A Jeri Review: Charlie’s Hero (Heroes #1) by Nic Starr

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Charlie's Hero coverSchoolteacher Charlie Matthews returns to his hometown, looking to regain a sense of community, reconnect with friends, and settle down. It looks like his dreams have come true when paramedic Josh Campbell attends an accident at the school. It’s love at first sight, and a romance begins.

But Josh’s reluctance to come out to the brother who raised him, puts pressure on their fledgling relationship. While Charlie understands Josh’s concerns, he can’t help growing impatient. After all, Charlie came out years ago.

It’s not until Charlie confronts his own parents and realizes he hasn’t come to terms with their rejection that he fully understands what Josh has to lose. But Josh is Charlie’s hero, and Josh will do anything to prove to Charlie that to be part of a family, he doesn’t need his parents.

This book was super sweet and low on angst. A happy read.

Josh is a paramedic called to a school for a hurt child. Charlie is a teacher on the playground that day and spots Josh immediately. He never thinks he will see him again, until the day the paramedics come back for a show and tell type event.

Josh is in the closet to almost everyone- especially his brother who raised him after their father died. Josh refuses to be in the closet. He is who he is, even though his parents rejected him. They begin a tentative relationship, but Charlie doesn’t realize that Josh is hiding.

Their relationship is organic and sweet. No insta-love or insta-sex. Which is nice. They are romancing each other. Until it is time for Josh to set the record straight with his brother.

I really liked Charlie’s best friend in the story. I really love when a gay character has straight friends. Especially straight best friends that aren’t women. That stereotype is getting old. But this was refreshing. The guy was really funny as well.

Josh’ brother seems like a jerk, but, well…you’ll see. Things definitely change there.

For a light hearted romp with just a little heartbreak and angst, definitely read this one. And the follow up “Andrew’s Promise”. That review shortly…

The cover art by Bree Archer drew me in immediately. I love a cover that depicts the characters as written in the book. Well done.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) |  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published June 17th 2015 by Dreamspinner
original titleCharlie’s Hero
ISBN139781634760959
edition languageEnglish
seriesHeroes #1, Heroes #1

Down Under Author: Nic Starr

STRW down Under Banner sm Hearts

Meet Nic Starr!

Nic Starr blog banner Final

Nic Starr is the author of recent releases in her It’s Not Easy, A Day At A Time, and many others.

To get to know Nic Starr a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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Author Bio 1

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi.

Author Contacts

Contacts/Follow  Nic Starr at :
Twitter https://twitter.com/nicstar000
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/nicstar000/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8139967.Nic_Starr
Website: http://www.nicstarr.com
Blog: http://www.nicstarr.com
Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/blog/nic-starr
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nicki.nicstar

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Author Books Stories Down Under1 copy

Your Books:

 

  Covers - Dec 2014 - 2

 

It’s Not Easy (available at Dreamspinner Press) Book Details and Blurb:Its Not Easy cover

Ben Cooper gave up on following his dreams to keep the peace in his family. Best friend Spencer Henderson has always been Ben’s rock. For Spence, who is in love with Ben, supporting Ben always came first, but as Ben starts to date their friend Suzie, Spence has to think of himself for the first time. The ramifications of one fateful night means leaving their small town may be Spence’s only option to protect his broken heart.

With trouble escalating at home and Spence out of reach, Ben finds it harder to cope. Without Spence’s help, Ben’s life may finally spiral out of control.
ebook, 130 pages
Published July 23rd 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published July 22nd 2014)
original titleIt’s Not Easy
ISBN139781632160171

A Day at a Time (available at Dreamspinner Press): Book Details and Blurb:A Day At A Time Cover

Sean Vargos is quiet, well respected, and dedicated to his job. But Dave Simpson sees Sean as more than a coworker. He’s fought his attraction to Sean for months but can’t get him out of his thoughts.

They tentatively embark on a relationship, but Sean isn’t all that he seems. He struggles to put his past behind him and overcome his fears.

Dave, with his good looks and open nature, accepts that sometimes Sean’s doubts get the better of him and he runs. Dave just wants the chance to show Sean he can be trusted and the past doesn’t have to dictate their future.
ebook, 78 pages
Published October 29th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632161215

More Than a Superstar (available from Dreamspinner Press) Book Details and Blurb:More than A Superstar cover

Sam Miller’s dreams are simple—to give back to the aunt who supported him since his mother’s death and to have a family of his own. He focuses on making a success of their catering business Poppy’s Pantry, and his close group of friends. However, when Aunt Poppy ends up in the hospital, it’s a stranger Sam meets in the corridor who gives him the support he needs.

Rob Taylor is a man with secrets. His life in the public eye has taken its toll, and now he lives with the repercussions. When he finds himself falling for Sam, he knows things are finally going his way.

But just as Sam and Rob find their happiness, another secret threatens to tear them apart.
ebook, 106 pages
Expected publication: December 17th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632162977
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://nicstarr.com/ni

Waiting, Hoping, Wishing (Love’s Landscapes) Book Blurb and Details:Wishing Waiting Hoping

Dear Author,
He’s been waiting for that text for more than a week. Please tell us either what happens next or what happened to get him here and whether he frowns or smiles next.

Photo Description:
A gorgeous young man is lying on a bed in nothing but his grey boxer briefs. He is clean-cut with a tanned, smooth and beautifully defined body. He should be enjoying the luxurious bed with its crisp, white linens as he relaxes in the hotel room, but his look is pensive. In the first photo, he is clearly worried and slightly sad. In the second photo, he is focused on his phone, as if it can provide the answers he is looking for.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love’s Landscapes” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
ebook, 58 pages
Published July 18th 2014 by M/M Romance Group @ Goodreads
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.mmromancegroup.com/waiting-hoping-wishing-by-nic-starr/
seriesLove’s Landscapes
charactersDean Clark, Matt (Waiting, Hoping, Wishing)
settingSydney (Australia)

Genre(s): m/m romance, contemporary

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Nic Starr) is an eBook copy of A Day At A Time. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt “word or phrase” in bold green . Collect all the words from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

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A Guest Blog by Nic Starr….and Happy Australia Day!

 

  The Great Aussie Public Holiday by Nic Starr

Ferrython

 

There’s something you should know about us Australians – we LOVE our Public Holidays – a day off work or school, a chance to have a long weekend, an excuse to eat, drink and be merry.

We don’t need a reason for a public holiday, we’ll celebrate anything. We celebrate the Queen’s Birthday (although nothing much about it is related to the monarchy), Labour Day (it’s just a day off work) and a horse race. Yes, you read correctly. The lucky folk in the state of Victoria, have a gazetted public holiday for the running of the Melbourne Cup. The rest of us in other states are supposed to work, but having a Melbourne Cup lunch and stopping to watch the race in the mid-afternoon, has become a bit of a tradition. This is why the Melbourne Cup is known as the race that stops the nation.

Today, the 26th January, is Australia Day. It’s the day we celebrate everything Australian. And it’s the one Public Holiday that means the most to me. It’s a day for reflecting on the wonderful country we live in and recognizing Australian achievers. It always reminds me that we DO live in the lucky country, with a diverse culture and many blessings.

Australia Day is all about our Australian flag, the green and gold, lamb on the barbecue and a cold beer. It’s about going to the beach, getting together with family and friends. It’s about fireworks.

This Australia Day, my hubby and my girls are at the Sydney Cricket Ground watching the Australian Cricket Team play in a One Day game against India – you can’t get more Aussie than that! I’m spending the day with my mum and friends having a barbie while overlooking all the activity on Sydney Harbour.

As I watch the boats on the harbour and the Sydney ferries, decorated with their balloons and banners, competing in the iconic Ferrython, I’m will be thinking of my dad. He was very patriotic and adored this great country. He raised an Australian flag every day but this special day gave him even more reason to be proud.

So here’s to my dad who’s no longer with us, and here’s to Australia! ❤

*The Ferrython is a race held every Australia Day where Sydney ferries compete against each other for the honour of winning. They race from Circular Quay to Shark Island and back to a big finish directly under the Sydney Harbor Bridge which makes a great finishing line. The photo above was taken a few years ago when I had the privilege to be on one of the ferries during the race.