Review: Hemingway's Notebook (Love Across Time #5) by Jackie North

Soulmates across time. Two souls connected by destiny.

In present day, Jake, lonely and cut off from his parents, travels to the Chamberlin Inn in Cody, Wyoming to work on extra credit for his college seminar.

In 1932, Sebby labors at the Chamberlin Inn for pennies a day, wishing with all his heart for a better life.

While taking photographs in the room where Ernest Hemingway once stayed, Jake is flung back in time to the year 1932. There he meets Sebby who is living on the edge, half starving, a victim of the Great Depression. He’s been dodging rent collectors, getting behind on doctor's bills, trying to care for his ailing Pop.

Sebby falls hard for Jake with his movie star smile, but knows something is different about him. Jake wears strange clothes, talks too fast, and doesn’t look like he’s gone hungry a day in his whole life. He’s also the handsomest boy Sebby has ever seen.

Jake is drawn to Sebby’s dark eyes, shy smile, and gentle heart. Sebby is like nobody Jake has ever met. And though the year 1932 scares him to his very core, he needs to decide. Go home? Or stay and weather the Depression with Sebby, whom he has grown to love.

A male/male time travel romance, complete with hurt/comfort, true confessions, a shared bed, first time romance, the angst of separation, and true love across time.

I have to preface this by saying I generally run away like I’m on fire when presented with time travel romances. Not that I don’t like them; when they are done well I like them too much and dammit, 10 year old me was not prepared for the heartbreak that was Somewhere in Time. I didn’t even really get romance at the tender age of 10 (or probably more like 12 since we watched it on TV), yet the movie still killed me to death.

The premise on this one made me want it though, I was intrigued by the Hemingway angle and while he’s a very secondary character, the author did not disappoint in tying him in seamlessly to the plot. The author also did not fail in effectively killing me almost to death with another damn time travel romance. Sweet cheezus I was stressed out every time Sebby or Jake entered the room Hemingway stayed in and with good reason! I did have good feels about where this story was going and thankfully Jake’s ending was not Richard Collier’s. I’m still irritated with my mother for making me watch that movie with her.

Anywho, childhood bitterness aside, this character driven tale was beautifully told and the depiction of Sebby and his father’s life was so vividly described that I had one of those amazing book experiences where you forget you’re even reading because you are so in the moment with the characters.

Jake is a present day everyman. He’s a really good guy, but not remarkable and that is no dig at Jake. He did have a crappy family life and was at somewhat of a crossroads as he was ending his university tenure and about to head out to the real world. And the mood from him was not about the excitement of possibilities, but more of a melancholy resignation.

When he traveled back in time after being in the room Hemingway stayed in and talking himself into a position at the hotel working with Sebby and staying with Sebby and his Pop, he eventually came into his own. While Jake make not have been remarkable in the present day, in the past he slowly found his feet and became the man he was meant to be because he became the hero that Sebby and his Pop deserved.

For awhile I felt a little disconnected with Jake and I think at first it was because Sebby was such a sympathetic and likable character. Sebby was my focus and I viewed Jake through his eyes, but also knew his backstory, so my view was a little at odds with Sebby’s. But, once I saw Jake’s confidence grow and watched him become the man that Sebby saw, and resolve himself to a new future, he became fully fleshed out for me and the evolution of his character worked perfectly for the story.

The supposition of Hemingway’s involvement and the very tidy ending were not the most believable, but I really didn’t care considering how much I liked all the characters. I wanted that ending for them, for all of them and I decided to just kind of swept my disbelief under one of Mrs. Johnson’s braided rugs.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Guest Post: Golden Valley (Pack #3) by Cardeno C.

A generous Alpha with a tragic past and a young Omega with hopes for the future overcome mistakes to heal a pack and find happiness together.

Life has thrown more than his fair share of challenges and losses at Alpha Morgan Peters. Despite his pain and disappointment, the shifter picks himself up and does right by his pack. As the years pass, Morgan establishes himself as a leader who is as kind as he is strong and Golden Valley prospers. But it isn't until an Omega shifter enters his life that Morgan sees hope for a future where he can be more than an Alpha.

When Psi Omega Ricky Marx goes to Golden Valley as a representative of his home pack, he is thrilled to find his mate—the beautiful, powerful Golden Valley Alpha. Unfortunately, their first meeting doesn't go well, and overwhelmed by his mistakes, Ricky sees no choice but to flee.

Morgan's past makes him struggle to absorb more loss. Ricky's youth makes him struggle to find his voice. But if these two shifters can overcome their challenges and come back together, they'll heal the Golden Valley pack and fulfill their destiny.

Review: Shee Reader

Cardeno C is one of my all time favourite authors. The writing is clever, funny, smart, generally low angst, sexy with The. Most. Perfect. HEAs. It is everything I am looking for in a book and this one is no exception.

It’s been a while since the last Cardeno C release so it could be an anti climax (there was a different story I’ve been hankering after but that one isn’t ready yet ;-) ) but this is a lovely sweet and sexy shifter MPreg story with a healthy dose of misunderstanding, running away and hiding and much longing for each other. Luckily, the HEA is satisfying and hope-filled which is usually the case for a CC book.

One of my favourite things about CC’s writing is that the main characters do eventually communicate with each other! The development of the relationship is fast with a fated-mate shifter story with oodles of insta-love and sexiness and in this one, a little baby! Aww the speed of the pregnancy did make my head spin, and I love CC’s take on the MPreg with the sensitive birthing skin.

This is a stand alone short novel or novella, but it does include characters from previous books in the same world. I really like the chance to catch up with characters I know and love, including Red River and Blue Mountain which are both lovely books filled with strong Alphas and sassy omegas.

Highly recommended escapist romance!

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

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Baking Battles (Scandinavian Comfort #3) by Sophia Soames

Join author Sophia Soames and Gay Book Promotions in celebrating the release of Baking Battles (Scandinavian Comfort #3)! Learn more about the standalone contemporary romance today!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Baking Battles (Scandinavian Comfort 3)

Author: Sophia Soames

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Christina Stern

Release Date: June 15, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Bisexual awakening, Single Dad

Themes: Coming out, Parenting, Reality Baking show, Family.

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 82 500 words

Goodreads

It is a standalone story in the Scandinavian Comfort series.

Scandinavian Comfort is a series of standalone novels set in Scandinavia, sharing the common theme of Hygge. Hygge is a Danish word that is impossible to translate into a single English word. It's a concept of finding happiness in the small things, of towing the middle line instead of always aiming for the top and finding joy in your home and sharing time with your family. In Scandinavia you will find that especially Friday evenings are often seen as Hygge time, where families eat favourite foods, light candles and watch a movie, preferably whilst wearing slippers and pyjamas. Another Scandinavian word that is very fitting to this series is the Swedish word Lagom, meaning 'not too little, not too much’. Just right. This sums up the Scandinavian people in a nutshell.

Live your life well. Not too little, not too much.

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Are you brave enough to stay? Or strong enough to walk away?

Blurb

Mattias Strømme's life is a recipe for disaster. He is a single dad of a 2-year-old, has an ex-wife who scares him, and a job in finance where he scares everyone else. And now he has been dragged in as a last-minute filler contestant on Baking Battles, the hit reality baking show. Mattias can't bake. He can barely dress himself in the morning, and he definitely hasn't got the skills to charm the viewing public, or the wannabe celebs who make up the rest of the show's contestants. He's not a nice person. He's just... nothing. Mattias left his wife when life became unbearable for him and he fell apart. Now, when he is suddenly drowning in a mess of rumours, male supermodels, and unicorn glitter? Will Mattias be brave enough to stay? Or strong enough to walk away?



Excerpt

“Mattias, I’m in fucking deep shit, mate.” Danijel grits out between his teeth as the glass door to his own office slams shut behind them. He’s a small man, slim with some muscle definition showing under his fitted shirt, which is usually immaculate, but today there are patches of sweat forming under his arms, and his closely shaved black hair is getting frequent swipes from Danijel’s hands, a clear sign that something is bothering him.

“What now? I thought everything was going smoothly? Baking Battles is still well under budget, so financially there is nothing to worry about, unless there is a lawsuit brewing that you are about to hit me with.”

Mattias crosses his arms over his chest. He may have spent years taking shit from Sara, but he’s never been a pushover at work. He knows his shit. So does Danijel.

“Please tell me that you can bake.” Danijel almost whispers. “You brought that chocolate tray thing in a few months back when we had the Hygge-Fridays thing going on? Please tell me it didn’t come out of a packet?”

“It didn’t come out of a packet. Who do you think I am? I’m the master of the chocolate tray bake.” Mattias says cockily. Danijel is clearly in some deep shit. Sweat now pouring down his temples.

He should probably mention that Emilia had drooled in the batter and that the traybake he had brought in was his third attempt, and that the mess he had left behind in the kitchen, sparked off one of the worst screaming arguments he and Sara had ever had. He left a week later. It hadn’t been good. That damn cake brought nothing good with it.

“Mattias, we start filming tomorrow at ten, and we are three contestants down. I am officially pulling you in.”

“What?” Mattias shrieks. “It’s a celebrity special. Who the fuck am I supposed to be?”

“You do that finance segment every year on ‘Good Morning Norway’? You know the ’How to do your tax return?’ thing you did? And... and… You did that thing last week, you know when you talked about how to budget for Christmas without getting into debt? You definitely qualify as a celeb. We will just call you a Morning TV financial expert. Close enough. And anyway, everyone loves a bigwig trying his hand at being normal or some shit? Putting your money where your mouth is, or whatever? Getting down with the underdog? Showing your human side? I haven’t got a clue how we will spin it. That’s PR’s role. They will make it work, if you do this. And, Mattias, you are perfect. You are grumpy and impatient and have a fucking temper on you. It will make fantastic TV. The other good thing is that you won’t have a clue who all the other contestants are, so you won’t give a rat’s arse about pegging them down a notch or two, will you? It will be awesome.”

Danijel is chewing on his thumb. Rocking on his heels.

“No. Fucking. Way.” Mattias groans. “Hell no.”

“Why the hell not? You are single, and the girls will be hanging off you. Celeb status guaranteed. Pussy on tap. What’s not to love?”

“Everything Danijel! Every fucking thing! For a start, I can’t bake.”

“That Chocolate tray bake was edible?” Danijel is smiling now.

“I look like shit.”

“You are a handsome devil. Let someone dress you and get a haircut. Shave. Sorted.”

“I’ve got a reputation to protect. I’ll be the fucking laughingstock of the station!”

“People will love you. Profits through the roof. Spin-off series. I have a clear vision in my head.”

Yeah. Danijel is on drugs. Clearly. Standing there with his arms spread out and a dreamy look in his eyes.

“No, Danijel. Not happening. Baking Battles is this station’s number one show, our main cash cow, and we have been seeding this Celebrity special for months. We can’t just throw random contestants in and expect to pull it off. The public will see right through it. It’s desperate, and it’s unprofessional.” Mattias turns around letting his hand rest on the door handle. He is leaving. He is not getting drawn into this.

“Alima said yes.” Danijel says. His shit-eating grin wider than his face.

“Alima?” Mattias’s hand grips the door handle tighter. “Your sister can’t even peel a potato. She feeds her kids microwave meals and thinks it’s gourmet cooking. She’s going on Baking Battles as a contestant? You are kidding, right?”

Danijel’s pushing it here. Alima is his oldest friend. Well, the only friend that has stuck by him throughout his whole divorce mess. She lives life like she is some kind of hardcore Superwoman, and Mattias bloody adores her. She’s also married with a million kids and works full time, and has never baked a cake in her life. He knows that, for a fact.

“Dead serious, Mattias. She owes me one, and anyway someone has to get voted off in the first episode. She doesn’t give a shit, and we are marketing her as the Norwegian ice-hockey team’s physician, which isn’t a lie.”

“She treated their reserve goalie for a sprained ankle. Once.” Mattias whines into his hands. “Danijel, what the hell are you doing? This is crazy?”

“I have no choice Mattias. Amelia Hammerdahl had to pull out with the cocaine scandal that broke on Friday. Trond Pedersen is up for a fucking embezzling charge, and that rapper we were pinning our hopes on? Pregnant. Couldn’t stop puking through the test filming yesterday. We can’t use her, it is just awful. “Danijel actually looks a bit green himself. “So, we are down to Pablo from ‘Say Yay to the Gay’, Ida Sagnefjord from ‘Frognerfruer’, Paulina Sætermark, the news anchor from ‘Dagsrevyen’…”

“And not Mattias Strømme, a boring CFO,” Mattias says firmly. “Forget it, Danijel. It’s stupid, immoral and downright illegal. We are deceiving the public, lying and betraying the trust of the brand. Get yourself on the phone to casting downstairs. I am sure we have some D-list celeb just dying to make a spectacle of themselves on TV over Christmas.”

He walks out the door letting it slam hard behind him. Fucking hell, Danijel.

Mattias’s life is peaceful and quiet, his job rewarding and fulfilling. His daughter is the love of his life.

He doesn’t need this.

It’s eight weeks until Christmas. Four weeks until “Baking Battles, The Celebrity Christmas Special” will premiere in time for the December festive period. Eight mouth-watering spectacular episodes full of Christmas cheer, home-made flavours and quirky heart-warming mistakes by clueless celebrities, showing their human side. Christmas cakes. Fucking gingerbread houses. And fruitcakes… not just of the baked variety.

He’s not going anywhere near it. Nope. Not happening.

About the Author

Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over TV-shows, has fallen in and out of love with more popstars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un-)glamourous real-life job.

Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The Au Pair just sighs.

She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in Scandinavia.

Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever and she hopes it may long continue.

About the Cover Artist

Christina Stern is a Russian based artist. Quick sketches and portraits drawn in pencil are what she likes to do the most. Her work can be found on @christinastern on Instagram

Social Media Links

Facebook | Twitter: @sophiasoames | Instagram: @sophiasoames

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

Blog Tour: Four Letter Word (Love Logic #2) by K.M. Neuhold

K.M. Neuhold and Vibrant Promotions visit on the Four Letter Word (Love Logic #2) blog tour! Discover more about the MMMM romance today!

Four Letter Word

Love Logic Series, Book 2

KM Neuhold

M/M/M/M Romance, Menage

Release Date: 03.20.20

Blurb

Relationships are hard enough between two people...can the four of us make it work? Or is love nothing more than a four letter word?

Polyamory...the first time Riot says the word, it feels like everything slots into place. Maybe I’m not greedy for loving both of my best friends at once…

For most of my life, I didn’t think I could ever have the kind of love I’ve been dreaming of, but somehow a sexy bartender with a major sweet tooth is making it all seem possible.

Maybe Riot is right: our capacity for love is bigger than most people let themselves feel. But will Leo and Hudson feel the same? Will they be willing to try to build this beautiful, complicated life with me?

If I can keep them from ripping each other’s heads off that is...

*** This is book two in the Love Logic series and can be read as a stand-alone. This is a MMMM story full of love and heat.

Universal Buy Link: http://mybook.to/fourletterword

Excerpt

“Bish, hold up,” Hudson says, wrapping his thick fingers around my bicep to pull me to a stop. My heart beats harder at his touch, everything in me insisting I melt into him and give him anything he wants. After all, it’s what I want too.



I swallow hard and turn to face him. “What’s up?” I ask as casually as I can manage.



He steps closer, crowding into my space until all I can feel is the warmth of his body and all I can smell is his spicy whiskey body soap and a hint of the alcohol on his breath. He cups my face, and the move is so familiar at this point I don’t think I could keep myself from leaning into it if I tried.



“Come home with me?” he asks, his voice a low murmur that vibrates through me and strokes my cock awake without any effort.



“I…” My brain is foggy from the booze, but more than that, my body is quickly getting drunk on Hudson’s closeness. If I say yes, I know we’ll have a fun night together. He knows exactly how to touch me, exactly how to make me come so hard I’ll see stars for hours. I sway into him, my cock fully hard just thinking about how Hudson’s bare skin feels against mine. “Have to go home...alone.”



Hudson’s shoulders sag. He strokes his thumb across my cheek without saying a word and I wonder if he’s hoping to change my mind. His hot breath ghosts over my lips a fraction of a second before his mouth is on mine. I brace for a hungry onslaught, steeling myself to refuse him again no matter how good the kiss is. But, to my surprise, his lips move slowly against mine, which is strangely harder to resist than if he shoved his tongue down my throat and started grinding his erection against me. I put my hands on his chest, curling my fingers around the fabric of his shirt and parting my lips to deepen the kiss.



It’s entirely too easy to get lost in the sweet rhythm of his mouth, the familiar taste of his tongue, the comforting feeling of his body against mine.



He breaks the kiss without warning and I drag in a breath in an attempt to get my thoughts back in the right order.

Author K.M.Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she's not writing she's a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero...just kidding, she's likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.

linktr.ee/KMNeuhold

Release Blitz: Tuning the Guitarist (Seaside Bay, #2) by J.S. Bright

Welcome author J.S. Bright & Vibrant Promotions who are here today celebrating the release of the second in the Seaside Bay series, Tuning the Guitarist. Find out more about this paranormal romance & read an excerpt too!

Tuning The Guitarist

Seaside Bay Series, Book 2

JS Bright

M/M Omegaverse

Release Date: 02.28.20

Blurb

Timothy

I can’t trust my past and relying on my future is no good either. Stopping in Seaside Bay is dangerous. I should move on, but I’m tired. Searching for food and a safe place to sleep consumes me until I land in Seaside Bay. The people here are too friendly. I should take off before someone finds out the truth. When I meet Mike, I know I can’t trust him, but he’s the safest person I’ve ever known.

Mike

My life turned upside down when I lost my hand, but moving to Seaside Bay might have saved me. From partying too hard to living the fast life, I was on a path to destruction. Seaside Bay has calmed me and convinced me I love the quiet life. Then Tim stumbles into my life, and everything gets upended. I’m lost without him close.

I’ll change everything for Tim. He’s got a load of heat on him, and I’m not sure I can save him once that heat comes down. Can I save Tim, or will his past consume him?

Tuning the Guitarist can be read as a standalone.

Buy Link: https://amzn.to/382IUbR

Excerpt

A funny tune had entered my head as I turned to head back in, and I was humming the melody when something caught my eye. My foot faltered as I stared at the huddled mass blinking up at me from between the trash dumpster and the cement stairs. The two fear-filled eyes grew wider and he flinched. But the boy had nowhere to run. Plus he had pulled the shirt he’d stolen from me over his knees and had his arms out of the holes, probably wrapped around his torso. In the few seconds I stared at him I took in his face, seeing the bruises and cuts in the wild look in his eyes, the mop of dirty blond hair wasn’t stylish, instead, it just looked unkempt. Touring overseas, I’d seen the look before. Homeless kids living on the street who had to steal their food always had that look no matter where they came from.

I held up both arms, my one palm facing him, hoping he understood I meant peace.

“Did you sleep here all night?”

The kid said nothing as he pulled his knees out from under the shirt and pushed his arms through the holes.

“Listen, kid, I don’t —”

“I’m not a kid,” the guy blurted out.

Words froze in my mouth. I narrowed my gaze, studying him.

“Well, how old are you?” That wasn’t the question I meant to ask. I wanted to know if he would like some food or coffee. By the way he shivered and his teeth clattered, he had to be cold and most likely hungry.

“I turned twenty three days ago. So I’m not a kid.”

What the heck? Did he say he was twenty-three? His words rolled through my mind. No, he turned twenty but only three days ago. He was just a dollar and a quarter over nineteen and he’d fallen on hard times. Shit.

We had some homelessness in Seaside Bay, but it wasn’t like the problem in LA or San Francisco. Usually they didn’t stick around for long on their way to bigger cities.

“I was about to go across the street and grab something to eat and some coffee. Are you hungry?” Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged him, but he was shivering like he was freezing cold, and I doubted he had eaten enough based on how skinny he looked.

“Yesterday you tried to tackle me, and today you’re going to give me food? I don’t believe you.”

Anger at the situation filled me. Why couldn’t he just accept help? When I’d toured with the band, our ticket prices were usually one hundred for the cheapest seats and sometimes up to a thousand for the front row. People in our country had money. My T-shirt shop did well enough to pay for itself and pay my living expenses so I didn’t have to dip into my money from my music. Why was this kid—young adult—living on the streets?

“Come on,” I grumbled. “You can pay me back by doing a few of the tasks I have a hard time with. I don’t have an extra worker today.” I held up my handless arm. “I could use your help.”

The guy stood and stretched out, his head barely coming to my shoulders. The desire to lean in and sniff him wove through me, but I held back. He wasn’t a party favor left behind the store waiting for me. Plus, I wasn’t that guy any longer, and this was Seaside Bay. My actions here would follow me, and honestly, I’d grown disgusted with many of the things I’d done back then. We weren’t the worst of the bands, but I certainly hadn’t been an angel.

“I’m Mike. What’s your name?” I stepped away from the stairwell, hoping this guy would follow me instead of running off. He was too skinny, that he looked like shit made me wonder what had gone on with him.

“Timothy.”

Timothy followed me, not saying much as we walked through the back of the store to the front. On my way past a display, I grabbed a hoodie. “Put this on.”

“I-I can’t.”

“Sure you can. It’s about your size, small, right? You’re shivering and I can’t stand to see you shake.”

Timothy took the hoodie and slid it over his head. It fit him perfectly. Now he would be warm. Even if he took off, he wouldn’t freeze at night.

About the Author

JS Bright, a USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance and reverse harem romance, lives in the south where "bless your heart" is an insult and "shut up" shows love. JS has been reading since they could open a book and has taken the passion for words and combined it with the love of travel to create stories full of passion and excitement.

If you love a good book with a fantastic happily ever after and a paranormal twist, you'll enjoy a JS Bright novel. For a contemporary novel, pick up a Julia Bright book.

For updates and more information, subscribe to Julia Bright 
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Blog Tour: International Banker, Beach Boy (City Country #3) by Mia Terry

Today's the final blog stop for International Banker, Beach Boy (City Country #3)! Celebrate with author Mia Terry and Vibrant Promotions! Discover more about the latest from the series!

International Banker, Beach Boy

City Country Series, Book 3

Mia Terry

M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: 12.6.19

Cover Designer - Reese Dante

Blurb

A new m/m romance set around the beautiful beaches of Byron Bay, Australia.

Oliver Gilsworth is getting a much-needed beach holiday ahead of taking the next preordained step his life of privilege demands of him.

Rhys Clark has finally settled into his laid-back life of very early retirement from international surfing competition.

When Ollie meets his surf instructor, sparks immediately begin to fly, but neither man is particularly interested in a brief holiday fling, and for either of them to change course at this point in his life is impossible. Or, is it?

May contain traces of Byron Bay craziness and hot men swimming naked in pools. The final book in the Country City series but can definitely be read as a standalone. 

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082GLYLQQ

Series Link: http://bit.ly/CityCountrySeries

Excerpt

Everything in the place was designed to be enjoyed—and clearly, really-really enjoyed—by having sex on it. From the round couch, in the middle of the living room, that would fit either an enthusiastic couple or three or four participants, and the long bench seat in the multi-showerhead shower, they had designed this place for hedonism.

Probably there would be a good-looking guy among the guests who would be interested in hooking up and making the most of the facilities provided. The only problem was, as of about a year ago, Ollie had become a lot pickier about the casual sex thing. He’d never been indiscriminate about his partners, but he’d also not turned down a good time if the mood, and the standard of the man offering, appealed to him. However, about a year ago, something inside him had shifted, and being with a gorgeous guy for just the night became something he just wasn’t as interested in anymore. Maybe it was because the conquests had come easily for him in the past, maybe it was watching one of his best friends find real love, but his interest in one-night stands had dried up.

He had a horrible feeling that by the end of the weekend he was going to be really sick of the glowing happiness of his in-love friends. What might normally be a joyful thing to observe and usually even a little bit #lifegoals, possibly by the end of the week would just end up being a reminder of his perpetually single state. And there could be no denying it, both Jai and Luke, and Billy and Kris were absolutely sickeningly in love.

Well, at least if he was going to be jealous of other people’s happiness, and Ollie well knew of just how petty that thought sounded as it echoed through his brain, he would be jealous in lovely surrounds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mia Terry grew up in what could be loosely termed rural Australia. However, she has to admit that the beachside town where she currently lives has more coffee shops and cultural events than many inner-city suburbs.

“My characters break free of the coffee shop scene more bravely than me. In their more remote rural settings, they get to experience the beauty and challenges that come from living in Australia's rural heart.

It provides them with a unique and challenging backdrop where they can connect and fall in love. The City/ Country series also shows the sometimes dirty, often sexy, fun that two hot Australian men can have.

I love reading m/m romance and I have adored writing it. I hope the readers enjoy the journeys of my different characters just as much as I did.”

Social media links

facebook.com/miaterryauthor

instagram.com/miaterryauthor

Review: Angels Sing (Daddy Dearest #2) by Eli Easton

Jamie Bailey has not had such a wonderful life. He gave up his dreams of Harvard at 18 to raise his sister’s unwanted baby, and later a prized job to help a sick friend. Now the father of six-year-old Mia, and assistant manager at Raven Books, Jamie’s dreams are dashed once again when Uncle Billy admits what dire straights the bookshop is in.

Stanton Potter, son of the most notorious businesswoman in Bedford Falls, loves his job teaching at the local elementary school. But he’s less than thrilled when he is forced to put together a Christmas pageant with first-graders, including Mia Bailey. 

When Stanton meets Jamie, angels sing. Jamie’s gender-bending fashion sense, and sweet aura, have Stanton suffering through the worse crush he’s had since he was a teen. But can there be any hope for them when Jamie and Mia’s lives are about to be uprooted?

This Christmas, its Jamie’s turn to receive a little help from heaven.

I am crushing it with the femme reads all the sudden! Keep em comin', authors. I dig it. I dig it muchly.

So... spoiler alert, one of the characters in this sentimental holiday story is androgynous AND femme. Jaime is 100% sweetheart too. He's given up a lot of opportunities in his life to do the right thing and that's a rarity in the human race so I connected to him and his precocious and adorable daughter Mia pretty quickly.

Stanton is his love interest, a slightly older jock type and his physical opposite. This could've easily turned cliche but Easton made him the awkward and tongue tied one which completely worked for me. I half expected him to walk into a door because he was so distracted and besotted by Jaime. Jaime takes a bit longer to glom onto Stanton's interest but once he figures it out it was pretty entertaining to watch him turn Stanton inside out, both the PG-13 version and the adult version, though in different ways. Obviously.

I must confess I'm not a huge holiday story person. More of a cynical grinch type but Easton is hard to resist especially since Unwrapping Hank continues to carry the title of most beloved holiday story.

Was this as good as Hank?

No, but those are big shoes to fill. However, it sure was comforting to read which is something I've come to count on from this author and, for what it's worth, I devoured it.

Another thing it has going for it is it's not overly reliant on the miracle of the Christmas gambit. It's there but subtle and I appreciated that I didn't feel like I had glutted on peppermint sticks and eggnog after I finished it.

So if you're looking for a lighthearted and heartwarming holiday read Angels Sing is just what the doctor ordered.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Fox Hunt (Shifter U #4) by J. Leigh Bailey

Outfoxing their enemies will be a bear of a task.

Aspiring journalist and fox shifter David ends up with a target on his back after hacking the Moreau Initiative, the shifter world’s greatest enemy. But he won’t let that stop him from the campus tour road trip that’ll help him become the next Anderson Cooper… even if his family insists he travel with a grumpy grizzly bear bodyguard. 

Buddy Brady is older, sexy, and too damn distracting for David, and as the sexual tension builds, so does the suspicion around the repeated attacks—first in Chicago, then in New York. Someone is tracking them, and all clues point to a traitor in the shifter ranks. Worst of all, they could be after David’s family....

The fourth book of the Shifter U series delivers the action, mystery, snark and romance I’ve come to expect after reading books 1 - 3. I’ve been wanting Buddy’s story/HEA since he was introduced and the story did justice to my anticipation. I love a literal bear of a man with the personality to match and it’s always been obvious that there was more to Buddy than his size, loyalty and curmudgeonly ways. He just never got the page time to prove it. Until now.

Buddy gets hired to be a bodyguard to fox shifter David after David gets popped hacking into the dark web which in turn open the door to the Moreau Initiative to get access to the shifter servers. David doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body, he’s just a little young, a little naive and a little inexperienced to see far enough ahead and the negative repercussions of his actions. It sucks, and it was an honest mistake. David was trying to help a friend and he figured his journalistic sleuthing skills would serve him well. Instead they got him into trouble, again.

David feels he plays second fiddle to his perfect brother and being the son of the pack alpha doesn’t lighten the pressure on him in the slightest. So, he tries harder than he needs to, but it’s understandable.

Buddy owns his busy and bustling coffee shop, but for the most part he keeps his head down and to himself.There’s definite attraction between Buddy and David, but Buddy keeps David at arms length. He’s there to do a job (he comes from a long line of Enforcers) and David is just too young and beautiful.

The two of them get closer as they spend more time together. They open up to one another and the conversations between them were by far my favorite parts.David is pretty much an open book, but Buddy is more guarded and his background emerged organically as he began to trust David more and more. And the bestest part? The little “moments” they had. I love and am a complete sucker for “moments”. When Buddy spoke to David about his given name and his dreams and David’s reaction made me swoon pretty freakin’ hard. It’s good stuff and speaks to the marshmallowy part of my heart.

The mystery and bad guy kept the tension at just the right level and David’s family dynamics added to it all in a good way. The resolutions were good and not rushed which is always appreciated. The door is open for additional installments of the series, but this book could be read as a stand alone. The series is great fun with memorable characters so I’d definitely recommend the whole shebang though.
David and Buddy are an absolute treat and the coming together of characters like them is a favorite trope of mine. I had high hopes for this story and I’m so happy with everything the author gave these characters and then some.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Giveaway + Release Blitz: Love Kills - Criminal Delights: Serial Killers by Michael Mandrake

Join author Michael Mandrake & Signal Boost Promotions in celebrating the release of Love Kills - Criminal Delights: Serial Killers. Find out more & enter in the giveaway to win an ebook copy of your very own!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited.

Length: 56,600 words approx.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Blurb

Deranged birds of a feather flock together… leaving trails of blood in their wake.


Holland has fantasies most can’t accept. When potential mates discover Holland’s bloodlust, it’s too late for them to refuse. Determined to get what he wants, Holland continues to seek a man to fulfill his deepest desire and he won’t stop at anything


Archer is inspired and aroused by the tales he’s heard from his boyfriend. Still, he’s greedy for something that pushes him over the edge. Although this might drive him and his partner apart, Archer’s dark want won’t disappear.


Clint’s love for his job has slipped for years, and he’s pondered change. These days he’s cared more about how to please his man, than the rigorous position of solving murder cases. Clint thinks his attitude will eventually get better, thus prompting him to stay aboard. Still, the constant worry of Archer finding someone new niggles at him.


Putting sketchy characters behind bars had always been Clint’s forte, but when new feelings arise, Clint’s conscience is tested. Furthermore, what will happen if Clint is forced to choose between the love of his life, his career, and his morality?


This book is part of CRIMINAL DELIGHTS. Each novel can be read as a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.


Warning: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.

About the Author

Michael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on romance but rather the mainstream and/or obscure plots we might encounter in everyday life and beyond.


Website: https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/

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Review: Better Place (Rainbow Place #3) by Jay Northcote

Joe deserves better. Meeting Dylan helps him see that.

After a recent redundancy, Joe takes a few months off to try and make it as a writer. His partner, Harry, is less than supportive but Joe is used to that after ten years together, just like he’s used to Harry’s controlling nature and his drinking habit.

Dylan, a server at Rainbow Place, is fascinated by Joe as he sits in the café and works on his laptop. His attempts to flirt are met with awkwardness at first, but gradually Joe opens up. Dylan is disappointed when he learns Joe isn’t single. As their friendship develops he begins to worry about the nature of Joe’s relationship, especially when he witnesses Harry’s behaviour in person. Abuse isn’t always physical, and Dylan knows that from experience. His concern helps Joe see his relationship for what it is, and gives him the courage to end things with Harry.

Free to act on their mutual attraction, Joe and Dylan dive headlong into something that becomes serious fast. Joe revels in the passion and intimacy he’s been missing out on for so long, but Dylan is worried that Joe is on the rebound. He puts on the brakes, knowing that they need to slow down to make this last. For this new relationship to work, Joe needs to show Dylan that he’s ready to move on from the past.

Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.

I had to think about my rating for ‘Better Place’ for a bit. Some parts I liked, but ultimately I didn’t really connect to this book at all.

Dylan’s job at the Rainbow Place café is made even better by the quiet writer who becomes a regular. The server never misses an opportunity to awkwardly flirt with his favourite customer.

The customer in question, Joe, thinks Dylan’s sweet. But he’s focused on his writing. And, more importantly, Joe’s already taken.

From the beginning of the book, readers know what the score is: Joe’s partner Harry dictates Joe’s life. What Joe does, where Joe goes, how long Joe spends out of the house.

Everything revolves around douchebag Harry.

It may not be physical violence, but it’s an abusive toxic relationship just the same.

But pretty soon, the only thing Joe looks forward to are his short forays to Rainbow Place - where Dylan is.

Because while Joe’s clear to Dylan that nothing can happen between them, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate the friendship.

The two men find it easy to connect. Both have their demons, but with each other it’s only smiles and sweet moments.

And underneath it all, there’s a longing for something more.

This is where things didn’t really pan out for me - the “something more.” Because while we’re told that Joe and Dylan are falling madly for each other, the romance was so muted that I never really got a feel for it.

And another big issue was that there’s an ever-present third party - Harry. Though Joe breaks up with Harry about halfway through, Harry’s in the picture right until the end.

Harry’s constant presence in the story was distracting and depressing.The book was not so much about Joe and Dylan’s relationship, as it was about Joe escaping Harry.

By the end, I was pretty ambivalent. I was glad to see Dylan and Joe get their happy ending, but I’d already tuned out well before it.

Though book #3 wasn’t my favourite, I’d still recommend this series if you’re looking for romances that overcome the odds!

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.