Release Blitz + Giveaway: Flowers For The Gardener by Sharon Maria Bidwell

Flowers For The Gardener by Sharon Maria Bidwell is officially out from JMS Books! Celebrate with the author and Signal Boost Promotions today! Enter in the giveaway at the author's website! (link below)

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Length: 70,000 words approx.

Cover Design:

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

A warm-hearted rich man's son, Richard Gardener needs to overcome three obstacles: find a way the family business can run without him, help his mother cope with grief, and stop butting heads -- and other parts of his anatomy -- with the gardener.


Ethan Fields has worked for the Gardener family for many years. He’s struggling with debt and the desire to leave, and has loved Richard far longer than the man would believe. Ethan can cope with most things, but his anger with Richard’s mother won’t fade. Until that and his feelings for Richard are resolved, he feels trapped and, alas, the idea that sex will get Richard out of his system isn’t working.


To make the situation worse, both men assume too much and don’t say the right words, and Ethan’s offer of ‘just sex’ grows more complicated by the day. Can Richard and Ethan stop getting their wires crossed before their paths diverge?

Excerpt

Sounds of splashing made Ethan glance over his shoulder, witness to Richard's ineffectual efforts to clean his hands. While the teakettle worked away making a noise in the corner, Ethan tore off a few sheets from a roll of blue paper, tougher than the type intended for kitchen use, and handed over the wad.


"Wipe yourself with this first and pull back those sleeves. I'll change this."


He took the dish of now dirty liquid and tossed it out. By the time he walked back, the pot -- always so-called by his father -- started the little familiar jig before clicking off. Time they got a new one but no point asking for these things. No one up at the house would pay for them while those who worked on the estate could 'make do'. Ethan must wait until the appliance blew up or died. He made busy pouring out cold and hot water before handing over a small screwdriver.


"You might wanna dig out some soil if the brush don't get rid of it all." Not to say a little dirt on Richard Gardener wouldn't be an improvement.


Much improved by the view of things. Those grey-green eyes were brighter than Ethan recalled. The boy now a man and broader in the shoulders, and ... a quick glance to make certain and, yes, Richard filled out his trousers well. A number of people might find it strange Ethan noted Richard's eyes before giving his body and crotch a once-over-many people believed a person's eyes a female preference -- but a bright gaze always attracted Ethan.


He set to making tea, including one for Richard, though he didn't bother asking if his boss wanted any. The man needed brains more than tea. Damn fool to come out without a jacket in this weather, which ... fine, so had Ethan, but he worked, built up a sweat, and he didn't react to winter's bite like the rich boy, more used to it. The reason Ethan gave Richard warm water was owing to how red his fingers were; so, too, his cheeks. Digging into the soil with bare hands ... the idiot was a walking invitation for frostbite.


"Sugar? Or are you sweet enough?"


Well, damn. Richard flushed. Ethan tried to hide his amusement, unable to tell whether he succeeded. "You can sweeten it as you like, or not." He put the mug near the other man who eyed it, gaze narrowed, lips pursed under a lowered brow. No doubt he suspected to find it laced with weed killer. Didn't take it, but he was preoccupied, still cleaning his nails. Be no surprise, though, if the tea went untouched. All because Richard didn't trust him. Might be worth his while to do something about the dislike.


"Remember last time you stood here?"


Richard became a statue, revealing he recalled, all right. So many emotions flittered over his face. Back then, the little Lord of the Manor washed more than his hands. The memory flashed vibrant, the clear sky on a chill afternoon transformed into the blistering heat of high summer by his father's fury. Regardless of age, Ethan's dad had dragged both of them in, one to clean up and one to wait until the other left, intending to give Ethan a hiding, or so Ethan had believed. Turned out his old man didn't have it in him to hit his son, though the margin was narrow. Understandable, with his father afraid of losing his job and livelihood.


The promise -- never to touch Richard again -- Ethan kept, for the most part because of a lack of opportunity.


Last time when Richard stood in this hut, the boy wiped blood and mud off his face before running back to the house. This time, Ethan planned not to let Richard escape.


Author Bio



A writer from the UK, Sharon doesn’t get out much these days. She’s too busy creating vibrant worlds and characters to share with others. She writes fiction both light and dark in various genres. She has been approached on occasion to write articles such as reports and publicity material, though her focus will always be story-telling. She loves writing, reading, movies, the theatre, her garden, and seeing other parts of the world, but not the hassle of travelling. Wherever she happens to hang her hat, she lives primarily in a world of her own.

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Review: Wildest Dreams by Sharon Marie Bidwell

CID Detective Inspectors Frederick Dick and Riley Silcox have more to worry about than how their names create merriment with other officers and suspects alike. There’s the complication that Riley is gay and very happy to be that way, while Frederick’s desire for his fellow officer causes him nothing but misery. Riley suspects Fred might be gay, but if that’s the case, he’s sure the man isn’t happy about it, and Riley doesn’t intrude where he isn’t wanted. Riley has no reason not to pursue other relationships, especially the attractive Scotsman, Calhoun. If only he knew how much Fred does want him it could be a very different story.

When they track down the supplier of REM -- a new upmarket and very secretive drug that not only does strange things to those who take it but could have amazing recuperative properties -- they become the victims. Is Frederick only hallucinating running wild in the woods, or like Riley will he choose to run naked, baring not only his body but also his soul, revealing why he promised to remain celibate, and why having Riley around means that isn’t working out for him, at all.

This book was enjoyable, it didn't blow my world apart but I enjoyed the time I spent reading it. I enjoyed Riley's lust for his partner, the whole unrequitedness of it was well written. I liked his frank thoughts about what he was feeling and then how he tried to disguise it from Fred. Fred's denial of his feelings was frustrating - though understandable. Especially as he worked with Riley. It was the backbone of the story really, the feelings these guys had for each other. The glue that kept the other parts together.

The police investigation was good. I liked the mystery - I have to admit, I was pretty convinced it was going to turn into a paranormal/shifter story at one point. When they were on their investigation and pretty much being held captive I did find I had to suspend disbelief for a bit. I found it hard to believe the police officers would act the way they did - on several occasions....however, I still had fun with what I was reading. And I really liked the scene when Fred woke up to Riley missing and the ensuing shenanigans. It was fun, hot and sexy.

What I didn't like was the fact that, at the end of this scene and the two guys walking away from the house having made tentative steps into admitting their attraction to each other, there was then a biggish time jump to move the crime story further along which jumped the relationship further along. I wanted to see it develop but....I got the beginning and then was thrown right in there.

That said, some of these scenes were hotness itself. Some of them, not so much. While not a BDSM book there is certainly some parts that feature it and they were okay, I was kind of ambivalent towards them. I think my analysis of this and so MY opinion of this book is that this author can write really well, she has some witty dialogue and good observations. I liked her character building, I liked most of the story arc...but sometimes it just didn't flow quite right for me. Almost as if the author wasn't sure of what aspect she wanted to focus on. It's possibly a me thing - I'm quite liking feelz in books these days and I would have liked more here. I certainly didn't hate this book and would encourage people to read it - it's just not the kind I feel the need to ring all my friends about and demand them to read instantly. But that is where reading is a personal choice and I think if it appeals to you then go for it because it wasn't a bad book.

For more information check out goodreads.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.