An Alisa Audiobook Review: Two Cowboys and a Baby (Dreamspun Desires #30) by B.A. Tortuga and Dorian Bane (Narrator)

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

A little bundle of joy means big changes.

Hoss McMasters has a working ranch, a bull riding career, a nosy momma, and a best friend he’s been in love with since he can remember. He’s a busy, happy cowboy, living the good life.

Then one morning he discovers a baby on his doorstep.

Well, Hoss does what any reasonable man would do—he calls his momma and his buddy, Sheriff Pooter, and they head to the clinic to see if Doc knows of any suddenly not-so-pregnant girls.

In the meantime, Hoss and his best friend, Bradley, have their hands full trying to care for an infant, run a ranch, and deal with the sudden confession that Bradley doesn’t hate Hoss for coming out to him in high school. In fact, Bradley’s been trying to catch Hoss’s attention for damn near a decade.

This was essentially a sweet story the biggest problem is that these two don’t know how to communicate, at all. They have been completely oblivious to each other for years with Hoss actually thinking his best friend really hates him to being gay but still letting him live on his property and spending time together. Huh? That just confused me even more.

I could see Hoss’s confusion when it came to the baby showing up on his porch, I mean really who would expect a man with no experience with children to suddenly be willing and able to be the care giver to a baby that showed up on his porch? He and Bradley work well together taking care are the baby and starting to show each other how they feel when they are thrown another curve ball. And Bradley does what he did in high school, basically runs away to protect himself. I was glad that they were able to work things out but up until the very end both of them were so unsure of their relationship I had trouble really connecting with them.

Dorian Bane did a nice job narrating this story. I was able to keep track of the story and characters which is always nice. I enjoyed the different voice he used and he portrayed their emotions and personalities well.

Cover art by Bree Archer is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 5hrs 51min
Published April 25, 2017 (ebook first published March 15, 2017) by Dreamspinner Press
Edition Language: English

Series: Dreamspun Desires

A Kai Review: Boys Don’t Cry by J.K. Hogan

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Mackenzie Pratt is having the worst luck of his life. His apartment building is being torn down, and since he’s jobless and just weeks away from graduating college, he can’t find anywhere else he can afford to live that isn’t a critter-infested dump. As he’s lamenting the very real possibility of job hunting while couch-surfing, he gets an offer from the coworker of his best friend. An in-demand mobile app developer and heir to his parents’ fortune, Laurent Beaudry is literally an eccentric billionaire. Even though Mackenzie realizes he’s basically living the plot of a cheesy romance novel, he takes the proffered room in Laurent’s Baltimore mansion. He finds his new housemate to be grumpy, brooding, and, at times, incredibly kind and endearing. Raised by his brother after their father’s death, Mackenzie spent his formative years plowing headlong through school, focusing on little else beyond earning his teaching certification. He’s never taken the time to explore love and relationships, much less sexuality, so when he finds himself being courted by another man, he has no idea what to do. And when he realizes he might actually return those feelings, his life takes a whole new direction.

Wow… Reading this was just a pleasure to me!

I loved almost everything about this book: The writing, the characters, the plot, the low angst, the HOT parts… It was just so good!

I loved Laurie so much! He was really weird and grumpy sometimes and to everybody who didn’t actually know him, he was just a cold bastard. But how a cold person can be the one who offers to a practically stranger (Mackenzie) a place to live, just because the guy would be ejected from his place? Can you relate it to a cold person? No, he wasn’t cold. And soon enough Mackenzie learned that.

Laurie was an orphan who didn’t have a normal childhood and was left by everybody that he loved. So he had put a cold mask on to the world. But thankfully he couldn’t keep his disguise with Mackenzie for so long.

And we had Mackenzie.

Ah, Mackenzie, I wanted to strangle you sometimes, so you would admit for yourself what I already knew about you. Urgh! But I love you too.

Mackenzie was a guy who had lived so focused on making everybody happy his entire life, that he had never taken the time to be in a relationship. At the age of 23 years old, he had never explored his sexuality. So when he realized he was attracted to Laurie he struggled a little. He didn’t want to admit it even to himself. Good thing that Laurent was persistent and didn’t let Mack freak out.

Mackenzie doubts and fears felt real and even with a lot of concerns and denial he didn’t break apart from Laurent and I really loved him for that. He just took more time to notice that his feelings for Laurie were unquestionable and real.

Laurent and Mackenzie together were so amazing. They were hot, yeah yeah! They were also sweet and felt like a real couple. I can say I absolutely connected with them.

I also loved the other characters; Tayler in special. And even though River was a little of an ass with Laurent at first, I liked him too. So here is a think about these two characters (Tayler and River): I think there were something between them. Did you pick up the sexual tension as I did? I mean, they just snapped at each other but was clear for me that they needed a bed. Seriously, it was just me seeing it?

Anyway, this story was delightful. It was well written with Mackenzie point of view and I really loved how it worked.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was:

I’m curious about Laurent’s uncle and I wanted to see the jerk going to hell. In the book, he appears briefly and I really wanted to know what happened to him and what he really did to Laurent in the past. Also, I wanted to see Henry (Laurent’s ex) going to hell too… Yes, I think I’m a little revengeful in the moment. Lol

Well, I was just looking for updates about this author, since this is my first book by her. And just found out that will be published another as a book sequel to this one. Yay! *Happy dance* So, yeah, I’m happy.

If you didn’t read this book yet, go get it now and read. I recommend!

The cover art by KHD Graphics is nice and sexy.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Ebook: 234 pages

Published May 25th, 2017 by Euphoria Press

A MelanieM Review: The Lure of Port Stephen by Sydney Blackburn

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Robbie Wales is young and starting a new job in a new town, on his own. Coming from a split family, he was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents and came out as a teen without a lot of fuss, but his father, whom he only saw infrequently, has never known. As an adult, he’s found he’s got a lot in common with his father, and they’re finally getting to know each other. He fears coming out to his father may jeopardize that.

Then he meets Raj Williams, the attractive man in the trailer next to his father’s in a seasonal RV park. Raj is handsome, sophisticated, yet loves to fish and watch silly Disney movies.

Raj finds Robbie equally interesting. But Robbie’s still in the closet, at least in Port Stephen, and Raj’s ex used that as an excuse to treat him as nothing more than a friend with benefits. He’s not interested in a repeat experience.

Robbie finally finds the courage to come out to his father, but was it all just for a summer fling?

The Lure of Port Stephen by Sydney Blackburn is in many ways like spending the day out on or by the water. It’s a hot summer day read, sexy, sweet, and a little steamy. Its got fish. Men that like to fish. And have lots of sex. Plus there’s a sweet coming out story and falling in love. In other words, there’s a lot to like here.

Blackburn does a lovely job in the characterization of Raj and Robbie and their respective families. Robbie, a machinist, is trying to reconnect with his Dad who lives in a trailer with his stepmother by the water. He’s out to his mom and everyone else but not his Dad, and he’s still trying to figure out their relationship. Robbie is young but still has a maturity about him that’s wonderful here. He’s not ashamed to be gay, he’s just not sure of his place yet in his father’s life. Then he meets the handsome, gay man who has the trailer lot next door to his dad’s for the summer, Raj Williams. Down from Toronto, Raj has a work job that allows him to move around so he can enjoy his summer at Port Stephens. Raj never figured on meeting Robbie. A gay fling that turns into friendship and then more.

I found I started to engage in this romance more when they decided to become more serious about each other. Up until then, while I enjoyed the characters, I wasn’t terribly invested in the romance. After several events, especially (my favorites) the ones with Robbie’s dad, the story grew wings for me. In fact, the scenes that resonated the most with me? All the coming out ones, and the ones that followed. It includes those between Raj and Robbie’s dad, so funny and poignant.

I thought the ending was sweet if a little abrupt. Maybe an epilogue wouldn’t have hurt here. but definitely more was needed. Still I would recommend The Lure of Port Stephen by Sydney Blackburn as a sweet contemporary romance.

Cover art by Natasha Snow is beautiful and perfect for the story.

Sales Links

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published May 22nd 2017 by NineStar Press
ISBN139781947139121

An Alisa Audiobook Review: Until You (At First Sight #3) by T.J. Klune and Michael Lesley (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Together with their families and friends

Paul Auster

and

Vincent Taylor

request the honor of your company at the celebration of their marriage.

This is another wonderful story in the At First Sight series. Paul and Vince are just as wonderful together as they have been in the other stories. They both love and know each other so well that they can make the other feel better and make their worries go away.

Paul is just as hilarious has he has been before and I love hearing how his mind work because it is AMAZING! His mind can make the craziest jumps but it works for him. Seeing his whole family, Sandy and Darren just brings everyone together so much more. I love their unconditional love for each other and how much they support one another. These stories make me laugh so much, I always feel better at the end and it lifts up my day.

Michael Lesley did a wonderful job narrating this story. I was able to connect with the characters well and feel their emotions in his reading as he used different voices for the characters. His voice changes so much you really get to see the differences with the characters.

Cover art by Reese Dante is sweet and understated but I love the simpleness of it for this story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 5 hrs 4 min
Published: May 2, 2017 (ebook first published February 27, 2017)
Edition Language: English

Series: At First Sight #3

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Ride Along (States of Love) by Meghan Maslow

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Drew Nolan is a loud-and-proud mystery writer with a brutal case of writer’s block. He needs practical experience with the Baltimore police beat to get his latest manuscript to his publisher on time. When he wins a ride-along at a writer’s conference, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot… until he meets his partner.

Closeted cop Josh de Oliveira lost his family, his partner, and the respect of his unit—all for doing the right thing. Recently busted back down to patrol, he’s relieved to get a cushy assignment at the Author’s Police Institute where he’ll take one lucky writer on a ride-along. Unfortunately, his author looks like he belongs in the backseat of Josh’s squad car—long, ginger dreadlocks, piercings, and an “I would bottom you so hard” T-shirt. But there’s something about Drew Josh is having a hard time resisting.

It’s going to be a long night and one hell of a ride as opposites attract and realize they share a lot in common beneath the surface. As animosity becomes desire, they realize they can help each other out—in more ways than one.

I couldn’t tell until I really got into this story that the author has to be either from or living in my area where the story is located. I mean how many people know Greenbelt that intimately? Hell, how many people have even heard of Greenbelt outside of here? And the places in Baltimore? She has it all right down to the food (G&M crab cakes) and the traffic and the Hon festival. I often cringe when someone obviously not from here (and not having done their homework) writes about this region from the District, surrounding areas right to Baltimore and Northern Virginia. The mistakes are often howlers. But not here and I loved it!

Happily living in Greenbelt is Drew Nolan, a mystery writer trying to get around a writer’s block by attending a conference. At the conference? Officer Josh de Oliveira who’s in all sorts of trouble at work because of his ” ex-partner” gone bad and his sending the man to jail. There’s more, including his closeted status within the department. The two meet and its instantaneous miscommunication and rudeness amidst attraction. Told from Josh and Drew’s povs which is necessary otherwise Josh comes off as a complete jerk from the first moment the reader is introduced to him. Instead, from his thoughts, we get a totally different, complex picture of the man. I adored Drew from the outset. Masow did such a terrific job with the all the characterizations here that I connected with them all.

A ride along assignment courtesy of the conference puts both men together in Josh’s squad car. The reader gets a tour of the area, the men get to know each other and it works on every level. The men get to know each other in close surroundings and in situations that vary by the minute or hour. This is a very neat setup.

There is another important thread involving Josh’s department, the history with his partner and his current situation. I wish that had been fleshed out a little more. Much is made of the threat to him and yet I felt at the end, it just sort of faded away. Another chapter could have been used here to take care of this element of the story. Or maybe just several more pages. It just felt incomplete with no resolution, just an epilogue telling us what happened.

There are several big issues here. One is in Drew’s past but I felt that was handled beautifully including its effect on Drew’s family dynamics. In fact the entire romance was great and heartwarming, including the addition of Drew’s large Nolan family. I could see these two together and the bright future ahead. Put that together with a location I loved? Yes I can absolutely recommend Ride Along (States of Love) by Meghan Maslow for all you lovers of contemporary romance! Its a heartwarmer you’ll just adore! Plus maybe you’ll order some crabcakes or five! Check out the links I provided!

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh. Not a fan of this cover. Makes it look like there’s a mystery going on and there’s not. Very misleading. Drew writes mystery books but there is no mystery here. Plus this is a States of Love story! Where’s parts of Baltimore? Or even Greenbelt? Shakes head. A miss on every level.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 122 pages
Expected publication: June 14th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635335231
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesStates of Love settingMaryland (United States)

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Summer Heat by Jay Northcote

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

I generally enjoy a good friends-to-lovers story and this was no exception. Except that it was better than many and took place between two BFFs on a well-deserved holiday vacation at a gay resort in Spain—a beautiful setting for a story with plenty of buildup and a sweet conclusion.

Adam had been living with his older lover, Drew, for five years, but when he’s suddenly too mature to suit his twink-loving man, he’s unceremoniously dumped for someone else and finds himself out in the cold with no place to go except to his BFF’s place. Finn, of course, accepts him with open arms, having loved Adam as more than a friend for many years. Finn is definitely not attached to anyone else so it’s a win-win situation for both of them.

When Adam recalls that he’d booked a week’s vacation at a gay resort for himself and Drew, he asks Finn to go with him instead, thus setting the scene for the evolution of the friends-to-lovers theme.

Though each has the hots for the other, it’s not until a cute guy named Niall invites Finn for a threesome with Adam that Finn reluctantly accepts. And it’s not that he doesn’t want sex with Adam—it’s just that he’s worried their friendship will fall apart. What follows is super-hot—readers had better get out their personal fans for this one—and it’s something both men decide to continue for their week away. Little do they realize they won’t be able to stop and won’t want to either.

I loved this story. The romance was just perfect. The sexy times weren’t too shabby either. I always enjoy Jay Northcote’s work and it just keeps getting better. This would be a great book to take on vacation and let your imagination run wild with the guys as they share their own vacation adventure with readers. Highly recommended!

The gorgeous color photo cover of a very hot guy was designed by Garrett Leigh and is perfect for this story.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 205 pages
Published June 9th 2017 by Jaybird Press
Original TitleSummer Heat
Edition LanguageEnglish

Review Tour for Summer Heat by Jay Northcote

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Length: 47,000 words approx.

Blurb

A summer fling is an ideal cure for a broken heart. But when it’s with your best friend, things get complicated.

When Adam is dumped by his boyfriend, a week away at a beach resort seems like a great opportunity to get over his ex. Sun, sea, and no-strings sex will be just the boost he needs to move on with his life.

Adam’s best friend, Finn, agrees to accompany him at short notice. Finn’s had a crush on Adam for years, but is determined to put his feelings aside and be the perfect wingman in Adam’s time of crisis.

A spontaneous threesome with another guy forces Adam and Finn to confront their attraction to each other. Having a holiday fling together wasn’t part of the plan, and as their trip heats up, they soon realise that one night of fun won’t be enough for either of them.

The passion might be scorching, but their hearts and friendship are on the line. If their romance is going to survive the flight home, they have to be honest about what they want.

June 9 – Mikku-chan, MM Book Addicts, Reading In Sarah’s Corner, The Smutbrarians
June 12 – The Way She Reads, Oh My Shelves, Dirty Books Obsession
June 14 – Millsy Loves Books, Joyfully Jay, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, MM Good Book Reviews
June 16 – Nicole’s Book Musings, Mainly Stories, V’s Reads
June 19 – Lustful Literature, My Fiction Nook, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews
June 21 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, BooksLaidBareBoys, Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books, Making It Happen, A Celebration of Books
June 23 – Sarandipity, BFD Book Blog, Diverse Reader, Wicked Reads
June 26 – Southern Babes Book Blog, The Geekery Book Review
June 28 – Padme’s Library
June 30 – Bayou Book Junkie, Book Lovers 4Ever

Author Bio

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.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

www.jaynorthcote.com
Twitter
Facebook profile
Facebook Author Page
Newsletter
Jayís books

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

A MelanieM Review: Crossing Jordan by Shannon West

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5

A complicated web of lies threatens Jace’s life and he must fight his way to happiness through a maze of romance, murder and intrigue.

Jace O’Neal is slowly rebuilding his life after a disastrous romance with an actor named Dylan Malone in NYC sends him back to Atlanta in disgrace. Living with his mother and his brother, a fourteen-year-old with Fragile X syndrome, one of the known causes of autism, Jace is pursued by Malone, who finally persuades him into another relationship. Then Dylan goes missing and the evidence left at the scene points to Jace’s involvement.

The detective on the case, Will Jordan, is drawn to Jace right away, and learns that Jace’s former lover was manipulative and cruel. Will fights his attraction to Jace as he seeks the truth of what happened to Malone. As more clues emerge and point to Jace, Jordan begins to believe Jace is in danger. A complicated web of lies threatens Jace’s life and he must fight his way to happiness through a maze of romance, murder and intrigue.

I’m just not a fan of this book. I don’t know, maybe it hit me at the wrong time, maybe I’m the wrong audience but I just couldn’t get behind either the characters or this story.

It’s not the author because I’m such a fan of Shannon West’s other series like her Mate of the Tyger Prince series. Or her Dark Hollow Wolf Pack series, both excellent. No, its several elements here that bother the bejezaas out of me. Usually, once that happens there’s no recovery and there wasn’t one here.

It starts with the character of Jace O’Neal. There’s a fine line between domestic violence victim and doormat in characterization. To me, Jace reads doormat. He all but paints a huge V on his forehead and puts a kick-me sign on the back. I had a complete lack of empathy with him (not so in other books with stories with characters who are victims of domestic violence). Its doesn’t help in that the way in which the narrative is laid out we are distanced from that part of Jace’s life. It’s almost told in abstract, it’s that removed from the storyline flashback style. So there’s no immediate effect for the reader other than Jace’s retelling which comes off as less than impactful. His actions continued to confound me throughout the storyline. Smh.

Another element that is also connected to Jace is that of his brother Tyler, a 14 year old with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome. Much is made of this and yet not enough. Tyler is used more to make important plot points and less as someone real and important to Jace. At least that’s how it came across to me. There’s no mention of getting any sort of assistance for him and at one point Jace tries to hug him, surprised when that doesn’t go over well. Tyler is repeatedly exposed to violence, physical abuse and yet, again, Jace is shocked that Tyler is aware that it’s happening in a small house. Jace is treating him as though he’s deaf and stupid at times here. How could you be unaware that someone is being beaten and shouted at in a small house? Yes, Jace is so stunned that he starts crying. I almost stopped reading right there.

There’s the detective who falls for him (and starts sleeping with him while on the case) and the mystery that quite frankly you will have figured out soon into the story. The whole thing just had no credibility for me. This will send me running right back to West’s Mate of the Tyger Prince series to remember why I love her writing so.

Cover art is sort of cool.

Sales Links: MLR Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 177 pages
Published May 12th 2017 by MLR Press (first published May 9th 2017)
ASINB071VJFF44

An Ali Review: Aftercare by Tanya Chris

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Aayan Denir knows Garrett Hillier was once a high-powered defense attorney, and—thanks to a leaked photograph—he knows Garrett is sexually submissive, which makes him ideally qualified to defend Aayan’s brother from the charge of murdering his sub. Aayan would do anything to protect Syed, even if he doesn’t understand how Syed could hurt someone he loves. He could never hurt Garrett. He only wants to take care of him—love him, serve him, cherish him. And maybe torture him. Just a little.

Garrett probably shouldn’t be dating his client’s brother. Right? And what’s the use in a confirmed sub dating a guy who doesn’t want to be a Dom anyway? The important thing is to get Syed cleared of the discriminatory murder charge he’s facing. Aayan is a distraction. But for the first time in the three lonely years since Garrett’s husband died, he’s feeling hope, ambition, and desire. Can he give up the pain he craves to find the love he needs?

As Syed’s trial date looms, Aayan and Garrett explore what a BDSM relationship means for them, and what they mean to each other.

Aftercare is a M/M BDSM contemporary romance about Aayan, a Muslim immigrant who’s not sure he can play the Dom role, and Garrett, a submissive attorney who walked away from his life when his husband died.

This was an unique storyline. I wasn’t sure about the set up of the story when the book first started but as the story unfolded it started to make sense. The blurb does a good job of explaining the plot and I was immediately drawn in.

The story covers the mystery behind who killed Syed’s partner as well as the romance between Aayan and Garrett. The men were very different on the surface but as they got to know each they found they were a good match for each other. Aayan has never explored his dominant side and he feels it goes against his religious beliefs. Some of the story is about him coming to a place where he can accept his desire to be dominant and sometimes sadistic as well as maintain his Muslim faith. I don’t really know anything about the Muslim religion so I can’t say whether this was an accurate portrayal or not but it seemed to be presented in a realistic way in regards to Aayan’s concerns.

While I thought the concept was interesting and I liked the characters well enough there was nothing that especially stood out to me either negatively or positively. I had no particular complaints about the book but it also probably won’t stand out to me down the road which is why I did not rate it higher.

If you’re a fan of BDSM books and are looking for something a bit different I would recommend this. It not only has unique BDSM elements but it has a main character who is of color and Muslim. I appreciated that.

This cover was done by Jen and Kris. I thought the cover was eye catching and was a very good representation of the plot of the book.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 184 pages
Published May 17th 2017
ASINB0722P9BQY

Andrew Grey On A Gulf Fishing Trip and his latest release ‘Setting the Hook’ (author guest post)

Setting the Hook by Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 12 2017
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase

Available for Sale at: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to welcome back Andrew Grey on his Setting the Hook tour. Hi, Andrew!

🌊

Labor Day weekend I had the opportunity to fish on the gulf for the first time. It was an amazing experience and I had an incredible time And as you can guess, I looked out over the water, fishing, talking, laughing, and the entire time my mind is running though how I could use all the experiences in a book. I stored them away until the idea for Setting the Hook started developing in my mind. I do have to tell you that while the situations were different, that weekend we did experience many, of the things in the story, including the hurricane, catching the sharks, as well as meeting some amazing people who left an impression on me. I can’t wait for my next fishing trip so I can see what comes out of that.

Blurb/Synopsis

It could be the catch of a lifetime. William Westmoreland escapes his unfulfilling Rhode Island existence by traveling to Florida twice a year and chartering Mike Jansen’s fishing boat to take him out on the Gulf. The crystal-blue water and tropical scenery isn’t the only view William enjoys, but he’s never made his move. A vacation romance just isn’t on his horizon.

William Westmoreland escapes his unfulfilling Rhode Island existence by traveling to Florida twice a year and chartering Mike Jansen’s fishing boat to take him out on the Gulf. The crystal-blue water and tropical scenery isn’t the only view William enjoys, but he’s never made his move. A vacation romance just isn’t on his horizon.

Mike started his Apalachicola charter fishing service as a way to care for his daughter and mother, putting their safety and security ahead of the needs of his own heart. Denying his attraction becomes harder with each of William’s visits.

William and Mike’s latest fishing excursion starts with a beautiful day, but a hurricane’s erratic course changes everything, stranding William. As the wind and rain rage outside, the passion the two men have been trying to resist for years crashes over them. In the storm’s wake, it leaves both men yearning to prolong what they have found. But real life pulls William back to his obligations. Can they find a way to reduce the distance between them and discover a place where their souls can meet? The journey will require rough sailing, but the bright future at the end might be worth the choppy seas.

Series: Standalone
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Excerpt

“The storm didn’t turn north. It’s continued moving west and is now near Orlando. If its winds start to reach the Gulf, the waves are going to build quickly. It seems like they’ve pretty much given up trying to predict this sucker and are winging it.”

Gordon turned toward the water. “Give it a few more hours and we’ll head in. There’s no sense taking any chances, and they’re going to have plenty of fish by then at this rate.”

“I agree.” If the storm headed their way, he and Gordon were going to need time to secure everything. “I’ve been listening to the weather every hour anyway.”

Mike returned to work, and Gordon helped William and Dean replace their nibbled-away bait. Mike moved them to a few more spots, each one closer to shore. After two hours, he checked the forecast once again. The storm was now expected to continue on its current path. “All right. This is our last stop. We’ll stay here for about fifteen minutes and then head in. The storm that was supposed to turn north in the Atlantic didn’t. It’s crossing Florida and will hit the Gulf in a few hours. We don’t want to be out here when it does.”

The attitude on the boat immediately changed. Mike started getting things together while Gordon helped the guys fish. They caught mostly red snapper and threw them back. William got a small reef shark, and Gordon clubbed it enough to stun it and got the hook out, letting it drop back into the water. That brought the trip to an end, and Mike pointed the bow toward land and opened up the throttle.

Gordon gathered up all the equipment and began putting it away. “Sorry, guys, about cutting things short.”

“It’s perfectly all right,” Dean said with a wide grin. “It’s better to be safe than sorry, and this was an amazing day. One I’m going to remember for a long time.” He sat down nearby, and William took the seat right behind him. Mike was hyperaware of him and knew William was watching him.

The wind picked up slightly as they went, though thankfully the water’s surface remained calm. But it wasn’t going to stay that way once the storm passed over Florida.

“Does anyone have a signal on their phone?” Mike asked.

“I’m checking,” William answered from behind him. “I have something, but not enough to really do any good. I could probably make a call if necessary, but….” William didn’t finish his thought as the power to the engine cut out.

“Fire!” Gordon yelled.

Mike switched the controls off immediately. Black smoke poured from the engine compartment vents, and Mike sprang to his feet, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and ushered Dean and William as far away as possible. Gordon got into position and tugged on the rope that would lift the engine cover, with Mike ready to douse any flames.

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)