Hiya peeps, we have Felice Stevens stopping by today with her brand new release Beyond the Surface from her brand new series The Breakfast Club. We have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Zane’s review, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Beyond the Surface

Felice Stevens

On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

Excerpt

Julian was in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. He had a glass in front of him filled with what Nick presumed was vodka, having spied the Grey Goose bottle.

“Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine…anything you’d like.”

Nick shook his head, regret piercing his heart as he watched the hope drain from Julian’s eyes.

“I don’t think so. I’m going to head home. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Jamal tonight.”

Julian stood abruptly, kicking the stool away from his feet.

“Don’t treat me like I’m some fucking stranger, Nicky. You owe me. It’s been eighteen years; you think I’m going to let you walk out on me again like you did before? After what just happened between us? After you fell apart? No fucking way. I’m not that same person and neither are you, obviously.”

Taken aback by Julian’s anger, Nick remained mute.

“What the hell is going on with you? One minute you’re tongue fucking me into the next century and the next you’re freaking out. I know I’m a damn good kisser, but this isn’t about us, is it? It has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with you and the shit that’s floating around in your head.”

Julian stepped closer to him and Nick, who normally couldn’t stand people near him, was rooted to the floor, unable to move.

“Talk to me, Nicky. Tell me what happened to you.”

He was so tired of holding himself together, feeling like at any moment he’d shatter into a million tiny pieces, leaving nothing behind but a pile of dust.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

The words poured out of him, flowing unchecked this time. “It should’ve been me. We all went to the Towers to save them. It was my day off, but I went anyway. I heard and couldn’t stay home; I had a duty to help, you know? But I lived and they all died. Why, Julian? Why did I live and they didn’t?”

“Oh, Nick.” Julian held him close. “I don’t have the answers for you. No one does. But I’m going to be completely selfish and say I’m so thankful you did make it and we’re here together after all these years.”

Unflinching green eyes gazed back at him. Clever, beautiful eyes that Nick could never stop dreaming of. Eyes that at one time had held the promise of forever, until Nick ruined everything with his cowardice and shame. Unable to maintain Julian’s scrutiny, Nick broke away and ran to the elevator, his chest heaving, eyes stinging with tears.

“Let me out. I need to leave here. NOW.”

About Felice

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

Where to find the author:

Facebook | Facebook Author Page  | @Felicestevens1 | Pinterest

Giveaway!

Win a $25 Amazon Giftcard

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Review

Title: Beyond the Surface     

Series: The Breakfast Club #1

Author: Felice Stevens

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (229 pages)

ASIN: B013JB97QY

Publisher: Felice Stevens (August 17, 2015)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Zane

Blurb: On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Surface-Breakfast-Club-Book-ebook/dp/B013JB97QY 

Review: I am so excited – Felice Stevens has a new series! “The Breakfast Club” centers around three men who have been friends since college, each with their own story.  Meet Zach the introverted programmer with a lonely heart, Marcus the club owner and destined to be single forever manwhore (YES!!!! I get to read another unapologetic slut!), and Julian, the fashion designer playboy secretly nursing a broken heart from his younger days. The men have remained close, not only keeping in contact but meeting for breakfast weekly, hence the title.

This first book is Julian Cornell’s story of love lost and found again with firefighter Nick Fletcher. The high school lovers were broken apart by Nick’s need to be “normal” and inability to accept that he was gay, and further distanced when Julian left school as a result of intolerance and bullying.

After two decades of being apart a chance meeting reignites the spark between them, bringing forth a love for one another that neither had outgrown. Battling internal issues and wounds that have yet to fully heal, Julian and Nick struggle to deal with the past and present. Challenges within their personal and professional lives threaten to split them apart again, but this time they fight for each other, for their love and happiness.

What a great read! Classic Felice Stevens, complete with sexy scenes (can we say hot-as-sin leather pants and kitchen sex???), shmoopy declarations of love and tender heartfelt moments leading to her guaranteed HEA, this book more than delivers. Her seventh M/M romance, this author’s writing continues to shine and her stories and characters captivate.

As you may have figured, Ms. Stevens is an auto-read (and reread) for me. I easily recommend if you’re a fan of romance, HEAs, sexy fashion designers and/or firemen – even if you just want to read about second chance love with some leather pants thrown in!  

As Julian and Nick begin their HEA, one more member is added to this exclusive breakfast club, and this reader is ready to move on to the next story… Oh, Zach…  I’m waiting…