in their relationship throughout the story and felt they ignored their problems a little more than necessary.

Cover art by LC Chase is eye catching and gives a great visual of Wes.

Sales Links: Riptide Publishing | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 300 pages

Published: August 6, 2018 by Riptide Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-62649-836-5

Edition Language: English

Review Tour – Safe Place (Rainbow Place #2) by Jay Northcote

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
 
Length: 48,000 words approx.
 
Rainbow Place Series
 
Book #1 – Rainbow Place – Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Blurb
 

Where do you go when your home is no longer a safe place?


Alex is about to turn eighteen and is firmly in the closet. He’s been biding his time, waiting to escape to uni, and finally come out away from the oppressive influence of his homophobic father. When he flunks his exams, he’s stuck in the small town of Porthladock—and what’s worse is that he’s working for his dad. The only thing that makes it bearable is Cam.


Cam’s comfortable with his bisexuality, but he doesn’t broadcast it. Young, free, and single, his social life revolves around playing rugby and hanging out with his mates. He’s attracted to Alex, but with the six-year age gap, Cam’s wary of getting involved. Plus, he thinks Alex needs a friend more than he needs a lover, and as their friendship grows, Cam decides he’s not willing to risk ruining it for casual sex.


When Alex’s dad finds out about his sexuality, Alex is suddenly both jobless and homeless. He finds work at Rainbow Place, the local LGBT-friendly café and Cam lets Alex stay in his flat for a while. But Alex would rather be sleeping in Cam’s bed than on his sofa. With them both living under one roof, their feelings for each other grow stronger, and the sexual tension is hard to ignore. Will giving in to it ruin their friendship and complicate things for Alex even more?


Although this book is part of a linked series, it has a satisfying happy ending, and can be enjoyed as a standalone.



August 31 – Mikku-chan, Gay Book Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed, My Fiction Nook, Lelyana’s Reviews, My Mind’s Landscape, September 3 – Katie’s Book Corner, Cupcakes & Bookshelves, September 5 – Bonkers About Books, September 7 – Queerly Reads, September 10 – Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, The Way She Reads, The Day Before You Came, September 12 – Wicked Faerie’s Tales, Wicked Reads, September 14 – BooksLaidBareBoys, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Geekery Book Review, September 17 – Nicole’s Book Musings, September 19 – Xtreme Delusions, Book Lovers 4Ever, September 21 – Drops Of Ink, Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold, Lillian Francis, Making It Happen, OMG Reads, Bayou Book Junkie

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review here. We absolutely 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 five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.


Website
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Release Blitz and Giveaway – Darcy (Boyfriend for Hire #1) by RJ Scott & Meredith Russell

 

 
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 40,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Meredith Russell
 
Blurb
 

Darcy’s newest assignment is to play the role of boyfriend to a wealthy socialite, but never expected the intense attraction to his date’s brother. Falling for Adrian is dangerous and certainly not part of the plan.

Adrian has been as unlucky in love as his sister, but he doesn’t approve of hiring a boyfriend, whatever the reason. Until he meets Darcy. Then he comes to realize that love can happen in the most unexpected of ways.

One week. That is all the two men needed to fall in lust, but will they have a lifetime to fall in love?

RJ’s goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

RJ is the author of the over one hundred novels and discovered romance in books at a very young age. She realized that if there wasn’t romance on the page, she could create it in her head, and is a lifelong writer.

She lives and works out of her home in the beautiful English countryside, spends her spare time reading, watching films, and enjoying time with her family.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit and has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the following links below:

Email RJ (rj@rjscott.co.uk)

 

Meredith Russell lives in the heart of England. An avid fan of many story genres, she enjoys nothing less than a happy ending. She believes in heroes and romance and strives to reflect this in her writing. Sharing her imagination and passion for stories and characters is a dream Meredith is excited to turn into reality.

 
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New Release Book Tour for We Have A Decision: Mrs. Shaw’s Club Book Two by Steph Marie

We Have A Decision: Mrs. Shaw’s Club Book Two

Sales Link:  Amazon

 

Blurb:

High school freshman, Danny Burns, loves life, art, and boys. From the outside, he looks like a happy-go-lucky guy with no concerns. He blows off the bullies and he’s an amazing friend. What people don’t know is that he’s had a boyfriend since the summer, and when Danny decides being a secret isn’t enough for him and tries to end it, it’s not as easy as he expects.

High school freshman, Noah Glass, thinks he knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and where he’s going. Unfortunately, when the strict religious rules he’s grown-up with don’t line up with him being able to have friendships with people he cares about, he begins to question his own beliefs.

Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Shaw, formed a special club forty years ago. Each year, she handpicks twelve students to participate, but no one knows what they talk about, and former students never tell.

Danny and Noah are two of the chosen this year. When Mrs. Shaw partners them up, their lives begin to alter in ways that they couldn’t have imagined. While Danny is confronted with a stalking ex, Noah begins to question his values. As their friendship grows within the nurturing circle of Club Shaw, will that foundation be enough to get them through the troubles ahead? Will Noah be strong enough to set aside his preconceived notions and be there for Danny? Will Danny trust in Noah’s friendship and strength to help him move on from his ex to give the new guy Noah introduces him to a chance?

This is book two in the Mrs. Shaw’s Club series. We’ll continue to get glimpses into the lives of the students, and with each book, we’ll see a romance bloom. This is a standalone, but more fun if you watch them all grow together through the year.

 

Excerpt

Noah looks back and forth between the two of us, his face more agitated than ever, before sighing and shaking his head. He looks up and smiles fondly at Josh, an expression that seems to be reserved exclusively for him, but then he turns it on me. On me! O.M.G. He’s smiling at me fondly. His next words almost make me pass out. “Who knew it was gonna be such a pain in the ass to have two best friends? Geesh.”

Pushing past me gently, he grabs the cart himself and says, “Well, come on,” over his shoulder as he walks down the aisle deeper into the store.

“Um, did he seriously call me one of his best friends? Like, did I really hear that? Do you think he was serious? Tell me the truth, Josh, did that just happen?”

Laughing at me—no I don’t think he’s laughing at me exactly, but more like happily with me—he wraps his arm around my neck, pulls me closer to him, and tugs me along next to him to follow Noah down the aisle. He whispers into my ear, “He’s the best friend a guy can have, Danny. If he’s saying it, he means it. And he’s as loyal as they come, which means you now have a friend for life, and there’s nothing he won’t do for you.”

He squeezes his arm a little harder around me for a second before letting me go and winking at me, again. Again. O.M.G. Noah’s calling me his best friend, Josh is winking at me ~ Sigh… and the angels sing ~ and touching me. What next?

 

A Stella Review: Calling Calling Calling Me by Natasha Washington

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

Patrick Mahoney has one goal in mind: get out of his native Fresno and find freedom in the rainbow and glitter-painted streets of San Francisco. As a college freshman, he’s sure he’ll finally have the chance to be himself, away from the judgmental eyes of his conservative hometown.

Josh Dirda’s never wanted to be tied down before, preferring the emotional ease of the one night stand. But when Patrick moves into the apartment that Josh shares with three friends, Josh is pulled in by Patrick’s sly wit and quietly creative spirit. As Patrick’s self-appointed tour guide, Josh can be Patrick’s introduction to the city he loves. But after a drunken Halloween hook-up crosses lines, Patrick and Josh must reckon with their true feelings—and decide whether they can let go of the ghosts from their pasts that haunt them.

I adore discovering new authors, especially when they deliver lovely stories like Natasha did with Calling Calling Calling Me. It was a surprise how much Patrick and Josh relationship engaged me. Although lately I had little free time to devote to my reading and it took me a long time to finish the novel, I found myself sucked into the MCs’ lives. And one more reason why I was surprised by how much I liked it, I am not a great fan of new adult love, I prefer my men to be more mature and I tend to avoid characters under 25. That said when a blurb is interesting I can’t say no.

Maybe this is one of the rare times I actually loved both MCs, I don’t have a preference like always happens. Both Patrick and Josh were great, the author made an amazing job at defining them. I saw them with their friends, with their families, and I learnt how good they were. Their mums, Josh’s brother, so full of love and supportive. I liked all the interactions between them, I like the banters, the quarrels. These people made the story more complete and real, I truly felt them act like my own family does.

And then there was the love story. Sure, Patrick and Josh found each other attractive from the first time they met, but this is not the usual lust/love at first time. They took their time to know what they want, from their futures and from this relationship, new not just to Patrick but to the experienced Josh too, finally ready to fall in love and stop jumping in bed with everyone. I loved how everything in their lives was different, nonethless Patrick and Josh were so tuned in together. I followed them through the first months of their love, and it was beautiful.

At last, I want to add the book was really well done, well written and engaging, the reading flew easily and I will definetely keep my eyes open for more releases from this new author. I won’t miss them.

The cover caught my attention from the start, it’s clean and fitting and I like all that blue of the sky.

SALE LINKS  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 307 pages

Published September 4th 2018

ASIN B07FYNX84Z

Edition Language English

Release Blitz and Giveaway – His Heart Or Mine (The Individualists Series #1) by C S Joyce

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 60,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: German Creative Design
 
The Individualists Series
 
Book #2 – The Heart Dealer – Amazon US | Amazon UK (Out September 20)
 
Blurb
 

“There’s something about the way he’s looking at me now, determined. Like he might ruin me if given half the chance.”


Adam:
Success can mean a lot of things. To me it meant living a lie and getting away with it.
But pretending is exhausting. My sister’s wedding in Italy was exactly what I needed. A week on the Amalfi coast with sunshine, wine, and zero complications.
Too bad the universe saw an opportunity to ruin that plan. Because what could be more complicated than the arrival of an attractive man who sees right through my act? One that is determined to remind me that you can’t hide who you really are.
What if he tells people my secret? Or, worse still, what if I can’t control these feelings. Because right now I’m feeling all sorts of things – fear, anger, lust…
No, I need to keep this thing under control. I can’t give in.
But what if, just once, I didn’t fight it?


Jacob:
After a series of bad decisions, running away to Italy seemed like the perfect escape. A fresh start in a new country. Nothing, and no one would bring me back to Ireland.
When I meet Adam at my friend’s wedding, I’m captivated. There’s something about this rugged stranger that makes me forget that I keep messing up every part of my life.
I know it’s a bad idea and I know I’m playing with fire. But when anger turns to passion I know I can’t stay away.
He can pretend all he wants but that man belongs in my bed. He might only be here for one week, but I intend to make the most of it.
After all, I can’t ask him for more when I’m not sure I’ll stick around.
But what if, this time, I didn’t run?

 

Author Bio



Author C S Joyce is infatuated with love, romance and the complexities of relationships. In her novels she tries to capture that elusive spark of love and add a little magic of her own.


She writes contemporary MM romance with a dash of humor thrown in, because love and laughter go great together.


You can stay up-to-date with new releases by signing up to Carrie’s newsletter on her website: www.csjoyce.com


Or you can find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csjoycebooks/

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Blog Tour for That Feeling When by S. M. James (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: That Feeling When

Author: S. M. James

Publisher: May Books

Cover Artist: Story Styling

Genre/s: YA, LGBT, contemporary romance

Length: 77,000 Words/343 pages

Release Date: September 16, 2018 (Available now in paperback)

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue  Words is happy to host S. M. James today. Thank you for stopping by! Tell us a little about yourself and your writing goals.

Congratulations on your new release. Please tell us a little bit about it. What’s your favorite aspect or part of the story? Do you have a favorite character? Who/Why?

Yikes, yeah. It’s nerve-wracking stuff, especially as this book kicks off a 6-book series of stand alones PLUS their short stories. So we’ll see how that goes.

That Feeling When is a dual POV YA, which alternates chapters between Landon and Archie as they figure out who they are, and how far they’ll go for love. As for a favourite character, I don’t think there’s any way to pick. I finished writing this book and actually missed these guys, which is one of the totally weird and wonderful things about being a writer. And now I’ve finished writing To Be Honest, I feel the same way about those guys.

As for my favourite part, there’s a certain scene involving a camera, an audition, and a whole lot of trust, that really builds Archie and Landon’s relationship up to another level and was a lot of fun to write. It was great to see Archie finally let go of his insecurities.

  • What is your favorite underappreciated novel?

Noah Can’t Even by Simon James Green. Holy moly that book was hilarious and I seriously rec it everywhere I go. I can’t remember a book actually making me laugh out loud before—the situations Noah kept getting himself into just got more and more ridiculous. And the sequel lived up to it, which is always a great surprise. I need to reread this one soon.

  • Does your research lead to bizarre internet searches? If so, tell us about some of your wackier searches, or ones that would make you nervous if your computer were ever confiscated by law enforcement.

Heh, umm. You could say that. There have been bombs, automatic weapons, and disposing of bodies, because what else do characters in a fantasy novel need to know? For one of my genre novels I had to look up how long it took for a dead body to decompose, and there was this post about ‘Coffin births’ and DON’T LOOK IT UP because gross! So gross! (And if you did look it up, sorry to scar you for life but you were warned.) As you can tell, I’m still not past it.

The most interesting thing I’ve researched for contemporary is anterograde amnesia. Some of the stories from people living with it were almost beyond comprehension. For my next novel, I’m continuing my research into Cystic Fibrosis and the impact it has on day to day life.

  • Who would play the main characters in a movie about your book?

Haha there’s a reason I don’t cast movies.

I feel like I should have a Pinterest board for this kind of question but it is appallingly hard to find Aboriginal actors. I did watch an interview with Mark Coles Smith once, who may not look exactly like Landon, but had the same kind of boyish charm.

For Archie, man, take your pick. Brenton Thwaites, Billy Unger, Nick Robertson. If they can manage surly and vulnerable, we’re good.

  • What is your favorite quote?

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

(Five guesses what this is from).

 

 

Blurb

Dance Academy reject, Archie Corrigan, resents the stereotype guy ballet dancers are gay. Because he isn’t. At all. Forced to reassess his life goal at Camp Crystal Cove, it’s by sheer dumb luck he meets Landon Summers, who turns everything Archie was sure of into chaos.

Poor boy turned teen heartthrob, Landon Summers, is the name on everyone’s lips. With his unexpected leap to fame, his agent advises him to keep his bi status on the down low. Not a problem! Until Landon meets Archie.

Their unexpected friendship leads to an inevitable kiss, but their moment is caught in high definition and used as fuel for blackmail. If the truth gets out, Landon’s career could be over, and Archie will be forced to acknowledge the one thing he’s fought to deny.

But how do you go back to your average life once you’ve experienced That Feeling When … you’re finally happy?

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Excerpt

Landon Summers is into guys. I think he likes you.

And while Meredith didn’t say anything about me, there was something way too

knowing in her look. Everyone else seems too into their own lives to be paying us any

attention, and even when we’re announced winners of the trivia, my celebration doesn’t

crack the surface chill that’s taken over me.

Meredith’s wrapped her arm through mine, and she’s cheering with the others, one hand

in the air.

I’m a week in the past. Watching Landon pull on that stupid costume in the dark. The

spark in his eyes as he thanked me. The brush of his skin on mine.

How was that only a week ago?

Why can’t I go back and enjoy that moment more? Savor my time with him?

Really take it all in, before he went and messed it all up.

About the Author

SM James in an Australian author who writes books for teens about squishy sweet characters. While not writing, SM is a readaholic and netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee. Member of SCBWI. Unapologetically dishing out HEAs for LGBT+ characters.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website

Facebook

Instagram

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1 x Paperback copy of That Feeling When (US only)

2 x $15 Amazon gift card (international)

3 x eBook copy of That Feeling When (international)

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: One-Eyed Royals (Seven of Spades #4) by Cordelia Kingsbridge

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

OMG! Get ready for an exciting roller coaster ride, right from the beginning!  Every page held drama. Every. Single. Page. I am so excited by this series—it’s incredible.  I want everyone to read it so I can chat with them about all the emotional twists and turns, ups and downs, and the heartwarming and gut-wrenching action that takes place between these pages.  It’s incredible that the author can continually best the previous book in the series and hold my attention for the length of the book.  I never, repeat NEVER, sit still to read an entire book, but here, except for a few hours of sleep, I did not put this one down.

Where to start?  Well, if you read the previous books you know the strain Dominic and Levi are under—not just from the Seven of Spades who continues to F up their lives, but also with each other. Have no fear though—just because they aren’t together, they manage to find their way to bed a few times and survive the morning-after guilt. 

There’s two concurrent plots going in this one: a kidnapping/extortion ring who murder one of their victims and the Seven of Spades exacting revenge, on behalf of Levi, on the four men who beat him senseless in a gay-bashing when he was in college. They were never IDed, never caught, but Seven finds them and offers them to Levi one by one as a birthday gift.  Oh, joy. 

Those kidnappers, meanwhile, are continuing to kidnap and when payment isn’t made quickly, they gouge out the eye of their victim and send it to the family. The author isn’t satisfied with getting Levi’s and Dominic’s paths to cross multiple times during this investigation, she adds to the drama by having someone close to them kidnapped.  Not saying who, ’cause spoilers…  And then, of course, Dom’s losing his possessions left and right to pay his outstanding gambling debts and to have seed money for more.  Levi’s losing too. He’s losing his temper, losing his appetite, and ultimately losing his job.  There’s so much packed into these pages that’s it’s impossible to even highlight all of it. It just doesn’t stop. Not for a minute. Skip a page and you’ve missed another plot twist.  I love this story, did I mention that?  Love it! 

Don’t despair, however. If you love these guys, hang in for the ending. It’s a pip and thankfully not as much of a cliffhanger as the last one. But, let’s face it, with one more book to go, there’s no way I’d miss a chance to read it, no matter how this one ended. 

Honestly, if you are looking for high quality action adventure, a mystery that spans a five book series—who is the Seven of Spades?—romance, hot sex, addiction and recovery, anger management, murder, mayhem and more, this is the book—and series—to pick up.

The cover by Garrett Leigh, like others in the series, features playing cards, in this case, the cards are set against a dark background and blood is dripping from them onto the floor. 

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 366 pages
Published September 10th 2018 by Riptide Publishing
ISBN139781626496392
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Seven of Spades :

Kill Game

Trick Roller

Cash Plays

One-Eyed Royals

A Chip and a Chair – coming soon the last book in the series.