For You by C.R. Guiliano Guest Post, Giveaway & Review

Hey guys, today we bring you C.R. Guiliano and her newest release For You (out tomorrow!), so C.R. is visiting us and has brought along her giveaway where you can win a copy of For You. So see what C.R. has to say, read the review and leave a comment… Oh and don’t forget to visit the other blogs on the tour to increase your chances of winning! Hugs ~Pixie~

C.R. Guiliano - Blog tour cover

C.R. Guiliano: Reading –

Honestly, when I was younger, I’d read anything I could get my hands on, from classics, to horror. But, as I grew older, my tastes became more refined. Not that I’m limiting myself to any one type, but I have favorites now that I stick to.

Fantasy is one of them. I read all kinds of fantasy, and I write it as well. I am a Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Narnia, Dragonrider’s of Pern fan, just to name a few. As far as writing fantasy, I let my imagination go wild and think about what kind of story I would like to read, and then create it.

Science Fiction is also a favorite and I’ve dabbled writing in that genre also. It’s not quite as easy to write, what with all the techno-speak that’s usually splattered everywhere. I mostly read it.

I enjoy most paranormal stories, even the ones “based on true events”. They are fascinating, and I’ve caught myself more times than not wishing such creatures and worlds existed. I love writing those kind of stories as well.

Gay Erotic Romance is my ultimate favorite and I have dozens, upon dozens of stories in the works in that genre. I include all my other favorites as a sub-genres in those same stories.

So, does my reading influence my writing? Absolutely. It’s easiest to write what you love to read. The only pitfall I will not allow myself to fall into, is reading someone else’s story and wondering how I would have written it differently. That is just frustration waiting to happen. I read the stories to enjoy them, be touched by them, to gush and share them with my friends. Not to dissect them and make them fit my own unique mold. Besides, how they were written is the way they should have been, and not for me to wonder.

Buy link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4764

GIVEAWAY! Each comment will be entered to win a copy of For You! You can get additional entries by following the blog tour.

6th ~ http://tempesteoriley.com/blog/

7th ~ http://www.bookwhoresunited.blogspot.com/

8th ~ http://www.prismbookalliance.com/

9th ~ http://elingregory.wordpress.com/

10th ~ http://taralain.com/blog/

11th ~ http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

12th ~ http://sidlove.com/

About the author:

CR Guiliano is an avid reader, which logically morphed into the love of writing. She writes in many genres, but is most happy writing the love between two men (or more!). She makes them work hard for their HEA and considers herself an expert in angst. CR finds her favorite form of writing is in serials, where she can continue to write about characters who have captured her heart and she hopes to have captured her readers’ as well.

You will usually find CR cuddled up to her laptop creating stories to entertain, inspire, and bring your emotions to the surface. CR has a huge warren of plot bunnies that is growing every day, and can’t wait to fill out each story idea and share them all with her readers.

CR was proudly nominated in the Goodreads Best Anthology Nominations and was thrilled to be included with the many talented writers from the same anthology.

CR is a committed advocate for the GLBTQ community and does her best to change society’s attitudes, one mind at a time. You can learn more about CR Guiliano and her stories at the following locations, and feel free to drop her line as she loves to hear from anyone interested in her or her writings:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CR-Guiliano-Author/243814592322136?ref=hl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crguiliano

Author blog: http://crguiliano-author.blogspot.com/

Works-in-progress blog: http://guilianowip.blogspot.com/

Website: http://crguiliano.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pernwish

E-mail: pernwish@gmail.com

C.R. Guiliano - For You2Title: For You

Author: C.R. Guiliano

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (70pgs)

ISNB: 978-1-62798-564-2

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10th March 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Graham and Jeremy’s first meeting sparks an explosive and passionate relationship that proves opposites attract. However, as time wears on, their differences cause a lot of strain between them.

Jeremy, a first grade teacher and softball coach, is deeply closeted and sees no way out of the darkness. Graham is out and proud and doesn’t understand Jeremy’s fear at revealing his sexuality. After four years of trying to balance the differences, Graham leaves.

Jeremy is heartbroken, knowing that the love they feel is the real thing. He knows he’s the one who needs to change, but old habits are hard to break. He’ll need support from friends and family to make things right with Graham, but most of all he’ll need to find strength within himself to be honest about who he really is.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4764

Review: When Jeremy and Graham first meet the sparks fly and they begin a passionate and loving relationship. Graham is out and proud but Jeremy is deep in the closet, their relationship suffers as the strain on Graham hiding his love becomes too much and after three years together he can no longer take it. Jeremy knows that the only way to get Graham back is to come out of the closet but his fears holds him tight, can Jeremy face his fears and admit his true self to his friends and family or is the fear he feels stronger than his love for Graham?

This is a great story of two men finding a perfect love but who are driven apart by the fears of one of them. The story switches from the past to the recent past and the present; it also switches perspectives between Graham and Jeremy so we can see both sides of the story clearly. Graham is a wonderful man who is out and proud, he is loving and affectionate and knew getting involved with a closet case might be a mistake but he can’t resist the sexy man. Jeremy is sweet and gentle and deeply in the closet, growing up with a bigoted family has him fearing coming out and when you add in that he teaches first grade he is terrified of losing his job. Their relationship suffers as Jeremy refuses to even acknowledge Graham in the outside world and won’t even consider relaxing around Graham’s family, but Graham’s had enough and Jeremy has some serious soul searching to do.

This really is a lovely story of true love, acceptance and conquering fears. We feel for both Jeremy and Graham as we see the full story unfold before us, we understand Graham’s frustration and hopelessness and we sympathise with Jeremy’s fears. You have to admire a man who won’t let go of his convictions no matter how hard and painful it is and Graham is such a man, walking away from Jeremy and trying to get on with his life was admirable but you know his heart shattered every day. Jeremy let his fear rule him and even though it broke his heart when Graham left him he couldn’t overcome the fear, but taking a chance might just lead to many surprises.

Seeing Jeremy and Graham together and finally getting their happy ever after was wonderful but it was the love they had for each other even while going through the hard times that shines through. They never gave up on their love or became resentful; they really hoped that the other would find the love they deserved even while it tore them to pieces. When Jeremy finally weighs up his love against the fears you breathe a sigh of relief and when he forces himself past those fears it is brilliant. I really loved Graham because he never threw it in Jeremy’s face; he just let it go and moved on accepting the second chance they got.

I recommend this to those who love contemporary romance, an intense love that won’t be forgotten, understanding and forgiveness, overcoming fears for love and a very happy ending.

Heart's Truth by Tasmin Baker

18105195Title: Heart’s Truth

Author: Tamsin Baker

Genre: Contemporary, Coming Out

Length: Short (61pgs)

Publisher: Steam eReads (17th July 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Marcus is a 30-year-old successful architect. He wants someone to love and knows the right man will turn up when he least expects it. That moment arrives at his friend’s party. He sees Danny for only a moment, yet his interest is piqued. What could be more irresistible than a blue-eyed beauty who is completely untouched?

Danny knows he doesn’t find women attractive, but how is he going to find out if he’s gay? His sister’s party answers his prayers and the most gorgeous guy he has ever seen asks him out. But, can their love survive when Marcus wants more than a closeted partner and Danny wants nothing more than to hide forever?

Purchase Link: http://steamereads.com.au/product/hearts-truth/

Review: Marcus turns up to his friend Sienna’s party sure he will be the only gay person there, but he gets a nice surprise when he spots a gorgeous young man who pings his gaydar. Discovering the young man, Danny, is Sienna’s brother puts him on guard, but he can’t resist the temptation to discover if the attraction is mutual. Danny hasn’t had any satisfaction in his sexual experience and he has tried hard to find it. Discovering he is more attracted to men has him nervous, he has no way to discover if he really does want a man, until he meets Marcus and they begin a secret relationship. But, Marcus is an out and proud gay man and Danny is deep in the closet, can they really make a relationship work when it is carried out in the shadows?

This is a great story of a young man finding the courage to face his family and admit the truth to them, even knowing they might turn their backs on him. Marcus discovers something special in Danny, something he recognises after just one night together, and although Danny feels the same way, Marcus knows that Danny is scared of his family’s reaction. Marcus can only hope that Danny loves him enough to come out of the closet. Danny knows he is lucky to have met and fallen in love with Marcus and although he adores Marcus, he fears his family’s reaction to his being gay, unfortunately, Sienna sees something she wasn’t supposed to and Danny now has a choice to make.

I really enjoyed this story with a slightly older man guiding a younger man into the joys of gay sex and love. Both characters are wonderful with Marcus at times being a bit cocky and overpowering and Danny at time naïve, scared but willing to learn. Marcus has already ‘been there, done that’ with his coming out and estrangement from his family, so he is patient with Danny as the younger man finds his footing. Danny already knows how his parents will react and dreads telling them and you really do understand why when you do finally see their reaction. Sienna was kinda two-faced with her reaction to Danny; it was okay for her friends to be gay but not her brother.

We do see some really good bits in Danny and Marcus’ relationship and we see how easily they mesh together, we see how quickly they support each other and you just know that they are a perfect match. They are also explosive in their attraction and are extremely hot even when they are fully clothed; damn they make a hot grope at the side of the house steamy.

I recommend this to those that love coming out and first time love stories, great characters who only want love, difficult decisions, hot sex and a great reconciliation ending.          

A Hard Bargain by Hennessee Andrews

ha-ahardbargain3(1)Title: A Hard Bargain

Series: The Man Love Collection

Author: Hennessee Andrews

Genre: Gay, Western, Cowboys

Length: 121 pages

Publisher: Siren Publishing (January 3rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4-loved it

Blurb:   Three months ago, Cade Lawson was left standing at the altar in front of a packed church of friends and family. His bride admitted to a love affair with his own best man. That scene not only injured him, but propelled him forward to find his happiness on his terms.  Cade uses money set aside for a dream home for his bride to chase the dream of owning a ranch. Little does he know cowboy

Jed McMasters will give him more than he bargained for. The ranch has its perks, one of which changes Cade’s outlook and sexuality.  Jed stirs new emotion and desire Cade had in previous years dismissed as merely curiosity. Cade tries to ignore his attraction, fearful of ruining their business deal. What he doesn’t realize is that Jed is gay and has his sights set on luring him into his bed.  Will he succumb to the passion that Jed creates inside him? Or deny the inevitable?

Product Link:   http://www.bookstrand.com/a-hard-bargain

Reviewer: Patrick

Review: I loved every aspect of this story except one. The characters are wonderful and the story was wonderful. I like the fact that a guy did not just come out then jump into a relationship. Most guys in situations like this freak out and run or at least take time go and think. Thank you for making that real. The only part I did not like about this story was the dirty talk. It seemed stilted and unreal, like the author doesn’t know how to use dirty talk during sexual encounters. This is the only reason I gave the heart rating a 4 instead of a 5. It kind of cooled the libido a little when they were trying to talk dirty and be Dominant. Neither one of them is a Dominant or an Alpha, much less a submissive. Now, however, giving over to each other control is a different matter and they handled that beautifully. I hope a sequel is planned for this book with the same characters, because I will read it!

Room to Grow by Kate Sherwood

Title:  Room to Grow

Author:  Kate Sherwood

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novella (81 pages)

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (August 7th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Cole Wheaton is a high-end garden designer just getting out of a difficult relationship with a deeply closeted architect. David McLean is just coming out of the closet himself. Cole befriends him, but won’t get any more involved, because David is a risky proposition, and Cole wants something stable. They finally get close enough to try for something more, but then David’s ex-wife pulls him back into her life, and it may end up pushing Cole away.

Product Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/room-grow-p-6957.html

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  First off, let me say, I adore Kate Sherwood and her writing. Her Dark Horse series are the only books about three men in a relationship I have ever truly enjoyed.  She writes real characters that I fall in love with. So yeah, she’s on my automatic buy list. If all that wasn’t true then the beautiful cover on Room to Grow would have drawn my eye.

Cole Wheaton designs beautiful landscapes for a living. He’s creative, successful and openly gay. Cole is just coming out of a relationship with a man who isn’t coming out of the closet anytime soon. He hurt Cole and treated him like he was a dirty secret while Cole had real feelings for him. So the last thing Cole needs is to be attracted to a married man who is just admitting to his preference for men.

David McLean is married to his best friend, Stephanie. He loves her, but he just can’t make himself love her like a husband should love his wife.  Her latest project, the backyard, is an attempt to find some common ground with her husband, but brings Cole Wheaton into their lives.  Cole and David find they enjoy each other’s company and David is strongly attracted and develops feelings for Cole. Cole doesn’t want to get involved with a newly out of the closet man coming out of a marriage to a woman. He’s still doing Stephanie’s yard and would prefer to keep it professional but Stephanie asks him to help David through his transition. Things start out friendly, but the attraction proves too much for the guys.

I was a little worried in the beginning that I’d find it strange for Cole to get together with his clients soon to be ex-husband, but Kate made me want a HEA for them. The book does move at a slower pace, but that may be what makes the progression of the relationship between Cole and David more palatable while working for his lover’s soon to be ex-wife. She’s not demonized either, which I appreciated.  I loved the descriptions of the yards and Cole’s descriptions helped me get to know him better. It was almost too short and I would have liked a little more fleshing out the guys going from resisting the temptation to falling in love. In the end, this was not my favorite Kate Sherwood book, but well worth the time and money.

 

Maybe with a Chance of Certainty by John Goode

Title: Maybe with a Chance of Certainty

Series: Tales of Foster High 01

Author: John Goode

Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age, Coming Out

Length: Novella (98pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Kyle has worked hard at being the invisible student, toiling through high school in the middle of Nowhere, Texas. Brad is the baseball star at Foster High. Both boys are damaged in ways that the rest of the world can’t see. When they bond over a night of history tutoring, Kyle thinks that maybe his life has taken a turn for the not-so-lonely.

He finds out quickly that the promise of fairy-tale love is a lie when you’re gay and falling for one of the most popular boys in school, and if being different is a sin in high school, then being gay is the biggest sin of all. Now Kyle and Brad need to come to an understanding amidst the scrutiny of their peers or their fledgling relationship will crash and burn before it ever gets off the ground.

Purchase Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2575

2nd Edition

1st Edition published as a short story under the same title by Dreamspinner Press.

Review: Kyle has made himself as invisible as he can at school.  he does everything he can not to draw attention to himself, until the fateful day Brad steps into his path. Brad needs help with his history midterm and he’s been told that Kyle can help him. by the end of the tutoring Brad wants something more.

This is an incredibly in-depth touching coming of age, coming out story. The story is from Kyle’s POV and there is an incredible amount of description and emotion from this seventeen year old boy, that you actually get a fantastic in-sight into what it must be like for an intelligent, socially awkward, lonely, physically abused boy who has an alcoholic for a mother and who is gay. In less than a week Kyle’s world changes as he gets to know Brad and they share a secret and an understanding of how that secret affects them inside. The hopes and dreams that seem to be shattered one by one as his faith in Brad is tested and Brad keeps failing.

This story is well written and I loved Kyle because he doesn’t try to be something he’s not.  Yes, he hides behind his cloak of anonymity, he doesn’t talk to people, he doesn’t look at them, he ignores them and he drifts through school like that every day, but he doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not.  Whilst Brad lives up to being the golden boy and it causes conflict between the two… Go Kyle!!!

I will recommend this to everyone as it is a great coming of age story with conflict that reminds you of your school days and your own struggles, and because sometimes the little guy wins.

Just What the Truth Is by Cardeno C.

Title: Just What the Truth Is

Series: Home 05

Author: Cardeno C.

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (200pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ben Forman has been in the closet so long he’s convinced himself he’s actually straight. But his denial train gets derailed when hotshot lawyer Micah Trains walks into his life. Micah is brilliant, funny, and determined… and he just assumes Ben’s gay and starts dating him. Finding himself truly happy for the first time he can remember, Ben doesn’t have the willpower to resist.

Still, life isn’t all rainbows and happily-ever-afters. Ben loves his family, but his parents have been estranged from his brother, Noah, since he came out of the closet. Ben doesn’t want to lose them, but Micah won’t be his dirty little secret forever. Suddenly Ben’s hold on his happiness and his sense of self seems to be slipping. If he’s going to survive with his heart intact, he’ll have to own up to the truth of what he wants and who he is. The trouble is figuring out just what that truth is.

Review: Ben has struggled to keep his feelings under wraps for years.   He’s determined that he is straight and forces himself to date women.   That all changes when he meets Micah.  He can no longer deny the truth to himself… although; he gives it his best shot. Micah falls hard for Ben and after a difficult time between them he learns the truth about Ben’s outbursts and he does what he can to support him.

This is an incredibly addition to the Home Series. Ben faces up to his true self and he realizes that he is so much happier just being honest with himself. He hid the truth about himself away because when his brother Noah came out his parents did not react well.   Since that time his family has been torn in two; with Ben trying to be the perfect son. Ben also faces the truth that many of his pre-conceived notions about being gay were wrong and maybe his parents were wrong in what they have voiced about gays over the years.

Ben is really torn up and a mess inside and it takes a while to sort himself out but when he does he embraces coming out to his family and friends.   It’s not all roses but he expected that before coming out. A wonderfully written story that tugs at your heart-strings as this man finally embraces who he is and not what other people want him to be. The relationship between Ben and Micah has its ups and downs with Ben hiding the truth about his situation from Micah, the truth finally comes out and that’s when Ben realizes he wants Micah more than anything else in the world.

An incredibly story that is charming, loving, witty, humorous, touching and moving.   The storyline is very believable and the plot moves along smoothly. I loved Micah’s family and thought they added a good feeling to the story.  Ben and Noah repairing their relationship as brothers was touching and the final scenes of the book made my eyes fill with tears of happiness for this incredible couple.

I would recommend this to… everyone who wants a story that leaves you with a happy warm heart, a smile on your face and a sheen of tears in your eyes. Get this book, a bottle of wine and curl up on your sofa and enjoy a brilliant story.