Review: Wounded Pride (Wounded #2) by BLMorticia and Remmy Duchene

Renford Kline is straight… right? He got over his experimentation in college and moved on. Then how does he explain his blush-inducing fantasies about Brian Daystar? Fantasies he’s having when he should be focused on his career move from attorney to professor. When Brian comes to New York, Renford knows he’s in trouble. Everything about Brian attracts him—from his tight body to his beautiful, dark hair—but Renford is straight… right?

Brian Daystar needs a break. He’s been working nonstop to turn his Montana ranch into a safe haven for at-risk youth—so much so that he can’t even bring himself to care when he finds out his partner, country star Corey, is cheating on him. Their relationship has been over for a long time, but it might take his feelings for Renford to make Brian accept it.

Both men have decisions to make. Renford must come to terms with who he truly is, and Brian is going to have to decide if he will shun his happiness or embrace it.

This story started off strong. I really enjoyed the introduction to both Brian and Renford. Both had clearly defined personalities, and both were interesting. Character development was great, and the story followed a nice clean path.

The chemistry between the two was steamy and convincing. I enjoyed Brian’s flirting. I enjoyed Renford’s unexpected reaction to Brian. The club scene was delicious, and the flirting over the ice-cream…. Yummm.

I had some issues with how Renford defined his sexuality. The story reads like he is bisexual, but that’s not the word used. I’m not sure how many men ‘experiment’ in college and still call themselves straight, but I’ll forgive the confusion. It didn’t seem like he wasn’t into women, so I’m really not sure how he could be gay rather than bisexual when he was turned on by both. This is a sticking point for me in a lot of books where bisexuality is erased purely for the comfort of defining a relationship between two men. If he was in fact gay the whole time, this should have been made clearer as to not erase bisexuality as a valid and very much existent sexuality.

That aside, I enjoyed their relationship development and how they interacted. Brian brought a lightness to Renford’s character and brought out his personality a bit more.

The turning point was Brian’s flightiness. I couldn’t figure out the why of it. It just seemed abrupt and only to achieve drama in the story. This could have been done a different way. I didn’t like it at all and it completely changed how I felt about Brian and the outcome of the story. I thought Renford followed a very clear path of how the future would go and Brian caused the issues that arose in a very contrived way.

Overall the story was enjoyable to read. I like the writing style of these two authors. I like the way the story flowed (for the most part) and I really enjoyed the supporting characters.

Recommended to all readers of MM erotic-romance with an opposites attract feel.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion

Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Guest Review: Tied to You (Wild Side #2) by Riley Hart

Miles Sorenson prides himself on his brutal honesty. Facts and logic are a hell of a lot easier to deal with than emotions. He’s got his career and a small, close-knit group of friends, and he doesn’t need nor want anything else. The total opposite of Quinn Barker, who doesn’t take life too seriously and thinks a good laugh can cure anything.

When Quinn takes Miles home, it’s supposed to be a one-time deal. Except they really click in the sack and end up spending the weekend together, enjoying each others’ bodies as much as their company…to Miles’ dismay. Matters get even more muddled when, months later, they run into each other at the popular West Hollywood bar, Wild Side, and pick up right where they left off.

On the surface, Quinn and Miles are like oil and water, but the draw between them is undeniable. As their lives further entwine, they realize there’s more to their connection than the way they singe the sheets together.

But demons from the past have a way of catching up, and no matter how strong the link is tying Miles and Quinn together, the pressure may be enough to make it snap.

Reviewer: Lost in a Book

This book was fine…but it had the potential to be great. The story, characters, and events were meticulously laid out through most of the book. Then, the main event at 90% was SO predictable and frustrating at the same time.

This story starts when Miles and Quinn meet at a bar and spend a weekend together. Both were alike in their needs for a quick, no strings attached good time while knowing that they were back to regularly scheduled programming once the weekend was complete.

"They’d both needed to fuck, done that, and there wasn’t much more to the story.”

Miles and Quinn are complete opposites. Miles is a closed off, brooding, control freak who has a tight circle of friends and family with zero room for anyone or anything else. Quinn is a very open and social person that likes to push the limits in all aspects of life. Both men have baggage from their childhood which becomes a thread that connects them.

“One plus one is always two. It’s always been two for me, but now there are all these fucking variables that make me continuously come up with a different answer.”
“So, I’m kind of like the anti-two?” Quinn asked”

Two months after their initial weekend hookup, they end up at the same bar again and are unable to completely ignore the presence of the other.

“Why don’t we cut to the chase and you tell me where to meet you tonight?”

From here, their relationship continues to grow. Slowly. Quinn chips away at the walls that Miles has built and each little crack is a huge victory.

“You’re thinking. I can see the wheels turning… Do I want to tell Quinn this or not? Will I still be the gorgeous as fuck, brooding dude who oozes sex, if I say something that really matters? The answer is yes, by the way.”

Everything happened so organically for Miles and Quinn. Nothing was rushed in the beginning. They started as strictly a hook up and then Miles gave Quinn his full name. This led to emails and then to texts. Texts turned into phone calls and eventually Quinn had him hooked and was slowly reeling him in.

”Why had it been Quinn he picked up in the bar that night? Why had he not only been an incredible fuck, but also charming and funny and completely annoying, which Miles also strangely found endearing?”
“I like him. I’m not looking to fall in love with him, and he sure as shit isn’t looking to fall in love with me. He’s got walls higher than a maximum-security prison, but I like him.

Their emotional relationship moved at a snail’s pace which was fitting for them. The growth in their physical and emotional relationship, although subtle, was evident throughout. It was written in a way that you could feel the huge steps they were taking even though it was a seemingly small action, word, touch, look, laugh, etc... They started off so emotionally unavailable that I found myself getting excited with each baby step they took knowing that it put another crack in the foundation.

There was a lot of sex in this book. A. Lot. I’m all about the sex usually…*sigh* but it was too much in this book. *gasp* I know a huge part of their relationship was sexual. But, there came point where emotions were involved and I wanted more and by more I don’t mean how they wanted to spank suck fuck. They couldn’t stop talking about “the ass.” (I had to give it an official title with how much it was discussed throughout) Don’t get me wrong, I’m usually all for reading about ass play. But if I read one more time about Quinn’s ass, how it liked to have something in it all the time and how much it wanted Miles’ dick…

There were times when I wanted to skip a sex scene. But I didn’t know if this would be one of the times where there might be some emotional growth taking place during it. So I pulled up my big girl panties and kept on going.

Miles and Quinn had a chance to form a friendship which became entertaining. They had a snarky and sarcastic style that eased some of the seriousness of Miles’ personality,

”Fucking Quinn. The man seemed to have a knack for making Miles feel less surly, which he didn’t understand.”
“Miles pointed to the couch and said, “Sit.”
“Woof!”
His eyes went wide at Quinn’s bark. Still, he sat down.
“Do I at least get a treat for being a good boy? I really like bones.”

The second half of the book read longer than the first. I found myself becoming so frustrated with Miles and his almost childlike reactions. The entire book was building to where you just knew that something HUGE was going to happen…until it doesn’t. As mentioned before, the big plot twist around 90% was extremely predictable.

I was disappointed that it was the direction the author chose. I was even more frustrated on how the MCs reacted to it. IMHO, It felt so contrived and ruined all of the work the author spent in building their relationship.

With all of that being said, Tied to You was a decent read with fun supporting characters which were in the previous books of the series as well. When Miles’ broodiness and knee-jerk reactions weren’t getting in the way, they worked. Quinn and Miles fit well together.

”This isn’t a competition. It’s not a game of who’s been hurt the most. We both have scars, but we’re still standing. The question is, are you going to spend your whole life punishing yourself or are you going to move on?”

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Past the Breakers by Lucie Archer

Lucie Archer is here today making her clubhouse debut and talking about SEX! We love her already!

Be sure to enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card below! Good luck!

Let’s talk about sex, baby! Spectophilia, aka ghost sex, to be exact.

Past the Breakers is my first paranormal romance book, so I did a lot of research on this particular topic during the course of my writing. Well, as much research as one could do on a subject like ghost sex. There aren’t How To books or guides to romancing your ghostly boyfriend I could pick up—which honestly would’ve helped Myles and Casey tremendously as well—but like them, I had to make things up as I went along.

But before I even got to the part in their story in which they could touch, I spent quite a few hours on websites devoted to succubi and incubi. For those who aren’t familiar, they are essentially sex demons that trick men and women into having sex. In the past, this was an explanation for why men had wet dreams and “virgin” women would find themselves pregnant. Kind of strange to think about, but apparently having sex with ghost goes back many millennia.

I’m still not exactly sure how it works because I’ve never experienced it, but some of the stories I read were very interesting, included one person who said their significant other was jealous of the spirit who had become attached to her. And I’ll be real, some of them made me jealous too! The stories didn’t offer much help to Myles and Casey’s specific situation, though.

As a pretty skeptical person, the idea of ghost sex is one that had never crossed my mind until I decided to write Past the Breakers. I thought about reading other paranormal romance books to give me ideas on how to write the sexy times, but in the end, I went with my gut and wrote what felt natural for Myles and Casey.

I wanted to tell their story unencumbered by other authors’ ideas, and I think that decision worked out perfectly for them. They figured out ways to make their physical relationship work despite all the obstacles between, and I think that’s a fundamental characteristic to their overall relationship.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the topic of ghost sex outside fiction, but I’m also not one to judge what happens in the bedrooms of consenting adults and/or otherworldly beings. But I will say that if a sexy ghost came to me wanting to go a few rounds in the proverbial hay, my curious pansexual self might be down for the experience.

(And if by chance you have that Salt-N-Pepper song stuck in your head for the rest of the day, you’re welcome!)

Blurb:

Casey North lost everything when his restaurant burned to the ground: his hopes, his dreams, his reason for living. With nothing tying him to LA, he packs up and moves back to his hometown of Land’s End. He takes up residence in a beach house and attempts to shake the depression he’s fallen into after his life collapsed. There’s just one tiny problem: the ghost haunting his kitchen.

Myles Taylor wasn’t always trapped in the Between. One minute, he was about to propose to his boyfriend of five years as they sat out on their surfboards, and the next, he woke up on the beach to find his long-dead uncle walking toward him. After his shock fades, he must learn to navigate his new reality as he searches for a way to move into the Great Beyond. But first he must deal with the man who’s invaded his territory.

With Myles tied to the beach house and Casey unwilling to leave it, the two must learn to cohabitate as the lines separating them begin to blur. They grow closer than either expected, but what will become of them once Myles finally escapes the Between?

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo


Meet Lucie:

Lucie Archer is a student of the universe who is obsessed with the stars, in love with beaches, and crazy about dudes falling in love. She tells stories of romance, love, and life, with a little bit of passion thrown in for good measure. Because what’s life without a little pop and sizzle?

When she’s not writing, she can be found tending to her garden, playing with her four-legged children, or procrastinating. Although, she spends a lot of time fending off random plot bunnies that threaten to derail her WIP’s.

Website & blog: www.luciearcher.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/writerluciearcher
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lucie_Archer

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Blog tour:

May 8 - MM Good Book Reviews
May 11 - Dreamspinner Press Blog
May 12 - Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
May 15 (Release day!) - Long and Short Reviews
May 16 - Love Bytes
May 17 - Two Chicks Obsessed
May 18 - Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
May 19 - My Fiction Nook
May 20 - Boy Meets Boy
May 22 - Tammy's Two Cents
May 23 - Alpha Book Reviews

Review: Keeping Him Safe by Elizabeth Coldwell

Jon is the man of his dreams, but can he prevent those dreams becoming a nightmare?

Every night, Xander Craig has the same dream. He’s in the shower with a gorgeous stranger, who is shot by a mystery assassin and dies in Xander’s arms. Xander believes this dream is tied to his guilt over failing to prevent the death of his husband, Gary, but his latest assignment as a top-level bodyguard causes him to reassess that belief. He’s charged with looking after wealthy and successful entrepreneur, Jon Kovacs, who’s being stalked by an obsessive, dangerous ex-boyfriend. As soon as Xander sees Jon’s photo, he knows this is the man in his dream.

Xander escorts Jon to a remote safe house on the cliffs, as a police manhunt for Jon’s ex, Cody, takes place. He and Jon start to fall for each other. Xander knows he’s crossing a line, but he can’t help acting on that attraction. While he and Jon are sharing intimate moments, is Xander’s dream about to become violent reality?

This was quite enjoyable, a fairly predictable storyline and it had a few flaws but I did enjoy it.

Xander works for a private security company. Lately he's been have a recurring dream about being in the shower with a man right before the man gets shot. When he shows up to work one day and finds his new client, Jon, is the man from the dream he's a little weirded out but can't deny the instant attraction they have.

My first issue with this book is the dream. I don't think this is a spoiler but...absolutely nothing comes from the dream…. absolutely nothing. It's like the author forgot they mentioned it in the first chapter all together. It was frustrating and really weird.

Next is Jon and Xander's sudden attraction. Insta-lust/love is, I think, quite hard to do right. It has to be written in a way that shows, not tells and this was very much a 'telling’ attraction. I didn't feel the chemistry, I was told they had it.

I must give credit when credit is due and when these two finally get it on, they have fast and furious sex with a side of great dirty talk!

Although the story is predictable the whole ‘bodyguard falling for the victim’ trope was done pretty well and that is the main reason why I read this book after all. There is of course the enviable last climax (no pun) of the story which was ridiculously cliche, but I was in the mood for that so it worked for me.

If this story had been longer I would have struggled with enjoying it, but because it was relatively​ short, I think it was quite fun, despite a few issues.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Lace by K.C. Wells

K.C. Wells and Signal Boost Promotions celebrate the MANTIES release of Lace! Check out today's blitz and enter to win an eBook from Wells' back list!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover: Meredith Russell

Length: 24,400 words

Blurb

When Shawn’s best mate Dave breaks up with his girlfriend, Shawn tries not to get his hopes up. After all, Dave’s still straight, right? Wrong. Dave reveals he’s bisexual, and that pounding you hear is Shawn’s heart. He’s loved Dave for so long, but he’s not about to jeopardize their friendship by telling Dave how he really feels.


But when Dave discovers Shawn’s little kink, it opens up a whole new chapter for the two friends. Except Shawn can’t help but worry – if there was no kink, would Dave be there? And is Shawn brave enough to find out?


A standalone short story of lust, lace – and love…

Author Bio

Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C. WELLS always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way. K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, when the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings—writing about men in love was even hotter….


K.C. now writes full-time and is loving every minute of her new career. The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.


And as for those men in love that she writes about? The list of stories just waiting to be written is getting longer… and longer….


K.C. loves to hear from readers.

E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com

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

Twitter: @K_C_Wells

Website: http://www.kcwellsworld.com

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Review: Defiant Revival by L. Rockwood

To free the kingdom from the depravity of Cardinal Aldrious, Prince Micah Helvendeere must take his rightful place as ruler.

Unfortunately, the prince has been dead for a year.

Billiam Grimhart, former page to the prince, knows Micah’s assumption of the throne is the last chance to purge Casperland of the cardinal’s corruption. And for that to happen, the prince must be revived. Only one person stands a chance of achieving the nearly impossible: exiled enchantress Shemmy DuBois, a raunchy bog witch with an affinity for corpses and a heart of gold. Billiam sets out to coax Shemmy to their cause, despite what wading through piles of bodies will do to his favorite shoes.

If he can accomplish it, Billiam might finally get to consummate his love for the prince—something Shemmy is keen to witness. But first, they’ll need to steal Micah’s body, brave a land inhabited by vicious faeries, and accept the help of accomplices as vile and perverse as their enemies. They might be far from typical heroes, but sometimes those are the only people who can get the job done.

If you like dark and edgy high-concept fantasy that’s not for those with delicate sensibilities, join Billiam, Shemmy, and their Faelock allies as they stage their revolution.

Narrated by Leke who is Billiam’s sister, the POV can be somewhat difficult as it appears to mostly be First person omniscient. It took a little while for me to get used to this type of POV as it isn’t the usual path taken by most authors I’ve read, and even those I have, didn’t successfully pull it off in this way. I will say that once the characters are explained a little more, and understanding the unique nature of Leke, it is easier to grasp the reason for this type of narration.

This is at times, hilariously fun, rough cut, raw, gorey, unique story. It is historical fantasy with different species, lots of intermingling, and really weird family dynamics. Shemmy is by far my favourite and that she was introduced in the beginning of the book made an impression and kept me engaged. The friendship between Shemmy and Billiam is a lot of fun. Shemmy is completely inappropriate but fiercely loyal. I loved their dynamic, and found that the quick wit and banter between them brought the entertainment value up for me.

Her reactions toward Zan on behalf of Billiam was refreshing and made me love her more. Crazy as she is, the story was better for her being there.

Billiam and Micah are ridiculous and adorable together, and somewhat creepy. I liked Micah’s playful antics. His reanimation doesn’t go exactly to plan, and he appears to be somewhat insane, but it fits in with the story.

There is a lot going on, and it can feel a little overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to re-read to grasp the connections in the story. There is a fair bit of violence, some creepy stuff (Shemmy is a necromancer so that should give you an idea of the creep factor), some political turmoil, and other content warnings that I believe Dreamspinner have already taken care of.

While I enjoyed this story, I was slowed down by the extensive character cast, and the flipping between people during the quest. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for people who enjoy a larger cast. While the main storyline is about Billiam and Micah, or rather, Billiam’s quest to reanimate Micah and get him back his kingdom (and be with him), it was a bit difficult for me to follow all the characters and their relationships to each other in the beginning.

The plot stayed on point though, and I had no trouble following the journey, or the pit stops along the way. I was intrigued by the different elements, hierarchy, and political landscape of this entire world, along with the somewhat convoluted relationships, and weird mashup of feelings. I did find a few parts that dragged, and some parts quite outrageous, but overall the story was entertaining. The writing style may not be for everyone but I think it is worth a try.


Decent story development and some solid worldbuilding, I would recommend this for those who enjoy high action, Blackadder type comedy with crazy adventures and even crazier characters.

Warning: This story ends on a cliffhanger.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion

Blog Tour: Hearts in Ireland by J.C. Long

J.C. Long is here today with a personal story about the inspiration for his new novel, Hearts in Ireland.

Hello there, Boy Meets Boy readers! Welcome to another stop on my blog tour for my upcoming release Hearts in Ireland. I’m grateful, as always, to the wonderful people here at Boy Meets Boy for hosting me!

As this is the final stop in my blog tour, I wanted to take this post and go into a bit of a personal zone for me, something I don’t do too often. Let’s talk about why I wrote Hearts in Ireland. I originally had a very different idea in mind for my entry in the World of Love novella series from Dreamspinner Press, and a different country.

However, just as I began to prepare the proposal for what I wanted to write, my grandmother, who has been the most important and influential person in my life, passed away somewhat unexpectedly. I was devastated, particularly because I was so far away (here in Japan, where I live) and simply couldn’t get back to the States for her funeral. I was in the process of wrapping up a novel at the time, but the story just hurt too much to continue so I set it aside. I knew that after my Gran’s passing, I wanted to write—well, needed to write is more accurate, I think—a story about closure, moving on, and finding peace.

I also knew I wanted to set it in Ireland, the birthplace of my Gran. Thus, Ronan was born. This is a man who is damaged, left feeling adrift and directionless, reeling from a very personal loss—a journey that in a lot of ways reflects that one I was going through as I wrote it, my own search to find myself in the wake of death. Just like Ronan, I found myself in this novella, and I found healing that I desperately needed.

I hope you take up the journey to a truly magical and beautiful country as Ronan searches for himself. I poured a lot of my own heart into this one.

Blurb:

When the future is shrouded and it’s hard to find direction, maybe it’s time to let the heart lead the way….

Ronan Walker stands at a crossroads, unsure how to pursue his education… unsure if he even wants to. Now that his mother is gone, all he has left are the wonderful stories of her youth in Ireland, and he’s drawn to the land of his ancestors. There, he seeks out his mother’s family and meets Fergal Walsh, who works at Ronan’s aunt’s bookstore. A love of literature facilitates a fast friendship between the two men, and even though Ronan cannot deny the potential—and his desire—for more, he cannot see a future for the two of them when he leaves Ireland. Fergal must persuade Ronan to give school in Dublin a chance—and convince Ronan that his heart has already found its home.

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner PressSite

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca

Amazon.uk

Kobo

About the Author:

J. C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an Army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his lifelong involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States, J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that.

His favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing, and Korean food (not in that order… okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts, and wishing he were writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.

Social Media:

Website

Twitter: @j_c_long_author

Facebook

Review: Flag on the Play by Sherrie Henry

Sixteen-year-old football punter Liam Hartley has come to terms with being gay, but it isn’t something his religious and conservative community will ever accept. He’s isolated in his Midwest town until Cody Williams transfers to his school from Chicago. A proud bisexual young man, Cody shows Liam he isn’t alone—or abnormal—and they soon become more than friends.

Despite the intimate, secret world he shares with Cody, Liam is in pain. The hatred spewed by bigots has an effect on Liam, even if Cody carefully hides their relationship with a pretend girlfriend. Liam is jealous—he doesn’t want to have to share Cody, and he doesn’t want to have to live in shame. Cutting himself seems to be the only way to deal with everything he’s suffering, and things only get worse when Liam and Cody are outed in front of the school. And even if they can make it through the hardship, they know their relationship is destined to end when Cody’s family returns to the city.

Liam can’t go back to facing the hatred and religious judgment by himself. He won’t survive it. Somehow, Liam and Cody must secure a future for both of them, and that means finding a way to stay together.

I’m really trying not to have this concept that all small towns in America are filled with bigoted a-holes but it is really hard when all of the fiction I read has this one theme. It always feels like it is portrayed as the norm and that there are really no decent people in these places, unless of course, they have moved from a progressive and large city, to grace the quaint but ignorant town with their liberal presence.

I honestly don’t buy this trope, and it’s making me weary. I know small towns are a lot more insular. They have to be. They’re isolated, with smaller populations, with fewer places to go, and less to do. But I’m not convinced that these places cannot be filled with good people, who mostly don’t give much of a shit whom other people sleep with and who are not all religious extremists with no concept of goodwill towards others. I just don’t buy that there are no liberal or progressive small towns, or that there is no mixture of these differences. Don’t buy it at all. It’s painful to read. There are shitty people everywhere, but surely, in little towns, all over the great U.S. of A. there are people who are good and kind, and loving , even with someone who is different. Maybe it’s that I always pick up stories that are set up in the “Bible-Belt” (Yes I know about this, my partner is from Kansas). I dunno. It just feels like an excuse to make small towns look like shitty places to be. If I’m wrong, call me out. It’s just how I feel right now.

So after that enormous rant, let me tell you what I liked about this story. I liked the dynamic between Liam and Cody. I enjoyed their relationship building, and Liam’s understanding of himself and his place in the world. I enjoyed that Cody was self assured, confident, and enjoyed being with Liam. I thought these two worked well together, and had a sweet relationship that was built on mutual attraction, and a desire to be happy and make each other happy. Their friendship was strong, even with some drama of jealousy and having to hide. I connected with them both as characters, and was invested in their outcome.

I just wish it didn’t come at the expense of this entire town who apparently were all a-holes and/or religious zealots, or hidden deeply in the closet and of no support either moral or emotional.

This story has a bit of everything in terms of angst and drama. There is self harm, a hate crime, school bullying, and some good old fashion prayer. I will say, that while there is religious extremism, this isn’t an anti-religion story. There is reference to other Christian churches which are tolerant, accepting, and embracing of LGBT people.

Above rant aside, I thought this book was sweet, and I’d be interested in more stories by this author. The writing style was pleasing, and the language was clear. There was strong character development and a somewhat believable resolution.

I’d recommend this for readers who enjoy a bit of angst, with their romance, but also be aware that there is some violence in this story.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion

Find on Harmony Ink Press or Goodreads!

Review: A Taste of Honey by Ari McKay

2nd Edition

Boone Phillips needs a girlfriend-now! If he shows up to the family reunion alone, his mother will throw every woman in sight at him. But the only "woman" Boone trusts enough to ask is Honey, the drag queen alter ego of his best friend, Rob. It's a crazy idea, but Boone is desperate.

Boone wins Rob over to the idea after first going on a "date" with him as Honey, but everything feels different once the plan is set in motion. Between nosy relatives, illegal moonshine, and the sight of Rob in white lace panties, Boone starts to wonder if he's as straight as he thought. When an earth-shattering kiss sends Rob running, however, Boone learns some surprising things about both his family and himself. Now he needs to convince Rob to give him another chance, or his first taste of Honey might also be his last.

First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2016.

GAH! This was exactly the book I needed after a blah read. It’s books like this that give me the spark that ignites my reading frenzy and reminds me of why romance is solidified deep in my heart. This was fun. This was sexy and this was everything to me snuggled warm in my bed on a chilly Sunday night where I stayed up past my bedtime to read.

Le freaking sigh.

Told from the dual POV’s of BFF’s Rob and Boone, we meet the men as they are having their standard weekly dinner out so neither of them have to cook. When Boone tells Rob his family is having a function and very southern Mama has asked if he was bringing anyone special home, Boone gets a bit freaked out. He doesn’t have the best track record with dating and he simply couldn’t force his over the top meddlesome family on any ex-girlfriend friend of his but Boone needs to find someone and quick. It’s a good thing the person he trusts most in the world is not only his best friend, but an amazing drag queen.

When Boone suggests Rob’s drag persona, Honey, accompanies Boone home Rob balks for a few reasons. The main one, he’s been crushing on his straight BFF for years and knowing he’d have to play girlfriend to Boone and all the sweet talk and touching that comes along with it? It’s a double edged sword for Rob but he wants to help Boone out so he suggests if Boone really wants it, he’ll earn it and by earn it, he’s got to take Honey out on a date before they head south.

ACK! The date was so much fun. I love that Boone knows what Honey looks like when she’s on stage but when he shows up at her apartment to take her out, he is met with a milder version that knocks his socks off. It was so sweet to be in Boone’s head as he acknowledged how gorgeous Honey looked and how much of Rob was still under the makeup and clothes of Honey. We get bits of Boone and his always wondering how straight he really was and seeing him flirt with Honey and get lost in her was adorable.

The boys decide they are going through with this charade and once they get to Boone’s childhood home, the show began. I was curious how it would all go down, how they would play up the relationship and the fact that Boone’s mother has met Rob before and how Rob’s sister Honey just happened to appear and be Boone’s girlfriend. I have to say I loved Boone’s mama and his uncle Jack. They took to Honey like bees (yes, I went there) and welcomed her into the family with open arms.

Knowing that Rob’s family is not accepting of his life nor sexuality, it was lovely to see how open Boone’s family was with Honey. The whole food prep scene between Honey and Boone’s mother melted my heart and Uncle Jack’s moonshine opens up more than anyone could have imagined.

When Moonlight and Moonshine can be blamed for many things and in this story, you can’t fight the moonlight when true love is what’s at stake. True love and beautiful men in white lace panties… *bites fist*

GOODNESS! Seriously, when Boone makes a move it was amazing and I am so glad we were in his POV for it so we know who he was with. Boone is slow on the uptake when it comes to his feelings but once he owns them, they are his truth and nothing will stop him.

The end of this was so sweet and then really sexy. I liked how Boone’s family took the news about Honey being Rob and their own admissions to the men and the romantic ending was nothing less than what I expected.

A Taste of Honey is a short, sweet and sexy (the best trifecta there is) friends to lovers story about taking the long road to see what is right in front of you but taking every pleasure in the ride.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Runaway Rock Star by C.J. Anthony

C.J. Anthony is here today with an excerpt from her new novel, Runaway Rock Star.

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win the prize pack! Good luck!

Thank you Boy Meets Boy for having me on the blog today! I’m finishing up my Runaway Rock Star Road Blog Tour! —I’ve been visiting some great blogs, sharing background about the book, about Ohio, and there were a couple of fun interviews with Lucas and Brandon along the way. The stops are listed below and any posts you comment on during the tour will enter you for a fun prize pack at the end that includes a $20 GC to the eBook retailer of your choice.

Runaway Rock Star is a part of the States of Love series from Dreamspinner Press. A little background on the series for those who may not know what it is, the States of Love series is a series with one book about each state in the United States, all written by different authors.

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I’ve had a blast writing these blogs and getting to share some things about Ohio and also share my love of music.

I’ve also enjoyed sharing bits of the story. I think I’m going to close out the tour by sharing another excerpt. This is how Lucas and Brandon ended up on their road trip.

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Two hours later Brandon found himself in the first row at the front of the stage at Quicken Loans arena, his eardrums shattering from the screams of thousands of girls and women behind him. The opening act had played, the roadies and techs had readied the stage, and now the arena was darkening once again. Brandon couldn’t believe he was here. He should have been pulling into his parents’ drive right about now, happy to be done with the drive and ready for the requisite hug from his mom, and a dish of one of her home-cooked meals warming in the oven. Instead he was still in Cleveland, at a Lucas Black concert. When he had called his mom earlier, she had tried to convince him to just stay the night and drive home in the morning, but he swore he would be okay to drive home after the concert. He’d load up on coffee or Red Bull™ and drive with the window down to keep himself awake if he needed to.

The backing musicians entered the stage and settled in with their instruments, starting the opening notes to one of Lucas’s numerous number one songs. The screaming behind him got louder as the final person to walk out on stage was, of course, Lucas himself. His signature glow-in-the-dark guitar was slung across his body, and all that could be seen at first was a guitar bobbing forward on stage seemingly by itself. Once Lucas had reached the microphone, the lights came up. The guitar changed colors, LED lights on it flickering and moving in a preprogrammed pattern. Lucas was dressed in tight jeans, a stretched-out V-neck T-shirt, and a battered leather motorcycle-style jacket that he abandoned three songs into the set.

Although the songs were not to Brandon’s personal taste, he had to admit Lucas was a mesmerizing performer. He was full of energy, running all around the stage. He acknowledged the fans and talked between songs, bringing them into the performance, at least as much as one could be intimate with twenty thousand people. Visually, his stage show included an impressive amount of lights and strobes, and there was one huge video screen that stretched across the entire back of the stage. Preprogrammed video clips were intercut with a live feed of what was happening onstage for everyone in the cheap seats to have a better view.

Brandon strictly focused on Lucas, ignoring the pop songs that all sounded the same (to him anyway). He knew why Lucas had such a female following. The man was sex on legs, swaggering and flirting his way through the performance. His T-shirt was so drenched with sweat by the end, his nipples showed through the wet fabric.

After the final encore, as Lucas and his band stood at the front of the stage waving their goodbyes and appreciation to the fans, Lucas broke away and bent down to shake hands with some of the fans in the front row. When he got to Brandon, he gave Brandon a big smile and reached out to shake his hand. Brandon felt awkward since they knew each other in a professional manner and Brandon was not there as a fan, desperate to make contact with an idol, but he reached his hand out as well and when he pulled back, he realized that Lucas had slipped a piece of paper into his hand. Brandon unfolded it, barely able to make out the scribbled scrawl of blue pen on the paper.

Come backstage mate, hang out for a few. L.

Brandon sighed. He really wanted to get on the road, but of course, he didn’t want to rock the boat and ruin any relationship between the museum and Lucas, so as the rest of the fans around him were leaving their seats and heading toward the exits, Brandon walked around to the side of the stage, not sure exactly where he was going. He told the first burly, muscled security guy he ran into that he was with the Rock Hall and had been invited backstage by Lucas. The mammoth guy’s tight expression slackened, and he let Brandon by.

Backstage was a madhouse. Brandon had to jockey around an obstacle course of people and equipment and navigate a confusing maze of hallways. Finally, someone wearing a laminated badge and holding a clipboard pointed him in the right direction. He approached a security guard standing in front of a door with a “Lucas Black” placard in bold capital letters, but he was surprised to find he didn’t even have to announce who he was. As soon as the guard saw him, he knocked on Lucas’s door. After a faint “come in” from the other side, the guard opened the door for Brandon.

Lucas walked out from the bathroom rubbing a towel over his wet hair. He was in a different pair of jeans, but barefoot and shirtless. Brandon couldn’t help but glance at his naked chest and then felt awkward for doing so. Lucas was lithe and fit. His biceps were slight but looked strong.

He smiled at Brandon and threw the towel toward the bathroom doorway. “Harris, you made it!”

Brandon smiled back at him. “Yes, thanks for getting me in. It was great.”

Lucas snorted. He sat on a couch, pulled some socks on his bare feet, and then shoved on a pair of black Chuck Taylors. “I know you thought the music was shit. You don’t have to lie about it. If I were in the audience, I probably would have thought the music was shit. But the show was a’right, wasn’t it?”

“The show was really good. You work the crowd well.”

“Yeah, well… there’s nothing like playing live in front of people, ya know?”

By this time Lucas had thrown on a clean white tee and was running his fingers through his hair. His other hand was tugging on the hem of his shirt. Next he began pacing erratically, his normally smooth swagger off. Brandon began to wonder if he was hopped up on something.

“So… you probably have to get going, right? I mean, you’re still driving to your mum’s?”

Brandon looked carefully at Lucas. “Yes,” he said slowly. “I’m actually heading down tonight, as soon as I leave here.”

“Cool. Cool.” Lucas wasn’t even looking at Brandon as he spoke. He was peering out a small window. Just as Brandon was going to make his goodbye and hightail it out of this weird situation, Lucas spun around to face him.

“Could I come?”

Brandon’s eyebrows shot up. Those were the last words he expected to hear from the rock star. “What?”

“Can I hitch a ride, mate? My next show is in Cincinnati.”

Brandon scratched his head. “You have a multimillion-dollar tricked-out tour bus. And you want to bum a ride?”

Lucas sighed. “The loo on the bus is broken. It’s really nasty. And I’m stuck on there with Nate, my tour manager, and he farts up the most toxic gas storm. Come on, help a poor down-on-his-luck rock star out, eh?”

This is unbelievable, Brandon thought. Lucas still seemed agitated as he looked out the window again.

“Are you on something?”

Now it was Lucas’s turn to give Brandon a confused look. “What? You mean drugs? Hell no! I never touch the stuff. What the fuck, mate?”

“Well, you just seem really on edge, not like the guy I met earlier.”

“Oh it’s just… you know… the extra energy from the show. So come on, Harris. What do you say?”
Against his better judgment, Brandon agreed. “Sure… okay, I guess.”

Lucas lit up at his answer. “Super, awesome!” Lucas turned and bent over the couch, rummaging around for something. He finally came back up with a handful of items. Brandon watched in confusion as Lucas put on a baggy black shirt that said “SECURITY” across the back in bold yellow letters. He threw on his Ray-Bans and a black trucker hat that also said “SECURITY” on it.

Lucas looked at Brandon. “Disguise, Harris. Easier to get by the fans this way. Trust me, I’m an expert by now.” He grimaced. Nodding toward a steel gray door, he motioned with his hand toward Brandon. “Come on, we should go.”


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If you enjoyed this excerpt, pick up the book, there are more shenanigans to be had. And the itinerary for my blog trip is listed below; I hope you’ll visit each blog along with me! Don’t forget to leave comments to be entered for the prize giveaway. Also be sure to check out the blurb and info about the book.


May 3 MM Good Book Reviews
May 10 My Fiction Nook
May 11 Love Bytes Reviews
May 12 Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
May 15 Open Skye Book Reviews
May 17 The Novel Approach
May 18 Boy Meets Boy Reviews


Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Blurb:

Just hours before Brandon Harris is supposed to head home to Cincinnati for a Labor Day family picnic, his boss at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame forces him into giving a private tour to bratty British pop rock star Lucas Black. Before he knows it, he finds himself swept up in a whirlwind road trip through Ohio with Lucas riding shotgun.

Lucas grabs hold of this wild opportunity to run away—even for a few precious days—from the gilded cage that is his carefully managed life. He's just looking for a little fun and freedom as a normal person. From roller coasters to a college football game, Brandon begins to see the real Lucas Black buried under the famous persona. But by the time he and Lucas discover their mutual attraction, they only have one night left before both of them have to go back to their real lives. The fun is over...unless Lucas can run away for real this time and keep their adventure going.

Author Bio:

C. J. Anthony grew up watching soap operas and reading piles of books. She attributes her love of reading and romance to her mother, who not only taught her to read but also made countless trips to the library lugging piles of books home for her. It wasn’t a far jump to start writing her own stories, early childhood tales about flower families and traveling to the moon with her best friend.

C. J.’s favorite stories to read and write include “opposites attract” pairings—couples who appear to be an odd couple to the rest of the world, but fit together perfectly, finding their own happily-ever-after with a little hard work and a whole lot of love.

Not surprisingly, C. J. is a big lover of rom coms—she’ll gladly take Julia Roberts standing in front of Hugh Grant asking him to love her over car crashes and shoot-em-up movies any day. She also watches way too much TV and every singing reality show there is. She loves music of all genres and attending live concerts.

She spends most of her time juggling a day job and a commute and freelance and falling asleep on her couch, dreaming of a day when she can write all day in her pajamas while living in a house by the beach.

E-mail: cjanthony70@gmail.com
Blog: https://cjanthony.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cjanthony.writer
Twitter: @C_J_Anthony

All comments tour wide are entered to win a prize pack that includes a $20 gift card!

Guest Review: Love of The Game by Phetra H. Novak

Johannes is starting his new life as a rookie in the best hockey league in the world, the NHL. His new home for the next four years is Montreal, Canada, and he's excited to get to his destination when a storm arrives, stranding him in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.

In the Airport VIP lounge, he tries to amuse himself the best he can. He's nursing a lukewarm beer, and about to head back to join his parents at their table, when the most gorgeous man he's ever seen, with piercing green eyes, buys him a drink. He swears he has never been so instantly turned on as he is in that moment. The man flirts openly with him, making no secret of what he wants from Johannes as he invites him to meet in private. Not being out only makes Johannes hesitate for a moment before accepting the beautiful stranger's come-on.

Charlie, a cocky and opinionated, ex-submissive and reporter is leaving Paris after being on vacation when the studly jock just happens to appear out of nowhere - served on a silver platter. Charlie sees no reason to deny himself a last rendezvous before he gets on his plane back to Canada.

What he doesn't expect is this stranger to see the real him. Charlie's normal plan of attack is to take charge. But when it backfires, and the studly stranger not only takes control but makes him want more, Charlie does the only thing he feel comfortable doing. He runs!

Reviewer - Lost in a Book

“Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by underage readers…”
Is it wrong that I got really excited when I saw that as part of the warning before reading the book? On top of that, the synopsis discusses hockey AND being a submissive?

I thought I died and went to bookgasm heaven. Sports Romance? Absolutely! BDSM? Little cherry for the Master on top! Except…not so much. If you’re choosing this book because you are hoping both themes will be prevalent, you’ll surely be disappointed. There is only one hockey game discussed throughout this entire book (and not in a look at that hot hockey player way) *sigh* The main BDSM elements that are discussed throughout the book are in relation to them being friends with someone in the “lifestyle” and their mannerisms and relationship. *double disappointed sigh* There is one BDSM “lite” scene with one of Johannes’ teammates. *gasp* Don’t worry, it’s just a spanking lesson. Literally. A. Spanking. Lesson.

So what do we have here? Johannes is a hockey player that is heading to Canada to become a player for the NHL. He has watched some BDSM videos on the internet and tried some of the lighter stuff on his ex with whom he is still friends. While heading to Canada, he had a layover in Paris and meets Charlie. Charlie is all Mr. In Control during the meet with “Hannes” aka Mr. Studly and they take advantage of the layover in the airport bathroom. During this *ahem* layover, Charlie found his inner peacock…

"This is not how this goes. I don’t bottom, ever. In any way. My Show. My Way."

Fast forward 8 weeks and Charlie is asked to report on the Hockey team and more specifically, a profile on Johannes. This is the start of a beautiful nice crazy journey where Charlie runs away from everyone including his true thoughts and feelings while Johannes pursues and tries to get him to see reason. Charlie has a list of issues. He was left confused, depressed, and doesn’t trust himself or others thanks to the abuse from his previous “Master” who was serving jail time.

"So, all in all, maybe he wanted more, but with a malfunctioning relationship GPS, he had no way of finding it.”

“He’d permanently broken a part of him that he, as a young man, had cherished, when serving a Master had been something that made him feel good about himself. After Jacques, that part of him was gone, the trust broken forever. He feared he could no longer see the good or bad in people. He didn’t trust his instincts anymore.”

All of this paved the way for Charlie’s journey of self-discovery and learning to trust himself and others. It’s a lonnnnng ass journey! Charlie annoyed me Ya’ll!! Sometimes while reading I thought I accidentally chose a het book because the female is usually so freakin’ whiney and doubts everything and changes her mind constantly. But… it wasn’t a girl… It was Mr. Whiney McWhinerson. It wasn’t until 70% that Charlie finally decided that he wasn’t going to let the past define him. RIGHT after that, he said he didn’t want a relationship.

Even his best friend agrees with me…

"He can nag a subject to the point there are mere crumbs left and still go on and on."

True.

Story.

Anywhoo, Charlie’s ex is a recurring theme throughout to where you just know that whole situation will come to a head. And boy oh boy did it come to a head. Or…

There were some sexy times. Twice in the beginning (not mutual gratification each time) and then it was like a desert until around 75%. The sex had some heat to it which helped break up the drama. The MCs had decent chemistry. I gotta say that the scene Johannes had with his teammate during the spanking lesson was Hawwwwttt.

This book was just alright. There were a few editing issues but nothing too serious. There needs to be a trigger warning for a graphic attempted rape scene. The conversations weren’t natural which make me believe that English is a second or third language for the author. This book is super dialogue heavy. It’s a long read that reads lonnnnng. You feel every page and I’m not talking emotionally. At times, it became exhausting. There were little moments throughout that redeemed the monotony. IMHO half of Charlie’s POV could have been cut without the story being compromised; much of it is repetitive.

Love of The Game was definitely a journey where each MC learned a lot.

"two consenting adults loving each other and giving each other what they needed. It wasn’t about taking anything away but about giving someone everything, ultimately your trust.”

At 90%…“You know what this means, right?” 
“No, what?” 
“We’re in a relationship now, and you’re my boyfriend.”

A review copy was provided.