A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Love on Location by Lucy Felthouse and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

love-on-location-audiobookShort and sweet, this story is narrated by the very talented Joel Leslie, thereby increasing my enjoyment exponentially.

Theo Samuels is an actor, filming on location in the village of Stoneydale. There he meets Eddie Henderson, who’s working the set in a minor job, but Theo can’t seem to keep his eyes off Eddie and it appears the attraction is mutual.  That’s actually the last thing Theo wants because he’s deeply closeted and worried that coming out would affect his career.  But the two can’t deny their attraction and when they are caught in the rain one day while out sightseeing, they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Bemoaning the fact that Theo lives in London and Eddie lives in Stoneydale where he’s hoping to find a better job, they decide that they’ll just stay together temporarily and deal with their separation the next time Theo takes off to do another role. Knowing they’ll find it difficult to part, now or in the future, they take a chance and Eddie heads to London with Theo.

Without revealing any more of the fairly short plot, I can say that they do get their HEA. This story is low level angst, with two sweet MCs and an outstanding narrator. Thinking of picking up the audiobook? Don’t hesitate.

The bright, attractive cover depicts two handsome men, well representing the story.

Sales Links

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook
Published September 30th 2016
ASINB01M0XWJKU
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/love-on-location/

An Alisa Audiobook Review: Lights, Camera, Cupid, the Bluewater Bay Anthology

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

lightscameracupid_audiobook-1Cupid is visiting Bluewater Bay, and he’s leaving chaos in his wake.

 

Nothing’s been the same in this sleepy little logging town since Hollywood came to shoot the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing—especially Valentine’s Day.

 

In L.A. Witt’s Just Another Day, beloved actors Levi Pritchard and Carter Samuels have an announcement for their fans, while in Z.A. Maxfield’s I’ll Be There, actor Spencer Kepler and his boyfriend Nash Holly brave a blizzard and a fan convention to spend their first February the 14th together.

 

Of course, it’s not just TV stars celebrating the day. In Anne Tenino’s Helping Hand, an aspiring artist eager to escape Bluewater Bay decides he just might have a reason to stay: lust-inspiring logger Gabriel Savage. In SE Jakes’s No Easy Way, a local teacher reconnects with an old lover working security on the film set. And in Amy Lane’s Nascha, a Bluewater Bay elder recalls how his own unconventional family used to celebrate the holiday.

 

Real life may be nothing like TV, but when Cupid comes to town, there’s plenty of romance and drama to go around.

 

This was a nice collection of stories; it was nice seeing a few characters again along with a few new ones.  These stories can mostly be read as stand-alone, but events from the characters books could be helpful and, after looking ahead, some of the other stories are kind of a pre-quel to some more books later in the series.

 

Just Another Day by LA Witt 5 stars out of 5

It was great to see Levi and Carter again.  Levi learns that Valentine’s Day isn’t always about a token expensive gift, but being with the one you love.  Levi continues to struggle with being in an actual relationship, but can see everywhere he turns how perfect it is to have Carter in his life.

 

Nascha by Amy Lane – 4 stars out of 5

This was a nice, but very depressing.  We get a look at the life of Nascha and his family.  He gave up a lot to take care of his niece and her family, but in the end gets the chance to re-connect with his lover Raw.  I loved Nascha and my heart broke when he had to give up his lovers and then the death of one after they had reconnected.

 

No Easy Way by SE Jakes – 3 stars out of 5

Cary has pretty much been just been existing since his boyfriend, Dylan, left.  Dylan has been in the military for years and finally got the courage to come home and try to win Cary back.  That Dylan was willing to take the verbal abuse from Cary for so long without explaining was a miracle.  Though this was an interesting story, I had trouble connecting with the characters.

 

Helping Hand by Anne Tenino – 3 stars out of 5

Lucas cannot wait for the chance to get out of Bluewater Bay, he has nothing to keep him here.  He feels like the outsider in his family and the town.  It isn’t until after he is pretty much forced to come out to his family that he finds out he isn’t quite as different as he thought.  When Lucas and Gabe connect and then Gabe pushes Lucas away my heart just absolutely broke for him.  I am interested to see what happens to them when I get to their book.

 

I’ll Be There by ZA Maxfield – 5 stars out of 5

I loved Nash and Spencer in their book and it was great to see them again.  They both need and love each other so much, it’s wonderful.  I loved the look we got at Nash’s twin, Healey, too.

Nick Russo and Dorian Bane did a nice job narrating these story.  They really brought the characters to life through the voices and emotions they portrayed.

 

Cover art by LC Chase is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

 

Sales Links:  Riptide | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

 

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 6 hrs 22 min
Published: September 26, 2016 (ebook first published February 9, 2015)
Edition Language: English

Series: A Bluewater Bay Story

A MelanieM Review: Summer Season (Treading the Boards #2) by Rebecca Cohen

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

summer-season-by-rebecca-cohenA trip down to Cornwall is just what Ryan Penniford needs to recover from the daily grind of London life. Ryan and his amateur dramatics society, the Sarky Players, are traveling to Porthcurno to perform at the stunning Minack Theatre.

Stuart Box has returned to Cornwall after earning his PhD, and is killing time as he looks for a job back in London. Spending time with Ryan from the Sarky Players is a great way to take his mind off things.

During their first meeting, sparks fly, but not in a good way, and they must work to get past their initial hostilities to discover they have great off-stage chemistry. Stuart soon learns Ryan is not the superficial man people assume he is, and Stuart likes what he sees. The feeling is entirely mutual.

Pity Ryan is only visiting for two weeks, but both men want to see where this holiday romance might take them.

Summer Season (Treading the Boards #2) by Rebecca Cohen continues the romantic ventures of a local amateur dramatics society called the Sarky Players.   In the first story, Overly Dramatic, it was Andy and Phil who got their HEA, leaving a certain Ryan Penniford to wonder why neither man thought he someone worth pursuing.  Here he gets his answer.  Its because he hadn’t found the man for him yet.  Ryan meets that person when he travels to Porthcurno to perform with the Sarky Players at the famed Minack Theatre.

I’ve included a photo in the review only because if you aren’t familiar with this theatre (I confess I wasn’t before this story), you will be afterwards.  Its as much a major character as any of the other players and rightfully so.  It provides the dramatic backdrop not only for a successful run during the story of Shakespeare’s A Midsummerminack02 Night’s Dream by the Sarky Players with Ryan as a sexy Puck but the romantic setting of sea and village can make anyone fall in love.  Its magic.  We can imagine it because Rebecca Cohen brings that magic out on the page and into the scenes, from the salt on the sea air and the dolphins dancing on the water behind the actors to the walks down the lane.  You get it.  And want to hop on the next plane out to experience it all for yourself.

We get two points of view here, which is nice.  Stuart is at that uncertain place in his life. His degree done, he’s returned home to send out resumes and think about his next step.  So we see all his jumbled thoughts about his future, and the questions in his mind about what to do next. Home includes a wildly unconventional mother who I adored and a pair of neighbors who figured large in his upbringing.  One of which manages the Minack and brings Stuart back into helping out with the new production which is coming into the village.

The other pov is Ryan’s who is a player on the surface, and the total opposite once the layers are removed.  Only he’s hesitant to remove his layers for anyone to see for fear of being hurt.  One person in transition, the other there for only two weeks and afraid of being hurt.  But Cohen shows us that the right place, the right timing, the right people and yes, the magic can happen and feel real.

I am not a believer in “insta love” and part of this still feels a little too fast for my liking.  Yes, too summer holiday.  But they text, and call, and continue to connect once the holiday is over.  And that made it believable for me.  They worked for it.  They traveled to see each other.  I liked that about this story.  It wasn’t a “insta love” and boom they were HEA.  No things had to be worked out. Jobs, housing.  RL issues.  Yet the romance didn’t falter either.

I was actually sorry to say goodbye to Porthcurno and be back in London again.  But that’s where the Sarky Players call home and there’s another story yet to come.  I would love to see the Sarky Players take another road trip.  This one turned out fantastic. I learned about The Minack Theatre and read a lovely romance.  The Sarky Players are such a sweet, fun group. I definitely recommend you make their acquaintance.  Each and every one, from Overly Dramatic to Summer Season.  You don’t need to read the first one to read this one.  Each sort of operates as a standalone, putting them together, however, is a definite plus!  And there’s one more to come.

Cover art by Paul Richmond captures almost every major story element.  Its amazing.  From Ryan as Pan with Stewart watching to the famous Minack Theatre in Cornwall, its perfection.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 127 pages
Published October 7th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
Original TitleSummer Season
ISBN 1634762738 (ISBN13: 9781634762731)
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series: Treading the Boards – add them to your Goodreads shelf here:

Series Recap Tour – Summer Season (Treading The Boards #2) – Rebecca Cohen (giveaway)

Summer Season (Treading The Boards #2) 

 Rebecca Cohen

Length: 37,415 words
 
 
 
Series 
 
Overly Dramatic (Treading The Boards #1)
He’s Behind You (Treading The Boards #3)
 
Blurb

A trip down to Cornwall is just what Ryan Penniford needs to recover from the daily grind of London life. Ryan and his amateur dramatics society, the Sarky Players, are traveling to Porthcurno to perform at the stunning Minack Theatre.

Stuart Box has returned to Cornwall after earning his PhD, and is killing time as he looks for a job back in London. Spending time with Ryan from the Sarky Players is a great way to take his mind off things.

During their first meeting, sparks fly, but not in a good way, and they must work to get past their initial hostilities to discover they have great off-stage chemistry. Stuart soon learns Ryan is not the superficial man people assume he is, and Stuart likes what he sees. The feeling is entirely mutual.

Pity Ryan is only visiting for two weeks, but both men want to see where this holiday romance might take them.

 
Author Bio

REBECCA COHEN is a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, she has left London behind and now lives with her husband and young son in Basel, Switzerland. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.

Contacts:
Blog: http://rebeccacohenwrites.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.cohen.710
Twitter: http://twitter.com/R_Cohen_writes

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Posy Roberts is Talking Inspiration Behind the ‘Stroke of Luck’ by Posy Roberts (guest post and excerpt)

stroke-of-luck-by-posy-roberts

Stroke of Luck by Posy Roberts

 

My best friend has an upcycling business. That means she takes sturdy, old furniture that is ugly as sin, because of dated finishes, and turns it into something fabulous that people fight over when she sells it. So this last September, I went to Goodwill with her to hunt down pieces with good bones. I found treasure of my own: dishes. As I was driving away, a woman crashed into the back end of my car. Bye-bye tail light and bumper.posycar

Hello story!

That experience was the impetus for Stroke of Luck. That, and one of my fave holidays: Halloween. And fate. And small worlds. And destiny pushing people together over and over again to give them multiple chances to get it right.

Marc and Cas meet at Goodwill while Cas looks for Halloween costume ideas. It doesn’t go well since Marc laughs at Cas’s choice of jackets. Cas is a defensive sort, a guy who flies off the handle, and he’s a bit of a hothead. Marc, on the other hand, is laid back and cautious. He’s even more cautious than usual at the start of the story because everything he owned burned in a fire and he’s essentially living off the charity of others. That’s why Marc is at Goodwill, furnishing a kitchen on a scant one hundred dollars. And he comes up short.

Despite their attraction for each other, they don’t get it right the first time they meet. Or the second. But the world keeps shoving them back together with one unfortunate situation after the other, which ends up doing something wonderful. Both men learn a great deal about each other before they’re finally given a chance to get it right. Marc learns how loyal and protective Cas is about his best friend, Maisie, and Cas learns Marc is helpful and kind, with all the rough edges he’s used to in a man already worn away.

Can you tell I’m a little bit in love with both of these men? This was so fun to write. It was exciting to write about two bisexual men who also practice what I try to practice in my own life: never assuming a person’s sexuality. Being bi, myself, I’ve been labeled straight because I’m married to a man, and when I get together with other bi and pan people, we often talk about how frustrating this is. So to be able to write about two men who refused to have their sexuality defined by their bed partners and who are also unwilling to make those assumptions about each other… yeah, it was like coming home, which is why I dedicated it to those who refuse to make assumptions.

This is a feel-good book that should leave you smiling and ready to head for your local Goodwill to put together costumes for whatever Cosplay you’re into. But consider backing into your parking spot so when you leave, you don’t get your tail end bashed in.

For those of you who follow along with my flavor ratings on books, this is sweet with a little bit of kink involved.

You’re gonna fall in love with me. You’re already halfway there.

strokeofluckf1After everything Marc owned burned to a crisp, he’s living off the kindness of others. A model condo is his temporary home, and his last dime went to essentials. He doesn’t need another distraction, but the fates conspire against him, setting up a chain of encounters that bring him face to face with Cas.

Cas’s love life has been in limbo for years, lovers moving on as soon as they discover how close he is to his best friend, Maisie. Then he meets Marc. The attraction between the two men can’t be denied, but Cas isn’t sure he can risk his friendship for a guy who will only end up leaving when he sees how close he and Maisie are.

When Marc and Cas discover they live in the same building, it’s kismet. But Marc has to invite chaos into his life if he and Cas stand a chance, and Cas faces a choice between friendship and love. Luck may be on their side… if they’re willing to risk it all.

Genre: MM Romance, contemporary, bisexual, LGBT, Halloween, friendship, love, fate
Length: Novella, 25,000 words
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Buy Links (On KU for 90 days)

Amazon UShttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M29RHHU
Universal AmazonmyBook.to/StrokeofLuck
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32790522-stroke-of-luck

Real. Genuine. Love.

image009Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is a Jill of all trades and master of the drill and paintbrush. She’s married to a partner who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep during her writing frenzies. Her daughter, a budding author and cinematographer, helps her come up with character names. For fun, Posy enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make regular life more interesting.

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A MelanieM Release Day Review: After the Sunset (Timing #2) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5 

after-the-sunset-by-mary-calmes-iiTwo years after riding off into the sunset with ranch owner Rand Holloway, Stefan Joss has made a tentative peace with his new life, teaching at a community college. But the course of true love never does run smooth. Rand wants him home on the ranch; Stef wants an exit strategy in case Rand ever decides to throw him out. Finally, after recognizing how unfair he’s being, Stef makes a commitment, and Rand is over the moon.

When Stef gets the chance to prove his devotion, he doesn’t hesitate—despite the risk to his health—and Rand takes the opportunity to show everyone that sometimes life’s best surprises come after the sunset.

I first read After the Sunset (Timing #2) by Mary Calmes when it came out in 2011, so I wondered how I would feel about it diving into this couple and series the second time around.  Honestly, I think I’ve loved it even more.  Something about Rand and Stef just resonate with me.  They have from the first story, Timing, and the joy and satisfaction I got from reading this sequel returned all over again.

After the Sunset moves the time frame for the series ahead two years.  Rand and Stef have settled into life on the Red Diamond, well, sort of.  Adjustments are still being made.  Stef is now teaching at a community college and the ranch is becoming more self sufficient as Rand expands his business with Stef’s help. Sounds great, right?  With Rand and Stef nothing is ever that easy.  With their past histories, their complication personal dynamics, and a somewhat messy family relationships about to push into their lives, things are going to get lively…Mary Calmes style.

That means that Stef’s need to make a commitment to Rand and the ranch will come into play yet again.  This time for the doubting ranch hands who are not only a cornerstone of the ranch’s success but have become part of the family there as well.  I love how this is their story too.  We get to see more of life on the Diamond, the secondary characters, and Rand’s extended family.  It all becomes necessary to know them better as people and as part of the ranch to get Stef settled deeper into ranch life and as a permanent fixture there as a half of the Rand/Stef couple.

There is so much drama here.  Between Stef and Rand’s cousins, Stef and a few local homophobes, plus all the amazing Stef and Rand sexy interaction.  That I  can never get enough of.  For me they just sizzle.   I love the dynamic they have  going on.  I don’t specifically categorize it because I get it with this couple.  It works for me, and I just find them hot.

One character get a spotlight on him here and that’s Glenn Holloway.  We met him briefly in the first book but his role is hugely expanded here for reasons I won’t go into because they run into spoiler territory.  I ended up liking Glenn.  He went from your basic jerk on the range to someone you start to understand and connect with towards the end.  Which is probably is really good thing considering the next story features Glenn as the main character.

So I’ve completed Timing and After The Sunset once more.  And fallen in love all over again with Stef and Rand and the Red Diamond and its crew.  Even Bella the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a huge place in my heart.  Mary Calmes series has a way of doing that.  They burrow in deep and even if its been awhile since you’ve visited with them, one visit brings all the reasons flooding back why you loved them so in the first place.  And yes, I highly recommend this series.  Coming up next?  When the Dust Settles (Timing, #3).  I’ll let you know what I find.

New cover by Reese Dante is darn near perfect. I think she has Stef captured exactly how I think he looks.  Truly one of Mary’s golden boys.

Sales Links

        

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 169 pages
Expected publication: November 2nd 2016 by Dreamspinner Press (first published August 16th 2011)
ISBN 1634777131 (ISBN13: 9781634777131)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Timing – add it to your Goodreads shelf here:

Love A Wonderful Supernatural Romance? Check Out Tara Lain’s “Spell Cat” (Excerpt and Giveaway)

 

Spell Cat
by Tara Lain 
 
Blurb:
When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.
Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle — convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.
With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
(Don’t forget to check out Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’s Review Here…Its a Recommended Read!
Available for purchase at
            

 

Also available in paperback
Excerpt

Blaine was standing at the end of the counter a few feet away, staring at Killian.

How long could a witch live with his heart stopped?

Oh gods. He understood. Heat. The way he felt this moment dwarfed every emotion he’d had with Moran by a thousand. A million. The chasm between indifference and… passion. His heart beat fast, his breath caught in his chest, and his eyes never wanted to look on another sight, just Blaine.

He ought to run, but whether away or straight to Blaine, he wasn’t sure.

“Mrwar.”

Blaine seemed to catch the welcome in that meow. He smiled and took a step closer. “Hi, Al. Good to see you, buddy.”

Aloysius unwrapped himself from Killian’s neck, did one bound off the tabletop, and launched himself into Blaine’s waiting arms. Oh Powers, would that Killian could do the same. He actually had to hold himself still, or he knew he’d follow the cat.

Blaine petted Al as the cat did his imitation of a moving fur coat, purring so loudly Killian could hear him, even a few feet away. “You seem happy to see me, anyway.” He looked up. “Are you happy to see me, Killian?”

Killian nodded. Correction—his head nodded. He had no power over it.

Blaine walked even closer. “Could I have lunch with you? Talk to you?”

The head nodded again.

The human slipped into the chair beside Killian. Sweet Powers, he smelled so wonderful. That sweet and spice together.

“This sure is one great cat. Where did you get him?”

Killian cleared his throat. “Gift, uh, a gift from my mother.”

Blaine chucked Al under the chin, and the cat let him. “My mother hates cats.” He looked up, and Killian swam into the pools of deep green. “Of course, my mother hates me, so she’s not likely to give me the time of day, much less a pet.”

“Surely not.”

He grinned. “That she hates me? Oh yeah. I keep defying her by choosing to be gay when her preacher has clearly cleansed me of this delusion at least ten times, so she washed her hands of me.”

“But you didn’t choose—Oh, you’re joking.”

Blaine’s grin faded. “I wish it were a joke. Then a lot of beaten-up, confused kids would have parents who loved and understood them.”

There were worse things than having a manipulative witch for a mother. “I’m so sorry, Blaine. I didn’t mean it like that.”

Blaine smiled. “I never thought you were making fun. I just have a weird sense of humor sometimes.”

Then he did it. He put his hand on Killian’s arm. Such a simple gesture. Flash! Heat blazed in Killian’s head, and hot steel filled his cock. Blaine started and pulled his hand away. Those green eyes widened, and he stared at Killian like he was either the answer to a dream or a cobra, and Blaine wasn’t sure which. “Holy shit!”

Killian tried to make sense of his brain synapses and grasped at the first thought. “Uh, food—did you want food?”

Blaine leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I want to eat with you and talk to you and sleep with you and take you home with me. But right now I want to make love to you so badly I’m having trouble focusing.”

There was that head nod again. Where the fuck did that come from?

“Does that mean you want to make love to me too?”

Killian stared at Blaine, the human physics professor whose simplest touch could drain a witch’s power until his own mother didn’t know him and his people couldn’t benefit from his great sperm and—and all that dogma. The answer was yes. He did want to make love to Blaine. He wanted it more than anything. The evil witch voice piped up in his head. Yep, these humans are tempting. That’s how the witch race got so depleted. He was the strongest male witch in ten generations. That had to be worth something. He’d never had a really satisfying relationship with a man, even for a short time. He wanted one. Didn’t he deserve just a little happiness before he gave his life for his people? He’d tried it the right way, the witch-stamp-of-approval way, and nearly got his back broken for his trouble.

Blaine was staring at Killian like he was in suspended animation; only the fingertips that scratched Al’s head moved. There. That was it. Blaine had the best possible credentials. Aloysius, who was no dumb cat, adored the human… and so did Killian. Just that simple. He didn’t care if he rotted in witch oblivion, or if he lost some of his fabled power. How much damage could he do in such a little while? “Yes.”

Blaine came to life. “Excuse me?”

“Yes. Please take me home with you.” He swallowed. “And all those other things.”

Blaine’s smile lit like a midwinter bonfire.

“Mwrarrrrr, mrrrrrwarrrr, mrrrrwarrrr.”

The bloody cat was singing while he slithered around Blaine’s neck in some happy dance known only to strange and powerful blue-eyed familiars.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain

               



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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Pansies (Spires Universe) by Alexis Hall

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

pansies-by-alexis-hallWhew!  I’m emotionally exhausted from following just a few weeks in the lives of Alfie and Fen as they rediscover each other and move their relationship forward from enemies to lovers.

When Alfie leaves his posh London apartment, secured with money he’s made while working as a financial guru for the past seven years, he drives in his equally posh sports car back to his hometown of South Shields in Northern England where nothing is posh.  It’s rundown and depressing, and yet he feels hopeful and renewed by getting in touch with his roots.  A night out has an unexpected result—he spies a hot twink with long hair and a gorgeous ass in the local bar, but when the two end up in bed together he learns this isn’t a stranger at all.  It’s the guy he knew as James in high school—a guy who he bullied and tortured to the point where James’s life was so miserable he went by his middle name, instead of his real name of Fenimore, nicknamed Fen.  And Fen is shocked when he learns Alfie doesn’t recognize him at all, but he sets Alfie straight when he gives him the tongue-lashing he deserves—and not the kind of tongue Alfie may have been hoping for.

Though the story was long, I enjoyed the fact that the author took the time to explore each man’s personality and psyche individually and then together, weaving memories of their pasts with the present, unfurling Alfie’s feelings of his discovery of being gay, and then of falling in love, and finally, of realizing what love really means and of coming to terms with who he is.  At times heartbreaking, at times infused with humor, each man’s story is unique, and yet the stories are easily intertwined to bring the couple to the present where they discover a love neither had envisioned and neither is willing to give up.

I was swept up in their story, at times rooting for Alfie, at times crying for Fen, and once—wanting to smack Alfie upside the head for listening to advice from Fen’s father.  Thankfully, the story ended with a HEA—always the best ending in my opinion.  I recommend this to those who enjoy MM romance, especially a romance that takes the time to fully develop between two men who were at odds previously and now learn to appreciate the best and worst in each other’s lives.

The cover by Simoné is fantastic!  In fact, I chose the book based on the cover. It clearly depicts Pansies, the flower shop around which the story is based, and it shows the couple in a joyous moment—big, muscular Alfie, holding a smaller, lithe Fen as they laugh together in front of the shop.

Sales Links

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Riptide Publishing

All Romance | iBooks | Kobo

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 376 pages
Published October 8th 2016 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitlePansies
ASINB01M8FV8RB
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSpires Universe

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Romancing the Wrong Twin by Clare London

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

romancing-the-wrong-twinHow tangled can a romantic web get?

When gruff mountaineer Dominic Hartington-George seeks sponsorship for his latest expedition, his London PA insists on a more media-friendly profile—like dating celebrity supermodel Zeb Z.

Zeb can’t make the date, so he asks his identical twin, Aidan, to stand in for just one evening. Aidan, a struggling playwright, shuns the limelight to the extent people don’t even know Zeb has a sibling, but he reluctantly agrees.

When the deception has to continue beyond the first date, Aidan fights to keep up the pretense. Dominic likes his sassy, intelligent companion, and Aidan starts falling for the forthright explorer. But how long can Aidan’s conscience cope as confusion abounds? Will coming clean as “the other twin” destroy the trust they’ve built?

I am so hooked on these Dreamspun Romances from Dreamspinner that I can’t wait to get my hands on them as the pop up.  Each one gives our old romance novels  (aka Silhouette or whatever brand you may have gobbled up)and their well used, often loved themes a LGBTQIA twist.

In Romancing the Wrong Twin, Clare London uses, yes, that delicious plot of switched identity and twins.    One twin?  A famous male model, fabulous, sexy,  and a serial dater.  His brother?  Quiet, in the theatre, a writer and director in need of money for his play.  The stage is definitely set for fun and romance and London makes the most of the format by adding in a bear of a mountaineer, Dom, in need of a backer for his climb up Mt. Eiger.  Why not have the famous mountaineer “date” the famous model? After all they share a ad agency…should be a cat walk.  Or not when one famous brother asks the not so famous one to be his Stand-in.

I had a bit of difficulty the first couple of pages.  A case of too much description of extraneous things getting in the way of connecting me to the characters but once I met the irascible Dom and his crew the story started to click.  It got better when Aidan and his theatre troupe came into the story.  You could see how much Aidan was struggling to make it and the affection that all his actors/friends had for him.  That background gave substance (as well as his feelings for his twin) to the reason behind the switch that was pulled.  It wasn’t a lark.  London established a foundation for her plot and it made the story viable.

Aidan and Dom made a great couple.  London gave them the right amount of chemistry and sexy scenes.  I adored them.  And there was just enough  anticipatory angst built into the plot to make you wonder close to the end of the story how the revelation would be handled.  Nicely done.

But one other thing surprised me.  Zeb, Aidan’s brother.  There’s a plot twist here.  I don’t know if I missed his story or if London (please say yes) has his story coming out.  We need to know Zeb’s story too.  How about a Romancing the Right Twin?  Surely that’s in the works?  I’ll be on the lookout, but in the meantime grab up Romancing the Wrong Twin by Clare London.  Its a fun, sweet romance in the Dreamspun Desires series from Dreamspinner Press.  Its one I recommend.

Cover art by  Paul Richmond continues to work well to brand the series and the story.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, Dreamspun Desires #21, 256 pages
Expected publication: November 1st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
Original TitleRomancing the Wrong Twin
ISBN 1634773721 (ISBN13: 9781634773720)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Release Blitz and Review Tour – Romancing The Wrong Twin by Clare London (excerpt and giveaway)

Clare London – Romancing The Wrong Twin

Author: Clare London
 
Release Date: November 1 2016
 
Length: 59,000 words
 
 

Blurb:
How tangled can a romantic web get?When gruff mountaineer Dominic Hartington-George seeks sponsorship for his latest expedition, his London PA insists on a more media-friendly profile—like dating celebrity supermodel Zeb Z.Zeb can’t make the date, so he asks his identical twin, Aidan, to stand in for just one evening. Aidan, a struggling playwright, shuns the limelight to the extent people don’t even know Zeb has a sibling, but he reluctantly agrees.When the deception has to continue beyond the first date, Aidan fights to keep up the pretense. Dominic likes his sassy, intelligent companion, and Aidan starts falling for the forthright explorer. But how long can Aidan’s conscience cope as confusion abounds? Will coming clean as “the other twin” destroy the trust they’ve built?

Excerpt

The pretty young woman who met Aidan at the door smiled warmly. “I’m Tanya, Mr. Hartington-George’s personal assistant. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Z. I’m quite a fan.”
“Zeb,” Aidan said, hoping he hadn’t hesitated for too long. “Please just call me Zeb. And… yes. Thanks.”
“Come on through.” She gestured him into the hallway. “You’re on time.”
Aidan wondered why she sounded surprised at that. He repitched his natural voice a little higher to Zeb’s teasing tone and smiled brightly in return. “Of course.”
A sneaked look in the hallway mirror had him rolling his eyes. Mission accomplished, Zeb! He barely recognized himself. Usually he was most comfortable in a sweatshirt and jeans, but now he was dressed in what Zeb Z would wear on a daily basis: a pair of skintight, distressed-denim jeans with inexplicable splits across the knees; high-top boots in soft purple leather that screamed expensive yet were surprisingly comfortable; and two lightweight T-shirts under an off-the-shoulder, electric blue sweater. Admittedly the blue brought out the color of his eyes—no one ever said Zeb didn’t have a well-developed sense of personal style—but the rest of it made him look like an overaged member of a boy band.
A younger man darted out from what must have been the living room, clutching a leather jacket to his chest as if in protection. He saw Aidan, glanced at Tanya with widening eyes, then back at Aidan. Then he thrust out his hand and said perfectly cheerily, “I’m Eric. He threatens to kill me on a daily basis.”
Aidan just shook hands and nodded. He had no idea what to say to that, or even what it meant.
Tanya frowned at Eric. “Whatever. We’re just going. The car will come for you at seven. In the meantime, if you’d like a drink?”
But Eric took her arm and guided her toward the front door. “They can cope with that themselves, Tanya. Come on.”
And Aidan was left on his own in the hallway.
He took a deep breath to center himself. The house wasn’t huge, but it was in a very fashionable area of Ladbroke Grove and far more luxurious than his own small flat. That said, there wasn’t much furniture and the decoration wasn’t modern. The hallway walls were painted in plain, cool colors. No pictures hung on the walls, and there was only a single bureau and hat stand, albeit in quality wood. Eric had left the living room door ajar behind him, and Aidan took a quick peek inside before announcing himself. From what he could see, again the walls were plain and the furniture sparse. It was as if the owner was in the process of moving out—or had never really settled in.
A male figure paused in front of the half-open door. He was distracted by something on the other side of the room, so Aidan got a first secret glimpse of the man he’d been told so much about.
H-G.
He was much more handsome in real life than on TV, though in most of the documentaries, H-G was wrapped up in furry parkas or oilskins with his face more than half-hidden with a scarf and balaclava. Today he was wearing a very smart pair of dark trousers, a startlingly white dress shirt—which had to be brand-new to still have that sheen—and a well-cut suit jacket that settled comfortably across an impressive set of shoulders. H-G’s hair was a fabulous thatch of dark curls, and he had a dark beard and mustache to match. Guiltily Aidan recalled Zeb’s mischievous nickname: Hairy Guy. But that conjured up a Wild Man of Borneo kind of image, and H-G was far from that. The hair was naturally unruly but had been styled to a level just off his shoulders, and the beard was well trimmed.
Aidan had never been attracted to hairy bears, not that he’d ever had much of a choice. As Zeb had gleefully pointed out more than once, Aidan seemed to attract needy and spiteful wankers who got off on bleeding him dry of any compassion and care. Oh, and his money too.
Okay. Self-pity over, right now. I’m not Loser Aidan now. I’m the charismatic and disgustingly fascinating Zeb Z.
For the first time in this bizarre performance, Aidan felt the tickle of mischief. This just might be fun after all. He pushed the door fully open, walked into the room, and cleared his throat.
H-G turned slowly around to face Aidan fully. His gaze ranged over Aidan’s body, and his eyes widened. “Well. They didn’t lie.”
“Who didn’t? What about?”
H-G raised his eyebrows. “Well, firstly, they said you were a bit feisty.”
Feisty? Aidan hadn’t heard that word outside of romance-novel blurbs.
“And you wouldn’t be fazed by… you know.”
“No, I don’t know. By what?” Aidan bit his lip to stop a laugh escaping.
“My celebrity.”
Jesus. Zeb was right. The man was one big blob of arrogance. “No,” Aidan said coolly. “I’m not.”
“That’s from working in the business, I suppose.”
“Business?” Oh, right, he was meant to be Zeb. “Yes, of course. When you’ve seen so many guys without the spray tan and makeup,” he gabbled without thinking first, “you soon realize they’ve got the same equipment under it all.”
H-G blinked twice, hard. And then he laughed—a loud, bold sound, echoing warmly in the bleak room.
Aidan wanted to laugh with him, but maintained his cool stare. “What’s so funny?” Had he blown it already? He hadn’t even left the house with the man yet.
“They didn’t tell me you were witty, Zeb. I may call you Zeb?”
Why? “Oh yes, right. Of course.”
Dom’s language was quaintly old-fashioned, but Aidan found it rather charming, especially after the theatrical bickering of the Dreamweavers and his brother’s exuberant and affected chatter.
“And secondly?” Aidan prompted.
“I’m sorry?” H-G frowned at him.
God, what a scowl he has. “You said they didn’t lie, and then you gave the first reason.”
H-G raised his eyebrows. “You have a good memory.”
Yes, he does have lovely eyes. “Yes, I do. Especially when I’m listening.”
H-G’s mouth twisted as if he were trying not to smirk. “Secondly, they didn’t lie about your looks, and that you were even better-looking in real life. I concur. You’re bloody gorgeous.”

 



November 1 – BooksLaidBareBoys, The Way She Reads, Hearts On Fire Reviews, From Top To Bottom Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Joyfully Jay
November 3- Sinfully MM Book Reviews, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Carly’s Book Reviews
November 4 – Love Bytes
November 5 – VampryreLady’s All Things Bookish, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
November 7 – The Geekery Book Reviews, Bonkers About Books, Book Lovers 4Ever, Making It Happen, Wicked Faerie’s Tales And Reviews
November 9 – Diverse Reader, Naughty Book Eden, MM Good Book Reviews
November 11- Tara Lain

Author Bio

Clare London took her pen name from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant.


She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic, and sexy characters. 


Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter three stage and plenty of other projects in mind… she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home. 

 

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