Review: Bully for Sale (Heat for Sale #2) by Leta Blake

Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him.

Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life.

A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch.

Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves.

The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love.

While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully.

 

Bully for Sale is the second addition to the Heat for Sale series. If you haven't read book #1- Heat for Sale (I suggest you do- the audiobook is fantastic!) The books can be read as standalone.

Leta Blake is definitely one of the few published authors' A/B/O that I can read and tolerate. If you're not familiar with the omegaverse the author set up, women do not exist, men can be carriers (omegas), while betas are relatively human and alphas are the top of the chain, with their knots and life saving semen. Omegas have less rights and are treated as breeding machines mostly. Let's get the triggers out the way: attempted rape, dubious consent, eating disorder.

In this newest addition, the main characters are still in high school. (Don't worry, they're all legal.) Omega Ezer Fersee is nineteen, dyslexic and the bane of his wealthy alpha parent. His omega parent has been kicked out of their home, his older omega brothers seem to care only for themselves and he has know one. And to top it off, he's bullied mercilessly and labeled as the 'weird kid'. After an attempted rape by three rich alpha bullies, Ezer's life couldn't get any worse right? Wrong. Wealthy omegas usually have their heats and bodies sold to the higher bidder or Ezer's family's case, an arranged 'heat cycle'. But the person who is chosen for him... one his alpha bullies, Ned Clearwater. 

Ned is a coward and a follower, two bad combinations to have in life in my opinion. He's idealistic and romantic. And fell for Ezer the moment he saw him. Ned is trying to redeem himself and that's the crux of his arc for the majority of the book. He was loathsome and he's trying to better himself. He's a gentle giant that isn't too set in his ways that he can't be changed as he enters adulthood. I'm not a fan of cowards and Ned most certainly is one. But, he's likeable too. 

Ezer is prickly and remains true to his self for the book too. He's had a crap hand dealt to him and he learns more about himself, you can't help but feel sorry for him too. 

Essentially, this is new adult, but the adults in their lives are their puppet masters and they get thrown into too many adult things that they're not ready for. There is smut but since most of it due to their biology, I wouldn't say it was gratuitous. They need it at a molecular level. ;)

Why not rate it higher? While the story is paced pretty quick despite being 404 pages, the romance is mainly one sided for the majority of the book. (Which for me, works for the characters especially with the way Ezer is portrayed.) Thankfully, there's an epilogue! But we don't get to read the changes Ned needs to go through on page.I don't mind bully romances but something about Ned's cowardly ways got under my skin a bit.

Overall, it's a solid new adult story. I was happy Heat for Sale's main characters (Heath and Adrien) showed up a for a few. I did like the pair.

P.S. I do hope there's a story for each of the adult Fersee brothers, especially Shan. I'm so anxious at all the possibilities that could happen with Ezer's family. 

A copy provided for an honest review.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Hidden Blade: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 by Kaje Harper

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Hidden Blade: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022

Author and Publisher: Kaje Harper

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: First-time, clinical anxiety

Themes: Coming out, hurt-comfort

Heat Rating:  3 flames 

Length: 86 000 words

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

 It is part of a shared-world series. This is the first release from this year's set.

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Buy Links  - Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Sometimes willpower isn't enough.

Blurb 

Cam 

Social anxiety's been my constant companion for twenty-three years, sometimes in the background, sometimes silencing me and yanking my guts out in the nearest trash can. No matter how much I love playing music, I'm never going to get up on a stage and perform in front of a crowd. But since I met Erik, and was asked to join his band Hellsbane, that knowledge hurts worse. 

No heart (even Erik's) or dick (even Erik's) is big enough to carry me past my limits, but God, I wish there was a way.

Erik

Life's damned unfair when a guy with the voice of a hard-rock angel and a songwriting talent like Cam's can only post anonymous videos online. But you can't cure anxiety with wanting, or willpower. My drummer needs to quit trying to push Cam onstage with us before he breaks. 

Rocktoberfest's still our goal, and touring with Hellsbane was my only ambition, until I met Cam. Now I can't have everything I love in one place, but dammit, I wish there was a way.

A first-times, life challenges, coming out, rockstar romance. 

Hidden Blade is part of the multi-author The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Excerpt 

Cameron

“You suck.” I glared at Andre as I clutched the puke bucket between my knees. 

“Hey, you did it, dude.” He took his eyes off the road for a second to grin at me. “You got through a whole set and walked off that stage with your head held high.”

“And my intestines climbing out my mouth.”

“Ew, gross image.”

“You’re a nurse. You eat gross images for breakfast.”

Andre threw his head back and laughed. “Okay, you got me. But seriously, wasn’t that even a little bit cool?”

“The bit where I puked in the john before I went onstage, or the part where I got as far as the dumpster down the block afterward?”

“Oh, the dumpster. For sure.” He patted my knee. “I won’t push you anymore. But you were a hit. If you wanted a job or a good fuck, they were lining up to offer it to you. Maybe both at the same time.”

“Hah. Bullshit.” I’m skinny and beanpole-tall and I haven’t cut my hair in years because reasons, and I have this nose that I only don’t hate because it’s just like my dad’s was.

“I mean it.” At the stoplight he fished in his pocket and pulled out a card. “Lead singer of this group was drooling all over your set and he came looking for you like a moose hunting its mate when you were done.”

“You make him sound so appealing.” I took the card from his fingers. “Apparently I could’ve fucked a moose. Wow.”

“Or been fucked by.” The light turned and Andre hit the gas. “He wasn’t that bad, for an older dude. I know you like them with some years on ’em.”

“Shut up, Bones.”

“Only the truth, Spock.” 

I chuckled, despite the acid still churning around in my stomach. No one on the planet knew me as well as Andre, and in one regrettably truthful moment years back I’d spilled my attraction to silver foxes and solid older men. He liked to tease me, but never in a mean way, and he kept bigger secrets of mine than that one. “I’m not trying to get laid.”

“You should be. Seriously, Cam, you’ve been with what, two guys in your whole life? A man has needs, or so I tell Lyssa every day.”

“That girl is way too good for you.”

“Woman, Cameron. Don’t let the g-word cross your lips. And you’re damn right she’s too good for me. The key is never letting her figure that out, am I right?”

“Sure. Whatever you say.” Andre was the best. His clowning was intended to distract me, keeping my anxious brain from fixating on what-the-shit-did-I-just-do??? Which I shouldn’t have let myself think about, dammit, and I flipped the card over in my fingers to focus on something else. Hellsbane. A familiar band logo and on the next line, Erik Svenson - lead guitar and vocals. With a phone number, an email, Instagram, Bandcamp, and Twitter. 

Hellsbane’s business card! I’d known they’d be there, of course, even if we deliberately arrived only just in time for my set, so I hadn’t heard them play. And if they’d been in the audience, I hadn’t recognized a single face in the one panicked look I’d allowed myself. Although… There’d been a big blond, bearded guy up front who might’ve been their lead singer… Our eyes had met, and he hadn’t laughed at the fear in mine.

Was that Erik? Watching me? Fuck, maybe I should’ve played my new song, even if the chorus wasn’t polished yet. Or not skipped that instrumental bridge, except if I’d stopped singing, I might not’ve started again. How bad did I screw up in front of Erik Svenson?…

About the Author  

I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty-five years*), although mostly for my own entertainment. I write M/M romance, often with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi, paranormal… I also have Young Adult short stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)  

After decades of writing just for fun, my husband convinced me I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out in May 2011. I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller The Rebuilding Year and Rainbow Award Best Mystery-Thriller Tracefinder: Contact. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/books/. 

Social Media Links

Audible Profile  |  Blog/Website  |  Newsletter Sign-up

Facebook | Facebook Group: Kaje's Conversation Corner  

Goodreads Author page  | BookBub

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Seaspray by Rick R. Reed

 

Title: Seaspray

Author: Rick R. Reed

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 07/12/2022

Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 52200

Genre: Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, amnesia, coming of age, virgins, magical realism, second chances, family drama

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Description

Winslow Birkel is a sweet young man in his first relationship. But his boyfriend, the charming and fiery Chad Loveless, has become increasingly abusive to the point where Winslow fears for his life.

Everything changes in a single night when Winslow, fleeing yet another epic fight, goes out to a local bar and finds a sympathetic ear in a new friend, Darryn Maxwell. But when he comes home, Chad’s waiting. He’s got it in for Winslow, whom he wrongly accuses of being unfaithful.

The stormy night sends Winslow off on a journey to escape. The last thing he recalls is skidding off the road and into the river. When he awakens, he’s mysteriously in the charming seaside town of Seaspray, where people are warm and welcoming, yet their appearances and disappearances are all too inexplicable.

Back home, Darryn wonders what’s happened to the new guy he met during his first outing to the local gay bar, the Q. Darryn knows Winslow’s been abused, but he also feels he’s quickly fallen in love with Winslow.

Can Winslow and Darryn decipher their respective mysteries? Is it possible for them to reunite? Is Chad still lurking and plotting to make sure Winslow never loves anyone else? The answers to these questions await you in Seaspray, where you may, or may not, ever leave.

Excerpt

Seaspray
Rick R. Reed © 2022
All Rights Reserved

Winslow

I opened my eyes to a world of blue and green. An eel, long with zebra stripes, swam by, undulating. A school of goldfish with Margaret Keane eyes and puckered lips circled, putting me in the eye of a surreal hurricane. A flick of their tails and they swam off as one.

The bubbles floated up, pouring from my mouth and nostrils.

My lungs weren’t tight. There was no desperate need to breathe, no panic. Mentally, I went back and forth—remain underwater, watching the play of light and shadow and the undulating flora in its rainbow of neon colors, or kick and rise to the surface.

But what was above, beyond the water, was a mystery.

The threat of certain death caused me to ascend toward the light shimmering on the water’s surface.

I broke through, sucking sweet, cold air into my lungs. I smiled, treading water.

I was not afraid.

For the first time in so long—I. Was. Not. Afraid.

I swirled in the gentle waves, which were as warm as a comforting bath, despite the chill in the air. White birds, gulls perhaps, pinwheeled above me in a leaden sky, the color of pewter. All across the water’s surface, strands of mist lay. The mist extended toward a rocky shoreline, dotted here and there with driftwood.

Cliffs rose up, chalky white at the edge of the beach. At the top, stands of pine towered over the sea, sentinels. Tree-covered hills, in shades of deep emerald, reached to touch the leaden sky. The top ones were shrouded in mist.

Where was I?

I stretched out in the water, part of me unwilling to leave, but following an instinct for self-preservation, I swam slowly to the shore. It felt like I was far from it, maybe even by as much as a mile, yet I covered the distance in mere minutes.

I pulled myself onto the beach, breathing harder but not gasping, and lay among the pebbles. Oddly, it was as comfortable as my grandma’s feather bed once was.

I remained there for a while, staring up at the sky, where the charcoal clouds were beginning to be burned away by the sun. As the gray vanished, it was replaced with patches of blue.

I could lie here all day, resting.

And then I tensed. A memory floated into consciousness, making me recall a horrible night. When was it? Paradoxically, the memory could have been years or only minutes ago.

My name is Winslow Birkel, and this is one of the things memory is forcing me to confront:

»

I sank into the driver’s seat of my beat-up Nissan Versa. At the little riverfront park, I marked the slow progress of a river barge cutting through the dark water. Its lights, reflected on the water’s shifting black surface, were the picture of loneliness.

I could identify with loneliness. Separation. Isolation. These days, they were my only companions.

I also could identify with fanciful notions and, in my mind’s eye, realized how the reflections of the barge’s lights on the dark water, golden, appeared to be traveling upward. If I looked at them just the right way, I could visualize them as shimmering fountains contrasted against a black background. How I longed to enter a world of golden fountains casting off the darkness.

Even though now, on this beach, I felt totally free of pain as though someone had dosed me with morphine, the memory of pain in my ribs was there. I imagined the intensity of the hurt when I dared to draw in a deep breath.

Like a doctor in a film, I visualized the bruise on my lower back above where my kidneys were. I could still feel the dull, unrelenting throb. The red marks in the shape of fists darkened to purple, a malevolent blooming.

Yet even with the bursts of nauseating pain, what hurt the most wasn’t physical.

I knew I’d fled the house I’d once occupied—I’d never call it a home because home meant warmth, security, stability, and most of all, safety.

I’d dashed out, looking over my shoulder at a menacing figure standing in the open front doorway of our house, fists clenched. Chad Loveless, my partner—I’d never call him my beloved, or lover, or even friend, not ever again—glared.

What had it been this time? Oh yeah, I’d broken his favorite coffee mug, the one with a German shepherd cartoon figure on a black background, as I was washing dishes. The mug had been slippery in my sudsy hands, and it had dropped. I’d gasped as it shattered on the linoleum kitchen floor, the dread and terror way out of proportion, rising immediately.

And so did Chad. He hurried into the kitchen from his recliner in the front room and forced me to the floor by the back of my neck.

The most menacing thing about this man I’d thrown my lot in with (love no longer entered the equation) was—and this would be surprising to an outsider—his smile. The smile never wavered, not when Chad was berating me for some real or imagined fault, nor when a fist connected with a soft spot on my body—rarely my face—it was our little secret, hidden by the baggy jeans and sweatshirts I favored.

He’d smile and smile and smile, as though what he was delivering was not pain and casual cruelty, but joy.

Joy had not had a place in our house for such a long time. Back then I didn’t think I’d know if I’d recognize the emotion if it turned up at the front door wearing a ribbon.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Meet the Author

Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his husband, Bruce, and their fierce Chihuahua/Shiba Inu mix, Kodi.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: His Harem Collection by A.E. Lister & Samantha Cayto

 

Alternative Medicine by AE Lister

Room for Elijah by Samantha Cayto

His Harem Collection

How’s a guy to choose? Why should he have to! This hero is spoilt for choice – it’s a summer romance, multiplied.

General Release Date: 5th July 2022

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Alternative Medicine
Room for Elijah

Book Description

Alternative Medicine

Prescription—a weekend at the cottage and a willing twink to go. What else can Scott, Jericho and Pascal ask for?

Scott Vernier is overburdened with his job as a professor and the logistics of maintaining two residences—his own and the home he shares with Jericho and Pascal. Is it time to consider making the final commitment and moving in?

Jericho suggests a getaway, and the trio borrow a friend’s cottage for the Canada Day summer weekend. Being in a strange setting doesn’t subdue Dr. Griffin’s ability to attend to Scott’s medical needs in the slightest. Then they meet Gerome, a young server at a local restaurant. Gerome seems intrigued by the three older men and agrees to return to the cottage to see where the evening takes them.

Let’s just say they don’t wind up playing board games.

Reader advisory: This story features partner sharing, medical kink and cum play.

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First For Romance

Room for Elijah

There is always room for the right person.

Elijah has been forced to leave his home because of his homophobic family. He has arrived in Boston with the hopes of starting a new life. His first stop is a drag club. Intrigued by the art form, he wants to take a peek and look for work.

After leaving the military, Dermott opened Queens to celebrate his love of drag and Irish pubs. Two of his best performers, Rienk and Nico, pack his club and share his bed. Dermott gives the boys needed stability and love, and the three of them have formed an unconventional family.

Dermott is everything Elijah has ever fantasized about, although he does not expect the man to give him anything more than a job. He is already involved with two other beautiful and worldly boys. There is no room for a sheltered virgin like him.

Dermott and his harem were not looking for a new romantic entanglement. When an obviously lost, yet sweet, boy enters the club and their lives, each of them let Elijah know that they would welcome another boy into Dermott’s enormous bed and heart.

Giving his virginity to Dermott would be a dream come true for Elijah, and the other boys are becoming amazing friends. But trusting all three of these men with his heart may be more than Elijah can handle.

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About the Authors

AE Lister

AE Lister/Elizabeth Lister is a Canadian non-binary author with a vivid imagination and a head full of unique and interesting characters. They have published 10 books, one of which received an Honorable Mention from the National Leather Association – International for excellence in SM/Leather/Fetish writing.

“Sensual and visceral BDSM.” – Amazon.ca

Find out more about AE Lister at their website, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. You can join their Facebook group and find out more at their BDSM blog.

Samantha Cayto

Samantha Cayto is a Boston-area native who practices as a business lawyer by day while writing erotic romance at night—the steamier the better. She likes to push the envelope when it comes to writing about passion and is delighted other women agree that guy-on-guy sex is the hottest ever.

She lives a typical suburban life with her husband, three kids and four dogs. Her children don't understand why they can't read what she writes, but her husband is always willing to lend her a hand—and anything else—when she needs to choreograph a scene.

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Review: Dark Money Love by Ace Fawn

Akira Kazama is a man that gets what he wants. A loan shark king affiliated with the yakuza, he practically runs the money game in Tokyo.

Sora Nakano wants to save his mother’s life. When he has no choice left but to take out a hefty loan for her medical bills, he becomes indebted to Akira.

For Akira, business is always strictly business. And when someone owes him money, he always collects. Except this time, he wants more than just money from Sora.

He wants his body.

They agree on an arrangement for Sora to pay off the debt, and it’s supposed to be a win-win situation for them both. But Sora never wanted to be involved with the dark, hidden side of Akira’s life, and when Sora is threatened, he must turn to Akira for help.

Will Sora save his mother and get out of this alive? Or will he spiral down the path of dark money love?

Dark Money Love is a dark m/m romance intended for mature readers only. This book contains explicit adult content, weapon use and graphic depictions of death. Reader discretion is advised.

A criminal falls in lust...and then love?

Dark Money Love is a novella about 35 year old loner loam shark Akira. He's affiliated with the yakuza and collects debt payments for them.The book literally starts off with a bang with Akira collecting from an older, desperate person. Someone is trying to get over on him and Akira seems to be apathetic. He looks through his victims and finds young, innocent Sora. He knows Sora has no way of repayment especially with the high interest fees so he plans on coercing Sora to pay with his body.

Major dubious consent going on in here, consider yourself warned. And there are BDSM elements as well. I hesitate to call it BDSM as there is no SSC or RACK agreements. :( 

 Poor Sora doesn't know what's going on a majority of the time, Akira just blurts out to pick a "safeword" and poor Sora was confuzzled. Sora is an innocent in every sense of the word. He has no home, no friends and no one to help him with his ill mother. 

We get glimpses of akira's world which seems interesting enough. Akira is kinda tsundere, he's cold but cares for just Sora, even from the beginning of their arrangement.  

The writing is competent, but it needed another edit. It's the little things that can irk my reading soul such as one character puts on a condom and then in the next paragraph he's cumming raw in his partner. Did the condom break? Vanish? Was there a switcheroo on his didgeridoo?

I think another 10-15 pages to flesh out the main characters would have gone a long way with helping Sora and Akira's burgeoning 'romance'. I hesitate to call their softer feelings for one another a romance because they didn't talk to each other as much. If they would have opened up more, I think I'd believe it more. I wanted to like this more. I'm on the fence because I like dark plots but I also like the writing to match the style it was going for.

Would I read more from the author? Maybe, if the plot is good enough. I dunno if this is previous fanfic or if the author is also a fanfic writer, but it read like it.

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

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Crush Box Set 1 by Elouise East

 

The Crush boxed set #1 blog tour makes a stop at BMBR today! Author Elouise East and Gay Book Promotions host today's promo, share an excerpt from book #1 - First Kiss and a GIVEAWAY! Check out today's stop!

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Crush Box Set 1

Author: Elouise East

Cover Artist: Maria Vickers

Release Date: January 13, 2022

Genre:  Gay contemporary romance

Heat Rating: 3-4 flames

Length: approx 210 000 words for all 3 books 

Each one can be read separately, but characters pop into all books.

The stories do not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

 

Crush is not just a bar… it’s a family.

Blurb 

Box set 1 contains:

First Kiss follows Charlie and Josh as love crosses boundaries they never expected it to. When Charlie tries to find someone to take his virginity, he doesn’t realise he is knocking down the first domino in a long line of changes set to test their loyalty and put them on a path neither anticipated.

Instant Desire is what Sean feels when he first meets Asher. Unfortunately, it pushes Sean further away from the man instead of closer. Asher does everything he can to help Sean get past what haunts him, but even though he understands the grief, he can’t wallow in it himself. His niece needs him.

Primary Seduction follows Trent on his bisexual awakening. He never would’ve thought Max would be the one person he wanted. A match flickers to life inside him, and he can’t hold back, even when Max comes complete with a BDSM lifestyle Trent knows nothing about. Trouble comes calling, but his newfound relationship helps him in ways he never expected.

MM romances where love wins over everything. Everyone is welcome at Crush.

Excerpt from First Kiss

“Hello?” 

Josh rushed into the hallway and ploughed into Charlie. 

“Umph!” Charlie dropped his bag with a thump, then slid his arms around Josh’s waist, one reaching up to rub his back. “Hi, J,” he whispered.

Josh didn’t say anything. Charlie hadn’t realised exactly how much he had missed him until he’d come back through the door. The same for Josh if how tight he was holding him was anything to go by. Josh squeezed him tighter. A throat cleared but they ignored it. Josh burrowed his face into Charlie’s neck. “I love you,” he whispered so quietly, Charlie wasn’t sure if he’d heard right.

Charlie’s body started shaking. Josh pulled back a little to look at him, and Charlie realised he was crying. Josh cupped his cheeks, wiping the tears with his fingers. “Is that okay?”

Charlie nodded as more tears fell.

“Why have you made my boy cry?” Josh got pushed aside as their mum took his place, pulling Charlie into a hug. “Are you okay, sweetheart? What did he say to upset you?” His mum looked at Josh, eyes narrowed. “You better have a good explanation, young man.”

Josh straightened, looked her in the eye and said, “I told him I loved him.”

There was a beat of silence then his mum burst into tears, hugging them both tight, mumbling words he couldn’t understand. He was hoping they were happy tears too. But he wasn’t sure.

His mum pulled away after a minute and pulled them into the living room. She pushed them both down onto the sofa and she sat on the coffee table facing them. She looked at Josh. “You love him?”

Josh nodded. “With everything I am.” He wrapped his arm around Charlie’s shoulder.

His mum looked at Charlie. “What about you?”

Charlie nodded. “I love him.” Then he turned to Josh, “I love you.” A lone tear dripped down his cheek, which Josh wiped away.

His mum clasped her hands to her mouth and laughed. “I’m so happy for you both.” She looked at them tenderly for a moment, then her face became serious. “You’re going to have many problems, my beautiful boys. There will be people out there,” she pointed out the window, “who will try to bring you down with their hate. You must stay strong. Believe in each other.

 

About the Author 

I am Elouise East but feel free to call me Elli. I write sweet and steamy connections in gay romance. I also touch on taboo stories under the name Elouise R East.

Books that tell the stories where friendship and family are the focal point - be it blood family or chosen - is very important to me. That’s why I include a variety of personalities, talents, ages, situations and abilities as I believe a story needs, or a character needs. I want my characters to be real, to be relatable, to be free to have whatever views they tell me they have. And trust me, most of the time, I do not have any say in the matter!

My characters come to life on the page for me as well as my readers. Their stories unfold in front of me, and I have very little input into how they want to be shown. Just like real life, the lives of my characters change with every choice, every interaction and every conversation. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I write books that are emotionally realistic, even if liberties are taken with other aspects of my stories. I don’t know any other way to write. It comes from deep inside.

Who am I? A single parent to two children who make life worth living. An avid reader who still devours every book she can get her hands on. A student of learning about any subject that takes her fancy. An author of books she would read herself. And a romantic at heart who loves anything cheesy. 

Who’s in?

 

Author Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook  |   Twitter  

Instagram   |  Newsletter Sign-up  

 

 

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of two signed paperbacks of either First Kiss, Instant Desire, or Primary Seduction (winner’s choice).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Crush Box Set 1 by Elouise East

 Author Elouise East and Gay Book Promotions host a release blitz for her collection of books #1-3 from the Crush series! Read more about the boxed set and enter in the signed copy giveaway! Good luck!

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Crush Box Set 1

Author: Elouise East

Cover Artist: Maria Vickers

Release Date: January 13, 2022

Genre:  Gay contemporary romance

Heat Rating: 3-4 flames

Length: approx 210 000 words for all 3 books 

Each one can be read separately, but characters pop into all books.

The stories do not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Crush is not just a bar… it’s a family.

Blurb 

Box set 1 contains:

First Kiss follows Charlie and Josh as love crosses boundaries they never expected it to. When Charlie tries to find someone to take his virginity, he doesn’t realise he is knocking down the first domino in a long line of changes set to test their loyalty and put them on a path neither anticipated.

Instant Desire is what Sean feels when he first meets Asher. Unfortunately, it pushes Sean further away from the man instead of closer. Asher does everything he can to help Sean get past what haunts him, but even though he understands the grief, he can’t wallow in it himself. His niece needs him.

Primary Seduction follows Trent on his bisexual awakening. He never would’ve thought Max would be the one person he wanted. A match flickers to life inside him, and he can’t hold back, even when Max comes complete with a BDSM lifestyle Trent knows nothing about. Trouble comes calling, but his newfound relationship helps him in ways he never expected.

MM romances where love wins over everything. Everyone is welcome at Crush.

Excerpt from First Kiss

“Hello?” 

Josh rushed into the hallway and ploughed into Charlie. 

“Umph!” Charlie dropped his bag with a thump, then slid his arms around Josh’s waist, one reaching up to rub his back. “Hi, J,” he whispered.

Josh didn’t say anything. Charlie hadn’t realised exactly how much he had missed him until he’d come back through the door. The same for Josh if how tight he was holding him was anything to go by. Josh squeezed him tighter. A throat cleared but they ignored it. Josh burrowed his face into Charlie’s neck. “I love you,” he whispered so quietly, Charlie wasn’t sure if he’d heard right.

Charlie’s body started shaking. Josh pulled back a little to look at him, and Charlie realised he was crying. Josh cupped his cheeks, wiping the tears with his fingers. “Is that okay?”

Charlie nodded as more tears fell.

“Why have you made my boy cry?” Josh got pushed aside as their mum took his place, pulling Charlie into a hug. “Are you okay, sweetheart? What did he say to upset you?” His mum looked at Josh, eyes narrowed. “You better have a good explanation, young man.”

Josh straightened, looked her in the eye and said, “I told him I loved him.”

There was a beat of silence then his mum burst into tears, hugging them both tight, mumbling words he couldn’t understand. He was hoping they were happy tears too. But he wasn’t sure.

His mum pulled away after a minute and pulled them into the living room. She pushed them both down onto the sofa and she sat on the coffee table facing them. She looked at Josh. “You love him?”

Josh nodded. “With everything I am.” He wrapped his arm around Charlie’s shoulder.

His mum looked at Charlie. “What about you?”

Charlie nodded. “I love him.” Then he turned to Josh, “I love you.” A lone tear dripped down his cheek, which Josh wiped away.

His mum clasped her hands to her mouth and laughed. “I’m so happy for you both.” She looked at them tenderly for a moment, then her face became serious. “You’re going to have many problems, my beautiful boys. There will be people out there,” she pointed out the window, “who will try to bring you down with their hate. You must stay strong. Believe in each other.

About the Author 

I am Elouise East but feel free to call me Elli. I write sweet and steamy connections in gay romance. I also touch on taboo stories under the name Elouise R East.

Books that tell the stories where friendship and family are the focal point - be it blood family or chosen - is very important to me. That’s why I include a variety of personalities, talents, ages, situations and abilities as I believe a story needs, or a character needs. I want my characters to be real, to be relatable, to be free to have whatever views they tell me they have. And trust me, most of the time, I do not have any say in the matter!

My characters come to life on the page for me as well as my readers. Their stories unfold in front of me, and I have very little input into how they want to be shown. Just like real life, the lives of my characters change with every choice, every interaction and every conversation. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I write books that are emotionally realistic, even if liberties are taken with other aspects of my stories. I don’t know any other way to write. It comes from deep inside.

Who am I? A single parent to two children who make life worth living. An avid reader who still devours every book she can get her hands on. A student of learning about any subject that takes her fancy. An author of books she would read herself. And a romantic at heart who loves anything cheesy. 

Who’s in?

Author Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook  |   Twitter  

Instagram   |  Newsletter Sign-up  

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of two signed paperbacks of either First Kiss, Instant Desire, or Primary Seduction (winner’s choice).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Audiobook Review: Heat for Sale (Heat for Sale #1) by Blake Moreno

Heat can be sold but love is earned.

In a world where omegas sell their heats for profit, Adrien is a university student in need of funding. With no family to fall back on, he reluctantly allows the university's matcher to offer his virgin heat for auction online. Anxious, but aware this is the reality of life for all omegas, Adrien hopes whoever wins his heat will be kind.

Heath—a wealthy, older alpha—is rocked by the young man's resemblance to his dead lover, Nathan. When Heath discovers Adrien is Nathan’s lost son from his first heat years before they met, he becomes obsessed with the idea of reclaiming a piece of Nathan.

Heath buys Adrien’s heat with only one motivation: to impregnate Adrien, claim the child, and move on. But their undeniable passion shocks him. Adrien doesn't know what to make of the handsome, mysterious stranger he's pledged his body to, but he’s soon swept away in the heat of the moment and surrenders to Heath entirely.

Once Adrien is pregnant, Heath secrets him away to his immense and secluded home. As the birth draws near, Heath grows to love Adrien for the man he is, not just for his connection to Nathan. Unaware of Heath's past with his omega parent and coming to depend on him heart and soul, Adrien begins to fall as well.

But as their love blossoms, Nathan's shadow looms. Can Heath keep his new love and the child they've made together once Adrien discovers his secrets?

This was a solid omegaverse read.

In Heat for Sale, young omega Adrien is in a society where breeding/heats for profit is not frowned on. Omegas selling their heats to the highest bidder or having babies to secure future generations is key in this society. Women don't exist here. Omegas are revered for breeding. Virgin Adrien is a quiet omega college student in need of cash for school. He sells his heat and the highest bidder, older wealthy alpha Heath has an unknown obsession with Adrien. Plus, tie in Adrien's link to Heath's dead lover, it makes for an interesting plot.

There is something about the way Blake (Moreno) writes A/B/O that works for me. I've read the Heat of Love series, while both have similar bones in their omegaverses, Heat for Sale is more erotic, slightly darker. The D/s structure was a nice addition to story. The first time Heath gave Adrien an order, it was nice to read Adrien's submissive response. Heath was commanding in the bedroom, but wasn't authoritative 24/7. Adrien was submissive in nature but I didn't find him to be a doormat.

I bought the audiobook to read along with the story, so it was my first time listening to narrator Michael Dean. I'm pretty picky with narrators, and I'm unsure if I'd listen to more Dean narrations. We'll see. But I enjoyed him reading Heat for Sale. What grabbed me the most when listening is when the narrator would get on a roll and not take a breath when booming through a sex scene...it was like he was preaching porn. It made me giggle a bit, I can't lie. Dean was there narrating and getting into the characters and boom! Something erotic started and it was like there was a porn pulpit and he was there to preach. He seemed to have a blast. The voices were pretty great for the main characters.

If you like ABO and D/s (without the excessive fluff as some omegaverses tend to lean), I'd say check out Heat for Sale audio or book, either version works.

I see this is considered first of a series. If this actually comes to fruition, consider me there for future reads. I wouldn't mind revisiting this world.