Daddy Dearest series by Eli Easton

An Alisa Review: Angels Sing by Eli Easton

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Rating:  3.5 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.

This was a cute story and I thought Jamie’s daughter was adorable even if she was more of the focus of the story than Jamie and Stanton’s relationship.  Now, I love stories with kids but I’m not looking for them to be the main part of the story.

Jamie is so strong and it was easy to see the sacrifices he has made and how it feels like life keeps knocking him down.  I thought Stanton’s horror at teaching first-graders (and having to do a Christmas pageant) was hilarious, he made it such a bigger deal than it needed to be and with Jamie’s help it all came together.  I’m not going to lie though I thought the way Stanton’s mom had been treating the store when she hadn’t even stepped foot in it in years wasn’t right but she ended up coming around.

The cover art is an adorable picture of Stanton and Mia.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 136 pages

Published: December 2, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Daddy Dearest #2

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

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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

Release Blitz and Giveaway for Angels Sing (Daddy Dearest #2) by Eli Easton

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Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
 
Cover Design: Reese Dante
 
Daddy Dearest Series
 

The Daddy Dearest series features single dads. Each book in the series features a new couple and can be read as a stand-alone.


Book #1 – Family Camp – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

 
Blurb
 

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 the bookshop is in dire straights.

 
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, it’s Jamie’s turn to receive a little help from heaven.

About Eli


Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.


Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.


In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.


Her website is www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

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Don’t Miss Out on the Audio Review Tour and Giveaway for Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton and Matthew Shaw (Narrator)

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Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 7hrs 10mins 
 
Narrator: Matthew Shaw
 
Blurb



When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.


Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: Never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.


Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?


About the Daddy Dearest series

The Daddy Dearest series will consist of stand-alone contemporary novels focusing on single gay dads who find hot romance. Expect laughs, sweet and sexy slow-burn romance, and lots of family feels!

 

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 5 star Audio Review here. It’s one of our Must Listen To!

 

About Eli


Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.


Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.


In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.


Her website is www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

Giveaway

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A MelanieM Audio Review: Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton and Matthew Shaw (Narrator)

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Rating: 5 stars out of 5

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

You know how there are books that as soon as you’ve finished them, you want to start them  all over again?  Well, it turns out there are audio books you feel about that way too. Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton and Matthew Shaw (Narrator) is most definitely one of them.  It imparts  those warm, fuzzy, wrapped up in your favorite blankie sort of feelings, boosted in part by the fabulous narration by Matthew Shaw.

It all starts when new foster dad (who wants to be their forever dad) Geo signs his small new family up for some bonding time at Family Camp in hopes he and they can start to start to move through erected barriers and begin the process of learning about each other and becoming a family.

The journey is not going well.  The car is barely holding together as is Geo’s nerves, the kids well, are being who they are, removed and or brash/outspoken, depending upon the kid. And everything about it speaks of an authenticity of desperation, the reality of a new dad trying to make things work and oh yeah, the heat of a summer’s day.  Great writing, great characters, and a great scene that also came alive with the right narration. Yep, totally hooked.

When Travis enters the picture along with his dog Max, if my heart wasn’t totally engaged before, it was now.  Because the sparks flew and I just knew this was going to be a great couple and yes family affair.  And I couldn’t wait to see how Easton would bring them all together at Camp.

Turns out it’s quite the journey as Travis isn’t out to his team or family.  Geo has foster children in need of himself and the idea they have found their forever home.  And more, so much more as Travis is the product of the foster system and the Family Camp is run by his parents who raised him and a huge number of children, much of whom came out of the system.  Trust is a big element here and not just for Jayden and Lucy but also for Travis and  Geo.

Easton carefully weaves the bonds of family and love between the men and the children, making them feel real and heartbound.  That it takes only two weeks doesn’t feel unlikely because of the established backgrounds.

The pace of the story and the resolution to the angst filled moments all felt right.  As I said I would  be listening to this story again soon, when I need a hug and a story to warm me.

The narration by Matthew Shaw is everything.  His tones have a wide range, equal to a father like Travis’ and then down to Lucy beginning to come out of her shell.  I believed them all.

Cover art just made me grin.  That’s perfect for the story and character.  Doesn’t it make you want to come to Family Camp too?

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

Audio Book Details:

Audible Audio, 7 pages
Published August 14th 2019 by Pinkerton Road LLC (first published March 28th 2019)
ASINB07W62RBR6
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesDaddy Dearest #1

A Lucy Review: Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton

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Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

Family Camp, run by the Mayhew family, is a place where parents and children can reconnect, spend time outside, participate in group activities and bond with their loved ones.  That is the hope of Geo when he takes Jayden and Lucy, his new foster children, to camp.  So far the kids don’t trust him much and why would they? He’s new to them (six weeks) and for all they know he will return them in a minute. My heart broke for all of them.  Jayden at 12 has learned people will betray and hurt you.  Lucy has never had anyone love her and spent her five year lifespan being neglected.  All Geo has ever wanted was to be a dad and he’s giving it is all.

Of course, on the way to camp they run out of gas while Lucy is having a meltdown and luckily are saved by a hot stranger, Travis.  Travis, who turns out to not only be a famous pitcher for major league baseball but is also Travis Mayhew, adopted son of the camp owners.  They are getting along great until a comment from Geo is misinterpreted by Travis and he ices Geo out.  It also causes him to be less than friendly when he finds out Geo and family are at camp. “Geo shrugged.  “For now”.   And that was that . Travis is sort of a jerk but you understand the why.  “Well, I’m sure you hoped to keep them busy this week. And out of your hair.”  Quit judging, Travis.

Camp is awesome.  The parents are so funny, particularly Van and Bridget.  Bridget is out for Travis’ bod and because Travis is deep in the closet no one realizes they don’t have the right equipment.   Until they clear the air, Travis hates that he is attracted to Geo (misunderstanding, remember) and when they do he can’t see where anything will go with Geo since Travis can’t come out.

Jayden finds friends at camp, Lucy makes progress . Once Travis is disabused of what he thought about Geo, they begin a friendship as well.  “I am sorry…I jumped to conclusions.  And…that was bad.”  Luckily, Geo is not the kind of guy who holds a grudge.

I liked the story very much.  There isn’t a ton of angst or high drama.  It is a story of family and how you get to be one.

Cover art shows Travis (I assume, due to the Camp Evermore t-shirt he is wearing) against of background of trees.  Fit well with the story, I thought.

Sales Link:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published March 28th 2019
Edition Language English
Series Daddy Dearest #1