Review: Larry Boots, Exterminator by John Inman

Kenny Long is living a new life. Blinded in an accident, he has taken control of his unexpected reality the best way he can, and it’s working out better than he hoped.

Of course Larry Boots doesn’t know any of that. All he sees is a beautiful man sitting on a park bench.

Larry has a few problems of his own: his mother. His job. The lack of romance in his life.

His job. In the course of that job, Larry strikes up a friendship with Kenny. The next thing he knows, he’s so head-over-heels in love, even his mother doesn’t seem so bad. Of course his career is still a problem, but he’s working on that. Hopefully he’ll have the problem resolved before the man he’s being paid to murder succeeds in murdering him first.

And before the man he loves finds out he’s a cold-blooded killer.


This John Inman mashup was such a treat. Any Inman-phile knows he writes 5 heart books in a multitude of genres and Larry Boots, Exterminator brings together two of my favorites, sweet, sweet romance and horror. It really doesn’t get much better than that for me.

I wasn’t sure how this was all going to come together, the dichotomous paths the author wanted to bring together (based on the blurb), merging them sounded like an awkward impossibility. But of course, it wasn’t and the two pieces melded together perfectly.

Larry is an assassin (don’t call him that, he hates it), but he’s dedicated his life to delivering justice to those who were let down by the system. He’s living to avenge others in his twin brothers name. His brother was the victim of a violent crime and in his “honor” he’s turned into a vigilante. He’s a good bad guy though, he’s likable and sympathetic. He loves his crazy mama and his two dogs, he falls in love with Kenny.

Kenny is a teacher at the blind center in San Diego. He lost his sight in an accident a few years prior and has since relearned how to live his life and support himself. He’s such a sweet man wearing his little sweater vests and bowties, I couldn’t help but fall for him myself as Larry described him and got to know him.

They have a very interesting meet-cute in the park one day. Kenny is there to sit in the sunshine on a park bench and enjoy his lunch. Larry is up in a tree scouting out his next mark. Larry climbs down from said tree and the two strike up a slightly flirtatious exchange. If you didn’t know what Larry did for a living, it would just seem like a set up to a love story that I wanted to read. But, and this is a big but, Larry kills people for a living and there’s really no way to just kind of forget that’s a thing.

Told from Larry’s point of view, he was either practicing his chosen profession or falling in love with Kenny.When Larry was with Kenny I was completely wrapped up in that part of the story. Then the page would flip and Larry would be back to work. Larry’s clients and their stories were truly heartbreaking, so there was a gamut of emotions to run throughout the book. The warm fuzzies with Kenny and the frustrating hopelessness of the families put the reader through the wringer. The author brought the two pieces of the story so well, he really made them mesh in a way that made me buy into every nuance of it.

And then 80% happened. Up until this point Larry’s work and his personal life were pretty well separated, never the twain shall meet. Larry’s lastest mark makes him uncomfortable, he seems to have put his eye on Larry, but Larry can’t be sure. Does he think that because he’s falling in love and finally has someone else to worry about or is this guy really wise to him? Insert tension here.

At 80% Larry is off to do his job, leaving Kenny home alone. That’s all I’m going to say because I want you to ride the tension wave like I did. I loved and hated every bit of the last 20%. The author is a master of the last 20%. He gets me every time and this time it was a little different. I was in romance mode, I was in love with Larry and Kenny’s love, but Larry’s pesky job was hanging over their heads and the resolution was coming. In romance mode, and in the author’s purely romantic books I would just be wallowing in the love pollen. However, Larry Boots, Exterminator has a horror element that won’t be denied so I honestly wasn’t sure how this would play out. I mean, I know what I wanted, but that doesn’t mean I was going to get it.

Larry Boots, Exterminator has so many great pieces that come together beautifully. While I loved the tension and Larry’s work life. His personality, his relationship with his mom, his reasonings, they all made for a fascinating character. But his relationship with Kenny was pure gold. The two of them together were simply lovely in their intimate moments, and not just the tingly, sticky bits, I mean the conversations and declarations between the two. Yes, Kenny was blind and vulnerable to an extent because of his circumstances, but he was also strong and fiercely independent. I loved how fully fleshed out his character was and how well he and Larry complemented one another.

Larry Boots has a permanent spot on my reread shelf. I know I’ll want to visit Larry and Kenny again.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Surviving the Shadows (The Bearer of Truth #2) by Miranda Turner


Author Miranda Turner and Vibrant Promotions visit today with the Surviving the Shadows (The Bearer of Truth #2) blog tour stop! Learn more about the second in the urban fantasy series and enter in the $5 Amazon gift card giveaway!

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Surviving the Shadows
The Bearer of Truth - Book 2
Miranda Turner
Genre: Gay Urban Fantasy
Release Date: June 14th

Surviving the Shadows Cover

Cover Design: Lou Harper

BLURB
Gabriel has been gone longer than predicted, and Evander is growing increasingly worried each day that passes without his return. Confounded by their leaders’ lack of answers, Evander and the team begin to fear the worst.
In the midst of fruitlessly searching Miami for clues to the Daemon Abaddon’s whereabouts, Evander begins to have disturbingly vivid dreams. With a little help from a newly-returned and empty-handed Michael and Barabbas, Evander discovers Gabriel has been calling out for help across their nascent bond. With a little backup from an unlikely source, they set off to rescue Gabriel from the depths of the Underworld.
Gabriel is old friends with torture, and his captors haven’t been gentle. Despite growing weaker every day, Gabriel resolves to survive long enough for rescue, or to die fighting, until a Dark Seer begins to dredge up the terror of Gabriel’s horrific childhood, threatening to destroy his mind and soul. Nearing the end, Gabriel manages a last-ditch effort to contact help, reaching out to Evander in his dreams.
Against all odds, Evander and the team fight through the Underworld to reach Gabriel and come face to face with mortality. Sacrifices made for the bonds of brotherhood nearly break them, and Gabriel learns the hard way that embracing the darkness while fighting for the light may be the only way to survive.
From the underbelly of Reno to the glitz and glam of Vegas, Gabriel, Evander, and the men they call family will be tested, and the final confrontation with Gabriel’s maker may be the end of everything they hold dear.

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EXCERPT
“His aura has indicators that he practices or has practiced dark magic, but his underlying nature is fighting against it. Right now, his aura resembles an ouroboros.”

“A what?” Delsin asked.

“It’s a circle made out of a snake that is consuming itself. It’s supposed to symbolize wholeness or infinity, but in this case, our young magical friend over there is in trouble. If his magic continues to consume itself, there won’t be a renewal of life but a loss of something good and right as his magic perverts into something dark and unrecognizable.”

A visible shiver moved down Delsin’s body, causing him to wrap his arms around himself; clearly he’d been shaken by Nico’s words. “Can we help him?” Gabriel asked Nico.

Nico sighed. “Your savior complex is raising its ugly head again.” Delsin snorted, but Gabriel just stared Nico down. “Aren’t we supposed to be looking for your dad?” Gabriel stayed silent and lifted one eyebrow. “Ugh…fine, geez.” Nico stomped toward the teenage magic user with Gabriel and Delsin following close behind him, Gabriel’s face breaking out in a shit-eating grin.

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Miranda Turner is a single mom of eight living outside a small, hippie town in the middle of Ohio. She’s surrounded by children, chickens, and one temperamental editor kitty who is silently judging her on a daily basis. She is a voracious reader and an editor who decided she had different stories to tell. She firmly believes a happily ever after is there for everyone, but she likes to make her characters earn it.

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Audiobook Review: The Other Book by Roe Horvat

It was supposed to be just sex... Famous last words.

Tyler doesn't overthink pleasure and avoids complications. He knows it might be stupid to get involved with his closeted boss, but the temptation is too great. At first, the cold and beautiful Joel Sandstrom seems to loathe Tyler's guts.

Except one late night at the office, his reasons become clear...and his control breaks.

Every time they touch, Joel's stony face comes alive, harsh lines smooth out, and for a minute, he looks serene. Happy, even. Just sex - dirty, intense, spectacular sex.

During their covert encounters, Tyler discovers the power he has over the lonesome man, and it's a heady feeling. What if he could set Joel free and give him peace of mind? When Tyler realizes how much Joel needs him, he doesn't regret breaking his own rules.

Gay erotic romance. Contains explicit scenes and sexual interactions between more than two partners. For adult readers only.

Narrated by Vance Bastian
Listening Length: 4 hours and 26 minutes



Well.

Good.

Goddamn.

This book and this narration are a combo platter of pure deliciously filthy goodness. I’ve loved every story I’ve read from this author and I’ve loved every narration I’ve heard by this narrator, so when this came through the blog I was on it. And as I may have said before, good goddamn.

Definitely listen to the foreword by the author at the beginning. After I finished I went back and listened to it again and I loved his message and reasoning for writing this gem of erotica and for the name “The Other Book”. And while I appreciate the thought process behind the author thinking of using a pseudonym for this one, I’m glad he didn’t, it shows another angle to his writing and the quality and flavor are just as appealing as any of his other titles.

So, erotica is fun. Super fun. Some erotica is there to be titillating, some is there to feed a niche, some is just words with crappy grammar and then once in a while some erotica comes around that hits you in more than just your tingly bits. The latter is The Other Book.

The story is told from Tyler’s POV and Vance Bastian’s voice is the perfect mix of worldliness and vulnerability to convey all Tyler’s nuanced emotions. He starts off seemingly crass and a little shallow, but my opinion quickly morphed as I learned more about his dynamic with Joel and was privy to his inner machinations.

The Other Book is chock full of coupling, tripling and quadrupling. Things get very sticky quite often and every encounter ends with happy satiated smiles. The sex scenes are very well written, there is no need for a flow chart or schematic which can sometimes feel like a necessity with multiple partners, but when the writing flows organically, it’s pretty easy to follow who’s doing what to whom, etc.

The Other Book though, offers more than that. Sex is fun and well written sex is even more so, but the thing that elevated this story is the well developed connection between the characters. It takes a book like this to remind readers how important sexuality can be in a relationship. As Tyler and Joel’s relationship progresses Tyler shows Joel everything he’s been missing physically and emotionally while he’s been in the closet.

Joel honestly broke my heart more than once and the cathartic effect the sex scenes had for Joel added an extra level of satisfaction, so to speak, to every one of them. It wasn’t just rubbing sticks together until sparks flew, the times these guys were together were actually quite lovely and incredibly romantic in the most intimate of ways. There weren’t just a plethora of orgasms, there were plenty of epiphanies as well.

Kudos to Tyler’s mom and his besties with benefits as well. The author managed to introduce playing with others into a monogamous relationship and it worked! I purchased Adam Only (book two in the series) and will be purchasing Adam Only on audio as soon as it’s released. The Other Book is a keeper in so many ways. The erotic words portrayed healthy sexuality because the sex worked for the characters, which in the end, is all that matters.



**a copy of this audiobook was provided for an honest review**

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Waited So Long by J.M. Dabney


Welcome author J.M. Dabney & Vibrant Promotions who are here today promoting the release of Waited So Long. Find out more about this daddy kink romance, read an excerpt & enter in the giveaway to win your very own e-copy from the author! Good luck!

See our review HERE

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Waited So Long
J.M. Dabney
Genre: MM Daddy Kink/Light Age Play/Domestic Discipline Romance
Release Date: 06.18.19

Waited So Long Cover

Cover Art by J.M. Dabney
Cover Image - Golden Czermak/Furious Fotog
Cover Model - Caylan Hughes
Blurb

What happens when your best friend’s son comes home and he’s all grown up?
Devon Hoffman has a secret. He’s wanted a Daddy all his own, but when you’re pushing fifty, you’re completely over the hill. Newly divorced and trying to be single again after an almost thirty-year relationship, he’s lost and needs someone to ground him. Except he’s anxious and his depression intensifies until Bern returns after leaving the service and the younger man suddenly takes an interest. Can he let his guard down and risk losing his best friend or should he do whatever is needed to keep his secret safe?
Universal Link: books2read.com/u/49owYw


EXCERPT
I locked myself in my house and went to take care of emails and study my itinerary. I could retire, but what would I do with myself? At least work kept me busy. It distracted me from the loneliness. I worked because I had nothing left.
I took a seat at my drafting table as I worked on the new design for my client. His steel monstrosity would clash with everything around the building. It was a showpiece that had no more value than broadcasting his wealth. Once again, my brain went back to wondering if it was time to retire, maybe working for myself, but I felt I was too old to start over. All I felt was doubt and insecurity.

When I was younger, I’d felt confident and fearless. Every day was ripe with possibility, and now I weighed everything by what was expected of me. I felt as if my life was over with; I wasn’t even fifty and hopelessness weighted me down. When I looked in the mirror, I could only see what I was and not what I could be. That, out of all the recent events, was the hardest reality to accept. I viewed myself through a skewed lens Lawrence had shaped.

My fantasies were still a cause of shame just as they were for the past thirty years. I’d forbidden myself from demanding what I wanted because what would people think when they knew the real me. The person who existed beneath the façade. The respectable architect in a small suburb who was just a shadow of his former self.

I was a middle-aged man with silver-streaked hair and a belly, who dreamed of the impossible. I tossed my pencil aside and got up. My mind wasn’t in it, so a shower and early to bed. Tomorrow was a new day.

JM logo
J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. They live with a constant diverse cast of characters in their head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. J.M. lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure they do them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and they makes sure their characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more they want from telling their stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.
Mailing List – http://eepurl.com/dzWnIn


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Review: Aftermath (Ever After #3) by Tanya Chris

The Ever After series concludes in Aftermath. Tragedy, redemption, love… Ever After

Once upon a time, Casey flirted with a pretty boy at a bar, and that changed everything. Recently released from jail, he’s starting to rebuild without the family who raised him to hate himself. He’s got a new job, a room at his aunt’s, and community service hours at an LGBTQIA community center. But his biggest challenge is figuring out how to live as the one thing his father and brother drilled into him he could never be: a gay man.

Once upon a time, Brooks was a confident Dom with a particular taste for bigger men. But since his run-in with a dangerous homophobe, he’s lost his touch. Big, buff guys are hot but scary, and hurting people isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

Until he meets Casey, the big guy with the problematic past. Casey’s willing to do anything, but does his submission stem from healthy kink or from an unhealthy need to be punished? And is Brooks doling out release or revenge? Two people who share a past as violent as theirs could never fall in love. Unless, somewhere in the aftermath, there’s forgiveness.

Content warning: internalized homophobia, homophobic language, and references to homophobic hate crimes that have occurred in the past


Hard to rate.

LOVED LOVED LOVED Casey! He can get directly into my pocket without crossing "Go" or collecting $200. He's sweet, maybe a little naive but ultimately open to not only being open to criticism of his being complicit in his brother's crimes but applying that edification and paying it forward. *side mouths* He's also kind of a pain slut AND a big un AND submissive so...


It would probably go similarly for me as it did for Tormund but it wouldn't be for lack of trying!

To say the book started off great would be an understatement. Brooks was one of Casey's brother's victims who managed to fight him off and escape so Aftermath is at least adjacent to an enemies to lovers trope which happens to be a fave of mine so things were going swimmingly.

Brooks is alright. I understand where he's coming from but he can't see the forest for the trees and, quite frankly, he should've known better.

Finn is adorable. It breaks my heart that he got shorted in the parent department but he's making strides in creating his own family and I loved that as well as his spirit.

The story itself is classic Tanya Chris: unfussy with relatably imperfect characters and realistic dialogue.

Their chemistry is good. It's love at first sight for Casey and that made me...


Rightfully, it's a slower build for Brooks, one he tries to resist. Unsuccessfully.

The kink, however, is a shitshow.

That being said, Tanya Chris is my most successful 'working out mental health issues through kink' narrative to date. But still, something that gets on my last good nerve.

I'll give credit for delving into the psyche of both of these characters and really exploring the concept of redemption from multiple angles which, I think, had it only involved one of their perspectives wouldn't have been as successful nor would it have resonated as much.

I enjoyed the ending tying all the series characters together the way it did. Overall I would recommend the series and am sad that it ended on a mixed bag note. For me. YMMV.



An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.



Blog Tour + Giveaway: Finding Alexander by Pandora Pine


Join author Pandora Pine and Vibrant Promotions on today's Finding Alexander blog tour stop! Learn more about the adventure romance and enter in the Finding Alexander eBook giveaway!

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Finding Alexander
Pandora Pine
Gay Romance/ Action-Adventure
Release Date: 06.11.19
Finding Alexander Cover

Blurb
Indiana Jones meets Clark Kent in this modern-day treasure hunt.
Archaeologist Cairo Vanderbilt was born to be a treasure hunter, whether he liked it or not. When his famous father dies in search of the tomb of Alexander the Great, Cairo picks up the trail to find the world's most famous lost treasure. Having failed once before, he's determined to find Alexander’s remains and fulfill his family's legacy.
History blogger Dillinger DeCosta has only written about the past from the safety of his South Boston office. After hearing Cairo speak about the coming expedition on the evening news, he wants to join the hunt for Alexander and finally be on the front lines of history-in-the-making. By offering to come along, Dillinger is taking a huge risk, but he's banking on an even bigger reward.
Hot on Alexander’s trail, Cairo and Dillinger discover sparks between them that ignite unexpectedly. One of the men has a secret that may threaten not only the success of the expedition, but their new relationship as well. If they can't find a way past the challenge that lies between them, they might just lose the greatest treasure of all.
Each other.
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Finding Alexander Graphic 4

Excerpt
When we’d gotten back to the hotel, I’d stomped up to my room like a spoiled child. This is where I’d been for the last two hours. Alone and trying to figure a way out of this mess.



A knock at the connecting door between my room and Dillinger’s startled me out of my pity-party for one. Sighing, I headed to the door, pulling it open. What I saw was a bit of a surprise.



“You missed dinner.”Dillinger breezed past me and into my room, setting the dinner tray he was holding on my table.



I watched in awe as he started pulling lids off the plates. There was no way in hell I deserved this kind of treatment. He’d even brought me dessert.



“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I grabbed a bit of everything.”Dillinger’s intense green stare was boring into me.



To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how to react. No one had ever done anything like this for me, not even Memphis when I was sick and miserable.



“You could have at least said thank you.”Dillinger strode back toward the doors connecting our rooms.



Shit…“No, wait.”I took off after him, grabbing his left elbow with more force than I intended. I yanked so hard that Dillinger crashed against my chest. My left arm reached out to steady him, pulling him closer to me in the process. He was warm and solid. It could have been my raging hormones, but holding him felt good, like I was home.



I knew my wistful thoughts were on the money when my body responded to his instantly. My cock was hardening and unless I missed my guess, so was Dillinger’s. This was wrong on so many levels. There was so much I needed to say to the man I was holding in my arms, but the only thought running through my head, on a loop, was. “Kiss him!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sick of the slogging rat-race of her 9-5 job, Pandora Pine put pen to paper (literally!) to make her ambition of becoming a romance novelist a reality. She cut her teeth in the dog-eat-dog world of fan fiction, still dreaming of the day when she would be a published author.
In her spare time, Pandora fancies herself an amateur nature photographer. She enjoys mucking around in swamps, hiking through the woods and crawling around on her hands and knees in her backyard seeking out the perfect shot. Pandora is a fan of roadside seafood shacks and always thinks Mexican food is a good idea at the time.
Some of Pandora's favorite things are chocolate, writing longhand with purple pens, and handsome men falling in love with each other.

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Audiobook Release Blitz + Giveaway: I Wished for You by Colette Davison


Welcome author Colette Davison and IndiGo Promotions to the blog as they celebrate the audio release of I Wished for You! Learn more about the Piers Ryman narrated romance and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!


Title: I Wished For You
Author: Colette Davison
Narrator: Piers Ryman
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: 6 June 2019
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male Menage
Length: 06 Hours 24 Minutes
Genre: Romance, LGBT

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Synopsis

Three wishes.

Seb wants to be happy.
Matt wants to find ‘the one.’
Connor wants them.

Two drunken kisses.

Seb didn’t plan to kiss Matt and Connor, but he doesn’t regret it, even if it has changed their friendship forever.

Matt has never considered dating a man before, let alone two. Despite his confusion, being with Seb and Connor feels right.

One uncertain future.

Connor’s potential fate has stopped him living and loving. Can he face his fears to be with the men he loves?

***Contains explicit language and scenes***

Excerpt

"Wow," Matt breathed as a shooting star shot across the now dark sky, trailing a tail of light behind it.

"That's awesome," Seb said. "Hey, aren't you meant to wish on shooting stars or something?"

Matt stood, watching the sky intently. He'd finished his second can of beer and started on his third before he saw another shooting star.

"I wish I could find the one," he yelled at the star.

Anything was worth a shot. Every girl he'd dated had held the promise of being the one, but every relationship had fizzled out within weeks or months. He was getting close to believing he'd permanently be shut in the friend zone by every woman he knew.

"My turn," Seb said, leaping up to stand beside Matt. "Find me a star."

"There might not be any more," Connor pointed out.

A glance over his shoulder told Matt that Connor was still sitting, nursing a can of beer in his cupped hands. With their breath frosting on the air in front of them, Matt and Seb kept a fierce watch on the sky.

"There," Matt said, pointing towards the far right as a star shot across the darkness.

"I wish to be happy again," Seb yelled.

Matt turned to Connor. "It's your turn."

Connor shook his head.

"Why not?"

Connor met Matt's curious stare. "I've already had one wish come true. I figure I'd be pushing my luck to make a second."

Matt's eyebrows shot up. "Oh? Do we get to know what this wish of yours was?"

Pink splashed across Connor's nose and cheeks. He looked down, mumbling his answer. "I wished for friends. Someone I could count on. I met the two of you right after."

Matt's chest clenched. He tried to speak, but his voice stuck fast in his throat.

"Really?" Seb asked, staring intently at Connor as he sat in the middle chair.

Connor lifted his eyes again, staring at Seb and then at Matt. "Yeah." He looked to the sky. "I mean… it was probably a coincidence, but I wished for you, and there you were."

Tears stung Matt's eyes. He ran his hand over them and down his face, sniffing loudly. "Well, fuck, Con…" He wasn't even sure what it was he wanted to say. "I'm glad we met you, too," he managed. "I'm glad we could help you when you needed us."

"You still do," Connor said softly. "Every day."

"Okay, shut the fuck up now," Matt said, trying not to cry. He flopped into the third chair. "I'm not nearly drunk enough to be getting this sentimental. More booze!"

Seb handed him a full can, and together, they sat and watched the occasional light show of falling stars as they drank into the night.

Purchase at Amazon

Meet the Author

 
Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her
future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster
castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own
‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two
beautiful children and her writing.

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