Hi guys! We have Andrew Grey popping in today with his upcoming release Fire and Onyx, we have a short guest post from Andrew and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Fire and Onyx
(Carlisle Deputies 05)
by
Andrew Grey
Undercover sheriff’s deputy Evan Whittaker is close to infiltrating a vicious local gang. He just needs to find an opening. Instead, he finds Wes Douglas, a web designer who is raising his irresponsible brother’s son. Wes agrees to help with a stakeout, but he pays the price when his home is destroyed in a shootout.
Evan’s always been a loner, but when he invites Wes into his home, living together feels right, and the two men only grow closer as they adapt to each other’s lives and rhythms. A future as a family looks brighter by the day, but all of that could collapse when Wes’s brother—and his connection to the drug dealers—crashes into the life they’re carefully building.
Blurb: He doesn’t know that home is where his heart will be….
Firefighter Tyler Banik has seen his share of adventure while working disaster relief with the Red Cross. But now that he’s adopted Abey, he’s ready to leave the danger behind and put down roots. That means returning to his hometown—where the last thing he anticipates is falling for his high school nemesis.
Alan Pettaprin isn’t the boy he used to be. As a business owner and council member, he’s working hard to improve life in Scottville for everyone. Nobody is more surprised than Alan when Tyler returns, but he’s glad. For him, it’s a chance to set things right. Little does he guess he and Tyler will find the missing pieces of themselves in each other. Old rivalries are left in the ashes, passion burns bright, and the possibility for a future together stretches in front of them….
But not everyone in town is glad to see Tyler return….
Review: Heartward is a standalone by Andrew Grey. I am unashamedly a massive fan of Grey’s books, he has a great knack for writing stories of tough men in uniform, who are really just down to earth, ordinary men, as well as heartfelt stories involving vulnerable children. And luckily for us, Heartward, is a wonderful combination of these.
The story starts out with firefighter Tyler Banik. He’s left his hometown some years ago in his wish to help people, which led him to working disaster relief all over the world. However, things have changed now that Tyler has adopted a traumatised child named Abey. To give Abey stability that he needs and the support that Tyler needs as a single dad, Tyler returns to his hometown where his parents still live. Tyler has got a new job as part of the local crew of firefighters, and while it is a change of pace, he sees a lot that needs fixing – particularly when he comes face to face with an incompetent superior who holds a lot of power.
Then there is Alan Pettapin, he and Tyler were something of enemies in high school, in one of those ways where the rift was caused by assumptions and jealousies in the way that teenagers are so good at doing. However, Alan has changed – for the better – he is a successful business owner, and much like Tyler, wishes to help people. That is how Alan has ended up on the local council, but much like Tyler he knows that there are people in power abusing their privileges.
Between getting to know each other – properly, as adults, finding the actual enemies, and Tyler finding his feet again and pouring his devotion onto Abey, the two men manage to find love as they grow closer.
Abey, the little boy that Tyler adopts is adorable and so completely vulnerable because of the circumstances he had been in before Tyler finds him. His story really tugs at the heart strings and his character also gives Tyler so much depth as he learn their shared backstory. Then there is the part of the plot which deals with corrupt council officials, I really likes this because as a reader we get a real strong indication of the shared moral values held by Tyler and Alan and just how much they care for other people. Finally, there is the personal aspect, which is essentially how Tyler and Alan move from high school enemies meeting as adults to two men falling in love. Each aspect of this story gives great insight and depth to the characters, which just added to the chemistry I felt on the page between the two men.
Overall, a really enjoyable book. I recommend this to fans of Andrew Grey, those that love a firefighter finding his love and family and those that love a good romance with a kid adding to the family.
Blurb: When the pickiest eater in America is tapped to judge a cooking competition along with his chef ex-boyfriend, will it be a recipe for a second chance… or disaster?
Luke Walker’s humor about foods he can’t stand made him an internet celebrity and his blog, The Pickiest Eater in America, a huge hit. He plans to bring that same lighthearted comedy to the show—but he won’t be the only host.
Meyer Thibodeaux might be a famous chef, but he’s solemn, uptight, and closeted. He’s also Luke’s ex. As different as they are, the sparks between Luke and Meyer never really went out, and as they work together, each begins to see the other in a new light, and the passion between them reignites, hot as ever. But secrets, gossip, and rumors on the set could sour their reunion.
Review: Twice Baked is a standalone novel by Andrew Grey. I love Andrew Grey, I’ve never encountered a book of his I didn’t dislike or couldn’t finish. For me, the winning appeal is always the writing style and the three-dimensional characters who almost always develop along the way and learn a thing or two. This is actually the second book of Grey’s I’ve read recently where he has done something different to what I’ve become used to, but it still has all the hallmarks of a sweet Andrew Grey romance in my mind.
The main characters are Luke Walker and Meyer Thibodeaux.
Luke’s opinions on food is almost like everyone’s inner child – there is always some texture that is just so gross it makes you dry reach, or there is something that is said to be so amazing but taste like week-old dirty socks. Luke has a great sense of humour and because of that he has been able to make a name for himself with his blog, declaring him the Pickiest Eater in America. He is unashamedly himself and he has made it work for him. So much so, when a cooking competition, not that dissimilar to Masterchef, needs a new judge he is approached. He and the producers of the show are of the same mind – they want to inject humour along with his natural personality which makes the show more accessible to those intimidated by high cuisine. The only problem is that his ex, Meyer, is also a judge and while he has never had closure over the ending of that relationship, Luke is ready to go in and be an adult when it comes to be in the same room, let alone the same TV show, as his ex-boyfriend.
Meyer doesn’t take Luke’s reappearance in his life quite so easily. Again, Luke is his ex and that comes with a natural uneasiness, no matter how things ended between them. But he has major concerns that Luke will make a mockery of show that he had helped create by being a judge. Meyer is a celebrity chef and the back story is that he essentially left Luke behind to pursue his career.
However, the sparks are still there between them. The passion between them is felt through the words. Luke and Meyer, at first, don’t appear to have changed much from when they had last known each other, but being together in the same world again brings them together. And they do indeed realise that things have changed for them, they eventually realise that they have grown as people, and they continue to grow through the course of this book.
Luke and Meyer’s biggest problems stem from a lack of communication when they had first been together. Their current obstacle is to now balance their personal lives and professional life as famous TV judges. Now that they are nursing the spark of romance, which is now fragile, they learn to trust each other when things on set start to go wrong. There is intrigue on set and it’s easiest for them to be honest – to each other, and as much as possible, the world.
This a great second chance romance novel, I think anyone who likes that would not be disappointed. Added to that those that love cooking reality TV shows and like a bit of heat in the kitchen will probably also enjoy this one. There is loads of charm and romance.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (27th June 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: An accident crushed Duncan’s Olympic dreams and landed him in a chair, but he knows it’s time to get his life back on track – and he has a plan in mind. Working with his friend Todd, an Olym-pic skeleton racer, on a promotional campaign will not only help Duncan regain some direction, but it’ll give Todd the financial boost he desperately needs. The sport Todd loves is draining his resources – so much so that he’s thinking of giving up racing just to make ends meet.
As the two men work together, their friendship blossoms into much more, and suddenly the future is looking brighter than it has in a long time. But just when love, happiness, and success seem within their grasp, the USOC steps in with plans to stop their campaign. That’ll mean an end not just to Duncan’s business, but to Todd’s dreams…and Duncan isn’t about to let that happen to the man who means everything to him.
Review: Heart Untouched is the third book in Andrew Grey’s Hearts Entwined series. You don’t necessarily have to read the series in order. However, since the couples of the previous books feature heavily I think it would make more sense to read the series in order, but that is only my opinion.
Andrew Grey is a go to author for. I could gush for a long time about how much I love his writing. I love the knack he has to make deeply emotional characters, with equally emotional and relatable storylines. I also love the knack he has with characters which are either differently abled or single fathers – I’m truly a sucker for those types of books in general.
The audio narration was performed by Greg Tremblay. Tremblay is a brilliant narrator and I have enjoyed many of his performances of Grey’s work. I love how Tremblay enhances a book by just changing his tone, giving characters their own voices and sometimes making audio experience more relatable and easier to connect to characters than just reading the book.
Part of me was a little disappointed that I didn’t love the book as much as I normally would an Andrew Grey book, and I got no idea if there has to do with either the story itself or the narration. Nonetheless, this was still an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable read. I just hold Grey to higher standards, haha.
The story starts with Olympic skeleton racer, Duncan. Unfortunately, a major accident during competition has not only shattered his dreams of competing in the Winter Olympics, but he is also now confined to a wheelchair. Duncan is lost now, but his friend and one of his fellow skeleton racer teammates, Todd.
Being an Olympian is not an easy thing. Obviously, one has to be absolutely awesome at their chosen sport. But there is also the endless need for funding so that they can take months at a time to train and meet whatever other requires are set by the US Olympic Committee. Back home, Todd is making money but is feeling the noose of tight finances threatening his Olympic dream. Add to that his friend Duncan has had his life shattered, receiving very little help from the sport governing body that had dictated their lives for so long, leaving Todd with rather mixed feelings. But with Duncan struggling, Todd also needs to help his friend. Lucky for Todd he works as a mechanic for a man who employs both a blind man and a deaf man, so he has the support of his wider group of friends to help Duncan find his way through his new normal.
The romance between Duncan and Todd is sweet and slow-burning. The fact that these guys are friends and have great chemistry is a plus. While there were times where the story felt a little flat, it was OK because these guys felt like your normal, down to earth sort of blokes. This is a real sweet, heart-warming and generally just filled with hope.
Blurb: A high-stakes case of industrial espionage ties them together, but before they can pursue their attraction, they must find out who’s pulling the strings.
Devon Donaldson doesn’t know how a folio of stolen corporate secrets found its way into his bag, and certainly can’t think of anyone who’d want to frame him. The trouble is, he has to convince Powers McPherson.
Devon’s firm hired Powers to investigate the theft of a new banking system, and so far Devon is his only lead. While Powers’s gut tells him Devon is innocent, he has no intention of letting Devon out of his sight… for more than one reason. Working together to get Devon’s life back leads to feelings far beyond cooperation. But before they can act on them, they need to find the group of thieves intent on ruining Devon’s reputation.
Review: Pulling Strings is a standalone novel by Andrew Grey. While this is something a bit different from what I normally expect from Grey’s writing, I can’t say that I’m surprised or disappointed that he mixed things up a bit for this story. The most important parts of his writing that I love the most are there: engaging writing style and use of words, relatable main characters, palpable chemistry between the romantic leads of course a good dose of drama.
What you read in the blurb is what you get, so I’m going to keep this review quite short so that I can avoid too much spoiler details. The premise of the book is quite simple: new employee gets to know the man who is investigating corporate sabotage at his work, while proving his innocence and finding the real culprit, feelings emerge. However, what makes this book enjoyable is the complexity of the characters as we get to know them. It’s a lot of fun and the chemistry that is shared between the two characters is believable and makes me think of a Hollywood movie, a sort of unbeatable duo (even if it’s corporate type of story rather than crime or spies).
The two main characters are Devon Donaldson and Powers McPherson. Devon is a relatively new employee for the company he works for who gets caught in a web of corporate sabotage when the man hired to find out who is stealing company secrets, Powers, follows him under the suspicion that Devon is the culprit that he is after.
Devon is hard working and quiet, everything that you would expect from this type of character. He is the conscientious employee who unwittingly looks suspicious. He’s looking to make a positive impression at work. Powers is your typical type of security/private investigator. He can blend into the office environment, as though he is a spy, he has a quick mind and is dedicated to finishing his job assignments.
I enjoyed the passion between these guys, because while the corporate intrigue was an important part to the story, it was the passion followed by the romance that really was properly fleshed out. An enjoyable read, if you like a bit of intrigue and mystery, particularly when it’s wrapped into a neat package set in a multimillion dollar company.
Hi guys! We have Andrew Grey popping in today with his upcoming release Twice Baked, we have a short guest post from Andrew and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Twice Baked
by
Andrew grey
When the pickiest eater in America is tapped to judge a cooking competition along with his chef ex-boyfriend, will it be a recipe for a second chance… or disaster?
Luke Walker’s humor about foods he can’t stand made him an internet celebrity and his blog, The Pickiest Eater in America, a huge hit. He plans to bring that same lighthearted comedy to the show—but he won’t be the only host.
Meyer Thibodeaux might be a famous chef, but he’s solemn, uptight, and closeted. He’s also Luke’s ex. As different as they are, the sparks between Luke and Meyer never really went out, and as they work together, each begins to see the other in a new light, and the passion between them reignites, hot as ever. But secrets, gossip, and rumors on the set could sour their reunion.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (24th February 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Since the death of their mother, Josten Applewhite has done what he’s had to do to take care of his little brother and keep their small family together. But in an instant, a stroke of bad luck tears down what little home he’s managed to build, and Jos and Isaac end up on the streets.
That’s where Officer Kip Rogers finds them, and even though he knows he should let the prop-er authorities handle things, he cannot find it in his heart to turn them away, going so far as to invite them to stay in his home until they get back on their feet. With the help of Kip and his friends, Jos starts to rebuild his life. But experience has taught him nothing comes for free, and the generosity seems too good to be true – just like everything about Kip.
Kip’s falling hard for Jos, and he likes the way Jos and Isaac make his big house feel like a home. But their arrangement can’t be permanent, not with Jos set on making his own way. Then a distant relative emerges, determined to destroy Jos’s family, and Kip knows Jos needs him – even if he’s not ready to admit it.
Review: Fire and Rain is the third book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops 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. But that being said, it’s such a great series, it probably would be easier to start from the beginning and work your way through. I completely arsed it up, but no reason why anyone has to do that. I honestly think I was just too excited about the book itself I didn’t care and am familiar enough with Grey’s writing to know I can usually read (or in this case listen to) his series out of order.
That leads into the fact that I am a massive fan of Andrew Grey’s writing and I’m not ashamed to admit it. He has a great knack for mixing romance with kids. I connect to his writing style and the great way that he manages to includes kids in many of his books, they are not there for decoration and are a very important character along with the two romantic leads. Much like the previous book in the series, Fire and Rain is a great book for anyone that loves a good romance mixed up with a cop drama and includes a heart wrenching story with kids.
The narration of this book was by Randy Fuller. I am not unfamiliar with Fuller’s work. Fuller has performed the narration for Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies, so I have quickly become accustomed to him being “the voice” of the series. His voice has a gravelly timbre that really suits the dangerous and raw emotion aspects of the plot line. In addition, he has a very reasonable, well-paced tone in his voice when it comes to portraying level-headed characters. (It is actually the latter trait that makes Fuller’s narration of The President’s Husband one of my favourite books to re-listen to, but that is not the point of this review).
Since I listened to this book and then went back to book 2, I did note that there is some similarities in the overall themes of the book. However, Grey uses this to his advantage in how the main cop character interacts with his colleagues and gets advice. But that isn’t me saying that it is identical, because it isn’t.
Officer Kip Rogers is on patrol and takes a call about a homeless person loitering near a shop which is the best place for protection out of the rain. That man is Josten Applewhite and Kip is horrified to see that Josten has his little brother Isaac, who is barely a toddler. With the local shelters already full, in part because of the terrible weather Kip’s protective instincts kick in and he wants to help the handsome young man with his adorable brother. However, Josten, aka Jos, isn’t trusting. After the death of his mother and losing his job and then being evicted out his apartment, Jos is understandably suspicious of anyone who wants to help him and Isaac without getting anything in return.
Now that he has met Kip, though, it seems that the two men are fated to be thrown together. Kip is also mindful that he doesn’t want to take advantage of Jos’s situation and for a start just wants to keep the man and the little boy safe. Kip is kind and gentle, as well as being strong, he is everything that Jos needs before we even get to the romance. As they begin to fall in love and Jos begins to get back on his feet, a threat comes in the form of an estranged aunt with ulterior motive. The whole story with the aunt, admittedly, wasn’t hard to work out before it fully played out but it was still a well-executed aspect of the story.
As I said earlier, I really love this series and hope that there will be more in future. At any rate, I know I will happily re-listen to this audio.
Blurb: Carter Schunk is a dedicated police officer with a difficult past and a big heart. When he’s called to a domestic disturbance, he finds a fatally injured woman and a child, Alex, who is in desperate need of care. Child Services is called, and the last man on earth Carter wants to see walks through the door. Carter had a fling with Donald a year ago and found him as cold as ice since it ended.
Donald (Ice) Ickle has had a hard life he shares with no one, and he’s closed his heart to all. It’s partly to keep himself from getting hurt and partly the way he deals with a job he’s good at be-cause he does what needs to be done without getting emotionally involved. When he meets Carter again, he maintains his usual distance, but Carter gets under his skin, and against his bet-ter judgment,Donald lets Carter guilt him into taking Alex when there isn’t other foster care avail-able. Carter even offers to help care for the boy.
Donald has a past he doesn’t want to discuss with anyone, least of all Carter, who has his own past he’d just as soon keep to himself. But it’s Alex’s secrets that could either pull them together or rip them apart – secrets the boy isn’t able to tell them and yet could be the key to happiness for all of them.
Review: Fire and Ice is the second book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops series. You don’t need to have read the previous book in the series. I’ve read and listened to 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. But that being said, it’s such a great series, it probably would be easier to start from the beginning and work your way through.
This is a great book for anyone that loves a good romance mixed up with a cop drama and includes a heart wrenching story with kids. For me Andrew Grey is an instant read. I connect to his writing style and the great way that he manages to includes kids in many of his books, they are not there for decoration and are a very important character along with the two romantic leads. In fact, I’ve read the book before, loved it and so was super keen to get into the audio book.
The narration of this book was by Randy Fuller. I am not unfamiliar with Fuller’s work. Fuller has performed the narration for Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies, so I have quickly become accustomed to him being “the voice” of the series. His voice has a gravelly timbre that really suits the dangerous and raw emotion aspects of the plot line. I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of emotionally closed-off social worker, Donald Ickle. In addition, he has a very reasonable, well-paced tone in his voice when it comes to portraying level-headed characters, in this book that being Carter Schunk. (It is actually the latter trait that makes Fuller’s narration of The President’s Husband one of my favourite books to re-listen to, but that is not the point of this review).
Carter Schunk loves his work and is dedicated to his job helping the people of Carlisle. He got the reputation of being a whiz with computers and so for the longest time spent most of his time behind the desk, being the man behind the screen and a great asset to the cops on the team. But now he has been able to move behind the desk and hit the streets. One of his first calls is to a domestic violence dispute which ended in the death of a woman. Instinct meant that Carter found scared, dirty and abused little boy call Alex. Carter has an instant connection with the kid and when child services struggles to help the boy due to lack of resources, Carter manages to goad Donald Ickle to help Alex himself.
Donald Ickle has earned the name Ice or Ice-Ickle, and for very good reason. Donald became a social worker so that he could help kids that needed it, much like he had needed help when he had been a child. Taken away from his mother and with no known family, he had lived his life in the system. He’s psychologically scarred and his defence is to push away anyone that wants to get close to him. He and Carter have already had a thing and Carter has already had his feelings hurt, but there is so much going on beneath the surface.
Carter doesn’t give up, not on Alex and definitely not on Donald. It is dangerous that the two men grow close to the little boy, and it is the little boy that brings them together. But this is just a deep and heartfelt plot that sees all three characters undergo a lot of changes throughout the book. These are really well developed characters and the feelings I got from them were intense. For this reason I adored Fire and Ice. Although, add in great chemistry and totally relatable characters and a slow burn romance, I was a very happy person by the end of it. That’s not to say I shed quite a few tears throughout the book.
Blurb: Can a couple be more opposite than a thief and a cop? Or do they have more in common than they think?
Mattias Dumont stole to survive. He was damned good at it. But there’s no such thing as a victimless crime, and when he saw how his theft hurt people, he resolved to change. Now he works as a consultant, and while helping to investigate a rash of burglaries, he crosses paths with James.
Police Officer James Levinson doesn’t trust thieves, and that includes Mattias. James’s father stole to support himself, and James knows firsthand how that can destroy lives—it inspired him to go into law enforcement. Mattias is no different, from what he can tell… at first.
As they work together, Mattias and James realize there’s something deeper between them than just the physical attraction neither can deny. Given time, they might even grow to trust each other—unless the case they’re working on dredges up pasts both would rather forget.
Review: Mattias became a thief to survive. When his parents died and his grandparents took him in was the only time he was truly happy, then they passed on. He lived in several foster homes but when one of them got a little close he took off. The only way to make it was to steal for food and such. But when he met someone who had lost it all to a thief, he changed his ways. From then on he decided to help those who had been hurt from it all. Now he was working with an officer who really and truly hated him.
James’s father was a thief and he absolutely hated it. His father kept hoping for the next biggest score but it never came. Now there were a group that was stealing from homes using children, their own children. It was getting personal and in more ways then they expected. That hate might just change to something stronger, love.
This is absolutely a wonderful series to connect with. I loved the characters in this particular book and their stories. From first starting you would never think that these two could possibly get together. They are as opposite as one could get but damn if it doesn’t work. Their heat and passion is just as hot as they are. The twists and turns in this book has you sitting on the edge of your seat just trying to figure it out. It gave me the perfect blend of romance and crime to make the story just pop out.
I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to get started on the next book. It was an amazing story and I would definitely recommend it.
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).
Blurb:Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when one of his cases needs a good lawyer, Newton turns to Chase for help.
Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.
Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.
Review: I love an Andrew Grey book and I know that I repeat myself all the time when I write a review for one of Grey’s books. But the short story is that I love the emotions that are evoked, both the highs and lows, throughout the book. It’s not uncommon for me to cry during a book by Andrew Grey and I feel that’s awesome. Grey also has a special touch when he includes children in his books, they are always cute kids (sometimes seriously ill or with a disability) whose personalities are just as big as the main characters who are their dad/s.
Survive and Conquer is everything that I expect from an Andrew Grey novel. The emotions are overflowing, the characters are very deep and complex, it was a wild journey to get to know them and their motivations. It was especially heart wrenching when Newton DeSantis opens up about being at Ground Zero on 9/11.
Newton DeSantis’s life turned upside down on 9/11, he was nearby on the ground and lost friends in the towers who are among those still unidentified. He is both mentally and physically scarred from his experience. He has made it his life to help people and that is something of a healing balm, as are his two kids whom he adopted. The girl has hearing issues and his son has a blood disorder. He works as a social worker, wanting the absolute best outcomes for the kids he comes into contact with.
However, when one situation with a child requires legal expertise, Newton turns to and manages to convince family lawyer, Chase Matthews. Chase loves his job and is an up and coming star at his firm. And while he doesn’t need more work, he agrees to look into a case for Newton pro bono. The men have a lot in common and their connection is instant. But their careers are not always complementary. As a lawyer Chase can’t pick and choose which clients he wants to take but as feelings between he and Newton evolve, things get complicated, of course. While getting to know each other personally, their lives also cross professionally. Ultimately, this is the moment when Chase needs to get his priorities right and decide just how essential Newton and the two kids are to his life.
In short, Chase must sort out his work-life balance, he is looking to take the step of becoming a partner to man with two kids who he also forms a connection to. Likewise, Newton also needs to let in the romantic kind of love in his life, balancing his life as a dad, a partner and a social worker.
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 being 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: When Chris is assigned to the sheriff’s office he wasn’t expecting his first assignment to be protecting someone. What he really is not expecting is to fall for the man he is protecting. The young man’s story pulls at his heart strings but he is not the only one.
Pavle wanted to come to America and become a citizen. He had trusted those who swore they could do what he wanted. However what he got was not what he had expected. He had been sold many times over and just wanted someone to save him. After a few disasters with safe houses, he finds himself in the protection of one very sexy police officer.
Now my main question is how does Pavle get to the point so fast as he does with Chris. Someone with that much bad experience would have a much harder time then the author has with Pavle. However once you hear Pavle you realize just how much strength he has in him. He is pretty amazing as is Chris. Now I wouldn’t think that when someone is in protective custody he is allowed to just go to church or nanna’s house but one never knows. It just felt a bit off on that part. Other than that this story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. It is probably one of my favorite’s as is the series.
Overall the story rocked and gave me pretty much everything I could ask for in a story. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to start on the next book.
Blurb: Martin Graham built his business from the ground up with hard work and intuition. Due to a degenerative eye disease, he’s learned to rely on his other senses to feel out the competition. To realize his dream, he just needs to broker one last deal… and finally secure an assistant.
Brock Littleton is desperate for money—desperate enough take the job no one else wants: assistant to demanding, fussy, intensely private Mr. Graham.
Everything about Brock gets under Martin’s skin in ways he never expected, making him realize a successful business isn’t the only component to a happy future. But as Martin’s deal comes together, one of the prices could be the relationship with Brock that Martin is just starting to believe could be real.
Review: On Shaky Ground is a standalone novella by Andrew Grey. It was previously published as part of an anthology in 2018, although I never read it at the time. However, Andrew Grey is a must read author for me. I love reading anything by Andrew Grey and will do so without taking too much notice of the blurb. I love his writing style, I always connect with it and always feel the emotions of the characters that he weaves throughout the prose. Grey has a talent for stories of incredibly strong and inspirational MCs that have children or some sort of physical disability.
In the case of this novella, one MC, Martin Graham, has a degenerative eye disease which is slowly taking away his sight. Martin hasn’t let his medical issues stop him from building a very successful business and playing an active role as the CEO as his company. But in order to be able to work so hard, Martin needs an extremely competent personal assistant. Unfortunately, he has trouble keeping anyone because no one he’s hired has met his exacting standards. This is where Brock Littleton steps in.
Brock Littleton has just finished college and is desperate for a job. So much so he applies to become a personal assistant to a businessman, which is a complete side step for his career considering his qualifications but he needs to earn money and he needs to get his foot into the door for anything that could lead to his dream job. And so he accepts the job, trying to get a handle on Martin’s exacting standards.
Quickly, Brock becomes the perfect PA. Martin and Brock grow closer and Martin needs to battle his growing feelings for his PA, as well as knowing that the man is meant for more than being a PA. The two men need to work together so that they can see where their relationship may go. They take their time and get to know each other, while brokering a business deal, and showing each other just why they work so damn well together.
Fans of Andrew Grey will not be disappointed. For others, if you’re into the whole falling for the boss kind of story, this is a wonderful book to read.
Hi guys! We have Andrew Grey popping in today with his upcoming release Survive and Conquer, we have a short guest post from Andrew and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~
Survive and Conquer
by
Andrew Grey
Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when his son’s health takes a drastic turn, Newton knows he can’t do it alone.
Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.
Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.
Blurb: Family can be a blessing and a curse, but for artist Florian, it’s a nightmare he longs to escape.
As chief designer for Bartholomew Porcelain Studio, Florian specializes in painting birds. He also watches them in the wild to distract himself from his short-tempered mother, at least tempo-rarily. Florian’s heart is too soft to leave his stepsister, Ella, to suffer alone. Still, he can’t help dreaming about one day finding happiness and love.
When Count Dieter von Hollenbach arrives in town to visit a friend and present an award, he isn’t looking for romance. Then again, he doesn’t expect someone as perfect as Florian to come into his life. To make sure Florian is all he seems and that their connection is genuine, Dieter keeps his title to himself.
But he isn’t the only one with a secret.
At a masquerade ball to celebrate the award, some of the masks fall away, but those that remain in place could destroy the love beginning to grow between them.
Review: Redeeming the Stepbrother is the second book in Andrew Grey’s Tales from St Giles series. Andrew Grey is up there is as one of favourite authors, I always connect with his stories and his characters, and I love the depth and complexity he gives to his MCs. This is, for the most part, based partially of the classic tale of Cinderella. I love books that are either inspired by or are simply a modern MM retelling of the classic fairy tales. Here, Grey only takes elements of the old tale and crafts the lives of people in an idyllic, sleepy town which is dependent on the Bartholomew family porcelain business to hire a great deal of the locals.
The story is the romance between Florian Cinderson and Count Dieter von Hollenbach. Dieter keeps his title a secret for much of the story, and with the last name Cinderson and a stepsister called Ella, it’s clear that Florian is the character to have elements of Cinderella injected into his story.
Florian tends to share the Cinderella story with Ella. Ella is the one that is treated as a slave by her stepmother. Florian misses his deceased stepfather a lot, the man was an important role model for him, but the only reason he sticks around is because his mother and brother can be fairly horrible people. He loves his sister to bits and will do anything to protect her. It’s a complicated story to unpack, but that is why you need to read the book and I won’t make any potentially spoilery comments.
Dieter on the other hand Mr tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. He feels an instant attraction to Florian, the main reason why he was in town anyway. It was because of Florian’s artwork that the Bartholomew porcelain works were honored with a very important prize. Dieter has a complicated family as well, although his are not intrusive like Florian’s. Quite simply, in finding love Dieter begins to find peace with his past as he realizes the depths of what he feels and the importance of Florian in his life. The main hurdle these guys have to deal with in the end is the fact that they live and work in two different countries on two different continents.
The narrator of the audio is Jack Wesley, a new narrator for me, as I have only heard his performance of both Tales from St Giles stories. He does a good job and lifts the story and characters so much so that I found that I enjoyed the audio of this book more than I did reading the book. I particularly liked his performance of Florian. Although he also did a pretty good job with Dieter, I felt the accent he used was a little shaky but after a bit I got used to it and let it slide.
I really adore both books in this series so far, I love the fairy-tale element. I’ve loved reading these books and listening to the audios. I sincerely hope that there are more Tales from St Giles to come in the future.
Blurb: How can heartbreak turn into happily ever after?
Tommy Gordon is all set for happily ever after – until heartbreak strikes when his husband-to-be leaves him at the altar. In a bid for distraction, his best friend, Grayson Phillips, suggests he takes advantage of the luxury honeymoon anyway! But the last thing Tommy wants is to go alone, so he invites Grayson and his son, Petey, along.
Beautiful Bonaire lends itself to romance, and along with close quarters, relaxing on the water, and a matchmaking kid, Tommy and Grayson soon find themselves closer than ever…and con-sidering more, much to Grayson’s delight. But before they can plan the best best honeymoon ever, dark clouds descend in the form of Tommy’s ex and a sting from paradise that could ruin everything.
Review: The Best Worst Honeymoon is written by Andrew Grey for Dreamspun Desires.
I make it no secret that Andrew Grey is one of my all-time favorite authors and he is an automatic read for me. However, while The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever is not up there with my favorite books, it is a fun book. The story is quite simple really. The book itself is also well paced with solid character development.
Although the narration, which was completely wonderful, by John Solo really lifted the entire story and made it more enjoyable. It almost feels as though his voice added credibility to the story, he really nailed the voice of the MC’s, Tommy and Grayson, and the little boy, Petey.
The book opens with Tommy Gordon nervous for his wedding, but is bolstered by the presence of his best man and best friend, Grayson Philips, and Grayson’s incorrigible son, Petey. Then immediately Tommy’s world is crashing down around him when he is jilted by his fiancé. When Tommy plans to cancel his tropical honeymoon, Grayson convinces Tommy to go and have fun. Which leads to Grayson and Petey tagging along to the tropical island.
This is a fun and sexy story that turns friends to lovers, which has the family friendly element with the addition of the precocious Petey, who is more than happy for his dad to get with Uncle Tommy so that he can keep Uncle Tommy for real. Seriously, cute and sneaky kid. Petey also is a highlight when Tommy gathers the courage to properly face his ex that the three of can have a chance to become a family.
For fans of Andrew Grey and the Dreamspinner Press house line, Dreamspun Desire this is one to add to your list as, at least for me, it is everything that I expect from both.
Blurb: Jordan Erichsohn suspects something is rotten about his boss, Judge Crawford. Unfortunately, he has nowhere to turn and doubts anyone will believe his claims – least of all the handsome deputy, Pierre Ravelle, who has been assigned to protect the judge after he received threaten-ing letters. The judge has a long reach, and if he finds out Jordan’s turned on him, he might im-pede Jordan adopting his son, Jeremiah.
When Jordan can no longer stay silent, he gathers his courage and tells Pierre what he knows. To his surprise and relief, Pierre believes him, and Jordan finds an ally…and maybe more.
Pierre vows to do what it takes to protect Jordan and Jeremiah and see justice done. He’s willing to fight for the man he’s growing to love and the family he’s starting to think of as his own. But Crawford is a powerful and dangerous enemy, and he’s not above ripping apart everything Jor-dan and Pierre are trying to build in order to save himself….
Review: I love almost anything written by Andrew Grey. The man has a way with words and romance that I absolutely love. So, I’m not going to spend time gushing over how much I love his characters and how well they develop over the course of the book, and the chemistry, the sexual tension between the MCs. He also does wonderful stories with kids, who don’t steal the show but are often as sweet and as lovable as their fathers. I basically love everything.
Greg Tremblay performs the audio for this book. I know his narration from other Andrew Grey audios, particularly from the Senses series. In this book, his voice is absolutely perfect for tone and suspense in the stories, as well as providing the perfect tone for the individual characters.
Fire and Flint is the story of Carlisle Deputy, Pierre Revelle, and Jordan Erichsohn, the assistant to Judge Crawford. The judge has been receiving some threatening letters lately which is what brings the two men together. Jordan, finds it difficult to trust the deputy and scared to do anything that could jeopardise his adoption of a sweet little boy who needs love and parent. The situation is dangerous because Jordan is sure, or at least suspects, that there is something crooked with this boss. Pierre is instantly attracted to Jordan, but he is a professional and he is intent on finding out what the hell is happening. Love comes organically as Jordan helps Pierre try to discover the truth of who and why the judge is being threatened.
Fire and Flint is a fast paced suspense, romance. This is good for people that love a good romance where the sexy cop comes riding in like a knight in shining armour and a strong lawyer who has so much love to give. They aren’t a conventional family but their chemistry together is perfect.
Blurb: Back in high school, nobody noticed quiet nerd Kevin Howard.
But everybody noticed handsome, athletic, and ultrapopular jock Clay Northrup.
They had nothing in common and lived in different worlds.
But a lot can change in fifteen years, and when they meet again at their high school reunion, Clay is no longer the big man on campus, and Kevin isn’t hiding in a corner anymore.
Can they put aside who they were? Can one night really lead to forever?
Review: Reunited is a quick and charming read by Andrew Grey. I love Andrew Grey and I’m a sucker for reading high school union or friends to lover stories, so reading this one was a no brainer.
What you see in the blurb is what you get, it’s that simple. Kevin Howard was the quiet nerd at school, and he has a massive crush on the popular jock, Clay Northrup. Fifteen years later at their high school reunion a lot has changed. Kevin is the quiet, sensitive, shy, out of the closet gay kid. Clay is also not the straight, popular jock he had tried to be and trying to find himself soon after high school changed his life drastically.
In one night the guys meet each other and renew their acquaintance, but could it be something more? I think that short stories are always a challenge because it is so hard to fit fully developed characters in a short space.
My only criticism is that I feel that these characters are worthy of a full story, because I feel that I was only teased by them and just as I became invested it was over. Then all I was left with was “I want more! I need more!”. I know, a little melodramatic but it was a fun story.
Blurb: Opposites attract on an overseas holiday, but trouble has hitched a ride.
While Bronco’s nightclub is closed for renovations, the owners invite the staff on a trip to Italy.
Bartender Hank needs a roommate, and he’s had his eye on waiter Grant for a while, even if he’s had to keep his distance. But sharing such close proximity means sparks are sure to fly….
Grant has a problem saying no, and it’s led him into some less-than-healthy relationships. While he’s determined not to repeat his mistakes, it’s clear Hank is different.
They’re both willing to take it slow and explore the feelings building between them, but even in a foreign country, their pasts are catching up, and that could hurt more than just their budding romance.
Review: Over and Back is a charming return to the gritty world of Andrew Grey’s Bronco’s Boys series, which is based around the gay nightclub Bronco’s.
This is the fifth book in the series and one that I would highly recommend reading from the beginning to avoid any confusion, particularly when it comes to the characters of the previous books and the goings ons in their lives. It took me a while to remember details and found myself having quick peeks at the previous books so that I satisfied that I had the details right in my head. It’s been quite a while since I read the series (the last book was released in 2015) and I’m afraid although I enjoyed the audio (of book 4 only) more than six months ago, I have dim recollection of the story.
This story is about Bronco’s bartender, Hank, and server, Grant. Both of them have had problems in the love department and have both left some disastrous relationships in recent months. Hank was shattered when his ex-boyfriend left him, he has been fighting his inner demons to overcome a gambling addiction. However, his ex was not entirely sympathetic and a very jealous man, and so mentally Hank is struggling with allowing himself to move on with his life, which has to be the next step in his recovery. On the other hand, Grant’s ex was a Dom who didn’t abuse Grant per se, it was more that he refused to listen to Grant’s needs in and out of the bedroom, his main interest was controlling Grant. Grant struggling with these demons, because he knew that he was not a sub and not into the BDSM lifestyle.
Things come to a head when Bronco’s closes for renovations. A small group of couples (i.e. the four couples of the previous books) are to Italy for a much-needed holiday, which Hank had thought to surprise his ex with a holiday. But when his relationship goes south, his friends decide that Hank should give the spare ticket to someone else, and that person must be Grant. Mostly because the guys like Grant. Not only is he a good worker, he is a generally likable guy who would fit into their group nicely.
This is a mostly fun book, interspersed with a bit of adventure and intrigue. Its light hearted for the most part and was just a lot of fun to read. I just came down from reading two emotionally involved books before this one and Over and Back was the perfect book to help me overcome the leftover emotions. This was a great addition to the world of Bronco’s and now I want to go back and read the previous novels again properly!
Blurb: Robin, the recipient of a brand-new heart, knows he can’t give it to just anyone…. Robin’s been through his share of upsets recently, from heart transplant surgery to a brutal breakup. But his experiences have taught him life is short, and he’s ready to seize the day and start anew. A job at Euro Pride Tours is just the kind of adventure he’s looking for. He gets to see the world and live a little, but love isn’t on his radar screen. He isn’t sure his heart can endure that again.
Johan might’ve disappointed his family by striking out on his own, but when he meets Robin, he has no intention of letting him down. Each man is just what the other needs to feel whole again, and while Johan might not be the man Robin originally thought he was, he’s exactly what the doctor ordered to make Robin’s borrowed heart beat faster. As the tour through Germany progresses, they grow closer, but when Robin’s ex joins the tour, he could bring their blossoming love to a dramatic halt.
Review: I love reading anything by Andrew Grey and he probably shares my absolute top spot of authors I will automatically read. I love the heart and emotions that are central to each story and getting to know the characters as they develop throughout their stories. There is something infinitely pleasing in knowing I can expect wonderful, relatable characters consistently from one fantastic author.
Admittedly, I’ve given Borrowed Hearts a lower rating than I do many of Grey’s books I’ve reviewed, considering he is author I usually give 4 or 5 star reviews. However, that isn’t to say I’ve done this because the story is not good or not relatable. I thoroughly loved the story, the themes and the personal challenges faced by the characters. Ultimately, the rating was because despite this, I never thought that I properly connected with the MCs, especially the German MC, Johan. I also thought that the storyline concerning the American MC’s, Robin’s, ex was a little rushed.
The story is about Robin, who six years previous, was the recipient of a heart transplant as his own rapidly failed. However, in the previous year, he has also had to come to terms with a boyfriend who didn’t love, was not faithful to him and saw Robin as an object of pity. All in all, a general bastard who Robin needed to deal with emotionally before giving his heart to another man. That other man being Johan. They meet in Germany, where Robin has moved as a tour guide for a travel company that specialises in gay European tours. With German ancestry, Robin feels a great connection to the country and in trying to get his life together, decides that Germany is the place to be. Johan is assigned to Robin’s tour as the bus driver, they’ve worked together previously but nothing really happened of note then. But now Robin is ready, and Johan has to show that he will never forsake Robin because Robin is on borrowed time with borrowed heart.
One thing that I found particularly interesting of the story was the fact that Grey tackled a character who has gone through an organ transplant. Generally, Grey features characters who have gone through cancer, their children have cancer, or are visually or hearing impaired. The whole idea of a character who is an organ donation recipient is novel for me, but I think that it’s an important one because unless you go through it or know someone who has, these are not thoughts or feelings that we normal dwell. And I thinking that is what makes this story most interesting.
