Hi peeps, we have a Skylar Cates stopping by with her newest release Lovers, Loser, and You, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a incredible giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Lovers, Losers, and You

Skylar M. Cates

How can you lose one dream and still find another?

Owen King is a lonely history teacher who wants to be braver. So when Owen learns about the deceased brother he never met, he breaks free of his safety net and risks answers. Despite his loving, adopted family, Owen wonders if there are missing pieces inside of him. Visiting the seaside town of Ocean Vista, where his brother lived and died, will be no vacation.

Andrew Teagan wants to be a winner. After being dumped by his last boyfriend, Andrew is through letting others dictate his life. To prove that dreams are possible, he’s going after his ambitions full force. Having signed on for a cooking reality show, Andrew’s ready to make his small café into a sizzling success.

When Andrew aids Owen on the beach, what starts off as an act of kindness turns into a hot temptation. But can a sweet budding romance survive when the time comes for Owen to leave town? Both men must learn to trust each other if their love will conquer the miles between them.

Excerpt

“Dinner.” Tomas carried out a big platter of food to the dining room table. Marc followed with another. River surveyed the platters and put his hands on his hips.

“Do you have fries with this? Or some meat? I can’t have only fish and vegetables.”

“Ignore River,” Marc advised Owen. “He has a deep-seated fear of anything too healthy.”

“I do not.”

“Every meal does not need to include something made from potatoes.” Marc rolled his eyes. “But yes, you Neanderthal, I have some fries, as requested.”

“I have a deep-seated fear of Miracle Whip,” Cole said as they all gathered around the table. “Does anybody really know what’s in that stuff?” He gave Owen a sweet smile.

Under any other circumstances, Owen would be charmed by these guys. Instead, it was difficult to manage a smile in return as he sat down next to River and across from Andrew.

As they began to eat, Andrew saved them from an awkward silence by telling the others about Café Battles.

“Awesome, way to go.” Tomas clapped Andrew on the back, almost knocking him over.

“Can we see the show live?” Ian asked.

“I’d love that. It’s taped in Miami this whole week. So you could easily drive down and watch it.”

“And you better make signs for us too.” Marc grinned as he speared a piece of tilapia with his fork. “The Busy Day Café will kick your café’s ass.”

They all laughed and the tension eased a bit. He could see how affectionate Andrew and the others were, and Owen thought it must be wonderful to have friends like these.

“Whatever you need for the contest that we can do, it’s yours,” Cole said. “Just let us know.”

“Thanks,” Andrew said.

 Owen took a moment to appreciate the flavorful fish and stir-fry vegetables. The fries too. He wouldn’t tell Marc, but he was with River on having some grease and carbs with his meals. He had just started to relax when the subject turned to him.

“You’re a teacher, right? So you must love to read. Brendan loved fiction.”

“I do love reading. But, um, mostly historical works and biographies.”

“Oh.” Cole shifted in his seat. Ian took his hand. Owen saw him give Cole’s fingers a light squeeze. “It’s not a big thing,” Cole added in a rueful tone. “Anyhow, you like to read. That’s the point.”

Like Brendan was implied so strongly, it hung in the air.

They all sat there. Not quite meeting one another’s eyes.

“Can you pass more vegetables my way, Tomas? They’re so good,” Andrew asked with an easy smile, yet Owen got the weird sense of being rescued.

Owen’s gaze flickered to Andrew briefly. Andrew, though, looked away. Maybe he simply wanted seconds?

“You all know I’m a teacher. What do all of you guys do?” Owen asked, trying to get the conversation away from himself.

“I’m a bouncer, but also go to nursing school,” Tomas said. “Marc’s in culinary school. Cole just began taking some English classes, but bartends at night at It’s Five O’clock Somewhere….”

“I went straight from high school to college,” Owen said. “But I’m kind of sorry that I didn’t take a gap year.”

“What’s a gap year?” Marc asked.

“Oh. A year where you just have some fun. Travel. Get life experiences. Before you go on to college.”

They all nodded, but it occurred to Owen how entitled it sounded. All of them clearly were working and going to school, and here he brought up a gap year. Brilliant. He felt his cheeks heat.

“I considered a gap year too,” Ian spoke gently to him, his face kind. “But I was too ambitious to finish law school to slow down.”

“Brendan would have loved a gap year,” Cole jumped in. “He wanted to see the whole world twice over. You like traveling a lot, huh?”

“No… not so much. That’s why I never did the year off. I’m happiest at school.”

“Well, I can’t wait to fucking graduate.” Marc glanced at Andrew. “Here’s to me and him winning the reality show and paying off my shitty loans.” He sucked a beer down.

“No, here is to Owen visiting,” Cole said firmly. Owen really wished he’d stop trying so hard. He smiled weakly at Cole and raised his beer.

“We can toast both,” Tomas replied.

Only River didn’t drink. He sat at the table, but he’d long ago withdrawn.

“Hey, Owen, how about you meet me and Ian tomorrow? At Ian’s office. You could see where Brendan worked. We could take you to lunch and show you some of his favorite places?”

“Only if he wants to,” Ian said.

“Yeah, sure. Do you?” Cole’s doglike persistence couldn’t be dissuaded. He was practically panting.

Owen imagined Cole’s tongue lolling out as he rapped him with a rolled-up newspaper and said, “Down, boy.”

“Do you want to meet?’ Cole repeated.

“Sure, that’d be fine.”

“Dessert in five minutes,” Marc announced.

About Cate

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is quite happy to drink some coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Most days, however, Skylar is chasing after her husband, her kids, and her giant dog, Wasabi. Skylar dreams about spending her days writing her novels, walking along the beach, and making more time for her good friends. On a shoestring budget, Skylar has traveled all over in her early years. Although, lately, the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar still loves to chat with people from all around the globe.

|| Website & Blog || Facebook || Twitter || Goodreads ||

Giveaway!

Winner’s Prize: $15 DSP Gift Card + An e-book from Skylar’s backlist
Runner Up Prize: An e-book from Skylar’s backlist

Skylay M. Cates Rafflecopter giveaway!

Check out the other blogs on the blog tour