Release Blitz + Giveaway: The Weight of Living by M.A. Hinkle

The Weight of Living by M.A. Hinkle is out from NineStar Press! Join the author and IndiGo Marketing for today's release blitz and enter in the $10 NSP credit giveaway!

Title: The Weight of Living

Series: Cherrywood Grove, Book Three

Author: M.A. Hinkle

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: February 17, 2020

Heat Level: 1 - No Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 79500

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, lesbian, trans, artists, caterer/chef, photographer/wedding photographer, teenagers, family drama, crazy weddings, Sailor Moon nerdiness, millennial angst, interracial/intercultural

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Synopsis

When she arrives in Cherrywood Grove for a working vacation, shy photographer Trisha Ivy expects to kick back and relax, enjoying her last summer of freedom before turning into a real adult with a mortgage and a nine-to-five. After all, her real life is back in Chicago with her best friend Bella, not a sleepy small town. But Trisha keeps running into beautiful, confident Gabi Gonzalez, a caterer working all the same weddings…and she’s the daughter of Trisha’s favorite local TV star. Trisha can’t resist getting to know her. After all, she’s only in town for the summer, and Gabi is straight. What harm could it do?

Gabi Gonzalez has spent most of her life trying to escape Cherrywood Grove and find something bigger and better. During an internship in Milwaukee, she thought she’d finally found it. But after her father’s sudden death, she returns home and tries to squeeze back into the same childhood roles: kid sister, cool aunt, tireless worker. She’s just resigned herself to going through the motions when she meets Trisha, someone who finally sees Gabi for her own self instead of putting her in a box. Can Gabi open up to Trisha about what she really wants before Trisha leaves town for good?

Excerpt

The Weight of Living
M.A. Hinkle © 2020
All Rights Reserved

June
2015, Three Months Before: The Time Gabi Was a Grumpy Tomatillo

Gabi had expected Soledad to laugh when she came in the room, and she was not disappointed. “What is your outfit?” Soledad asked, putting her hands on her hips. “I didn’t even know you owned a dress.”

Gabi busied herself rolling up the sleeves of her cardigan. She had short-sleeved ones, but none of them had been washed recently, so they smelled musty like the closet at her parents’ house. When she left for her internship, she’d only brought blazers. “I own several, as it happens. You remember how I used to dress. This is for business.”

Soledad glanced at her own outfit—a bright, short-sleeved button-down and her favorite gold chain. Gabi would have called it a self-conscious look if she didn’t know Soledad so well. “Well, sorry, I thought this was a TV show, not a board meeting.”

The twist to her voice was surprisingly nervous, and Gabi glanced at her again. “You don’t have to change. You look great.”

The idea of Soledad looking anything but great—except maybe elbow deep in week-old fryer grease—was unfathomable. Soledad’s hair was always sleek and freshly gelled; her shirts were always bright as jewels against her brown skin.

But she still didn’t relax; she was twisting the gold chain between her fingers, a gesture usually reserved for long talks on the phone with her latest girlfriend.

“You look fine,” Gabi repeated. “I have to dress this way to make my parents happy. You saw how my mom reacted when she noticed my short hair.” She affected a high-pitched voice, which sounded nothing like her mother but made the point. “‘Ay, mija, tu pelo! What did you do to yourself?’”

Soledad winced. “I thought I wasn’t supposed to remember.”

“She didn’t mean it.” Though Gabi’s mother certainly had. Gabi’s hair hadn’t been shorter than shoulder-length since a classmate rubbed gum in it in kindergarten. “Anyway, it’s too late to change, so they can’t say anything even if they want to.”

Gabi’s parents wouldn’t say a word. From the moment they laid eyes on Soledad, they had adored her. They’d spent the whole weekend hanging on her every word and laughing hysterically at her jokes.

Gabi clapped Soledad on the back. Touching her so casually seemed strange, but no stranger than Soledad’s nerves. She hadn’t even blinked when one of the guys in their internship group nearly cut off a finger slicing ham. “Come on, chill. This really isn’t a big deal.”

“Easy for you to say.” Soledad let Gabi nudge her toward the kitchen anyway. Today, they were filming in the big industrial kitchen on campus, which Gabi had hoped would put Soledad at ease, but no dice. “You’ve been on TV since you were, like, five.”

“Six.”

Soledad shot her a look, but before she could tell Gabi off, Gabi’s father Carlos swept into the room. As usual, several members of the crew trailed him trying to get his attention, but Carlos ignored them, making a beeline for Gabi’s side. He gave her a loud smacking kiss on the cheek, and Gabi dutifully rolled her eyes. She’d missed it since she’d been away for almost a year now, but her dad would get a big head if she let him know.

“There’s my girl. Or one of them, anyway.” He turned to Soledad. “I’m outnumbered, and it only keeps getting worse. I prayed and prayed Soledad would have a boy, but alas. Oh well. There’s always you, Gabi.”

“Not planning on kids, Dad,” said Gabi.

He draped an arm around her shoulders. “You haven’t met the right man yet, mija. I thought I would be a bachelor forever too, but here I am.”

Soledad snorted, and Gabi’s father wagged a finger at her. “Your opinion does not count, Señorita Rivera! Although when Sarah’s old enough, I will appreciate your help vetting her choice of woman.”

Gabi caught Soledad’s eye, both of them startled. Sarah was only seventeen, and their internship was nearly over. They hadn’t discussed the future, but it probably didn’t involve either of them hanging out in Cherrywood Grove.

Before Gabi had to figure out how to drop any bombshells on her father, Sarah popped up at his elbow. “Abuelo, I’ve already had three girlfriends.”

“Si, si, mijita, I know, but high school does not count.”

Sarah puffed up, a sure sign she was going to lecture all of them on exactly how serious she could be. And also, probably ageism or something. Gabi would have to step in. She loved watching Sarah unleash herself, and so did Carlos, but they were on a tight schedule today.

“Sarah, you said yourself you broke up with them because they weren’t mature enough for you.”

Sarah’s shoulders relaxed. “It’s true, I suppose. But Abuelo’s right about your boyfriends, Gabi. They were all garbage.”

Soledad did nothing to hide her smirk. Gabi pretended not to notice.

Carlos let go of Gabi, but only so he could pull Sarah to his side instead. “Now, have you got notes for me, hmm?”

“Yep.” Sarah held up her binder, labeled Talk of the Town in her impeccable handwriting. “Although I still couldn’t decide on one part. I know you said you didn’t like this line—” She flipped through the pages until she found one highlighted in blue. “—but I couldn’t think of a better substitute. Yours doesn’t roll off the tongue.”

“Ah! Lucky for us, our resident tiebreaker is here!” He reached out for Gabi again, holding one girl in each arm.

Soledad caught Gabi’s eye, her hand covering her mouth to hide a laugh.

Gabi made a face at her to indicate, I will deal with you later. To her father, she said, “Okay, okay, let me see.”

Her father passed her the binder. The line in question was a scientific explanation about egg proteins. Sarah’s version involved the actual names; Carlos’s was more simplistic. He never liked to go into too much detail in case it lost people’s attention. But his was patronizingly vague.

“Sarah’s is better,” Gabi declared. “But ditch the scientific terms. Call them proteins. We can put a graphic up with their proper names in a post if it’ll bother you so much.”

“It will,” said Sarah, though not as sharply as usual since she’d won the argument. “Don’t go anywhere, Abuelo. I have more notes.”

Gabi took the chance to duck out from under her father’s arm. Soledad was clearly still ill at ease, which would make for a stiff and uninteresting performance. And Gabi was the resident problem-solver, after all.

“Good, good, let’s talk.” Carlos touched Gabi’s elbow before she managed to slip away completely. “Oh, Gabriela, your sister was looking for you.”

Gabi waited until Carlos walked away, an arm still around Sarah’s shoulders, before letting out a disgusted sigh. “Of course she is.”

“Rosa’s pretty cool.” Soledad was only trying to tweak Gabi’s nose, but Gabi could never resist the bait.

“And beautiful and talented and blah blah blah.” Gabi adjusted the sleeves of her cardigan again, already sliding down. She’d forgotten how fussy feminine clothes were. “You only like her because you think she’s hot.”

“And you’re only cranky because she’s older than you and can challenge your authority.”

“Don’t you start rubbing in the age difference. My parents are bad enough. I can only handle being called their little surprise so many times in one week. And you wonder why I needed a break.”

Gabi shooed Soledad out the door over to the prep area, where Gabi’s sister, Rosa, was bent over a row of papier-mâché tomatillos painted with faces. Despite the barely dry paint, she was wearing a far fancier dress than Gabi’s, tied with a sash at her waist emphasizing her curves. If Gabi wore a similar dress, she’d look flat as a board. Or like Frankenstein’s monster.

Soledad tilted her head. “Are these supposed to be your family?” she asked, picking up one with Carlos’s distinctive broad nose.

“Oh, of course! And there’s you over here.” Rosa picked up one tucked behind the others with Soledad’s dimple in her left cheek. “You can take it home after the shoot if you’d like. A little memento. Otherwise, it’ll end up lost in Papá’s house somewhere. He’s less organized than I am.”

Gabi found her own. “Why am I frowning?”

“You’re unripe, obviously. Papá wanted some models to demonstrate how to shop for fresh tomatillos. See, he’s bruised, and Mamá is overripe.”

“You have way too much fun with this stuff.”

“Are you kidding me? She’s living the dream.” Soledad gently replaced her tomatillo next to Gabi’s. “Hell yeah I’m taking my mini-me home.”

“We’ll have to find a safe spot so your roommates don’t trash her.” Gabi poked Rosa’s arm. “Now what did you want me for?”

“What did I want you for?” Rosa tapped her cheek and then brightened. “Ah. Yes. Carry this, please? I’d ask one of the tech guys to help, but something always ends up broken.” She pointed at a box of miscellaneous props. “Also, it’s your turn to hide the armadillo. Several times over, but we’ll let it slide.”

“Can I do it?” Soledad asked, picking through the box. “It’s my favorite part.” She found it near the bottom and held it up, grinning. It was one of Rosa’s first props for the show and thus a little worse for wear, but it still worked.

“You have to be sneaky. Dad keeps his eyes peeled better than you’d think.” Gabi started to pick up the prop box, but her sleeves had slipped down again. She growled and shrugged off her cardigan.

“Bare arms? The scandal!” Soledad winked at her.

“I’m simply glad she’s wearing real clothes again,” said Rosa absently, picking up a tiny paintbrush to touch up a detail on Carlos’s tomatillo. “I have no idea where you got the outfit you arrived in, mi amor, but it should have been burned.”

Gabi caught Soledad’s eye and mouthed, I told you so. She grabbed the box. “Stop messing with those. We’ll need them sooner than you think.”

“All right, all right.” Rosa stepped back. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

“If you aren’t on set in five, I’m sending one of the tech guys here.”

Rosa flapped a hand at her, already inspecting another tomatillo to doubtless make a minuscule change no one else would notice, even in HD.

Rolling her eyes, Gabi nodded at the doorway, and Soledad headed out first, though she lingered in the hallway instead of walking right back into the kitchen.

“Getting cold feet after all?” Gabi asked, though she could never imagine Soledad intimidated. Then again, she’d never imagined her nervous either. “Say the word and you can leave. It’s not going to mess anything up.”

“Don’t be silly. This is awesome. It’s—” Soledad traced the swirling patterns painted on the armadillo, her expression thoughtful. When she spoke, her voice had softened. “You’re lucky, you know? I wasn’t sure what to think when you invited me to visit, but your family’s as good as it looks from the outside. It’s pretty cool. You’re so much less awkward here.”

Gabi adjusted her grip on the box, unsure what to say. She and Soledad rarely discussed personal topics. She wasn’t even sure why she’d invited Soledad to come visit during their break. Soledad was the only one without family to visit over the holidays, yes, but she’d been excited for the break from her roommates. Her own parents were nothing to write home about.

“I guess,” Gabi said, when the silence threatened to turn strange between them. It happened sometimes, both of them holding their breath for no reason Gabi could make sense of. “I’ve never thought about it.”

Soledad’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not surprised. It makes you even luckier.” As fast as it came, her mood passed, and she lifted her head, flashing Gabi one of her signature cocky grins. “It’s your job to distract your papá while I hide this.”

Gabi grinned back. “I see how it is. I’m always stuck playing the sidekick.”

“Damn straight you are.”

When they got back to the main filming area, Carlos had apparently decided on the finalized version of the script and settled on a good area to film the intro. Sarah waved them over to the corner, out of frame.

“Are we interrupting something?” Soledad whispered. She’d gone tense again, and now it was too late to do anything to loosen her up. Oh well. Most of the guests were bad on camera too.

“He’s not started yet. Trust me, you’ll know when.” Gabi sat in a folding chair beside Sarah; Soledad turned hers around and propped her arms on the back, as was her way.

“They’re only testing the acoustics in this room right now,” Sarah said, making notes in a different, rainbow-colored binder. “It’ll be a while before anything interesting happens.”

Still, they all quieted when someone called for silence, and the cameraman counted down like they were truly filming. Soledad leaned forward in her chair, mouthing the words along with Carlos: “¡Hola! I’m Carlos Gonzalez, and you’re not, coming to you live from the greatest kitchen in the world.”

They had recently tweaked the intro for this episode, and Gabi ought to have paid attention. Yet she found herself watching Soledad, her eyes bright with excitement, and when Carlos forgot a line and the whole crew broke up in laughter, Gabi realized she hadn’t heard a word he said.

Purchase

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Meet the Author

M.A. Hinkle swears a lot and makes jokes at inappropriate times, so she writes about characters who do the same thing. She’s also worked as an editor and proofreader for the last eight years, critiquing everything from graduate school applications to romance novels.

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Audiobook Review: Learning to Love by Felice Stevens

After ten years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn’t turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn’t count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he’s buried deep for years.

An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.

Narrated by: Derrick McClain
Listening Length: 5 hours and 51 minutes

Guest Reviewer - Annery

***3.00 for the book, 3.5 for the Audio***

This is my third Felice Stevens read and I’m beginning to sense a pattern. The landscape is authentic and recognizable along with the usual cast of New York characters. In this case some nice Jewish boys from Brooklyn and their friends and family. I like to read about everyday people but this one was just on the ‘underwhelming’ side.

Usually when I do audios I follow along with the print just to ‘see’ the words or even highlight but in this instance I stuck strictly to my ears and the performance by Derrick McClain. I happen to like Derrick very much and once again he didn’t disappoint. There’s a clear distinction between characters and a nice but not over dramatized narration. He even does nice voices for the women in the story. I’m not sure he did any favors to the main MC, Gideon Marks. No fault on Derrick’s part but rather on who Gideon is or how he is written.

Gideon Marks has come home to Brooklyn from a self imposed Florida exile. He wants to make a success of his catering business but he also wants to rub it in the face of those who thought he wouldn’t amount to anything. He particularly wants to impress one Jonah Fine and Jonah is impressed. So what was my problem? Glad you asked. I had a few, though none of them were deal breakers, more like sand in your shoes. Not as bad as pebbles but annoying nonetheless.

The major stumble for me is Gideon himself and when you sort of dislike the main MC everything teeters. He had the standard issue fraught childhood, his mother and beloved grandmother were killed in an accident leaving him with an alcoholic father who was ill equipped to deal with Gideon’s needs which went beyond the usual teenage growing pains. What said needs were/are the reader can figure out pretty soon before being told. It’s very noble of the author to have a character with these issues and having him deal with them, but Gideon is a bit of an insufferable ass and with something like a boulder on his shoulder. For one thing all those nay sayers he’s come home to stare down are mostly in his head and while this attitude is perfectly believable and understandable in a troubled teenager it gets harder to swallow from an almost 30 successful businessman. It annoys me to no end to have people jump to conclusions about the intentions or motivations of others when their main complaint is being unfairly judged. Also when people do nothing but snap at others when they’re being shown nothing but kindness I want to reach in the book and slap them. I wanted to grab Gideon by his curly locks and drag him around a bit and hug him later.

Another hurdle is that though Jonah and Gideon knew each other since they were teenagers I don’t see how they would get hung up on each other. As far as I could tell they only saw each other at temple; they went to different schools and weren’t even friends. So how smitten could they have been to the point where Jonah seems to have been waiting for Gideon for ten years when they never had anything going?

In any case after some back and forth of Jonah being unbelievably patient with Gideon and letting him figure out that he is and always was into Gideon our love birds are living in bliss when we have the ‘out of nowhere’ righteous indignation from Gideon, subsequent stomping out, and some groveling from Jonah and forgiveness from Gideon. Thing is in my book Jonah had nothing to apologize for. Another instance of Gideon being a prickly diva. More stuff happens, Gideon confronts and makes some sort of peace with his past and Jonah solves his non-problems. Good people doing good things. Amen.

The theme here seems to be that your enjoyment of this book will depend on how much you like or hate Gideon. I don’t hate him but I can see us having words.

A review copy was provided.

Audio Tour + Giveaway: Learning to Love by Felice Stevens

Felice Stevens hosts the Learning to Love Audio Tour! Check out today's information and enter in the giveaway to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

LEARNING TO LOVE

FELICE STEVENS

M/M ROMANCE

AUDIO RELEASE: 07.14.17

COVER DESIGN: Reese Dante

NARRATOR: Derrick McClain

BLURB

After 10 years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn't turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn't count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he's buried deep for years.

An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn't good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah's father. But Jonah hangs tough - he won't allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren't always taught in school.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/bo…/show/29632344-learning-to-love

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2weRJAQ

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wevxad

EXCERPT

“How did you know where to find me?”

“I didn’t. But when I went to your apartment and discovered you weren’t home, I thought to myself, ‘Where would a chef be early on Saturday morning?’”

Pleased he’d thought so carefully about me, I bit my lip to keep from smiling, then muttered with my head down, “Lucky guess on your part.”

“I’d like to think so,” said Jonah, his voice as soft as the breeze. My eyes met his, the hurt from our last conversation shimmering bright in their depths, causing a throb within me of a longing I’d never known existed. “Or maybe it was fate.”

He smiled then plucked the paper bag of rugelach out of my clutches, rummaged through it until he found an apricot one, and bit off half.

“Well, if you’re that hungry, I guess you can come home with me, and I’ll make you an omelet,” I grumbled but couldn’t stop the small grin tugging at my lips. “But I planned on browsing a bit more through the market first.”

“I’d like that.” Jonah walked beside me, and we meandered past the stands piled high with colorful peppers and squash. We strolled in silence, but every few steps I’d sneak a glance at him, expecting Jonah to speak. Instead he remained irritatingly, cheerfully silent.

I sampled some hot mulled cider and licked my lips. Spending so much time with Jonah gave me new insight. I’d always thought him superior and judgmental; perhaps I had been wrong in my assessment. He captivated me with the humor in his speech, warmth in his smile, and that unmistakable flare of desire in his eyes. Goddamn it, I wanted him.

I extended the paper cup. “Do you want a sip?” Its heady cinnamon scent remained one of my most favorite things about the fall season. To my shock, instead of answering me, he bent down and kissed me on my lips, lapping at their sticky sweetness. He stepped back, but I put a restraining hand on his wrist.

“What’s going on? Why are you really here?”

The honesty in Jonah’s face took my breath away.

“Do you really have to ask, after the last time?”

My body refused to listen to the war inside my head, kindling a deep need I couldn’t understand. I took a step forward, but unlike me, Jonah didn’t retreat. He stood firm, and I stood close enough to almost touch. Close enough to smell him.

“I’m not who you want; can’t you see that?”

“You don’t have any idea what I see when I look at you, Gideon.”

I wanted to yell back at him, No, you have no idea who I am, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin the moment. I had no clue who Jonah thought I was, but I wanted to be that man if only to be able to have him always look at me like this. Like I was special. Like I was his. The sun beat hot upon my shoulders, and I held his gaze while contentment poured over me like a warm summer rain.

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn't until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth's court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.

But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.

Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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Review: Perfect Game (Legendary Pairs #1) by Casey Cameron

“Hate the player, love the game…or was that the other way around?”

Research biologist Neil Parkinson had to give up a lot in pursuit of his Ph.D–his friends, his music, his home town–but the one thing he managed to hang on to was Legendary Pairs, the hyper-competitive collectible card game that has propelled so many nerds just like him to fame and fortune. With a new job in a new city, loneliness drives him out of his apartment and into The Ogre’s Den–a haven for local players, amateur and pro alike. Neil never aspired to be a professional gamer, but that was before he met Robin.

“Why even play, if you don’t play to win?”

Robin Abboud is cocky, brash, argumentative…and absolutely gorgeous. He may be a lowly caterer with a crappy car, but this game is the one place where he’s a top dog, and boy does he know it. Robin’s end-game goal is to play in the Legendary Pairs Pro Tour; he’s got the skill to do it, and from the moment he meets Neil, he’s convinced Neil does too. His flirty bravado gets under Neil’s skin like nothing else, but he runs so hot-and-cold that Neil can’t figure out if the two of them are competitors, friends…or something more.

“Don’t tell me this is just a game to you. I know better.”

When Robin convinces Neil to join him on a road trip to a major tournament, there’s more on the line than just the cash prize. Even as the two of them clash on the field of the tournament, Neil’s feelings for Robin are growing impossible to ignore. But could Robin ever feel the same way? The longer they spend together, the more Neil risks showing his whole hand. Is a perfect match in the cards for these two, or will their in-game rivalry tear them apart?

Perfect Game is a 25,000 word stand-alone romance novella with lots of heat, deliciously nerdy sweetness, and a happily-ever-after ending with no cliffhangers.

Robin and Neil are adorable in this story about two people who meet at The Ogre’s Den playing a collectable card game.

Robin is ridiculously competitive and cocky about his game. I was charmed by his confidence and enthusiasm for playing cards, and pursuing Neil. He went after what he wanted, and had no trouble navigating Neil’s insecurities.

Poor Neil is awestruck by Robin, but doesn’t seem to pick up on the flirting right away. He doesn’t believe someone like Robin could be interested in him. But with Robin’s persistence and overt tactic, they manage to make their way on a road trip to a tournament, enjoying each other along the way.

I had a lot of fun reading this. The scenes with the card games were just as fun as the flirty romance going on between Robin and Neil. Of course there was drama with the super competitive Robin, but they still managed to convince me that they should be together.

This is a short story, so just a snippet from this author, but it was really well written, and I was completely absorbed in it. I am definitely going to nab a copy of the second book in this series.

Recommended for all MM Romance readers who enjoy geeking out on card games.

A Review copy was provided for an honest opinion

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Review: New Year's Eve Unzipped (Unzipped Shorts #1) by J.C. Long

Colby, a caterer, is working New Year’s Eve at the Crestview Hills Country Club, a place full of rich, uppity people, promising a boring night. The night becomes a lot more interesting when he starts receiving erotic messages on Unzipped, a hook-up app, from someone who happens to be at that very party.

There is not a lot I can say about this so I will keep this to a minimum of words…

This was a short and fuckhot little story about Colby who is disappointed he has to work a New Year’s Eve Party with a bunch of rich people. When he decides to check his Unzipped app (think Grindr), he sees a message from someone close enough to be at the very party he is working out with one hell of a sexy message to go along.

“So, you got this cat messaging you, and you don’t even know what he looks like beyond his admittedly amazing cock? And he’s somewhere in that room right now?”
“That about sums it up.”
“Damn, boy, get you some.”

What follows is a series of messages from the mystery guest, a few instructions ala daddy telling his dirty boy what to do and a whole hell of a lot of foreplay.

The lead into the encounter was nothing short of hot and dirty and just plain UNF. The encounter itself was sexy AF though a few things had me cringing with my germ phobic self but then again, it was hot so I calmed the phobia and went for it.

This book is not a romance, they are no emotions within the pages other than the need to be fucked and fucked hard, and there is nothing wrong with that.

I hope Colby and his new friend enjoy the car ride.

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Sunday Funday Christmas: 2016 Advent Calendar - Bah Humbug | Week 4

We unicorns would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Hopefully we can provide a respite from wrapping paper towers, box forts, Christmas feasts, frolicking and football with some Jolly Christmas Cheer. Today we have Felicitas Ivey, Cassie Decker, Emma Keene, Jon Keys and Yolande Kleinn!

ICYMI: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
| Week 6

Kobbi Aackers was excited to have a traditional family Christmas with his younger sister Franzi, a famous rock star. But instead of the peaceful holiday he had planned, she’s turning it into a televised musical extravaganza, in a desperate bid for publicity.

Kobbi can adapt, especially since the show’s host Wytt Kanard is easy on the eyes and easy to work with, even if he doesn’t believe in Christmas at all. Wytt is alternatively amused and horrified at the simplicity that is Kobbi’s life and the enthusiasm he has for the holiday, all while taking care of his houseful of unexpected guests.

Maybe Kobbi can convince the cynical Wytt that Christmas isn’t an event to be managed, but something special to be shared. Maybe he can muster the courage to confess his attraction and offer Wytt a surprise present.


Fantasy Living - 3.5 Hearts

This was lovely. Kobbie was pretty laid back character, which I appreciated. He took the invasion of his house pretty well, and managed to get something out of it (besides eye-candy, Wytt). The story flowed well. I liked the writing style. The characters were all enjoyable. Franzi was a sweetheart underneath all her rockstar selfishness.

Kobbie was definitely the most likeable character in this story. He made this a much less dramatic story than it could have been. Quaint and homey is very appealing in a christmas tale.

A sweet holiday story, focusing on reconnecting with family, even when said family is high maintenance, and self absorbed.


Sara - 2 Hearts

This was super sweet but it needed more. I liked Kobbi and his small town loving home making ways all while being the big brother to his pop star younger sister. The food was amazing as I love to cook and feel holidays should all have traditions including food. But while there were small bits of attraction between Wytt and Kobbi I never felt the pull or chemistry I was looking for in a holiday romance. The lack of chemistry and the oddly abrupt ending didn't do it for me.

Find out more about And to All a Good Night on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.

Cowboys Wyatt and Brady are competing in a team roping event in Missoula, Montana’s annual Christmas Eve rodeo. Christmas is Wyatt’s favorite time of year and nothing is going to dampen his holiday spirit, not even his surly, no-nonsense roping partner. They’ve only been riding together for a week, but Wyatt has already secretly fallen head-over-boot-heels for Brady, though it’s painfully obvious Brady only has eyes for the rodeo’s grand prize purse.

When Brady is distracted during a crucial moment in the night’s first roping run and nearly disqualifies them, Wyatt is almost certain he is going to be another of Brady’s many rejected partners. Will Wyatt and Brady be able to sort out their differences and work together to win the grand prize? Maybe if Wyatt can show Brady that Christmas really is a time for miracles.


Fantasy Living - 3 Hearts

This was definitely a quicky. If you enjoy cowboys, and barn trysts, this is the story for you.

It was difficult to get to know these characters because of how short the story was, but I did get the basic feel for them. Wyatt appeared to be quite laid back, and easy going. Brady seemed to be a little high strung, but it was understandable with what he had been dealing with. I think if this was longer, Brady would have evolved into someone likeable.

The outline worked well. These characters definitely had potential. The writing was good, and the plot was tight.

The story ended a little abruptly for me. I think another scene would have rounded it out nicely, but it still held some Christmas feel to it.


Ann - 3 Hearts

I enjoyed this porn with a side of feels. Two cowboys are roping together on the rodeo circuit competing for a purse that means everything to the very intense Brady and Wyatt has fallen in love with him and wants more than anything to get Brady’s attention. The story is Wyatt lusting, the two of them competing and Brady being tortured and deep. It turns out Brady has a really good reason to be so focused on winning and Wyatt is more of a distraction than he can handle. The distraction leads to a seriously hawt rodeo blowie (the kind with lots of eye contact and whatnot), revelations and a Christmas miracle. It may not be realistic, but it fit right in the vein with the Hallmark level of drama and feelings with some hotness thrown in to keep me focused.

Sara - 3 Hearts

Hot cowboys learning the ropes to a new possibilities & having both a successful career and each others. Brady was stoic with reason and Wyatt believes in Christmas miracles and riding stallions. The story was short but not lacking in the sexy at all, it was pretty much PWP with a small side of plot.

Find out more about Driven to Distraction on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.

As an advertising executive, it’s Logan’s job to sell people holiday cheer, and he’s good at what he does. But deep down, Logan hates everything about Christmas, so he worries that his crush on the hot baker who loves the holidays is a recipe for disaster.

Last year, Logan saw Ryan at a holiday party Ryan was catering, and the attraction was instant. In a drunken moment, Logan made it his New Year’s Resolution to ask the pastry chef out. But another year has slipped away, time is running out, and Logan’s assistant demands he collect on his resolution. Can Logan find the confidence that usually comes so easily to him? And if he does, will Ryan have any interest in spending the holidays with a man who doesn’t share his enthusiasm for the season?




Lori - 4 Perfectly Iced Hearts

It can be difficult to show a long, slow burn in a short story, but Emma Keene managed it in Resolutions. When Logan makes a vow one Christmas eve, his work colleague is not going to let him get away with not following through. Even if it does take him pretty much a year to get his arse in gear!

I love how we see the relationship between Logan and, baker, Ryan develop into friendship and beyond, as I said this can be a difficult feat in a short story, but I feel it works really well here.
This story gave me the warm and fuzzies and quite frankly that's all I want out of a short seasonal story! Delicious!

Ann - 3.5 Hearts

Resolutions had one of my favorite kinds of characters; a confident businessman, he’s a little grumpy on the surface, but underneath when someone catches his eye and his heart, he turns all shy and sappy. That’s Logan to a “T”. He’s got a major crush on the sweet baker Ryan who he sees all the time and ends up catering his office’s holiday party. The story is told over the course of two holidays worth of parties because poor Logan missed his chance the first time as Ryan just leaves him feeling all kinds of jelly brained. He makes a drunken resolution out loud to his very awesome assistant and she doesn’t let him wuss out on the potential for an HEA because his confidence has left the building again.

A disaster of circumstance gives Logan a second chance at getting close to Ryan and there was just enough light misunderstanding to keep the story from being too easy. The author did a good job of tying the whole holiday season together by including New Years and fresh starts in with the Christmas and gingerbread. I really liked the balance of these guys together, they were sweet and how Ryan gave Logan the confidence to get in touch with all his feels and just be more for Ryan was just right. I’m always a sucker for a story with a baker, because food, and Ryan was a deliciously adorable character, so between the two of them I was a happy reader.

Chelsea - 4 Hearts

Awww that was so sweet!

This ended up being a very simple story about a grumpy, scowling man crushing after a sweet, happy baker. It was kind of perfect for what it was.

I really enjoyed Logan’s grumpiness, it wasn’t overdone and it seemed to fit in with his personality, just as Ryan wasn’t an elf incarnate, he was just a sweet guy who liked Christmas. They complimented each other really well.

I liked the connection between Ryan and Logan and their awkward dance around each other. Yes, Logan is a complete idiot for not seeing that Ryan was interested, but it wasn’t annoying enough to hinder the story.

This was short enough not to be to sappy or boring and it was long enough to actually develop some chemistry between the characters. It was fun and sweet enough to leave me with some fuzzies.

Sara - 3.5 Hearts

This was short and sticky sweet!

Logan hates Christmas but when he meets Ryan at his company party, he makes resolution in front of his assistant Ann to Ask Ryan out. Logan is one hell of a procrastination master and it takes him almost a year to grow some holly balls and do the deed. Through a few misunderstandings he wastes more time but it all comes out pretty and perfect in the end. Ryan and his gingerbread building was fun and the little flirting between Ryan and Logan was adorable and made the end all sorts of swoony.

Find out more about Resolutions on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press

Noah Fiore, contracts attorney and dedicated curmudgeon, spends every Christmas with his family on the shore of Lake Superior. It’s practically tradition for his sister to invite a tragic tagalong to the festivities. But this year Kara’s guest is no pity case. Riley Coto is a friend, and his warmth and charm quickly win over the Fiore family.

When Riley overhears Noah complaining about Kara’s habit of bringing home strays for the holidays, he feels more than a little out of place. But Riley finds himself drawn to Noah. Something tells him there’s more to the man than the bad attitude he shows the world. With Christmas coming fast, Riley is falling for Noah, and there’s nothing simple about that.




Breann - 4 Hearts

Noah is a Grumpy-corn. He's home for Christmas, but doesn't have much of the Christmas spirit. He's just a serious kind of dude. His sister brings a friend, Riley, home to share the holidays with their family. They noticed each other right away and couldn't stop noticing.

This was a really sweet story with a great couple that fit nicely together. I loved Riley's acceptance of Noah. Nobody tried to change anyone or force any Christmas spirit. Just acceptance and love. A very heartwarming read.

Ann - 4 Hearts

For what, on paper, should be an unsympathetic character in Noah, I sure did get feels for him. I liked the spin on the Bah Humbug theme with Simple After All. Noah didn’t have any past tragedies or real dislike for the holiday season, he’s just naturally a serious guy who’s not comfortable with large groups of people regardless of who they are. In the beginning he kind of comes across as a bit dickish, but he really isn’t and the author did a good job of showing his true personality to the reader without just telling me what he’s like. It helped that he had an amazing family that pushed him past his comfort zone a bit to make sure he’s home for the holidays, but also respect his more stoic nature.

Noah’s sister brings her friend Riley home for Christmas and Riley is just a really good guy. And wouldn’t you know, he’s got a serious ‘thing’ for quiet and slightly curmudgeonly men. There’s a decent amount of slow burn for a short story and the pace worked really well and didn’t feel at all rushed for two guys who are polar opposites. The story didn’t end with any kind of miraculous personality change for Noah so that he ends up loving the crazy that comes with the holidays and I was glad. He stayed true to his nature with the addition of a quiet contentment that came with meeting and falling in love with Riley.


Sara - 3.5 Hearts

A week shouldn’t have been enough time to fall for someone he’d never met before…

Daww! This was adorable!

Look, I know I am the ginger of Jizzmas love but I can’t help it. The season makes me all sorts of happy but this was truly sweet.

Someone once asked me what I love about reading romance and I told them I loved the moment where the gruff dude realizes he’s mush inside and gives into love. Le Sigh. That is exactly what this story was with grumpy Noah finding sweet Riley at his family's house for the holidays. Riley is like Noah getting a Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle without even asking for it. It was like the universe knew what he wanted and delivered. I adored Noah’s family and the use of the small library and that end was adorbs!

Find out more about Simple After All on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.

Keith Walker, a mall bookstore employee, is struggling to get through another miserable holiday season while trying to preserve a crumbling long-term relationship. One of his few comforts is his morning coffee made by a good-looking, younger barista. Austin Novak felt an attraction when Keith started frequenting the coffee shop, but he doesn’t think the older man has any interest in him or his graphic novel collection.

A Christmas week snowstorm buries the city and locks Keith’s car into its parking spot. Keith decides to show Austin his gratitude for helping free the car from the ice with a dinner invitation. The meal becomes complicated when Austin meets Keith’s boyfriend, Shawn, and things go downhill from there when Shawn announces he’s heading to Cancún with his coworkers. Keith is caught between keeping his boyfriend happy and keeping his job. But Keith might not need a plane ticket to find the happiness that’s been missing from his life.

Fantasy Living - 4 Hearts

I really enjoyed this story for the most part. There was some questionable content, especially since there was an existing relationship in the beginning. I would like to point out that the MC’s did not cheat, but there is cheating in this story.

Usually I’m not really that impressed by cheating as a plot device but this story seemed to work around it well. The focus stayed on the main characters, Keith and Austin, and built their friendship first, so it didn’t feel grimy or forced.

I really liked Austin. He was a sweetheart who deserved all the happiness he could get. Keith was in that stagnant stage of a relationship where neither was trying, and everything just floated along through resentment and self-doubt. It’s difficult to support someone who is in that stage of a relationship because of the introspective nature of the couple. Austin handled being supportive really well.

As a christmas story, this was a bit different. The focus wasn’t about christmas spirit, or cheer, it just happened to be set over the holiday season. That didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment (as a Christmas Grinch, how could it?!), and I’m glad these two managed to make the most of a crappy holiday.

For something a little less focused on Christmas, and more on relationship building, this is a welcome relief from the sunny, shiny, holiday glitter.



Lori - 3.5 Frozen Hearts

Two's company, three's a crowd in this short story. Three's a crowd because Keith's boyfriend, Shawn, is a wanker of the highest order. Where Keith could be seen as a bit of a doormat, I actually like the fact that he is trying his best to be the good guy, the nice guy. He doesn't deserve Shawn and totally deserves Austin - our other MC, who is a genuinely nice bloke.

This is just a sweet story of the nice guy winning in the end, and call me a sap but, I kinda like nice guy wins stories. Don't get me wrong, there is some nice steamy moments in this story too, but it is the kindness wins message that I really loved. What? It's that time of year, all right?

Chelsea - 2 Hearts

I think it's worse when you start off liking a book and then it turns into a massive disappointment, compared to when it's not enjoyable for the whole story. Exhibit A.

I had such high hopes for this story and for Keith and Austin's chemistry. Unfortunately it was not to be and this may become slightly ranty. Sorry in advance.

We start off when Austin is helping Keith when Keith's car has a flat and has been iced in. Austin and Keith work in the same mall and seen each other around but hardly know each other. Keith even had to try and remember his name at the beginning. I liked both of them immediately and their apparent ease around each other.

Then we meet Shawn, Keith's boyfriend for the past 10ish years (since college and Keith is now 30) and Shawn is such an asshole I thought we’d discover some abuse towards Keith, but no, Keith is trying to fix the relationship and doesn’t even see that Shawn is a total wank.

The next day Keith discovers Shawn is a total asshole and is surprised by the revelation, then he gets into some trouble and Austin comes to the rescue. And this is where the story totally lost me. After knowing each other on a first name basis and some very mild flirting for three days, they decide it's totally normal to sleep naked next to each other and then proceed to ‘subtly’ feel each other up in the morning. Then at the end of that day (still only three to four days after remembering Austin's name and one whole day after a 10 year relationship, that Keith initially thought was ok, ending), Keith and Austin are talking about commitments to each other and the probability of Keith moving in with Austin.

Argh this had such hope and the slow burn and chemistry building between Austin and Keith was great to begin with and then it was totally ruined buy rushed relationships and shallow character development.

Sorry, but this wasn’t for me. I’m sure that won’t be the case for everyone.

Sara - 3.5 Hearts

I liked this and for one simple reason, attraction. We often get the perfect men with perfect abs and the perfect thing to say in romance so it was a nice change to get not one but two men who see themselves on the non-attractive side for different reasons and yet each, think the other is hot and sexy.

I felt sorry for Keith and yeah, his asshole boyfriend was a totally douchenugget of rotten coal and yeah Keith should have left sooner before it all went telenovela but life doesn’t come with instructions and sometimes, things happen.

I adored Austin and his crush on the bookstore working, coffee loving Keith. It was lovely to get his POV as well to see how he felt about Keith and I loved him sticking up for him at dinner. Keith deserves more and the two times ice brings he and Austin together really were sweet.
Sure, the story moves fast but the men had enough chemistry that I liked it and I hope they give the newlywed neighbors a lot more to “payback” in the future.

Find out more about Iced on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.

***Review copies were provided by the publisher.***

Merry Christmas Everyone, if you celebrate otherwise have a spectacular Sunday!