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A MelanieM Review: Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Ever since he first set foot in Harrisburg, Tennant’s life has been a rollercoaster. Ups and downs too numerous to mention, hard knocks and championship rings. Through all of those monumental moments, one thing has been a constant for him, Jared Madsen. Now that their wedding day is drawing nearer, Ten is seriously considering eloping. He would, if not for his mother, his father, his brothers, the wedding planner, the guests, the cake, the press, and the team. Oh, and then there’s his best friend, who is vying for the job of ringmaster of the wedding circus. Would sneaking off during the night with Jared and skipping to the honeymoon part of the festivities really be all that bad?

When Jared proposed to Ten, he imagined a quiet wedding, on a beach somewhere, with family, and maybe the team. But life gets complicated with Ten’s warring brothers, a Russian goalie with a love of sequins, and a bachelor party organized by Adler. When Trent sends them a wedding planner, every spare hour is filled with choosing invitations, cake tasting, and finding a rose in the perfect shade of green. Add in Layton organizing a press conference, and suddenly their private wedding is destined to become a media sensation. Is it wrong to think seriously about kidnapping Ten and spiriting him away to a small deserted island?

Adler organizing the bachelor party, Trent supplying the wedding planner, and Stan writing a speech. What can possibly go wrong?

I can’t think of a better way to end this amazing series than with an all inclusive wedding!  Yes, Ten and Jared get married with all our favorite couples from over the series (and one from the connected Owatonna U books) gathered to celebrate their union.  And the authors putting their closure to the run of stories about these remarkable bunch of wonderful men,

How I will miss them so.

One of the questions that continues to pop up when asked about this series is who is your favorite character.  I have to admit my answer is always Stan.  Stan that irrepressible, larger than life Russian goalie is someone I’ve kept close to my heart and he’s in full force as one of the couple’s best (if a little scary over the tpp Elvis loving) best friends.  Stan, his hockey other half husband Erik and their brood …well, I’m not letting them go.  Nope, Not ready.

Same goes for the main couple who started this series rolling.  Tennant and Jared.  What a journey they’ve been on!  And we have been there every step of the way.  From their first meeting, through all the angst and coming out, the romance and the relationship, now culminating in their marriage.  It’s been a joy and a sexy, entertaining ride through nine stories, even when they weren’t the main couple, Ten and Jared were always there, a solid foundation and enduring framework for each new man and couple to be.

Even now as my mind wanders through all the marvelous couples who’ve touched me in every story, Layton and Adler (oh my Adler), bad boy Dieter and figure skater Trent (how I heart them both and Trent’s grandmother), Stan my goalie man and his heart and winger husband Erik (all their brood tooI), Max of his last chances,  and Ben with his rescue dogs, bu goalie Bryan and tattoo artist Gatlin, every couple is one that I treasure.  And they are all here for the wedding.

True to form, the authors bring as much humor to the occasion as they do solemnity and beauty.  Whether it’s in the attire Stan is wearing or the emotional speeches everyone is giving or just the sheer overwhelming sentiment of the location and celebration of the union of these two men everyone there (and the people reading ) love so much, the impact of the story comes through loud and clear.

Yes, I had sniffles.

There are stories in the series…Neutral Zone (a heartbreaker) and Hat Trick (Stan goes to Russia) that stand out from the rest in that they don’t feature a couple coming together but an established couple taking another sort of journey or battle together.  It’s fitting they preceded Save the Date.  You need the maelstrom to appreciate the calm, and heady safety of arriving into your port of home.  That’s what this story is.  Tennant and Jared finally getting that moment of calm, of home and forever after.  And I love every word of it.

If you are a fan of this couple and series, you will too. Although i imagine you’ve already read your way through the story.  But if you’re new to the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough.  I have listed them all below.  Read them in the order they are listed for the best reading experience.  Enjoy!  I will be rereading the series as these men feel like friends and you never let friends go.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell.k  I just love this cover.  Perfect in every way.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Links:

Book Details:

ebook
Published June 30th 2019 by Love Lane Books Limited
Edition Language English
Series Harrisburg Railers #9

Harrisburg Railers Series


Book #1 – Changing Lines – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – First Season – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 – Deep Edge – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Poke Check – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #5 – Last Defense – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #6 – Goal Line – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #7 – Neutral Zone – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #8 – Hat Trick – Amazon US | Amazon UK 
Book #9 Save the Date: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Links (finale)

Love Mystery With Your Romance? Check Out the Blitz for Palm Trees and Paparazzi (Gabe Maxfield Mysteries #3) by J.C. Long )excerpt and giveaway)

Title: Palm Trees and Paparazzi

Series: Gabe Maxfield Mysteries, Book Three

Author: J.C. Long

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: July 1, 2019

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 61200

Genre: Contemporary Mystery, LGBT, gay, mystery, romance, contemporary, establishes relationship

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Synopsis

Gabe Maxfield remembers Manuel Delgado all too well—since investigating him nearly got him killed. He’d be very happy never to see him again, but that’s not in the cards for him. When the mother of a missing socialite seeks out Paradise Investigations to find out what happened to her daughter, Gabe and best friend Grace Park are going to be thrown right back into Delgado’s world. Personal lives begin to interfere, as well, and soon they’ve got more on their plate than they can handle.

A missing woman.

Delgado’s son.

A romantically awkward Grace.

Gabe’s parents.

It’s just another week for Gabe Maxfield.

Excerpt

Palm Trees and Paparazzi
J.C. Long © 2019
All Rights Reserved

There was a time when throbbing music, frenetically moving bodies, and expensive cocktails would have been my scene—a time that passed a few years back, I’d guess. Actually, you know what? Scratch that. I’ve never been one for clubs. And with my twenty-ninth birthday merely two months away, it was really time for me to close that chapter of my life, anyway.

It was the second week of January, and some people still hadn’t lost the edge from New Year’s Eve. The club was packed full of people even though it was a Wednesday—thanks, no doubt, to ladies’ night and slightly discounted drinks for men.

My best friend, Grace Park, and I managed to snag a table that was far enough from the speakers that we wouldn’t be deafened for days to come by the outing.

Grace sat at the table, stirring the thin black straw in her vodka tonic, which she’d barely had half of. I’d volunteered to drive us tonight so Grace could have a few drinks, and she hadn’t finished her first one in the hour we’d been there.

“You look miserable, Grace,” I said, nudging her with my shoulder. “If you want to go home, just say the word. Really, we don’t need to stay here on my account.”

“I’m fine, Gabe,” she insisted stubbornly, even though I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t. She’d been down ever since New Year’s Eve. She’d been invited to a party by Jin Hamada, our private investigation firm’s resident tech expert and object of Grace’s affection, and had assumed it was a romantic invitation only to show up, dressed to the nines and ready, to discover it was a casual thing he threw for the people who lived in his apartment building. Jin hadn’t noticed, but Grace had been mortified.

It didn’t help that our assistant, Mrs. Neidermeyer, who lives in Jin’s building, did notice and teased Grace about it every chance that she got.

Privately, I thought Grace was taking it a little hard, but who was I to judge? I literally fled the continent to escape a breakup. That didn’t put me in the running for the category of most reasonable reaction to something.

“I thought coming to this club would cheer you up a little bit,” I said, taking a sip of my ginger ale—no alcohol for me, since I was driving. “I hate seeing you so down. I know how much you love music and dancing and clubs.”

Grace snorted. “When we were in college, yeah. But you know, maybe…maybe we’re a little old for this crowd.”

“I was just thinking the same thing,” I admitted. “When did that happen, though? When did we get old?”

“Kind of sneaked up on us, didn’t it? Here we are, just around the corner from thirty. Remember when we watched Friends in high school and we thought they were all overreacting about turning thirty? Now that we’re looking it in the face, I’m starting to think maybe they weren’t overreacting that much after all.”

“It’s not that bad,” I said consolingly. It was a weird reversal for us; usually Grace was the one doing her best to make me feel better, not the other way around. “Think about how high life expectancy is? Nowadays people don’t even really get started before they’re thirty.”

“Not so bad? Come on, Gabe. We’re almost thirty and I’m still single. I do want to have kids someday, you know? That’s getting more and more unlikely the longer I stay single.” She picked up her vodka tonic, tossing it back as if she could wash away the dour thoughts with it.

At least she drank it; that cost me six dollars.

“Don’t you think you’re taking this whole thing too seriously Grace? So you made a mistake and misinterpreted his invitation. You think you’re the first person to ever make that mistake?”

Grace scowled at my reminder. “I looked like an idiot.”

“No one even noticed!”

“Mrs. Neidermeyer almost has an aneurism from laughing every time she sees me!”

“Okay, so no one but Mrs. Neidermeyer even noticed.”

“That old lady is enough.”

“I don’t understand the rivalry you two have.”

“She’s got it out for me!”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s just spirited.”

“She’s medicated.”

I decided to drop the Neidermeyer discussion. It was a sore spot for her, and one that wouldn’t go away—particularly since I basically hired her to annoy Grace. The last thing I wanted to do then was to bring Grace down even more by talking about something that she hated.

I surveyed the bodies on the dance floor, taking in the sights, wondering if I could get a jolt of energy from them by proxy. Everyone seemed to be having so much fun, but then again that’s what clubs were, right? There were no doubt a large number of tourists among the crowd, people itching to get away from the tourist elements of Honolulu and into something that they were familiar with. Sure, the locale might be different, but a club was a club, whether it was in Seattle, New York, Pontiac, Michigan, or Honolulu.

“We’ve got company,” Grace said, drawing my attention from the crowd. I spotted my boyfriend, Maka Kekoa, making his way toward us around the perimeter of the room. A wide smile stretched my lips when I saw him. He was tall, his skin a sun-kissed brown that proudly displayed his Native Hawaiian heritage. His body was lean, hard muscle, kept that way by his rigorous exercise routine, his frequent surfing, and his job on the police force.

Walking behind Maka but still casting a shadow over him was one of Maka’s best friends, Hiapo, a big guy with an even bigger heart who ran an exclusive and popular lu’au on the island. Hiapo was without a doubt one of the cheeriest people I had ever met.

“Yo, howzit?” Hiapo greeted, his naturally loud voice easy to hear over the drone of techno dance music blaring in the background, a remix of a remix of a Cher song, if I had to guess.

“Hey, guys,” I greeted, moving my seat a little so Maka could make room on the other side of the table for himself and Hiapo.

Maka smiled at me, a look that always somehow managed to look sultry and goofy at the same time.

“Hey.” He planted a gentle, chaste kiss on my lips.

Beside me, Grace made a strange sound, a cross between a harrumph and a tsk. Maka cast an amused look her way. “I see your plan to cheer her up is right on schedule.”

“I don’t need cheering up,” Grace huffed.

“Girl, you still pining over that IT guy?” Hiapo asked.

“No,” Grace said at the same time Maka and I said, “Yes!” earning us both glowers.

“Traitors.”

“Listen, you need me to put something together for you? Plan a nice romantic package, like I did for these two here?” He indicated Maka and I with a thumb.

“I appreciate the offer, Hiapo, but that won’t be necessary. I don’t even think he likes me.”

“Have you asked him out?”

Grace squirmed in her seat. “No. But we’ve known each other for three years, and he’s never asked me out in all of this time. I think if he was interested, he would have done something about it already, right?”

“I see one major flaw in that logic, Gracie,” I said. “You like him, but you haven’t done anything about it, either.”

Grace’s brow furrowed as she struggled to come up with a comeback, but I could see in her eyes that she couldn’t. “I just don’t want to waste any more time on someone who might not even like me back. That’s time I could better spend going out with people who are interested.”

“But who you’re not interested in,” I added.

Grace threw her hands up in the air. “Is this beat up Grace night? Are you trying to cheer me up by making me more depressed?”

“Okay, okay, you win. I’ll stop.”

We stayed there for another hour, doing our best to get Grace to cheer up with very limited success. Finally we decided to call it a night. Maka and Hiapo left together, and I took Grace home.

We rode without talking, listening to various covers of songs by the Dynamos. As crazy as it might sound, I hate the Dynamos but really enjoy the songs themselves. I just can’t stand hearing them do the singing.

Finally I couldn’t take it anymore, and just before reaching the neighborhood she lived in I asked, “Are you really going to give up on Jin?”

Grace heaved a sigh, looking out the window, hand propped up under her chin, elbow on the door. With her sitting like that, I could imagine Grace being in a movie, with a deep, soulful soundtrack—maybe something by Adele—playing in the background.

“Don’t you think I should? It seems clear to me that he isn’t interested.”

“It’s not clear to me,” I said, pulling my car to a stop in front of Grace’s place. “Not until you ask him.”

“I’m not going to just waltz up to him and ask him! Don’t be ridiculous.” Grace unbuckled her seatbelt and pushed open the car door.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Okay, then, fine. Let Mrs. Neidermeyer win.”

She took the bait, just like I knew she would, stopping halfway out of the car and fixing a stern glare on me. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re always saying that she’s against you and doesn’t want you seeing Jin,” I reminded her. I hoped that the best way to build up her confidence was to give her an enemy that wasn’t herself. I didn’t feel too badly about it, considering she pretty much disliked Mrs. Neidermeyer the moment she set eyes on her. “If you just give up without really knowing, all you’re doing is giving her exactly what she wants, right?”

“I’ll think about it,” Grace said after considering my words. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Grace.” I sat in front of her place until she was safely inside before driving home. I really hoped Grace did think about what I said and finally took the leap and asked Jin—that or move on, because working with her in this sort of funk was beginning to get a little tiring.

And, if I was being completely honest, it felt really juvenile, like high school all over again. I was ready for Grace to go back to her normal self. Maybe that made me a bad friend, but I looked at it a different way. Grace pushed me to get out of the condo and out into the world of the living once more after I arrived in Hawai’i, and I was returning the favor now.

I only hoped she would appreciate it as much as I did.

Purchase

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

Meet the Author

J.C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his life-long involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that. J. C. Long’s favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing and Korean food (not in that order…okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts and wishing he was writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Love the Harrisburg Railers Series? Check Out the Finale Tour and Giveaway for Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Links
 
Length: 27,000 words approx.
 

Cover Design: Meredith Russell


Harrisburg Railers Series


Book #1 – Changing Lines – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – First Season – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 – Deep Edge – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Poke Check – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #5 – Last Defense – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #6 – Goal Line – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #7 – Neutral Zone – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #8 – Hat Trick – Amazon US | Amazon UK 
 
Blurb
 

Ever since he first set foot in Harrisburg, Tennant’s life has been a rollercoaster. Ups and downs too numerous to mention, hard knocks and championship rings. Through all of those monumental moments, one thing has been a constant for him, Jared Madsen. Now that their wedding day is drawing nearer, Ten is seriously considering eloping. He would, if not for his mother, his father, his brothers, the wedding planner, the guests, the cake, the press, and the team. Oh, and then there’s his best friend, who is vying for the job of ringmaster of the wedding circus. Would sneaking off during the night with Jared and skipping to the honeymoon part of the festivities really be all that bad?


When Jared proposed to Ten, he imagined a quiet wedding, on a beach somewhere, with family, and maybe the team. But life gets complicated with Ten’s warring brothers, a Russian goalie with a love of sequins, and a bachelor party organized by Adler. When Trent sends them a wedding planner, every spare hour is filled with choosing invitations, cake tasting, and finding a rose in the perfect shade of green. Add in Layton organizing a press conference, and suddenly their private wedding is destined to become a media sensation. Is it wrong to think seriously about kidnapping Ten and spiriting him away to a small deserted island?


Adler organizing the bachelor party, Trent supplying the wedding planner, and Stan writing a speech. What can possibly go wrong?

 

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:

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.


V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.


When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

 
 

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Check out the Hot Flash Release Blitz for Eyeliner and Lace by Ruby Moone (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books | Universal Link
 
Length: 4,067 words
 
Publisher: JMS Books
 
Blurb
 

The day Ryan Fulton realises he’s in love with Jamie Holt is the day he knows he’s losing him. With blue-tinted white blond hair, eyeliner, and a personality to match, Ryan knows he’s a bit much. But can he change? Can he tone it down and, if he does, can he live like that? He’d never suspect Jamie of cheating, but maybe his closeted boyfriend decided flamboyant Ryan wasn’t worth the effort.


But Ryan isn’t going to take it lying down. Determined to win Jamie back, Ryan even decides to get rid of the black and blue lace undies he just bought.


Then Jamie comes home and says they need to talk.

 
Excerpt
 

An hour or so later, the door slammed, and there was Jamie. He looked tired. His tie was loosened, and the top button of his white shirt undone. Rain curled the ends of his dark hair. They’d been living together for two months now, and it still made Ryan’s chest feel all achy when Jamie came home from work and smiled as though he was happy just to see him.


Jamie shrugged wearily out of his jacket and hung it up, then, when he spotted Ryan, his face just lit. Just as it always did. “Hey, you.”


Jamie held out his arms, and Ryan walked into them. They held each other tight, and Ryan kissed Jamie’s jaw. He was shorter than Jamie, skinnier, so he fit perfectly into his arms. He gave the best hugs. Hard, but warm and safe. All the craziness melted away when Jamie held him. Maybe things weren’t as bad as he thought.


“I’ve planned dinner,” he said, kissing him again.


Jamie nuzzled his neck and made a soft humming sound. “What’s for dessert?”


Ryan pulled back and smiled up at him. “Wait and see.” He gave him a suggestive wink, patted his backside, and set off for the kitchen with a swish. He glanced back to see Jamie checking his phone. When he noticed Ryan watching, he slid it into his pocket.


“Who was that?” Ryan tried to keep his voice normal. He opened the fridge door and concentrated on pulling salad things out rather than look at him.


“No one.”


Ryan’s chest hurt. He paused and closed his eyes for a second before speaking again. Making sure his voice was even.


“Do you want to shower before dinner?” he organised the food on the counter.


“Yeah. Why not.” Jamie stood behind Ryan, pulled down the neck of his T-shirt, and nibbled the nape of his neck sending shivers all over him as always. “Won’t be long.” He squeezed Ryan’s arse cheek and headed for the bathroom.


Ryan tapped the cucumber against his lips for a moment, they shoved all the salad stuff back in the fridge.


He gave Ryan chance to get into the shower, then ran up to the bedroom, stripped off, and followed him. The shower had been Jamie’s idea. A walk-in affair, definitely big enough for two. He watched Ryan. He was so beautiful it was hard to breathe. He had his back to him as he rubbed soapy bubbles over his chest, under his arms, around his neck. Muscles rippled across his back, and his backside clenched when he soaped further south. Ryan’s mouth went dry.

My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head…he probably has a point!


Website – www.rubymoone.com
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/RubyMoone/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter – https://twitter.com/RubyMooneWriter
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rubymoone/

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tea (A Cup of John #1) by Matthew J. Metzger

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

What an interesting story! I wasn’t sure I was going to read this at first because of some of my friends’ reviews and because we’ve been having some major issues around depression and anxiety in my family this year. I was afraid it would bring me down. But on the contrary, I found hope in this story, along with courage, strength, and balance. The MCs were so very real to me that I wanted to keep reading long after the last page. (And the good news is there’s going to be more on these men in the near future in the sequel, Coffee.)

John is a big guy: strong, muscular, tall, weighty, and not so good-looking, in his opinion. He is a softie on the inside and has a heart of gold and is the big brother all his younger sisters are fortunate to have. But John is gay and his friends don’t know that and neither do his customers, his rugby teammates, or those he meets on the street. When he stops in to a café to get a cup of tea one day, he startles when he bumps into a gorgeous young man, with long dark curls, and a long, slender body. It’s love at first sight for John, or passion, as Chris calls it, but he’s shocked to learn the young man, Chris, is blind and bases his own assessment of John on what he hears. And he likes what he hears in John’s voice. Later, when the two get to know each other better, we learn that Chris is also transgender and suffers from epilepsy. So many strikes against them, including Chris’s attitude toward “love” and “making love” and boyfriends in general. 

Without going into too much detail, John is a victim of a lie that resulted in such a devious case of character assassination that he began to believe the lies himself. Now he cowers at the idea that one of Chris’s family members or a cop or anyone in authority will believe he’s harming Chris in some way—after all, big giant man with smaller blind man. But the truth is that he absolutely loves Chris and would do anything for him, including stop if Chris wants him to stop, and he’s already proven that he will. Chris loves John as well, though it takes him a while to admit it. What I loved most about the story is their strong commitment to each other, their support in all conditions and circumstances.  No Big Reveal tears them apart. No Major Misunderstanding comes between them. They are solid. And I can’t begin to say how much I appreciated that. 

Add to John’s panic attacks, Chris’s issues related to his epilepsy, his blindness, and gender dysphoria, and this book packs a punch no matter in which direction a reader turns. But the bottom line is it’s well-written, with strong character development, and a commitment that isn’t always evident in any romance novel. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait for the sequel.

The cover by Natasha Snow depicts a typical British cup of tea, complete with pot and fragrant rising steam. It makes me feel like I’m sitting down to have a cuppa with my favorite characters.

Sales Links:   NineStar Press | Amazon | Kobo

Book Details:

ebook, 322 pages
Published January 7th 2019 by NineStar Press
 SBN13 9781949909814
Edition Language English
Series A Cup of John #1

A MelanieM Review : Love’s Glory (Revolutionary Heart #3) by Janice Jarrell

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

In October of 2017 cocky, alpha-male Irishman, Colin Campbell, Sergeant in Charge of the Special Assault Unit of the University of Virginia Campus Police Force, dove in front of a bullet meant for a University of Virginia student. The bullet shattered his thigh and severed his femoral artery, a wound which nearly took Colin’s life and left him temporarily disabled. His infirmities robbed him of the strength and athletic prowess which had been his for most of his life leaving him humiliated and bereft.

His partner, Joshua Abrams, a Doctor of Psychology at the Rainier Clinic in Charlottesville, never once left his injured lover’s side. He poured every ounce of strength and love he possessed into healing the magical Irishman whom he adored and was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude when Colin was taken off the critical list. Thinking that they had survived their trial, he took Colin home, believing that their happiness was now assured.

But like many injured police officers, Colin subsequently withdrew from his partner. Overwhelmed by feelings of shame and embarrassment, he devoted himself almost obsessively to the physical therapy with which he hoped to rebuild his strength and reclaim the life he had lost. Unable to share his pain and feelings of inadequacy, he shut Joshua out, leaving him to cope alone with the post-traumatic stress he suffered as a result of Colin’s shooting.

In the following months Colin and Joshua fought to keep their relationship alive. Although deeply in love, they felt powerless to cope with the after-effects of Colin’s injuries both to his body and to his pride as a man, and to heal the emotionally devastating PTSD with which Joshua suffered.

Love’s Trials tells the story of this painful and challenging time in Colin and Joshua’s life. As we join them now, Colin is still walking with a cane and still suffering the physical after effects of his injuries. But he and Joshua are both in therapy and are now dealing positively with the emotional and psychological damage they both endured.

They face their future side by side, determined to stand or fall together, as soul mates and lovers. This book follows them on their journey as they move toward the happy future they both long to share. They have moments of anxiety and intense emotion, but you can count on a happy ending. In fact, you can count on a happy read. In this book, Colin and his beloved Joshua have left their trials behind and now revel in Love’s Glory.

Love’s Glory is the third installment in Janice Jarrell’s Revolutionary Heart series and while it reads like the end of the story for Colin and Joshua’s main romance, it also opens op the next stage in their relationship and for a new couple’s story to begin.  This is definitely not a standalone novel as it rests firmly on the foundation of the previous stories,Love’s Magic and Love’s Trials which tell the story of Joshua and Colin’s initial meeting, rocky romance, their solid relationship and the traumatic events referred to in this story.  All remarkable tales and great reads.

And all culminating in this book and this stage in their relationship.  In a way, Love’s Glory is Janice Jarrell’s gift to her reader’s and this couple who have been through so much angst and pain and have now mostly emerged through the other side, entact and ready to move forward to the next stage in their lives.

Since it is not mentioned in the blurb, I will not give it away here in the review but there is a major feature of this novel and oh, my….it is the most wonderful, glorious thing to read in every way.  So many elements of this aspect of the story just shine.  From the families to the cultural aspects included to the religious.  I will tell you right now to bring your tissues! because you will be breaking them out.

Per usual, there is still some emotional and psychological hurdles to move through for this couple. Colin is still in rehab and Kathy’s death (his sister) remains a deep loss he’s never gotten recovered from. Joshua too has his own struggles to deal with.  The author beautifully and realistically (as always) shows Colin and Joshua communicating and (in an adult manner) working together to resolve as a couple the issues each is struggling with.  These characters are nuanced and believable, although Colin does have a bit of an Irish “glow” about him, so brightly does he shine at home and in Ireland.

Yes, we go to Killarney too (one of my favorite places), and home of the Campbells.  What a treat that turns out to be.  I could wish that Jarrell writes an entire series about the Campbell clan in Killarney because I grew to love them all so.  Here’s hoping she’s listening.

Love’s Glory (Revolutionary Heart #3) by Janice Jarrell is beautifully written, full of memorable characters on a journey of love you won’t forget.   I highly recommend this story and all the ones that preceded it.  I have listed them below.  Pick them all up and read them in the order they were written in order to get the most out of the stories and the couple’s journey.

Cover art: Robin Vulcich.  The couple on the cover is cute but not anywhere near the ages of Colin or Joshua who are in their 30’s, nor do I think they look like them.  So cute but definitely for another story.

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 228 pages
Published June 24th 2019
ASINB07TJ1VKK1
Edition Language English
Series Revolutionary Heart #3

Revolutionary Heart Series (Goodreads Links)

5 primary works • 5 total works
Love’s Magic

Release Blitz Love’s Glory by Janice Jarrell (excerpt)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Love’s Glory (Revolutionary Heart series)

Author: Janice Jarrell

Cover Artist: Robin Vuchnich / mycustombookcover.com

Release Date: June 29, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Heat Rating:  4 flames

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They did it all for the glory of love.

Blurb

In October of 2017 cocky, alpha-male Irishman, Colin Campbell, Sergeant in Charge of the Special Assault Unit of the University of Virginia Campus Police Force, dove in front of a bullet meant for a University of Virginia student. The bullet shattered his thigh and severed his femoral artery, a wound which nearly took Colin’s life and left him temporarily disabled. His infirmities robbed him of the strength and athletic prowess which had been his for most of his life leaving him humiliated and bereft.

When Colin was shot, his partner, Joshua Abrams, a Doctor of Psychology at the Rainier Clinic in Charlottesville, never once left his side. He poured every ounce of strength and love he possessed into healing the magical Irishman whom he adored and was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude when Colin was taken off the critical list. Thinking that they had survived their trial, he took Colin home, believing that their happiness was now assured.

But like many injured police officers, Colin subsequently withdrew from his partner. Overwhelmed by feelings of shame and embarrassment, he devoted himself almost obsessively to the physical therapy with which he hoped to rebuild his strength and reclaim the life he had lost. Unable to share his pain and feelings of inadequacy, he shut Joshua out, leaving him to cope alone with the post-traumatic stress he suffered as a result of Colin’s shooting.

In the following months Colin and Joshua fought to keep their relationship alive. Although deeply in love, they felt powerless to cope with the after-effects of Colin’s injuries both to his body and to his pride as a man, and to heal the emotionally devastating PTSD with which Joshua suffered.

Love’s Trials tells the story of this painful and challenging time in Colin and Joshua’s life. As we join them now, Colin is still walking with a cane and still suffering the physical after effects of his injuries. But he and Joshua are both in therapy and are now dealing positively with the emotional and psychological damage they both endured.

They face their future side by side, determined to stand or fall together, as soul mates and lovers. This book follows them on their journey as they move toward the happy future they both long to share. You can count on a happy ending. In fact, you can count on a happy read. In this book, Colin and his beloved Joshua have left their trials behind and now revel in Love’s Glory.

 

Excerpt

“I can change, Josh.”

“I’m sure you can.”

“In fact, I’m changing already.”

“I’m fully aware of that.”

“Does it worry you?”

“Well, of course, it worries me.”

“Why?”

Joshua sighed. He scooted higher then dipped his head to kiss Colin’s chest. “Because maybe the new Colin won’t…,” he faltered, “won’t likeme.”

“Different Colin. Not new.”

“Still.” Joshua pressed his face to Colin’s body, his warm breath caressing the solid muscles beneath his lips.

Colin’s hand cupped his chin and lifted it. “Josh, right now I’m a kite in the wind flip-flopping all over the sky. The only thing keeping me sane is that I know you’re holding the string.”

Joshua bowed his head, his lips pressed to Colin’s skin. The breath he drew in trembled in his throat. “Glad to hear it,” he murmured. “Real glad.”

“You’re my bedrock, Josh. My oak.”

Joshua met his eyes and stared into their honeyed-green depths. The frown had disappeared from Colin’s face, replaced by an expression of profound love. He smiled down at Joshua, then bent and hooked one powerful arm around him, lifting him until his body was sprawled on top of Colin’s, molded to him down their entire length.

“You worry too much,” Colin murmured then dragged his tongue across the crook of Joshua’s neck.

“It’s an ethnic problem,” Joshua replied, and felt Colin quiver with laughter.

“I’m not buying that, ” Colin said, still chuckling. “I’ve seen you eat pork. You’re a piss-poor Jew.”

Joshua lifted his head and grinned at his partner. “I’m not a piss-poor Jew,” he protested. “I’m a genetic Jew who doesn’t keep kosher.”

“Semantics,” Colin muttered, pulling Joshua down into his kiss.

Joshua moaned as their mouths molded together in a passionate echo of their bodys’ intimacy. He felt the shape of Colin’s mouth pressed softly against his and his breath caught in his throat. His lover’s kiss was filled with tenderness, and within the fervor of that kiss Joshua felt Colin’s desire that he feel secure in the love of his magical Irishman.

When their mouths parted, Joshua slid his lips to Colin’s ear. “You know,” he whispered, “you should never mistake my momentary bouts of insecurity as a sign that I don’t believe in us.” He lifted his head and, again, his eyes met Colin’s. “Because I do.”

“You’d better,” Colin muttered. “Or you’re gonna feel pretty damned silly fifty years from now.”

Joshua nodded, his face against his lover’s shoulder, his body nestled against Colin’s as they lay pressed together, filling in Colin’s every muscular ridge with the planes and contours of his own physique. “My god,” he whispered, “you feel so fucking good.”

“So do you,” Colin replied. He slid his fingers into Joshua’s dark curls and tugged, lifting his face until their eyes were inches apart. “I chose you,” he murmured, his voice rough-edged. “Don’t ever forget that, Joshua. I could have had any guy I wanted… all of the gays and quite a few of the straights, far as that goes. But I chose you.”

Joshua smiled. “I know. Seeing you sitting at my dining room table that day was the biggest shock of my life.”

“And I had no intention of leaving until you agreed to come back to Virginia with me.” Colin’s fingers moved to Joshua’s cheek, tracing the angles of his face. “I would have been back, pounding on your door, every single day until you said ‘yes’.” He relaxed onto his pillow. “I went to Glencoe to get you and I wasn’t leaving ’til I hadyou.”

Joshua laughed. “It’s not like you had to struggle much. I caved pretty quickly.”

“Yeah. A real time-saver, that, because, believe me, I wasn’t going anywhere.”

 

About the Author

 

 My name is Janice Jarrell. I am a retired grandmother who lives in Seattle, WA.  I have two children and three grandsons. I’ve been writing gay romance since I was twelve years old, only back then it wasn’t called ‘gay romance’. In fact, it had no name at all. It was the fifty’s, and it was worth your life to admit to being gay, let alone confess to being a girl who constantly fantasized about relationships between gay men. Hell, I didn’t even know what a homosexual was. I lived on a farm out in the sticks in a tiny Michigan village and I’d never, to my knowledge, even heard the word. I just knew I loved the thought of boy on boy romance. I just knew that there was something hot going on between Tom Corbett and his Space Cadets and all those guys on ‘Combat’.

I wrote slash fanfiction for 30 years, writing over 337 stories, some as short as 100 words (a drabble) some as long as a series which was over 119,012 words. I enjoy writing my stories. I enjoyed the feedback I received from my readers. It was a creative release I’d been searching for my entire life and I blessed the Internet for leading me to this artistic oasis for my spirit.

Love’s Magic was my very first step into writing my own characters. I will always be grateful the slash fanfiction community for nurturing the budding author until she was ready to blossom into a fully realized novelist. It’s been an amazing thing to watch the gay community’s growth over these past twenty years. My own journey has echoed theirs in many ways, and I’m grateful to all those gay activists who fought to give the gay community the rights and privileges they always deserved.

My second contemporary gay romance novel, Love’s Trials followed Colin and Joshua on their journey as men and as a couple. The readers who fell in love with them in Love’s Magic were thrilled to see their romance continue to grow and blossom, but were forced to watch our beloved boys go through some pretty traumatic trials in this book, trials which nearly shattered their relationship. But their love proved stronger than any troubles in the end and they now move forward into the happiness they know they deserve.

In Love’s Glory, my newest release, Colin and Joshua bask in the happiness that eluded them in Love’s Trials. If you’re looking for a book filled with anger, fear, and anxiety… look elsewhere. Love’s Glory is about just that… the glory of love and the continued growth of these two extraordinary men and the amazing friends who are a large part of their lives.

I’m also grateful to the gay romance community, readers, authors, publishers and promoters, who are making these, my retirement years, the most creative ones of my life. When I’m not writing, I’m traveling, walking, hiking, knitting, crocheting, and weaving, and enjoying my life here in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

 

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LOVE’S MAGIC – the first book in the Revolutionary Heart Series – will be FREE from July 1 – 5

LOVE’S MAGIC is also available to listen on audio.

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Release Blitz for Bernard’s Diary by S. L. Danielson (excerpt)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Bernard’s Diary

Author: S. L. Danielson

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Diana TC (triumphcovers.com)

Release Date: June 28, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Themes: Coming out, suicide attempt, forgiveness

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 44 000 words/142 pages

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Can a suicidal bellhop find true love?

Blurb

Bernard Covington, suicidal and not the most-handsome man in the world would be happy to leave the world behind altogether. That is until he meets Dr. Jack Larson. The physician takes his wounded heart and soul and patches them back together, but is he Mr.Perfect?

Bernard and Jack develop a romance, but soon the tide begins to shift as Jack’s past is revealed and it becomes a game-changer for the couple to deal with.

Will Bernard and Jack have a happy ending or will he succumb to his desire to end it all or will dealing with Jack’s phantoms keep him going? Only Bernard’s diary knows what secrets lurk in his soul…

Excerpt

Prologue

Bernard sat on his bed after another long day at the hotel just a few miles away. He was a bellhop.

Not the most glamorous profession, but the only one he could get years ago when his life plans changed drastically. He raked his fingers through his thick salt-n-pepper hair and yawned wide. He reached down and opened up his nightstand drawer and pulled out his journal. He flipped to an open page and plucked off the pen that was attached to the outside and clicked the point down.

I can’t hold this in much longer. Jeremy makes me want to explode every time I get near that incredible body of his! He’s such a good customer, tips well, and never has much luggage. I love bringing up room service to him…I wish it were me that was staying behind in the room with him. I have to tell him how I feel; he must suspect something by now. I’d give anything to have a real man in my life for once, just once! Something’s gotta change in a big way or…shit. I’ve just, I’ve got to do this before I fall apart and die a 46-yr-old virgin. Wishing myself luck!

Chapter 1: Fateful Night

August 8th. 10 p.m. The blinding red and blue strobing from the ambulance lights lit up the dark street. It’d been a silent evening until its arrival. Two paramedics rushed up the concrete steps to the midnight blue steel entry door on the far side of the long, rectangular apartment building. The lights from the ambulance painted a brilliant hue onto the otherwise dull, gray brick building. Even the trim was gray and all of it was rusted and falling apart.

Another medic followed after, steering a gurney down the steps. Their patient was out cold and

stripped from the waist up. He had all kinds of medical apparatus on him; IVs, a breathing mask,

and a defibrillator on standby. Finally, the two medics maneuvered their patient down and into the waiting ambulance.

“Ok, what’ve we got?” barked the voice over the radio.

“Heart attack and attempted suicide,” the medic replied in a professional, matter-of-fact tone.

“Any defib?”

“Shocked him twice. 46-year-old male, obese, two bad wrist lacerations, and ingestion of pills.”

“10-4, we’ll be ready.”

The ambulance pulled into the emergency department at Adams County hospital. It wasn’t a fully-equipped center, but it would have to do. The patient was near death. The doors on the ambulance flew open and the stat team ran out to greet them. In charge was a tall, handsome young doctor named Jack Larson. They ran with the gurney inside and to a treatment room. There were four people working on him at once, but Jack kept order to the chaos.

“Nurse, type and cross-match his blood and start him on Narcan.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“What’re his vitals?” he demanded.

“BP is 90 over 50, pulse 135,” the lead nurse replied.“Damn, too high. What’s our patient’s name?”

“Bernard Covington.” The other nurse read it from the report.

He touched the patient’s shoulder and leaned over him. “Mr. Covington? Can you hear me?” He pulled out his exam flashlight and pulled up the man’s eyelids one at a time to check the dilation.

“He’s out cold, doc. Cops said they found him like this, pills were right next to him.” One of the medics chimed in.

“How many and what kind?” Dr. Larson asked.

“Effexor, 50 mg. Had 30 pills filled, only 20 were found, and it was just filled.” The nurse drew the necessary blood and labeled it for the lab.

The doctor groaned. He hated seeing suicide cases. “All right, let’s pump his stomach, suture these wrists too. They’re pretty deep.”

“Yes, sir.” The nurse prepared the needle, cleansed the wounds, and very skillfully sewed up the wounds. He wrapped them in a thick, cushy layer of gauze and laid them at the patient’s side.

“Good job, Higgins.” Dr. Larson nodded at him.

“Damn, Dr. Jack; that’s the worst I’ve seen. Cops found a butcher knife with blood on it.”

Jack looked at the nurse in surprise. “A butcher knife? Damn, Bernard, you’d cut your hand off.”

He pursed his lips and shook his head.

“He’s stabilizing, Dr. Larson,” the nurse reported.

“Alright, go prep him and pump his stomach. Keep him on constant watch.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

About the Author

S. L. (Stephanie) Danielson began writing at the tender age of five. She knew it was her calling from the moment she put pen to paper. In her teens she began writing alternative works and the genre stuck. She created ever more elaborate tales and finally in her early 20’s years began to create works with her new love; male/male romance. She has since written more than 30 works both solo and collaborations).

Stephanie is classically trained in business, accounting, and HR/training, possessing both an undergrad and graduate degree. She also owned and operated Romance First Publishing where the ultimate goal was to help other unknown, as well as known authors get their start in the publishing world.

Beyond writing, her other hobbies include: painting, gaming, and spending time with her husband and two cherished cats.

Her blog is www.sldanielsoncom.wordpress.com and email is ladyauthorsld@gmail.com

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COVER REVEAL for Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice

COVER REVEAL

Book Title: Treasure Trail

Author: Morgan Brice

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Genre/s: Urban Fantasy MM paranormal romance

Trope/s: Second chance, friends to lovers, starting over, psychic/medium and a cop, mystery, action/adventure,

Themes: Taking a chance on love, running from your past, trust, friendship, found family

Heat Rating:  4 flames

 

When a missing antique shows up under mysterious circumstances, Ben and Erik are plunged into danger as a cursed hotel’s long-ago scandals resurface. Someone wants those secrets to stay buried—and is willing to add Ben and Erik to the death toll to keep the past hidden.

Blurb

Erik Mitchell traveled the world uncovering art fraud and relic theft, which pitted him against spoiled billionaires, unscrupulous collectors, mobsters and cartels. He worked with law enforcement across the US and Europe, but a sting goes wrong and Erik ends up injured, then returns to find his partner cheating. Erik decides to stop globe trotting and buy an antique shop in scenic Cape May, NJ, rebuild his life, and nurse his broken heart.

Undercover Newark cop Ben Nolan went down in a hail of bullets when a bust went sideways, after a tip-off from a traitor inside the department. After he recovers, he spends a couple of years as a private investigator, only to tire of seeing the worst of human nature. So when his aunt offers him the chance to take over her rental real estate business in Cape May, it seems too good to be true. Now if he could just believe he could ever be lucky again in love.

When a missing antique shows up under mysterious circumstances, Ben and Erik are plunged into danger as a cursed hotel’s long-ago scandals resurface. Someone wants those secrets to stay buried—and is willing to add Ben and Erik to the death toll to keep the past hidden.

 

About the Author

Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.

On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.

Other books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, and Badlands. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

Join my Worlds of Morgan Brice Facebook Group! Get the early scoop on upcoming books and new series, see new covers first, enjoy insider news and special contests and giveaways! Plus it’s where I get my beta readers and launch team! 

 

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