Title: Walk With Me Series: Home, #7 Author: Cardeno C Narrator: Alexander Collins Genre: Contemporary Romance Length: 6 hours and 40 minutes Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (8-28-15) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts Blurb: When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi.
Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.
Professional, proper Seth is shocked by Eli’s brashness, overt sexuality, and easy defiance of societal norms. But he’s also drawn to the happy, funny, light-filled man. As their friendship deepens over the years, Seth watches Eli mature into a man he admires and respects.
When Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.
Review: Eli Block has known who he is and who he wants since he was eleven years old. Six years later that person is not only back in his life, but in his living room. Too bad Seth doesn’t even remember young Eli. Not one to give up when he sets his mind to it, Eli pulls out all the stops in an effort to make Seth notice him.
Eventually Eli takes a step back and goes through the motions of living his life. He graduates, goes to college and gets his degree in Music and Teaching, has a series of boyfriends, but nothing or no one every truly replaces the longing he holds for Seth.
Seth Cohen has always kept Eli at arm’s length, always tried to convince himself that he is not gay. When Eli extends an olive branch, asking to be friends, Seth graciously accepts and the two become best friends. They talk about everything, and when the time comes, Eli helps Seth pick out his home.
As the years pass and Seth stands on the sideline watching Eli grow, make mistakes and try to learn from them, he also watches Eli become a man. A man who Seth is starting to think he wants to be more than just friends with.
I really adored Eli Block. He was tenacious, loyal and unwavering in his love for Seth. It took Seth a while to get on board, and early on I could completely understand why. Seth wasn’t in a place to openly admit or accept being attracted to another man, and there was the age difference.
But once Seth’s feelings started to change, it annoyed me that he went out of his way not to talk to Eli about it. I loved the chapter headers in this book, the comic relief with the various weddings and the shenanigans that people got up to. I think the fish graveyard reception was perhaps my favorite.
This is the first book narrated by Alexander Collins I’ve listened to and I wasn’t really impressed. At times I couldn’t tell who was talking, Seth or Eli, he chose such similar tones for the two main characters and that was confusing and frustrating. He seemed to put more effort into the secondary characters than Seth and Eli. I won’t say I wouldn’t listen to another book he voices, but I don’t think I’ll go out of my way to grab something of his either.
The story itself was pretty good, as I said, the sort of angst aspect with Seth figuring out his sexuality and keeping Eli in the dark bothered me, but overall I thought the writing and concept were great… the narration, not so much.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi peeps, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with her audio release Walk With Me, we have a snippet of the book for you to listen to, there’s a fantastic giveaway and Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Walk With Me
by
Cardeno C.
When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.
Professional, proper Seth is shocked by Eli’s brashness, overt sexuality, and easy defiance of societal norms. But he’s also drawn to the happy, funny, light-filled man. As their friendship deepens over the years, Seth watches Eli mature into a man he admires and respects. When Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.
*Walk With Me is set in the Home series where the books are linked by theme or world. They are independent and can be read in any order.
Hiya guys, Cardeno C. has popped in again for a visit and this time it’s with her audiobook Perfect Imperfections, we have an audio sample for you to listen to, there’s also a fantastic giveaway where you can win your own audiobook of Perfect Imperfections and we have Tams review, now Tams has reviews for both the ebook and the audiobook so see what she has to say. Well guys, enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Perfect Imperfections
(Audiobook)
by
Cardeno C.
Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.
Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.
Hi peeps, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with the tour to her Mates collection, we have fantastic excerpts from each of the Mates books and C.C. has a fantastic giveaway, there’s also my reviews for each of the books for you to check out, so enjoy the poat and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Cardeno C. presents The Mates Collection
Wake Me Up Inside
(Mates 01)
A powerful Alpha wolf shifter and a strong-willed human overcome traditions ingrained over generations and uncover long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny as true mates.
Regarded as the strongest wolf shifter in generations, Alpha Zev Hassick is surprised and confused by his attraction to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. A male shifter has to mate with a female shifter to keep his humanity, so shifters can’t be gay. Yet, everything inside Zev tells him Jonah is his true mate.
Maintaining a relationship with the man he has loved since childhood isn’t easy for Jonah Marvel, but he won’t let distance or Zev’s odd family get in their way. When unexplained ailments begin to plague Jonah, he needs to save his own life and sanity in order to have a future with Zev.
Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they must overcome traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny.
A sensitive wolf shifter and a vicious vampire challenge history, greed, and the very fabric of their beings in order to stay together until forever comes.
Plagued by pain and weakness all his life, Ethan Abbatt is a wolf shifter who can’t shift. Hoping to find an honorable death by joining his pack mates in a vampire attack, Ethan instead learns two things: draining his blood releases his pain and his wolf, and he has a true mate—a vampire named Miguel.
Over four centuries old, strong, powerful, and vicious, Miguel Rodriguez walks through life as a shadow, without happiness or affection. When a young shifter tells Miguel they’re true mates, destined to be together, Miguel sends him away. But Ethan is persistent and being with him comes so naturally that Miguel can’t resist for long. Their challenge is staying alive so they can be together until forever comes.
Two very different men with a tumultuous history must overcome challenges from all sides and see past their society’s rules to realize they are destined for one another.
Raised to become Alpha of the Yafenack pack, Samuel Goodwin dedicates his life to studying shifter laws, strengthening his body, and learning from his father. But despite his best efforts, Samuel can’t relate to people, including those he’s supposed to lead.
When Samuel meets Korban Keller, the son of a neighboring pack’s Alpha, he reacts with emotion instead of intellect for the first time in his life. Resenting the other shifter for throwing him off-balance, Samuel first tries to intimidate Korban and then desperately avoids him. What he can’t do is forget Korban’s warm eyes, easy smile, and happy personality.
When a battle between their fathers ends tragically, Samuel struggles to lead his pack while Korban works to break through Samuel’s emotional barriers. Two very different men with a tumultuous history must overcome challenges from all sides and see past their society’s rules to realize they are destined for one another.
Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with the blog tour for her fantastic release Perfect Imperfections, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and my review so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Perfect Imperfections
by
Cardeno C.
Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.
Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.
Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with her newest audiobook release Strange Bedfellows, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Strange Bedfellows
by
Cardeno C.
Can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.
As the sole offspring of the Democratic United States president and his political operative wife, Trevor Moga was raised in an environment driven by the election cycle. During childhood, he fantasized about living in a made-for-television family, and as an adult, he rejected all things politics and built a highly successful career as far from his parents as possible.
Newly elected congressman Ford Hollingsworth is Republican royalty. The grandson of a revered governor and son of a respected senator, he was bred to value faith, family, and the goal of seeing a Hollingsworth in the White House.
When Trevor and Ford meet, sparks fly and a strong friendship is formed. But can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.
Hiya guys, Cardeno C. is re-releasing some of her books this month and we’re helping her spread the word! So today we have Places in Time and a giveaway to celebrate it’s re-release and all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this post… yes it’s that simple! So enjoy the review and leave a comment and I’ll pick a random winner on the 24th June 2015. Good luck guys <3 ~Pixie~
Title: Places In Time
Author: Cardeno C.
Genre: Contemporary, Time-Travel
Length: Short (64pgs)
ISBN: 9781942184294
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (7th June 2015)
Heat: Low – Moderate
Heart:♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
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.
Review:This is the 2nd edition and has been added to and is 50% longer than the 1st. Ethan is returning home after a week of filming, and his welcome, is his girlfriend breaking up with him. Now he finds himself on his way to the one person who has always been there for him, his ‘forever’ friend Jude, but he ends up taking a side journey that opens his eyes to what he has been missing.
This is a sweet short that has a ‘Christmas Carol’ feel to it. Ethan is a film star, who, after being dumped, goes to the one person who is always there for him, Jude. But on his way to his best friend, he is waylaid by a woman who takes him on a journey of discovery. Ethan visits places in time that have happened to him before, but now, as an outsider he notices things that he never noticed before, and he comes to a startling revelation about himself and his own feelings.
Ethan is a great character who is just human, he might be rich and famous but he isn’t a diva, he is just ignorant of things around him that don’t concern him and his career. So he is given a wakeup call in the shape of ‘Ginger’, who takes him on a journey so that he can see what is right in front of his eyes and just what he is missing. Jude is an absolute jewel, and as we see him through Ethan’s eyes, as the revelations strike Ethan, we also realise, along with Ethan exactly what he has with Jude for his friend, in the shape of friendship and love.
So if you want a sweet story of revelations, of discovering oneself, and of friends to lovers’ story, of seeing beyond the obvious and a happy ever after, then this is definitely the book for you.
Hiya guys, Cardeno C. has re-released a couple of her babies in the last week or so and we are helping her get the word out! Last week we had Perfect Imperfections and today it’s All of Me… we even have a fantastic giveaway! Yep that’s right you can win your very own copy of All of Me by taking part in our comment giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and I’ll randomly draw a winner on the 23rd June 2015. So good luck and keep an eye out for more re-release giveaways in the coming week! <3 ~Pixie~
Title: All of Me (2nd Edition)
Author: Cardeno C.
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novella (73pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-942184-16-4
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (7th June 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, Abel Nasa and Zakai “Kai” Berura 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 the mating bond.
Years pass with no contact between the two, but Abel never stops yearning for the man who was supposed to lead by his side. When Kai returns, broken and on death’s door, Abel must look past what he saw and trust his heart so they can fulfill their destiny and merge their packs.
Review:This is the 2nd edition and there are no changes from the 1st. Abel and Kai were bonded from birth by their parents so they would combine their packs and lead together, they adored each other growing up and vowed to be true to one another until Kai was old enough to bond. But with the death of Kai’s father their time together was limited, then Kai’s mother died and all contact was cut off until the day Kai turned eighteen and Abel was left devastated by what he discovered. Ten years later Abel still yearns for the man who should have been his mate and a plea for help has Kai back in his life, but Kai is broken, a shell of the wolf he once was, and Abel must trust his heart if he is going to save the man he still loves.
Holy Hell, this is a fantastic hurt/comfort story that hits you hard and has you wanting to bang two shifters heads together for their stubbornness. Abel looked forward to bonding fully with Kai but what he discovered on Kai’s coming of age day drove him away, Kai was stuck with no way out and his sacrifice nearly destroyed him.
This is a superbly written story that has a lot of hurt/comfort being dished out. With Kai most of the hurt was physical but it was also emotional as he thought he had lost the one he loved, with Abel the hurt was all emotional as he thought he had been betrayed by the man he loved, but there is more hurt that he faces as he realizes that he abandoned his mate and his mate suffered because of it. Then there’s the comfort which is wonderfully done, both Kai and Abel comfort each other but Abel also manages to comfort Kai’s scared sister giving her the safety she hasn’t had in so long.
I loved this story and absolutely adore Kai and Abel, both men have been through a lot and yes even though you don’t want to you do think ‘If only Abel had confronted what he saw instead of running away’, and Kai, poor poor Kai, stuck in a position that was impossible especially when he was so young but you do wish he had reached out himself. This really is a brilliant story that pulls on the heart strings and has you cheering when Kai gets his revenge, I loved how easily they put the past behind them, they refuse to let the past drag them down… that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t leave it’s scars on Kai because it does but with the security of his mate he can deal.
I recommend this to those who love shifters, abuse being overcome, exacting revenge the way only a shifter can, hot sex and a very happy wonderful ending.
Cardeno C. has recently re-released this fantastic little gem and with my review today we are having a giveaway where you can win your own copy of this incredible story… I know it’s amazing! So all you Cardeno C. fans (& anyone else) have to do is leave a comment on this post and I’ll randomly pick a winner on the 18th June 2015 <3 Good luck! ~Pixie~
Title: Perfect Imperfections
Author: Cardeno C.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (214pgs)
ISBN: 9781942184263
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (5th May 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.
Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.
Review: Jeremy is a world famous singer who has lived a surprisingly sheltered life in the shadow of his famous parents, but when he feels pressured by the demands of fame he has no one to turn to. Seeking escape before yet another tour he wanders into a small town bar and meets a man who couldn’t care less about who he is and treats Jeremy like any other bar goer, an attitude that has Jeremy making a surprising offer.
Reg is perfectly happy slinging drinks in a bar, saving money so he can go on adventures but his biggest adventure yet has just walked into the bar he works at and made him an offer he’d be stupid to refuse: keep The Jeremy Jameson company and pretend to be his boyfriend! Reg can’t pass up the opportunity to travel the world in good company, and it isn’t long before Reg and Jeremy are inseparable… and Reg discovers that Jeremy isn’t as straight as Jeremy thinks he is.
This is a brilliant story where sometimes you just don’t know yourself as well as you think you do. Jeremy is a fantastic character who doesn’t have any friends, he has people who tell him what to do and where to go but he doesn’t have anyone who he can confide in or just hang out with, but all that changes when he meets Reg. Reg treats Jeremy like he’s a regular man, he doesn’t get stars in his eyes or expect Jeremy to do anything for him and for Jeremy that is a refreshing change, Jeremy grabs at the prospect of having a real friend and it’s the beginning of something incredible.
Now Reg is a character who you will adore, he’s fun loving, down to Earth and always game for anything, but he also has a protective side that emerges as he shows Jeremy that there is more to life than fame. Watching them together is a treat, Jeremy is clueless to how some of his confessions sound to Reg, but those words encourage Reg to push the boundaries with Jeremy from just friendship to something more intimate. Their friendship is unique and Jeremy blooms as his friendship with Reg grows.
I don’t know if I’d say this story was a ‘gay for you’ or if I’d say that it’s a ‘man who thinks he’s straight discovers he’s really gay’ but what I can tell you is that Jeremy is just clueless until he meets Reg and Reg becomes his foundation. This really is a brilliant written story, it just flows along like it’s perfectly normal for a straight man to ask a stranger to pretend to be his boyfriend and come on tour with him, it really doesn’t come across as absurd it comes across as perfect normal and we get a fantastic relationship brewing out of it. I just adore this story; it’s a feel good, slightly sexy story to enjoy on the beach, in the airport, on the sofa or just relaxing in the garden.
I recommend this to those who love confused superstars, in the know bartenders, an incredible love blossoming, diva tantrums and fun times and two incredible men finding the love they both deserve.
Title: Until Forever Comes Author: Cardeno C Series: Mates, #2 Narrator: Charlie David Length: 5 hours and 54 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11-11-13) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Reviewer: Tams Blurb: Ethan Abbatt is a wolf shifter who can’t shift. Plagued by pain and weakness all his life, he hopes to find an honorable death by joining his pack mates in a vampire attack. Instead, Ethan learns two things: draining his blood releases his pain and his wolf, and he has a true mate – a vampire named Miguel.
Miguel Rodriguez is more than four centuries old. Strong, powerful, and vicious, he walks through life as a shadow, without happiness or affection. When a young shifter tells Miguel they’re true mates, destined to be together, Miguel sends him away. But Ethan is persistent, and Miguel can’t resist for long. Once Miguel gives in, being together comes naturally.
The challenge is keeping themselves alive so they can stay by each other’s side until forever comes.
Review: Ethan Abbatt foolishly follows his young pack mates into town to take down some rogue vampires, with life changing consequences. Ethan has always been slight, smaller, sickly and weak, never able to shift into his wolf to spite being a natural-born shifter. That all changes the night he meets a centuries old vampire named Miguel Rodriguez.
Ethan recognizes the connection to his true mate straight away, but the vampire will take a little more convincing. As werewolves have their beliefs, so do the vampires, and they have long since known that drinking the blood of a shifter is deadly to their kind. But Ethan’s blood literally calls to Miguel, unlike anything he has ever experienced.
Ethan’s body seems to be built for Miguel’s. His smaller frame fits perfectly in Miguel’s arms. His veins plump and sing to the vampires fangs, they can sense each other and Ethan can finally shift. The ages old rift between shifters and vampires may be easily set aside by these two unlikely mates, but the same cannot be said for their friends and family.
Even after Ethan and Miguel go out of their way to ensure the pack lands are safe, the pack beta still expresses his disgust with their mating. Just when it seems these two might get their own version of a happy ever after, a power-hungry idiotic vampire threatens to destroy them both.
Just like with the first story in this series, CC has brought something fresh and unique to this shifter story. Ethan has a jealous streak a mile long, not good when your mate is a bloodthirsty vampire. But what if Ethan’s body, this condition that has plagued him his entire life, is the perfect solution to their problem. Are you intrigued? You have to grab a copy and read then!
I loved how this story answered a few unanswered questions from ‘Wake Me Up Inside’ and you learn more about the connection Ethan really has to the Eskedale pack from that story.
Narrated by the greatness that is Charlie David. I think this is his best performance yet, and I’ve listened to more than a dozen of his narrations. He does this sort of regal, relaxed tone for Miguel that sounds ancient and smart, just like the character.
The only time Miguel loses control is when Ethan is in serious danger, and that is flawlessly conveyed in David’s rendering of the story. Then when he is voicing Ethan, he is shy and unsure of himself in the beginning, but as the story progress, so does Ethan’s strength of character, and David conveyed that perfectly as well.
This book was simply music to my ears, right down to the most non-descript moan. This book was also by far one of CC’s sexiest novels as well. No sooner does Miguel touch Ethan, he can’t keep his hands off him, they literally redefine the term “fucking like minks!”, but it is so passionate and raw and sexy.
Ethan is 21 years old, never shifted, never even been kissed. Miguel is over 4 centuries old and never met someone he would be willing to die for, until now. So their mating is frantic and frenzied and often, but it’s too be expected, and just fits for the story.
A must listen if you are a fan of Charlie David’s narration, Cardeno’s stories, shifter and/or vampire novels, and of course my fellow hopeless romantics.
Lets celebrate the Re-Release of The Home Series by Cardeno C.
Cardeno C. is excited to re-release the Home collection. All novels are re-edited, have sexy new covers, and include the “bonus chapters” that were previously in the Marriage anthology.
Title: Wake Me Up Inside Author: Cardeno C Series: Mates, #1 Narrator: Charlie David Genre: Paranormal Length: 7 hours and 20 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (08-19-13) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Zev Hassick is surprised and confused when he finds himself attracted to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. Zev is the son of the pack Alpha, regarded as the strongest wolf in generations, born to lead. And everyone knows a male shifter has to mate with a female of his own kind to keep his humanity. So shifters can’t be gay, right?
Jonah Marvel wants a relationship with Zev, his best friend, the man he has loved since childhood. It wasn’t easy to maintain that relationship over years spent living apart while Jonah studied to become a doctor. And then things grow more difficult when Jonah becomes his own patient. Before he can make a life with Zev, he has to understand his past and cure the unexplained ailments that plague him.
Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they’re facing traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets that may threaten any future together.
Review: Zev Hassick, future alpha of his pack, is an anomaly. He shifted before his first birthday, he is able to stay in his wolf form far longer than any of his pack members and Zev is very open-minded, wanting to change some of the more archaic laws of the pack when he becomes alpha. At just one year old, Zev met his best friend, the love of his life, his true mate Jonah. It will be close to thirty years before he actually stakes his claim to Jonah, but the bond is formed and bound on that first day.
Jonah Marvel has only ever loved one person, his best friend Zev. The hardest thing he ever had to do was leave Zev to go off to college, but Jonah wants to be a doctor almost as much as he wants Zev. Over twelve years the two grow both individually and as a couple, experience a lot of firsts and struggle with the separation.
While both men carry the burden the separation causes, it seems to physically affect Jonah almost inexplicably. Nightmares, insomnia, weight loss and an overall sense that something is missing from his life.
Zev is certain that once Jonah comes home and they bond that everything will click into place, that they’ll find a way to deal with everything else, as long as they are together. But there are secrets buried in Jonah’s nightmares, secrets that someone will kill to keep hidden.
CC really writes some of the finest Shifter stories, and manages to bring something new to the worlds she creates every time. I was so intrigued by how Zev and Jonah were connected to each other in such a unique way very early on. There were aspects to their story, their relationship that I saw coming from the start, but there were a lot of surprises as well.
There was a bit of angst peppered throughout the story, but since these two met as toddlers, some angst would be expected as they grew up together. Their romance was sort of epic though, Zev was very old-fashioned in a sense, refusing to literally mate with Jonah until they could be together, but never giving up on him, on them at the same time. Rest assured, there is a LOT of heavy petting over the years.
Narrated by Charlie David who is such a fantastic storyteller. From subtle nuances to slight tone inflections at just the right points in the story, and he enunciates his words clearly as well, which is music to my ears!
This is a must read for anyone that likes paranormal romance and shifter stories, especially if you are looking for something different at the core of the story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today on her Blue Mountain Audiobook tour, there’s a great promo vid and a brilliant giveaway and Tams’ review for you to enjoy. So check out the post and then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Blue Mountain (Audiobook)
(A Pack Story 01)
by
Cardeno C.
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.
A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.
Hiya guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with her excellent audiobook McFarland’s Farm, we have a short sample and a great promo vid, there’s a fantastic giveaway and we also have Tams review for you to check out, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
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.
Hey peeps, we have been lucky to snag a spot on Cardeno C’s excerpt tour for Blue Mountain, her brand new shifter story! There’s five blogs on the tour and we all have a little teaser for you to enjoy, so enjoy the tour! <3 ~Pixie~
Blue Mountain
(Pack 01)
by
Cardeno C.
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.
A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.
Hey guys we have Cardeno C. visiting us with the incredible All of Me, I got to do a live interview with C.C. which was loads of fun and I finally got to read and review this wonderful story. Now you lucky minions will have a chance to win your very own copy and all you have to do is leave a comment 🙂 and remember to click that Rafflecopter link for a chance to win the entire Daily Dose collection! <3 ~Pixie~
And congratulations to Alaina who has won a copy of Elizabeth Noble’s Always Plan Ahead! Congratulations Alaina <3
Mended
Various Authors
Life comes with a bit of hurt, but luckily for these men, it also comes with the right amount of comfort to mend their breaks, both of the body and the heart. From facing deranged exes to economic trials, the men in these tales have faced trial by fire–or in some cases water–for the right to love and live. Step into their shoes as they rebuild their family after a gutting betrayal or traverse the stars with an unexpected partner. The Mended Daily Dose package delivers stories about all kinds of second chances built on love.
Blurb: Vy Aleknos is the leader of a hawk shifter flock. Openly gay since he was a teen, Vy is proud and self-assured on the outside, while secretly worrying he’ll be forced to spend his life alone because two males can’t be mates. When bear shifter Robert Cimino appears in Vy’s small town, Vy realizes his concerns were unfounded — he has a male mate, and a sexy, dominant one to boot.
Robert is a bear shifter who refuses to shift. Immediately attracted to Vy, he deviates from his normal pattern and seeks more than a one-off with the powerful, bristly hawk. But Robert’s affections are rooted in his human form, and when Vy discovers Robert doesn’t recognize him as his mate, he pulls away. If Robert wants to stay with Vy, he must convince a man deeply ruled by his animal instincts to give their relationship as humans a chance.
Review: Vy is kuar of his hawk shifter flock and while he wants a mate, he has always feared he would not have one because he is gay. When Vy meets Robert, he is overjoyed at discovering his mate but when he realizes Robert doesn’t recognize him as his mate Vy begins to fall into a downward spiral of doubt. Robert has lived for most of his life as human. But he is strongly drawn to Vy and wants to give their relationship a go. But when Vy turns him away, Robert tries to prove to Vy that their human side is just as important as their animal sides.
This is an incredible story of two shifters coming together from different angles, one from shifter mating and the other from human attraction, and working out their differences to become a couple where love shines through. Vy is ruled by his animal side, everything he does is based on what is good for his ket and flock, but what happens when his mate isn’t ruled by his animal instincts? Robert has avoided his animal side ever since he was a young boy, watching a tragedy unfold before him has him caging his animal so he would never react like he saw others do, but what happens when his love interest ignores him human feelings? Vy and Robert have a rough road ahead of them as they try to find a balance not just for themselves but for Vy’s ket as well.
This was a wonderful story to read, it was such a joy to see these two men, who value different things about a person, to come together and make their relationship work. It isn’t easy though because Vy places such value in his animal instincts, but Robert goes with his human instincts… so we have a great bit of frustration as we silently scream at Vy because he ignores his human side. Robert is a complete sweetheart and we root for him as he tries to crack through Vy’s stubborn shell, and, as he handles the ket with panache. We do learn why Robert is so wary of his own bear and it breaks your heart when he is forced to shift but Vy handles it wonderfully, proving that he is the shifter worthy of Robert.
Oh if there was ever a marriage that should be celebrated then it is of Mary Calmes and Cardeno C’s writing collaborations because these two authors can melt a heart at a thousand yards and leaves you blissed out on warm fuzzies for hours after the conclusion of their stories *sigh* just magic. Control is another beautifully blended story, the authors writing slips seamlessly together and complements each other perfectly. The story is written from both characters points of view and we clearly know when the perspective changes. The storyline is wonderful showing that getting to know your mate is just as important as the mating instinct. There is some danger, tension, and violence but none of it is overdone and fits perfectly in the story, it isn’t just there for show.
I recommend this to those that love shifters, difficult matings, fantastic characters, a great storyline, hot sex, a story that leaves you with the warm fuzzies and a wonderful ending.
Hey guys… look! Cardeno C. is having a one day sale tomorrow over at Dreamspinner Press for three of her books from three different series! I’ve got the inside scoop so you can all shoot over there first thing tomorrow and snap up these books at the bargain price of just $.99!!!! that’s 58p in real money *cough* I mean in the UK *flutters eyelashes*. And the best thing about these books is that you don’t have to read the entire series for any of them because they can be stand-alones…. although personally why you wouldn’t have all of C.C.’s books I don’t know *wink* So peeps set that alarm clock and get your buying fingers ready because this is one sale not to miss! <3 ~Pixie~
Cardeno C
As a writer of a few series, I often get asked which book in my series should be read first. Because I write each book as a standalone (really, I promise!), I always answer the same way: “Whichever one sounds most interesting to you.” But on May 8th, there’s a new answer to the question because that day – from midnight EST until midnight EST – Dreamspinner is putting one book in each of my series on sale for $.99! So which of my books should you read first? On May 8th the answers are:
If you’ve been hesitant to try my books because you’re not a fan of series or you don’t know where to start, now’s the time to give it a go. And if you’ve already read my books, please let other readers know so they can try them too. Thank you!
When twenty-two-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 thirty-eight 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.
Zev Hassick is surprised and confused when he finds himself attracted to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. Zev is the son of the pack Alpha, regarded as the strongest wolf in generations, born to lead. And everyone knows a male shifter has to mate with a female of his own kind to keep his humanity. So shifters can’t be gay, right?
Jonah Marvel wants a relationship with Zev, his best friend, the man he has loved since childhood. It wasn’t easy to maintain that relationship over years spent living apart while Jonah studied to become a doctor. And then things grow more difficult when Jonah becomes his own patient. Before he can make a life with Zev, he has to understand his past and cure the unexplained ailments that plague him.
Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they’re facing traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets that may threaten any future together.
Not even his mother’s funeral can convince self-proclaimed party boy Zach Johnson to put aside his flamboyant ways or even think about settling down. He is who he is, and no one can make him change. But when he meets Aaron Paulson, his brother’s best friend, Zach has to step back and re-evaluate his perceptions of love and family.
Aaron insists he’s falling for Zach, but Zach is certain Aaron sees him as just another project—one more lost soul for the idealistic Aaron to save. Zach isn’t broken; he doesn’t need to be fixed. Aaron’s insistent, though, and Zach finds himself tempted. Zach wants to believe in happily-ever-after, but can he let go of his pride long enough to see Aaron’s heart?
Hey guys, a bunch of us bloggers have got together to show our support for T.J. Klune and Eric Arvin by joining up for the Grand Adventures blog tour. This blog tour is to bring to attention the wonderful authors who donated a story and Dreamspinners Press who are donating 100% of the income from the sale to Eric & T.J. and there’s even a great giveaway for you to enjoy! I know the people in this genre are just incredible! So check out what the authors have to say, visit Dreamspinners Press and have a look at the great Grand Adventures goodies and click our Rafflecopter link to win some of those great goodies 🙂 ~Pixie~ p.s. I’d like to give a shout out to Brandilyn from Prism Book Alliance for pulling us bloggers together and organizing our roles in this tour 😉
Description:
On September 1, 2011, TJ Klune wrote, “…it’s not about the ending, it’s about the journey…” in a review of Eric Arvin’s Woke Up in a Strange Place. With those words, two men began a journey of love and invited us to ride along. TJ and Eric have shared so much with us: their wonderful books, their smiles, their humor, their lives, and their inspiring devotion to each other. In December of 2013, their journey took a detour when Eric was taken to the emergency room. He survived the surgery to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem, but the challenges TJ and Eric face are far from over.
The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eric’s continued recovery, to help bring strength to TJ, and to show both of them just how much love surrounds them. Grand Adventures is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love. We’re going on some grand adventures for a great cause. Thank you for joining us.
One hundred percent of the income from this volume goes directly to TJ and Eric.
Foreword by S.A. McAuley
An Unexpected Thing by John Amory (Sequel to Protection)
The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk
When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste
Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown (A Missing Moment from Isle of Waves)
The Jogger by KC Burn
Holding Court by Cardeno C.
For Dear Life by Mary Calmes
Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington
Stripped by Shae Connor (2nd Edition)
That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado
Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys
Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford
Last First Kiss by LE Franks
Tomorrow by John Goode
From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano (A Companion to For You)
Hello everyone! My name is John Amory, and my contribution to the Grand Adventures anthology is titled “An Unexpected Thing.” This short is actually a sequel to a story that Dreamspinner published last June in its Daily Dose compilation called “Protection.” The new story picks up about two years after Jamie and Ben met; both are back from London and traveling the West Coast. Jamie is en route to a shooting competition with Ben in tow, but when their plane is diverted, they are forced to find their own way through the Cascades to Seattle. They, of course, find something else along the way.
I have never met TJ or Eric, but I was struck by their struggle like everyone else. We are all a family of authors and readers in this genre, and it felt like someone in our family had suddenly fallen ill. I wanted to help, especially since TJ’s book Into This River I Drown had such an effect on me. When “Protection” was accepted for publication last year, it was the first book I chose from Dreamspinner’s catalog to read, so that I could get a feel for their audience, their authors, the style of stories they publish, etc. I was blown away by River, which is, in so many ways, a really atypical (but still brilliant) M/M romance. There was so much else going on: grief, redemption, faith, closure, all of these things played into the book’s themes, and they’re all things I think TJ handled beautifully. So I began “An Unexpected Thing” as a sequel to “Protection” that contained a guest appearance by two of TJ’s characters from Roseland, which seemed only appropriate given its ties to River. I eventually re-edited the story to not include TJ’s characters (since, if all the authors did that, it would be taxing on TJ to edit and approve each story), but the essence that those characters brought to the story is still there, as well as some other Easter eggs for fans of TJ’s book. “An Unexpected Thing” is about finding love in places you never thought you would, with people you never thought you would. That’s something I got from Into This River I Drown and from TJ and Eric’s personal story, and I think it’s something universal: keep your eyes and heart open, because The One might be someone you’d never notice otherwise.
Thanks for reading and for supporting Grand Adventures! You can find me on Twitter (@JohnAmory) or on GoodReads. Feel free to drop a line! Happy reading!
About John Amory:
John Amory is and always will be a hopeless romantic, which he blames on watching too many episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 growing up. He began writing stories and poems as a child, continuing through high school. He put writing on the backburner for a number of years, during which time he finished both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English, and is thrilled to be creating again now that he knows what “free time” means.
In another life, John is a newly minted college professor, as well as an actor/director/choreographer/playwright whose work has been performed in New York City and elsewhere. He is also obsessed with television and keeps two blogs on the subject: one for general reviews and comments (faketvcritic.blogspot.com), and one devoted solely to So You Think You Can Dance (cuttingsytycd.blogspot.com).
Feel free to drop a message here or on Twitter to say hi!
1. Tell us about your contribution to the anthology.
My short story is called When Friendship Becomes More.
Here’s the official blurb, because it explains the story better than I could:
Despite their differences, Jamie and Roy are not only college roommates, but best friends. What Jamie doesn’t know is that Roy has had a crush on him for years. When Jamie realizes Roy’s feelings during a camping trip with friends, the attraction will either prove mutual, or it will tear their friendship apart.
I’m really proud of this short story. It has moments that will make you laugh and cry. I hope everyone out there loves it as much as I do.
2. What is your favorite TJ and Eric memory?
Well, I haven’t been lucky enough to meet TJ or Eric in person. But I remember reading the news of TJ’s proposal in October of last year. I was instantly touched by the obvious love between the two men. It may not have been a showy proposal like that Home Depot one that went viral a few months ago, but it was one of the most love-filled proposals I’ve ever seen. And isn’t that what’s really important?
3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?
When I heard about the anthology it was a no-brainer. I knew I had to help TJ and Eric in any way I could. And since writing is one of my favorite things to do anyway, it was a win-win.
4. Do you have anything to say to TJ and Eric?
I just wanted to say that you two are both some of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I wish you only the best as you go forward. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!!!
About Sophie Bonaste:
Sophie Bonaste is a novelist who never set out to be a novelist. As a child, she wanted to be a Broadway actress and spent her childhood in numerous productions. But when adulthood set in and reality took over, Sophie chose to up the theater for a steady paycheck and instead turned to writing as a creative outlet. She stumbled into the M/M genre through fanfiction and never looked back. Sophie is quite happy with her change in artistic expression and doesn’t plan to stop writing for a long time.
A self-proclaimed nerd, Sophie is an avid fan of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. (Sophie is a member of the Slytherin house, for those who were wondering.) Sophie also spends many hours watching and re-watching nerdy television shows. When she is not obsessing over the latest and greatest in nerdy entertainment, Sophie can be found screaming at her television during American football games. (Go Pack Go!) Sophie currently lives in Pennsylvania, about twenty minutes from her childhood town of The Middle of Nowhere.
If you don’t want to talk, but you want to read more about my works, please use these links.
Harmony Ink – Sophie Bonaste
Dreamspinner Press – Sophie Bonaste
GIVEAWAY!
20″ x 26″ (image size: 16″ x 24″) signed & matted print of the Grand Adventures cover Grand Adventures Paperback $30 Dreamspinner Press Giftcard
Starts: 12:01 AM EDT on 29 Mar 2014 End: 11:59pm EDT on 8 April 2014
Blurb: When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.
Professional, proper Seth is shocked by Eli’s brashness, overt sexuality, and easy defiance of societal norms. But he’s also drawn to the happy, funny, light-filled man. As their friendship deepens over the years, Seth watches Eli mature into a man he admires and respects. But when Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.
Review:This story is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Seth is about to start his new job as associate Rabbi when he meets his boss’s son Eli, Seth is blown away by the blatant flirting of the younger man and quickly shuts him down. Eli has had a crush on Seth for years and starts a campaign to make Seth his but he soon realizes that he would rather have Seth as a friend than drive him away with his blatant sexual come-on’s and a lasting friendship forms. Seth tries to ignore his attraction to Eli but finally has to face what he feels, but can he give up a future that could be for the future that Eli offers.
This is the last story in the Home series and we bid a fond farewell to the guys of Emile City with this brilliant story of Eli and Seth. Within the first ten pages of this book, I was already chortling and I realized this was going to be a cracker of a book and that Eli and Seth were going to leave a lasting impression. Eli is only eighteen when he makes it clear that he has set his sights on Seth, being knocked back (repeatedly) takes time to sink in and he finally settles on friendship but as time goes on and his feelings mature the childhood crush develops into full-blown love, but he won’t risk his cherished friendship no matter how much he now loves Seth. Seth struggles with his feelings for Eli and has to do some serious soul-searching, it is a long time coming, but just as he decides to start his own campaign for Eli, a secret is revealed that shocks Eli to the core.
I adored this story, watching as Eli grows into an incredible man who cultivates his friendships with care and holds on to what is most important to him by holding back on his feelings was incredible, Eli is an astonishing character who develops wonderfully throughout the book. Seth is a wonderful character who is sure of who he is… until he meets a grown Eli who makes him question everything he thought about himself, we watch as Eli admits truths to himself and explores what he has discovered about himself and we pause with breath held as he struggles with his choice to act on his feelings. Eli and Seth has an exceptional friendship that we have the pleasure of seeing evolve, and when it finally evolves into a relationship it takes our breath away.
I have to question myself as I write this review as to whether it is tainted with the poignancy I feel to be saying goodbye to the Home series, but then I think about the incredible characters, the wonderful dancing of friendship and love, the amusing disastrous weddings, the flashes of painful young love and the solid storyline that draws us deeper into Eli and Seth’s story and I know that Cardeno C. wrote another perfect story and my rating is well deserved.
I recommend this story to those who love brilliant stories that have you smiling and grinning, that leave you aching for the young man who had to wait years to finally get his man, that draws you in as soul-searching is conducted and doubts are examined and a beautiful relationship is fulfilled.
Title: Walk With Me
Title: Places In Time
Title: All of Me (2nd Edition)
Title: Perfect Imperfections
Title: Until Forever Comes
Title: Wake Me Up Inside
