A Kind of Romance by Lane Hayes Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hi peeps, we have Lane Hayes stopping by today with the tour for her newest release A Kind of Romance, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s & Prime’s reviews, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~ 

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A Kind of Romance

(A Kind Of Story 02)
by

Lane Hayes

Zeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no non-sense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go – not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas. The new hire at the family-owned bagel store is somewhat colorful, but his dad is sure he’s the perfect man for Zeke.

Benny Ruggieri is a fiercely proud New Yorker who dreams of making it big as a costume designer in the theatre. In the meantime, he’s working two part-time jobs in the food biz. When his new boss sets him up with his successful son, Benny has zero expectations. If nothing else, he figures he can entertain himself by making the uptight businessman squirm. Instead, the two become unlikely friends with an inexplicable attraction they can’t ignore. Benny might be the one to help Zeke set aside his quest for revenge, if he’s willing to let go and forgive what he can’t forget… and give in to an unexpected kind of romance.

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Excerpt

THEY SAID you could remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when a life-altering event took place. I could do better than that. I could tell you the date and time too. May 9, 7:04 a.m…. It was a Monday. Of course. I was standing in my kitchen, cradling a cup of coffee while reading the news on my iPad when my cell phone rang. I didn’t think twice about it. It rang all the fucking time. The setting was almost always on vibrate, but last night I’d changed it, thinking I didn’t want to miss Taylor’s call in case he decided to come by. He didn’t call. And he didn’t come over. I didn’t really think he would, but when we ran into each other at the farmers’ market in Union Square Sunday morning, I’d foolishly hoped he might. That was our spot. It seemed like providence. A sign of some sort telling us we should stop this nonsense and get back together immediately. True, Taylor had confessed he’d been cheating on me with one of my coworkers for the past six months, but… still.

The second round of incessant ringing served as a reminder I was a complete moron for wanting him back. And when I saw the name displayed on my cell, I knew the caller would agree wholeheartedly.

“Mornin’, Pops.”

“Ezekiel?”

I didn’t recognize the voice on the line. It was masculine but a little high-pitched. Definitely not Dad. Whoever he was, he was calling from my father’s phone. My heart slammed against my chest in a wave of instant panic.

“Just Zeke, actually. You’re calling from my father’s phone. Is he oka—?”

“He fell and hit his head. We called 9-1-1. The paramedics said it looked like a superficial wound, but there was blood everywhere and—They’re taking him to Mount Sinai on First. I’m following now with William. Filipe doesn’t speak much English, so Rand is staying to help mind the store and—”

“Whoa! Hang on. Where was he?” It was a stupid question. However, I felt nauseated from the unexpected adrenaline rush and was struggling to catch up and make sense of this conversation.

“At Bowery Bagels,” the caller replied with a heavy sigh. “I’m so sorry. I—I don’t know what else to say. I’m sure he’s fine, but—I’ll meet you in the emergency room.”

“Wait! Who are you?” I asked, staring into the open great room of my condo in a trancelike state.

I noted the sun’s reflection on the shiny dark hardwood floors and the way the tiny flecks of dust sparkled like fairy dust in the air. But I felt as though I were in a vacuum. Sound was muffled, and the light was suddenly too bright. I pushed away from the island and moved with purpose toward my bedroom, forgetting I’d been waiting for a response until the caller spoke again.

“Benny.”

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About Lane

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles both be men! Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow lab ever in an almost empty nest.

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Giveaway!

$25 Gift Card to Ebook retailer of choice (DSP, Amazon, ARE Café)!

(Just click the link below)

Lane Hayes Rafflecopter giveaway!

(Ends Midnight 24th June 2016)

Review

o-a-kind-of-romanceTitle: A Kind of Romance

Series: A Kind of Stories 02

Author: Lane Hayes

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel (234pgs)

ISBN: 9781634773232

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 6th 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts (Combined rating)

Reviewers: Aerin & Prime

Blurb: Zeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no-nonsense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go—not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas. The new hire at the family-owned bagel store is somewhat colorful, but his dad is sure he’s the perfect man for Zeke.

Benny Ruggieri is a fiercely proud New Yorker who dreams of making it big as a costume designer in the theater. In the meantime, he’s working two part-time jobs in the food biz. When his new boss sets him up with his successful son, Benny has zero expectations. If nothing else, he figures he can entertain himself by making the uptight businessman squirm. Instead, the two become unlikely friends with an inexplicable attraction they can’t ignore.

Benny might be the one to help Zeke set aside his quest for revenge, if he’s willing to let go and forgive what he can’t forget… and give in to an unexpected kind of romance.

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-kind-of-romance-by-lane-hayes-6888-b

Aerin’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

A Kind of Romance started off as a 5-Hearts read, but along the way Zeke made this book lose its shine and I ended the last chapter with a solid 4-Hearts rating…until the epilogue. That epilogue was everything this book needed, it was sunshine and rainbows and wedding bells, but still real, with a touch of sorrow.

Zeke is a Wall Street executive whose no-nonsense attitude makes him perfect for his job. He has a heart of steel and a core of titanium, he’s impenetrable and vindictive. Zeke doesn’t like to lose and if he ever feels cheated or wronged, nothing will stop him from getting revenge. These are the things we see about Zeke at first glance.

What we don’t see is the confused little boy who lost his mother, the only person who fought for him and stood in his corner, to Alzheimer’s. Growing up was hell for Zeke, because his father was severely homophobic, and bullied and belittled Zeke every chance he got. Two decades later, Zeke’s father has had a change of heart. Time has allowed him to understand Zeke and accept him, and he tries as hard as he can to support Zeke and see him happy.

I love how Zeke’s father, George, was written. Homophobia is usually learned, or it comes from a place of fear and lack of understanding homosexuality. The fact that George worked hard at changing his views and accepting (and even rooting for) the LGBT minority was endearing and hopeful because people CAN change and they do it every day. Just look at how far we’ve come! However, Zeke is not one to forgive, and his relationship with his father is shaky at best.

Benny is an amazing character! He has all the sass and spark, but his beautiful, slightly effeminate exterior holds the core of a warrior. Benny loves who he is and never apologizes for it. He would never settle for anything other than being #1 in someone’s life. Benny works at his family’s Italian restaurant and at George’s bagel shop by day, while working towards his dream of becoming and costume designer in his free time.

When Zeke’s father tries his hand at matchmaking and pesters them to go out on a date, Zeke and Benny agree so that they can shut George up. They both know they’re not each other’s type and there will never be anything serious between them. But the chemistry burning bright can’t be ignored. A kiss turns into a series of intense, passionate, amazing nights of sex. But there’s also friendship and mutual respect forming between them, as they start getting to know each other. I LOVED them together!

The only downside was Zeke and his stubbornness to admit there’s more between them than a friendship with benefits. I understood it at first, but it took mostly the whole book for him to admit even to himself he loves Benny and wants him. The frustration I experienced was mollified by the intense feelings of possessive emotions Zeke got every time he was around Benny. Zeke wanted to crawl into Benny and never let go, which was stupidly hot!

The secondary characters were amazing. I just loved every single one of them! This book was significantly different from other Lane Hayes books, because it deals with the more challenging issue of losing a loved one, and all the angst and sorrow that comes with it.

There were times I couldn’t help but tear up, since Zeke’s internal sorrow and sadness over his mother and his relationship with his father was very real and very heartbreaking. And I believe this was the first time EVER that I cried with sadness and smiled with joy during an epilogue. Prepare for FEELS, people!!!

Prime’s Review: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

This is book 2 in Lane Hayes’ A Kind of Stories series. However, this is a standalone book. Other than an appearance from the couple from book 1, A Kind of Truth, there is no ongoing plot to worry about. Which is good, I think, if you do not like you rock gods settling down with a boyfriend but prefer Wall Street exec from an ordinary family falling for an ordinary guy.

This is a totally fun book and really embraces the old saying “opposites attract” because that is exactly what Zeke (he hates being called Ezekiel) and Benny are. Zeke is a well to do Wall Street exec that is also just a tad snobbish. Which is a bit odd since his father and brothers, who run the family bakery, are the most ordinary type people that you could come across. Benny on the other hand is a blue-haired ball of energy who takes life in his stride.

These guys also have completely different family lives. While Benny works for Zeke’s father, George, on the side, his primary job is to work for his own family. They are Italian-Catholic and to me I saw my own family in that, we may not be New Yorkers but there is that unspoken camaraderie that comes along with coming from an Italian family that immigrated out of Italy. Benny is pretty damn lucky where his family are concerned. However, Zeke is not quite so lucky. His father was a difficult man to live with after he came out as gay and that is seen in the still mending relationship between father and son. I think it is also interesting how his mother is referred to as “gone”, because she isn’t dead. I assume that she has some form of dementia although it was never stated, and neither was that bit of information crucial to the outcome of the story.

It’s quickly evident though, he is just what Zeke needs to loosen up and to make Zeke realize that he has bloody horrible taste in men.

I absolutely adored this book. Benny most especially is a very relatable character, although Zeke’s troubles with his ex is also, unfortunately, all too easy to relate to. However, there were a couple times, because this book was completely told from Zeke’s POV that I wanted to know Benny’s POV. He’s a ball of fire that I related to on many levels and there were just a few times when I wanted to know what was going on inside his head.

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