Audio Blog Tour: Bishop: A True Lover’s Story by A.E. Via

Don't miss today's audio book blog tour stop hosted by author A.E. Via and Vibrant Promotions! Learn more about Bishop, the Tor Thom narrated romance today!

Bishop: A True Lover’s Story

AE Via

M/M Romance

Audio Release: 03.31.20

Narrator: Tor Thom

Publisher: Tantor

Listening Length: 13 hours and 10 minutes

Blurb

At only 32, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad's trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he's no longer the alpha - a world where a criminal record is the least of his disadvantages, because Bishop can't read or write.

Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn't afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn't hesitate to come to his defense...a man that saw past Bishop's grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn't intimidated by his stern features and his silence.

Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He'd made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn't expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did - as if Bishop was somebody.

Universal Buy Link: http://mybook.to/bishop

Excerpt

“Bishop,” he breathed. “I can’t believe this. Your drawing is beautiful, but to think you thought of this from looking at that,” Edison pointed to his open patio doors. “It's unbelievable. You are so talented.”

Edison couldn’t tell if Bishop was blushing, because his skin was too tanned and his stubble too dark. But the way his gaze darted over the drawing, then to Edison’s face was telling. Bishop wanted him to like his work, wanted him to love it. Just like he wanted Bishop to love his cooking.

“I have a couple more.” Bishop’s knee bounced underneath the table as he flipped to the next page.

Edison gasped. It was the same concept, except with different patio sets and different flower options. The lines were still as sleek and complicated as the first possibility. Then Bishop flipped another page. Just as elaborate and intricate as the others. He shook his head, smiling over at this amazing man. “How do I possibly choose?”

Bishop licked his lips and Edison felt his smile fade as he stared at Bishop’s full mouth, wondering what it’d be like to kiss him.

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for six years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay literature for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great, new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her.

Writing.

A.E.’s novels embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

She’s recently celebrated her 20th book anniversary, and is well-known for her hardcore, love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48195130-bishop

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

Tag Team Review: Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5) by Annabeth Albert

In the wake of tragedy, SEAL Mark Whitley rushed stateside to act as guardian to his sister’s three young children. But a conflicting will could give custody to someone else—someone Mark remembers as a too young, too hot, wild party boy. Even after six years, Mark can’t shake the memory of his close encounter with Isaiah James, or face up to what it says about his own sexuality.

Isaiah’s totally over the crush that made him proposition Mark all those years ago. In fact, he’s done with crushing on the wrong men altogether. For now, he’s throwing himself into proving he’s the best person to care for his cousin’s kids. But there’s no denying there’s something sexy about a big, tough military man with a baby in his arms.

As the legal details get sorted out, their long-buried attraction resurfaces, leading to intimate evenings after the kids are tucked in. A forever future is within reach for all of them, if only Mark can find the courage he needs to trust Isaiah with his secrets—and his heart.

average

Adam - 3.5 Hearts

From the first page it’s clear that Mark and Isaiah are complete opposites. Mark is a one-man fortress - stoic and completely self-reliant. Isaiah has more of a wild personality, preferring fun and living life in the moment.

These differences make it hard for the two to understand each other. Their relationship is made more difficult by the fact that Mark rejected Isaiah at a wedding six years ago, something neither man has forgotten.

But despite this history, the two pull it together for their nieces and nephew. The circumstances that bring them together are heartbreaking, but both men know that they have to put the kids first.

Grief is interwoven throughout the book, though it never becomes overwhelming. It’s a realistic depiction, showing how life has to move forward, regardless of the situation.

In working through their grief and trying to do what’s best for the children, the two MCs begin leaning on each other for support. It’s a shaky truce which slowly becomes a real friendship. Isaiah’s attentive to the pressures of Mark’s work as a SEAL, while Mark’s well-aware of the work Isaiah puts in to take care of the kids.

I really liked seeing how Isaiah and Mark began, and the kids, built a family as the story progressed. The kids play a big part in the book. They’re what bind the two MCs together, and a lot of the page time is devoted to them.

But that doesn’t mean the romance is lacking. It’s mellow and builds slowly, but the two MCs just click, building on years of secret pining.

Part of the reason the romance moves slowly is because of Mark’s sexuality - he’s both demisexual and grey ace. It makes for a different relationship experience, but both men are patient and take things step by step.

However, I could have done with less miscommunication or lack of communication between the MCs. It just got too repetitive at a point. Also, while I could understand Mark’s struggle, the hot-and-cold routine didn’t win him any favours.

That being said, I thought the happy ever after was really sweet. I was glad to see Mark, Isaiah, and their kids get the sunshine and roses they deserved!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a slow MM romance with strong themes of family, I’d give ‘Squared Away’ a try.


SheReadsALot - 4 Hearts

Back in again more Annabeth Albert and I am not tired of this series yet!

Squared Away can be read as a standalone. It features not only an ace MC but a biracial MC as well. If you've followed along in the series, Isaiah (secondary character from book #2 - At Attention) the sex positive roommate has harbored a crush on his cousin's brother-in-law, Mark aka Wizard. The two have a rocky start and years passed. They hear about each other in passing but a tragedy brings them together. Both end up guardians for three kids (Isaiah's cousin's and Mark's sister's kids).

Second chance, sexual discovery, grief and men with kids... the themes are all in the win pile for me.

I loved this blended family. The kids weren't annoying. The love was very apparent for the kids. The men have to learn how to be a family on their own terms while having to deal with grieving, outside opposition from family members. Plus, Isaiah would definitely fall in the new adult category. He's younger and still figuring his life out. Committing to passion is a bit of a problem for him. But the one thing that he doesn't flit from? Those kids.

The romance is a slow burn of sorts. And it fits the characters especially with Mark's background in relationships. Each intimate scene was meaningful and passionate. The kissing was really, really good.

Why not 5 Hearts? Isaiah has no problem with Mark being demisexual and not being out. He said the right words to Mark, he did the right actions...mostly. There was a point in the book where he was upset that Mark wasn't more demonstrative. It was like he took 2 steps forward and 1 step back. He said he understood. Why was he rushing Mark?

The book wasn't too angst heavy. There were more internal struggles and a bit of miscommunication (more of not telling the other the full story/plans regarding the future)

And as I loved Dylan (MC of At Attention), the bits of him showing up again made this reader happy.

A recommended read for readers who enjoy slow burn, kids and second chance.