Tag: Cardeno C.

Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C.

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sheriff CoverTitle: Smitty’s Sherriff

Series: Hope #3

Author:  Cardeno C.

Genre: Contemporary, May-December

Length: Novella (33K words)

Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (17 July 2017)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love. 

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd. 

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation. 

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

ASIN: B073W51Q8Y

Product Link: Cardeno C. | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reviewer:  Prime

Review: Cardeno C’s Hope series is for those of us who don’t mind reading a sweet May-December romance. I’ve read Cardeno C in the past, but is still one of those authors I judge by the books as they come. However, in saying that, I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the Hope Series. Although I have read the series out of order, I recommend reading the series in its proper order to get a full feel on the characters. Between each book we get to meet our upcoming heroes as well as catch up with our old friends. Being that I actually read the third book last, it was nice that everything fell into place nicely.

The story is about Todd Smitty and Sheriff Richard Davis, who also happens to be a retired soldier. For three years Todd and Richard had a secret relationship. Richard thought that Todd was just there for fun, which was why he didn’t want their relationship revealed. But when Todd’s sister, also Richard’s best friend, needs their help, the two are thrown back together and they need to do something they had not done before: communicate.

OK, so two things. 1) This is one of those books that seem to be based around the fact the guys didn’t communicate the first time around. It’s now up to them to get it right the second time. This kind of trope usually pisses me off, but I have to admit that I kinda just went with the flow for this book. 2) There is an element of BDSM in their relationship, I personally liked it and suited them very well. The only thing is that I thought that others, who may not like BDSM (the Dom is too controlling) or were not expecting it, may be turned from the book.

Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C.

26800568Title: Jesse’s Diner

Series: Hope, #2

Author: Cardeno C.

Genre: Contemporary, May-December

Length: Novella (112 pages)

Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (29 Sept 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another. All they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

ISBN: 9781942184331

Product Link: Cardeno C. | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Jesse’s Diner is the second book is Cardeno C’s Hope series. I will admit that this is the only book in the series I’ve read so far, so I can definitely say that this can be read as a standalone story.

However, in saying that, after reading this book, I want more of this series. That means for the time being it’s back to book one, McFarland’s Farm.

This is a sweet story about the equally as sweet Tanner. He’s quiet and finds it difficult to be around people and so as a result he is quite lonely, too. However, when he moved to live with his grandmother as a teen, he made friends with local boy Mike. Being friends with Mike meant that in school he had “friends” but once school was over and Mike left, no one kept in touch with him.

But Tanner’s one saving grace is that one of Mike’s dads, Jesse, hired Tanner to work and when Jesse got terminal cancer he left his beloved diner to Tanner. Mike calls Tanner one day, worried about his father and asks Tanner to look in make sure that Steve is eating, looking after himself, etc.

Then there is Mike’s other father, Steve. He arrived in Hope as a young man (around Tanner’s age), pretty lost and probably a tad bit burnt out. He met Jesse, who was approaching 40 and ready to settle down with a partner and adopt a child (i.e. Mike).Now, fast forward around 20 years, Jesse is gone and Steve has thrown himself into work and has become something of a recluse when he did change his work habits.

There is a shared attraction between Steve and Tanner and now Steve is the older man in the relationship.

This is just filled with tender, sweet emotion. This is something of a slow burn, which on reflection, probably makes for a more satisfying story. If you like May-December stories, this is a great one to immerse yourself into, especially if you like the whole “best friend’s dad” type of story.

Macfarland's Farm by Cardeno C.

Cardeno C - Macfarland's Farm CoverTitle: MacFarland’s Farm

Series: Hope #1

Author: Cardeno C

Genre: Contemporary, May-December

Length: Novella (26K words)

Publisher:  The Romance Authors LLC (10 Sept 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Wealthy, attractive Lucas Reika treats life like a party, moving from bar to bar and man to man. Thumbing his nose at his restaurateur father’s demand that he earn his keep, Lucas instead seduces a valued employee in the kitchen of their flagship restaurant, earning himself an ultimatum: lose access to his father’s money or stay in the middle of nowhere with a man he has secretly lusted over from afar. 

Quiet, hard-working Jared McFarland loves his farm on the outskirts of Hope, Arizona, but he aches to have someone to come home to at the end of the day. Jared agrees to take in his longtime crush as a favor. But when Lucas invades his heart in addition to his space, Jared has to decide how much of himself he’s willing to risk and figure out if he can offer Lucas enough to keep him after his father’s punishment is over.

ASIN: 978-1-942184-00-3

Product Link: Cardeno C. | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Cardeno C’s Hope series is for those of us who don’t mind reading a sweet May-December romance. I love a book that doesn’t make a big deal about an age gap, I mean after reading some May-December books it’s laughable when some books make a big deal out of 5 years difference. But that’s another rant for another time.

I’ve read Cardeno C in the past, but is still one of those authors I judge by the books as they come. However, in saying that, I’ve read the second book in the Hope Series, Jesse’s Diner, when it was released a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. Although I have read the series out of order, I recommend reading the series in its proper order to get a full feel on the characters. Between each book we get to meet our upcoming heroes as well as catch up with our old friends.

MacFarland’s Farm is about Jared and Lucas. Jared is a quiet guy who works hard on his land but is in real need of help, not that he is looking for any help. He’s open about his sexuality, but does not advertise and is still close friends with ex-wife and deeply respects his ex-father-in-law.

Then there is Lucas, he has been spoiled his entire life by his father. His father, who was widowed, worked hard to make a lot of money to provide for his kids. The problem is, Lucas is 24, barely finished college over 5 years and thinks that life is party. He also assumes that his father’s money is his. Things come to a head when Lucas is caught in a compromising situation. His father and sister decide that the best way for Lucas to learn responsibility is to go to the town of Hope in Arizona and work for his ex-brother-in-law.

The problem is that 1) Lucas needs a massive attitude adjustment before he can grow up, and, 2) they guys are attracted to each other.

Look, Lucas is unlikable in the beginning but Cardeno C weaves magic and Lucas becomes a relatable character. The guys work well together although I was disappointed that the chemistry wasn’t exploding off the page. This is a sweet romance and part of me just wanted there to be more!

Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review!

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sheriff Blog Tour Banner

Hiya guys! We have Cardeno C. popping in today with the tour for her new release Smitty’s Sheriff, we have a great new excerpt and Prime’s reviews for all three Hope books so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sheriff Cover

Smitty’s Sheriff

(Hope 03)
by

Cardeno C.

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

Read Today! (Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon ES | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon UK | PayHip

Continue reading “Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review!” →

Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. Release Blast & Excerpt!

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sheriff RB Banner

Hiya guys! We have Cardeno C. stopping in today with her new release Smitty’s Sheriff, we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sheriff Cover

Smitty’s Sheriff

(Hope 03)
by

Cardeno C.

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

Read Today! (Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon ES | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon UK | PayHip

Continue reading “Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. Release Blast & Excerpt!” →

Hope Collection by Cardeno C. Book Blast!

Hi peeps! We have Cardeno C. popping in for a flash visit with her Hope Collection, she has a new addition to add in a couple of weeks, Smitty’s Sheriff and you can have a peek at the blurb! <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Mcfarlands Farm Cover

McFarland’s Farm

(Hope 01)
by

Cardeno C.

Quiet but lonely Jared has to decide how much of himself he’s willing to risk to keep party-boy Lucas.

Wealthy, attractive Lucas Reika treats life like a party, moving from bar to bar and man to man. Thumbing his nose at his restaurateur father’s demand that he earn his keep, Lucas instead seduces a valued employee in the kitchen of their flagship restaurant, earning himself an ultimatum: lose access to his father’s money or stay in the middle of nowhere with a man he has secretly lusted over from afar.

Quiet, hard-working Jared McFarland loves his farm on the outskirts of Hope, Arizona, but he aches to have someone to come home to at the end of the day. Jared agrees to take in his longtime crush as a favor. But when Lucas invades his heart in addition to his space, Jared has to decide how much of himself he’s willing to risk and figure out if he can offer Lucas enough to keep him after his father’s punishment is over.

Start the Series Today!
(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audio

Cardeno C. - Jesse's Diner Cover

Jessie’s Diner

(Hope 02)

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another, all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

Read Today!
(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audio

Cardeno C. - Smitty's Sherrif Cover

Smitty’s Sheriff

(Hope 03)

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

Coming July 17th Add to Goodreads

Cardeno C. - Hope series Banner

About Cardeno C.

Cardeno C. author logoCardeno C. – CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few “awwws” into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever- after sunset.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Cafe Risqué ~ SharedBlog | Tumblr | Pinterest | Google+ | Youtube | Join the Romance Readers Club Today to stay up to date with Cardeno C. and get a free read every month: https://theromanceauthors.com/submissions.php

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In Another Life, Eight Days, & All of Me by Cardeno C. Audio Blog Tour, Reviews & Giveaway!

cardeno-c-in-another-life-eight-days-all-of-me-banner

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. popping in today with three of her stories in audio, In Another Life & Eight Days and All of Me, we have audio samples from the books, a fantastic giveaway and Prime’s reviews, so check out the post and click that giveaway links! <3 ~Pixie~

cardeno-c-in-another-life-eight-days-cover

In Another Life & Eight Days

(John Solo ~ Narrator
Nick J. Russo ~ Narrator)
by

Cardeno C.

In Another Life

At age 18 Shiloh Raben is tired. He no longer has the energy to deal with mean classmates, inner doubt, and fear of familial rejection, so he takes a razor to his wrist. When he wakes up in the hospital, Shiloh meets Travis Kahn, the EMT who saved him and didn’t leave his side.

Travis is handsome, smart, and funny – the type of guy Shiloh would never be brave enough to approach. But his near-death experience has an unusual side effect: The life that flashed before his eyes wasn’t the one he had already lived but rather the one he could live. With visions of a future by Travis’ side, Shiloh will find the strength to confront his fears and build a life worth fighting for.

Second edition.

Eight Days

Childhood family friends Maccabe Fried and Josh Segal have always gotten along despite having nothing in common. Maccabe is an athlete with dreams of playing professional baseball. Josh is an aspiring architect with dreams of being with Maccabe. Despite all odds, both dreams come true.

Maccabe and Josh fall into a long-distance romance, which is everything Josh thought he wanted. But after years of hiding from the world, Josh wants to bring their relationship into the open. When Maccabe refuses, Josh is faced with a tough decision: stay with the man he loves or live the life he deserves. No matter the choice, somebody’s bound to get hurt. Thankfully, in the season of miracles, there’s always hope for a happy ending.

Second edition.

Amazon / Audible / iTunes

cardeno-c-all-of-me-cover

All Of Me

(Robert M. Clarke ~ Narrator)
by

Cardeno C.

To bond with his destined mate, an Alpha wolf must look past what he sees and trust what he feels.

Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating.

Abel never stops yearning for the man who was supposed to lead by his side and after years without contact, Kai returns, broken and on death’s door. If Abel wants to fulfill their destiny and merge their packs, he’ll need to look past what he saw and trust his heart.

Continue reading “In Another Life, Eight Days, & All of Me by Cardeno C. Audio Blog Tour, Reviews & Giveaway!” →

Places in Time by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

Cardeno C. - Places in Time Cover AudioTitle: Places in Time

Series:  N/A

Author: Cardeno C

Narrator: John Solo

Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy

Length: 1 hr, 41 mins

Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: A relationship-challenged actor unexpectedly finds love in the arms of his childhood best friend.

“Sexiest Man Alive” and Golden Globe-winning actor Ethan Baker lights up the screen but fizzles in his personal life. When his latest girlfriend breaks up with him, Ethan turns to his one “forever” person – Jude Harrison. But as Ethan makes the familiar drive to his best friend’s house, an unexpected detour and a bewildering passenger take him through places in time he’d long forgotten. Suddenly, Ethan sees Jude’s actions over the years from a different perspective, but it’s his own reaction that’s the biggest surprise.

Product Link: Audible AU | Audible UK | Audible US

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is a super short and super enjoyable serving of romance from Cardeno C. Under two hours in length, this is the type of sugary perfect romance that is great when you’re commuting. There is nothing hard hitting going on and not a lot of angst or drama, so you can just relax (or concentrate on the road if you’re driving) as you listen to the story.

The story follows Hollywood heart throb Ethan Baker, who just can’t work out why his personal life isn’t working outside of his friendship with childhood BFF, Jude Harrison. It’s a light, fluffy trip down memory lane fuelled by a touch of fantasy that either really happened or could be caused by some worrying medical issue which is not at all part of the story. This isn’t some sort of insta-love, this is a dawning realization of what really lies between two best friends and the sacrifices that they have made for each other.

I have to admit this is probably now my favourite story by Cardeno C because for me it had all the vital elements fitting together in such a short story. As much as I would have enjoyed a longer story I think what we got works well. It’s just so damn satisfying to read. Throw in John Solo’s great narration, I’ve heard him narrating both Stormy Glenn and Andrew Grey in the past and I have never been disappointed by his narration. OK, so right at the end of this he pronounced dolmades as “dole-mades” not “dole-ma-des” and that has been plaguing me because I have some in the fridge at the moment, but I’ll live.

Not A Game by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C.- Not a Game Banner

Hiya peeps, Cardeno C. is stopping by with the tour for her latest new release Not A Game, we have a fantastic excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and my review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C.- Not a Game Cover s

Not A Game

(Friends 01)
by

Cardeno C.

An accidental meeting and a misunderstanding lead to a life-altering connection.

 When chubby gamer Oliver Barnaby receives a job offer from the best boutique game developer in the country, he leaves his family and his less than spectacular existence in Oklahoma without a second’s hesitation. Determined to change more than his career and his geography, Oliver implements a plan to finally land a boyfriend. Step one is improving his skills in the bedroom.

A life that looks perfect on paper, but feels empty in reality. Attractive, successful, charismatic Jaime Snow has a life other people envy. His already booming business is growing. He isn’t lacking in friends. And he has no trouble finding a date. But there’s an emptiness in Jaime’s heart and a hole in his life that only the right man can fill.

An accidental meeting, a misunderstanding, and falling in love. When Oliver and Jaime end up at the same bar at the same time, they each see something they want in the other. Going to bed together that first night is easy. Building the lifetime relationship they both desperately crave will require trust, time, and a little misunderstanding.

Continue reading “Not A Game by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →

Cardeno C. 3 Audiobook Blog Tour, Excerpt, Reviews & Giveaway!

Cardeno C - Home again - A Shot at Forgiveness - Red River bANNER

Hiya guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by again with 3 of her newest audio releases, Home Again, A Shot at Forgiveness and Red River, we have some audio samples, a fantastic giveaway and Prime’s reviews of all three books! So enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C - Home again Square Cover

Home Again

(A Home Story)
Narrated by: Alexander Collins
by

Cardeno C.

Imposing, temperamental Noah Forman wakes up in a hospital and can’t remember how he got there. He holds it together, taking comfort in the fact that the man he has loved since childhood is on the way. But when his one and only finally arrives, Noah is horrified to discover that he doesn’t remember anything from the past three years.

Loyal, serious Clark Lehman built a life around the person who insisted from their first meeting that they were meant to be together. Now, years later, two men whose love has never faltered must relive their most treasured and most painful moments in order to recover lost memories and secure their future.

Amazon / Amazon UK / Audible / iTunes

Cardeno C - A Shot at Forgiveness Square Cover

A Shot At Forgiveness

 (Narrated by: Robert M. Clark)

Sometimes to find love, you must first learn forgiveness.

A dozen years, 2,000 miles, and a law degree after high school, Rafi Steiner continues to harbor resentment toward Isaac Jones, his childhood bully turned NBA star. When Isaac appears at Rafi’s favorite restaurant acting like a long-lost friend, Rafi bluntly dismisses him.

But Isaac is tenacious and he has his heart set on the grown-up version of the boy he always wanted and never forgot. The way Isaac sees it, he and Rafi are perfect for each other, if only he could sink the most important shot of his life: his one shot at forgiveness.

Amazon / Audible / iTunes

Cardeno C - Red River Square Cover

Red River

(Pack 02)
 (Narrated by: Nick J. Russo)

Two Alpha shifters join together to lead their pack and build a family.

Commitment, loyalty, and strength aren’t enough to make Wesley Stone’s birth pack accept an Alpha with a physical imperfection, even if it’s a meaningless mark. Putting the safety of his pack above his own wellbeing, Wesley trades himself for another Alpha and agrees to mate with a stranger in a mysterious, insular pack.

Alphas from Jobe Root’s family have led the Red River pack from the first day shifters walked the earth. Now the time has come for Jobe to fulfill his destiny, but to do that, he needs his mate by his side. Spiritual, easygoing Jobe reveres Mother Nature and trusts in fate, yet he can’t help being nervous about how his mate will react to his new life in Red River, his new life with Jobe.

Two Alphas with contrasting personalities, different upbringings, and divergent beliefs come together for the good of their packs. But to stay together, Wesley and Jobe must see beyond the surface and embrace every facet of themselves and their union.

Amazon / Amazon UK / Audible / iTunes

Continue reading “Cardeno C. 3 Audiobook Blog Tour, Excerpt, Reviews & Giveaway!” →

Not A Game by Cardeno C. Blurb & Cover Reveal!

Cardeno C.- Not a Game Banner

OMG Guys! Cardeno C. is stopping by with the cover and blurb to her upcoming release Not A Game, the first book in her brand new series! I know, I’m so totally fan-girling right now! Well guys check out that oh so sweet and delectable cover & savor that blurb! <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C.- Not a Game Cover s

Not A Game

(Friends 01)
by

Cardeno C.

An accidental meeting and a misunderstanding lead to a life-altering connection.

 When chubby gamer Oliver Barnaby receives a job offer from the best boutique game developer in the country, he leaves his family and his less than spectacular existence in Oklahoma without a second’s hesitation. Determined to change more than his career and his geography, Oliver implements a plan to finally land a boyfriend. Step one is improving his skills in the bedroom.

A life that looks perfect on paper, but feels empty in reality. Attractive, successful, charismatic Jaime Snow has a life other people envy. His already booming business is growing. He isn’t lacking in friends. And he has no trouble finding a date. But there’s an emptiness in Jaime’s heart and a hole in his life that only the right man can fill.

An accidental meeting, a misunderstanding, and falling in love. When Oliver and Jaime end up at the same bar at the same time, they each see something they want in the other. Going to bed together that first night is easy. Building the lifetime relationship they both desperately crave will require trust, time, and a little misunderstanding.

Release date: 15th July 2016

Continue reading “Not A Game by Cardeno C. Blurb & Cover Reveal!” →

Strong Enough & Love At First Sight by Cardeno C. Audio Tour, Audio Excerpts, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - Strong Enough & Love at First Sight - tour header

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. popping in to show off her two new audiobooks. There’s the second book in the Family series Strong Enough, and the fourth book in the Home series Love At First Sight. We have audio excerpts of both books for you to check out, there’s a fantastic giveaway and we have Tams review of Strong Enough, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Strong Enough Audio Cover

Strong Enough

(Family 02)
Narrator: Ezekiel Robison
by

Cardeno C.

When a casual hookup turns into the potential for love, staid Spencer realizes he wants to build a life with vibrant Emilio.

When 22-year-old Emilio Sanchez sees handsome Spencer Derdinger walking by his construction site, Emilio makes it his goal to seduce the shy professor. Getting Spencer into bed isn’t difficult, but Emilio soon learns that earning the trust of a man deeply hurt will take time and patience. With a prize like brilliant, sweet Spencer on the line, Emilio decides he is strong enough to face the challenge.

Spencer is surprised when he’s approached by the gorgeous construction worker he’s admired from the safety of his office window. Acting spontaneously for the first time in his 38 years, Spencer takes Emilio home. When the casual hookup turns into the potential for love, Spencer realizes that if he wants to build a life with Emilio, he’ll need to be strong enough to slay his personal demons and learn to trust again.

Amazon US | Amazon UK  | iTunes
ebook links
ARe |  Amazon US |  Amazon CA |  Amazon UK |  B&N |  iTunes |  Kobo | Smashwords

Cardeno C. - Love at First Sight Audio Cover

Love At First Sight

(Home 04)
Narrator: Alexander Collins
by

Cardeno C.

The moment naïve, optimistic Jonathan Doyle glimpses a gorgeous blue-eyed stranger from afar, he believes in love at first sight. Unfortunately, he loses sight of the man before they meet and then spends years desperately trying to find him. Just as he is about to give up, Jonathan gets a break and finally encounters David Miller face to face.

Successful, confident David turns Jonathan’s previously lonely life into a fairy tale, giving him more than he ever imagined. But the years spent searching were hard on Jonathan, and he’s terrified his young son and scandalous past will destroy his blossoming relationship. For David and Jonathan to build a future together, they’ll both have to dig deep: David for the courage to share himself in a way he’s never considered and Jonathan for the strength to tell the truth.

Continue reading “Strong Enough & Love At First Sight by Cardeno C. Audio Tour, Audio Excerpts, Review & Giveaway!” →

More Than Everything, & The One Who Saves Me by Cardeno C. Audio Tour, Reviews & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - More Than Everything & The One Who Saves Me MTE - TOWSM - tour header

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. and two of her new audiobooks stopping by today. We have More Than Everything and The One Who Saves Me, we have audio clips of each book, there’s a fantastic giveaway and Tams reviews both audiobooks, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - More than Everything - Audio Cover

More Than Everything

Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison

(Family Collection)
by

Cardeno C.

Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.

Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.

Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Itunes 

ebook links: All Romance eBooks | Amazon – | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Cardeno C. - The One Who Saves Me Cover

The One Who Saves Me

Narrated by: Alexander Collins

(Home 06)
by

Cardeno C.

At 14, Andrew Thompson and Caleb Lakes become best friends. As the years pass, they stand by each other through family trauma, school, and the start of their careers. They share their first sexual experiences, learning and experimenting, and they talk each other through countless dates and breakups.

Decades of trust and loyalty build a deep and abiding friendship, one that surpasses any relationship in their lives. But when the parameters of their unique friendship change, neither man knows how to break out of their established roles to build something new. After all, boyfriends come and go, but best friends are forever.

Continue reading “More Than Everything, & The One Who Saves Me by Cardeno C. Audio Tour, Reviews & Giveaway!” →

The One Who Saves Me by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

61N0xsIy8EL._AA300_Title: The One Who Saves Me

Series:  Home, #6

Author: Cardeno C

Narrator: Andrew Collins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 6 hours and 45 minutes

Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (02-15-16)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: At 14, Andrew Thompson and Caleb Lakes become best friends. As the years pass, they stand by each other through family trauma, school, and the start of their careers. They share their first sexual experiences, learning and experimenting, and they talk each other through countless dates and breakups.

Decades of trust and loyalty build a deep and abiding friendship, one that surpasses any relationship in their lives. But when the parameters of their unique friendship change, neither man knows how to break out of their established roles to build something new. After all, boyfriends come and go, but best friends are forever.

Product Link: http://amzn.to/1MixAfP

Reviewer: Tams

Review:  Caleb Lakes and Andrew Thompson became best friends when they were barely teenagers, spending summers together at Andrew’s family’s vacation home. Over the years they developed a bond based on friendship and trust.

As the years go by there is one constant in each man’s life, each other. They seriously re-define the term ‘friends with benefits’ and are a rock for each other through jobs, moves, break-ups and family drama. And then one look at a New Year’s party changes just one thing, their commitment to each other.

I first listened to this audio book about two years ago, the version that was narrated by Paul Morey. While the narration for this book wasn’t bad, it wasn’t Paul Morey, so I had a hard time giving Andrew Collins a chance. Once I let my perception shift, I was able to enjoy Collins narration. He does a good job with changes in tone and inflections from one character to another, and he really conveyed the emotions of the characters well.

The story is told almost like reading from a journal of Drew and Caleb’s lives. Spanning over more than a decade, the reader is taken on a journey through summer vacations, college, emotionally absent parents, boyfriends, break-ups and much, much more. The two of them continue to live their separate lives, but they always have time for each other.

I think that Drew probably realized he wanted more from his relationship with Caleb before Caleb did, and that was fed into the story through the tattoos and piercings Drew got every time another guy bit the dust, because he couldn’t compare to Caleb. The passion and angst were palpable, but rarely was there awkwardness.

In fact, when things did become awkward was when they finally figured out that the reason neither of them were lucky in love, was because their heart had been given away long ago.

What I enjoy about this series is that there is a connection between the books and characters, but not in a way that they must all be read or read in order. The story is sexy, emotional, occasionally intense but light-hearted when it needs to be.

Definitely worth your time in my opinion.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

More than Everything by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

51iziolNwpL._AA300_Title: More than Everything

Series: Family, #3

Author: Cardeno C

Narrator: Ezekiel Robison

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 7 hours and 46 minutes

Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (02-23-16)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Blurb: Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.

Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.

Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

Product Link: http://amzn.to/1MiywRi

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Charlie Rhodes is in his thirties, going through the motions in life. Work, sleep, eat… he loves to dance, always has, but his love of dancing is the only love that has stayed with him through life. Charlie has loved two men, his high school sweetheart Scott, and a college lover Adan. When push came to shove, both men walked out of Charlie’s life without as much as a backwards glance. When his sister is killed, Charlie becomes the sole guardian for his young niece and nephew. In a strange twist of fate, it’s this traumatic time in his life when love reappears.

Scott Boone realized he was in love with his best friend and neighbor, Charlie Rhodes, the night of prom when instead of wanting to kiss his date; he wanted to rush home and kiss Charlie. The two make promises to each other that can only be broken at such a young, tender age. And that is exactly what happens when Scott moves to Nevada to be a closer to his little sister.

Adan Navarro is a player. He meets them, beds them, then gets up and walks away. Something is different about Chase Rhodes from the start though. Adan finds himself watching, admiring, wanting more for the first time. But when push comes to shove and Chase needs Adan to voice his feelings, he too walks out of Chase’s life.

The three points converge when Charlie moves to Nevada to care for his sister’s children after her death. The only two men he ever loved, the men that left him alone and killed Charlie’s need to be loved, roll back into his life like a tornado, threatening to destroy Charlie emotionally. It really is a small world after all when the two loves of one man’s life wind up together.

The story is told mainly through Charlie Chase Rhodes POV as he puts together a scrapbook of his life. The good, the bad, the ugly and the happy ever after Charlie feared he would never have. From the first day he looked out his bedroom window and fell hard for Scott, to the day Scott left him alone and broken-hearted. Meeting Adan and going from skeptical to happy that his heart was big enough to love another man, only to be broken in half again when he too walks away.

The death of his sister, one of the hardest times in Charlie’s life, a time that morphs into so much more when Scott and Adan walk through his front door and stake their claim, refuse to let Charlie go ever again. Oh he fights them, every step of the way, makes them prove that they love him and won’t ever hurt him again. What Scott and Adan give him is love, commitment, security and a family… it is more than everything.

Narrated by Ezekiel Robison and I really enjoy his style of storytelling. It took me a few minutes to get used to the voice he gave Charlie. He is flamboyant, full of life and energy, the kind of person you want to be around because his joy just spreads over everything.

The twist on that, what really sold me on the choice of tone for Charlie was how Robison really brought Charlie’s pain to life after losing both men. Having the ability to convey that pain and hurt by literally bringing down Charlie’s voice much in the way CC brought the character down for a while there. Adan is the most accretive character so it made sense that Robison gave him a deeper, more commanding voice. Scott is the glue that holds them together, his tone was more neutral, and again fitting the way the character was written.

There is a good deal of angst and drama in this story; heartache and pain. But the balance is the happy times Charlie has with Scott, the two of them learning about and exploring their sexuality, together. Adan charging into Charlie’s life like a bull in a china shop, only to find temperance through Charlie.

My favorite aspect of the story was the semantics of their relationship toward the end. Scott and Adan are very successful with their law firm, could afford any of the riches life has to offer. But what they want, what makes them happy is to support Charlie and the kids, create a safe place for them, become a family and build a home.

Definitely a must listen story, I’m certain it would read just as well. But the narration really brought each character to life and gave them a distinct voice.

Either way, I highly recommend.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Red River by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - Red River - header

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by with her newest release Red River, the second book in her Pack series, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s review so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Red River Cover large

Red River

(Pack 02)
by

Cardeno C.

Two Alpha shifters join together to lead their pack and build a family.

Commitment, loyalty, and strength aren’t enough to make Wesley Stone’s birth pack accept an Alpha with a physical imperfection, even if it’s a meaningless mark. Putting the safety of his pack above his own wellbeing, Wesley trades himself for another Alpha and agrees to mate with a stranger in a mysterious, insular pack.

Alphas from Jobe Root’s family have led the Red River pack from the first day shifters walked the earth. Now the time has come for Jobe to fulfill his destiny, but to do that, he needs his mate by his side. Spiritual, easygoing Jobe reveres Mother Nature and trusts in fate, yet he can’t help being nervous about how his mate will react to his new life in Red River, his new life with Jobe.

Two Alphas with contrasting personalities, different upbringings, and divergent beliefs come together for the good of their packs. But to stay together, Wesley and Jobe must see beyond the surface and embrace every facet of themselves and their union.

Continue reading “Red River by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →

Cardeno C. Multi Title Audiobook Tour, Audio Excerpts, Reviews & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - Multi Title tour - header

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with four of her audio releases each from a different series, we have Jesse’s Diner, The Half of Us, Something In The Way He Needs and Where He Ends & I Begin, we also have some audio excerpts, Tams reviews and a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

Cardeno C. - Jesses Diner - Audio Cover

Jesse’s Diner

(Hope 02)
by

Cardeno C.

Narrator: Paul Morey

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, 22-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, 39-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life with. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another; all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

ebook links

Continue reading “Cardeno C. Multi Title Audiobook Tour, Audio Excerpts, Reviews & Giveaway!” →

Something in the Way He Needs by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

513X5lrVmSL._AA300_Title: Something in the Way He Needs
Series: Family, #1
Author: Cardeno C
Narrator: Ezekiel Robison
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 7 hours and 6 minutes
Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (01/14/2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Blurb: Controlled Asher didn’t expect to fall for free-spirited Daniel, but they’ll find what they desperately need in one another.

Police captain Asher Penaz’s staunch professionalism bleeds into his home life, down to his neatly pressed attire and spartan apartment. He enjoys being in charge and in control, so his sudden and powerful attraction to the lighthearted, free-spirited Daniel Tover throws him for a loop.

In his entire life, Daniel has never gotten what he needs, so he moves to the next place, the next job, the next attempt to find something worth staying for, always landing at the top of his game, but never feeling like he belongs.

The chemistry between Asher and Daniel sizzles, but with all that fire comes the risk of getting burned. As both men struggle to learn themselves while getting to know each other, the lines of desire and control blur.

If Daniel and Asher can walk through the flames together, they might find what they desperately need.

Product Link: http://amzn.to/23Jx8Nj

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Asher Penaz commands complete control in every aspect of his life. He is a no-nonsense police captain when he’s on the job and a brash, sharp, meticulous DOM when he plays. He doesn’t do relationships, kisses, romance, and boyfriends. No. Asher is confident in his life, until he meets an adorable blonde that blushes, has freckles and trips over his own feet in the middle of an empty room.

Daniel Tover stumbles into Asher’s life and neither of them will ever be the same. But when push comes to shove, can the cute guy that is most comfortable in his baggy jeans and flip-flops, soften the rough edges that constantly surround Asher Penaz?

I was drawn into this book from the first stumble in the hotel lobby in Vegas, and pretty much listening intently with bated breath from that point on. Asher is the proverbial alpha male type. Large, brooding, commands compliance as well as your undivided attention.

Daniel couldn’t be more opposite, polar, in fact; the very definition of twink to an extent… short, slender, beautiful, blonde and clumsy. Asher has these rules he lives by and one by one, Daniel has him breaking them all. The rude, crude and usually socially unacceptable Ash begins unknowingly readjusting his life to accommodate Daniel. Cuddling, kissing, dating… and shock of all shocks, he isn’t tying anyone up and inflicting sweet torturous pain on them.

It was an absolute pleasure to sit back and listen as Asher went on this journey of self-awareness he didn’t even know he was on. There was an almost constant monologue of Ash’s inner thoughts as his relationship with Daniel continually grew and evolved. But with the sweets, come the sours. About six months in, a small lack of communication causes a rift and Asher does something Daniel may not be able to forgive him for.

At first glance, you might think this is going to be either an insta-love story since Asher commands Daniel come home with him after only 48 hours of knowing one another, but it is far from. They fall into a comfortable existence, yes, but with each passing day they learn more about each other, grow closer and start to depend on each other.

The whole of this book really is the relationship between Ash and Daniel in great detail. I think my favorite aspect of this story was how Daniel had this kind of calming influence on Ash. A man can’t go from one extreme to the other overnight though, so there were understandably some speed bumps along the way.

The story was narrated by Ezekiel Robison and as I’ve said before, what he lacks in dialect, he makes up for with emotion. He had this big, loud, brash tone for Ash that was absolutely spot on. Daniel was never able to hide anything from Ash, even from the start; he is very much an open book. Robison was able to clearly express Daniel’s moods with differing tones and inflections.

I will say, Asher does something toward the end of the story. It’s a compilation of a bad week at work and that slight lack of communication I spoke of earlier combined with Ash’s jealous streak the size of Texas when it comes to Daniel. This is probably the worst mistake I have ever seen a fictional character that I liked make.

Up until this point, I had been so engrossed in this book that hours would fly by and it felt like 5 minutes. This really pulled me out of the story and had me thinking, what if that had gone the other way, and would Ash have put a stop to it? That is the only reason I knocked off a notch on my review. Sorry, I can’t say, that would be a spoiler.

Overall, this was such a fun read. I was so engaged from start to finish, riding along as Asher learned the meaning of the word Love.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

5199m1iWBgL._AA300_Title: Jesse’s Diner
Series: Hope, #2
Author: Cardeno C
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: May/December Romance
Length: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (12-22-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another. All they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

Product Link(s): http://amzn.to/1Psw4TT

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/jesses-diner-hope-book-2-unabridged/id1071035789

Reviewer: Tams

Review: What would you do if you knew your time here was about to expire? Jessie knows he won’t beat the cancer, so with his son Mike’s help.

He sets out to make sure the things he cares about most will be taken care of once he’s gone. He wants to make sure the diner is taken care of so he leaves it to Tanner, Mike’s best friend, and somewhat of an adopted son to Jessie. Making sure that his husband Steve doesn’t fade away to depression once he’s gone, well Tanner is key to that as well.

This is a super short story so the review will be as well. Let me just say if the fact that Cardeno C penned the story isn’t enough to make this one an auto buy, then the fact that Paul Morey narrates should make it a no brainer. Need more convincing?

Okay then. The story almost seems like insta-love in the beginning, but as the story unfolds you learn it is anything but. The feelings are mutual and a long time coming. Morey really translates each character from paper to audio well, I especially like the way he totally immerses himself into not just conveying the characters, but conveying the emotions.

Definitely a must listen, as I said it’s super short, super sexy and well worth the couple of hours to give it a listen.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C.

26800568Title: Jesse’s Diner
Series: Hope, #2
Author: Cardeno C.
Genre: Contemporary/May-December
Length: Novella (112 pages)
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (29 Sept 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another. All they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

ISBN: 9781942184331

Product Link: http://cardenoc.com/en/book/jessesdiner

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Jesse’s Diner is the second book is Cardeno C’s Hope series. I will admit that this is the only book in the series I’ve read so far, so I can definitely say that this can be read as a standalone story.

However, in saying that, after reading this book, I want more of this series. That means for the time being it’s back to book one, McFarland’s Farm.

This is a sweet story about the equally as sweet Tanner. He’s quiet and finds it difficult to be around people and so as a result he is quite lonely, too. However, when he moved to live with his grandmother as a teen, he made friends with local boy Mike. Being friends with Mike meant that in school he had “friends” but once school was over and Mike left, no one kept in touch with him.

But Tanner’s one saving grace is that one of Mike’s dads, Jesse, hired Tanner to work and when Jesse got terminal cancer he left his beloved diner to Tanner. Mike calls Tanner one day, worried about his father and asks Tanner to look in make sure that Steve is eating, looking after himself, etc.

Then there is Mike’s other father, Steve. He arrived in Hope as a young man (around Tanner’s age), pretty lost and probably a tad bit burnt out. He met Jesse, who was approaching 40 and ready to settle down with a partner and adopt a child (i.e. Mike).Now, fast forward around 20 years, Jesse is gone and Steve has thrown himself into work and has become something of a recluse when he did change his work habits.

There is a shared attraction between Steve and Tanner and now Steve is the older man in the relationship.

This is just filled with tender, sweet emotion. This is something of a slow burn, which on reflection, probably makes for a more satisfying story. If you like May-December stories, this is a great one to immerse yourself into, especially if you like the whole “best friend’s dad” type of story.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *