Category: M/M Romance

A Lucy Review: Husband Hunters by Rick R. Reed

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

You never know where the love of your life might turn up.

When Matt Connelly suggests to his best buddy Cody Mook that they head to downtown Seattle to audition for the gay reality TV show, Husband Hunters, both agree the experience might be a lark and a chance to grab their fifteen minutes of fame. What they don’t know is that the show, modeled after HGTV’s House Hunters, will open doors of longing neither expected. For Matt, the secret love he has long harbored for Cody might be thrust into the spotlight. Cody might realize his search for his perfect-forever-man extends no farther than the man who’s always been at his side.

Husband Hunters promises laughter, tears, and, just maybe, a happy ever after. Will Cody and Matt’s story be one of best-friends-to-lovers—or an outright disaster?

When Matt convinces Cody to try out for Husband Hunters, it really is a recipe for disaster.

Matt and Cody have been friends forever and Matt has been in love with Cody for nearly that long.  It isn’t reciprocated, however.  Cody has definite categories where people belong and Matt is firmly entrenched in the best friend zone.  “To Cody’s way of thinking, there were rigid borders to relationships.”  But now they are committed to the show and “fake it til you make it”. 

I liked the “reality” aspect because those reality shows are never reality!  They are scripted to within an inch of their lives and nothing is candid.  This was displayed here repeatedly, even to the point of having the guys in bed “pretending” afterglow. 

When Matt is honest about his feelings it changes the dynamic between the two of them.  “Phones were rapidly put away or slips of paper tucked into jeans pockets.  Cody’s grin was always sheepish.” 

Cody is very stubborn about his feelings for Matt and there is one scene I felt so awful for Matt.  Then it turns around later and I felt so awful for Tre, a lovely man. I do wish that hadn’t happened – I lost some respect at that point.

This book is definitely not for everyone.  While the friends to lovers aspect is there, Cody and Matt don’t actually get together until nearly the end.  There is also sex with other people and a broken heart to deal with.  Cody didn’t really grow on me.  I thought his rigidity regarding people’s places in your life was too much. 

Rick R. Reed is an author I truly enjoy and the writing here is stellar as always.  Dialogue never dipped into cheesy or unbelievable areas and the characters were well fleshed out.   It takes a long time to get where they want to be and sometimes during that I got irritated.

Cover art is simple, the face of a man looking forward.  I would have liked to have some of the reality TV aspect, a camera or such, included to make it more pertinent.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, Second
Published October 30th 2019 by JMS Books (first published September 1st 2014)
ASINB07ZHJP3Y8
Edition Language English

Promo Release Day Blitz: Love and Linguistics(Movie Magic # 2) by Tara Lain

Love and Linguistics
(Movie Magic Series, Bk 2) 
by Tara Lain
 
Blurb:
 
In his neighborhood, El Martin stands out, and that can be life threatening. Against the odds, he’s managed to graduate high school and then master IT. Now he’s desperate to get a good job to free his drunken dad and himself from the control of gang leader M2 and the drugs he sells. But with his piercings and his slang-ridden speech, El looks and sounds like a Bronx gangbanger, and potential employers won’t give him a second look. So when El hears about Henry Fairhaven, PhD, linguistics researcher and wealthy New York socialite, El takes his life in his hands to escape from M2 and ends up sleeping in the stairwell at Henry’s building, hoping to learn how to speak.
 
To Henry, who wants to prove himself as a scholar and not merely a rich dilettante, El isn’t only the most beautiful man he’s ever seen—he’s also the key to getting a paper published on Henry’s ground-breaking linguistics methods before a competitor beats him to the punch. But Henry doesn’t tell El the truth, and El thinks Henry’s helping him because he cares.
 
El’s dreams collide with Henry’s ambitions at the elegant Met Gala, where El captivates a prince of Silicon Valley. But the real collision comes when M2 tracks El down and Henry has to choose between the validation he craves and a future with the man he’s come to love.
 
 
Available for Purchase at
 | Kindle | Amazon Paperback | Kobo | Nook | iBooks
 
 
Read Chapter 1 Here
 
About the Author

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her best-selling stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes — the beautiful boys of romance —  and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers. She also loves to hear from you.   

Presented by

Release Blitz and Giveaway for No Place Like Home by Annabelle Jacobs

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
 
Length: 48,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Natasha Snow
 
Blurb



Will Oliver get the gift he’s hoping for this Christmas?


Oliver Walker’s Christmas is shaping up to be a quiet one. That is until hunky neighbour Ed Middleton moves in next door.
Attraction is instant, but Ed is only there temporarily and neither wants to start something with an expiration date.


As the festive season approaches, holiday cheer wraps around them, and giving in to temptation is inevitable. But Ed is still set on moving in the new year—a fresh start, miles away from those he’s closest to.


If Oliver doesn’t want to lose his heart, he’ll have to show Ed that home is wherever he wants it to be, and love is possible no matter what.

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.


Twitter – https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction
Website – www.annabellejacobs.com
Email – ajacobsfiction@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction


 

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Review Audio Tour and Giveaway for Today (Single Dads #2) by RJ Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)

Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 4hrs 29mins

Narrated By: Sean Crisden

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Single Dad’s Series Audio

Book #1 – Single – Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

When the world labels a man and judges them blindly, is it possible to ever find love?

Firefighter Eric is on the front line, battling the threat of nature’s destruction in the California grasslands alongside his CalFire team. Focused and calm, even in the direst of situations, he has a strong affection for his fire truck, loves his career, and has best friends he can rely on. All he needs now is love, but that seems to be impossible to find. At his friend’s wedding. Eric falls in lust at first sight with the shy, slim, and sexy Brady, even if Brady isn’t the type of guy he usually goes for. What Eric longs for is an equal in his bed, not a smaller guy who might want Eric to role-play big strong firefighter every time they have sex. He wants to find someone he can be vulnerable with, someone who will love him for his soft heart and quiet ways.

Brady’s life plans grind to a halt when his niece and nephew lose their parents in a tragic accident, and he becomes a dad overnight. His Developmental Coordination Disorder rules his life, but he fights both DCD and the fears that chase him every day, to give Maddie and Lucas a home. Agreeing to go to a friend’s wedding is a decision he regrets long before he even gets there. But, he refuses to give in to his fear, even if he might do something that makes him a target for people’s comments and laughter. Meeting Eric, a huge man with a gentle voice and a flair for chivalry, he falls hard. Now, if only he can let himself get past his panic that Eric would never want someone like him, then maybe he could fall in love for real.

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.


RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.


The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she 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 links below:

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Blog Tour with Excerpt for Adore (On My Knees Duet #2) by Ella James

Picture_20191120_190321268

Adore

On My Knees Duet, Book 2

Ella James

M/M Romance

Release Date: 11.13.19

ADORE-NEW

Blurb

The heartrending conclusion to the On My Knees Duet, a forbidden MM love story by USA Today Bestseller Ella James

1-11-21-3

Excerpt

Shit.

Dude is not a talker. I don’t know if I should ask. I’m pretty good at leaps of faith, though, so I move over to him slowly…wrap myself around him from behind. I kiss his nape and stroke his back until chills move in the wake of my fingers.

He lets out a low groan, and my hand roves down his abs, stroking till I find him hard against his belly.

“You do this.” His voice is flat—so I can’t tell if he’s angry or resigned.

I grip my hard-on with my free hand, rub myself against his flank. “And you do this.”

“Clouds my head,” he rasps.

I start to stroke him. “That’s why I came out here. To make your head so cloudy you can’t think of anything but me.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ella James is the USA Today and Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of more than twenty novels. She writes emotional, hard-won love stories with steam, suspense, and Kindle-throwing twists. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three young children, and hyperactive dog.

www.facebook.com/groups/ellaseliteteam

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-james

https://www.amazon.com/Ella-James/e/B005OED2DE

www.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks

www.facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Promise (Single Dads #3) by RJ Scott

 

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

So far I’ve really enjoyed this series, but this time I’m disappointed. To be honest, 3 stars is a reach, but I liked the characters, including the secondaries and the little girl was a treat, so overall it meets my overall criteria of “liked it.” 

One issue is that 50% in, Jason still hadn’t informed Leo (or readers) of exactly what’s going on. Who knew so many pages could be taken up by so many words that say nothing? He just kept spinning his same worries over and over again from a different angle. In fact, I was leaning toward not liking him at all when he finally revealed all his truths at around 68% and won me over. And Leo was nice, but he didn’t come across as nice in the beginning of this story as he had in his supporting role in the other books, so he, too, was difficult to warm up to. I wouldn’t mention the editing, but it’s obvious that this ARC is a rough draft. Not only are there spelling errors and missing words but there are several plot inconsistencies. Hopefully, the final copy for purchase will be cleaner.

By the last third of the book, it was evident that both men were ready to talk and be honest with each other. But, once they did, they were ready for a relationship. I may be in the minority here, but this came across as insta-love to me because they’d had so many misunderstandings and then suddenly they like each other and next thing is the I-love-you statements.

So, if you like stories of men running from mob bosses or bad guys in general, daddies protecting their kids, cops who are torn between love and acting like a cop, and—this is a must—if you like angst, you’ll like this story for sure.

The cover by Meredith Russell is a sweet picture of a young man with his cute little daughter and is perfect for the story.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published November 22nd 2019 by Love Lane Books Limited (first published November 20th 2019)
ISBN13 9781785641909
Edition Language English
URL http://rjscott.co.uk/books/promise
Series Single Dads #3

An Alisa Review: Kindred Spirits by Sloan Johnson

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

Family secrets, a surprise inheritance, and a sweet employee he can’t help falling for. Sunset Beach was only supposed to be a quick trip but now he’s wondering if he’ll be able to leave.

Dane learned early to not rely on anyone. He has a good job and a decent life in the city. Granting his father’s request to visit the family he didn’t know existed, the last thing he expected was to find out he’d inherited a share in his grandfather’s inn.

Brook has only known romance through notes left in a mailbox at the end of the beach. When he’s tasked with showing his boss’s gorgeous nephew what makes Sunset Beach and Bird Island special, he’s compelled to take Dane to his favorite place.

Dane never wanted the inn, but when it’s threatened, he steps up to defend it… and keep the man he’s coming to love by his side and in his life.

I enjoyed this story.  It was good for Dane to find a home where he was actually happy and for Brook to find that love he has longed for.

Dane’s uncle made some really bad decisions and it caused some problems but once it was out in the open I liked that Dane was determined to keep the inn and his new home.  He was able to find something he cared about and I loved watching Brook help him discover his happiness.  I was glad that Dane had his friend’s support after everything happened with his dad, though I did internally question where he stayed after his dad went to prison.

I liked getting to know these characters and seeing how they were feeling.  I liked seeing Dane go from annoyed to resigned and then to deliriously happy and in love.  Brook was so resigned to his life and knowing that something was wrong but Dane was able to find a way to save it all.

The cover art is nice and I like the visual of the beach.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 163 pages

Published: 2nd edition, October 24, 2019

Edition Language: English

Join Us for the New Release Blitz with Excerpt for Magic & Mirrors by L.M. Brown

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Magic & Mirrors

Author: L.M. Brown

Publisher: Self-Published 

Cover Artist: Studioenp

Release Date:  November 2, 2019

Genre/s: Fairy Tale / Fantasy M/M Romance

Trope/s: Class differences

Themes: Fairy Tale Ending, redemption

Heat Rating: 3 flames      

Length: 22 461 words/67 pages

Add on Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Universal Amazon Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

Only the assassin sent to kill him can free him from the mirror.

Blurb

When King Lucius is imprisoned in a magic mirror by an evil wizard, he is forced to watch as his life is destroyed and his kingdom brought to the brink of ruin. Trapped in his own reflection, he only has the freedom to move and talk when the wizard sleeps.

With his subjects under the dark spell of the wizard, Lucius is forced to rely on the most unlikely of heroes if he hopes to get his life back. 

Harry comes from a long line of assassins and prides himself on being one of the best in the kingdom, but when he is hired to kill King Lucius he discovers that all is not as it seems in the Kingdom of Cinders.

Harry agrees to help Lucius in return for a full pardon for his crimes, but to complete his quest he may have to give up everything, including his freedom and the king he has come to love.

 

Excerpt 

King Lucius sat in the chair in his bedchamber, reading the book he’d started the previous year. He was making slow progress since all the text was a mirror image of the writing he had grown up with. 

On the other side of the barrier, his body slept. The evil wizard who had taken over his life four years ago had finished his dastardly deeds for the day, freeing Lucius to wander through the world of mirrors, instead of being stuck reflecting the actions of the wizard. 

It was a frustrating existence and one he was eager to escape from. 

Unfortunately, he could see no way out of his miserable prison. 

A noise from the bedchamber in the real world tore his attention away from his book, and he set it aside. It wasn’t the wizard who had stirred. That was the one thing he knew for sure. He was always the first to know when the wizard woke to start the day. 

Creeping towards the barrier, Lucius peered out into the darkened room. The only light came from the candle on the bedside table, the counterpart of which Lucius had been using to read by.

A movement near the balcony caught his eye. Someone was stealing into his chambers, and considering they had decided not to enter by the door, he had to assume they had mischief on their agenda. 

Lucius waited in silence, observing the intruder as he stumbled about in the dark. He was lucky the wizard was such a heavy sleeper. Had Lucius been in his own body, the uninvited guest’s bumbling around the bedchamber would have woken him for sure. 

Stifling his amusement and keeping as still as possible, Lucius watched as the intruder tiptoed closer to the bed. He clearly hadn’t spotted the living reflection in the dressing table mirror, but few people did. In the dark hours of the night most people chalked it up to imagination, or having mixed up the portraits and mirrors adorning the walls. 

The flash of metal in the candlelight doused his amusement in an instant. This was no thief. This was an assassin.

“Stop!” Lucius ordered. He tried not to raise his voice too loud, lest the wizard woke.

The assassin ducked and rolled under the bed in a move that Lucius couldn’t help admiring. 

“You can’t stay there all night,” Lucius said. “You might as well come out before he wakes up.”

“Who said that?” the intruder whispered from under the bed.

“I did,” Lucius replied. “Are you going to come out from under there, or are the contents of the chamber pot that interesting?”

“Who are you?” 

Lucius sighed heavily. “I’m King Lucius the fourth, and you won’t be delivering the killing blow to me this night.”

The assassin crawled out from under the bed. He stood up and looked at the sleeping figure. “Are you awake?” he asked.

Lucius rolled his eyes. “Behind you.”

Finally the dagger-wielding idiot turned and saw who had spoken. “What magic is this?” he whispered. 

“The blackest kind,” Lucius replied. “Would you mind going through the door behind you and following the corridor to the left?”

“Why?”

“So we can talk properly without him waking up,” Lucius explained. “You seem to be quite a resourceful chap, and I think maybe you can help me with a little problem I have.”

“What sort of problem?”

Suddenly, voices shouted from outside in the castle grounds. “Intruder! Call out the guards!”

“Dammit,” Lucius swore. 

A grunt and snort from the bed caused the assassin to startle and Lucius sensed the king was about to wake. “Hide in the closet,” he said, pointing to another door. 

The assassin didn’t argue with him this time. He ran for cover, only just sliding the door closed when the wizard sat up, awake.

Lucius, trapped in the mirror, lost control of his body the moment the wizard rose. He was a reflection once more, albeit a conscious one.

 

About the Author 

L.M. Brown is an English writer of gay romances. She believes mermen live in the undiscovered areas of the ocean. She believes life exists on other planets. She believes in fairy tales, magic, and dreams. Most of all, she believes in love.

When L.M. Brown isn’t bribing her fur babies for control of the laptop, she can usually be found with her nose in a book.

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook Page  |  Facebook Group

 

 

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Audio Review Tour and Giveaway for Promise (Single Dads #3) by RJ Scott

Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 4hrs 29mins

Narrated By: Sean Crisden

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Single Dad’s Series Audio

Book #1 – Single – Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

When the world labels a man and judges them blindly, is it possible to ever find love?

Firefighter Eric is on the front line, battling the threat of nature’s destruction in the California grasslands alongside his CalFire team. Focused and calm, even in the direst of situations, he has a strong affection for his fire truck, loves his career, and has best friends he can rely on. All he needs now is love, but that seems to be impossible to find. At his friend’s wedding. Eric falls in lust at first sight with the shy, slim, and sexy Brady, even if Brady isn’t the type of guy he usually goes for. What Eric longs for is an equal in his bed, not a smaller guy who might want Eric to role-play big strong firefighter every time they have sex. He wants to find someone he can be vulnerable with, someone who will love him for his soft heart and quiet ways.

Brady’s life plans grind to a halt when his niece and nephew lose their parents in a tragic accident, and he becomes a dad overnight. His Developmental Coordination Disorder rules his life, but he fights both DCD and the fears that chase him every day, to give Maddie and Lucas a home. Agreeing to go to a friend’s wedding is a decision he regrets long before he even gets there. But, he refuses to give in to his fear, even if he might do something that makes him a target for people’s comments and laughter. Meeting Eric, a huge man with a gentle voice and a flair for chivalry, he falls hard. Now, if only he can let himself get past his panic that Eric would never want someone like him, then maybe he could fall in love for real.

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.


RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.


The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she 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 links below:

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Thanksgiving Week and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Thanksgiving Week and A Growing List of Things to Do!

 

For those of us in the US or for expats abroad its Thanksgiving week.  We are making lists, trying to figure out menus, baking, and getting ready to travel or getting rooms ready for visitors to arrive.  And  then it is on to Yule and December.  Yes, time is flying.

Between the family obligations this week, water main breaks, and more RL events, well, let’s just say my lists grew a little bit larger this week quite unexpectedly.  Luckily my audio books kept me company along with my fur kids.  I have some wonderful audio books to review for you this week.  There are also several holiday romances here bringing with them all things Christmassy and joyous.  I hope you all are making your TBR lists for your Holiday Reading.

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Rogue’s wishes everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.  Happy Reading and Listening.  Meet you all back here, full of leftovers after the holiday is over!

Now where did I put my list?

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 24:

  • Thanksgiving Week and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 25:

  • Review Tour for Promise (Single Dads #3) by RJ Scott
  • Release Blitz – Magic & Mirrors by L.M. Brown
  • Review Tour Little Love by Siobhan Smile
  • An Ashlez Review: Little Love by Siobhan Smile
  • An Alisa Review: Kindred Spirits by Sloan Johnson
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Promise (Single Dads #3) by RJ Scott

Tuesday, November 26:

  • Release Blitz for Annabelle Jacobs – No Place Like Home
  •  Release Day Blitz: Love and Linguistics by Tara Lain
  • Blog Tour Adore by Ella James
  • Review Audio Tour for Today (Single Dads #2) by RJ Scott
  • A MelanieM Audio Review: Today (Single Dads #2) by RJ Scott
  • A Lucy Review: Husband Hunters by Rick R. Reed
  • A MelanieM Audio Review: Red Dirt Heart 3 by NR Walker and Joel Leslie Narrator

Wednesday, November 27:

  • Release Blitz – Jay Northcote – A Boyfriend For Christmas
  • BLITZ The Wolf and the Sparrow by Isabelle Adler
  • BLog Tour Roxy’s Recovery by Kim Breyon
  • An Alisa Review: Nuttin’ But Trouble (College of United Monsters #4) by C.B. Archer
  • A MelanieM Audio Review: Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott t and Narrated by: Sean Crisden
  • A Stella Review: Roxy’s Recovery by Kim Breyon

Thursday, November 28:

  • Review Tour – Garrett Leigh – Hometown Christmas
  • GUEST POST But by the Grace of Dog by AF Henley
  • Book Blast – Body Parts And Mind Games by Jude Tresswell
  • An Alisa Review : Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh
  • A Lucy Review: But By the Grace of Dog by A.F. Henley

Friday, November 29:

  • Mr. Right Now by Annabeth Albert  Blog Tour and Review
  • Blog Tour Unfettered by Kate Hawthorne
  • Audio Blitz – A.E. Via – Prophesy II: The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha Series)
  • A MelanieM Review: Mr. Right Now by Annabeth Albert
  • An Alisa Review: Weekend at Bigfoot’s by Addison Albright
  • A Stella Review: Just the Thought of You (Mann of My Dreams #3) by Tinnean

Saturday, November 30:

  • A MelanieM Review: Boy Toys (Hot Off the Ice #2.5) by A.E. Wasp