Blurb: Paul Hannon flunked out of vet school. His fiancée left him. He can barely afford his rent, and he hates his house. About the only things he has left are a pantry full of his ex’s kitchen gadgets and a lot of emotional baggage. He could really use a win—and that’s when he meets El.
Pawnbroker El Rozal is a cynic. His own family’s dysfunction has taught him that love and relationships lead to misery. Despite that belief, he keeps making up excuses to see Paul again. Paul, who doesn’t seem to realize that he’s talented and kind and worthy. Paul, who’s not over his ex-fiancée and is probably straight anyway. Paul, who’s so blind to El’s growing attraction, even asking him out on dates doesn’t seem to tip him off.
El may not do relationships, but something has to give. If he wants to keep Paul, he’ll have to convince him he’s worthy of love—and he’ll have to admit that attachment might not be so bad after all.
Review: Paul moved to Tucker Springs for his girlfriend so she could sell her sculptures. When she found out he failed his vet school and got a job as a receptionist, she found someone else. Someone she felt could help her make it in the art world. Down on his luck, Paul kept trying to win Stacy over. For her birthday, he went to the Tucker Springs Pawn to find a gift for her.
El was immediately taken by the cute, innocent young man. Straight man.
All Paul really wants is love and acceptance. To be able to make out in public, hold hands in public.
This was such a fun, romantic story. I loved how Paul was so clueless that El was taking thing just to see him, especially when he took the dog left on the vet’s steps for Paul. I loved the way El’s friend chided him about Paul and the fun banter between El, his friend, and his family.
If you are looking for fun, humorous romance, like bisexual men, Gay for you stories, cute dogs, gardening and an all over great romance, this is the book for you. It’s perfect for an afternoon of relaxing.
Blurb: Ever since he first set foot in Harrisburg, Tennant’s life has been a rollercoaster. Ups and downs too numerous to mention, hard knocks and championship rings. Through all of those monumental moments, one thing has been a constant for him, Jared Madsen. Now that their wedding day is drawing nearer, Ten is seriously considering eloping. He would, if not for his mother, his father, his brothers, the wedding planner, the guests, the cake, the press, and the team. Oh, and then there’s his best friend, who is vying for the job of ringmaster of the wedding circus. Would sneaking off during the night with Jared and skipping to the hon-eymoon part of the festivities really be all that bad?
When Jared proposed to Ten, he imagined a quiet wedding, on a beach somewhere, with family, and maybe the team. But life gets complicated with Ten’s warring brothers, a Rus-sian goalie with a love of sequins, and a bachelor party organized by Adler. When Trent sends them a wedding planner, every spare hour is filled with choosing invitations, cake tasting, and finding a rose in the perfect shade of green. Add in Layton organizing a press conference, and suddenly their private wedding is destined to become a media sensation. Is it wrong to think seriously about kidnapping Ten and spiriting him away to a small deserted island?
Adler organizing the bachelor party, Trent supplying the wedding planner, and Stan writing a speech. What can possibly go wrong?
Review: Save the Date is a novella and the ninth book in the Harrisburg Railers series by RJ Scott and VL Locey. It is also the end of the series, a really heartwarming and happy ending which I have been looking forward to for some time.
You can’t read this book without having read all the books in the series. This novella is the culmination of all the preceding books in the series, in particular, the last 3 books. I adore this series and I adore the writing of both authors. In the course of 6 novels and 3 novellas they have created a world of gay friendly professional ice hockey that is fun and characters that I am deeply invested in.
Mads and Ten have been through a hell of a lot since their story started the whole journey that encompassed the whole Harrisburg Railers team. But now they are coming up to their wedding (their engagement happened in a previous book) and the guys are feeling the stress when it comes to planning their nuptials. The whole quirky cast of the Railers line up are ready to help their friends plan their big day, and of course Mads’ son Ryker (Ryker’s story is a whole other thing and leads to not just one but two spin off series).
The blurb really says it all. The premise is all about getting Mads and Ten to the altar. However, it is the fun and the people that love them that make this novella fun. Stan, the big Russian goalie who is obsessed with Elvis, has three kids, multiple pets and has his husband Erik to keep him in check – he wants nothing but the biggest celebration for his best friend, Ten. Another teammate Adler is ready to make the biggest for his friends, and his partner Layton isn’t much better. With the stress piling on, another friend, Trent, insists on the couple using a wedding planner. It’s all good intentions for what is the wedding of the season.
This is a fun novella. It is all about fan service for the fans of the Railers series and is a wonderful way to tie up the last of the major storylines in the series before Scott and Locey send to the world of Owatonna U and the Raptors, the two spin off series that come from the world of the Railers.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (18th April 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human-trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screwups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.
Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now, the safe houses he’s placed in are be-ing threatened, and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.
Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin…and stay there. Soon, they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly, Pavle comes out of his shell, and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. Even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.
Review: Fire and Agate is the third book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Deputies series. You don’t need to have read the previous book in the series. I’ve read and listened to the two series Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies completely out of order. And while the characters from previous books pop up and you know that they are together, there is nothing vital mentioned that I found difficult to put together on my own. That being said, it probably would be easier to start from the beginning and work your way through.
I really looked forward to the audio of this book. I am a massive fan of Andrew Grey’s writing. I connect to his writing style and I love the complex storylines which he weaves together, delivering well developed characters, relatable romances and of course a HEA.
The narration of this book was performed by Greg Tremblay. It seems like it’s been ages since I’ve heard an audio narrated by Tremblay. He is a very skilled narrated, giving the two MCs distinctive voices, in particular tackling the accent and broken English of Pavle. In fact, while I connected to his narration enjoyed how he conveyed the emotions of both Pavle and Chris, I adored Tremblay’s portrayal of Pavle who has gone through so much trauma in the space of four years.
Chris is one of the deputies for the Carlisle area. The sheriff’s office is going through a period of tension after one of their own was given the position of interim sheriff before being replaced with a man that was chosen on political grounds. Chris has recently been taken off of duty at the jail, something that he is more than happy about, with his first major assignment being far from simple. He needs to protect a witness to a human trafficking ring. Pavle, who ingeniously was able to get help which had the Carlisle cops release him from the hell he has lived since being trafficked from Serbia to the US, is now in danger from the traffickers. Pavle can identify the people involved in the trafficking ring, although the fact that his English is not too good is a barrier for the investigation.
The story tackles a very complicated issue. I feel that my explanation doesn’t do the book justice, but it is excellent. The story seems to have a simple premise, but this is an adventure that is fraught with danger and mystery. The cops are the good guys who need to save the day and capture the bad guys. But there is something really sweet about the relationship that develops between Chris and Pavle. Despite how life has panned out so far for Pavle, he is a strong and intelligent man. Love doesn’t always come into one’s life at the best of times, but Pavle knows what he wants and isn’t about to let Chris go because Chris has nothing but good intentions.
I loved how much these characters grow throughout the course of the book. They also have great chemistry and a gentle love story that happens in between the danger. Pavle is an amazing and strong character, despite being a victim, he is far from being the damsel in distress. Chris is also an awesome character, I just love Pavle more (haha).
Hi guys! We have debut author Mellanie Rourke popping in today with the tour for her debut release Mason’s Run, we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Mason’s Run
(A Twin Peeks Bookstore Romance 01)
by
Mellanie Rourke
Mason:
I’ve escaped a past that would have destroyed most men: used, abused and sold for sex from a young age by those who should have protected me, an unexpected moment of compassion from a stranger gives me a chance at a new life.
Though I’ve started over, my scars run deep; I’m an LGBTQ fantasy graphic novel writer and artist with a huge following, but I’m terrified of the world. When I discover that the stranger who saved me from a life of abuse is the same man who has finally awakened my body to desire, I realize the truth: Can I ever really be free if I’m still afraid of my past and the people who shattered me?
Lee:
Serving as a medic in the Middle East, I felt the life of my fiancée slip away under my hands and was powerless to stop it. Discharged with physical and emotional wounds I can’t heal, I go home to my crazy, geeky family and try to learn to live with the damage.
Pain and grief lead me to some acts I’m not proud of, including paying strangers for sex. I’m determined to keep it strictly business, no emotions involved, but when I discover that Mason Malone isn’t a high-end escort, but a battered young man forced into a life of pain and degradation, I’m frozen in indecision. Then the man with the raven curls and blue-gold eyes whispers “”Please…”” and the barriers I built around my heart shatter.
Years later, fate brings us back together. He has a new name and career, but I could never forget those eyes. Mason, unfortunately, doesn’t recognize me. Every day I find myself more and more drawn to him, but I’m terrified of what will happen when our secrets are discovered.
As both of our pasts threaten our future, can we find a path to redemption? Can love and forgiveness overcome soul-shattering pain? Or will the discovery of our shared past create a chasm too wide to bridge?
Warning: PTSD, major anxiety issues, and sexual abuse, including rape, the aftermath of child molestation, and human trafficking.
Hi peeps, we have Annabelle Jacobs stopping by with her new release Escape, we have a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Escape
(Rebellion 01)
by
Annebelle Jacobs
This isn’t the life Cole dreamt of, but what choice does he have?
With his twenty-third birthday behind him, Cole Moreton now faces the shifter compatibility test which will decide his future. Testing positive means joining a pack and eventually taking the bite. Unfortunately, with enviable skills in self-defence and hand-to-hand combat, the kind of packs interested in him aren’t any he’d want to join.
Logan has been a member of the McKillan pack for most of his life. Pack is family and loyalty is everything, but when the shifter government turns out to be no better than the oppressive humans before them, he questions everything.
Right from their first meeting, Logan knows that a life with the McKillan pack isn’t right for Cole, but with his alpha taking a keen interest in Cole’s skills, Logan’s hands are tied. Mutual attraction builds between them, but acting on it is futile—helping Cole will put their lives at risk and an end to any future they could’ve had.
Hi guys! We have Heloise West stopping by today with her new re-release Hitting Black Ice, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Hitting Black Ice
(Heart and Haven 01)
by
Heloise West
Shawn is on the run from the law and love, to protect himself and anyone else involved. Until he meets Hunter, and he no longer wants to run.
ER physician’s assistant Hunter guards his heart carefully, but that doesn’t stop him from falling for the temp front desk clerk. He keeps his distance from relationships for a good reason but just can’t help himself when it comes to Shawn.
Forced into a hostage situation, buried passions explode in the aftermath, and sex in the supply closet brings both their hearts back to life. But as they explore their relationship, the past catches up with Shawn.
FBI agent Nick Truman has finally found his man, and when Shawn escapes, he focuses his attention on Hunter. Will Shawn sacrifice himself to save Hunter from the man who framed him for murder?
Hi guys, we have Charlie Cochet popping in today with her new release Kept In The Dark, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Kept In The Dark
(Locke and Keyes Agency 01)
by
Charlie Cochet
Former Army Ranger turned government assassin Álvaro Montero and CIA Officer Caiden Cardosa crossed paths two years ago in Vienna, where their encounter ended less than amicably—despite the explosive sexual chemistry between them.
Now Caiden is riding a desk at Langley after his cover is blown. And Álvaro—who was “killed”—has a new identity and purpose as Delta/D, an operative for the Locke and Keyes Agency, under the leadership of the mysterious Alpha Orion.
When D and Caiden team up in a deadly black ops mission, the urge to kill each other will have to take a back seat to the desire for revenge against the man who betrayed them both. Surviving the mission won’t be easy. Resisting the passion between them—that might be impossible.
Hi peeps! We have Matthew J. Metzger stopping by today with his new release Coffee, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Coffee
(A Cup of John 02)
by
Matthew J. Metzger
When Chris’s stepfather passes away and leaves Chris a house and a wedding ring, it seems like the perfect opportunity to take the next step in his relationship with John.
So, they’re both in for a nasty shock when Chris’s mother is vehemently opposed to the idea. Despite three years of history to prove otherwise, she insists that John is only a temporary feature in Chris’s life, and a man like him can’t be expected to stay with someone like Chris in the long run.
Can Chris persuade her that she’s wrong in time for the wedding—or will there be an empty space in the photographs?
Hi guys! We have Terry O’Reilly stopping by today with his new release Love Or The NFL, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Love Or The NFL
by
Terry O’Reilly
Gymnast Frank Bethune arrives on campus already enamored with the star tight end, Bill Billingsly. Although the chances of them meeting are slim, fate draws them together, and their friendship turns to love.
Ever since childhood, Bill has dreamed of playing professional football. Though high risk to his potential career, Bill would seek out clandestine encounters with other guys when and where he could, but the first time he spots Frank, Bill knows he is someone special, someone he could possibly share a life with. If he’s drafted, will Bill and Frank be able to continue their closeted relationship, running the risk of discovery? Or will they have to part company for the sake of Bill living out his dream?
Bill knows he’ll need to use all his considerable skills learned on the field to score the life he wants off of it, too. Either way, is happiness even possible when it’s the NFL vs. love?
Blurb: When it came to defense, or offense when needed, Cullen McIntyre thought he was prepared. It wasn’t until he watched as monsters he’d never knew existed walked out of thin air to kill members of his family, twice, that Cullen realized how wrong he’d been. By the third time he’d come face to face with those determined to kill him and the rest of his family for doing their duty, Cullen knew he needed help, and lots of it.
The moment Ulf laid eyes on Cullen, he’d been enthralled by the man’s resolve to protect what was left of his family. Being shot and left for dead by Cullen should have cooled his desire for the fiery man, but it only made him want him more. By the time he caught up to Cullen, Ulf knew, without a doubt, the druid was destined to be his. Now he just needed to convince Cullen of that.
As Cullen and Ulf join their friends to fight the monsters from the realm of the Fae, they find there is a new threat waiting to get through the Veil. A threat they might not be able to defeat. Will Ulf & Cullen get their chance at happily ever after, or will the Fae finally succeed in their quest to destroy the veil?
Review: I loved this story. Cullen is fierce and knows how to fight. He booby traps the property for protection against the monsters sent to kill him and his family. Ulf arrives to help but ends up injured by one of the traps.
The two meet again when they arrive at Ulf’s home separately.
I loved these two together. Ulf and Cullen both are determined and protective of those they love. The series is intriguing and keeps your attention from start to finish.
I am looking forward to reading more about the cursed men and the situations that happen when each find their mates as well as the fae.
Hi guys! We have Kayleigh Sky popping in today with her release Jesus Kid and it’s stunning new cover, we have a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Jesus Kid
by
Kayleigh Sky
Thirty years ago, an asteroid stuck the Earth. Now killer plants hunt the last surviving humans.
Ori Scott is a young junkie running from his mother’s prophecy that he’d one day save the world from the killer plants. Her preaching made him a laughingstock and now he hides in his drugs. But he can’t hide the change in his veins. They are turning green, and the prophecy is dragging him into a dark struggle between invisible forces. Set up on bogus drug charges, Ori is taken to a secret facility where he becomes a test subject in experiments to discover an antidote to the alien plant’s sting.
Jack Doll is a cop with a vendetta against the plants that killed his best friend. All he has in the world now is his old friend’s lover, Rive. Together they form an unbreakable bond—or so he thought. Jack has never liked Rive’s friend, Ori, but he believes in Ori’s innocence and doesn’t understand Rive’s strange indifference to Ori’s conviction. Struggling with his suspicions, Jack can’t help digging into a mystery that draws him closer to Ori than ever before—and closer to somebody who has secrets to hide.
Alone and scared, Ori is grateful for Jack Doll’s friendship, and his longtime crush soon blossoms into love. But Ori has no plans to accept his fate. He wants to escape, and he doesn’t care if he takes the cure with him.
Hi guys! We have R.J. Scott & Meredith Russell stopping by today with the tour for their new release Kaden, we have a brilliant $10 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for Lisa’s review in the next couple of days!
Kaden
(Boyfriend for Hire 02)
by
R.J. Scott & Meredith Russell
When the lines between pretense and reality blur, can the actor and the boyfriend-for-hire discover something real?
Ryan Levesque is Hollywood’s newest blue eyed boy. Moving from soap operas to the big screen has paid off for the kid from Minnesota, and he’s hot property. But, when a video from the lowest point of his past is shared on social media everything begins to unravel and old hurts resurface. His agent suggests a way out of the mess, and he jumps at the chance to make things right by pretending he’s in a committed, loving relationship with the tall, dark, sexy boyfriend for hire, Kaden. Only, he never counted on the impact Kaden would have on his life, or his career.
When Kaden Moore’s next assignment lands in his lap, he’s expecting nothing more than a self-centered celebrity who’s messed up. Kaden’s new role is that of Hollywood A-lister Ryan Levesque’s boyfriend, a PR stunt concocted by his agents to restore the actor’s dented popularity. Kaden is aware of the video that surfaced from Ryan’s past, and though it raises questions about what kind of man Ryan is, it’s not any of Kaden’s business. Kaden has been pretending his entire life, and knows he can show the troublesome actor a thing or two about the world beyond the Hollywood bubble. But maybe Kaden isn’t as clued up as he thinks, especially when it comes to the heart and love.
Hi guys! We have V.L. Locey stopping by today with the cover for her upcoming release The Good Green Earth, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
The Good Green Earth
(Colors of Love 03)
by
V.L. Locey
After the Syracuse Stallions clinch the championship, Nathan Zinkan, the renowned wild man of the AHL is arrested for a DUI. Again. When a no-nonsense judge adds a heavy dose of community service to an already stiff sentence, Nathan has to forget a summer of partying and slide on a pair of gardening gloves. His entire future now rides on how well he can behave while helping elderly urban gardeners tend to their tomatoes.
Watching local garden center owner Bran Cavanaugh working without his shirt is a benefit he wasn’t expecting. Pity Bran is also the one in charge of the community garden as well as keeping tabs on Nathan’s hours served. The two men are instantly at odds due to Nathan’s rebellious nature and Bran’s icy demeanor. Yet there’s no denying the attraction that begins to build between the hot-headed athlete and the cool as a cucumber master gardener.
Will their attraction grow into something deeper, or will it wither and die on the vine?
.•.•.**❣️ Release date: 18th September 2019 ❣️**.•.•.
Hi guys! We have Elle E. Ire stopping by today with her upcoming release Threadbare, we have a brilliant guest post from Elle and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Threadbare
(Storm Fronts 01)
by
Elle E. Ire
All cybernetic soldier Vick Corren wanted was to be human again. Now all she wants is Kelly. But machines can’t love. Can they?
With the computerized implants that replaced most of her brain, Vick views herself as more machine than human. She’s lost her memory, but worse, can no longer control her emotions, though with the help of empath Kelly LaSalle, she’s holding the threads of her fraying sanity together.
Vick is smarter, faster, impervious to pain… the best mercenary in the Fighting Storm, until odd flashbacks show Vick a life she can’t remember and a romantic relationship with Kelly that Vick never knew existed. But investigating that must wait until Vick and her team rescue the Storm’s kidnapped leader.
Someone from within the organization is working against them, threatening Kelly’s freedom. To save her, Vick will have to sacrifice what she values most: the last of her humanity. Before the mission is over, either Vick or Kelly will forfeit the life she once knew.
Publisher: Harmony Ink / Dreamspinner (13th August 2019)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: Popular athlete Brian had everything until a school shooter nearly killed him. He survived the massacre with the help of a hero—his classmate Landon, who faced death to help others… and who is openly gay. Brian might be alive, but he can’t face his fears or move on, especially since the shooters were never caught. He’s falling apart, and he can only reach for Landon and hope Landon will take his hand a second time.
Landon did what anyone would do when he found Brian dying on the cafeteria floor. He doesn’t think of himself as a hero, but he’s ready to take a stand against the gun violence tearing apart the lives of young people—people like Brian, who returned to school a shadow of the happy, outgoing quarterback Landon used to admire. Brian still needs him, and as their friendship grows and deepens, wounds might begin to heal. The bond they share could lead a new start for them both.
Only the terror that visited Jefferson Waller High School isn’t over yet.
Review:Boy Shattered by Eli Easton is nothing short of amazing. To be honest from reading the blurb I didn’t know what to expect, but Easton is one of my favorite authors and I was therefore more than willing to give it a go.
When I started this young adult tale of a teenager who survives a mass shooting at his high school, I thought to read only half of it and finish the rest the next night. Instead, I stayed up all night and cried from start to finish, Seriously, get those tissues ready, it’s impossible not to feel the depths or horror and despair and hope in this book.
The story is written from the POV of two teenage boys, one is a high school senior and the other is a couple years off of finishing. Landon, the senior, is out and proud to the rest of the school and not at all popular. Meanwhile Brian is a jock. He’s the quarterback on the football team, he’s friends with other jocks and to hide his sexuality he has even dated cheerleaders. Two of his friends seem to show some homophobic tendencies, while his best friend is more down to earth. Landon and Brian have both noticed each other but due to the social circles they occupy, nothing ever happens between them, or even any sort of acknowledgement of each other’s existence.
Everything changes for the boys when two gunmen open fire at the school, changing their worlds forever. Caught in the hallway, Landon does his best to find his brother and finds Brian bleeding out in the cafeteria. Brian hadn’t meant to be in the cafeteria, but when the bullets started he tried his best to hide and take cover. Brian wasn’t so lucky and as he bleeds out, Landon did his best to put pressure on the wound and keep Brian conscious.
Landon saved Brian’s life that day, but Brian has a long road to recovery. He and Landon grow close, although it is easy to see that what may have started as a dependency caused by Brian’s PTSD has turned into something more meaningful. Brian’s brush with death leaves him with a lot of fears but it also makes him want to step out of the shadows and be who he is, albeit very slowly. Landon also changes, he was already a smart and sensible guy, but he takes his passion for wanting to help others, especially since he sees the varying effects of a shooting first hand at himself and everyone at school. Landon has a great head and mind. He is one of the most inspiring characters I’ve come across, not only in young adult fiction, but any fiction.
This is a wonderful young adult novel, yet I think that it would be valuable and enjoyable for many adults as well. It is so easy to relate to the kid’s thoughts and feelings because despite the horrible circumstances it is easy to place yourself back in the mind of being a teenager once more.
The subject matter is confronting. The romance in the book is merely incidental to the actual guts of the book. However, it was the perfect mix of emotion. As many Australians, it’s difficult to understand the lack of urgency for gun reform in the US and this book highlights it all the more.
And that is the only personal view on a current affair I will put into the book review, understand that reading the book is very thought provoking and had me thinking about this. It also had me thinking, how many kids fear going to school because they know people from their school, or from other schools, who have been touched by this horror.
Blurb: Sergeant Corbin “Syn” Sydney had dedicated his life to becoming the best detective. So when he heard there was an opening on the notorious Atlanta Narcotics Task Force, he jumped at the chance. But, what he wasn’t ready for was realizing just how lonely he’d made himself, when he observed the loving and dedicated relationship between the two men he served under: Lieuten-ant Cashel “God” Godfrey and Lieutenant Leonidis Day.
Syn prepared himself to accept his lonely fate until he walked into a small pub and met the long-haired, tattooed bartender, Furious Barkley. Before Syn can even understand why, he’s over-come with feelings he barely recognizes: passion, yearning, craving. And if the dark, lustful gazes are anything to go by, Furious might be feeling the same things for him.
Just two thing needs to happen before Syn and Furi can give each other what’s been missing from their lives for so long…Syn needs to find the evidence that proves Furi’s innocence of murder, as well as protect him from a past that refuses to let go.
Review: Embracing His Syn is the second book in AE Via’s Nothing Special series. Although I’m not particularly familiar with Via’s work, I absolutely loved, loved, loved (it feel I need to emphasise how amazing that book was) Nothing Special and was keen to get into Embracing His Syn as soon as I could. Being that I had just left the world of Day and God and their team on the narcotics squad I honestly had no doubt that I would love this book and therefore had some high expectations, from both Via and the narrator, Aiden Snow.
I feel that this is going to be a very short review because I loved every moment of Embracing His Syn. However, I should say that I strongly recommend reading or listening to book 1 first because it sets the scene and many of the characters are back in the sequel, continuing from where they had left off in Nothing Special. I suppose you could get away with not having knowledge of book 1, but I feel that there is stuff going on under the surface that is easier to understand if you are already familiar (or assumes the reader is already familiar) with the Nothing Special world.
Quite simply, it was exactly what I expected it to be and so much more. The story overall itself is quite simple, but the characters are complex with so much depth that it is obvious that there is a lot of smaller moving cogs that carry the plot forward. The sex scenes are also very, very steamy and well written. If you’re like me who doesn’t like a lot of sex scenes or pointless sex scenes to pad out a book, there is nothing pointless about any sex scene in this story. Each sex scene deals with the concerns of the two MCs as they navigate their fledgling relationship.
The narration is also brilliantly performed. Much like the author, I’m not too familiar with the work of Aiden Snow from other audio books. However, he had done an amazing effort bringing to life the guys of the Nothing Special series, from the main characters to the equally complex secondary characters. His tone and deep voice is absolutely perfect for the characters that Via has concocted because it brings in the edge and danger that is associated with the plot of the book. But Snow also has a gentleness that not only makes the sex scenes so amazingly real even with the overwhelming strength of the characters, but his voice helped me feel the raw emotions of the characters. An amazing performance and one that I would love to relisten to in the future.
The story starts with Sergeant Corbin Sydney, aka Syn. He’s transferred to Atlanta PD’s most revered and successful teams, the narcotics squad, which is now headed by Lieutenants Day and God. The book picks up a couple years after Day and God’s story and the two are going as strong as ever, and they are both as awesome and as dangerous as ever. Syn is set through his paces, because Day and God only want the best on their team, but Syn is up for anything. He will never compromise his morals and beliefs for anyone. Shortly after being accepted on the team, there begins a string of murders which involve men being drugged, which is what brings Syn and his new team into the case.
Syn meets the man called Furious Barkley at his local pub, where Fury works while trying to finish school so that he and his best friend can open their mechanic workshop. It’s Fury’s dream, but he had left it on hold while he had been with his abusive ex-husband. After running away from the man, Fury gets a job with his ungrateful uncle at the pub and supplements his income doing solo porn videos so that he can finish school and get moving with his plans. However, things change when some of the male performers are killed which not only brings Fury into contact with Syn at the police station, but also brings him back on the radar of his ex-husband.
Fury has a lot of baggage because of his previous relationship. Syn has a protective streak a mile long and was instantly attracted to Fury. Syn, though, isn’t just a sexy cop, he has some hidden depths that seem completely opposite to his character at first, but in the end shows just how wonderful he is as a character. I think people will also appeal to Syn’s and Fury’s relationship plays out in bed and out of bed, because of how Via wrote this, it feels like a relationship that is on equal footing. The guys have to work together to not only deal with the imminent danger, but to also deal with the mental baggage so that they can make a proper go at their relationship.
Much like the first book, I recommend this one to people that love hot cops, a story with a touch of danger, a lot of love and a heck of a lot of sex.
Blurb: Senator Wilson Khor II came to Cade Creek to meet the son he never knew he had. He didn’t expect to meet the man of his dreams. When someone starts digging up secrets from his past, keeping his political career may be the least of his problems. It could cost him the man he’s falling in love with.
Jayden Grant had one job. Dig up dirt on Senator Wilson Khor II. Finding out why he was in Cade Creek was just part of the deal. Falling for the senator was not. Yet, Jayden found himself pretending to be someone else just to spend more time with the handsome man. But lies have a way of catching up to people and Jayden is no different. He just has to hope Wilson will still want him when the dust settles.
Review: Each book in the Cade Creek collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Wilson’s father is quite an ass, or should I say he was. He left his son a letter and video of all the evil he had done. He let Wilson go through life not knowing he had a son or that his son’s mother had died when he was young. He wanted to get to know his son but was afraid the fact that he was a state senator would bring the press in. He had not expected to meet Jayden.
Jayden was a b-rated reporter who loved to take pictures. His boss was an idiot and he knew the moment he mentioned he saw the senator, he screwed up. Especially after the one night of hot sexy times they had. Now he had to find a way to fix it all.
I fell in one with this series in the beginning, although I have to say that Happy is still my favorite. In this story these guys just seemed to work together although Jayden’s reaction was funny as hell. With such a serious topic this story has quite a bit of humor mixed in which makes it stand out even more with me. Seeing the guys from previous books were a hit, especially Happy. I love when the town stands up to the bad guy and shows their feelings right from the start.
I wished it had been longer but I can honestly say that this is one of those stories that will be read many times over. I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to get my hands on the next story.
Blurb: Set in a near-future environment, mega-corporations have taken over the most habitable of planets, creating domed utopias for their devoted employees. Everyone else has been shunted off to a multitude of mostly habitable planets and moons where they scrape by as farmers and tradesfolk, miners and merchants, bounty hunters and scavengers.
James Marks and his crew of scav trash operate their ship, SIO, on a mission to obtain a mysterious piece of new tech. It changes everything and leaves him stranded somewhere he doesn’t recognize with a cute, if not a bit annoying, tech scientist. James doesn’t know, when he first meets Michael, but his life is about to change in a very surprising way.
Review: James and his crew are on a mission for a new piece of technology. James meets Michael wh0 works for Peach and has what he seeks. While obtaining the tech things do not go as planned and the two end up transported away from Peach.
It was a likeable story with a lot of characters, though we do not get an in depth feel for the rest of James’ crew. Michael, being free from Peach finally comes into his own self and learns who he is as a person.
I enjoyed the story and felt the two main characters were great together. James eye and leg are mechanical which I felt helped when he defended Michael from attacks. Overall the story was good but felt it would have better with a little more details about the crew.
Blurb: What to expect when your pet rat is expecting, or how to fall in love at a pet show.
Jamie Hewett rescues and breeds prize-winning fancy rats. While he’s surrounded by supportive, animal-loving friends, his ex-boyfriend has never been one of them. One embarrassing breakup later, he definitely isn’t looking for love again, but perhaps a rebound relationship might ease his broken heart.
Liam Donnelly’s quirky dating life is the subject of a popular vlog, and his viewers have interesting ideas on where he might find romance. When they suggest he take Mabel, his new rat, to a pet show, he’s up for the adventure.
Although they can’t deny their growing interest in each other, neither Jamie nor Liam believes in love at first sight. They’ve both had bad luck with men, and Jamie isn’t pleased that Liam makes a living as a serial dater. On top of that, others are conspiring to keep them apart, and Jamie is left holding the baby—or twenty-plus babies—when their fur children have no trouble making a connection. Will a YouTube ukulele serenade convince Liam that Jamie’s love for him—and their unborn rat children—is for real?
Review: Liam is a serial dater and has no regrets about it. However his crazy family won’t let him bring a date to a wedding unless he is serious. So he sets out to find someone to take. On the side he is a pretty good Vlogger and has fun with it. They suggest where he goes to meet dates and he actually listens every once in awhile.
Jamie has an idiot for a boyfriend but not for long. Here is a man that loves rats, all kinds of rats. He breeds them and even rescues them. After his ex breaks up with him he is not sure he wants to try again. So when he meets Liam things might just heat up, but is it real or just rebound, we will soon see.
This story was very long with quite a bit of information that was not really needed. It felt drawn out and just a bit dry. The topic was very interesting and I did like part of the story. However it was so drawn out that I pretty much skipped parts of the story just to get to the interesting parts. There were a few minor problems in editing but not enough to really take away from the story itself.
The beginning of the story caught my attention which was a plus but didn’t keep it which was not a plus. Overall the story was pretty good and showed great potential. I didn’t really connect with the guys like I would have liked to but it was a good start to a new to me author.
Blurb: It’s not just the ghosties and the ghouls that you’ve got to watch out for on Halloween!
Jerome is an artist—in his opinion, anyway. Not everyone would agree that what he does is art, but he’d beg to differ. He has a niche following and his business picks up around Halloween. When a handsome stranger walks into his gallery, the attraction that crackles to life between them is instantaneous, and scarier than anything Jerome has ever created.
He’s quirky and possibly downright weird, but for some reason, the sexy doctor seems to be into him. Jerome isn’t sure he can trust the feelings developing between them, and when someone decides Jerome’s studio needs to go, he fears he’ll never have the chance to see what kind of life he could have with Kaito.
Kaito Yoshida is a successful pediatric oncologist, and a complicated man. As serious as any doctor in his position while working, he’s missed out on a lot of things in his personal life. An encounter that, at first, is mortifying, leads to Kaito daring to take a step he’s never bothered to take before.
He doesn’t expect to fall for Jerome Johnson, or for Jerome to fall for him.
And neither of them expect the obstacles they will encounter on the way to love.
Reader Advisory: Please note that this books contains scenes of violence and references to domestic abuse and the death of children.
Review: I loved this story about Jerome and Kato. Both are lonely yet Kato was with someone who was soon dumped after Kato meets Jerome. These two men are perfect each other in every way.
As usual the story is not without it’s suspense in the form of the things these men must face. But they face them and persevered to achieve the happy ever after.
Title: Second Hand
