Review Tour and Giveaway for Prophesy II: The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha Series) by A.E. Via and Troy Duran (Narrator)

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

Length: 9hrs 23mins

Narrated by: Troy Duran

The King & Alpha Series

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

Blurb

Shifter and vampire true mates story.

Alek’s older brother, Justice – the Alpha Zenith – was the first shifter to mate with a vampire in many generations, and it was believed the rare, fated pairing would stop at him. But, it hadn’t. Aleksei “Alek” Volkov was second beta, next in succession to the most powerful shifter in the world. He was proud of his title and he took his duties seriously. It was all he had. Until his true mate literally showed up on his doorstep.

Belleron “Bell” Liatos had come to the states for one reason – his best friend and vampire king, Chadwick Bentley. He certainly didn’t come to be pounced on by a wolf that could act independently of its master. Not only was his destined cherished a complicated and confused man, but he was also unaware of the powerful presence that lurked in the shadows of his soul. Bell didn’t know he’d be the key to unlocking an exceptional triad that would play a critical role in fulfilling the prophesy.

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for five years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over fifteen years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her. Writing.

A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her hardcore, play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes, but she won’t push herself into a whole other genre. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

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Love a Bit of Suspense with Your Romance Story? Check Out the New Release Blitz for Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds #8) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda (excerpt and giveaway)Elliott

Title: Rialto

Series: Unbreakable Bonds Series #8

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake & Elliott LLC

Release Date: December 16, 2019

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 74,000

Genre: Romance, Thriller/Suspense,

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Synopsis

Someone has it out for Rialto.

Ian Banner is loving his hectic life. He’s newly married, ready to start a family, and opening a new restaurant. All his dreams are coming true.

The last thing he needs is a problem with his restaurant.

But when one attack after another comes, he grows convinced he has another enemy.

Ian tries to handle things by himself, but his friends are soon drawn in when the attacks become violent. That’s when Ian realizes the target isn’t Rialto. It’s him.

Rialto is the final installment in the Unbreakable Bonds series and features sexy times, Daciana snuggles, overprotective family, fire, and of course, code names.

Excerpt

Ian sighed and stretched his legs out, putting his sock-covered feet onto the coffee table. He’d kicked off his shoes when they’d come in. “I’m still reeling over that damn raid. Someone had to have called it in, and I can’t figure out who would do such a thing. It’s driving me crazy worrying about it.”

“Everything’s fine. Even Sarah told you there’s nothing to worry about now.”

“Still, it shouldn’t have happened, and having those dogs in the kitchen?” He growled softly. “I just hope we don’t get any disgruntled reviews from the people we had to reschedule.”

“Bad reviews happen, you know that.”

“But over something like this? Something completely out of my control?” He sat up and faced Hollis. “I can’t get it out of my head that someone actually turned us in. And all that stuff about drugs? Drugs, Hollis! The last thing Rialto needs is a rumor like that. We had people in that restaurant who heard all that when they first came in.”

He stood and started pacing the room. Hollis watched his slim, agitated form as he moved, noting that his hands were clenched into fists at his sides.

“Rumors of drugs could hurt our chances of becoming foster parents, too!” he nearly yelled. He reached up and ran both hands through his hair, leaving the brown strands sticking up all over the place.

He’d worked himself into a frenzy again. Hollis stood and walked to him. He placed his hands on Ian’s shoulders, feeling the fine bones beneath his palms before sliding his hands down Ian’s back to pull the man into his body.

Ian slumped against him, wrapping his arms tight around him. “Thanks.”

“For what?” Hollis asked.

“For the hug. For knowing I needed one.” He tilted his head and stared into Hollis’s face. “You always know how to calm me down.”

“I don’t want you worrying about drug rumors. The fact that your restaurant only lost one night to the raid before opening up again will squelch any of those. Rialto will be fine. And this isn’t going to hurt our chances at being foster parents. We’ve already gone through the background checks and everything else. It’s all good.”

Ian had worried incessantly about the background inspection, but his past with Jagger had never been public knowledge. It also didn’t hurt that Ian had Rowe’s tech specialist, Gidget, run a check, making sure that there was nothing from Ian’s past that might throw up red flags. Gidget had confirmed that other than Jagger’s attack on Ian at Union Terminal three years ago, there was nothing linking Ian to Jagger.

“I just want it so much,” Ian mumbled against his chest as he leaned close again.

“I know, baby. I do, too.”

Ian lifted his head. “Yeah?”

“You know I do,” Hollis said as he bent down to kiss Ian. Ian’s arms slid up around his neck and he stood on his toes to press harder into Hollis’s mouth. That warm body felt too good against Hollis. He pulled away from Ian and stared at him, taking in the already blown pupils with a smile. “Enough of this worrying. I have a better idea. Stay right here.”

He walked to the front door to set the security alarm, then flipped off the lights. The automatic night-light on the stairs came on, but he knew where Ian was. He walked to his husband and lifted him. Ian’s legs automatically wrapped around his waist as Ian chuckled. Hollis knew he was laughing at being carried, but Hollis fucking loved carting Ian around.

“I bet I know what your idea is,” Ian murmured, kissing Hollis’s jaw.

“If it’s stripping you naked and having my way with you, you get a cookie.” He carried him up the stairs and into their bedroom, not setting him down until they were beside their bed.

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Meet the Author

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

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Release Blitz and Giveaway for The Layover by Roe Horvat

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 115 pages

Blurb

Eight years ago, Ondro Smrek fled Slovakia and the bigotry that drove his first lover to take his own life, but the demons proved impossible to outrun. Desperate for somewhere to belong, Ondro is returning to start over.

During a layover in Basel, Switzerland, he meets Jamie, an American living in Scotland who is as brilliant as he is beautiful. Jaded Ondro never would have guessed he could fall in love during a brief layover—until now.

When he is put in a position to offer Jamie comfort without hope of recompense, Ondro doesn’t hesitate and soon catches a glimpse of the home he longs for. But with their separation looming, confessing his feelings can only lead to pain and humiliation. Life has taught Ondro not to hope, but then, he never believed in love at first sight either…

About the Author

Queer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the post-communist wasteland of former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri, with equal passion. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.

More about the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roe.horvat.98
Twitter: @roehorvat
Website: roehorvat.com
Publisher: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=107

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An Alisa Review: What Works For Us by Colette Davison

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

An elf costume, a pair of lacy knickers, and a Christmas charity auction might make Sam’s Christmas wish come true.

When sweet barista, Sam, agrees to be a ‘slave’ in a Christmas charity auction, he’s thrilled to be bought by the man he’s had a crush on for the last three months.

Theodore is everything Sam is looking for in a man: older, authoritative, and caring. Unfortunately, Sam isn’t the most forward person when it comes to telling men he likes them. Wearing a sexy costume allows him to be a much flirtier version of himself, but can a naughty elf tempt Theodore into bed?

As their relationship intensifies, Sam finds something in Theodore he didn’t realise he needed: a man he wants to call his Daddy.

But Theodore isn’t out of the closet, and whilst Sam is happy existing in a bubble in the run up to Christmas, he knows that can’t last forever.

Can Sam risk giving his heart to a Daddy who might not ever be able to hold his hand in public, let alone commit to him?

What Works For Us is a Christmas-ish romance with an age-gap relationship, lacy underwear, role-play, Daddy kink, a smidge of hurt/comfort, and a guaranteed happy ending

This was a great story, I loved seeing Sam and Theodore find what they wanted even if it was hard. All they needed was the right push to get things started but then another to make it right.

I liked that Sam and Theodore were willing to learn what the other liked and grow their experience and bond with each other. I hated that Sam’s family made him doubt their relationship even if the inevitable fallout was what made Theodore finally accept and work for what he wants.

I loved getting to know these guys and being able to see them find the happiness and acceptance that they want and need even if they have to work for it. I loved how adorable Sam was and how much Theodore cared for Sam and wanted his happiness more than anything and in the end they are able to work everything out for a great HEA.

The cover art is adorable and I like seeing Sam in his elf hat.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 251 pages

Published: December 17, 2019

Edition Language: English

A Lucy Review: This Christmas by J.R. Hart

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Alex Ross can’t catch a break when it comes to Christmastime. With a long history of bad holiday experiences—like getting rejected under the mistletoe or playing referee to his mother’s divorce—he’s just trying to survive it.

New in town and a stranger to everyone, he plans on ignoring the holiday altogether. That would be easier if his ridiculously cheerful new neighbor would cool it on the Christmas hype. Nicholas is annoying and loud. Worst of all, he’s also impossibly attractive and nice to everyone. It’s getting harder for Alex to deny his interest, especially when Nicholas leaves Christmas cookies at his door and wages a snowball fight against him on the coldest day of the year.

Can Alex open up to him and get into the holiday spirit before he endures another ruined Christmas?

I had a bit of trouble getting into this story because Alex’s issues are deeper than the blurb would lead you to believe. He is new in town, set for grad school, but school wasn’t the main reason he’s away from home for the holidays. His mother and stepfather are going through a divorce but his mother also suffers from severe depression. His family, particularly grandparents, are big time homophobic bigots and he misread signals of his best friend, who is now an ex-friend. That last one really made me sad because come on, Mike. He is way in the closet and really has some internalized homophobia.

So now he has fled from Los Angeles to Omaha in search of a new start away from it all. His plan is to get close to no one, let no one in and so save himself from having to leave again.

Nicholas, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine. Or maybe a Christmas light show. He’s relentlessly cheerful, caring and giving. He loves Christmas and everything to do with it. He has some amazing friends and he shares Christmas joy with everyone. Naturally, he bugs the heck out of Alex.

They have a meet-cute over a box of peppermint bark, where Alex acts like a complete tool. “Alex was indifferent to peppermint. He didn’t have a personal grudge against the flavor, not really. At Christmas, however, indifference became loathing. You have to get past the times he is so rude and obnoxious before he is likeable.

In a coincidence, they end up living in the same apartment building, actually on the same floor. This gives them proximity and gives Nicholas ideas. For his part, Alex desperately wants a new friend but he is terrified that what happened with Mike will happen again. It’s very difficult for him to claw his way out of the fear. As we get to know his story, Alex was breaking my heart. “He bit his lip, rolled over in bed and tried not to cry. His cheeks burned hot with shame.”

Nicholas, despite his positive outlook, is lonely and he is bewitched by Alex, even when Alex isn’t being his best. “Looking down at his apron and socks and then across the room at the baked goods littering his apartment, he was almost ashamed of the overindulgent way he’d been acting.” Nicholas uses baking as a means to stay busy when everyone has holiday plans, so he has no reason to be ashamed. He doesn’t give up on Alex and the way the two of them flirt, via snow and baked goods, is adorable. Nicholas also teaches Alex the value of chosen family. “Alex always used to think the concept was cheesy and ridiculous. Family couldn’t be changed, he’d always thought. You were given one of them. Family was family, friends were friends and the lines were clear.” But he comes to see the difference. Family are the people who have your back no matter what, not necessarily the ones who share your bloodline.

The steps from fearful Alex to true Alex are sometimes very baby steps but he is brave and moves forward. Their date in the blanket fort was so perfect I wanted to cheer. “Here, things were private, soft and quiet. They could talk and truly get to know one another.” It was so Nicholas. The epilogue was also perfect, although I do want to know what happened with Alex’s family.

This is a sweet, low angst holiday story that will definitely go on my holiday re-read list.

The cover, ornaments and Christmas lights and that snowman, is perfect.

Sales Links: NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 209 pages
Published December 9th 2019 by NineStar Press
ISBN139781951057954
Edition Language English

Check Out the Release Blitz with Excerpt for What Works For Us by Colette Davison

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: What Works For Us

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: December 17, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Age-gap, role-playing, Daddy kink, out for you

Themes: Self-discovery; sexual awakening

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 57 000 words

It is a standalone story.

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Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

and only 99c until December 22

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An elf costume, a pair of lacy knickers, and a Christmas charity auction might make Sam’s Christmas wish come true.

Blurb

When sweet barista, Sam, agrees to be a ‘slave’ in a Christmas charity auction, he’s thrilled to be bought by the man he’s had a crush on for the last three months.

As their relationship intensifies, Sam finds something in Theodore he didn’t realise he needed: a man he wants to call his Daddy.

But Theodore isn’t out of the closet, and whilst Sam is happy existing in a bubble over Christmas, he knows that can’t last forever.

Can Sam risk giving his heart to a Daddy who might not ever be able to hold his hand in public, let alone commit to him?

What Works For Us is a Christmas romance with an age-gap relationship, lacy underwear, role-play, Daddy kink, and a guaranteed happy ending.

Excerpt

He stood and opened the door, and his heart leapt into his throat. His whole body tingled as he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from what the young man was wearing.

Sam didn’t have the boxer shorts on. Instead, he wore a woman’s elf costume, which comprised of a short dress with a green lace-up bodice and bright red skirt. Due to Sam’s height, the skirt barely covered the top third of his thighs. The skirt was filled out with netting, like a tutu, making it even shorter. Sam was wearing candy cane-striped stockings. Theodore knew they were stockings because he could see the top of the suspenders peeking out beneath the white fake fur trim on the hem of the skirt. In his head, Sam wore a floppy hat—like the Santa ones that had been flooding the shops for the last three months—but in green to match the bodice. Theodore managed to drag his gaze down to Sam’s feet long enough to note that he was wearing black pumps.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to clean in high heels,” Sam said in a confidential whisper. He sounded and looked more confident than he had minutes before.

Theodore’s mind had turned to goo. He’d seen men in drag before, but this was different. Sam’s festive costume was tapping into desires that Theodore hadn’t realised he had. He could feel his blood pumping through his veins, racing to get to his dick rather than his heart. He had a sudden desire to pull Sam into his arms and kiss him. Hard.

Dear God, don’t let me get an erection.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, Sam did a slow twirl. At the back, the skirt barely covered his bottom, giving Theodore the tiniest glimpse of white lace. A shiver ran through him, and he let out a little gasp of desire.

“Do you like it?” Sam asked.

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

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Release Blitz with Excerpt for Inheritance (Deadly Curiosities #4) by Gail Z. Martin

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Inheritance

Author: Gail Z. Martin

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Release Date: October 22, 2019

Genre/s: Urban fantasy with romantic elements.

(Note—Characters from my Morgan Brice (MM paranormal romance) books make several key appearances in this book.

Also, a long-time committed MM couple figure prominently in the plot).

Trope/s: Established relationships, strengthening commitment, supportive partners, protective partners

Themes: Friendship, found family, loyalty, family always has your back, trust

Heat Rating: 0 – 1 flame (No sex, kissing/hugging for MF and MM characters)

Length: 66 000 words/ 222 pages

It is the fourth book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

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Can Cassidy and her friends find the demon box, stop the killer ghosts, and break the Pendlewood curse before Beckford’s murderous cousins and the vengeful demon destroy them all?

Blurb

Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an antiques and curio shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them, and she teams up with friends and allies who use magic and paranormal abilities to get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.

Caribbean ghosts terrorize Charleston and start racking up a body count. Then Beckford Pendlewood, the heir to a powerful family of dark warlocks, shows up raving about a bound demon locked in a lost box and begs sanctuary. Can Cassidy and her friends find the demon box, stop the killer ghosts, and break the Pendlewood curse before Beckford’s murderous cousins and the vengeful demon destroy them all?

Buy Links – ebook and paperback

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Excerpt

From Chapter 1

“It’s a ‘sailor’s valentine,’” I said, recognizing the style. I leaned closer, careful not to touch. While the idea of an intricate design crafted from shells sounded like a kitschy souvenir, antique sailor’s valentines could be true works of folk art and fetch thousands of dollars. This one was particularly well done, with a floral rose inside a nautical wind rose, enclosed in a detailed decorative border, and all of it painstakingly pieced together from naturally-colored seashells.

“We can authenticate the original ownership,” Alfred asserted, probably hoping to regain my professional respect. “It’s old—the date on the back says 1845, and the appraiser confirmed that the materials are consistent with that period. The writing next to the date reads, ‘To my darling Millicent, undying love from Joseph.’”

“Do you have any idea who Joseph and Millicent were?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Alfred admitted. “The representative said that it had been given by a sailor to his fiancée when he returned to port.” He cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, it was a parting gift, because the sailor had already married someone else. After that, the piece passed through various hands until it was acquired a few decades later by the family of the late owner.”

I walked around the piece, which was secured on an easel. The mahogany frame appeared to be in good shape, and despite the age of the piece, the shells had not discolored or come loose from their glue, and the glass had no chips or breaks. The shell work itself was a wonder, using a variety of types—common cockles, beaded periwinkles, baby’s ears, bubbles, jingles, and more—in an array of colors and sizes. I could understand why it could catch someone’s eye.

Assuming they couldn’t feel the psychic reek of malevolent energy that made me recoil. If it has that much resonance when I’m a foot away, I really don’t want to know how it feels to pick it up.

When an item gave off vibes that were that strong, I could usually get a read without having to touch it. I closed my eyes, aware that Alfred was watching, and reached out with my psychometry, stretching my gift toward the piece but not getting any closer than necessary.

Hatred and vengefulness hit me like a punch to the face. After all this time, the resonance was so powerful that I caught my breath and took a defensive step back. I saw everything, like a movie in fast-forward. Millicent’s happiness that her beloved had returned from the sea, and her delight in the beautiful gift. Joseph’s admission of betrayal. Her shock, turning to grief and then cooling into anger. A heated argument, and the swing of a candlestick in rage, leaving Joseph in a pool of blood. Fear, remorse, loss, and guilt, and then a knife blade that Millicent used to open veins and let herself die beside her faithless lover.

The vision ended as abruptly as it had begun, leaving me breathless. I might have spared some sympathy for Millicent, despite her reaction, if I didn’t feel the temperature drop and know from the prickle on my skin that Millicent’s spirit still clung to the tragic gift.

“Get back!” I reached into the pocket of my jacket and grabbed a handful of the loose salt I kept there for situations just like this. As Millicent’s spirit began to take shape and the air around us grew freezing cold, I hurled a handful of salt at her ghostly outline, making her flicker and vanish.

“Run!” I grabbed Alfred by the arm and dragged him with me as I sprinted toward the storage room door. I’d disrupted Millicent’s manifestation, but it wouldn’t take a spirit that strong long to regroup.

About the Author

Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, Worldbuilders Press and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Convicts and Exiles, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands and Treasure Trail series. Recent books include The Rising, Flame and Ash.

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A MelanieM Review: Angels Sing (Daddy Dearest #2) by Eli Easton

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Jamie Bailey has not had such a wonderful life. He gave up his dreams of Harvard at 18 to raise his sister’s unwanted baby, and later a prized job to help a sick friend. Now the father of six-year-old Mia, and assistant manager at Raven Books, Jamie’s dreams are dashed once again when Uncle Billy admits what dire straights the bookshop is in.

Stanton Potter, son of the most notorious businesswoman in Bedford Falls, loves his job teaching at the local elementary school. But he’s less than thrilled when he is forced to put together a Christmas pageant with first-graders, including Mia Bailey.

When Stanton meets Jamie, angels sing. Jamie’s gender-bending fashion sense, and sweet aura, have Stanton suffering through the worse crush he’s had since he was a teen. But can there be any hope for them when Jamie and Mia’s lives are about to be uprooted?

This Christmas, its Jamie’s turn to receive a little help from heaven.

Angels Sing (Daddy Dearest #2) by Eli Easton is another sweet, heartwarming installment in her Daddy Dearest series that started with Family Camp, one of my favorites. Here the young, single father isn’t a foster dad but someone who took on the responsibility of his sister’s baby at a young age, giving up his own dreams in exchange for becoming a dad and raising Mia.

While Angels Sing doesn’t have the comlex layers that Family Camp had (foster system, feelings of abandonment, multiple children and adjustments at all levels from childhood to adults), there is still plenty here to love. Gender fluidity, homophobia, and, the age old financial stresses that impact everyone’s life. Jamie Bailey of the angelic face and flowing ahir is a endearing character, as is the precocious Mia. They are an instant pair that’s easy to love and connect with.

Plus they come with a old bookstore, which I always adore, in stories and RL.

Stanton Potter, the smitten kitten, as I would call him, also cute and quite wonderful. Honestly, this is a sweet romance and very quick read. The Christmas pageant is straight out of almost every elementary school USA, so people ought to be nodding their heads at this, although I would believe that its a Holiday Pageant these days, still recognizable in the trials and tribulations that go into putting one on.

There is a slight drama, easily taken care of, and a lovely ending in keeping with the season and holiday.

One again, Eli Easton has given her readers and fans a contemporary romance to love and a sweet addition to a series I easily recommend..

Cover art is a delight!

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 136 pages

Published December 2nd 2019 by Eli Easton

ASIN B0821DRK4F

Edition Language English

Series Daddy Dearest #

Daddy Dearest Series

Family Camp

Angels Sing

A Lucy Review: Stealing Gifts by Mere Rain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Jarrell isn’t happy about being a thief, but sometimes it’s the only way he can make ends meet. Broke and alone at Thanksgiving, he breaks into an apartment in a wealthy neighborhood. He’s only looking for cash, but when he spots an unfamiliar book by his favorite author, he impulsively takes the book as well. Reading it, he finds a letter used as a bookmark and realizes the recipient hasn’t finished the book. He decides to return it and accidentally wakes the owner.

Edmond is a shy editor with no family. He’s more excited to have someone to talk to about his favorite author than he is upset about being robbed. He has many more out-of-print books and is willing to lend them in exchange for company. Over a series of late-night discussions Jarrell and Edmond realize they have more in common than their shared love of obscure fantasy novels, including old griefs that they’re both ready to let go of now that they have someone to lean on.

First off, be ready to suspend belief for this holiday tale. But since it is a holiday tale, I was prepared to do so. Jarrell is a thief, yes, but he is a thief with morals. He steals nothing sentimental, never takes from people who can’t afford it, doesn’t take more than he needs. He is honest about himself. “Jarrell Jardine was a thief…Just a guy who swiped loose cash to buy food. He only did it when he couldn’t find honest work in time to keep a roof over his head and he only took money.”

When Jarrell breaks into a old, moneyed apartment he breaks his rule of only taking money when he spies a sequel of a childhood favorite book. His mother had read him the book when he was small and he never forgot it. Jarrell is an avid reader and he can’t resist the call of this book. Then feels guilty because he realizes the owner mustn’t have finished the book. He returns it, only to be faced with Edmond, the very lonely owner of the book. Edmond lives alone in a sort of mausoleum apartment, nothing changed. He has friends and rarely leaves his apartment.

Edmond and Jarrell begin a cautious sort of friendship, based on books. Edmond has a library of books and he begins loaning these to Jarrell, with a promise to return them. Jarrell’s guilt over stealing causes a few kinks at times but he is a good person. And Edmond is just so lonely it’s painful. “Usually I eat alone with a book. Which is fine, but having company would be nice.” The dust on the table made me want to hug Edmond. He is just heartbreaking. And his mother doesn’t deserve word one from him.

They bond, these two very dissimilar men who are really more alike than anything. “If you had said you wanted, I don’t know, something like Agatha Christie but set in a space colony…” He trailed off. Jarrell grinned. “You’re thinking that now you kind of want an Agatha Christie set on a space colony, aren’t you? Me, too.” They are lovely.

Very low angst, this book, focusing more on two lonely men from very diverse backgrounds coming together to be each other’s person. I thought it was a beautiful thing and would recommend this novella.

The cover, showing Jarrell looking at Edmond’s apartment in the snow, is just right.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 111 pages

Published November 2019 by Mischief Corner Books

ASIN B081LNDTKG

Edition Language English

Check Out the Release Blitz with Excerpt for The Rise of Virginie by Katey Hawthorne

Rise of Virginie

Katey Hawthorne

Gay/Bi Romance, Contemporary, Rock Band, Small town, Hurt/Comfort

Release Date: 12.16.19

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Blurb

Stefan Holt left home at nineteen, guitar in hand, determined that couch-surfing would be better than staying with his mother. He finally lands with Megan, an old band-mate, and they decide to resurrect their rock n’ roll dreams to get them out of their opioid-riddled small town. Unfortunately, neither of them is much of a lyricist.

Han Westfall works at the local library, where he lives to rec poetry to the handsome, mysterious guy who brings in his guitar and stays all day. Han writes lines of his own, and when Stefan finally asks to see them, their musical chemistry clicks—and it brings them closer, faster than either of them imagined possible. They name their new band Virginie, ostensibly in honor of their Appalachian roots.

They’ll have to work through band in-fighting, revenge porn, homophobic taunts, family addictions, parental drama, and their own inner demons to make things work, both in love and in music. But if they can make it, maybe they won’t just get out of town. Maybe they’ll rise up and take everyone with them.

Buy Link: https://amzn.to/38wQexM

Excerpt

“I get hard every time you sing something we wrote,” he said.

My breath hitched. I remembered the first time he’d come over, when I’d noticed his package after we worked on “Locker Room.” I’d just started to assume he had a big dick or was into freeballing, from the amount of peen outline he always had going on.

But not always, now he mentioned it. Only when…

He tilted his head, brushed his lips against my cheek, then my neck, and breathed into my ear. “That was so goddamn hot, watching them eat out of your hand like that. I’m so fucking horny right now.”

Yeah, and he’d passed it on to me. I couldn’t even think, let alone form words. I just nudged at him, experimentally ghosted my lips across his cheekbone, and pulled him tighter against me.

Stefan turned his head and pressed his lips against mine. I’d kissed people before, but it was always awkward and sometimes ended with me laughing. This was… something else. He parted my lips under his, licked at the back of my front teeth, and sucked my tongue into his mouth. He knew exactly what he was doing and exactly what he wanted, and whatever that was, I was sure I wanted it too.

He kissed me up against the wall for long, slow moments, his hips rocking like they did when he played, me trying to keep up, trying to give in, not sure what to do but letting him show me. I reached around and slipped my hand into his back pocket, and he pushed my legs apart and wedged between them, propping me up against the door. That put his cock against mine, rubbing hard through our jeans, making us gasp into each other’s mouths. He tugged at my hair, and I squeezed his ass, and then we started all over again.

He pushed his free hand up my shirt, and I suddenly wished I’d done more sit-ups. His finger snagged in my navel, and he smiled against my lips. For a second, I wondered if he was laughing at how squishy my middle was. Then I realized he was just having fun. When he pulled back, that glint was still in his eyes, and he asked, “Can I suck you off?”

I had never been asked this question before and definitely hadn’t expected it from Stefan. Stupidly, I said, “A-are you… you sure?”

“I’ve never been more fucking sure about anything.” He reached behind me, flipped the lock, and dragged me over to the raggedy love seat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katey Hawthorne is an avid reader and writer of superpowered and paranormal romance, even though the only degree she holds is in the history of art. (Or, possibly, because the only degree she holds is in the history of art.) Originally from the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia, she currently lives in Ohio with her family, two cats, and two huge puppies. In her spare time she enjoys travel, comic books, B-movies, loud music, video games, Epiphones, and Bushmills. Her favorite causes include animal rescue and bisexual representation in media. She is an unashamed fangirl and collects nerdy tattoos like she’s trying to prove it.

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