Audiobook Review: Following the Rules (The Script Club #1) by Lane Hayes

The geek, the jock, and a new set of rules…
Topher-

My friend’s brother needs an academic assistant and I need a job. Problem…jocks are my weakness. Seriously. I lose my ability to speak coherently around muscle-bound hotties. Oh yeah, I lose my inhibitions too—not a good look for a guy with a genius IQ. So what am I going to do about Simon?

Simon-

Finishing college isn’t high on my list of priorities, but my future in professional football is looking bleak. I need a plan B or C, and I could use some help navigating life as an undergrad. Topher is perfect. He’s also a little strange…but in a good way. And I like the way I feel when I’m around him—as though anything is possible. Maybe if we follow our hearts, we’ll find what we’re looking for. But that means changing the rules…

Following the Rules is a MM, bisexual awakening romance starring a lovable nerd, a cool jock, and some extracurricular fun.

Listening Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
Narrator: Alexander Cendese

I will readily admit that I’m not a Hayes expert, and though I’ve had some wins with this author, I’ve not read her in years. When the chance to sit back and relax with an audio crossed my path, I said, why not?

Suffice it to say, I immensely enjoyed myself.

This starts off with happy go lucky Simon. He’s a pro football player on hiatus due to several concussions, anxiously awaiting for a call to return to the game that just might not come. Simon’s reluctant backup plan is to finally finish getting his college degree, but he needs some help with his classes, and that’s where his brother’s best friend Topher comes in.

Topher needs money, and what better way to do that than to do what he does best, and that’s being smart. There’s just one snag. Jocks are his kryptonite, and Topher literally cannot function properly when around them. It doesn’t help that he’s had a crush on Simon for years either. The arrangement in theory might be perfect, but it’s SO not gonna work. However, Simon is desperate and suggests a nonsensical plan - they’ll role play so as to focus Topher’s mind off the obvious. What it does instead is set these two up for some ridiculous scenarios that do nothing but incite absurd witty banter and spur their libidos in the best way possible.

I’ve only listened to Alexander Cendese once, but he outdid himself here. He imbues Simon with a brash charming pushiness that means absolutely no harm. Simon’s seriously the friendliest, laid back guy ever, nothing seems to phase him and though he’s a teeny tiny bit dim, he handles himself and Topher’s quirkiness with aplomb. In contrast, Cendese aptly portrays Topher with all his uptight fumbling clumsiness that endears you to his geeky stuttering as he spouts obtuse facts while being brazenly forward when it comes to all things sex. The juxtaposition between these two was fun, funny, and simply entertaining.

Let’s be frank. Regarding one’s expectations, just know this is obviously pure fiction in its utmost carefree form. Check your BS meter at the door, and come on in and get comfy! This is sweet, quite smexy, and with barely a smidge of angst, if you could really call it that. No in the closet anxiety, no lamenting anguish, no self sacrifice. If I’m gonna read a contemporary these days, and a sporty one at that, this is exactly how I like it and need it to be!

Overall, the narration only elevated this story with spot on comedic timing and gleefully increased the playful silly sexiness whenever these two were interacting. To say the least, I’ve never been so tickled by a Hayes book. I smiled, snorted, and laughed out loud.

Apparently, this is the beginning of a new series about Topher and his brainiac friends, and if they are as delightful as this first installment, then I’m definitely on board for more!

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Merchants of Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #1) by Edale Lane

Author Edale Lane and Other Worlds Ink visit on the Merchants of Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #1) blog tour! Learn more about the first in the historical series set in Renaissance Italy and enter in the $20 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Edale Lane has a new FF historical romance out, book one of the Night Flyer Trilogy: "Merchants of Milan."

Three powerful merchants, two independent women in love, one masked vigilante.

Florentina, set on revenge for her father’s murder, creates an alter-ego known as the Night Flyer. Madelena, whose husband was also murdered, hires Florentina as a tutor for her children and love blossoms between them. However, Florentina’s vendetta is fraught with danger, and surprising developments threaten both women’s lives.

Merchants of Milan is the first book in Edale Lane’s Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like gadgets and gismos, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and fast-paced action with a slow-boil lesbian romance, then you are sure to love this series. Buy this one of a kind novel today and let the adventure begin!

Publisher | Amazon eBook | Amazon Paperback

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Giveaway

Edale is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour. For a chance to win, enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47105/?

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Excerpt

In the next instant Maddie placed a caressing hand to her face, leaned in, and kissed her. Although she had been anticipating this very possibility for hours, it came on her as swift and unforeseen as a summer storm. The sensual heat of those urgent lips melded to hers ignited something deep within Florentina’s core that sprung to life for the very first time and exploded throughout her being, a sensation so phenomenal, so novel that she had no context in which to place it. Breathless, her mind went totally blank, and she simply savored the moment.

When Madelena withdrew she whispered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“Sorry?” Florentina’s heart sank and her head spun. How could she be sorry? “Why? I’m not.”

“You’re not?” Maybe Maddie was as uncertain as she, as overcome with raw emotion and not knowing how to express it. “It’s just that–and I have contemplated this–with me being your employer and all, I don’t want you to expect you must do something you aren’t comfortable with. I would never pressure you-”

It was Florentina’s turn to be impulsive. She silenced Maddie by repeating the gesture, tasting again those full, cherry lips that flooded her mind, body, and soul with sensations. When it broke, they gazed into each other’s eyes looking for confirmation. “I understand I am only a servant in your household.”

“Don’t say that!” Maddie replied firmly. “That is not how I view you. Please, Fiore. How can I explain?”

The earlier butterflies began to settle in Florentina’s stomach and the fog of trepidation evaporate. She could perceive that the beautiful wealthy widow did regard her with esteem, did have feelings for her. This was not a mere dalliance she realized. “I care for you also,” she spoke softly and stroked Maddie’s luxurious strands. “Do not think you press me to do something I have not wanted to do since the moment I first saw you.”

Relief engulfed Madelena’s expression, and she brushed her cheek to Florentina’s then nuzzled her neck with moist, eager lips. A euphoric sigh escaped Fiore’s mouth at the intimate touch and she pulled Maddie closer. When their lips found each other’s again she opened to the honey-sweet tongue that was impatient to delve into it. Without willing them to do so, she realized her fingers were wound in those silky red strands while her other hand slid down Madelena’s back as far as the bench would allow. She could perceive her heartbeat against her own heated breast. This is what she had dreamt of and it surpassed her expectations. All she wanted to do was touch, caress, explore, and please this singular woman. Even as she was rendered breathless from the physical passion, her heart was telling her head that what she felt was far more, endlessly deeper. It was a very dangerous cavern, a bottomless pit that could spell her doom; she was falling in love.

#

Madelena realized she was making a mistake. She had acquired a good tutor for her children and a new friend to share meaningful experiences with, but a romantic affair? Where could that possibly lead? What would her brother think or do when he found out, and she knew he would, eventually. Hadn’t she lived a well-disciplined life? Could she not control her desires for more than a few weeks?

As her mind was blaring at her all the reasons to say no, her heart had been pleading an opposing case. Yes, she had found a teacher and a friend, but in Florentina she had discovered abundantly more. She was interesting, witty, talented, intuitive, and compassionate. She opened whole new worlds to the widow whose entire education was meant only to prepare her to be a merchant’s wife. For the past six months she had felt lost, as if she had no place and no purpose. She had helped Alessandro with the bookkeeping and personal relations with customers, but she had also spent her nights alone speculating on what the future may hold for her. She still could not answer that question, but she had spoken honestly when she said that Fiore made her feel real and alive. Since growing closer to the dark-haired inventor’s daughter she had begun to experience so many things. And today–today had likely been the best day of her twenty-eight years on this earth! Then the emotion of sharing her story, it was just all too much to expect her to maintain self-control. But now that she had initiated this passionate encounter, what would she do next?

Presently, she drew back from those sultry lips trying to regain some restraint. “Have you ever been with a woman before?” she asked to fill the silence.

Florentina shook her head. “If you mean sexually, I am quite inexperienced with anyone, male or female. Years ago when Cesare told me he was attracted to men, I mentioned that I was more drawn to women. I didn’t think he’d ever say anything; it’s not like we talked about it much, but now,” she paused casting starry eyes at Maddie, “I’m glad he did.”

She smiled and stroked Florentina’s cheek. “So am I.”

“I know you have experience,” she noted. “So, what do we do next?”

What indeed! Madelena considered. “Take one step at a time. May I suggest we try to get some sleep and take a night to process it all? I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.”

“You’re overwhelmed?” Fiore laughed. “I’m not certain my legs will carry me upstairs!”

Maddie hesitated to move, as the tug of an invisible cord was drawing her back to her newfound treasure. Neither was Florentina was moving away. One more kiss and you must move. Give both of us time to think. She touched her lips to Fiore’s and closed her eyes. What makes one kiss a sloppy flop and another a driving, sensuous pleasure? Is it one’s mental perception or a physical current that connects two individuals who are similarly charged? I can feel the energy pass between her and I unlike any other before.

“I shall see you in the morning.” She released Florentina and pushed herself to her feet with a sheer force of will. Florentina followed saying her good-nights and Madelena closed the bedroom door behind her as she left. Alone once more, she glanced around her empty chamber and wished her lover could have stayed all night.

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Author Bio



Edale Lane is the penname used by Melodie Romeo for LGBTQ fiction novels. She is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in History from the University of West Florida.

Ms Romeo is a retired school teacher who currently travels the country as an over the road truck driver. Her first book, Vlad, a Novel, an historical thriller, was published in 2002. She has had short stories published in anthologies by Seventh Star Press, Charon Coin Press, Alban Lake Press, Less Than Three Press, and Past and Prologue Press.

Edale Lane’s first novel, Heart of Sherwood, is an historical retelling of the Robin Hood story supposing that the hooded outlaw had been a woman: https://pastandprologuepress.lpages.co/heart-of-sherwood1/

In addition to driving and writing, Melodie is also a musician who plays the French horn, composes, and has spent many years as a choral and instrumental director. She aspires to be a successful enough author to quit driving and devote herself to writing fulltime. Melodie resides in Utica, MS with her longtime partner, Johanna.

Some of her works can be found at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00WFFFEA4

In 2019 Melodie founded Past and Prologue Press. Please visit her website.

Author Website: https://www.pastandprologuepress.lpages.co

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

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

Author Twitter: @EdaleLane

Author Instagram: melodieromeo

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15264354.Edale_Lane

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Edale-Lane/e/B07GRFPDRZ

Audiobook Review: Out in the Offense (Out in College #3) by Lane Hayes

Christian Rafferty is a talented quarterback with a big secret. He's determined to make the most of his final season on the football field and, if possible, avoid any confrontations with his conservative parents about his future. It shouldn't be difficult; he's become adept at keeping his public and private lives separate. However, when a math class threatens to derail his plans to graduate on time, he realizes he may need outside help.

Rory Kirkland has a reputation for being a tough guy. He's a former wrestler and recent college graduate who needs a real job. Until he finds one, tutoring is a decent temporary gig. Luckily, his brain is his biggest asset. Rory is a genius. He credits his sport for helping him deal with angst and rumors about his sexuality when he was younger, but he doesn't care what others think anymore. He likes his new status as an out and proud bi man, and he recognizes something of himself in Christian.

But Rory didn't count on falling for him. When an unlikely friendship collides with intense attraction, both men begin to realize that coming out on offense just might be the surest path to love.

Narrator: Michael Pauley
Listening Length: 5 hours and 31 minutes

This audiobook was just what I needed - quick, easy, sexy, and sweet. I was able to just zone out and enjoy the listen while walking to and from work.

Michael Pauley did an excellent job with the narration. This is the first time I’ve listened to one of his audiobooks, and I’d definitely do so again.

I haven’t read the previous 2 books in the series, but had no trouble reading ‘Out in the Offense’ as a stand-alone.

Closeted star college quarterback Christian Rafferty tries to balance his sexuality, his career aspirations, his parents’ demands, and his grades. He mostly manages, but he decides to get a tutor once his grade start taking a hit.

Rory Kirkland is a recent college grad, former wrestler, and a tutor until he decides on a full-time job. He’s wicked smart, and patient with his students.

This is an attraction-forward book. There’s no doubt that the two men want to get into each other’s pants from the start.

Christian finds Rory’s self-assured confidence and book smarts incredibly attractive. And though he isn’t 100% sure, Christian thinks Rory might like him too. But it’s not all about the physical.

Before they give in to the tension between them, Rory and Christian strike up an easy friendship. Over shared coffees and tutoring sessions, the two men slowly fall for each other. Christian does have a bit of a hero-worship case going on, but Rory’s equally enamoured.

And do they ever light up fireworks once they get down and dirty!

I wouldn’t call this an insta-love romance, but it’s certainly not too dramatic. The romance just builds bit by bit, with a few minor bumps that Rory and Christian smooth over pretty easily.

The main conflict in the book comes from Christian’s life - being in the closet and his controlling parents. It takes a while for him to sort things out, but Rory’s support doesn’t fail.

My only quibbles: the temporary self-martyrdom could have been avoided, and the whole vandalism issue was never fully resolved.

But overall, this was a fun and sexy read. Recommended if you’re looking for an easily enjoyable audiobook!

Review: Sweet William by Dianne Hartsock

William Wilkerson leads the life of the privileged rich. Head of his father’s shipping business, he indulges to his heart’s content in the pleasures of the flesh with Boston’s finest young men.

That is, until he reunites with Fredrick: his former tutor and the one man who captured his heart.

But William’s father has declared Fredrick off limits. And Fredrick, himself, believes he’s beneath the attention of the Wilkerson heir.

After having lost his current pupil to graduation, and with no prospects of a replacement, Frederick is homeless, hungry, and easy pickings for the men on the docks.

When Frederick is shanghaied into service on William’s own merchant ship, will William discover his plight in time to rescue him?

I loved the premise of this. A tutor who falls in love with his student but class separates them from being together combined with a serration and reunion. It has all the proper checks of a beautiful romance and yet, something was missing.

For me, this was more porn than plot because there is a lot of sex and not a lot of pages.

I did like that we got both POV’s to see that the men were deeply in love with one another and wanted nothing more than to be together. I liked the mini reunion of Frederick our tutor and William his former student and love of his life. I felt the emotions between them after a three year absence and was eager to see them in a private setting where intimacy could be had. What I wasn’t ready for was William to go through all his fuck buddies in every form of sex other than penetration all the while thinking of his dear Freddie while on his way to meet him. I am not saying the dude can’t get it on with who he wants and I get that he is young, only 19 and has a remarkable recovery time but good lord dude. Keep it in your pants.

I adored Freddie and felt awful for him thinking that he was never good enough for William. The whole plot-ish deal at the end was odd and carried out even odder. Maybe this needed to be longer so we could fully see the direction the story was going? I am not sure but it seemed like along with the plot-lite porn we got, we also got a game of pinball tossing the story around and then everything was all tidy with everyone happy and… the end.

I am not sure what else to say. The author does deliver the romance and intimacy that is palpable with Frederick and William, I just wish we didn’t get William’s dick and tongue in everyone‘s mouth and he could have at least stayed celibate for one day for the love of his life.

But… that’s just me.

Tag-Team Review: Practice Makes Perfect (Housemates #3) by Jay Northcote

Getting experience with the guy next door seems like a great idea—until the lines blur.

Dev, a geeky first year physics student, has zero sexual experience and he’s determined to change that ASAP. After a bad time in halls of residence, he’s starting the summer term with different housemates and a new plan of action.

Ewan lives in the house next door to Dev. He’s young, free and single, and isn’t looking to change that anytime soon. When awkward circumstances throw them together, Ewan offers to help Dev out in the bedroom in return for maths tutoring, and Dev jumps at the chance.

They work their way through Dev’s sex-to-do list, but what starts as a perfect no-strings arrangement gets more complicated as their feelings for each other begin to grow. If they’re going to turn their lessons in lovemaking into something more permanent, they need to work out how they feel about each other—before they get to the end of Dev’s list.

Length: 54,000 words approx.
This book is a complete story and can be read as a stand-alone

Averaged!

Adam - 4 Hearts

After reading a very angst-heavy book, this was the perfect pick-me-up.

Dev is nerdy, socially awkward, and a virgin. He likes his life to be orderly, which is why he makes lists for everything. One of his goals for the year is to get some sexual experience, but he’s not really sure how to go about it. Ewan, a ginger hunk who doesn’t have a problem finding company, is Dev’s next-door neighbour. After a couple of awkward encounters, during which Ewan learns about Dev’s goal to get laid, Ewan presents Dev with a proposal: Ewan will tutor Dev in the bedroom, and Dev will tutor Ewan in math.

It’s a fair trade, and the two don’t take long to get down to business.

I know what to expect when I read a book by Jay Northcote. It’s usually low on the angst but not too sappy, with immediately likeable MCs, a realistic romance, and some sexytime to top it off. The Housemates series kicks the sexytime up a few notches. ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ delivered in every aspect.

If you’ve got a thing for confident gingers with infectious smiles who know their way around a bedroom, you won’t have any problem with Ewan. He had me feeling some type of way, especially when he patiently taught Dev the joys of sex. If he set up a tutoring business, I would keep him on retainer.

Does that make me a bit of a perv? Probably. I own my perviness.

It’s hard not to love Dev right off the bat. He’s a cute geek who knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to go after it. His obsession with lists was adorable. He even makes one for what he wants Ewan to teach him.

The Housemates series has some hot sexin’, and book 3 is no different. Dev’s list covers all of the basics - handjobs, blowjobs, rimming, and anal. Ewan and Dev are very thorough in going through that list. Though Dev might need some pointers at times, he is in no way a bashful virgin. The boy dishes out dirty talk without thinking about it.

These two lit up my tablet screen, giving the previous couples in this series a run for their money.

Dev and Ewan’s relationship isn’t just about the sex. The two get to know each other, and eventually realize that they want something more. Through home-made dinner dates (though neither will admit that they’re dates), spending time together, and meeting each other’s friends, they slowly develop feelings for one another. It was a sweet and believable progression.

Yes, the inevitable misunderstanding happens, which I’m usually not a fan of. But in this case I didn’t mind because it doesn’t take long for Ewan and Dev to admit that the two were head-over-heels for each other.

If you’re looking for something hot, sweet, and easy, ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ is the book for you! It can be read as a stand-alone.

Chelsea - 4.5 Hearts

Sex Things to Try
Kissing
Hand jobs
Frottage
Blow jobs (giving)
Blow jobs (receiving)
Fingering
Rimming (giving)
Rimming (receiving)
Topping
Bottoming

I adored the first two books in this series, such a perfect blend of sweetness and sexy. Practice Makes Perfect was no exception.

Ewan and Dev…. what a gorgeous sexy couple. I adored both of these characters. Ewan is a genuine nice guy, who had no past hang-ups or deep dark secrets. Also he's ginger…

Then there's Dev, who felt like the most un-virgin virgin ever and I really really liked that. Dev has done nothing with anyone, not even kissing, but he’s done an awful lot to himself, including fucking himself with a big fat dildo. That's never the case with virgin's in romance books. They're always these chaste ‘not wanting to be touched’ boys, but Dev was very proactive in his sex life and I loved it! Ewan did too.

“You gonna make me beg for it?” Ewan asked hoarsely. “Or do you want me to make you take it?”
Dev moaned and tightened his fingers on Ewan’s thighs where he gripped them.

At times I couldn’t help but feel frustrated at Dev and Ewan’s obvious assumptions of each other's feelings. It was evident that they were both falling for each other, but they were both so insecure (sounds like normal teenagers really) about where they stood as a couple. Good thing is it wasn't overly prolonged. They talked and worked things out pretty quickly.

Really I think a large majority of MM romance lovers will adore this. It has sweet characters, budding friendships and sexy sex... What's not to love?


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