Series Tour + Giveaway: Love at Lake Clyde Series by Aiden Ainslie

Author Aiden Ainslie and Gay Book Promotions promote the new contemporary series, Love at Lake Clyde series! Find out more about Books #1-2, King of the Mountain and Master of the Wild! Don't miss the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway! 

 

SERIES TOUR - LOVE AT LAKE CLYDE

BOOK DETAILS

LOVE AT LAKE CLYDE, BOOK 1 

Book Title: King of the Mountain

Author and Publisher: Aiden Ainslie

Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Length: 106 000 words/ 386 pages

Release Date: July 11, 2021

Genre:  Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Gay awakening; rich sports star meets poor student

Themes: Coming out; competitive cycling; overcoming adversity; perseverance; HEA

Heat Rating for the series: 3 - 4 flames

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

The books are standalone but the reader would benefit from reading them in sequence to fully appreciate the setting and supporting characters of Clydesdale, a fictitious town in the California Sierra mountains.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Blurb 

American cycling sensation and heartthrob Clifford Du Frey is riding the wave of success. Brand Du Frey is a multi-million-dollar business, and during the Tour de France, Clifford is mobbed by fans wherever he goes. The superstar must focus on winning the Tour de France and maintaining his fan base.
But Clifford has a secret. He has fallen hard for Gabe O’Reilly – the dreamy art student from San Francisco whom he met on a summer’s day in Paris.
Can Clifford and Gabe’s budding relationship withstand the media storm and other forces arraigned against them? Can the grit and determination that propelled Clifford to the top of his sport help him break out to find true love and happiness?

You will root for Clifford and Gabe as they take you on a steaming hot ride through France and all the way back to their native California.

LOVE AT LAKE CLYDE, BOOK 2

Book Title: Master of the Wild

Author and Publisher: Aiden Ainslie

Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Length: 88 500 words/ 364 pages

Release Date: January 27, 2022

Genre: Contemporary MM  Romance 

Tropes: Opposites attract; roommates to lovers; protect your bruised heart by never falling in love again; rich guy poor guy; proving oneself in a strange environment

Themes: Fairy tales; clash of city and country; wilderness challenge; meddling townsfolk; HEA.

Heat Rating for the series: 3 - 4 flames

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

The books are standalone but the reader would benefit from reading them in sequence to fully appreciate the setting and supporting characters of Clydesdale, a fictitious town in the California Sierra mountains.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Blurb 

IT whiz, Conner O’Reilly, moves from London to California to lick his wounds and recover after the break-up of a bad relationship. He is determined to find a job and start a new life. The last thing he needs is another romantic entanglement.
But Conner hasn’t bargained on meeting Ewan Driscoll. Wild, tattooed, gorgeous, messed-up Ewan, who has more baggage than a freight train.

Will Conner be sensible and get his life back on track, or will his heart lead him into the wilderness?

Excerpt from “King of the Mountain”

GABE

Cliff stood in the shallows. His pale skin gave him the quality of a Michelangelo marble statue. His body had magnificent, classical proportions. Every muscle was clearly defined as though chiseled in stone and smoothed to perfection under the loving hand of a master sculptor. I wondered if he realized just how beautiful he was. And I still found it hard to believe that he was giving me the gift of his time.

He watched me as I strode toward him and, when I shook the water out of my hair, he warned, “Don’t you dare splash me. I like to get in slowly.”

“I won’t splash you,” I said as I stopped in front of him. His eyes were unbelievable. The aquamarine of the water reflected off his blue eyes. I had the sensation of looking into a kaleidoscope of colors yet to be invented. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him on both cheeks.

He was startled but did not back away. “What was that for?” he asked.

“We have not had a chance to greet each other yet – the French way. The way you taught me. And,” I continued, “to say I’m sorry.” 

I gave him my sweetest smile.

“Sorry for wha….”

He did not get to finish the sentence because I folded one leg behind him and, in the most basic of wrestling moves, tipped him backward into the water.”

The look on his face was priceless, and I burst out laughing when his head emerged, spluttering and cursing.

He reached out a hand and said, “You can at least help me up.”

I took hold of his hand and found myself yanked off my feet with Cliff dunking my head underwater. I shook myself free and rose from the waves to see Cliff making a run for the beach. I lurched after him, tackled him, and dragged him back into the water. He laughed and spluttered till he gained his footing and rounded on me, grabbing my waist. His hands stroked over my hip bones, and I started laughing. He had inadvertently found my weak spot, the most ticklish part of my body. Cliff was not one to let such an advantage pass him by. He held me tight with one arm curved around my chest while his free hand tickled my hip bone without mercy. I giggled and squirmed helplessly in his arms.

We horsed around in the water like a couple of drunken teenagers. Drunk on sunshine, drunk on life, drunk on L…   I did not dare to complete the thought. Who was I to think a man like Clifford du Frey would fall in love with me? For all I knew, he was straight as straight can be. Sports stars let off steam by horsing around with their teammates. And after the grueling days on the road, he sure needed some fun to relax and unwind. 

I reminded myself that a man could bathe in the warmth of the sun, but that did not mean the sun cared about the man’s existence. He was an international celebrity, a superstar. As unattainable as the sun itself. And we all knew what happened to those who flew too close to the sun.

After a few more minutes of splashing and laughing, I got his glistening body in a half nelson and made him concede that I was a superior wrestler.

Cliff stood bent-over, panting. I beat my chest like Tarzan and hollered at the waves, “I, Neptune, King of the Sea, have conquered the one and only King of the Mountain.”

He smiled his most disdainful smile, came to stand right in front of me, and said, “Just wait till I get you up into the mountains.”

“What are you going to do?” I teased, “Drag me into your castle and tie me up?”

His nostrils flared, and his face showed such a mixture of emotions that I was at a loss to interpret them.

“For starters,” he said, “I’ll whip your ass….”

I caught my breath. 

He continued, “…at skiing.”

He drew himself up to his full height, which meant I was looking directly at his lips and the stubble on his chin. I ached to reach out and feel that roughness. I did not just want to feel it with my hands; I wanted to feel it on my neck, my chest, on every square inch of my body. He parted his lips, and I imagined the sweet, salty taste they would leave on my tongue. 

My throat was suddenly dry. I licked my lips and looked up at the eyes that were waiting to bore into mine. Our chests were only separated by a minuscule air gap and two thin layers of water that were rapidly evaporating under our bodies' heat. I stood motionless; my heart was pounding so loudly that I was sure Cliff could hear it. I had the sensation of my chest hair vibrating to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

About the Author

Aiden Ainslie lives in the Diablo foothills, east of San Francisco. When he is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and plots for his MM Romance novels.

Aiden and his family have two dogs that keep him busy and he also enjoys zipping around town on his motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people to get inspiration for his writing.

According to Aiden, "Setting and mood are critical parts of a romantic story, hence I am always taking pictures of romantic settings to be used in future novels".

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook

Newsletter sign-up  |  BookBub

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: Never Have I Evan (Games We Play #1) by DJ Jamison

Author D.J. Jamison and Gay Book Promotions celebrate new release, Never Have I Evan (Games We Play #1)! Learn more about the new series and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Never Have I Evan

Author: DJ Jamison

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Release Date: April 7, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Experienced/inexperienced, jock/geek, bi-awakening, virgin, small town

Themes: Pursuing your dreams, building a new future, moving on from your past. 

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: approx. 95 000 words

It’s book 1 of the Games We Play series. There’s a prequel available through the Your Book Boyfriend’s Boyfriend giveaway on Prolific Works

The book does not end on a cliffhanger. It’s a HEA!

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Blurb

Never Have I Ev... Wait, what was the question again?

What happens when an ill-advised party game makes it obvious I've still got my V-card?

Embarrassment. A lot of embarrassment.

Especially when the sexy, older guy at the party who witnessed the whole thing turns out to be someone I have to see every week. Not to mention my best friend's cousin. 

He's not only straight, but way out of my league.

It's going to be so awkward for both of us.

Or awesome...if his protective nature and flirty attempts to teach me how to date lead to the kind of tutoring that lives in my fantasies. But how likely is that to happen? I'm not known as the sweet, naive one among my friends for nothing.

I'm probably imagining those looks he throws my way. Probably projecting my own want onto his expression.

But...what if I'm not?

Never Have I Evan features an inexperienced, shy tech geek, an assistant football coach who oozes confidence, a town full of quirky, nosy residents, and sexual awakening and discovery themes!

Excerpt

“Linc was moving fast. His hands were all over you.”

I flushed, remembering the uncomfortable feeling of Linc pressing close. I’d ordered myself to relax, to try to enjoy the attention.

“Isn’t finding a guy who actually wants to be close to me the point?” I said before I could properly filter my thoughts. The words came out strangely accusatory.

Dawson didn’t flinch from my words though. He grew even more intense. “No. The idea was for you to flirt a little and get comfortable with seeing yourself as someone worthy of attention.”

“Okay…”

“You are, Ev. You deserve someone who will appreciate everything about you, from your intelligence to your sweet blushes. Not just your…”

“What?”

His voice came out in a whisper. “Your amazing ass.”

My face heated as I laughed. “What?”

Dawson took a second to gather his thoughts. “I kind of pushed you into this, when you think about it. I didn’t mean to, but… All that teasing about learning to flirt, and me playing wingman. Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

He spoke slowly, the words seemingly pulled from somewhere deep inside. “Maybe I was too invested in your sex life.”

My heart skipped. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?

“Why would you be?”

“I don’t know.” He hesitated, then added, “Say the word and we can leave this idea behind. You don’t need to lose your virginity. Who cares as long as you’re happy? If or when you want sex, it’ll happen.”

“But I do want sex!”

I clapped my hand over my mouth, realizing my voice had risen.

Dawson raised an eyebrow. “With Linc?”

I dropped my hand, sighing. “Not really.”

He nodded. “What about with me?”

My breath caught. I stared at him, unable to speak, my brain stuck on his words, sure I’d misheard him. “Sorry?”

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

I licked my lips, suddenly nervous. “Why would you ask me that? You’re not…into men.”

“Not normally,” he said. “But the thing is, I can’t stop thinking about what happened the other night.”

“Your body reacted to stimulus, that’s all. It was embarrassing and awkward, but—”

“It wasn’t just that. I mean, thanks for giving me an easy out, but no. I keep thinking about you, specifically. You and me, and…all the things I could show you.”

Heat washed through me. For once, it wasn’t embarrassment, but something headier. Did Dawson want me?

“I must be dreaming,” I murmured.

“I don’t want there to be any confusion,” he said. “I’ve never been into guys before, and I don’t know why this is different. My last relationship ended horribly, and I’m not sure I can ever date again, can ever have someone trust and rely on me that way. But, uh, we could…explore things. Together.”

“Sex things?” I said, needing to clarify.

Despite the tense tone of the conversation up to this point, Dawson suddenly smiled at me. There was a predatory gleam in his eye. “Yeah, Ev. Sex things.”

I expelled a big breath, my head spinning. It was a lot to process. I’d been so certain Dawson was entirely out of reach—especially after Bonergate. But instead of freaking over his reaction and trying to stay away from me, he wanted to pull me closer. To explore his sexuality with me.

It was probably a terrible idea, right? What if he ended up hating it? What if I fell in love with him while it was just sexual release to him?

But as Dawson Woods, the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen in real life, offered himself to me, I knew I’d never say no. Dawson checked all my boxes. Even if it was only physical, it would be incredible to experience it with him. And unlike Linc, or any of those guys on apps, I knew him. I trusted him.

“Okay,” I said, knowing I might never get a chance like this again. “Yeah.”

If there was emotional fallout, I’d deal with it later.

“Yeah?”

Some sense of preservation made me say, “But you’ve got to kiss me first. I’ve never been properly kissed, and—”

I want to be sure you’re not turned off by it.

Dawson’s mouth came down on mine before I could finish my sentence.

About the Author

DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Facebook Group  |   Twitter

Instagram  |   Newsletter Sign-up  |   KoFi for bonus content  |  BookBub

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $10 Amazon US gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Audio Blog Tour + Giveaway: Ghost Walker (Blackwood Pack #6) by Mary Rundle

The Ghost Walker (Blackwood Pack #6) audiobook blog tour makes a stop at BMBR today! Join author Mary Rundle and Other Worlds Ink as they promote the Nick J. Russo narrated paranormal romance! Check out more info and enter in the giveaway!

 

Mary Rundle has a new mm paranormal audiobook out, Blackwood Pack book 6: Ghost Walker. And there's a giveaway!

The Blackwood Pack saga continues…

This is part of an on-going series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle, and catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of the past books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best ̶ caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere.

David spent most of his life as a prisoner, beaten countless times as he was taught by the Sisters of the Four Gods. After learning the truth about what they had planned for him, he escaped and eventually landed in Scotland where he was rescued by kind shifter who gave him a job and a bed. His feeling of safety ended abruptly when he was discovered by the ones he fled.

Zane, the Blackwood Pack’s genius computer programmer, joined his brothers and friends in Scotland on his very first vacation. It had been a long and hard road for him since parents and younger siblings were massacred, but his life was finally coming together Not expecting anything more than fun and sightseeing, he was stunned to find his Fated Mate there.

Before they can claim each other, they find themselves in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse, trying to elude brutal pursuers who want to capture David and kill Zane. As they fight to stay one step ahead of them, Zane sets out to win David’s heart and restore his confidence and also becomes his protector and lover.

Learning about each other’s abilities and gifts—and about the gods’ plans for David’s formidable new role in the shifter world—they form a unique bond with undying trust and a deep love that will bind them forever together as one.

Narrow escapes, kidnappings, battles, rescues and the revelation of unique gifts from the gods will keep you turning page after page as Mary Rundle weaves another thrilling tale of love and adventure.

Amazon Audio | Amazon eBook | Amazon Paperback | Audible UK | Audible France | Audible Germany | iBooks | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

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Giveaway

Mary is giving away a mug and an Amazon Gift Card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47192/?

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Excerpt

During dinner, Logan kept an eye on Zane and David, wondering what was so special about the newest member of the Blackwood Pack that Jackson would ask for a picture of him. He hadn’t told his brother about what happened when Zane and David shook hands, but he’d get to that when he called him later, back in the privacy of his hotel suite.

“David, are you coming back to the hotel with us tonight?” asked Theo.

Zane spoke up, “We haven’t decided what we’re doing, Theo.”

“Where are you from?” asked Norm, then adding quickly, “Not that it matters but I was just wondering.”

“No problem,” David said, “I’m from a region in Italy called Tuscany.”

“I know all about it,” Kieran said, “It was one of the areas my Shaman made me study. I always wanted to go there to see the Church of the Four Gods. From the pictures my Shaman showed me, it’s magnificent, but he told me I couldn’t really appreciate it unless I stood exactly in the center of it, looked up and turned around in a circle and then I’d understand why so many paranormals chose to follow that religion. Have you ever been there?”

Unsure if Kieran was trying to expose him, David felt the urge to vanish again and it was only Zane’s hand holding his that kept him there giving him a sense of calmness. “Yes, I have,” he answered, “but I never did that. What happens when you do the circle thing?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Kieran said, “I don’t know. My Shaman never told me that, only that I would find understanding, but that doesn’t matter to me, I just want to see the architecture…Oh macushla, did you ever go there?”

“No, but I agree with you—it’s a stunning piece of workmanship,” answered Logan, “and it’s one of the finest examples of Ancient High Gothic Celestial architecture left on earth.”

“It’s a church for paranormals? I never heard of it. Can humans go there too?” asked Theo.

“Only if they’re mated to a paranormal,” Kieran said.

“You mean a shifter can have a human for a mate? Pooh bear, did you know that?” Theo asked.

“No, I don’t remember learning that in school,” Norman answered.

“My Shaman,” continued Kieran, “told me it was more common a long time ago, but after humans started to hunt shifters—and when shifters began to go underground, so to speak—the gods decreed it should stop. They also forbade any shifter from disclosing the existence of another.”

Dakota then joined in. “Slate told me the original owners of this pub were a wolf shifter and a human and that’s what saved it when the war against the Scottish wolf shifters occurred.”

“Very true,” Ian’s mother, Lili, joined in. “Your parents would bring you here, Ian, whenever they had to visit Edinburgh. Do you remember?”

“So that’s why I had a déjà vu moment downstairs,” Ian chuckled. “I was chalking it up to my pregnancy hormones.”

Smiling, Lili’s husband, Samuel, said, “Remember dear, we would come here every year for our anniversary.”

Lili ducked her head, giggling, as she remembered what they did afterwards, and said, “Of course I do…and I also recall how beautiful the nights were.”

Seeing Ian blush at his mother’s comment, Colton smirked at the thought his mate wasn’t comfortable about his parents reminiscing about their sex life, so he steered the conversation back to the original topic. “If I understand you, Kieran, the Church of the Four Gods is also a religion?” asked Colton.

“Uh-huh. My Shaman told me about it but I wasn’t too impressed at the time because my belief in our gods and the Fates was very strong, but seeing the Church of the Four Gods was always something I wanted to do. Hey, macushla, I have a great idea!”

“Oh, no, here we go again!” groaned Theo.

“What do you mean?” Zane asked.

“Anytime, Ki says he has a great idea, beware,” answered Norman.

“P-u-u-leeze, that is so not true,” Kieran said. “I was thinking Logan and I could stop there on our way to Mykonos.”

“Why are you going to Greece?” asked David.

“Oh. My. God. David, you and Zane must come with us since you are newly mated also.”

“What about Slate and me?” asked Dakota. “We’re newly mated too.”

“Absolutely!” cried Kieran. “The more the merrier I’ve always said.”

“Ki, why Greece?” Zane asked.

“It has the very best gay parties with lots of music and dancing, and fabulous theme parties where we can make our own costumes. And then, there are also pool parties with lots and lots of hot sexy men that are about 99% naked.”

“What are they wearing if they are 99% naked?” asked Theo.

“Speedos!” exclaimed Kieran. “Teeny, tiny swim suits that highlight everyone’s assets, if you crotch my drift!” he said, giggling at his play on words.

Theo’s eyes widened then, turning to Norman, he said, “Pooh bear, I want to go there too. Can we, please?”

Norman smirked, he knew exactly why his honeybunch wanted to go. “Sure, if Ki agrees.”

“Oui!” Kieran answered, clapping at the thought of the fun everyone would have.

“Babe, before you buy tickets, I’ll have to check in with Jackson about the work he wants done,” Logan said.

“Oh, I know, macushla,” Kieran said, “I’m just making plans.”

Groaning, Logan murmured, “That’s what concerns me.” Then he lifted his mate onto his lap, nuzzling Kieran’s neck and giving him soft kisses and gentle nips until he got to the mating scar, which he licked.

“Macushla!” Kieran exclaimed, shivering in excitement. “Oh, my gods, that’s what rim…”

Watching Logan place his hand over Kieran’s mouth confused David because, as far as he could tell, Kieran wasn’t doing anything other than talking. Bile rose in him—the sight of physical restraint brought back bad memories of his time with the High Priestess. If the Alpha allows this, I don’t want to be in the Blackwood Pack. Calling forth his ability again, David disappeared, taking Zane with him.

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Author Bio

The first book I ever wrote was Dire Warning in 2017 and, much to my delight, it became an Amazon Best-Seller. Readers loved it and I was on my way to chronicling the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are gay wolf shifters in search of their fated mates—stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure and, of course, happy endings.

As my books began to be translated into other languages, I also became an Amazon International Best-Selling author and then achieved the honor of becoming an Amazon All Star due to their popularity. My tenth book, Darkness Master has just been published and audible versions of the entire series are in progress.

I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box.

My readers tell me they feel like they’re members of the pack as the stories unfold…as if they’re right there in the middle of the action. Others tell me it’s like watching a fast-paced movie. My writing style pulls no punches…readers love it and are always clamoring for the next book.

Stories come to me as if channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures and are not inhibited when it comes to revealing steamy, sexy details.

I currently live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or my website.

Author Website: https://www.maryrundle.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundle69

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundleauthor/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryRundle69

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryrundle69

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14246427.Mary_Rundle

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/mary-rundle/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Rundle/e/B0763CDQQ6

Audiobook Review: His Hart's Command (Nothing Special #6) by A.E. Via

Lennox Freeman (Free) is one of the best hackers in the world which has caused him to spend most of his life on the run. Never able to put down roots, he couldn’t trust anyone not to take advantage of him, even his own family. If it wasn’t for his best friend, Tech, shielding him, Free’s father would’ve sold him and his skills to the highest bidding crime family when he was still a student at MIT. Free owed Tech his life; so when his friend called for him to come to Atlanta to work with him, he couldn’t say no. However, he wasn’t expecting the overprotective group of detectives that made up Atlanta PD’s most notorious task force. And he certainly wasn’t prepared for the large-and-in-charge SWAT Captain that was responsible for their safety.

Ivan Hart has lived and bled one creed all of his life: To Serve and Protect. His intense focus and determination in law enforcement has led him to finally commanding his own team. He’d worked hard to put together a squad of badasses capable of backing up a very dangerous team of detectives. Being God and Day’s last line of defense came with a lot of responsibility that he took very seriously.

After his divorce was final Hart turned right around and remarried his job. He had his good friends there in the office with him every day, so it was easier to ignore the few quiet hours he spent at home alone each night. He’d settled well into his new routine and was comfortable with it. Then God decided to disrupt everything by hiring another tech specialist for his department. A man whose brains, trendy looks, and voice would leave Hart tongue-tied and captivated at their first introduction.

Free quickly awakens a passion in Hart that he long thought was dead. An attraction he didn’t know existed. He couldn’t fathom that the sexy cyber genius could be interested in an over-sized, big-bearded brute that served criminals the bottom line for a living. No matter what his best friend, God said.

A future with Hart could be potentially dangerous and often times full of terrifyingly close calls; but little did he know that so could falling for the most hunted hacker in the world. All Lennox Freeman wants in life is security, love, and protection… Hart had all that to give and more.

Listening Length: 8 hours and 51 minutes
Narrator: Aiden Snow

Reviewer: Shee Reader

I was fortunate enough to listen to this book right after enjoying Nothing Special V. The entire series is fabulous, but this one is slightly different. There is a bit less time spent on active missions (certainly with God and Day’s team as Hart is the SWAT Captain, but less overall) and there is a heavier focus on the emotional needs and development between the two men. Of course, our previous favourites appear, but this was most definitely Len and Ivan’s story. I adored it from start to finish. Ivan’s ex wife appears and got me all rage-y but the outcome was all good!

I love how AE’s men are super strong alpha types but they are all so in touch with their feelings and needs it is a revelation. The chemistry is scorching and the love is so strong I was moved to tears more than once.

As in the previous book, Aiden Snow does a superb job with the narration. His characters are so multidimensional that I could almost see them. I was very happy to have a fabulous performance of a stunning book.

I cannot recommend this audio book highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook Review: Nothing Special V (Nothing Special #5) by A.E. Via

Atlanta's notorious narcotics task force is at it again. They are stronger, bigger, and better than ever. Especially when a city councilman sends RECON Marine, Edwin Steele - who’s been blacklisted from his Oakland department - to join the team. God and Day weren't recruiting. They have a lot on their plates, like the fact they're supposed to be getting married soon. They don't have the time or the patience to integrate a decorated war hero with a slight chip on his shoulder into their well-oiled machine.

A hothead that's uncontrollable and terrible with authority… but wasn’t that their team motto?

Steele was ready to hang up his shield. He was done fighting with bigoted bastards that couldn't respect the job. He was good at fighting; he just needed the right team to fight with. When his uncle - City Councilman, Rasmus Steele - shows him a video of God's team in action, he knows right away, it's where his nephew belongs in order to restore his faith.

Steele pointed to the driver, a behemoth of a man wielding those massive firearms like a true beast… like a soldier. “And him. Who the hell is he?”

“That’s your new boss. Lieutenant Cashel Godfrey… they call him… God.”

Steele was skeptical about his new placement, but when he meets God's technology specialist/computer genius, “Tech,” he's willing to give it his all, and he definitely shows and proves.

Tech is stunning. His sweater vest and khakis, a stark contrast to the blue-jeaned roughnecks he works with. A beautiful sheep amongst the wolves. Steel thinks there's no way the brilliant man would be interested in a hardhead like him, but Tech has a few badass hidden talents of his own and manages to fool him... fool all of them.

Narrator: Aiden Snow
Listening Length: 12 hours and 29 minutes

Reviewer: Shee Reader

Oh my goodness, it is so long since I read the first few Nothing Special books, that I decided to treat myself to a re-read and I was not disappointed! These guys are the absolute best.

No-one writes alpha male law enforcement officers like AE Via and I adore the huge powerful bad asses and the men they love. The fact that the entire squad is hot and happy is such an escape from the reality of life at the end of 2019 that I adored this new book too.

Our main men are new-boy Steele, a decorated marine and Tech, the genius behind the scenes brains behind God and Day’s squad who wants to go in the field and has been secretly training. I was almost rubbing my hands together with glee to this match up.

So the bad guys are as awful as ever, but God and Day and the crew are at their best to clean up the streets of Atlanta. The guys are so hot together, and the emotional development goes alongside their sizzling chemistry. It is a wonderful addition to the series.

The audio is as stellar as we have come to expect from Aiden Snow. The characterisation is superb and I was swept along so powerfully by the narration.

Highly recommended!

I received a free copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Guest Review: A Foreign Country (Mr & Mr Detective #2) by Alex Jane

Private Detective John Right’s life is pretty good.

He loathes paperwork and could do without wasting his weekends catching out cheating spouses, but business is booming and he’s sharing his life with Jason, a man he’s still crazy about after three years.

The only downside is his lover’s baffling choice of friends and the fact that John is convinced Jason is keeping secrets from his dark past.

When a late-night phone call leads them to a kidnap victim with amnesia, and a dangerous man from Jason’s previous life suddenly resurfaces, they have much more than just secrets to deal with.

And after their mysterious house guest starts to show more than a passing interest in the detective couple, John is left struggling when his relationship, as well as his detecting skills, are put to the test.

Are they strong enough to resist the temptation of an enigmatic stranger?

Maybe. If they don’t get killed in the meantime.

Reviewer: Annery

This is Bk.2 in the Mr. & Mr. Detective series, and while not absolutely necessary, I’d say you’ll get more bang for your money if you read them in order. It wouldn’t be a hardship.

The story picks up three years after the events of the last book, and I’m both happy and chagrined to say that John & Jason continue to be the same knuckleheads from Bk.1. They’re settled into their own brand of happy: Jason not only accommodating, but also maybe getting off on John’s peeping perv kink, and John obsessively worrying & watching over Jason. While they’ve managed to mesh and meld their home life and their different, but complementary vocations, they also manage to not talk about anything. How or why, you may ask? I did too! It makes no sense, and yet, I can’t say that it’s unrealistic. Frustrating and annoying, but it fit the characters that Alex Jane introduced in Bk.1. They weren’t changed by the magic of love, which I appreciated. Also, to be fair, Jason doesn’t talk, but John doesn’t ask, both afraid to shatter their corner of heaven. Can’t say I blame them.

In the midst of mundane detective and computer work, John & Jason get involved in the case of an amnesiac kidnap victim. Involved as in bringing him home and things get interesting. In the meantime Jason’s past, which has been hinted at, resurfaces, and it ain’t pretty. Like in any good detective yarn, everything’s connected, but happily not with a connect-the-dots simplicity, more in a plausible and satisfying way. I won’t say much more about the plot, because I’m not a douche and it’s a fun ride. Alex Jane doesn’t write cookie-cutter plots or characters, and I love that. The story isn’t perfect, the characters could use tweaking, and the Britishisms (*see my review of the Bk.1*) could be easily fixed, and yet I’m glad to have found this series.

On the home front I was happy to see John & Jason living their lives, as gay men, and not becoming Ozzie & Harriet. I was/am pretty impressed by how well a British author captures NYC, in this case Brooklyn. I liked that Jason is still just a tech geek, (while John is almost a Luddite) he hasn’t become some Jason Bourne character. He isn’t even a good detective. It’s not his job. He’s afraid of the bigger bad guys, and will probably always be in the grip of some sort of PTSD after his ordeal. John still struggles with what level of perv is an acceptable level of kink and what is crossing the line. I love that he’s still mentally wrestling with true intimacy, on a personal level; that it’s something he and Jason are still working on. Like real life.

As a bonus, if you read the first book, you’ll be happy to check in on Chris, and may or may not be surprised by a plot twist to his story. I wasn’t surprised, but I was tickled pink nonetheless. And I am super stoked about the ending. I’m keeping all limbs crossed that the good things promised don’t dissapoint.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: SIO by C.A. Blocke

Author C.A. Blocke and IndiGo Marketing visit to promote the release of SIO! Learn more about the sci-fi tale and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!

Title: SIO

Author: C.A. Blocke

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: April 22, 2019

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 6360

Genre: Science Fiction, LGBT, humor, space pirates, scavengers, scientist, tech nerd, hurt-comfort, disabilities, abduction, captivity, tech nerd

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Synopsis

Set in a near-future environment, mega-corporations have taken over the most habitable of planets, creating domed utopias for their devoted employees. Everyone else has been shunted off to a multitude of mostly habitable planets and moons where they scrape by as farmers and tradesfolk, miners and merchants, bounty hunters and scavengers.

James Marks and his crew of scav trash operate their ship, SIO, on a mission to obtain a mysterious piece of new tech. It changes everything and leaves him stranded somewhere he doesn’t recognize with a cute, if not a bit annoying, tech scientist. James doesn’t know, when he first meets Michael, but his life is about to change in a very surprising way.

Excerpt

SIO
C.A. Blocke © 2019
All Rights Reserved

One: The Job
“You’re really going in alone?” Edge asked, leaning heavily against the console as James plugged in the coordinates. “I thought you promised Lyra you weren’t doing jobs alone anymore after that last big fuckup.”

James rolled his eyes and sighed. “What Lyra don’t know won’t hurt her. You and your sister are wanted on every planet in Corporate Space, and I’m not about to lose the only good pilot we’ve got by taking Corin along for the ride. Besides, I’m fluent in bullshit. I’ll be fine.”

Edge laughed and drew his oversized ElectroPistol before shoving it toward James’s chest. “You’re gonna need this. They set up scanners every few kilometers to catch travelers with old-school bullets.”

“You know I’ve got one.” James smirked, opening his dark-brown duster to show off his special design. “And mine’s overclocked.”

“Show-off.”

Edge and his sister, Razor, had been on the ship’s crew since day one, and far too many crew members had been lost one way or another since. To be fair, James knew Edge had a point. The duster was a bit of a showpiece, but even in Corporate Space, they could appreciate fine leatherwork.

Quietly, Razor added, “Careful where you’re scanning with that eye, boss. Peach detection is sensitive to all TechEyes.”

James blinked several times, self-conscious at the reminder of his less-than-human status. After fifteen years on the outer ring, he was starting to feel less man than machine. An eye, a leg, and a full neural interface later, who really could say he wasn’t? “Yes, mother.” James sighed, offering another fond roll of the eyes. “Believe me, I’m in and out. The last place I want to hang out is a Peach Corp research and development office.”

“Eye on the prize.” Edge nodded, clapping a meaty hand on James’s back. “Corin’ll leave the engines running for ya.”

Getting in wasn’t hard; a flash of the badge the client had provided and a few sideways glances at James’s generally unkempt appearance, and he was walking the halls toward the mark’s office. Thankfully, R&D didn’t have half the security protocol most Corporate offices had, and as far as they cared, the dark-haired man in a duster and pressed shirt was Mr. Marquis Benton, in the flesh. However, the short middle manager staring him down didn’t exactly seem convinced.

“So, Mr. Benton, is it?” he asked, stroking his fingers through professionally cropped blond hair before taking off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. “And you are here for?”

“I was told the communique was sent days ago,” James bluffed, crossing his arms and giving the manager, Michael, a critical look. “The Rose prototype. It’s being called up for Corporate preview.”

“Well, as much as I’d love to have one less piece of useless technology to deal with, it’s not ready. I never received this…communique…you’re talking about.” Michael’s brow furrowed as he slipped his glasses back on; the frustration apparent on his face was adorable at the very least.

“Fine. Fine.” James leaned in, glancing over the man’s badge to grab a name, only to feel his TechEye activate to read it through the soft fold of his worn blazer. “It’s all right, Michael. I’ll deal with your supervisor.”

“I am the supervisor at this facility.” Michael frowned, shaking his head. “And if that crappy old TechEye wasn’t such a piece of outdated shit running firmware from ten years ago, you would have been able to pull up my personnel file and would know that.”

It wasn’t quite the same as being caught red-handed, and security wasn’t swarming the office yet, so there was that much hope. “Hey, you know how crappy the pay is for runners. I haven’t exactly been able to keep up on the latest and greatest.” James shrugged, and then stepped closer, ready to make a move, if justified. “Besides, I don’t like all that clutter in my HUD. All I need is to get this prototype to my boss.” It was a fair enough statement; the heads-up display on the older chip software was much less cluttered with information of various levels of situational importance. In the long run, it made it difficult to parse the large amount of information that wasn’t actually in front of his eyes but tended to render him at least distracted when it came up.

Michael stood, one hand on his black leather belt and the other casually planted against his desk. “The new heads-up display is actually quite streamlined by comparison, especially if you have the visual upgrade.” He shifted on his feet and, after a moment’s pause, dropped his gaze down to the litter of papers and scraps on his desk. “Look, okay… I don’t know who you are or how you got in here, but contrary to popular belief, just because I’m in R&D, I’m not a fucking idiot. The Rose is classified, and you’ve done absolutely nothing to make me believe you should even be here.”

James had been in worse situations, which really said quite a lot about his chosen profession. He put on his best smile and leaned across Michael’s desk, drawing eyes back up to him. “I’ll level with you, Michael. There was no communique, okay? I know I’m sort of jumping the gun here, but bringing back the Rose and blowing the bigwigs’ minds with it pretty much guarantees a promotion that…uh…well, I need. And I know you’ve got zero reason to believe a word I’m saying, but I can definitely put in a good word for the new head of R&D.”

Michael’s eyes narrowed behind his thin spectacles, and James felt his heart rate raise enough to hear the blood pounding in his ears. Lying was no big thing, but pulling shit in a Peach facility was a damn bold move for someone not looking to end up in a prison colony for the rest of their short, crappy life. Finally, Michael said, “Head of R&D? You have that kind of power? I thought you said you were a runner.”

“A runner for someone with more power than both of us combined. With the right offering, I could do quite a lot”—James whispered, licking his lower lip for dramatic effect, if not sheer nerves—“with a little help from a certain smart and handsome developer.”

A long moment passed, and James realized exactly how that statement had come off. Fortunately, Michael seemed to buy it, and James wasn’t really lying—for everything his bookish appearance gave off, Michael was handsome in a sort of cute tech-nerd kind of way. Michael sighed and shook his head, drawing back. “You’ve got a silver tongue, Marquis. And, I guess I’m just sick of looking at the stupid thing,” he muttered under his breath, heading toward the door James had come in. “I have to get it from the lab; they’re working on it today.”

“Of course, of course.” James feigned a laugh while following him back into the corridor and through the honeycomb of hallways and nondescript rooms toward the lab.

Michael scanned his card and then turned back to face him. “Wait here.”

There was a delicate dance—James couldn’t wait too long out in the open without being checked by security, who would likely figure out his papers were fake, within a few seconds, but he also had to offer Michael the benefit of the doubt, lest his true intention be made even clearer. He nodded and casually folded his arms over his chest, gently patting the pistol concealed within his coat. Beyond the door, he couldn’t see much more than several bodies in white suits with blank faces moving quietly around, and then he was alone in the corridor.

Ten minutes and one close call with security passed, and James couldn’t stop himself from attempting to listen at the door, to no avail. Daring the chance of getting caught, he fumbled out the jack in his coat pocket, connecting it to the keypad first and then directly to the port behind his left ear. Hacking was dangerous in the best possible circumstances. Getting caught was almost a certainty, but the cybernetic jack made it a little simpler to do something as innocuous as jimmying a lock—hell, James had practically grown up forcing locks with or without technological assistance. Unfortunately, Razor wasn’t wrong about Peach Corp being on top of outside tech in their systems. The lock gave, after only a few moments of forcing the code, the door opened, and the first thing James saw after pulling the jack free at both ends in one yank was security coming right for him.

“What are you doing in here?” Michael shouted as James rushed into the room, slamming the door behind him. A steel case was open on a large table, a small purple rose made of circuits and glass seated in a holding point fixed inside the case.

“Okay, so here’s the thing…” James stammered, letting the words come as his most useful form of self-preservation. “There are at least three guys with ElectroPistols on the other side of that door, and I really need to leave with this prototype, so if you could close that case, I’ll be heading out now.”

“It’s not ready!” Michael answered, lifting the safety goggles from around his glasses and tossing them on the floor with an angry sigh. “Do you even know anything about the Rose? You have got to be the most ignorant—”

James cut him off for lack of time more than anything, snapping the case closed. “I may have to use you as a human shield…no worries; ElectroPistols don’t hurt nearly as bad as the real thing.” He was well aware it sounded bad, but to the best of his knowledge, as long as the person being shot didn’t have too many cybernetic parts, the blasts weren’t usually deadly. James grabbed Michael’s elbow, thankful he was a little lighter and a good deal shorter than most.

They made it two steps to the door, and when James touched the latch, a loud popping noise was accompanied by a rush of heat, and everything went black.

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Meet the Author

C.A. Blocke is a thirty-something writer who’s been captivated by the magic of how people relate to each other for as long as she can remember. Far more than overarching drawn-out plots, she prefers to focus heavily on relationships in various situations that feel like real life—even when at its most surreal. Real Life, she feels, is messy and complicated, and that shines through in her fiction where the road to a happy ending frequently isn’t just a straight line. A long-time reader and writer of fluffy character-driven pieces, her style tends to highlight small slices of life that come together to form a whole picture of the plot.

She is a gender nonconforming, demisexual-identified female who feels most comfortable writing unconventional relationships involving non-heterosexual couplings. Sexual identity often colors her works and features heavily in finding the comfortable place where identities can collide with minimal friction. She enjoys exploring different takes on ‘acceptable’ sexuality and blurring the lines between what is expected and what really happens.

A small-town Arizona native, the Southwest and its rural communities fascinate her—particularly the rigid-identity politics and the ramifications of breaking the social norm. Of course, that’s not to say that she doesn’t also enjoy writing about urban life and the various challenges present in the big city. While most at home writing contemporary romance with a warm little erotica twist, she’s very prone to following her muse down the dark alleys and open valleys it drags her through—making it nearly impossible to know just what genre will take her interest next.

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Review: Euphoria by Jayne Lockwood

It might take the arrival of an alien being to remind an isolated man what it means to be human.

With a stressful job, his boss breathing down his neck for profitable results, and an estranged wife and daughter, scientist Kurt Lomax doesn’t think life can get much harder. Until a nonbinary extraterrestrial with an otherworldly beauty, captivating elegance, and a wicked sense of humor inconveniently shows up at his apartment.

Vardam watched the destruction of their own world, and they don’t want to see the same thing happen on Earth. They are lonely, and feelings soon develop between them and the supposedly straight scientist—feelings Kurt reciprocates, much to his confusion.

The arrival of cheery interpreter Tom Soames—whose Goth appearance belies a gentle heart—is like a ray of sunshine in the somber lab. He acts as matchmaker for man and tentacled extraterrestrial, unwittingly instigating a national crisis when the news breaks out.

But will a misunderstanding ruin Kurt and Vardam’s chances for happiness together—along with the hope for peace between humanity and the Var?

4 Alien Loving Hearts!


A highly enjoyable sci-fi romp with all sorts to satisfy! This has time travel, aliens, a pending apocalypse, hurt comfort, mpreg, and nebulous tentacle shenanigans, all or some of which will surely interest many a reader!


The blurb is quite good at telling what’s what. Vardam is a peaceful, technologically advanced, non-binary alien who’s basically been traveling the galaxy in search of a new place for their peoples to inhabit since their home was destroyed by an asteroid. Their goal is to find a compatible planet and it just so happens to be Earth. However, there's a slight snag. The original inhabitants are on the brink of extinction, and Vardam, in their infinite capacity for appreciating all the complex facets of humanity, is willing to take a huge risk and leap of faith to travel back in time to try to stop the imminent demise of the human race.


Enter Kurt Lomax, a brilliant scientist whose abusive past has rendered him cold and unable to form meaningful relationships despite his desperate desire to do so. Unable to effectively connect and communicate with his estranged wife and daughter, he instead spends all his time and focus on helping his fellow man. This manifests as a twenty year long pursuit towards developing a vaccine that would fend off the virulent bacterium MRSA, in the hopes of preventing millions of difficult to treat infections. What Kurt doesn't know is that his creation will mutate in soon-to-start human trials, ultimately leading to the annihilation of animals and humans alike over the next two generations.


What ensues upon Vardam’s arrival to change the future was something I quite enjoyed. This is not exactly a straightforward sweeping romance focused solely on Vardam and Kurt. This also bridges medicine and science, corporate greed, and government oversight, all of which involves Kurt’s scientific team and how they deal with an intriguing powerful alien and the resulting fallout when the truth of their life’s work is revealed.


This boasts a great supporting cast to root for, a bad guy to really really hate, and another side romance to revel in. This is not erotica, but it is funny and touching and filled with some suspenseful action and harrowing situations. The best part of this was of course, Vardam and their unabashed honesty, their fascinating abilities, and their talent for thawing out a tortured Kurt to both figuratively and literally open himself up to the infinite possibilities of love. Lockwood nicely brings all of this to a great satisfying conclusion where of course, I wouldn’t say no to more stories in this awesome AU should she choose to create more!


Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Guest Review: Dantès Unglued (Ward Security, #2) by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott

When private investigator, Shane Stephens, is hired by the mayor of Cincinnati to track down the hacker who has been threatening him, Shane is sure this is the opportunity to launch the Merleau Detection Agency into the big time. He even convinces Rowe Ward of Ward Security to loan him one of his best IT specialists, Quinn Lake.

Shane, a man who prefers casual intimacy, is surprised by his attraction to the moody computer geek, but when Quinn suggests they have fun for the month he’s on loan, Shane happily agrees. Both men are expecting nothing more than a good time.

But the investigation takes an unexpected turn and they quickly discover they are facing more than a hacker out to ruin the mayor’s re-election chances. And as they spend more time together, they realize their relationship may be a lot more than just a good time.

With only weeks until the election, Shane and Quinn race to gather the proof they need while dodging bullets and possibly…falling in love.

Reviewer: NeRdyWYRM

Whelp

Where to begin. I'm going to preface this review by saying: take it with a grain of salt. I'm salty enough for all of us, I think, but you get what I mean. I've been trying (and failing) to refrain from comparing this series with it's predecessor, the Unbreakable Bonds series, which is one of my all-time favorites.

Unfortunately, Ward Security is suffering by comparison, which is at least partially due to my inability to compartmentalize the two and judge the books from the spinoff on their own merits. Or maybe I'm doing the too-hard-on-myself schtick, I dunno. It's a thing with a mind of its own.

There are some things to like here, don't get me wrong. The writing is fluid, the editing is very good, the words in the dialogues flow well, the sex scenes are pretty hot (as always with these authors), and the plots aren't too far off the reservation.

There's also the usual amount of action, and it's very well done. The larger plotline, the whodunit stuff, is maybe a little far-fetched if you take this story and put it out there in real life, but it is possible that this type of stuff has happened somewhere out there before, so that's another for the plus column.

This book, with Shane and Quinn as the MCs, was more enjoyable for me than the first book in the series because I truly, truly, disliked Sven's love interest in that one. I call him: He-who-will-not-be-named.

That said, I liked Shane and Quinn and I liked them together. I was a little confused by the fact that I didn't remember Shane being mentioned in Unbreakable Bonds or in Psycho Romeo (Ward Security Book 1). Drake & Elliott tend to pull MCs from characters that were introduced in previous books. Quinn, I knew, but if we did meet Shane before, I either had a brain fart or wasn't memorable.

That's a departure from the norm with these series and left me with no expectations for what Shane would be like or where he fit in this world of generally fantastic characters. In other words, for me, it was a virtual standalone. I don't have an issue with standalones per se, but it's not what I've come to expect. It irked a little.

So, unrealistic expectations? Or is this book just not meeting the bar set by the authors in other works. I'll have to let you decide for yourselves. I do know that I haven't enjoyed these books in general, or this one in particular, as much as I liked the ones from the previous series.

The characters aren't as dynamic, there is no real unifying series story arc and these pairs of MCs are kind of just freewheeling it through the Unbreakable/Ward universe. They feel tetherless to me and maybe that's where I'm having a problem.

There was a real sense of unity with Snow, Lucas, Rowe and Ian. Even when their guys started hitting the scene, it seemed like they slipped right into a hole shaped just for them. They were a family and I LOVED it. I just wish I was getting that same feeling with these and I'm really bummed that I'm not.

Well then, here's hoping the next one's better. The book gods know I've been drooling over Royce from day one, so ... yeah. I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. For that reason, I won't be anxiously salivating, waiting for release day. I'll get to it when I get to it and hopefully it's better than what we've gotten from Ward Security so far.

More reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be found on Goodreads here.
Images (when present) may be subject to copyright.
An ARC copy of this title was provided for an honest review.