Hi guys, we have Felice Stevens popping in today with her new release Running From My Heart, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Running From My Heart
(Rock Bottom 03)
by
Felice Stevens
“Holding onto the past can hurt more than letting it go.”
People say six years is long enough to mourn the death of his husband but for Ross Miller, the pain is as fresh as if it happened yesterday. He’s left his glittering Hollywood life behind, yet guilt still dogs his steps, no matter how far he runs. Trapped by his past and needing to escape his well-meaning friends, he rents a cabin in the secluded Adirondack mountains. A reclusive man moves in next door and piques Ross’s interest, but his persistent attempts at friendship are rebuffed. That doesn’t stop him because the one rule Ross Miller has always lived by is to never take no for an answer.
Novelist Arden Wainwright has given up. He can’t pretend a happiness he knows he’ll never find again. Solitary days turn into years, and he remains frozen, unable to take a breath. At his wit’s end, he retreats to the mountains, but it does little to stir his creativity. He continues to hide from life and avoids his overly nosy neighbor, who insists on planting himself at Arden’s doorstep at every turn. Making friends is the last thing Arden wants, but annoying or not, he can’t get the damn man out of his mind.
Finding peace in their isolated surroundings, the two lonely men forge an unlikely friendship where they realize they’re more alike than different and better together than apart. With Ross’s help, Arden begins to rebuild the shattered pieces of his life, while Arden gives Ross the strength to face his fears and find his way home. When love comes calling you can choose to hide from hurt, loss, and pain, but if you take a chance and open the door, you might discover that running from your heart is the last thing you’ll want to do.
This book can be read as a stand alone but you may remember Ross, Foster’s best friend from Broken Silence, Book One of the Rock Bottom series.
Hi guys! We have debut author Anna Veriani stopping by today with her upcoming debut release The Winter Quarters, we have a brilliant guest post, a great excerpt and a fantastic pre-order giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
The Winter Quarters
(Dreamspun Desires 92)
by
Anna Veriani
Snow, steam, and a second chance.
Reluctant socialite Kai has thirty-five days before his family starts shooting the next season of their reality TV show, revealing a life he’d rather keep private—and one that feels increasingly scripted. Desperately needing a break, Kai escapes to his childhood best friend Hiro Asada’s inn in rural Japan. He finds peace in the thousand-year-old hot springs, but his yearning for Hiro resurfaces at the worst time: Hiro is about to inherit the inn, and his parents expect him to marry within the year.
Hiro’s traditional family loves him for who he is, but they can’t imagine two men running the inn. Meanwhile, Kai has a TV contract his lawyer insists can’t be broken. Hiro and Kai need to think outside the box—and solve their problems before Christmas Day, when Kai’s show shoots its annual holiday special.
Hey guys! We have R.J. Scott & V.L. Locey stopping by today with the tour for their new release Coast to Coast, we have a fantastic $10 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter that giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for Prime’s review!
Coast to Coast
(Arizona Raptors 01)
by
R.J. Scott & V.L. Locey
When opposites attract, it’s not just the team that’s in for a shake-up.
When a stipulation in his father’s will throws Mark back into a family that disowned him, he has only two things on his mind; buying his way out of contractual obligations and running in the opposite direction as fast as he can. When neither option pans out, he finds he is now a one third owner of the struggling Arizona Raptors hockey team, and that is just about the worst thing he could have happened to him. Not only does he hate hockey, but the Raptors are a bottom-of-the-league team, rife with jealousies and anger in a locker room that only knows self-pity. How is he supposed to help turn things around when the only way to start fixing things is to form an alliance with the estranged siblings he’d run from fifteen years earlier?
Then there’s Rowen Carmichael, a stubborn, opinionated, irritating man with superiority issues and questionable taste in music. Butting heads with Rowen, who he’d never even wanted to hire in the first place, is one thing, but there is no way in hell that he will allow the growing attraction to the new coach become anything more. Until with everything on the line, he has to make decisions that will change his life forever.
After years of collegiate coaching, Rowen is given an offer that he simply can’t refuse, although perhaps he should. When he’s presented with the chance to take one of the worst teams in the league and mold them into a future cup contender, the challenge is just too alluring to pass up. He leaves his beloved Ontario behind and moves west to the arid city of Tucson where he is faced with a broken team, shoddy management, and players overflowing with resentment and bigotry.
Never in his twenty years of hockey has he ever seen such a raging dumpster fire of an organization. Yet there’s something about this team and this city that compels him to roll up his sleeves and start dismantling. He has his eye on a new associate coach that’s bound to makes waves, and several key players who should be sent packing. Now all he has to do is convince the new owners of the team that his choices are for the best. If only Mark Westman-Reid, one of three siblings who now own the Raptors, wasn’t so damned rock-headed, so damned snooty, and so damned appealing his job might be a bit easier.
Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in today with the tour for his new release Where Love Grows, we have a short excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for Prime’s review coming soon!
Where Love Grows
by
Jay Northcote
When two broken men look to each other for help, an unexpected romance blooms.
Stephen’s home, deep in the heart of the Welsh valleys, suits his reclusive nature. However, as he recovers from illness, he’s struggling to manage alone. As nature reclaims the land he’s poured his heart into cultivating, he becomes increasingly unhappy. His only outlet is his blog, where he documents the decline of the garden that had been his pride and joy.
Luke is more used to a concrete jungle. He was a high-flyer, living and working in London, until addiction sent him into free fall. Now on the road to recovery, he still wants to make some changes, but he’s unsure where to find the purpose and fulfilment he craves.
A mutual acquaintance suggests Luke visits Stephen to help him out for a while, and a seed of hope is planted. From prickly beginnings, shoots of friendship emerge, blossoming into a deeper connection when they act on their mutual attraction.
This was only ever supposed to be a temporary arrangement, and soon Stephen will be able to manage on his own again. But both men need each other in ways they’re afraid to admit. If their love is going to last for more than one season, they’ll need to find the courage to be honest.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press.
Hi guys, we have Con Riley stopping by today with the tour for her new re-release After Ben, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for Prime’s review!
After Ben
(Seattle Stories 01)
by
Con Riley
No more kissing a ghost…
A year after the sudden death of his longtime partner, Ben, Theo Anderson is still grieving. The last thing he’s looking for is a new lover, but as Theo discovers, sometimes life has its own plans.
The strength of his attraction to fellow gym member Peter is surprising. So is how compelling he finds Morgan, a new friend he makes online. Morgan is witty and fierce on the internet forum they frequent, while Peter is physically present in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Both men bring Theo closer to acceptance: he needs to lay Ben’s memory to rest if he’s to start afresh with a new lover.
Getting honest about the reasons for his yearlong isolation means confronting why he lost Ben… only just when he’s ready to commit, Theo finds he isn’t the only one haunted by the past.
Whether with Peter or with Morgan, choosing to love again—after Ben—might not be Theo’s toughest challenge.
After two years grieving the death of his best friend, Silas Franklin is back on the road with his metalcore band, Hush. With a new member, a brilliant new album, and a headlining spot on the last cross-country Warped Tour, life couldn’t be better—unless Silas could meet the intriguing music blogger known only as the Guru. Silas has followed his blog for years and feels the Guru might be the only person who “gets” him.
For years Krishnan Guruvayoor has reported on the metal scene as an anonymous blogger, and he’s just landed an internship on the Warped Tour as well as a potential position with a well-respected music magazine. His best friend arranges for him to meet singer Silas Franklin—but only as Krish the Intern. Their chemistry is instant, and Krish is thrilled to get to know the man behind the music.
The rock star and blogger quickly go from meet-cute to cuddle session, but secrets, overprotective bandmates, meddling media, and a terrible accident all conspire against them. Can their romance survive the summer of Hush?
Review: Kris is a blogger who hopes to one day write for an alternative rock band magazine. He starts his internship with the Warped Tour and is quickly introduced to his secret crush Silas from metal core band, Hush. The two hit it off instantly and the chemistry is off the charts.
Silas has been intrigued with a blogger named guru for years. When he meets Kris he is smitten. Despite many obstacles thrown at these two between meddling bandmates and secrets they seem to be made for each other.
I wish I had liked the story more but I’m not a fan of rock stories unless there’s something more with it.
The story was good and I liked the interactions the characters throughout the book. But it was not enough to make me love the book. I’m sure others who are into this type of story will be thrilled with it.
Hi guys, we have E.S. Yu stopping by today with her new release Human Enough, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Human Enough
by
E.S. Yu
When Noah Lau joined the Vampire Hunters Association, seeking justice for his parents’ deaths, he didn’t anticipate ending up imprisoned in the house of the vampire he was supposed to kill—and he definitely didn’t anticipate falling for that vampire’s lover.
Six months later, Noah’s life has gotten significantly more complicated. On top of being autistic in a world that doesn’t try to understand him, he still hunts vampires for a living…while dating a vampire himself. Awkward.
When one of Jordan’s vampire friends goes missing and Noah’s new boss at the VHA becomes suspicious about some of his recent cases, what starts off as a routine paperwork check soon leads Noah to a sinister conspiracy. As he investigates, he and Jordan get sucked into a deadly web of intrigue that will test the limits of their relationship.
Warning: Ableism, graphic violence, allusions to past emotional abuse, abduction, hate groups
Hi guys, we have Elle Keaton stopping in today with her new release Conspiracy Theory, we have a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Conspiracy Theory
(Hamarsson and Dempsey 01)
by
Elle Keaton
Years of grueling police work have left Niall Hamarsson jaded and disillusioned with life…although it’s likely he’s been that way all along. The last straw lands when the DA refuses to try a case Niall worked for years to bring to justice. Within hours he finds himself heading to the only place he’s ever been able to call home—a place he knows he doesn’t belong.
Mat Dempsey returned to Piedras Island after his father’s death. These days he’s Island County’s sheriff. He’s happy enough, even if moving home from San Francisco effectively forced him back into the closet. Mat’s well-ordered universe collapses when a local’s body is discovered floating in the cold waters of Hidden Harbor’s marina. All hell breaks loose in the community, and accusations fly…all coinciding with Niall Hamarsson’s return. Niall and Mat have a history, and it’s not one Mat’s proud of. He owes Niall an apology, even if it means getting down on his knees. However, Mat’s first priority is investigating the murder before his community tears itself apart and he may have to ask the aloof Niall Hamarsson for help.
Push apart, pull together, yes or no… The chemistry crackles between them but will the two men be able to put aside their pasts and embrace a future?
Hi guys! We have L.E. Royal stopping by today with her new lesbian release Never Knew Until You, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Never Knew Until You
by
L.E. Royal
After the dissolution of her fourteen-year marriage to her cheating ex-wife, forty-year-old college professor Parker Freeman finds herself adrift. Suddenly middle-aged with so much time wasted, she seeks solstice online where she stumbles upon The Pandora Agency—an organization claiming to help individuals find themselves through submission. Encouraged to be a little wild by her best friend, Parker speaks to the agency and sets up a meeting with a female dominant, Miss Diaz.
Greeted at the door of an impressive Miami townhouse by a young woman, Parker questions her decision as she waits for the girl’s mother. Stunned by the reveal that twenty-four-year old Kristina is in fact the Miss Diaz she has come to meet, she is dragged head first into a new world.
Despite Kristina’s commitment issues and Parker’s shattered confidence, the two enter into a tenuous agreement that sparks Parker’s rediscovery of herself. Both are surprised by their compatibility until they stumble across the line from arrangement into relationship, and Kristina calls their time together to an end. When an unexpected catastrophe throws them back together, old demons are finally brought into the light, and both women must decide if letting go of the past is worth the future they could have together.
Warning: references to past domestic abuse, alcohol use
Hi guys! We have Ginn Hale stopping by today with her new release Master of Restless Shadows (book 01), we have a great exclusive excerpt and a awesome giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Master of Restless Shadows
(The Cadeleonian Series 05)
by
Ginn Hale
Freshly graduated Master Physician Narsi Lif-Tahm has left his home in Anacleto and journeyed to the imposing royal capitol of Cieloalta intent upon keeping the youthful oath he made to a troubled writer. But in the decade since Narsi gave his pledge, Atreau Vediya, has grown from an anonymous delinquent to a man renowned for penning bawdy operas and engaging in scandalous affairs.
What Narsi―and most of the larger world―cannot know is the secret role Atreau plays as spymaster for the Duke of Rauma.
After the Cadeleonian royal bishop launches an unprovoked attack against the witches in neighboring Labara, Atreau will require every resource he can lay his hands upon to avert a war. A physician is exactly what he needs. But with a relentless assassin hunting the city and ancient magic waking, Atreau fears that his actions could cost more than his own honor. The price of peace could be his friends’ lives.
Hi guys! We have Amy Aislin stopping in today with the cover for her upcoming release Shots on Goal, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Shots on Goal
(Stick Side 03)
by
Amy Aislin
Recently traded to the newly formed Vermont Trailblazers, professional hockey player Roman Kinsey needs to focus on helping the team win games and filling the stands, not on the blond, bespectacled part-timer who works at the library he volunteers at. He knows all too well that outing himself equals heartache and ridicule…or worse.
Cody Evans, psych major and grad school hopeful, notices everything and thinks too much. But he doesn’t know what to think when he sees Roman reading to kids. The rugged hockey player just doesn’t look like the type. But it stirs something in him, something he’s never felt before.
When the library is threatened with closure, Cody enlists Roman’s help. As they get to know each other better…much, much better…they realize that they have more in common than books. But Roman’s keeping a big part of himself from his team, and giving in to his feelings for Cody might be more than he’s willing to risk.
.•.•.**❣️ Release date: 7th January 2020 ❣️**.•.•.
Hi guys! We have Rinna Y.T. popping in today with her new release All or Nothing, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
All or Nothing
by
Riina Y.T.
When shy sociology student Remington Belotti finds himself stuck on campus two days before Christmas, the handsome and untouchable Carter McCormack unexpectedly offers him a ride home. Having secretly longed for Carter’s attention for over a year, his sudden interest, along with the kind gesture, gives Remmy hope that his attraction might be returned, after all.
On their way to Remy’s hometown, they encounter bad weather and are overtaken by an unforgiving blizzard, leaving them stranded along the highway. The sparks of attraction fly in the safety of Carter’s car, where they share heartfelt confessions along with body heat and gummy bears. When they check into a motel for the night, their electrifying bond deepens, and their shared time might just bring Remmy and Carter the Christmas surprise they could only have dreamed of.
Hi guys, we have Isobel Starling visiting today with her new release Powder Burns, we have a great teaser and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Powder Burns
(Shutterproof Bonds 05)
by
Isobel Starling
One book, Two Missions, and a memory-key full of secrets!
After a series of terrorist attacks on fracking sites owned by a Gas multinational named Drilsink, Sir James Aiken’s agency is bought in to find the radical Eco-terrorist group responsible. He sends Sam and Declan to work undercover at Imperial College where Intel suggests the group are recruiting. While Sam works behind the scenes, Declan takes on the identity of Geologist Dr. Tobias Hunter and soon makes an enemy of a fellow science geek- a man who Declan comes to despise more than Sir James Aiken!
When the operation moves from London to Munich and then Vienna, Sam, and Declan are thrown headlong into a spy scenario straight out of the thriller novels they love to read—but with a distinct and disturbing sexual twist! Sam meets an old friend and uncovers shocking information about James’ past.
With Erik Madsson still imprisoned inside the A.L.L. HQ, James comes to realize that he should have listened to his son. Keeping the enemy inside his own home is about to be the biggest mistake he has ever made.
Hi guys, we have Edie Danford stopping by today with her new release Second Song, we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Second Song
(Sugarhouse Blues 01)
by
Edie Danford
A wounded singer’s second act. A bodyguard’s redemption. Two grieving souls find healing in love’s sweetest song.
Sage
Four years ago, a brutal attack shot down my soaring music career. My bodyguard, a man I loved like a brother, was killed, and serious injuries left my voice permanently damaged.
Songs silenced, I retreated to my Vermont home, unsure I’d ever perform again.
Now I’m ready to go public with my new act. But, yeah, I’m a little nervous. So to handle security for a trial-run tour, I’m hiring a guy I trust absolutely—Antonio Callan, my former bodyguard’s brother.
But when Antonio shows up, all super-chill fierceness and warm, understanding eyes, I’m up against an unexpected risk—losing my heart.
Antonio
Touring backwoods bars with a reclusive singer is the wrong gig at the wrong time. But how can I refuse the wounded kid my brother thought of as family?
After a week in Vermont, I’m feeling more helpless than heroic.
Sage has grown up, and I’m crazy-attracted to him. His broken-but-beautiful voice knocks me out, and his quiet courage sings to my soul. The more time we spend in close quarters, the harder it becomes to resist our attraction.
Soon, Sage’s second act is rocketing to the top of the charts, and being his hero takes on a whole new meaning. It’s up to me to take his cue and find the courage to reach for a star.
Second Song is the first in the two-book Sugarhouse Blues series and can be read as a stand-alone. Contains angsty-hot pining (and Vermont pines), first-time lovin’, sappy songs (and Vermont maples), and the healing power of loooooove.
Hi guys we have D.H. Starr spotting by today with his new release Wrestling With Hope, we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Wrestling With Hope
(Wrestling 04)
by
D.H. Starr
Forced to move from place to place, never setting down roots, robbed Scott Thayer of any thread of stability during his childhood. No matter how hard he tried, he could never please his distant and judgmental father. If his own father couldn’t love him, who could?
Two years after last setting eyes on the man whose approval he’d never win, he’s found a good life, attending college, become a star on the wrestling team, built a home with his lover Derek, and surrounded himself with people who love him.
An unexpected note from his father, saying, “I want to see you,” turns Scott’s world upside down. Why, after all this time, does the man want back into his life, just when Scott’s wounds have begun to heal? Should he risk his happiness and peace of mind to accept the invitation from someone who’d left him so damaged?
Or will he finally find closure and slam the door on his pain and never look back?
Blurb: Deputy Roman Charsguard survived Afghanistan where he lost his best friend—his K-9 handler James. Roman was a military dog until two years ago when he developed the ability to shift into a human. It’s not easy to learn how to be a man. He found a place to live in Mad Creek, a haven for the secret world of dog shifters. Finding a reason to live has been harder. That is, until a certain human walks into the Mad Creek Sheriff’s office and starts making trouble.
Matt Barclay has the worst luck. First he was shot in a SWAT drug raid, then he was sent as DEA investigator to Mad Creek, a little town in the California mountains. Matt’s job is to keep a lookout for illegal drug farms, but nobody in the town wants him there. And then there’s Roman, Matt’s erstwhile baby-sitter. He’s the hottest guy Matt’s ever seen, even if he is a bit peculiar. If this job doesn’t kill Matt, sexual frustration just might.
The town is counting on Roman to prevent Matt from learning about dog shifters, Matt’s counting on Roman to be his work partner and tell him the truth, and Roman’s trying to navigate love, sex, and a whole lot of messy human emotions. Who knew it was so complicated to walk like a man?
How to Walk Like a Man is the second book in Eli Easton’s Howl at the Moon series. While I hadn’t known what to expect when I started book one, I was really excited to read book 2. I strongly recommend reading this series in order, not only is it a fun, charming and sweet series, it is also totally unique. Also, there are a number of sub plots that are directly linked to book one and I think it would difficult to appreciate this book on its own.
After reading book 1, I couldn’t wait to start How to Walk Like a Man after I read the blurb. We me Roman, one of the MCs of this book, while reading Lance and Tim’s story in book 1. Roman had instantly intrigued me in the first book, he had such a gentle, firm but protective nature that I wanted to know more about the man and the dog that he was. After all, Roman is quickened, meaning that he had been born a dog but the love and emotion from his human owner meant that Roman received the spark that caused him to transform after his owner died.
Roman’s back story is one that will appeal to most readers. He was a military dog and had complete adoration for his handler, of course this affection was returned him. He was in Afghanistan with his handler, sniffing out bombs and the like. I won’t spoil and give the full back story, but it’s easy to figure out even reading the book. I loved the emotional connection I felt to this story line.
But now that he lives in Mad Creek and over the past couple years has learnt to be a man, he finds a new place in life. His military training makes him perfect to help the sheriff and has been recently made a deputy. With drugs threatening to encroach, Roman now has the job of babysitting the human DEA agent who has come to scope out Mad Creek for drugs.
In fact, the human DEA agent, Matt Barclay had also appeared in book 1, albeit very briefly. He had been shot in the cross fire and Roman had saved him then. Again, I won’t go into it because this all ties in with Roman’s backstory. But trust me, it is all very sweet. Matt knows that there is something different about Mad Creek, and he also knows that Roman is keeping him away from the town, which puts him on alert. The fact that the two men have a lot of chemistry is just another added layer for Matt.
This story is everything that is sweetness with the added strength of characters that are from law enforcement. Roman is naïve when it comes to human love and physicality, so he is learning a lot along the way. It is this naivety that adds the charm into the story, while Matt is more worldly but isn’t about to storm Roman’s defences. Once again, I loved this story. This is an excellent series I recommend to those that love a good shape shifter story.
Shorty’s Review: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
I loved this story about Roman and Matt. Keeping a secret from Matt was hard for Ro as he was such an honest and open person but keep it he did. With the threat of possible drug being grown in their town Lance and Roman attend a meeting where they learn a DEA agent will be assigned to their town. It’s up to Roman to keep the man from learning the truth about them.
Roman’s back story is both happy and heartbreaking. He was a brave German shepherd and served his country well while in the service. He had a hard time adjusting as a human which was to be expected. Matt suspects things are going on but does not report the strange things he see’s to his superior. As the investigation continues he and Roman grow closer.
I found this story to be dramatic, humorous and intense at times. I liked the way the story flowed and progressed. Amazing addition to the series.
Miller Sykes’s meteoric rise to award-winning chef is the stuff of culinary dreams, but it’s all crashing down around him. He’s been given a diagnosis that could cost him something even more precious than his life: his sense of taste. Rather than risk the very thing that defines him, Miller embarks on a last tour of his favorite meals while he still can.
But there’s a catch: he needs a financial backer to make it happen, and he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s sick.
Dr. Clancy Rhodes has two weeks to come to terms with putting aside oncology to work at his father’s thriving plastic surgery practice. When the opportunity to travel with a Michelin-starred chef presents itself, the foodie in him can’t believe it. It doesn’t hurt that Miller’s rugged good looks are exactly Clancy’s cup of joe.
As Clancy and Miller travel from coast to coast and indulge in everything from dive bars to the most decadent of culinary experiences, they’re suddenly sharing a lot more than delicious meals. Sparks fly as they bond over their love of flavors and the pressures of great expectations. But when Miller’s health takes a turn for the worse, Clancy must convince him he’s more—so much more—than just his taste buds. And that together, they can win a battle that once seemed hopeless.
Review: Miller is a top renowned chef whose career has come to an end with a debilitating illness. He decides to take a tour eating world renowned food before he is affected by illness that will render him unable to taste. Clancy is a doctor who has just finished his residency. His parents give him a gift of travelling with a renowned chef eating delicious foods.
First off let me say I do not usually read contemporary stories. Once I finished this one I remembered why. There was no mystery, suspense or action. The so called romance did not feel real to me. Now I like food not going to lie. But the foods mentioned throughout this book I had no clue as to what they were so I was at a loss. There were a couple of names I recognized but some I would never have eaten myself as they sound gross and have alcohol in them which I do not drink due to it hurting my stomach.
I liked Clancy and Miller’s interactions. It felt more like a friendship than anything else with a side of crush on Clancy’s part. The places they went were awe inspiring and luxurious yet only the rich would ever be able to afford to eat there. This story was well written and progressed beautifully. Sadly, it was not the book for me as I did not enjoy it overall.
With that being said it an o.k. read for me that I’m sure others would love.
Blurb: Two of W.S. Long’s best-selling gay romance stories are now available in a box set! Fall in love with Pad and RJ’s love story. Contains the stories:
Ask and I’ll Tell: Raised by his aunt, after his mother died, Pad McLaughlin enlisted in the Air Force to see the world, and save money for college, but he didn’t expect to fall in love with his supervisor, RJ Davis, a handsome, dashing officer. Rather than return home right away after his tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, Pad gambles on love by joining RJ in Bangkok, despite the government’s policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” When Pad realizes RJ doesn’t love him, he returns home broken-hearted only to be distracted by Wayne, another hunky airman, who keeps secrets from Pad.
When RJ finally realizes after Pad’s gone what Pad means to him, is he too late? Will Pad choose the officer or the airman? Set in 2008, this love story takes place before the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” when gay men who loved each other were forced to remain in the closet and deny themselves happiness.
Splendidly Ever After: Seven years after they meet, and more than four years since RJ initially proposes, RJ and Pad are back. The wedding invitations have been sent again and the date is set. This time, both men are more committed than ever to each other and willing to make their relationship work.
But old issues surface that cause conflict before their big day. Will RJ’s recent diagnosis of sexual addiction disorder tear them apart? Can they weather the growing disapproval from their families over same-sex marriage before they walk down the aisle? Will RJ and Pad finally tie the knot?
Review: Forbidden in Uniform Box Set is the collection of the two books that make the Forbidden in Uniform series, Ask and I’ll Tell and Splendidly Ever After, by WS Long. This is my first encounter with WS Long, so I had no idea what to expect, but I was attracted by the fact that this was a military type romance. I’m a bit of a sucker, even when (or especially because) of those based around DADT, where the romance holds a forbidden element (hence the name of the series, I suppose).
I’m going to give a quick review for both the novel and the novella which is featured in this collection. However, I’ve not rated them individually because for me they both get the same rating, whether individually or bundled together.
To me they weren’t really individual stories as such, the second book carries on from the first (about the same couple) and is completely dependent on the reader having read book 1 first (lucky it’s a box set). With that in mind, I find it really easy to make a number of overall comments about the story and treating it as one.
The first book starts when your two MCs meet. This is the romance between enlisted Air Force person, Pad McLaughlin, and Pad’s supervisor/commanding officer, RJ Davis. Pad has had a crush on his supervisor while they have been both stationed in Saudi Arabia, but DADT means that Pad could never act on his feelings. Not only that, he has no idea if RJ would be receptive. A little bit of scheming on Pad’s part and they end up in Thailand, indulging in a wild time of sex. But things get messy when emotions become involved. RJ, as an officer is in a difficult place, too, as any misstep could spell the end of his career. Meanwhile, Pad is moving to the base in Tampa, Florida and desperately wants to make a relationship with RJ work. However, when Pad realises RJ doesn’t love him, he goes back to Florida alone and picks up the pieces. Obviously the story doesn’t end here, because RJ has to get his shit together and the bumpy journey to a full fledged relationship continues.
The second book, Splendidly Ever After, picks up seven years later. RJ and Pad are still together and they are on their way to get married, with the stressful lead up wreaking havoc on their relationship. They’ve already been engaged and almost married once, but they broke up and got back together and (I hope) they’re stronger than ever. This is another serving of angst. Once again it seems that RJ is the cause of conflict, he suffers from sexual addiction disorder and his addiction to porn put a strain on their relationship.
I’m going to be upfront. While I didn’t dislike the book and didn’t have any trouble finishing it, I felt a little disappointed by the general feel of the book. I’m not sure if it is writing style or if it comes down to the details that were given to the reader throughout the book. However, I really struggled to feel the emotion between the two men, as well as struggling to get a firm hold of the attraction between them. Don’t get me wrong, the attraction was there but I felt there was something missing. I don’t think the fact that this is very much an insta-love type of situation helped, because I felt as though a lot of emotions, besides anger and heart break, were being muted by the fact that things seemed to be glossed over and told. In the end I feel I didn’t know the MC’s all that well.
The other thing is, I think it’s an interesting angle and I liked the struggle between the characters. However, I felt that it was a missed opportunity that the author did not go into further detail. The disorder wasn’t explained properly and the mental issues that RJ has gone through were not really brought out well. I know that sounds like an odd criticism, BUT I recently listened to an audio book of an MC who suffered sex addiction and used his work as an escort to help his treatment, that was pretty awesome.
TL;DR: I easily felt all the negative emotions and struggled to feel more out of the positive emotions.
This is probably the type of book for someone that likes insta-love, angst, heart break all rolled up into a military romance.
Blurb: After an eventful and sometimes uncomfortably public courtship, Simon Murray and Declan Ty-ler settled into a comfortable life together. Now retired from the AFL, Declan works as a football commentator; Simon develops programs with queer content for a community television station.
Despite their public professional lives, Simon and Declan manage to keep their private life out of the spotlight. Their major concerns revolve around supporting their friends through infertility and relationship problems – until Greg Heyward, Declan’s ex-partner, outs himself in a transpar-ent bid for attention.
Though Simon and Declan are furious with Greg and his media antics, they can’t agree on what to do about it. Declan insists they should maintain a dignified silence, but both he and Simon keep getting drawn into Heyward’s games. Simon and Declan will once again have to ride out the media storm before they can return their attention to what really matters: each other.
Review: Tigerland is the second book in Sean Kennedy’s Tigers and Devils series. Book 2 picks up a little down the track after the end of the first book, so it is important to read – or listen – to this series in order. I adore this series and have read it as it has been published. Being an Australian, I was attracted to a book that talks about something I am familiar with (although I don’t follow AFL it is impossible not to know something if you come from Australia – unless you’re New South Wales or Queensland, that is). It also sounds exactly like an Australian, it’s funny how much I realise Australian English is just sas ridiculous as US English. However, Kennedy writing, quirky and very well developed characters led to me falling in love with the first book of the series.
If you read my review for the audio book of the first book, it was clear that while I listened to and enjoyed the book, which I already knew I loved, to say I had a lot of problems with the narration is an understatement. However, with book 2 we have a new narrator, Dave Gilles. I’ve heard Gilles’ accent for a number of Renae Kaye’s books (set in Western Australia), so I knew what to expect and looked forward to his work. While he isn’t Australian he does an excellent accent and he has clearly done his research when it comes to pronunciation. Overall, it was a great performance and I honestly have nothing bad to say. Gilles did an awesome job giving voice to Simon and Declan, as well as their friends Roger, Fran, Abe and Lisa, as well as Nyssa, newcomer Cobie and Simon’s arch nemesis from book 1, Jasper Brunswick (real name Jon Brown). We are also introduced to a new character, the villain of the piece
Fans of the first book will not be disappointed with this sequel, Simon is as snarky as ever and Declan has come a long way from a closeted to openly gay football god to retired openly gay football god. Since injuries that have been plaguing Declan since book 1 forced his early retirement, the pain was too raw to go into coaching and so went to being a commentator and panellist for many of the numerous footy shows for a commercial television network (trust me, there’s A LOT of those IRL, and in my head it’s Channel 9 or 7 that he’s working at, haha). Simon has also had a career change, from being director of an indie film festival to a content producer for a LBGTQI community television station. However, after being together for three years Simon and Declan have to deal with their next big storm in the shape of Declan’s ex while he was still in the closet, a fellow AFL player. Simon and Declan go through their own ups and downs with Greg Heyward causing trouble with his media frenzy, maliciously dragging Simon into the mess and making him the bad guy. On top of that, we also see Simon’s pain and need to help his friends financially when he sees Fran and Roger go through hell when it comes to infertility preventing his best friends from starting a family.
It’s not difficult to feel for Simon as he tells the story. He gets a lot of shit thrown at him. And despite having the support of Declan, as well as Simon supporting Declan throughout the Heyward saga, Declan’s media silence over the various claims does hurt Simon. These guys still have and do a lot more growing as characters and as a couple throughout this book. The ups and downs make the guys really relatable and makes the relationship feel real.
Like the first book, this is great for fans of the sports romance genre. Although for fans of Simon and Murray and Declan Tyler, this a great continuation of their story.
Blurb: Tad bounces around in time and watches mankind grow and change. He loves humanity and helping when he can. However, his job isn’t conducive to helping people—he’s an Angel of Death.
Doug is a fun-loving drama queen. He’s an amazing drag queen and hairstylist with big dreams, but despite his witty exterior, he has a dark history and is prone to self-destruction.
When Tad pushes the boundaries of his duties too far, his wings are stripped away from him, and he is sent to New York City to live as a human. Lost and alone he ends up meeting Doug, and they start a friendship that shapes them both and may last a lifetime. But nothing is simple when you’re dealing with a former Angel of Death and a Drag Queen. Could these two cause the fabric of our world to collapse or will they manage to keep the future as it should?
Warning: Explicit 9/11 details, attempted date rape, homophobia
Review: Tad, an angel of death, is stripped of his wings and sent to live on earth as punishment for helping when he should not have. Here he meets Doug and the two form a strong friendship. But everything has a consequence.
I love how this story evolved. The characters were all engaging as each changing scenery occurred. I love books where you can not guess each and every outcome and this was no different. There were many twists and turns that took me by surprise, which delighted me.
I loved the different scenarios that happened when something minuscule changed. This was a great story, well thought out plot with amazing characters that added life to the story.
