Hi guys, we have Hayley B. James popping in with her newest release Undercover Addiction. Hayley is letting us have a peek at a tantalizing excerpt and there’s a stunning giveaway, we also have KathyMac’s review for you to check out. So enjoy the post and then leave a comment to take part in the giveaway. <3 ~Pixie~
Undercover Addiction
(A Secret Sin 02)
by
Hayley B. Jmes
Working Vice for the Seattle PD, Connor Bishop’s favorite part of the job is going undercover. His current assignment is to get close to Riley Drapeau, a human trafficker backed into a corner by the FBI and turned informant. Connor needs to milk him for information on his organization, but while doing so, sees an entirely different Riley than he expected.
Caught off balance, Connor relies heavily on Lucas, his outside man and only link to the real world, but he gets sucked in by Riley and his attempt to clear his name and prove his partners fabricated evidence to frame him.
Up to his eyeballs in the dark world of trafficking, Connor finds it easier to believe Riley than what the FBI is saying, especially when a leak is uncovered within the Bureau. The choices Connor has to make become even more difficult when Lucas admits he has feelings for him and promises a safe life far from harm. But Connor can’t deny the only man he wants to be with is Riley. Which forces him to decide if his addiction to the dangerous side of life can include loving a criminal.
Hey peeps, Hayley James has stopped by to give you a quick peek into her newest release Polyster Prince and to give you a chance to win some cool prizes. Now you all know the drill take a gander at Polyster Prince, take a look at the review and then click on the Rafflecopter link to be in for a chance to win. *squeezes* ~Pixie~
BLURB:Kyle Edington built his life around clubs, alcohol, nameless sex, and turning a blind eye to his future, but having front row access to his best friend’s perfect relationship leaves him wanting something he doesn’t understand—the white picket fence. After an ankle injury hinders his plans for PrideFest and puts his day job selling furniture at risk, Kyle attends Pride anyway to cheer himself up. Leaving his crutches at home was a mistake, though, and he’s shoved off balance and hits his head.
A bike officer keeps him safe until the paramedics arrive. Kyle’s memory of the event is foggy. He doesn’t recall the name or face of his guardian angel, but he definitely remembers the finest polyester-covered ass in all of Albuquerque.
But when he goes in search of his polyester prince, Kyle realizes relationships take hard work. After he learns the name of that perfect ass, a lifetime of avoiding serious boyfriends leaves Kyle second-guessing himself and making difficult decisions about what he wants for his future
Hayley B. James is a lifelong resident of New Mexico with no plans to pack up and leave just yet. Writing is her part-time job and full-time hobby. She works in a small office during the day and lives in her written worlds at night.
When she isn’t writing, Hayley is reading m/m romance, mystery, real-life crime, fantasy, and yaoi novels, and can be found cruising Tumblr and webcomics. She may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with police officers. It’s still up for debate.
Blurb: Kyle Edington built his life around clubs, alcohol, nameless sex, and turning a blind eye to his future, but having front row access to his best friend’s perfect relationship leaves him wanting something he doesn’t understand—the white picket fence. After an ankle injury hinders his plans for PrideFest and puts his day job selling furniture at risk, Kyle attends Pride anyway to cheer himself up. Leaving his crutches at home was a mistake, though, and he’s shoved off balance and hits his head.
A bike officer keeps him safe until the paramedics arrive. Kyle’s memory of the event is foggy. He doesn’t recall the name or face of his guardian angel, but he definitely remembers the finest polyester-covered ass in all of Albuquerque.
But when he goes in search of his polyester prince, Kyle realizes relationships take hard work. After he learns the name of that perfect ass, a lifetime of avoiding serious boyfriends leaves Kyle second-guessing himself and making difficult decisions about what he wants for his future.
Review: Oh, it is impossible to say how close at home this book hit. I loved it, I loved so much perhaps because I related a lot with the main character Kyle. Plus it was the same lovely, easy writing style I expected to find from the sequel of Paid Leave and Hayley B. James.
In this book we follow Kyle. Remember Kyle, the funny, always-teasing friend of Neal. You know, the one who hit on Benji’s nerves all the time? Yeah! I loved Kyle at Paid Leave and I couldn’t wait to read his story. What I didn’t expect was to find myself thinking “I am Kyle” when I was halfway through the book.
You see Kyle is this guy who is terrified of relationships for the sole reason that he doesn’t want to give up his independence. So he keeps on jumping from one hook up to the other, often not even remembering his one-night stand’s name, or even caring enough to.
“You went home with a guy who has a stripper pole?” “That doesn’t happen outside of movies.”
“Kyle’s life is one long screenplay of the unreal.”
Yes, that is exactly what Kyle’s life is all about. Dancing and drinking all night long until exhaustion claims him. Settling down? Not on his future plans. Abandoning the club scene? A nightmare of the worse kind. Until he meets Isaac.
Isaac is a character that makes falling in love the easiest feat ever. You actually fall a bit for him, not merely like him as a character. He’s charming, easy going, and has a way of accepting people that makes you want to crush him in a bear hug. His smile is a special allure itself, and it is no wonder even Kyle falls for him.
There’s not a real challenge in sight for the first half of the book besides Kyle’s frustration and inner thinking. The fact that he hasn’t wanted a steady boyfriend for years make the text interesting, his newly found “butterflies” in his stomach are hilarious at best. It’s highly amusing reading about Kyle’s trepidation over being or getting a “picket fence” as he so fondly refers to lifetime partners. His fear of losing his “freedom” is so easy to relate to, and makes for a most funny read. His slow change is a bit sneaky and takes him completely by surprise when he comes to realize it.
After meeting Isaac… “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” …and that’s what Kyle the party goer is reduced to. But the transition from party-boy to loving partner was so easy, so incredibly smooth, one just can’t help float that happy boat along with this pair. And when the time for the intimate parts came I ensure you it was breathtaking in a sweet yet very hot way.
ISAAC’S LIPS were poison, his touch fire, and his whispered words a catalyst sending every synapse in Kyle’s brain into overdrive. He couldn’t deny his desire for Isaac much longer if he wanted to keep his sanity.
Yeah, I found the intimate language highly sensual and sexy. It was no wonder I got lost in its web even as the story itself held no real intensity. Everything in this book was written in an easy-to-read language that was oddly erotic and alluring in its simplicity. When Kyle and Isaac came together it was all I could do not to hold my breath over the scenes. I loved it, I simply loved this read.
However easy the relationship was though, it was a relationship that required Kyle to make space for Isaac in his life, and while that was not a hardship, the very idea scared Kyle away.
He had ruined something based on a baseless fear.
Nearing the end of the book the intensity picks up a bit and emotions get stronger, they make you hold your breath and wait in agony while the story unfolds. You know there is a happy ending there, but still it was a punch to see how easily heartbreak occurred and over the stupid reasons it did. Fear though is a very real relationship breaker in life, and this book was real in many ways.
So, bottom end, this was yet another lovely addition to the ABQ Heat series. I loved the first and I loved this one as well. Now I just have to wait for the third to come out and swipe me like the other two. If this is a first book for you, know that it can be read as a standalone, yet I would suggest you pick up the first one too, only for your enjoyment. Strongly recommended!
THE TOUR SCHEDULE:
1/24 – Elisa Rolle – http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/
1/25 – Andrew Q Gordon – http://andrewqgordon.com/posts
1/26 – MM Good Book Reviews – http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
1/27 – Prism Book Alliance – http://www.prismbookalliance.com/
Blurb: Albuquerque police officer Benji Miller made the choice to hide his sexuality and devote his life to his career. He guards his secret carefully, believing he is protecting his job and happiness. Then, during a routine traffic stop gone awry, he shoots a suspect to protect a young girl, and his life spins out of control. A department-mandated paid leave rips away the only distraction he had, and he has to deal with the unsympathetic media who criticize the police department’s every move.
One day, needing to get out of the house, Benji walks into a café, where he meets Neal McCoy—a gay man living without shame, unafraid to speak his mind or stand up against prejudice. Benji quickly falls for Neal but struggles to combine his new love interest and his career. With the media threatening the careful illusion he’s built around himself, Benji can’t stand the pressure.
Benji has to decide: sacrifice his happiness in the name of his career and an easy life, or find the courage to give up the lonely existence he knows and take a step into the unknown.
Review: What an interesting book this one was, I quite loved it and enjoyed every aspect and turn this story took.
Benji is a closeted cop with no intention of ever coming out. His job doesn’t permit it. His experience forbids it and his family life has left him believing that not only he’s not normal, but that if he could not be gay, he would. Nothing in his future includes a family or even the possibility of a normalcy for his love life. His only consolation is his love for his job. Until he shoots a suspect on duty and everything changes. He’s forced to a paid leave, his sex-buddy who is also a very cruel reporter is one of the first to leak the story and participate on the Media twisting every fact into making cops look like criminals, and he stumbles into Beans where he meets Neal.
Neal is the exact opposite of Benji. He is out, he is proud, he has a loving and supportive family and he’s looking to settle in a permanent relationship, something Benji can’t even contemplate. He is also a man Benji can’t seem to stay away from even knowing that he should do just that. But Neal has a lovely smile and an attitude to life that is almost compelling and in the torrent of everything coming crashing in Benji’s life, Neal is the only person to make him smile and lift the weight from his shoulders.
This is how a very lovely story starts with a great touch in the human soul and fears that overwhelm us. The parts of life that Benji kept separated all his life will start colliding and Benji seems almost reluctant to prevent it. As much as he want things hidden and apart he comes to understand that would not be fair for the man he comes home to and while trying baby-steps in something he has never done, the enormity of his slowly coming to terms with being gay and in a relationship is not lost on this character. We get to feel that pressure acutely in every line and every new change.
I loved the fact that both characters here were not mindless creatures, victims of their lust. They were intelligent and each had a unique personality and while everything starts and ends with sex, that doesn’t take priority in this story. We rather get to experience a wholesome change in two people’s life with all the good and bad parts such a change brings. We get to see Neal relinquishing some of his own wants in order to maintain Benji, we get to see him settle for things he never even thought of doing and even contemplating staying hidden for Benji’s sake, and we get to see the beauty of a man facing all his fears one at a time for the sake of a dimple showing in the face of a man who won his heart. The relationship between them two was wonderfully written and it made me slowly but steadily to fall for them and wish they get the normalcy they both so much craved.
We also get to see the hardship of being a Police Officer. The deaths they witness, the pieces of soul they lose every time an innocent is killed and their feelings of helplessness and not being there to prevent the evils people are capable of doing. We get to see how their world interacts with minorities in the force as well and all in all makes for a very solid and enjoyable read.
I might have has some trouble with understanding one particular character in this book, and that would be Neal’s mom. She was quite disturbing at some point and I simply didn’t get her actions. Hence, when the ending came I felt it was a bit rushed and left some holes and gaps there. Yes, it was quite romantic, yes, it was not cheesy or over sweet, as most HEA’s tend to be, yes Benji takes a 180 turn and shocks us all. But even though he reasoning seemed logical, it was almost too much to believe it happened in such a fast succession.
However, it didn’t throw me much and my enjoyment of this story didn’t change at all. This is definitely one of those books I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend even if you’re not fans of closeted cases. If you love romance, cops and realistic plots then this is a book you don’t want to miss.
Genre: Alternative World, Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense
Length: Super Novel (326pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (7th November 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Devil Fremont’s unwillingness to divulge even the smallest details of his past makes building a relationship with his lover, Leandre, a struggle. Doubt and frustration tear at the couple and put their bond to the test when Fremont’s secrets find him after his ten years in exile and force him home to Spezia to face serious charges.
Whatever mysteries Fremont has buried, Leandre does not believe murder is one of them—though his waiting fiancé is a surprise. As Fremont trusts his lover with his past, a second murder throws him deeper into the law’s hands.
Desperate to save Fremont, Leandre searches for the truth. But the conspiracy he uncovers goes deeper than he ever imagined. With Fremont’s time running out, Leandre must act quickly to reveal the true culprit before he loses his bond mate for good.
Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Fremont keeps his past hidden from everyone. He has secrets that he doesn’t want revealed and it is putting pressure on his relationship with Leandre. When he is forced to return to Spezia, after ten years in exile, Leandre goes with him. But, Fremont’s secrets start to come spilling out and it is only Leandre’s faith that keeps them going. Leandre knows Fremont loves him and he has faith that Fremont will let him in on his past when it is the right time. But, as he discovers Fremont’s secrets, even his faith is starting to take a bashing and Fremont needs all the faith he can get when someone tries to set him up for murder… again.
This is a brilliant story set in a world of Angels, Demons, Devils and Humans. Fremont and Leandre are making their relationship work. Leandre wants more, he wants to know more but Fremont is very cagey about his past. Fremont doesn’t want Leandre to know about his past, because he doesn’t want Leandre to leave him. Fremont’s past is filled with a mystery and that mystery is about to come back to haunt him. When they both journey to Spezia, they are both pulled into a conspiracy of murder, mystery and political intrigue that is a danger to both of them. But, with the help of some friends from Fenian, they just might be able to save them all from death.
This storyline is wonderful. it draws you in from the beginning as you begin to wonder just what Fremont is hiding in his past and you begin to wonder just who could be setting Fremont up. Leandre and Fremont make a wonderful couple. Leandre has full faith in Fremont, but he wants Fremont to open up to him. Fremont would like nothing better than to be open with Leandre, but he fears that Leandre will walk out on him if he knows the truth. Fremont might seem like a fully confident character, but he is quite insecure when it comes to his love life. Leandre is a confident demon and nothing is going to make him change his mind about loving Fremont, not even a murder charge.
I loved the mystery and intrigue, the danger and threats and trying to figure just who is out to get Fremont. You have suspicions, but something always points you in another direction before you come back full circle only to be misdirected again. The story is brilliantly written. The background we are given is great and the world building for Spezia is breath-taking especially for Foxwood. Happily, we see characters from Water Waltz and we are introduced to Fremont’s family and friends, some of whom are very interesting and I would love to see more of.
I will recommend this story to those who love paranormal alternative worlds, mystery, suspense, murder, danger, intrigue, love, belief in a loved one and a happy ending that has hints for whose story might be next.
