Rebuild My Heart by Ariel Tachna

Title: Rebuild My Heart

Series: Lexington Lovers 04 / Dreamspun Desires 75

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (230 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-142-9

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5th February 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: A love built to last.

When Derek Jackson is hired to renovate the LGBT bookstore that’s also Owen Hensley’s home, opposites attract. Derek is a big burly blue-collar guy, about ten years older than slight, sweet, and bookish Owen. As they spend time together, it becomes clear that each handsome outside leads to a beautiful interior. Far from the shy twink he appears, Owen has a rock-solid foundation that helped him put himself through college and start his own business. Behind Derek’s strong façade waits a tender heart that’s been battered by a rough family past—something Owen understands.

After Owen’s runaway nephew lands on his doorstep, it throws a wrench in their plans. Derek can’t ask Owen to choose, but he doesn’t think he can take second place with his lover the way he always has with his family. Can they find a way to keep their romance standing?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Rebuild My Heart is the fourth book in Ariel Tachna’s series Lexington Lovers. For Tachna has been an author whose stories are a bit hit and miss with in terms of me getting into the book and enjoying it. For a while there I kind of stayed away from the author until I started reading Tachna’s contributions to Dreamspun Desires, which includes this book as well. I’ve read the previous books in this series too, and while I don’t remember them exactly, I do remember enjoying them and have given those books positive reviews as well. Still, I went into reading this one with a bit of trepidation.

As I mentioned already, this is the fourth in a series. Luckily, these books also work as standalone books because I could only remember the previous book Stage Two, which I had only read recently. However, for those that do remember we do get to check on some previous characters. For me the most important thing was seeing a lot of more Ben and Thane from Stage Two.

The MCs of Rebuild My Heart are Derek Jackson and Owen Hensley. Owen is a quiet enough guy who loves books. He runs his own book store, which has a heavy focus on LGBTQ authors. He puts his heart and soul into his business and is ready to expand his store.

Then, we meet Derek. Derek’s best friend/boss/business partner asks Derek to meet a new client who wants to renovate his business. Where Owen is soft spoken and kind hearted, Derek is strong, burly, brash but with a heart of gold.

There is an immediate connection between the two men and Derek throws himself enthusiastically into Derek’s renovation. The guys seem to guy fall into a relationship that is completely natural for them. It doesn’t feel forced, its quite cute, which is great since we’re really dealing with an instalove type of romance here.

However, Derek has his own personal demons, mostly shaped by a complicated family but complete love for his brother. Similarly, same with Owen. While Derek has a horrible stepmother who torments her stepsons, Owen comes from a religious (cult?) family who refuse any communication because he is gay. This adds to the relationship and how the guys deal to fall in love. Things get even more complicated when one of Owen’s nephews runs away because he can’t deal with the family’s religious cult-like beliefs. Owen, being Owen, takes it all in his stride but with his relationship with Derek so new he doesn’t know how to handle and Derek has his own reservations.

These guys actually made me think of another lovable couple from a completely different author and series, Casey and Hal from Carol Lynne’s Cattle Valley series. I’m not sure if that’s a popular call back for other readers, but I make this comparison because Derek and Owen are basically polar opposites that are made for each other. Their characters are well developed and totally relatable.

Even though they are so different it is easy to see why and how they fit so well together. The only thing that really annoyed me is the good old miscommunication to bring the story forward, I found it a little frustrating but ultimately it was forgiven because it wasn’t made into a needless melodrama. These are just normal guys and they had to work through a lot to make it to the end with a HEA.

A Matchless Man by Ariel Tachna ~ Audiobook

Title: A Matchless Man

Series: Dreamspun Desires 19

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Contemporary

Narrator: John Solo

Length: 5 hrs 22 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th October 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Narration: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Lexington Lovers – None of the matches caught his eye as much as the matchmaker himself.

Growing up poorer than poor didn’t leave Navashen Bhattathiri many options for life outside of school. All of his concentration was on keeping his scholarships. Sixteen years later, he’s fulfilled his dream and become a doctor. Now he’s returning home to Lexington and is ready to prove himself to the world. In doing so, he reconnects with Brent Carpenter – high school classmate, real estate agent, all-around great guy, and closet matchmaker.

Brent makes it his mission to help Navashen develop a social life and meet available, interesting men. Unfortunately Navashen’s schedule is unpredictable, and few of those available, interesting men value his dedication like Brent does. Brent’s unfailing friendship and support convince Navashen he’s the one, but can he capture Brent’s heart when the matchmaker is focused on finding Navashen another man?

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: Slow and sweet! Filled with moments that stress how very important family, career and friendship is. A Matchless Man takes a nice slow stroll with Navashen through the transition from wrapping up a long medical education to relocating back home to the family and community of his youth to settle into his career, rejoin his family, help his brother bloom, and hopefully start lasting relationship of his own.

There is a lengthy bit about what it’s like to buy a house, and the whole real estate bit gets long even though Navi has his eye on Brent, his realtor, long-time friend, match-maker and crush. Maybe I’m alone in this, but there is nothing sexy about moving and finding a house, it’s actually very stressful, but Brent makes the move as smooth as possible. 

There is a significant amount of time spent on family, what it’s like to be the son of immigrant parents, and what it’s like to raise and live with a brother with disabilities. IT’s very heart-warming and sweet, a kind, mellow read.

A long slow burn from realtor, to friend, to matchmaker and finally can romance blossom here???? If a spark does unite can it last? You’ll have to listen and find out!

The narrator does a good job making the story flow smoothly, though he makes Brent sound a lot like a slick salesman…it’s odd. 

Unstable Stud by Ariel Tachna ~ Audiobook

Ariel Tachna - Unstable Stud Cover AudioTitle: Unstable Stud

Series: Dreamspun Desires 08 / Lexington Lovers 01 

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Candy Sweet Contemporary Bromance 

Narrator: John Solo

Length: 4 hrs 48 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (29th April 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Horses were his passion, until he laid eyes on his boss.

Eighteen months ago, tragedy struck Bywater Farm when a riding accident killed Clay Hunter’s lover and traumatized his prize horse, King of Hearts. Clay and King lingered in limbo, surviving but not really living, until a breath of fresh air in the form of Luke Davis, a new groom in the stud barn, revives them both.

When a fall from King’s back sends Luke to the emergency room, Clay watches the shaky foundation of their budding relationship tumble down. Can Clay really love a jockey again, or will his fear of losing another man he loves keep them apart for good?

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: I always enjoy big hot studs and their trainers too. This book is full of cotton candy sweet romance. It’s fun to see Luke’s adventure into learning to gain a broken horses trust, and handle what other’s had deemed a dangerous horse to the point of riding him. Learning to handle his owner could be just as trying.

There is a smidge of angst here, dealing with a lost love, a dead mother, and two souls daring to love, but it’s mild. As far as the steamy scenes, it’s very slow, and very timid, and oh so sweet. I actually think, though I feel SO very wrong for saying it, that the hottest scene was actually near the beginning, where Luke’s imagination gets away with him when King is performing his stud service, and his new boss Clay is nearby. It’s totally weird, strange, but oddly hot. Not quite sure why, but that scene stuck with me. I imagined Lay riding Luke in the arena after that, but alas, this is not a kinky story. 

This is a slow build to a sweet romance, of the untried virgin variety, but knowing that, if you’re looking for a sweet love story then that’s what Tachna delivers, beautifully narrated, with plenty of interesting characters. 

A Matchless Man by Ariel Tachna

ariel-tachna-a-matchless-man-coverTitle: A Matchless Man

Series: Dreamspun Desire 19 / Lexington Lovers 02

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (165pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-63477-370-6

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st October 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: None of the matches caught his eye as much as the matchmaker himself.

Growing up poorer than poor didn’t leave Navashen Bhattathiri many options for life outside of school. All of his concentration was on keeping his scholarships. Sixteen years later, he’s fulfilled his dream and become a doctor. Now he’s returning home to Lexington and is ready to prove himself to the world. In doing so, he reconnects with Brent Carpenter—high school classmate, real estate agent, all-around great guy… and closet matchmaker.

Brent makes it his mission to help Navashen develop a social life and meet available, interesting men. Unfortunately Navashen’s schedule is unpredictable, and few of those available, interesting men value his dedication like Brent does. Brent’s unfailing friendship and support convince Navashen he’s the one, but can he capture Brent’s heart when the matchmaker is focused on finding Navashen another man?

Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-matchless-man-by-ariel-tachna-7492-b

Review: When Navashen moves back to Lexington, where he grew up, his first point of contact is Brent an old school classmate and real estate agent. Brent is keen to make Navashen feel welcome and sets about helping Navashen find a social life that doesn’t revolve around his work, and maybe helping him to find a man to spend time with.

Navashen is just happy to spend time with Brent and he loves the way that Brent treats his younger brother and wishes Brent would look his way for more than just friendship. When Navashen finally gets the courage to ask Brent out things start to look up, until Brent overhears Navashen’s mother and Brent’s insecurities take over,

This is a cute little story of friends to lovers, but I wouldn’t say it actually fit in with the Dreamspun Desire line; it missed its mark for being a romance as there really wasn’t any and I couldn’t feel any romantic connection between Navashen and Brent. Maybe if we also got Brent’s view point I could have seen his true feelings for Navashen but almost from the moment Navashen moved back to Lexington Brent seemed determined to hook him up with someone else.

Navashen does show his feelings for Brent in a subdued fashion, he just doesn’t think that Brent would be interested in him, so it’s actually through Navashen’s frustration that he and Brent get together and we learn that Brent felt the same way. We then have the hiccup with Brent’s insecurities and again it’s Navashen who has to make the effort, it was frustrating for me as a reader not to be able to smack Brent for being such a dickweed.

While I liked Navashen and Brent as characters it’s actually Akshat (Navashen’s younger brother) that steals the show, he is so amazingly sweet and loving and it’s wonderful to see his progress through the story as he finds his independence with Navashen’s help. So while I don’t rate this story very high for the actually ‘romance’ I do rate it highly for Navashen and Akshat and their brotherly relationship.

Unstable Stud by Ariel Tachna

UnstableStudLGTitle: Unstable Stud

Series: Dreamspun Desires/ Lexington Lovers, #1

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 204 pages

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 15, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Horses were his passion, until he laid eyes on his boss.

Eighteen months ago, tragedy struck Bywater Farm when a riding accident killed Clay Hunter’s lover and traumatized his prize horse, King of Hearts. Clay and King lingered in limbo, surviving but not really living, until a breath of fresh air in the form of Luke Davis, a new groom in the stud barn, revives them both.

When a fall from King’s back sends Luke to the emergency room, Clay watches the shaky foundation of their budding relationship tumble down. Can Clay really love a jockey again, or will his fear of losing another man he loves keep them apart for good?

ISBN: 978-1-63476-854-2

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7587

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: First off, these stories are ones that I don’t normally read, but let me tell you that, I am damn glad I did. The world that this author created not only fascinated me, but kept my attention through it all. So much so that I could not put the book down and I can guarantee that this will be one book that I will gladly read more than once.

The characters are perfectly written and the details were amazing. I could feel the pain both of these men felt for what had happened in their lives and the love that they both found with each other. This story was fully developed and there was so much story there that I was amazed that it wasn’t longer. I loved the cover to the story and it made me wish for a dream that has gone, but gives me a thrill to be able to read someone else’s love story.

Luke’s mother passed away two years ago and he was still trying to pay all of the bills off. He couldn’t afford to get a real education so he spent his time cleaning out stalls and grooming horses. That is until one particular horse caught his attention. He learned that the beautiful horse had lost his spirit when his rider was killed in a jump. He wanted to help King and possibly King’s owner.

Clay had loved Nick with everything in him, so when Nick was killed in a jump he felt like he had lost his heart. He had lost more than just Nick though. He lost the will to ride. It wasn’t until he saw Luke with King that he realized he might just have found his heart once more. That is until Luke falls, and then Clay remembers the pain from losing Nick. He didn’t want to lose another person he loved.

I absolutely fell in love with this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the next story. I loved that even though the guys had past pain’s, they saw a future with each other.

Every once in a while you find an author who writes a book because their heart says so instead of just for money, and this author is one of those. I could feel her heart put into this story just as I felt the love between these men.

I loved reading this story and would definitely recommend it.

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

Unstable Studs by Ariel Tachna Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Ariel Tachna - Unstable Stud Banner s

Hi peeps, we have Ariel Tachna stopping by with her upcoming Dreamspun Desires/ Lexington Lovers release Unstable Stud, Ariel chats about tropes, she lets us have a peek at an excerpt and there’s a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

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Unstable Studs

(Dreamspun Desires/ Lexington Lovers 01)
by

Ariel Tachna

Horses were his passion, until he laid eyes on his boss.

Eighteen months ago, tragedy struck Bywater Farm when a riding accident killed Clay Hunter’s lover and traumatized his prize horse, King of Hearts. Clay and King lingered in limbo, surviving but not really living, until a breath of fresh air in the form of Luke Davis, a new groom in the stud barn, revives them both.

When a fall from King’s back sends Luke to the emergency room, Clay watches the shaky foundation of their budding relationship tumble down. Can Clay really love a jockey again, or will his fear of losing another man he loves keep them apart for good?

Release date: 15th April 2016

Continue reading “Unstable Studs by Ariel Tachna Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!”