A Family Affair by Rob Loveless Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

A Family Affair

Author: Rob Loveless

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: April 27, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 50100

Genre: Contemporary, bisexual, college, gay, HFN, holiday season, jealousy, new adult, revenge, unrequited love

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Synopsis

It’s been said that if you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were. But what does it mean when they come back into your life—as your sibling’s significant other?

At twenty-five years old, Cal Adams has only ever truly loved one man, the one who broke his heart three years earlier—Andrew Hall. Since then, he has searched for meaningful relationships but cannot smolder the flames of the past his family remains unaware of.

As the holiday season approaches, Cal’s younger sister, Claire, brings her boyfriend home to meet the family. When she arrives, Cal is shocked to meet her boyfriend, who is none other than Andrew. In a darkly humorous tale, Cal decides to show his ex what he missed out on.

Excerpt

A Family Affair
Rob Loveless © 2020
All Rights Reserved

Cal Adams sat at his desk and shuffled through some papers as he eyed the clock: 5:47 p.m. A mixture of excitement and anxiety churned uneasily in his stomach as the seconds hand ticked away. In thirteen minutes, he would relinquish his work responsibilities and prepare for what was sure to be a big night. A few days earlier, Cal’s parents had called to invite him to dinner Friday night for a special occasion—his baby sister would be home from college for the weekend.

Claire Adams was a senior in college and only three and a half years younger than Cal, yet he couldn’t help but refer to her as his baby sister; perhaps that was part of being a big brother. As Claire’s older brother and only sibling, Cal was a bit on edge about that night’s family dinner. After all, Claire wasn’t just coming home to visit; she was bringing along her new boyfriend to meet the family.

Cal tuned out the clinking of weight machines and the grunts of fatigued gym patrons as he sat in his office and concentrated on the circumstance at hand. His sister hadn’t had a boyfriend meet their parents since her junior year of high school, which meant this was serious. Cal and Claire had become very close in recent years, but he had not heard much about this boyfriend, including his name. Claire had always been one to maintain a low profile on social media, and only acknowledged she was “in a relationship” a month or so ago—without posting any photos. From what Cal had been able to gather from his phone calls with her, Claire and her boyfriend had only been seeing each other for about six months. So they hadn’t been together that long. Still, this was serious, which worried Cal a bit.

Being the big brother, Cal was somewhat protective of his sister, but he was happy for Claire, and he was sure he’d love her boyfriend. After all, Claire had a good head on her shoulders. However, this whole situation made Cal uneasy since it made him reflect on his own lack of success in the relationship department.

As the eldest sibling, Cal had always anticipated he would be the first to settle down. However, being twenty-five years old and never having been in a serious relationship, he often felt frustrated and unfulfilled—like something was missing in his life.

It wasn’t that Cal was undateable. On the contrary, he was quite attractive, with medium-length, dark-brown hair, piercing gray eyes, sharp features, and a lean build. He was successful, independent, and had an easygoing, fun-loving personality. In fact, he went on plenty of dates, but nothing ever seemed to pan out. Either the chemistry wasn’t there or things just didn’t advance. Cal hadn’t experienced genuine feelings for anyone since—

“Hey,” a friendly voice chimed, which snapped Cal’s attention back to work. A petite young woman with a pretty, freckled face and long, ginger tresses appeared at his office door.

“Hi, Sophie,” Cal greeted. “Getting ready to head out?”

“Yeah, my six o’clock canceled on me,” she informed him.

Sophie was a personal trainer at the gym Cal managed and also one of his closest friends. Sophie was a year his senior, and the two had been friends since childhood. They knew everything about each other’s lives: the good, the not-so-good, and the bad.

Cal glanced at the clock: nearly six now. “I’ll be leaving in a few too.”

“Any fun weekend plans?” Sophie asked.

“Well, I have that family dinner tonight, but I’m not sure if I would call it fun.”

“Ohh, that’s right!” she said. “Claire’s bringing home the boyfriend. What do you know about him?”

“Nothing,” Cal replied. “Honestly, I don’t even think my parents know much about him.”

“So this is a pretty big deal,” Sophie stated. “It sounds serious.”

“Yeah, it does,” he sighed with a lack of enthusiasm before he shut off his computer.

“Uh oh, sounds like someone’s big brother senses are tingling,” she teased.

“It’s not that. I’m sure this guy is great. And I’m happy for Claire, I really am. But I’m twenty-five years old and—”

“Cal, you can’t keep thinking like that. You’re young, and you’ll find someone.”

“That’s what all my friends say, but you guys are all in relationships,” Cal countered. “You and Rich have been together for years.”

“Believe me, you’re gonna find someone. Soon. I’m sure of it,” Sophie reassured him as she gave his arm a squeeze. “By the way, I forgot to ask, how did the date go with that guy last night?”

“Eh, it was fine…at first.”

“At first?” she questioned.

“Yeah, I mean, he was cute. We just grabbed a coffee. And he seemed to have a good personality.”

“So what happened?”

“He started talking about how he loves popping molly.”

“No!”

“Oh yeah. And then he told me Lana Del Rey’s music makes him horny. Those were his exact words.”

“What!” Sophie gasped in disbelief. “He did not!”

“I’m telling you I can’t make this stuff up,” Cal chuckled as he shook his head in disbelief. “And really, Lana Del Rey? I didn’t know melancholic songs could get someone all hot and bothered.”

“You’re such a normal guy. How come you always find these crazies?”

“I don’t know, I guess they’re drawn to me,” he joked. “But, in all seriousness, I hate these stupid dating apps. I wish I didn’t have to use them, but I don’t know how else to meet someone. Every time I do meet someone from the apps though, they’re crazy or—”

“Or you don’t feel the spark.”

“No. At least not like I had with—”

“Hey”—Sophie interrupted in a soft voice—“it’s been over three years.”

“I know. I know,” Cal stated. He stood from his desk and grabbed his charcoal peacoat. “And I’m over it—believe me—I am. I just get scared that—”

“Don’t be. You’ll have those feelings again. You’ll find that spark.”

“Yeah, I know,” he sighed with a slight shrug before he hit the lights and left his office with Sophie. The two exited the gym in silence and were soon embraced by the crisp air of late November.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble

Meet the Author

Rob Loveless is a corporate communications professional, and currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA. He has been an avid reader and writer from a young age, being influenced by authors like J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown. When he’s not working or writing, Rob enjoys being active, exploring what the Steel City has to offer, and traveling.

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A Cordial Agreement by Ryan Loveless Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Ryan Loveless - A Cordial Agreement Blitz Banner

Hi guys! We have Ryan Loveless popping in today with her new release A Cordial Agreement, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

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A Cordial Agreement

by

Ryan Loveless

Can a wealthy but frustrated CEO and a guilt-ridden stripper find what they need in a consensual, nonsexual whipping boy arrangement?

Billionaire mogul Grant Jessup, fifty-three, buries his sexual tastes and the reasons behind them—the stresses of his business empire and family. In contrast, Jim Sieber understands the regret that makes him seek pain and penance. As an asexual averse to erotic touch, Jim sets strict boundaries. But as the relationship evolves, Grant struggles to respect them, and both men realize for their association to continue and perhaps grow into real feelings, they’ll have to explore new ways to satisfy each other.

.•.•.**❣️ Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&NOverdrive | GoogleBooks ❣️**.•.•.

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His Cursed Prince by Ryan Loveless

Ryan Loveless - His Cursed Prince CoverTitle: His Cursed Prince

Author: Ryan Loveless

Genre: Fairy Tales

Length: Novella (98pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 28, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.75 Hearts

Blurb: Three facts about Tuckington Belle:

1. Given the choice between illegally scaling the royal castle’s walls to steal flowers for a client at his family’s dress shop or going on a date with a girl his brother set him up with (“He’s fertile, and he can sew!”), Tuck will scale the wall like a spider after a fly.

2. If, upon knocking himself unconscious when he falls off the wall, Tuck wakes up bruised, blindfolded, and inside the castle, where—based on the unearthly wails heard nightly—the prince no one has seen in ten years is probably a ghost, Tuck would still choose this over a date with a girl.

3. Tuck thinks it’s time to admit he’s gay.

Three facts about Prince Frederick George Deor (Read and approved with great reluctance by Lord “Protocol is Protocol. Stop Being a Pain About It” Todd):

1. He brought a curse upon himself and now bears the skin of a snake.

2. He can’t take his eyes off the injured thief recovering in the castle.

3. Friendships born from lying and insisting the other person wears a blindfold can blossom into true love—which he needs to break the curse.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-925-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I adored this story about a prince, Frederick, who complains about his looks, gets cursed by a witch who turns him into a reptile like creature, who then hides from Tuck even though he’s interested in him. Tuck falls while trying to gather flowers from the royal garden for a dress his mother is putting together. He wakes up in a darkened room with the prince hiding under the bed.

The prince has not been seen in ten years as he does not want anyone to see him as he is now. I loved how these two seemed to help the other without realizing it. There was a lot of humor in this story that fit very nicely. The insecurities the prince had were real and felt genuine.

The different ways to break the curse were funny to a point especially with Frederick and Tuck’s initial reactions to some of them. Overall an entertaining and enjoyable read to the end.

Great read.

His Cursed Prince by Ryan Loveless Guest Post & Exclusive Excerpt!

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Hi guys! We have Ryan Loveless popping in today with her upcoming release His Cursed Prince, we have a brilliant guest post and a great exclusive excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy!  ❤ ~Pixie~

His Cursed Prince

by

Ryan Loveless

Three facts about Tuckington Belle:

1, Given the choice between illegally scaling the royal castle’s walls to steal flowers for a client at his family’s dress shop or going on a date with a girl his brother set him up with (“He’s fertile, and he can sew!”), Tuck will scale the wall like a spider after a fly.

2, If, upon knocking himself unconscious when he falls off the wall, Tuck wakes up bruised, blindfolded, and inside the castle, where—based on the unearthly wails heard nightly—the prince no one has seen in ten years is probably a ghost, Tuck would still choose this over a date with a girl.

3, Tuck thinks it’s time to admit he’s gay.     

Three facts about Prince Frederick George Deor (Read and approved with great reluctance by Lord “Protocol is Protocol. Stop Being a Pain About It” Todd):

1, He brought a curse upon himself and now bears the skin of a snake. 

2, He can’t take his eyes off the injured thief recovering in the castle.

3, Friendships born from lying and insisting the other person wears a blindfold can blossom into true love—which he needs to break the curse.

Release date: 28th December 2018
Pre-order:
.•.•.**
❣️ Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

Continue reading “His Cursed Prince by Ryan Loveless Guest Post & Exclusive Excerpt!”

Ethan by Ryan Loveless Guest Post & Excerpt!

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Hi guys, we have Ryan Loveless popping in today with her upcoming YA release Ethan, we have a brilliant guest post from Ryan and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

ryan-loveless-ethan-cover-s

Ethan

by

Ryan Loveless

Carter Stevenson is looking forward to a fresh start in a new high school on the other side of the country. It’ll give him a chance to escape his reputation for twitching and stuttering. He’ll have the summer to himself in his new home in California, and in the fall, he won’t get involved in any activity that puts his Tourette’s center stage. He won’t stand out as different.

But his new neighbor, Ethan, isn’t just going to change his plans. He’s going to change Carter’s life.

Ethan Hart is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, but it doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm or love for life. As soon as he sees Carter, who moves like the music Ethan sees between the clouds and the grass, he’s determined to become his friend, and then his boyfriend. And even if his parents say their romance can’t get physical, Ethan won’t let it stand in the way of falling in love.

Stepping into the spotlight was the last thing Carter ever wanted, but Ethan, along with a group of friends who like him just the way he is—tics and all—starts to change his mind. 

Adapted as a YA edition of the award-winning novel Ethan, Who Loved Carter by Ryan Loveless.

Release date: 20th October 2016

Continue reading “Ethan by Ryan Loveless Guest Post & Excerpt!”

Pop Life by Ryan Loveless, 2nd edition

PopLifeLGTitle: Pop Life, 2nd Edition
Series: N/A
Author: Ryan Loveless
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 13, 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Blurb: Andrew writes the songs everyone sings along with on the radio—tunes full of love, longing, and heartbreak. He has a knack for tapping into emotions, but when it comes to his own, the feelings aren’t so easy to manage.

Sent to New York City to work on Irish singer Paeder Brogan’s first solo album, Andrew is caught in the middle of a boy band’s infighting and secret love affairs while battling the memories of his last trip to the Big Apple, which ended when English pop star Jamie Webster drunkenly kissed him.

Andrew’s heart leaps when he discovers he’s staying at the same hotel as Jamie, yet he doubts Jamie recalls him, even though Andrew wrote his biggest hit. Jamie remembers him, though, and he seems to think Andrew is the only person who can save him from his downward spiral.

Even as his feelings for Jamie swell, Andrew faces the real threat that the maelstrom he’s walked into will pull him down alongside Jamie.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-269-3

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7622

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This author is new to me so I wasn’t sure what to expect. To me the story came off really complex and was a bit hard to get into. The characters were not really eye catching either, although I did like Andrew quite a bit. He comes off more open and for some reason Jaime just didn’t do anything for me. I am afraid to say that it was hard to understand this story or the characters. It was just a bit strange to me.

Andrew and his best friend Michael have been a huge success at writing music for singers. So when Paeder ask for them because he is going solo, they are ecstatic. The problem is he is also an ass and Andrew hates working with him. Especially if he is going to be alone to do it. He also has to deal with the fact that this was the same city he came to when he got a divorce. Now he has to deal with everyone and everything from his past.

Jaime had kissed Andrew once before passing out. Now they were staying in the same hotel but it would seem Jaime is one big mess. He is asking for Andrew’s help. I would have kicked his ass to the curb if it was me, which shows you Andrew has a big heart for those he cares for.

I don’t much care for musicians, drugs, and angst so this book really didn’t do it for me like it should have. There was no great ending either which was a big disappointment for me. No emotional high from the characters at all.

The story seemed a bit rushed to me and a bunch of parts that were just thrown in there to get it to a certain length. I mean really that much angst and pain was not needed. However I just didn’t feel anything for the characters so to me the story was a big flop. However that was just my opinion.

Basically this story was just not for me.

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

Last Chance Charlie by Ryan Loveless

71jtSv7NMEL._SL1350_Title: Last Chance Charlie

Series: N/A

Author: Ryan Loveless

Genre: New Adult Romance

Length: Novel (198 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 6th, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Charlie Corcoran is the best thing about twenty-five-year old Zach Prentiss’s life. Sure, they’ve never met. Charlie’s never seen Zach from the neck up, but because of Charlie, for a few hours Zach can forget about his sick father, his falling grades, and his dwindling clientele who don’t like that he’s a rentboy who ages. With Charlie, he talks online about comics, cars, and movies.

Then a new client arrives. It’s Charlie wanting sex tips… for a date with Zach. Zach goes through with the appointment, convinced it’s over if Charlie recognizes him.

However, he doesn’t have long to nurse his broken heart or worry about Charlie’s before Charlie is back, wanting to take him out, introduce him to Mom, and treat him like he’s decent.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5299

Reviewer: GiGi

Review: The idea of selling your sexual services for big money may seem erotic and a way to make some fast cash, but the reality is ugly. Zach’s career choice while earning money for college loses him the chance to have a real relationship with his online sex buddy Charlie. His regular clients start to get complicated and dangerous all the while Zach keeps hiding his secret from Charlie.

Having sex with Zach while keeping his identity secret is a double-edged sword. He gets to enjoy his intimate encounters with Charlie, but knows he’ll only hurt him in the end.

When one of Zach’s clients gets dangerous enough to leave Zach seeking medical attention, Zach and Charlie have to face the truth, and the future looks bleak.

There is a happy ending, but I was still left unsatisfied somehow. Maybe I can’t wrap my head around being romantically involved with a prostitute, knowing it and trying to live with it. The BDSM content is scary and other times made fun of, so I would not recommend this book for those who enjoy the BDSM genre.

Ethan, Who Loved Carter by Ryan Loveless

Title: Ethan, Who Loved Carter

Author: Ryan Loveless

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (September 17, 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   By twenty-four, Carter Stevenson has stuttered and ticced his way to debilitating shyness. Although his friends accuse him of letting his Tourette’s dictate his life, Carter moves from Los Angeles to a quiet California town. He’ll keep his head down and avoid people. He doesn’t anticipate his new neighbor, Ethan Hart, crashing into his solitude and forcing him to get out and live.

From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won’t see past Ethan’s damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there’s a bigger issue: he’s been burned by so-called “perfect” matches, and he won’t risk his heart again.

One way or another, Ethan’s determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?

Product Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3221

Reviewer:  Madison

Review:  In Ethan, Who Loved Carter, Ryan Loveless tells the story of two young men, each with a disability affecting their capacity to interact socially.

Carter has Tourette Syndrome. Because of his stuttering and jerky body movements, he is uncomfortable being out in public. At best, people stare; at worst, they mock or insult him. If it weren’t for his best friend coming around to check on him and pushing him to go out, he’d probably never leave the house. His past relationships have all ended badly, and he’s afraid to put his heart out there again.

Ethan, now in his mid-twenties, suffers from a traumatic brain injury resulting from an accident that occurred nearly ten years earlier. His injury prevents him from living independently, although he can do most things for himself. He lives at home with his parents and his fifteen-year-old brother. He works in a local coffee shop, where his co-workers are friendly, but the customers aren’t always patient or kind. He’s had sexual encounters with men, but has never been in a lasting relationship.

“The stars arranged themselves into symphonies for him. Ethan told his dad how they burst and shone, how he could hear them in his head, sometimes so loud he needed to cover his ears, but that was wrong because the music was in him and if he covered his ears, he trapped it. Dad tried to understand, and Mom did too, but they didn’t hear the music, didn’t see it no matter how often Ethan traced it in the sky.”

When Carter moves in next door, the two men become friends. Ethan wants more, but Carter is skittish. In time, once they’ve gotten to know each other better, and Carter finds acceptance not only from Ethan, but also Ethan’s family, Carter admits his feelings for Ethan. In each other, Carter and Ethan find love, acceptance, and understanding.

These characters had me in tears as I experienced their heartaches and struggles in navigating the world around them. Yet at the same time, it moved me to see how much people truly cared about them. Even Ethan’s angry younger brother, who was often mean to them both, displayed moments of such tenderness and acceptance. It made my heart ache with joy. The way Carter took care of Ethan with patience and kindness when he needed it, never treating him like a child, and the way Ethan then took care of Carter in return, was simply beautiful.

One of best books I’ve read. A must read for anyone who likes their romance sweet and emotional.