Review: Wounded Pride (Wounded #2) by BLMorticia and Remmy Duchene

Renford Kline is straight… right? He got over his experimentation in college and moved on. Then how does he explain his blush-inducing fantasies about Brian Daystar? Fantasies he’s having when he should be focused on his career move from attorney to professor. When Brian comes to New York, Renford knows he’s in trouble. Everything about Brian attracts him—from his tight body to his beautiful, dark hair—but Renford is straight… right?

Brian Daystar needs a break. He’s been working nonstop to turn his Montana ranch into a safe haven for at-risk youth—so much so that he can’t even bring himself to care when he finds out his partner, country star Corey, is cheating on him. Their relationship has been over for a long time, but it might take his feelings for Renford to make Brian accept it.

Both men have decisions to make. Renford must come to terms with who he truly is, and Brian is going to have to decide if he will shun his happiness or embrace it.

This story started off strong. I really enjoyed the introduction to both Brian and Renford. Both had clearly defined personalities, and both were interesting. Character development was great, and the story followed a nice clean path.

The chemistry between the two was steamy and convincing. I enjoyed Brian’s flirting. I enjoyed Renford’s unexpected reaction to Brian. The club scene was delicious, and the flirting over the ice-cream…. Yummm.

I had some issues with how Renford defined his sexuality. The story reads like he is bisexual, but that’s not the word used. I’m not sure how many men ‘experiment’ in college and still call themselves straight, but I’ll forgive the confusion. It didn’t seem like he wasn’t into women, so I’m really not sure how he could be gay rather than bisexual when he was turned on by both. This is a sticking point for me in a lot of books where bisexuality is erased purely for the comfort of defining a relationship between two men. If he was in fact gay the whole time, this should have been made clearer as to not erase bisexuality as a valid and very much existent sexuality.

That aside, I enjoyed their relationship development and how they interacted. Brian brought a lightness to Renford’s character and brought out his personality a bit more.

The turning point was Brian’s flightiness. I couldn’t figure out the why of it. It just seemed abrupt and only to achieve drama in the story. This could have been done a different way. I didn’t like it at all and it completely changed how I felt about Brian and the outcome of the story. I thought Renford followed a very clear path of how the future would go and Brian caused the issues that arose in a very contrived way.

Overall the story was enjoyable to read. I like the writing style of these two authors. I like the way the story flowed (for the most part) and I really enjoyed the supporting characters.

Recommended to all readers of MM erotic-romance with an opposites attract feel.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion

Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Blog Tour: Wounded Pride by Remmy Duchene & BLMorticia

Remmy Duchene is here to talk about the friends to lovers trope and to promote Wounded Pride, a joint venture with BLMorticia!

Hi everyone! My name is Remmy Duchene and I write interracial romance (heat level depending on my mood). I am here to talk to you about Wounded Pride that is being released today at Dreamspinner Press! I am super excited because it’s the second novel written by myself and my co-author BLMorticia and we are happy to give our Renford and Brian a lil story of their very own!

For those who aren’t aware, Wounded Pride is book 2 to Wounded Hearts. Yes, they stand alone based on the fact that the main characters are different. In Wounded Hearts we meet Cyrus and Zane and in Wounded Pride, we have Renord and Brian.

We read all the time about friends becoming lovers and for me, I love those kinds of stories. I could sit for a whole day and merely read one after the other after the other. Sure, in fantasy land there are a few things that get in the way to make us salivate and rub our hands together like evil geniuses while muttering “the plot thickens!” (Wait – am I the only person who do that? Okay, then…carry on). But in real life that kind of progression could end in tears. The path from friendship to something more is a line that must be towed quite carefully. Often times we sit back and say “well, what if he or she, doesn’t feel the same way?” Yes, that could be an issue.

There’s always the fact that we cannot read each other’s minds. We may be able to guess based on how the other person treats us and even that could be mistaken for something it's not.

The problem is, as human beings we really need to be able to have a conversation and then decide to walk away from it. But we aren’t capable of that. Once one friend confesses to having amorous feelings for another, there are one of three possibilities –

1.      Let’s do this!

2.      No, we can’t possibly do this. What were you thinking?

3.      The world ends!

Dramatic? Perhaps, but life is unpredictable—so is love. We never know what the other person is feeling until one or both of you open your mouth and say something. And now—grabbing a kissing that person is the absolutely wrong thing to do - *shifty eyes* I am not speaking from experience here…

Blurb:

Renford Kline is straight… right? He got over his experimentation in college and moved on. Then how does he explain his blush-inducing fantasies about Brian Daystar? Fantasies he’s having when he should be focused on his career move from attorney to professor. When Brian comes to New York, Renford knows he’s in trouble. Everything about Brian attracts him—from his tight body to his beautiful, dark, hair—but Renford is straight… right?

Brian Daystar needs a break. He’s been working nonstop to turn his Montana ranch into a safe haven for at-risk youth—so much so that he can’t even bring himself to care when he finds out his partner, country star Corey, is cheating on him. Their relationship has been over for a long time, but it might take his feelings for Renford to make Brian accept it.

Both men have decisions to make. Renford must come to terms with who he truly is, and Brian is going to have to decide if he will shun his happiness or embrace it.

Excerpt:

“Damn!” Cecily walked over to hand him a bottle of water and a towel. “You’re a beast. Why do you push yourself so hard?”

“It feels good?” Renford panted. “It makes me feel alive.”

“You’re a sucker for punishment.” Cecily laughed. “But you do look good, I have to admit. Anyway, I’m getting better at my pictures, right?”

Renford stopped pacing to take a quick look at the shots she’d taken. He didn’t see why she insisted on taking his picture. He didn’t see himself as particularly handsome. Even in his modeling days, he didn’t really see what the fuss was about.

“They look good—I think.”

“So glad my opinions are all that matters. I’m sending these to Zane… oh shit!”

“What?”

“Whew! False alarm! I almost sent them to Brian.”

Renford laughed before downing the rest of the water, then walked over to dump the bottle into a recycle bin. He grabbed a cold Gatorade from the small cooler, since his body needed to replace the electrolytes he’d lost during the workout.

“So, Mr. Ex-DA, what are you going to do with the rest of your life?” Cecily sat on the bench before him and set the camera beside her. “Use some of those millions?”

Renford made a face. “I don’t know. I’ve been getting offers from universities to teach.”

“Oh! Professor Kline! Love it. Love it!”

Renford chuckled softly. “I’m not sure if I’m cut out for teaching anyone anything. And who would want to come sit down for an hour and a half to listen to me drone on and on about the legal world?”

“Honestly?”

Renford nodded.

“If any of my professors looked like you, I’d have gone to more classes. So technically you’ll be doing the future minds a favor.”

“I don’t know.” Renford grinned. “I don’t think I want to be responsible for someone’s education. I’m no teacher.”

“You were a great lawyer, Ren, and an even better assistant district attorney. You just have to share what you have in here”—she tapped the left side of his head—“with the future lawyers. If we can get a few more like you into the system, who knows what kind of good that can do!”

“You have way too much faith in me….”

“Well, someone has to. If we leave it up to you, you’d stay in your condo and become a hermit. A sexless hermit.”

Renford laughed. “I know I’ve been on a little bit of a dry spell….”

“That’s what you’re calling it?”

“What would you call it?” Renford asked.

“A drought.”

“Okay, Ceecee, you’re overreacting.”

She shook her head. “If you ask Zane, he’ll tell you the same thing. You need to get out there more. Meet women.”

Renford flinched. “I haven’t been interested.”

“You?” She rose to press a palm to his forehead. “Not interested in women? You? Are you sick?”

“No, smartass. I’m not sick…. Can we not talk about it? I have to take a shower and head home anyway. Brian had his ceremony today, and I want to know how it went.”

“Why are you putting so much pressure on yourself? You don’t have be a professor or a layer. For once you can just sit back and enjoy your money.”

Renord pressed his lips into a thin line.

“Seriously, Ren. Between your inheritance, what you made as a lawyer, then ADA – you never have to work again. Money will never be an issue for you or your children’s children. So don’t take this so seriously.”

“I know that, Ceecee. But I’d drive myself crazy.”

“So—this isn’t driving yourself crazy?”

Renford laughed. “Yeah. I guess I really need to calm down, huh?”

Ceecee nodded with a grin. “Yeah. Listen, Ren, I need to ask you a favor.”

Author Links:

Find BLMorticia here - https://blmorticia.wordpress.com/

Find Remmy Duchene here

Website: https://remmyduchene.wix.com/remmyduchene

Blog: https://remmyduchene.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/remmyduchene

IG: manluvlikeaboss

Thanks for stopping by and have a good one!

Hugs,

Remmy Duchene

Review: Faded into You (Intoxication #2) by Remmy Duchene

Fighting love is futile...

Ravinder Raja never saw himself as a jealous person, but when his best friend, Alfred, begins preparations to get married, Ravinder can’t help feeling alone. While kicking his best-man duties into high gear, he finds a job in India working as the PR rep for a wounded security company. He just wants is to get away from all things ‘wedding’ until he has to face the music. He never expected Thaddeus Mastersons and the way his body will betray him when it comes to the sexy ex-hacker.

Thaddeus Masterson got into some serious trouble when he was young. But now, reformed and fresh off working with the FBI, he’s decided to go back into business for himself—legally. When a friend’s company is brought to its knees by hackers, Thaddeus reluctantly packs his stuff and jets off to India. It’s the last place he expects to find love. But as they say, love always finds a way.

The second in the Intoxication series, you can see my thoughts on the first here

Ravinder was a bit of a surprise in this story. He seemed a little more free and open in the first book, even as a side character, but in this story he was despondent, stuffy, and a little too high strung. This was somewhat explained by his feelings towards the Wedding, but it felt like part of his personality as well. He seemed to be combative, and I didn’t quite understand his reaction to Thaddeus when they first met, nor was it adequately explained.

Thaddeus was a nice addition to this cast of characters. I liked him. I thought he was a sweetheart, looking for something long term and meaningful. I actually liked that this was mentioned; Thaddeus was not a man who had casual sex, but attached meaning to it beyond bumping uglies. This is rarely communicated in erotic novels, and I wanted to pay homage to this tidbit.

Moving along, the storyline worked well, and I liked that the setting moved out of the USA and landed in India. A little more of the cultural experience would have been nice. I’m from Australia, and India is far away, so it’s unlikely I’ll ever make it over there (unless my job requests it for training - one can hope) so reading a little more about it would have been fun.

While Ravinder appeared standoffish towards Thaddeus in the beginning, he sure let go during sex. That worked well for me. The screaming bossy bottom I mentioned in my review of book 1? It sort of happened in Book 2 (almost - yay!). The erotica was sexy, and I enjoyed reading Ravinder drop his guard and let Thaddeus see him emotionally exposed. This was a big draw for me in the story.

Some questions regarding Ravinder’s background were not answered for me. Especially the cultural aspect. His parents were a big question mark, and I’m not sure I completely understand the dynamics between them and Ravinder. He was using his new job as a step in the direction of finding out more about where he was from, but the scene was short, and I wasn’t sure what the point was.

Generally speaking, this story wasn’t an award winner, but it was enjoyable. It was a bit two-dimensional, and sometimes flat. There were some holes in the plot, and I wasn’t overly impressed with the ending, but as a light read, it passed.

Recommended for those who enjoy contemporary erotic-romance set in a country other than USA.

Find on Goodreads!

Guest Review: So Into You (Intoxication, #1) by Remmy Duchene

Lust to Love in its purest form...

Alfred Leung’s life is in the crapper. From his gold-digging, racist mother and a cheating ex-boyfriend to his hang-ups about sex—everything in his existence depresses him. Add to it spending his days serving faux French food in a diner. It isn’t how he planned on spending the rest of his life—the fates have definitely conspired against him. Just out of a relationship, he decides to focus on work and going back to one of the things that makes him happy—photography. Then Darius Stark in his Armani suit walks through the door of the diner, and Alfred’s world is about to take on a spin he never saw coming.

Darius Stark hasn’t been with a man in years. Men see the suit and run screaming in the other direction or they tear-ass toward him because they see dancing dollar signs. He decides to focus on his business, but soon he’s buried himself so deeply in his work that years goes by without someone to love. Finally, he sees Alfred and wants him, but Darius is about to find out not everyone thinks he’s almighty and that some men are flawed.

Guest Reviewer: Fantasy Living

Darius is tired of finding himself with people who only see his money, and his power, so he has been on a two year celibacy ride. When he sees the awkward waiter, Alfred, at a little restaurant he is forced to eat at, because his usual stomping grounds are all full, he is intrigued.

Thus begins his pursuit of Alfred, and Alfred’s resistance to his charms, because why would someone who looks like that want someone like him? Alfred does not believe that multi-millionaire Game developer Darius would really be interested in him, but he sure does love looking at the man in his power suits.

It takes a bit of convincing, and some serious seduction, the get Alfred to believe that Darius is really into him. Poor awkward Alfred. On top of that, Alfred’s mother wants him to go back to the ex who cheated on him simply because he is Chinese, and rich. She will never accept a black man as a viable mate for Alfred.

This story started off shaky. I had some issues with the conversation Alfred had with his friend Ravinder in a bar after he has met Darius. It was teenage-girlish. I wasn’t impressed. I was tempted to skip the exchange entirely, but didn’t want to miss any important information. I just rolled my eyes and kept going like it didn’t even happen, once I got over it.

I enjoyed Darius, immensely. He was sexy and seductive, and if he breathed on me the way he breathed on Alfred during their first official date, I think I would have cum in my pants too. Hawt! Very hot!

Alfred’s inexperience and inability to talk about sex without blushing was irritating. But I got it. Being repressed by your environment and upbring is a real thing. I’m sure of it. I had a catholic friend once who almost keeled over when I and another friend started discussing our favourite positions for quickest achievable orgasm. She was on her third baby at the time…… Should we have had “the talk” with her? Before anyone gets angry at my generalisation, I wasn’t judging her any more than she was judging me and my slutty ways. I wanted Alfred to turn into a slutty freak. With all the slutty, freakish thoughts he was having about being tied up and debauched, I wanted him to let go and be a real screamer. That would have taken the sex to the next level. A bossy bottom is so hot.

Moving away from the sex (sometimes it was awkward, but mostly it was sweet and sexy), and to the relationship building. This relationship worked because it was a slow build relationship. In the feels department anyway. You could tell they were taking it seriously, and moving towards something strong. I enjoyed seeing Alfred come out of his shell and become more confident. His relationship with Darius’ family was equally sweet to see. They welcomed him in and gave him the support he couldn’t get from his mother.

A grammatical choice I found jarring: The use of “for” as a conjunction created this formal flow that didn’t really fit into the contemporary language of the story. This quote shows why I found the word “for” to be a poor choice.

“I do? Well, I was reading a few books. I want to do well by you for this is new to me” - Loc 900

No one speaks like that anymore! Not even a mother born in the 50’s. I asked my own mother before I passed judgment and she said it sounded weird in this context. If this were a historical novel, it may have passed without notice, but I have never met anyone, my extremely formal grandmother included, who would ever speak like this in real life during a casual conversation. I started logging the use of this word at Loc 900 (I noticed it before then but this was the point that really got to me) and found that there were 10 instances where this word created issues for me. I would recommend the author re-think using it so often and thinking carefully about placement of this word in contemporary work.

Aside from that distraction, I found the story compelling. The heat factor could have been pumped up a little (remember I mentioned bossy, screaming bottoms are hawt?! I meant it). The plot was good and consistent. I think Alfred was supposed to be awkward and naive, and he definitely came across that way. This is an author I would go to for a feel-good, sweet romance with an edge. This story is low angst, but with enough to make this new relationship believable.

Check out on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Guest Review: Country Soul by Remmy Duchene

When Jackson Rawlings comes out of the closet, he loses everything: from his record label to the self-confidence he needs to perform on stage. Jackson feels as if the world is out to get him. Broken and afraid, he escapes to Hallesford and the ranch he calls home. All he wants is to live out the rest of his life peacefully and out of the spotlight.

But the fates just love interfering in his life.

Marques Lopez is the owner of Phoenix Records, and not only does he hate what happened to Jackson, he feels Jackson Rawlings has plenty more to contribute to the music industry. He ventures into small-town USA to find the singer and when he does, Jackson is a mere fragment of the man he used to be. To make matters worse, Marques’s body and heart step in to present him with a choice between business and pleasure—unless he could have his cake and eat it too…

Guest Reviewer: Fantasy Living

This story opens on a whole lot of feels, and I’m grateful for it. Jackson grabbed my attention from the first page and held onto it throughout the story. His emotions were raw and real, and not whiney. Remmy Duchene hit the mark in portraying Jackson’s broken heart.

Jackson has come out and is still adored by his fans. Country music is his life’s work and he loves it with his whole heart. But his record label doesn’t feel like he is good for business, and ends their contract, stating “creative differences”, while still making money from his entire catalogue of work.

Enter Marquis. The executive of a small record label in New York City, that does not have a country singer on their lineup. But no matter, Marquis is fascinated by the enigmatic singer, and is outraged when he sees the final press conference where Jackson indicates he will be retiring. This is a travesty against the music industry, and music in general, and he is determined to get this man on his label with his full back catalogue of songs.

And then he meets Jackson, and his dick is so happy it wants out immediately, even though (especially because?) Jackson is a growly beast who doesn’t want Marquis in his space. With some coaxing, Marquis manages to talk Jackson into a week of music creativity, to see if he can mend his broken music-heart, and get over the betrayal of the music industry.

Marquis was hot, and pushy. I loved him. He wanted what he wanted, and he wasn’t leaving until he got it. Stalkerish, maybe. In a very sexy way. And since he had a few things to offer, it was a good trade. He managed to cut through the emotional reactions Jackson was having, and show him what could be his again.

The chemistry was definitely there, all over the pages. It was a matter of how, when, and where, rather than if Jackson would come around. Jackson isn’t a prude but he doesn’t give it up easily, and the hard to get was endearing.

When they came together it was sexy. Not burn your panties off, but hot enough to know the chemistry worked. The relationship building was more important, because for Marquis, this turned into a together plan, a forever plan. He just had to get Jackson, and his tattered heart, on board.

I would have loved this story to be longer, but it was satisfying anyway. The author nailed all the feels, the relationship building, and the sexy togetherness, along with a real plot. I will be looking out for more from Remmy Duchene in future.

Dreamspinners Press
Goodreads
Booklikes

Review: Love Me Harder by Remmy Duchene

Life hasn’t been perfect for Mathew Chance. Between not knowing who his parents are, and being bounced from foster home to foster home, he’s had to work for everything in his life. But lately, he seems to be overdoing it. With two jobs that barely give him time to breath, love is the last thing on his mind. He doesn’t know whether to bless fate or curse it for shoving Asher Mulgrew right into his path.

Wealthy divorce lawyer Asher Mulgrew has it all worked out. From a successful practice to a supportive sister and a fantastic niece, life is good. But he’s lonely. Though he’s not actively searching for a man, he isn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth when he meets bartender, Mathew Chance. Mathew has a wall built around his heart and Asher isn’t sure he can break through even if he wants to. 

This is one of those stories I'm finding very difficult to review. It fell into that three heart band for me, of books that I can't say I actively dislike, but that I can't quite find myself enthused about either.

The story as a premise was great. The execution didn't quite carry through for me though. What I felt this book needed more than anything was another edit. One that would correct some simple grammatical issues, but that would also tighten the story. Some moments were great, but then the story would fall a bit flat with the next sentence. Sometimes I had to re-read the sentences to get the meaning.

For example: "The sad part was that she hadn't even ask for the house..." Shouldn't this be asked?

Another moment that had me pondering was this interaction between him and his law clerk: "I'm retiring, Dahlia. This is your two weeks notice." ... okaaaay.....two weeks?? He's a divorce lawyer, he can seriously shut down his practice in a fortnight? I'm no expert, I could be completely and utterly wrong. Maybe it's a case of things working different stateside, but it felt off to me. Enough for me to spend too much time thinking about it, when I should have been reading. I mean, I have to give a months notice (and be given a months notice), and I work part time as a TA in a primary school.... It was little bits like this that threw me from the story long enough that it became a disjointed read for me.

All in all, I liked the characters created, I liked the storyline, I just wanted it more polished. The love between the characters was there, the story arc was there... it just didn't quite come together for me. Really I feel as though the publishers/editors could have done a more thorough job and the finished article would have been a completely different read. Of course, as ever, this is only my opinion. There is a sweet story there, and it's not - by far - the worst editing I've read... but it was all a bit meh in the end and meh is too easily forgotten. I will certainly be looking for more from this author, I've not given up on him yet. I wanted to like this more than I did and that gives me hope I'll enjoy the next read more. 

For more information check out Goodreads

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.