Release Blitz + Giveaway: Don’t Hold Back (Chasing Gold #2) by Colette Davison

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Don’t Hold Back (Chasing Gold Book 2)

Author and Publisher: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: July 26, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Rivals to lovers, grumpy and sunshine, slow burn, hurt/comfort

Themes: Winning isn’t everything, learning to love yourself

Heat Rating:  3 flames

Length:  93,000 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Can rivals gain Olympic glory and love?

Blurb

Garret has spent years training in gymnastics, but the pressure has taken its toll. Despite qualifying for the Olympics, failing to medal at the World Championships is all he can think about.

Anger is taking control and strangling his ability to focus on training, when his main rival, Team USA gymnast, Ryder Anderson, arrives at the gym to train alongside him.

Garrett wants to hate Ryder, but he can’t ignore his rival’s sunshine personality and handsome looks. Discovering Ryder is fighting a battle against himself, Garrett’s anger turns to admiration and then love. 

Dating his rival isn’t against the rules, but that doesn’t make it a good idea. Can they make a relationship work despite the pressure of the Olympics, or will they crack under the strain?

Don’t Hold Back is an M/M sports romance with a grumpy gymnast who falls for his sunshiny rival. It has a slow-burn relationship and some hurt/comfort.

Trigger warnings: Don’t Hold Back features a character who has anorexia.

Excerpt

“Ryder.” Lennie waved him across. “Good work. I’ve got two options for you.”

Ryder raised his eyebrows as he waited. From the look on Lennie’s face, he wasn’t sure he’d like either of them.

“You could go to Boulder and train alongside David Marshall.”

David was a two-time Olympian.

“Isn’t he trained by Isaiah Hobbs these days?” Ryder asked, trying hard not to scowl.

“Yes.”

“That’s not really an option, then is it?”

“Hobbs said he’d have you.”

Ryder shook his head and half turned away. “I don’t particularly care.”

“I didn’t think you’d go for it. But Boulder’s closer to home than my next suggestion.”

“There’s not much farther away than that.”

“The other option is to come with me.”

“To England?”

Lennie nodded. “I’ve called in a favour at my old gym in Leeds. They’d be happy to have us. We could train around visiting hours. They’re pretty prescriptive. You’d get more training hours in if you went to Boulder.”

“I’d rather take the week off than train under Isaiah again.” He folded his arms and dipped his chin. “England, huh? I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace.”

Lennie laughed. “Leeds and London aren’t exactly next door.”

“Oh.”

“Seriously, what do you think?”

Ryder drew in a breath. “Travelling’s always harder than being home, but I’d rather train with you in England than with Isaiah. But only if you’re sure.”

“I am. We can stay at my parents’ house. Dad won’t mind if you take over the kitchen. Or if you prefer, we can rent somewhere.”

“Sounds good.” It was easy to say, less easy to feel.

Ryder always felt anxious about travelling, especially when it meant staying somewhere else for any length of time. But travelling was unavoidable at his level of gymnastics, so he dealt with it.

“You’re sure?”

Ryder smiled and nodded. He wouldn’t train under Isaiah again. He couldn’t.

“You won’t be the only Olympian training at the gym we’ll be using,” Lennie said.

“Oh?”

“Two members of the British team train there. Reece Matthews and Garrett Kidd.”

“They’re great gymnasts.”

“Yes.”

Ryder laughed. “Garrett’s the handsome scowling one, right?”

Lennie gave him a stern look.

“What? He is handsome, and he was very scowly at Worlds when I went to congratulate him.”

“You beat him.”

“So?”

Lennie rolled his eyes. “He probably thought you were rubbing your win in his face.”

“Me? Nah. Why would I do that?”

Lennie raised an eyebrow.

“I barely beat him in the all-around final. It was by point four or something.”

“Point two.”

“Oh. Even closer than I thought.” Ryder shrugged. “Either one of us could have won on the day. I was just luckier. See? Now I’m looking forward to a trip to England.”

Lennie shook his head and sighed. “Let’s see your floor routine again.”

Ryder grinned. “On it.”

About 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.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook Page   |  Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub   |   Twitter  |   Goodreads  |  Instagram: @colettedavison

Mailing List  |   Newsletter Sign-Up

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Love or the NFL by Terry O'Reilly

Love or the NFL is out from JMS Books! Celebrate with author Terry O'Reilly and Signal Boost Promotions! Learn more about the contemporary romance and enter in the back list giveaway today!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books | Universal Link

Length: 48,596 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Gymnast Frank Bethune arrives on campus already enamored with the star tight end, Bill Billingsly. Although the chances of them meeting are slim, fate draws them together, and their friendship turns to love.


Ever since childhood, Bill has dreamed of playing professional football. Though high risk to his potential career, Bill would seek out clandestine encounters with other guys when and where he could, but the first time he spots Frank, Bill knows he is someone special, someone he could possibly share a life with. If he’s drafted, will Bill and Frank be able to continue their closeted relationship, running the risk of discovery? Or will they have to part company for the sake of Bill living out his dream?


Bill knows he’ll need to use all his considerable skills learned on the field to score the life he wants off of it, too. Either way, is happiness even possible when it’s the NFL vs. love?

Excerpt

“I better get going,” Bill finally said. “I have an early class tomorrow and practice in the afternoon.”


They got up. “Frodo ... I mean Frank, could I talk to you for a minute?” Bill said goodnight to Mark, and he and Frank went outside. They walked a ways down one of the sidewalks that wound around the dorms. Bill was quiet for some time, then without looking at Frank said, “I’m really sorry about the other night.”


“It’s okay,” Frank replied. “Like I said upstairs, it’s cool. I didn’t say anything to anyone.”


Bill turned to Frank. “I really appreciate that, you have no idea how much.”


“I think I kinda do,” Frank said, thinking of his minister father.


Bill walked to a nearby bench and sat down. He indicated Frank should sit as well.


After a few seconds, Bill said, “It’s really tough being a football player and ... gay. Things are changing but not really in the world of sports. Oh, they give some lip service to being accepting, but the reality is if you’re gay -- you’re through. Especially baseball and football -- the bastions of macho.”


Bill paused for a moment then added, “So, you see how really grateful I am that you’re okay with keeping my secret. I’ve got a chance to go pro, but not if I’m outed.”


“Aren’t you afraid Dennis will talk?”


“Yes. But I have to trust him. He says he won’t. But you never know.”


“Then why take that chance?” Frank asked, his affection for Bill igniting concern for the man.


Bill shook his head. “I know. That part of me is the dumb jock.”


Then he looked intently at Frank. “Gay guys have needs, too, and sometimes they let their dicks do the thinking, just like you straight guys.”


Frank wanted to tell Bill right there why he understood what the man was going through, but he hesitated, and Bill went on.


“So, I took a chance. Dennis isn’t out either. At least he tells me he isn’t. So I think I can depend on him. I hope I can anyway. We’ve been doing this for a couple years now, and he’s kept it a secret. Maybe someday I’ll be able to just be myself, but for now I can’t. I’m so glad you understand. Look, I better say good night. It’s getting late.” Bill stood up.


Frank stood, too. “Can I ask you something?”


“Sure. Shoot.”


“Why do you call me Frodo?”


“Aw, geez. I hope my calling you that doesn’t make you feel bad, because I sure don’t mean it to.”


“No, it’s okay. I’m just curious. I actually kinda like it.”


Bill smiled. “Well, I’m a literature major, emphasis on British writers. Tolkien is my favorite. Ever read his stuff?”


“Yeah, I have. The books are a little tough to get through though. The movies were easier to understand.”


Bill nodded. “Well, I’m not sure J.R.R. would be pleased with the films, but they did make a lot of people read his books who might not have. Anyway, you know about Frodo then?”


“Sure -- hobbit and main character of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.”


“Hero of The Lord of the Rings, and my favorite character of all time -- so brave, so vulnerable. When I saw you, I thought of him.”


“Why?”


“Well, and please don’t take offense, your size and ...”


“My furry feet? Hobbits have furry feet.”


“Do you have furry feet?” Bill asked, smile widening.


“Not really. Don’t have much fur anywhere actually.”


“Okay, so no furry feet, but there’s just something about you that makes me think, Frodo. I hope you don’t mind.”


Frank smiled. “No, I don’t mind at all.”


Just then the Burton Bell Tower clock chimed one.


“I’ve enjoyed being with you. It’s great to have someone I can be honest with. I hate to say it, but I really have to go,” Bill said.


Frank nodded.


“Good night then. See you at our next rehearsal, Frank.”


“You can call me Frodo if you want.”


“You got it, Frodo. Uh --” Bill looked around to make sure they were alone. “Would you mind if I gave you a hug?”


Frank nearly leapt into Bill’s arms. “No, that’d be okay with me,” he said, his heart jolting into high gear.


Bill walked back into the shadows and opened his arms. Frank stepped into them, his head nestled in the groove between Bill’s firm chest muscles. He could feel the swell of Bill’s cock press against his belly. Frank felt his dick hardening, but somehow he didn’t care. If that gave away his feelings for Bill, so be it.


They stood for a few seconds, then broke apart. Bill looked down into Frank’s eyes. For a moment, it looked to Frank like Bill might bend down and kiss him. He hoped so. But Bill merely said, “Good night, Frodo,” in a tone that was almost tender.


“Good night, Strider,” Frank said, using the name of Frodo’s protector from the Tolkien novels.


Bill shook his head slowly, smiling deeply. “Frodo, I think we’re gonna become very good friends.”


Bill walked away. Frank watched him go. Frodo’s heart was humming as he watched Strider disappear into the darkness.

Author Bio

Since retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his four dogs, and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse. He also finds time to read and travel.


His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.

Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Guest Review: Perfect 10 by Sean Michael

2nd Edition
Despite a life-threatening injury sustained in a vaulting accident, top gymnast Christopher Allen is determined to get back to his former perfect condition and compete again. Brian Rainings is a coach in need of someone to believe in, and he takes Chris on, admiring the spirit and determination that drives Chris to succeed. And admiring the sturdy, muscled body Chris maintains.

Admiration soon leads to something much hotter as they train together. From their scorching first kiss, Brian and Chris’s chemistry is obvious, but they have a long road ahead to get Chris back into shape. Months of hard work lead to success, with Chris gaining strength every day and finally finding the elusive sponsor he needs for financial support. Secrets, hidden dangers, and family troubles plague them, though, and they have to face the fact that Chris might never compete again and score that perfect ten.


First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2006.

Reviewer: Lost in a Book

I LOVE the Olympics (especially swimming). I love the sports, athletes, their intense dedication and skill. I also love any halfway decent romance that centers around Olympics, Nationals, qualifiers and/or intense training. I love it all so much and feel like I missed my calling to become a highly trained athlete and really experience all the Olympic Village has to offer. *eyebrows* Unfortunately, I didn't love this book. Hell, I didn't even like it. The "top gymnast injured" storyline was just a front for some bad porn. It was all stretching, massaging muscles and sex. *cue 80s porn music*


First up, we have Chris Allen. Chris was a top gymnast before his vault springboard malfunctioned which led to some serious injuries. He is determined to go against all the naysayers and compete at the top level again. Due to his injuries, he was dropped from his coaches and sponsors and is on the hunt for someone that will work with him. Luckily for Chris, Brian Rainings is looking to try his hand as a men's gymnastics coach.


Brian was a gymnast when he was younger. After a bad knee injury, he has been coaching girl's gymnastics at the high school level. Brian meets with Chris and offers to train for the summer and see how things go. Chris accepts the offer and moves in with Brian to "save money."


Up until this point in the story, things are fine. The writing is a tad outdated and juvenile but there was potential for the plot. I was still interested in finding out if Chris could overcome all odds and compete at the top level with an unseasoned coach at his side. Unfortunately, we are treated to stretches, sex, massages, sex, practice on vault, sex, rings, sex, floor exercise, sex, horse, sex, locker room and did I mention sex? Did Chris overcome his injuries? No fucking clue. Was Brian successful as a coach? No idea. Did Chris score a perfect 10? Wouldn't know because there weren't ANY competitions. It was literally a bang train of orgasms under the guise of athletic coaching and a comeback. They never made it out of the high school gym. Unless you count the locker room?

I won't even go on a rant of no condom use, the insta-love, an alarming frequency of the word "man" and the jacked up stance on how being gay means no kids... wtf?


Clearly, this book didn't work for me. I like books with sports, sex, and romance; individually and all together. I like smuttastic books, too. But, I have standards and require an actual storyline with some sense of follow through while enjoying my porn. Definitely do not recommend this book.