Review: Year Two (Would It Be Okay to Love You? #4) by Amy Tasukada

An ex-playboy. A robot geek. Can their love last when the whole world finds out?

Robot fanboy Sato has spent too much time alone hiding the love of his life. But when Sato comes out to his parents, it doesn’t end well. He no longer wants to conceal their relationship, but he doubts his boyfriend is ready.

Aoi might spend all day moaning as an erotic voice actor, but he doubts his legion of fangirls will approve if he comes out. With his career on the line, Aoi feels like Sato has pushed him to the breaking point.

As Sato opens up to more people about his sexuality, can they find a compromise that will make them both happy, or will it be too much for Aoi?

Year Two is the fourth book in the gay romance series Would It Be Okay to Love You? If you like Japanese culture and sizzling romance, you’ll love this year-in-the-life anthology collection.

This continues to be super super sweet, and I’ve elevated my rating because along with the sugar, there’s also some heartfelt feels and a bit of light angst.

Aoi and Sato have come a long long way, and their relationship has moved beyond the initial lust and attraction to something much deeper, something more serious and worthy.

Still adorable, these two have to decide how to move forward, as the question now is how honest and open should they make their relationship in regards to family, friends, and the general public, especially as Aoi gains more and more notoriety by voice acting popular “boy love” manga.

Both are great likeable characters, but Sato is the real standout here. Sturdy and unwavering in his support and love, he just has to win Aoi over in not being afraid to live honestly, and he does this with understanding, kindness, and patience.

Overall, this continues to be a consistent, feel good, cavity inducing look at these two and how they navigate various events and milestones in their lives, where at times, challenging and scary but always with the best intentions and desire to make the other happy! Here’s to many more years for Aoi and Sato to come!


Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Billionaire's Wedding by Geoffrey Knight

Help author Geoffrey Knight and Vibrant Promotions celebrate today on The Billionaire's Wedding blog tour! Learn more about the romantic comedy and enter in the eBook giveaway of The Billionaire's Boyfriend & The Billionaire's Wedding!

THE BILLIONAIRE’S WEDDING

GEOFFREY KNIGHT

GAY ROMANTIC COMEDY

RELEASE DATE: 08.18.18

BLURB

Italy’s Amalfi Coast, overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, is the dream location for the perfect wedding, and billionaire Calvin Croft is determined to pull out all the stops to make his marriage to Matt Darcy a day that nobody will forget.

But before Matt and Cal can walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’, someone uninvited turns up out of the blue… and turns Cal’s life completely upside-down.

Will Matt ever get to marry the man of his dreams? Will Cal be able to come to terms with his past and get on with his future? Or will an unwelcome guest put their romance on the rocks forever?

You’re invited to the wedding of the year as Matt, Cal, Mrs. Mulroney, Mr. Banks, Tilly and Angus return for more hilarious antics, swooning romance and a surprise that none of them will see coming!

** Sequel to The Billionaire's Boyfriend

AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/2wqQdKt

AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/2NAN4OU

AMAZON CA: https://amzn.to/2Ly6XEl

EXCERPT

From the balcony of our suite I watched the reflection of the stars twinkle on the water and the lights atop the fishing boat masts bob and sway like fireflies in the night. I stood for a long, lingering moment staring at the view while the warm sea breeze played with the hem of the hotel bathrobe I was wearing.

I could hear the shower running from inside the suite and I imagined Cal standing beneath the running water, sparkling rivulets trickling down his perfect body.

I turned from the view to face our palatial suite with its four-pillar king-sized bed, antique marble writing desk, crystal chandelier and the lavish eighteenth-century Italian sofas with satin trim. On an ornate coffee table between the sofas sat a tray containing the remains of the most delicious cheese platter I’d ever eaten. Leftover figs, crumbling, aged cheddar and gooey gorgonzola lay among the scattered ruskits and biscotti I wastoo full to finish.

In that moment there was no denying I was truly, utterly content.

Sure, there had been other times in my life when I could remember being happy, but not like this.

I was standing on a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, full to the brim with fine wine and cheese, listening to the shower run and knowing at any moment it would stop and the love of my life—the man I was about to marry—would step out of the bathroom wearing a hotel robe… or perhaps just a towel… or perhaps nothing at all, before crossing the room and kissing me on the lips.

If this was a dream, I would have done anything to never wake up from it.

The shower stopped.

My heart fluttered with anticipation.

I saw Cal’s shadow moving about the bathroom.

And then he appeared in the doorway.

Yes, he was naked.

Sort of.

On his head he had a towel wrapped around his hair like a woman from a 1950s beauty salon.

On his feet he paraded two ridiculously fluffy white slippers that looked like stuffed rabbits, compliments of the hotel.

“What do you think?” he said with a grin, gesturing at the slippers as he stood there completely naked between his forehead and his ankles.

I had to smile.

Then I had to laugh.

“You don’t like them?” he asked, feigning offense.

I shook my head. “You know something. Even when you strive to be imperfect, you do it perfectly.”

“I don’t even know what that sentence means.”

“I’m not entirely sure I do, either.”

“Then why don’t you stop being a writer and start making your way over to the bed, my future Signor Croft-Darcy.”

“That’s future Signor Darcy-Croft to you, thank you very much. We’ve had this chat.”

“Just so long as our names are side-by-side that’s all I care about. I want the world to know you’re mine.” He kicked off the slippers and pulled off the head towel and strutted confidently over to me, standing before me on the balcony naked and unafraid who might see.

“Aren’t you worried the paparazzi might be watching through a telescopic lens?

He pretended to be offended once again. “What are you saying? That someone needs a telescopic lens to see my cock?”

“Good Lord, no,” I grinned, reaching down for his flaccid dick before I began stroking it. “Although right now it’s seems to be a little short of its full potential.”

“That can be rectified,” Cal said, taking hold of the fluffy cords on my robe and pulling me back into the suite toward the bed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Geoffrey Knight is the author of more than 30 gay fiction novels, novellas and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense and gay comedies. He is the recipient of two Rainbow Awards including Best Mystery Winner and Best Overall Gay Fiction Runner-up. His work has been featured in several anthologies including Best Gay Erotica 2013, and he appeared as Guest of Honor at the inaugural Rainbow Con in Florida, 2014.

Geoffrey has worked in advertising, politics and journalism, but nothing is as fun as telling stories. He lives with his partner, their baby daughter, two dogs and two cats in a rambling old house in North Queensland, Australia, where the paint is fraying and life is good.

Amazon Author Page

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GIVEAWAY

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Series Release Blitz + Giveaway: New York Nightwings: The Complete Collection by V.L. Locey

Help author V.L. Locey and Signal Boost Promotions celebrate the release of New York Nightwings: The Complete Collection! Learn more about the hockey romance trilogy and enter in the giveaway to win am eBook of the New York Nightwings collection!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover Design: Sloan J Designs

Blurb

The Nightwings Complete Collection contains all three novellas in the New York Nightwings MM hockey romance trilogy. The first two—On Broadway and Rookie Moves—were previously available in the Changing on the Fly charity anthologies. The third novella—Transitions—is a brand-new story written just for this collection. All three books are filled with passion, romance, humor, and fast-paced hockey action!


The set includes -


On Broadway (New York Nightwings #1)

Rookie Moves (New York Nightwings #2)

Transitions (New York Nightwings #3)

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, Dr. Who, Torchwood, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.


When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.

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Review: Lucky by Garrett Leigh

Dominic Ramos is a Premiership football player with a secret. There are no trophies for being gay in his game. Locked into his rep as the meanest defender on the pitch, keeping his secret is soul-crushing, but love has no place in his sport, even if his soft heart craves it.

Lucky Coleman is on his knees when he meets a man with more money than sense. It’s a Grindr hook-up for cash, not a love match, but dreaming of his desperate, kind eyes earns a place amongst his numerous bad habits.

Meeting once was risky, twice pushes Dom’s courage to the limit. Losing Lucky seems inevitable, but his tight grip on his image counts for nothing when Lucky starts to fall.

Catching him could cost Dom everything, but if he can set his heart free, getting Lucky long term might be a risk worth taking.

This is probably going to get lengthy since this book gave me feelings and when I have feelings I tend to get loquacious. So for those of you like me, who have the attention span of a hummingbird, here's the tl;dr: Lucky is an emotionally powerful tale featuring two gritty and layered characters who have to fight for every centimeter of their HEA that I would recommend to readers who cherish romances that flout the paradigm.

Now, ALL THE WORDS!

The sports angle is what drew me to this book. It's no secret that I have a thing for athletes and sport. True, I'm American and thus not hugely familiar with soccer (football) but for me an athlete is an athlete is an athlete. Dom has worked most of his life to get where he is-an elite defender for a Premiership team. There wasn't an inordinate amount of sport mentioned but it did center on what I like best: dedication to the craft and interpersonal relationships.

There are no two ways about it, Dom is fractious and grumpy. But his pain and weariness were a visceral and moving experience for me. He's been hiding who he is for years, hiding so long that it's made him vicious on the pitch and churlish off it. There are a few people that could potentially be sources of support for him, but the fear of being discovered has rendered him paranoid and mistrustful of everyone so he lives a solitary existence. Years of hiding have aided the formation of well fortified defenses that are now force of habit. That’s the trouble with masks, after wearing them for so long it’s hard to remember what's real, the mask or what’s buried beneath. There are glimpses of the person he could be but they are rare. Until Lucky.

As much as I would like to dismiss his fears as baseless, I cannot. Because it's not true. The evidence lies in the way Cristiano Ronaldo was and still is being treated. Google Cristiano Ronaldo + gay. See how many hits you get. One word: relentless. Or what about Micheal Sam or any number of past and present football players? Too many continue to endure a harsh reality that forces them to live half-lives which engender depression, anxiety and suicide. I want to believe the tide is turning but it is the slowest fucking tide ever. So it’s my fervent hope that people, both young and old, will not only read this book, but people like Garrett Leigh will continue to write them, continue to pound at the gates singing Lin Manuel Miranda's now ubiquitous "love is love is love" anthem until it no longer needs singing. So people like Dom no longer have to hide in the shadows exhausting themselves whilst doing so.

His furtive and anonymous hookups have never been satisfying, conjuring more anxiety and frustrated longing than anything. But they do provide relief and to that end he arranges a paid Grindr hookup with Lucky.

Something happens in that run down room in Dalston, something that defies explanation. It's not instalove but there is chemistry and dazzling attraction that is the beginning of something for both of them.

What was supposed to be a one-off turns into a two-off then regular texting then more. Then forever. The progression of their relationship was like watching a colt try to walk for the first time. Neither of them have a whole lot of experience nor do they put a lot of stock into happily ever after. Both are rough around the edges but there is an ineffable force that seems to bind them together.

Lucky is anything but, actually. His life is not unlike countless other queer kids who have homophobic parents but that doesn’t diminish his experiences or how affecting they were. Left to his own devices at a tender age he's developed some bad habits (trigger for drug usage) and simply put, he doesn't have much support. He has a best friend who does what she can but oftentimes he goes without. Pride is a factor but Lucky's world is riddled with poverty, drug use, violence, crime and prostitution, so the people he knows don’t have much to give in the first place. One would think that would make him bitter or dolorous, but he isn't; he verges on puckish at times.

Both of these men have baggage and at one point I did think the narrative was going to be too bleak for me, but I couldn't put it down. They are both such nuanced, genuine and beguiling characters that I found myself helplessly at the mercy of Leigh's narrative. Fear not, Lucky is not all doom, gloom and angst. There are emotionally weighty topics obliquely mentioned-homelessness, suicide, child abuse, abandonment-that played a role in their formation, but this is not the focus.

Their journey to becoming a 'we' is the focus and it was the easiest thing in the world to root for them.

I won't claim to be a Garrett Leigh expert but Lucky is hands down the sexiest book I've read of hers. Ever. Maybe it was the emotional connection built between them or maybe it was the scorching desire they have for one another or maybe it was the fact that so much of what transpires between them Dom's never experienced before. I really don't care. Whatever it was it should be bottled and weaponized. For the good of mankind. What's more, their sexual compatibility aided in deepening their connection, so my face melting AND their was a purpose! It should be noted that Lucky is pansexual and there are references to him having sex with a female prior to his really investing in Dom.

Lucky could've easily become a bromide Cinderfella story with their disparate income gap and backgrounds, but instead Leigh contravened the mold and stayed the course. Both Lucky and Dom are prickly and independent in their own ways and their emotions and actions align with those characterizations. Yes, they fall in love and yes, that is a transformative event for them but neither magically morph into Disney characters that skip off into a technicolor sunset. Years of trudging through their pallid realities comes with an austerity that’s not easily reversed and I cannot overstate how much I admire that they are emotionally and behaviorally congruent; it's what elevated Lucky to unforgettable territory.

Leigh's prose is above reproach; it's fluid and captivating. The usage of dual perspectives made them three-dimensional, subtly showcasing their differences and highlighting their similarities. Their lassitude was palpable without being burdensome and their triumphs were realistic without being banal, something that takes a sophisticated hand to accomplish.

Before I tip over into obsequious, I'll just say if you are someone who appreciates tenacious, meaty and authentic characters finding a unique happiness unto themselves within a relevant landscape, I think you'll enjoy Lucky.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour: Somebody to Die For (Requiem Inc., #3) by Kris T. Bethke

Help Kris T. Bethke celebrate the release of the third book in her Requiem Inc. series, Somebody to Die For. Find out more about this paranormal romance from the Dreamspun Beyond line and read an excerpt too!

Be sure to check out our 4 ❤ review here.

Hi! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and I’m here to bring you an exclusive excerpt from my newest release, Somebody to Die For. The latest book in the Requiem Inc. series, it’s Avery Wagner and Jameson Parker’s story. I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Excerpt:

     “You need to stop giving me cheesecake.”
     Jameson shook his head, set the dessert down, and took a seat. For the third day in a row, he’d found Avery sitting by himself in the corner of the cafeteria at lunch and made a point of picking up the cheesecake to bring to him.
     “No. You like it. And watching you eat it is one of life’s great pleasures.”
     Avery blinked, and his expression became neutral. He took a breath and pushed the cheesecake away just a little as he fixed Jameson with an intense stare.
     “Listen, Jameson, I don’t know what—”
     Jameson held up a hand, knowing what Avery was about to say and not wanting to hear it. Yes, he felt something for Avery. But he knew Avery wasn’t in any sort of place to reciprocate, which was fine.
     “Friends, Avery. Just friends.” It was a total lie, because Jameson wanted to be much more than just friends. But he knew better than to hope for more, and he’d take what he could get.
     Avery eyed him suspiciously. But when he picked up the cheesecake and took a bite, Jameson knew he’d won.
     “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Avery said between one bite and the next.
     Jameson squinted. “Is it because of our age difference?”
     Avery almost choked on his bite, but he managed to swallow and then took a drink from his water bottle. “What?”
     Jameson shrugged. “Some people think eighteen years is a lot.”
     Avery narrowed his eyes. “I might be forty-one, but I look twenty-five. I’m going to live for a hundred and twenty years at least. What do I care about eighteen years?” He reached for his coffee and lifted the mug to his lips, but his gaze turned into a glare. “How do you know my age?”
Jameson flushed and stabbed at his lettuce. He’d been trying for healthy today, and the Cobb salad looked good. He stuffed a forkful into his mouth and then tucked the bite into his cheek and muttered, “You’re in the database.”
     “You looked me up.”
     It wasn’t a question, but Jameson thought he should respond. “Uh, sorta.”
     “Sorta?” Avery repeated incredulously. Jameson sat up straight at the way Avery’s tone went cold.
     “I just, you know, peeked. Which was completely wrong of me, and I closed out as soon as I pulled up your file, but I did notice your birthday.” Jameson knew it was wrong, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He wanted to know more about Avery, and Avery himself wasn’t that forthcoming.
     Avery put down his half-finished cheesecake. He didn’t say anything as he started to pile his garbage on the tray. Crap.
     “Avery, I apologize. It was a shitty thing to do, and I take full responsibility. If you don’t want to be friends with me, I’ll understand and accept it. I’ll stop pushing.” Jameson took a breath and went for broke. “I wanted to know more about you, but I should have asked instead of snooping. I swear, as soon as I pulled you up, I closed it down.”
     Avery squeezed his eyes shut and still didn’t speak. But he was no longer trying to leave. Jameson didn’t let hope take root. He’d gone too far, and he knew it.
     “That was a very hurtful thing to do.” Avery opened his eyes, and Jameson saw the disappointment in them. “It’s public knowledge, yes. Anyone can look at the files. But you went behind my back.”
     “I’m sorry.” Jameson didn’t know what else he could say.
     “I know.” Avery stood and picked up his tray. “And I believe you are. But Jameson, you say you’re sorry a lot. Maybe it’s time you start thinking before you act.” Avery took two steps away but then turned back. “Thank you for telling me what you did. I appreciate the honesty. But you need to stop doing things you end up apologizing for.”
     Jameson nodded. He didn’t know what he could do to fix this between them, other than actually grow up a little and do as Avery suggested. Acting without thinking had always been his downfall. It was time to adjust his actions.
     “Look,” Avery said, his gaze fixed on his tray. “We all mess up. We’re human. And it takes strength and character to apologize when we do something wrong. But the next step is to correct the action and not repeat it. Right?”
     “Yes.”
     “And now I sound like I’m lecturing you, which wasn’t really my intent.” Avery sighed and then finally looked Jameson in the eye. “I just want more for you. I think when you have your own partner, things are… I… I’m going to go before I dig myself deeper. I’ll see you later.”
     Jameson watched Avery walk away, and his heart cracked a little. He hadn’t meant for it to go so wrong, but he had to accept the consequences. He’d use the lesson to better himself. Jameson knew he needed to work on things, and he added that to the list. Avery was right. When he got a partner, he couldn’t make that kind of hurtful mistake. Determined to show Avery he was learning and growing, he got up and headed to the afternoon session.
     He would do better.

Blurb:

Dying is easy. New love is terrifying.

Avery Wagner quit ghostwalking when he lost his beloved anchor to cancer. Now teaching others who have the ability, he’s beginning to live again—but he’s not looking for another lover, not now, maybe not ever.

But then he meets Jameson… younger, talented, dedicated, almost perfect, even though his mouth sometimes opens ahead of his brain. And Jameson wants Avery desperately, though he’ll settle for friendship if he can’t have more.

When an emergency demands they work together in the field, Avery discovers just how perfect Jameson is. But he had a perfect love once before, and he’s scared to even consider that he might have a chance at another. Can he trust Jameson with his newly healing heart?

Buy links:

Dreamspinner

Amazon

Author Bio:

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on:

Her site
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Tag Team Review: Rainbow Place (Rainbow Place #1) by Jay Northcote

Can Jason find the courage he needs to be the man Seb deserves?

When Seb Radcliffe relocates to a seaside town in Cornwall, he feels like a fish out of water. He misses queer spaces and the sense of community he enjoyed when he was living in the city, and decides to open an LGBT-friendly cafe-bar.

Jason Dunn is the builder Seb hires to help renovate the rundown space where the cafe will be housed. Jason is also gay, but unlike Seb, he's deep in the closet. He's never had a relationship with another man--only allowing himself the occasional hook up with guys who are prepared to be discreet.

The attraction between the two men is instant and impossible to ignore. But while Seb is out and proud, Jason is terrified of being exposed. With the grand opening of Rainbow Place approaching, tension is growing among some locals who object to Seb's plans. When things escalate, Jason is forced to choose whether to hide in the shadows and let Seb down, or to openly support the man he's fallen so hard for.

Although this book is part of a series, it has a satisfying happy ending and can be read as a standalone.

Averaged!

Adam - 3.5 Hearts

‘Rainbow Place’ is quintessential Jay Northcote! Sweet, sexy, easy-to-read, and leaves you feeling happy.

The book introduces readers to Seb Radcliffe, who moves from London to the Cornish coast to begin a new chapter in his life - opening an LGBT friendly cafe/bar called ‘Rainbow Place’.

He knows it won’t be easy, especially not in a small and fairly conservative town, but he’s determined to build a safe place from the local queer community.

I immediately liked Seb. Despite his recent rough patch, he was determined to make a fresh start in Cornwall, and to create something he could be proud of.

Making matters more complicated is Jason Dunn, the builder Seb hires to renovate the cafe building. The attraction between Seb and Jason is immediate, but Jason’s deep in the closet, and Seb can’t live a life in hiding.

I could understood where Jason was coming from. His family background and the community he lived in weren’t exactly the best circumstances. Plus, I liked how devoted he was to his daughter and ex-wife.

Seb and Jason start off very cutesy. There’s flirting, longing looks, and daydreaming. They try to keep things professional, but eventually the two give in to the attraction between them.

And when they do, they’re hot. These were some steamy scenes!

Before long, the chemistry between them in the bedroom follows them outside, and both men find themselves falling for the other.

But Jason’s paranoia and refusal to come out put a damper on things. At some point, Jason’s hot and cold routine just got old and I found myself wanting better for Seb. Especially given Jason’s actions in Seb’s hour of need.

But, Jason does make amends and their happy ever after was all sunshine and roses.

Overall, this was a nice and easy read. While I wasn’t as invested by the end, I still enjoyed ‘Rainbow Place’.


Ann - 4 Hearts

The title led me to believe I was going to get a sweet story with quintessential Northcote characters and it would end with me getting a book hug and warm fuzzies. Now, I’ve read enough of Jay Northcote’s books to know that he’s going to give me way more than that and I really should know better by now.

Sebastian has left London, where he’s become disenchanted with city life and moves to the small town of Cornwall to open his own cafe. While the idea of village life is appealing, he didn’t realize how disconnected he’d feel from the community. He’s new in town, sure, but he’s also out and proud and one of the very few. He knows that can’t be true statistically, and with the help of some good friends puts together a plan to open an LGBTQ friendly place that will be a safe place for members of the LGBTQ community and their allies. He wants to build a truly inclusive community in Cornwall starting with his restaurant, Rainbow Place.

I couldn’t help but love Seb from the beginning. He’s open, fun and has an altruistic streak that made me want to just be around him. He’s the kind of guy that makes wherever he is a better place.

Seb has his hands full with the renovations of his restaurant and hires a builder and his assistant that are reasonable, personable and said builder, Jason, is damn dreamy. And also WAY DEEEEEEP in the closet. Only his ex-wife knows his orientation and while I really liked him he also made me so sad. He’s relatively happy with his very few friends and his daughter, but he was also very lonely and scared and it broke my heart.

I don’t usually go out of my way to read in-the-closet stories because of the aforementioned sadness, but Jason had me rooting for him and his future pretty hard. This is where the story moved beyond a sweet romance to much more. All the discussion about inclusiveness and the support by the town really has Jason thinking about his future. Not to mention the relationship he has with Seb. It’s everything he’s always wanted and it’s everything that scares him to death. Coming out is something he needs to do for himself and Seb isn’t going to stay a secret.

There is some general assholery by a town bigot, which is, unfortunately, to be expected and it brings Seb’s new community together but sends Jason running. This was a tough, but understandable part to read. I wanted Jason to be there for Seb, I wanted Seb to be there for Jason, but neither one of those things would be a legitimate story arc so the way it played out made sense and made their resolution more believable in the long run.

I would have liked a bit more of the two of them together at the end. I felt like I lost a bit of connection with them as a couple for a bit there with everything else going on and I really liked when the two of them were together. I liked their banter and the affection they couldn’t help but show to one another and a bit more of that at the end, when they could both be their authentic selves would have been wonderful. But, they did get their well deserved HEA and I was happy to get my book hug and warm fuzzies at the end.

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Time for Love by Lynn Michaels

Celebrate the Time for Love blog tour with author Lynn Michaels and Vibrant Promotions! Learn more about the contemporary romance and enter in the giveaway for your own signed paperback copy of Time for Love!

TIME FOR LOVE

LYNN MICHAELS

M/M ROMANCE

175 pages

RELEASE DATE: 08.20.18

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2wbO1Wd

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Moh0kr

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2PmUuGP

Other stores: https://www.books2read.com/u/4NGg0G

BLURB

Surf and sand, beach and bar-tending, and practicing Taoism are the important things in Jeremy Ringer's life. Until a death in the family sends him across the state, and he realizes that it's not enough. By trusting the wrong people, he is pushed toward sexy police specialist, Oliver Mendosa.

Ollie Mendosa is only interested in one thing, the new police app he's developing. That is until he meets a victim of crime, surfer-boy, Jeremy Ringer. When his protective nature is brought out in full force, he can't resist the temptation of a summer fling.

Is it possible for these two men, from such different worlds, to overcome their differences and fears in order to find the love they both desire?

EXCERPT

Ollie couldn’t stop thinking about their witness, Jeremy. The guy was too cute and entirely too laid back. “What do you think about Jeremy’s case?” he asked Walker as they walked into the precinct.



“Never going to find his car. You shouldn’t have given him false hope.”



“Yeah, I couldn’t help it.” He stuffed his phone in his pocket.



Walker stopped and looked at him, grabbing his shoulder. “What? You do like the guy? I mean like-like?”



“He’s cute.” Ollie shrugged. He wanted to play like he was calm and laid back like Jeremy, but he wasn’t. Not at all. The old saying about butterflies in the stomach seemed more like a fact than a literary description.



“I was teasing, but... Seriously, ask him out.”



Ollie huffed. “You know I can’t. At least not until we close his part of this bullshit.”



“Nah. You’re just here for the data. You’re not a detective. Ask him out.”



Ollie shook his head. He wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted dating Jeremy to be a conflict of interest or not. He hadn’t dated anyone. Not in a long time. Not really, not ever. What was he doing, anyway? “He lives too far away. I’ll be back in New York in a month. Easy.”



“That’s an excuse. If you like him. Go out with him. Hell, maybe getting laid would do you good.”



Ollie snorted. “That’s for sure.” He knew exactly how long it had been since he’d gotten any. Hookups he could do, and in New York, they’d been frequent enough. Plus, he had Corey Bishop. A good friend and in for a good fuck if they were both unattached and needing release. It was nice to have a friend he could count on, have sex with occasionally, but wouldn’t ever ask or expect more than that from them. In Jacksonville? None. Nada. Nothing. La negative. Not even Corey, since he was back in New York.



Walker bumped into his side. “Go for it.”



Ollie watched him walk away. He bit at his lip. He did want to see Jeremy again. Wanted to see those sapphire eyes, wide open, as he came apart. Wanted to hear that sweet voice, not humming or singing, but calling out. Maybe calling Ollie’s name. “Maybe I will.” Maybe they could be a fun hookup while he was in Jacksonville. At least until Jeremy went back home. Even if it was a conflict of interest, hell, Ollie never gave a damn about what anyone else said, anyway. He made his own rules.

Lynn Michaels lives and writes in Tampa, Florida where the sun is hot and the Sangria is cold. When she's not writing she's kayaking, hanging with her husband, or reading by the pool. Lynn writes Male/Male romance because she believes everyone deserves a happy ending and the dynamics of male characters can be intriguing, vulnerable, and exciting. She has both contemporary and paranormal titles and has been writing since 2014. Her stories don't follow any set guidelines or ideas, but come from her heart and contain love in many forms.

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

Website: https://rubiconwriting.com/lynn-michaels/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sljasble

Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2MBZkkG

GIVEAWAY

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Review: Two of a Kind by B.A. Tortuga

Working on a full house.

Once upon a time, Trey Williamson and Ap McIntosh had quite the whirlwind romance—but that was before family tragedy left them the guardians of five kids. Their lives have changed quite a bit over the last six years, but Ap is still on the rodeo circuit, doing what he does best in an attempt to feed all those extra mouths.

That leaves Trey back on the ranch, isolated and overworked as the kids’ sole caregiver. Something has to give, and when Ap comes home, they’re reminded how hot they burned once upon a time. But is it a love that can withstand wrangling over time, money, and the future? They have to decide what kind of family they want to be… and whether what they share can stand the test of time.

DNF @64%

You win some you lose some, right?

This wasn’t a win for me even though the title (sings some Garth Brooks) and the blurb had me interested. I was ready for what I thought would be an established couple rekindling their romance after life and kids made it take a back seat. What I got was instant confusion when Ap is on the road with the rodeo talking to a dude about hooking up… and then we get the call from Trey asking Ap to come home because he needs a break. From the blurb, I thought these two were already a couple but once Ap gets home it’s obvious there is nothing between them but the shared tragedy of lost family members that makes them guardians of their nieces and nephews.

Six years this has been going on with Ap riding the rodeo circuit making money to send home to Trey who is taking care of the kids. Ap only comes home on Thanksgiving and Christmas so… yeah. I get that the two men had something casual before the accident and now that Ap is home longer than his normal visit some of those feelings come up again but I never felt it. Not once.

There is way too much going on in this story to ever get a feel for who Trey and Ap really are other than the one what works and the one that stays home. They felt stagnant and actually boring. I get that the house was busy but I live in a busy house and still find moments to be intimate and affectionate with my husband that are real. These two… I dunno. It was just really odd.

The kids were okay but again, their animation made me long for a real connection.

I wanted to like this. I guess it’s on me that I read the blurb wrong and thought this was something it wasn’t.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Love at First Hate by JL Merrow

Welcome JL Merrow and Riptide Publishing who are here today promoting the latest in the Porthkennack series, Love at First Hate! Find out more about this contemporary romance and this series set in a seaside Cornish town and be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a $10 Amazon credit! Good luck!

Hi, I’m JL Merrow, and I’m delighted to be here today as part of the blog tour to celebrate the release of Love at First Hate, the second of my contemporary MM romances in Riptide’s multi-author Porthkennack series.

Love at First Hate features a romance between a newcomer to Porthkennack and a character whom readers of my first two Porthkennack books, Wake Up Call  and One Under, will have already met: Bran Roscarrock. As you might imagine, Bran, who is an antagonist in the first two books, is on something of a redemption arc. But we’ll also get to see where he’s been coming from, and why he’s acted as he has.

About Love at First Hate

First impressions can doom second chances.

Bran Roscarrock has been living in the closet all his life. As heir to an expansive family legacy in the town of Porthkennack, old-fashioned ideals of respectability and duty were drummed into him since childhood, and he’s never dared to live—or love—openly.

Sam Ferreira, an old friend of Bran’s brother, Jory, is a disgraced academic desperate to leave his dead-end job. When Jory asks him to take over as curator of a planned exhibition on Edward of Woodstock, the fourteenth-century Black Prince, Sam leaps at the chance to do what he loves and make a fresh start.

But Bran’s funding the exhibition, and though sparks fly between the two men, they’re not all happy ones. Bran idolises Prince Edward as a hero, while Sam’s determined to present a balanced picture. With neither of them prepared to give ground, a hundred years of war seems all too possible. And if Bran finds out about Sam’s past, his future may not be bright, and their budding romance may be lost to history.

About Porthkennack

Welcome to Porthkennack, a charming Cornish seaside town with a long and sometimes sinister history.

Legend says King Arthur's Black Knight built the fort on the headland here, and it’s a certainty that the town was founded on the proceeds of smuggling, piracy on the high seas, and the deliberate wrecking of cargo ships on the rocky shore.

Nowadays it draws in the tourists with sunshine and surfing, but locals know that the ghosts of its Gothic past are never far below the surface.

This collaborative story world is brought to you by five award-winning, best-selling British LGBTQ romance authors. Follow Porthkennack and its inhabitants through the centuries and through the full rainbow spectrum.

 The Porthkennack novels are standalone stories; release order and era are:

●      A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers (historical)

●      Wake Up Call by JL Merrow (contemporary)

●      Broke Deep by Charlie Cochrane (contemporary)

●      House of Cards by Garrett Leigh (contemporary)

●      Foxglove Copse by Alex Beecroft (contemporary)

●      Count the Shells by Charlie Cochrane (historical)

●      Junkyard Heart by Garrett Leigh (contemporary)

●      Tribute Act by Joanna Chambers (contemporary)

●      One Under by JL Merrow (contemporary)

●      Contraband Hearts by Alex Beecroft (historical)

●      Love at First Hate by JL Merrow (contemporary)

About JL Merrow

JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea.  She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again.

 She writes (mostly) contemporary gay romance and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour.  Two of her novels have won Rainbow Awards for Romantic Comedy (Slam!, 2013 and Spun!, 2017) and several of her books have been EPIC Awards finalists, including Muscling Through, Relief Valve (the Plumber’s Mate Mysteries) and To Love a Traitor.

JL Merrow is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Crime Writers Association, International Thriller Writers, Verulam Writers and the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Connect with JL:

●      Website: www.jlmerrow.com

●      Twitter: @jlmerrow

●      Facebook: facebook.com/jl.merrow

●      Goodreads: goodreads.com/.J_L_Merrow

To celebrate the release of Love at First Hate, JL is giving away a $10 Amazon credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 8, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Calling Calling Calling You by Natasha Washington

We're happy to welcome debut author Natasha Washington and A Novel Take PR to celebrate the release of this new adult novel, Calling Calling Calling Me today! Read an exclusive excerpt of this queer romance and enter the giveaway for your chance to win your very own e-copy! 2 winners! Good luck!

Calling Calling Calling Me by Natasha Washington

Publisher: Natasha Washington

Release Date: September 4, 2018

Subgenre: Contemporary Queer Romance/New Adult

Tropes/Themes: college romance, first time, fish out of water

Direct Link: https://www.natashawashington.com/books/

Book Synopsis: Patrick Mahoney has one goal in mind: get out of his native Fresno and find freedom in the rainbow and glitter-painted streets of San Francisco. As a college freshman, he’s sure he’ll finally have the chance to be himself, away from the judgmental eyes of his conservative hometown.

Josh Dirda’s never wanted to be tied down before, preferring the emotional ease of the one night stand. But when Patrick moves into the apartment that Josh shares with three friends, Josh is caught up in Patrick’s sly wit and quietly creative spirit. As Patrick’s self-appointed tour guide, Josh can be Patrick’s introduction to the city he loves. But after a drunken Halloween hook-up crosses lines, Patrick and Josh must reckon with their true feelings—and decide whether they can let go of the ghosts that haunt them.

Excerpt of Calling Calling Calling Me 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.”

Patrick woke up with a start to the sound of his bedroom door banging open, a shaft of light cutting across the floor and hitting him right between the eyes.

“This is not my room,” Josh said, sounding almost certain. “But I—I came back to—dammit.”

“Josh?” Patrick croaked. The room was swimming. He’d heard it was possible to wake up more drunk than he’d been when he fell asleep, but he’d never experienced this before.

Basically, Patrick had never been drunk, period. Unless he counted that one time he had a few too many glasses of dessert wine at Christmas, which he really didn’t.

“Patrick,” Josh said, and sat down heavily on Patrick’s bed. “What’s up, man? You left early. I heard—Freddy said you left.”

“I did,” Patrick said. “I was really tired.”

“You gotta work past that, though,” Josh said, tilting his head to one side and widening his eyes. “I didn’t even see you dance.”

Patrick closed his eyes against the surreality of this moment. “You don’t need to see me dance.”

“But I do, dude. You’ve seen me dance. It’s only fair.”

“You should probably go to bed,” Patrick said. “I mean—in your bed. In the other room. Your room.”

“I—yes,” Josh said. “Yes, I—give me a minute, though. Everything’s a little…crumpled. Um. Fuzzy. Weird.”

Even through his haze of alcohol and exhaustion, Josh was still impossibly adorable. He was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and his hair was all tousled and wild, and he was biting his lip and squinting like he was trying so hard to figure out—

“Your room is next door,” Patrick said. “I can take you there if you’d like.”

Josh nodded. “Right. Okay. But first—I had a question.”

Patrick’s heart flipped.

I want to ask you a lot of things.

“Yeah?” Patrick asked.

“Back in Fresno,” Josh said, “where you grew up, was it—like, was it hard? Being different there?”

That was not the question Patrick expected Josh to ask, and it was far too incisive for Josh’s currently intoxicated state. He swallowed.

“Yeah,” Patrick said, voice soft. “It was really hard.”

You have no idea, he wanted to say. You have no idea how hard it was.

Josh looked at him with blurry eyes.

“It’s going to be easier now,” Josh said. “I know it.”

Patrick wanted to believe him. He wanted to believe him completely and entirely and so much it hurt.

“I just wanted you to know that,” Josh said, and rose to his feet, shaky and slow.

“Are you going to be able to—”

“Pancakes,” Josh stated, spinning on his heel at the door and jabbing one finger in Patrick’s general direction. “In the morning, I will make apology pancakes, and they will rule.”

Then he turned and shuffled off, closing the door behind him before Patrick had a chance to reply.

About Natasha Washington:

Natasha Washington lives in Philadelphia, where she writes queer love stories in both YA (as Sonia Belasco) and romance. She has spent much of her professional life working with young people as a mentor, tutor, or therapist. When not writing, she is likely cooking, taking long, meandering walks, or listening to dance music or 90s hip-hop.

Connect with Natasha: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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