Giveaway + Blog Tour: The Bunny and The Billionaire by Louisa Masters

Louisa Masters is making her clubhouse debut to promote her Dreamspun Desires novel, The Bunny and The Billionaire! See our review HERE! She's also got a swag bag up for grabs! Good luck!

An interview with Ben Adams

Welcome, everyone! Today on Fictional Character Interviews we’re talking to
Ben Adams from The Bunny and The Billionaire. Hiya, Ben! I can call you Ben, right?

Ben: Yeah, sure. Why wouldn’t— Oh. You’ve heard about the whole bunny thing.

Well, it is right there in the book title. Your boyfriend really calls you bunny?

Ben: Nah. Well, not really. Only sometimes. Look, I didn’t even know about it for the first few months we were together. And Léo wasn’t the one who came up with it, anyway. His cousin did.

Your boyfriend’s cousin calls you bunny?

Ben: No! Okay, this has gotten out of hand. The first time Léo saw me, he apparently looked at me like I was his “prey,” and so Malik decided I was a bunny. I don’t know, this is just what I was told after. It’s kind of cool to think he found me that irresistible, though.

I think we might move on. Although… not to be mean, but I’ve seen pictures of Leo. He’s incredibly hot, wealthy, the son of a princess… and you’re… well….

Ben: Yeah, sometimes I don’t get it, either. I’m just ordinary, right? I’m even kind of klutzy occasionally. What’s he doing with me when he could have anyone? But then he looks at me and I can see how much he loves me because of all that. Some things just can’t be explained, I guess.

Love is a strange and wonderful thing. And how are you settling into your new home in Monaco?

Ben: It’s going really well! It took me a while to get used to Monaco, especially since I’ve always been a bargain shopper, and that’s not something that you can do here. But there’s something really special and charming about this place. It’s so very different from Australia. And I have Leo here, of course, which makes everything easier.

Do you miss Australia and your friends and family?

Ben: Yes. Especially my best friend, Dani. But in this age of technology, nobody’s ever that far away. I can talk to anyone I want whenever the urge strikes. And it’s not like we can’t go visit—or bring them over to visit us.

That’s right, you can! Do you mind if we talk about money?

Ben: Not really. You want to know about the inheritance, right? How I could afford the trip that changed my life?

Yes, if you don’t mind telling us.

Ben: Right, so I’m a nurse—I used to work privately, giving in-home care to terminally ill patients. My last client, Mrs. K, was fabulously wealthy. She was so awesome though, that her money was the least cool thing about her. When she was well, she used to travel all over the world, as much as she could, and she told me all about her trips, showed me photos, journals, the lot. She was such an incredible person, so much more adventurous than me. I really miss her. Anyway, when she died, I found out that she’d left me a lot of money—a drop in the ocean for her, but more money than most people ever dream of having at one time. It was an opportunity that most people never get, and I couldn’t stand the thought of “wasting” her gift, so I planned a trip in tribute to her—an odyssey to all her favorite places. And in the end, that’s how I met Leo. So I guess you can say he was part of Mrs. K’s gift to me.

Wow, that’s a beautiful way to look at it. Okay, I think we’ll wrap it up. Anybody who wants to know more can read your epic love story in The Bunny and The Billionaire.

The Bunny and The Billionaire

Released October 1 by Dreamspinner Press

Spending their fortunes and losing their hearts.

Hardworking Australian nurse Ben Adams inherits a substantial sum and decides to tour Europe. In Monaco, the home of glamour and the idle rich, he meets French billionaire playboy Léo Artois. After getting off on the wrong foot—as happens when one accuses a stranger of being part of the Albanian mafia—their attraction blazes. Léo, born to the top tier of society, has never known limits, and Ben, used to budgeting every cent, finds it difficult to adjust to not only Léo's world, but also the changes wealth brings to his own life.

As they make allowances for each other's foibles, Ben gradually appreciates the finer things, and Léo widens his perspective. They both know one thing: this is not a typical holiday romance and they're not ready to say goodbye.

Buy links:

https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-bunny-and-the-billionaire-by-louisa-masters-8824-b

books2read.com/u/4Aw7kJ

Louisa is giving away five swag packs to mark the release of The Bunny and The Billionaire. Enter to win! https://tinyurl.com/yag5gasq

Author Bio:

Louisa Masters started reading romance much earlier than her mother thought she should. While other teenagers were sneaking out of the house, Louisa was sneaking romance novels in and working out how to read them without being discovered. She’s spent most of her life feeling sorry for people who don’t read, convinced that books are the solution to every problem. As an adult, she feeds her addiction in every spare second, only occasionally tearing herself away to do things like answer the phone and pay bills. She spent years trying to build a “sensible” career, working in bookstores, recruitment, resource management, administration, and as a travel agent, before finally conceding defeat and devoting herself to the world of romance novels.

Louisa has a long list of places first discovered in books that she wants to visit, and every so often she overcomes her loathing of jet lag and takes a trip that charges her imagination. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she whines about the weather for most of the year while secretly admitting she’ll probably never move.

Find Louisa on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/LouisaMastersAuthor

@authorLouisaM

Guest Review: The Warfield Hotel Mysteries, #1-3 by C.J. Baty

As he approaches his fortieth birthday, Justin Warfield feels alone, drifting like the sand that blows along the beach near his family’s hotel. He has done exactly as his father wanted. Married the right girl and carried on the family tradition of running the Warfield Hotel. On paper things seem perfect, but happiness hasn’t been a part of his life for a very long time.

Marcus Drummond once spent a summer with his best friend Peter at the Warfield Hotel and fell hard for Peter’s much older brother. Five years later he’s back, and this time hopes that Justin will see him as more than his kid brother’s friend.

Sparks fly when the two meet again, but there are a few things standing in their way. The closet that Justin has himself buried in and someone on a killing spree, dumping bodies on the Warfield beach . . . victims that indicate Justin may be involved in some way.

3.25 Hearts for books 1 & 2 as a whole.

Guest Reviewer - Annery 

Readers should be forewarned that the first two books in this series have to be read/reviewed together if you’re hoping for any kind resolution to the “mystery” or semblance of a satisfying romance. I use the word mystery only in the loosest of terms.

When I spotted these up for review my heart did a little pitter patter. Romance & mystery are my jam, my cup of tea, and my catnip. This was none of those.

The Warfield Hotel is one of those idyllic southern hotels in Beaufort, S.C. and you may be getting ready to book a room but refrain from the impulse. Not because dead bodies are showing on the beach but because there’s more campy drama in and around this town than in whole seasons of many daytime or nighttime soaps, no mystery, and if you stop at the first book, an unsatisfying romance.

Justin Warfield is still gorgeous at 40 and counting the days until he can be free from the unhappy marriage that was foisted on him. He knew he was gay but bended to his father’s will and got married however this didn’t prevent him from having a couple of affairs or even belonging to one of those fabled sex clubs that exist in every other romance book. Things happen. In spite of the ongoing infidelities, which I’m not really bothered about, Justin is a good, honorable and stand up guy but I’d also say dim. He’s a good brother, friend, and employer. He’s getting ready to celebrate his brother Peter’s 25th birthday which also brings Peter into his inheritance of half of the hotel easing Justin’s divorce from his wife Caroline. Peter brings along his friend Marcus who’s had the hots for Justin since he first started visiting The Warfield with Peter during school breaks. Now at 26 he’s hoping that Justin will see him as a man and that something can develop between them. What ensues is craziness.

I don’t know how much is too much to give away for those who may love this kind of drama so I’ll be as oblique as possible. The bodies of men who have a connection to Justin start appearing near the hotel. Someone is either trying to frame Justin or kill him. Marcus is a budding P.I. but he does very little investigating and as far as the reader is concerned none is needed. We know who the villain is and frankly it’s shocking that Justin, Peter, and Marcus don’t. There are a couple of secret babies, affairs, some recent and some from the past, crazy soon to be exes, a couple of close calls for Justin, extreme homophobia from one character, and more. So much more. All of this just in the first book! If you have a high tolerance for faux drama you’ll be happy until the last two chapters kick you in the ovaries because though the reader knows what’s happened the MCs don’t and like salt on a wound they’re not together when the book ends. Weirdly that’s the only thing that makes sense. By the end Justin is not emotionally stable enough to embark on a relationship. A note of honesty.

Justin Warfield ran away to Italy to put the events of last summer and a certain dark-haired private eye behind him, to no avail. If anything, he can’t help but rehash what happened over and over. When he finally returns to South Carolina, the hotel he runs with his brother has suffered a series of incidents that are starting to look less accidental after a death threat is received.

Not satisfied that Moses Lee and his local police will find the culprit, Peter Warfield calls in the services of his good friend Marcus Drummond to help. Marcus is torn. He wants to help his friend, but he also knows that if Justin has moved on after their failed flirtation last summer, he will be devastated.

Tensions mount as danger seems to follow them at every turn, stalking them as they get closer to solving the mystery of who is behind the sabotage of the hotel.

3.25 Hearts for books 1 & 2 as a whole.

CRASHING WAVES, book 2, starts three months after the events in book one. Justin has been trying to get over much of what happened and also over Marcus who has started his P.I. business in Atlanta. When “strange” things and “accidents” start happening at the hotel and to Justin in particular, Marcus comes to aid in spite of his bruised heart.

Book two features the same omnipotent and omniscient villain and our sweet southern men continue to be as clueless as ever. I don’t want to give any of the “mystery” away because at heart I’m a good person but there was one thing that had me shaking my head vigorously NO at the improbability of it. Justin and Peter’s father was a collector of expensive, rare, and vintage cars which he stored in a barn located on the property where the family manse is. Warfield père has been dead for 15 years and in all that time neither one of the two Warfield sons has gone inside said barn once or seen any of the cars. Really???

Aside from the non-mysteries we have two more secret babies, childhood sweethearts torn apart and family secrets that go back a generation or two. All of this could be taken in stride while one has a drink or a bottle and I confess that I kept flipping the metaphorical pages wondering what the author would come up with next.

So why the rating? Because in spite of myself I was entertained by this crazy train. I liked Justin and Marcus, the age difference and how it was sort of a non-issue, I liked the development of the romance between them over the course of the two books, it felt true and organic, and they’re not chest pounding alpha males. Their cluelessness sprang from perhaps being too good as human beings? The writing was good, though not necessarily moving, and the descriptions of the area show a true love of place and knowledge of geography. Also the books are well formated. One thing that did niggle at me was the description of black characters. I don’t think there was intentional racism but the black characters in the book are either victims, villains, or faithful retainers reminiscent of Gone With the Wind. I don’t know. My skin prickled a bit.

By the end of Bk.2 evil has been vanquished, the couple for the next book has been set up, and Justin & Marcus are well on their way to HEA. Small favors.

Damien Fitzgerald has lived through hell and is determined to never let anyone get close to him again. A fervent reporter, he throws his life into his work and doesn’t care whose toes he steps on. But someone else does. He’s got a stalker, and the messages are growing increasingly threatening. He turns to his best friend, Justin Warfield and his lover, Private Investigator Marcus Drummond. Seems like a good idea until Robert Wyler becomes part of the package.

Robert Wyler, the manager of the bar at the Warfield Inn, has always been misunderstood. Sure he takes care of his body, wears his hair long and likes tatts, but that doesn’t mean he’s domineering. A cold exterior hides the more passionate man inside. Men like Damien Fitzgerald get on his nerves. Too good looking. Too arrogant. But when Justin and Marcus needed his help to guard the man from a stalker, Robert couldn’t say no.

Damien and Robert have a history. Whenever they are near each other sparks fly. Can Damien and Robert get past their prejudices to find the real men hiding underneath. Will they find love before the stalker gets to Damien and their chance at happiness is destroyed forever…

2.5 because someone is bound to like it

This is the third installment in this series but can be read as a stand alone. There is reference to the characters from the previous two books and the history for these two is set up in the prior installment but the author does a fairly good job of rehashing the important parts. That’s the good news.

As much as I kicking and screaming liked the first two I kind of hated this one. Once again the whole mystery aspect of the story is just kind of decorative but I’d resigned myself to that and was just hoping to see more of Justin & Marcus and maybe enjoy a new couple. Sadly one half of that new couple is Damien Fitzgerald. Let’s just say that if he ended up dead by the end of the book I wouldn’t have been unhappy.

Damien is a renowned investigative journalist who travels far and wide to bring scumbags to justice. He and Justin were once an item but have long since just been good friends and when Damien’s nerves are frayed to shreds over a menacing stalker he allows Justin & Marcus to offer him refuge at The Warfield. Marcus takes on the the stalker case and feels that Damien needs to be kept hidden. Robert Wyler, bartender at the hotel, and a friend, offers to help and ends up taking Damien to his isolated cabin. We all know what comes next and that’s fine. My problem again is Damien. He’s insufferable and annoying. He spends half his time unreasonably yelling at Robert or swishing out of rooms and slamming doors. I’m sure he’s meant to be justified due to a harrowing sexual experience in his past and I felt for him but his behavior is inconsistent on the sexual front and during non sexual interactions he’s just a plain snob. It’s okay to lead the Whole Foods life but if you’re at the County Fair you eat the fried Twinkie with a smile. Damien only eats salads and other healthy things and looks down on those who don’t. Ugh.

On the sexual front Damien was the victim of an abusive sadist, within what he considered a consensual BDSM relationship. Since then he’s shied away from any kind of domineering lover. Totally understandable. Robert is a big guy who, because of his size, people assume is the Dom type and he absolutely is not. And yet there are a couple of scenes where Damien seems to be turned on by Robert holding him tight and then there’s Robert’s voice being the only thing calming him during panic attacks. Sadly none of this is satisfactorily explored. Disappointing. I found myself wishing that a different writer could take this couple and their story and write about them without the bells and whistles of the mystery. No such luck.

It’s not malicious and it’s competently written but I can’t recommend it.

Review copies were provided.

Review: Dirty Mind by Roe Horvat

Alexander Popescu is a university lecturer in a quiet German town. He’s a respectable man in his thirties who stays fit, has a decent career and travels alone—his only vice is an occasional greasy meal. And beer. And violent computer games. Nobody has to know about the other Alex—the acclaimed porn writer. His ingenious erotic fantasies earn him good money and keep his capricious mind harmlessly entertained.

When his young friend and protégé Christian transfers to Freiburg for medical school, Alex is overjoyed…and terrified that Christian will find out about Alex’s indecent alter ego. The time they spend together, as lovely as it is, could overturn Alex’s carefully balanced life. Suddenly, the writing is not good enough, his hair seems to be thinning, his careful hookups leave him unfulfilled, and his dreams are haunted by the innocent young man he’s vowed to protect.

However, Christian is not a boy anymore. He’s a grown man of twenty-one, clever and deadly attractive. And he’s hiding some secrets of his own.

Apparently I'm fashionable late to the squeeing party for this author. I haven't read their first book, but I'll be fixing that sooner rather than later. I liked this book and enjoyed it more so as the second half came along with its sweet and sexy friends to lovers journey.

Alex and Christian (aka Squirrel) met in Spain three years prior to this story unfolding. Alex stepped up at a bar and saved Christian from being the 18 year old prey to all of the lions that were out on the hunt. Alex pretended to be Christian’s boyfriend and from there they formed a deep bond of friendship. Christian was looking for a mentor and with the 12 year age difference between them, Alex was the perfect candidate. Living in different parts of Germany, they exchanged emails, phone calls, and even visits over the three years.

Alex was a university lecturer by day and a porn romance novel writer by night. “I was high-maintenance and an intellectual snob. That was why I mostly lived out my fantasies through my writing.” Alex writes under a pen name and only his best friend knows what he writes. Besides the few friends he has, Alex was very lonely until Christian transfers to a medical school where he lives.

We don’t get inside Christian’s head outside of the inferences we gather through Alex’s thoughts and observations. Christian is very smart and responsible. He adores Alex and you can tell he craves any time Alex is willing to give him. He has hero worship going on and wants to know more about the tight lipped Alex. Christian is also a virgin at 21. He has a very controlling mother who scheduled every minute of his day which left little time for the one hand job and few make out sessions he had under his belt.

I loved Alex and Christian together as friends and then as lovers. Unfortunately, Alex suffered from a very common medical condition where his head is firmly lodged up his ass for more than half of the book. Alex was soooooo noble with his mentor/"brotherly" role. He fought very hard for so long against his feelings and doing the "right" thing that it got in his way. Their relationship was one sided for the first half. It was such a unique dynamic because Alex was there to be and do anything for Christian and all Christian really wanted was for Alex to be himself and give himself. Alex was caught up on their 12 year age difference which wasn’t a problem to Christian. Their characters were written in a way where Christian seemed to be the “adult” and more sensible one. When the head/ass removal surgery was finally complete, it was game ON.

There was a lot of heat throughout. The heat in the first half came from the scenes Alex was writing for his novels and his many dreams. Those didn’t do anything for me but I understand that it was necessary to show his style as a writer and how love translates through sex. I do wish the sex frequency was more balanced and not so heavy on the dream and novel scene front; The MCs got the short end of the stick in that department. Their first time together, I think legit fireworks shot out of my kindle. The tension and heartbreaking build up had me on the edge of my seat begging them to make a move.

“There was a moment of stillness. Neither of us spoke or moved, yet our breathing seemed as loud as screams.”

Unf!

Alex really steps it up when he decides to give himself to Christian. It was almost the equivalent of a boombox playing a love song outside your window.

*swoon*

I'm a big fan of the secondary characters, Dieter and Mattias. Hopefully Mattias gets a story next with Simon. *hint hint* I even liked Christian's crazy mother because although she was a hot mess of rigid control, she had the best of intentions and loved him.

I wish there was more insight into Christian through his POV to “see” his range of moods. I would have enjoyed his thoughts when he seemed more melancholy instead of his always eager and full of life persona. All in all, I liked this book and loved the 2nd half. I would definitely recommend it and will be on the lookout for more from Roe Horvat.

"I love this love. It’s guilty; it’s unavoidable. Mine. The only thing worth anything, and it’s mine."

A copy provided for an honest review.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Five Dares by Eli Easton

Riptide Publishing is here today to promote Five Dares, a wonderfully heartwarming best friends to lovers romance by Eli Easton. See our review of it here & be sure to leave a comment below to be entered to win a $20 Riptide gift card. Good luck!

About Five Dares

Andy Tyler has been the class daredevil since middle school. Over the years, he’s convinced his best friend, Jake Masterson, to perform some dangerous-looking stunts with him. But the dare they attempt on the night of their college graduation goes sideways. The firecrackers explode too soon and both of them end up with badly burned palms.

But hey, nothing gets the “terrible two-o” down for long, and they recuperate in style at Andy’s family cottage in Cape Cod. As the weeks go by, both Andy and Jake grow frustrated over the inability to use their hands for all sorts of daily activities—including getting off. So Andy begins a new series of dares that don’t just cross the friendship line, they obliterate it.

But what might be mere sexual relief to Andy is serious business to Jake, who only recently got over years of secret pining for his straight best friend. Inevitably, the burns heal, summer ends, and hearts are broken. To fix things, Andy will have to face the greatest dare of all.

Now available from Riptide Publishing! http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/five-dares

About Eli Easton

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, an author of paranormal thrillers, a fan-fiction writer, an organic farmer, and a profound sleeper, Eli Easton is happy these days writing love stories.

As an avid reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, three bulldogs, two cows, a cat, and a potbellied pig. She enjoys reading in all genres and, when she can be pried away from her iPad, hiking and biking.

Eli Easton has published 24 books in m/m romance since 2013. She won the Rainbow Award for Best Contemporary Romance in 2014 (The Mating of Michael) and in 2016 (A Second Harvest). Her Howl at the Moon series of humorous dog shifter romances have become fan favorites and placed in the Rainbow Awards and the Goodreads M/M Group Reader’s Choice awards. She is best known for romances with humor and a lot of heart.

Connect with Eli:

●       Website: www.elieaston.com

●       Facebook

●       Twitter: @EliEaston

To celebrate the release of Five Dares, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Riptide gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 7, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Group Review: An Unsuitable Heir (Sins of the Cities #3) by K.J. Charles

A private detective finds passion, danger, and the love of a lifetime when he hunts down a lost earl in Victorian London.

On the trail of an aristocrat’s secret son, enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz finds his quarry in a music hall, performing as a trapeze artist with his twin sister. Graceful, beautiful, elusive, and strong, Pen Starling is like nobody Mark’s ever met—and everything he’s ever wanted. But the long-haired acrobat has an earldom and a fortune to claim.

Pen doesn’t want to live as any sort of man, least of all a nobleman. The thought of being wealthy, titled, and always in the public eye is horrifying. He likes his life now—his days on the trapeze, his nights with Mark. And he won’t be pushed into taking a title that would destroy his soul.

But there’s a killer stalking London’s foggy streets, and more lives than just Pen’s are at risk. Mark decides he must force the reluctant heir from music hall to manor house, to save Pen’s neck. Betrayed by the one man he thought he could trust, Pen never wants to see his lover again. But when the killer comes after him, Pen must find a way to forgive—or he might not live long enough for Mark to make amends.

4.1666 average!

Chelsea - 5 Hearts

Wow. Just wow. That was sooo super adorable! My God, Mark and Pen are just the cutest couple!

We know Mark well from the last couple of books, pragmatic, loyal, private investigator Mark! But he blew me away in this book, his thoughtfulness and understanding of everyone around him, especially Pen, was refreshing and slightly unexpected of him. Pen definitely needed him and their relationship was wonderful, no misunderstandings, yes there was conflict but that just made them stronger. Pen was the most interesting character and so well written! I love love genderfluid characters!

Yes that’s right genderfluid... in the 1800s, when he is meant to be an earl… you can guess the predicament that this put him in.

I won’t go into the overarching mystery so not to spoil anything but I will say this, I had no idea how this would all turn out until it was said and done. In the end, more pressing than finding the killer was the need to solve the mystery of how will Pen survive the life of an earl and it was perfecto!

Also I must say that Greta is one killer side character! I adored her! She had the presence of Christine from the Whyborne and Griffin series and what I wouldn’t pay for those two to cross paths!

The ending to this series was wonderful! Such an all round happily ever after. Not to mention that last scene…. phew smoking hot!!! Very highly recommend this series.

Adam - 3.5 Hearts

I’ve been waiting for Mark and Pen’s book since that dramatic family scene in book #2. The tension, both sexual and otherwise, between the two was tangible!

The final book in the Sins of the Cities series starts off in the middle of Mark’s investigation to find the true heir of the earldom. In the midst of a fog that grips London, and provides cover for a killer, Mark tracks down Pen.

But things don’t go according to plan, because Pen and Mark hit it off from the start. Business quickly turns into pleasure, and Mark finds himself fascinated by Pen.

Pen is equally intrigued, and pleasantly surprised when Mark accepts Pen’s differences without fuss. Because Pen is neither man nor woman, and he hates the idea of a life of social conformity.

One thing I absolutely love about KJ Charles is that she walks the walk when it comes to diversity and inclusion. In contemporary Western society, Pen would likely use different pronouns and have more accurate words to explain his gender identity.

Even so, Pen’s identity is never glossed over in the book, and it’s central to the story.

Pen and Mark just click from the moment they meet. I thought the two were so sweet together. Plus, the physical chemistry between them was just as undeniable as the emotional chemistry.

I immediately connected to both MCs, and was rooting for their romance from the start. However, the honeymoon is short as the truth about Pen’s parentage inevitably comes to light.

Given that the earldom and its sordid history were responsible for pushing much of the story forward in the last two books, I was expecting a more climactic showdown in book 3. That didn’t really happen. But even so, the mystery was entertaining enough to keep me engaged.

Also, I really liked seeing how Pen dealt with the huge changes in his life, and how Mark was on his side every step of the way, even when things were shaky.

Overall, ‘An Unsuitable Heir’ was an entertaining read. It wasn’t my favourite, but it definitely wraps up the series on a high note. If you’re looking for complex characters, sweet romances, and a gripping mystery, give this series a try!


SheReadsALot - 4 Hearts

"-I'm not a woman, but that doesn't make me a man either."
"Right. What?"
"You heard."

K.J. Charles returns with the last addition to the Sins of the Cities, book #3 An Suitable Heir. And I have been waiting on this book since reading about 31 year old private enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz in the first book. He's the plain speaking detective that will seek the truth no matter if it hurts.

You must read this series in order and don't skip to get to the one armed detective to get why Mark is so great. He's on the hunt for the lost heir and what he finds is not what he expects.

The Flying Starlings, 23 year old twins Pen and Greta have been right under everyone's noses in London, working as trapeze artists. When I learned who Mark's lover would be I wondered how it could ever work, an acrobat aristocrat in Victorian Britain? No way! And then make the long lost heir gender fluid? Say what?

Thankfully, the premise was handled in Charles' more than capable hand. and the story despite the gloomy setting was light. With the mystery of "Fogman" looming, a noble family's dirty secrets just dripping out of various sources, I thought Pen being non binary in Victorian times when it wouldn't have a word to exist at the time was going to be a lot.

Not so. It was relatively easy once Pen had found a person to listen and understand. There were minor struggles but nothing that brought the plot to a halt.

"Bit of a leap in the dark, though?" Mark suggested, in a last gasp of decency.

Pen smiled, gloriously, a full, wide smile that lit his face and gave him a startling resemblance to Clem. "Mark. Leaping in the dark is what I do."

The romance was uncomplicated. Pen and Mark are round pegs in society's square hole and they don't need to fit it, nor should anyone. Being as most of the conflict was internal for Pen: how Pen's perceived, how others expect Pen to fit society's gender norms and Pen's trauma from a lifetime of battling the expectations, other than the murder lurking about, nothing much happens.

It's a case of boy meets Pen. Boy doesn't care which way a person is as long as they're happy. Pen likes that someone gets the way Pen's world is. And they fall for each other super quick. It's borderline insta-love and light and sweet really. The 'I love you's' come pretty quick with the amount of time the main characters spend together on page. Granted, some parts were time jumped.

The strongest character of the book: Lazarus.

Mark is rock solid as always. And consistent which is a perfect foil for Pen.

But Justin Lazarus, the shining smarmy star from Book #2, returns to assist when needed. And I hands down adore the snake! Some might say he's a hustler, liar and cheat.

And they're correct.

But I also say he's deviously clever.

He stole the show for me, even though his page time is limited. I might be seeing this through green colored greasy glasses. But dude is awesome. I would seriously read a book of his misadventures. He goes into K.J. Charles fave characters list for sure.

A close second for this book? Greta. What a great sister to have.

The mystery is wrapped up quite neatly. And there is a solid HEA despite the time period. All of the couples introduced found a great match. This book isn't my most favorite of the series. It didn't turn out to be what I hoped for. I wanted more page time between Mark and Pen, more intimate moments. Mark's super practical and plain speaking, I don't think it would have added more to the plot. I think it's part greed, part being ensnared by the Mark from books #1-2. Any angsting he did was told tot he reader instead of being read about.

I love the way Pen was written and respect that was given. Both main characters are strong and though the story is told through dual POV, it's really Pen's book.

As it should be. Pen's glorious. ;D

I definitely recommend this series.

Reviews: Healing Him (The Den Boys, #2) by A.T. Brennan

“I hated that I was like this, but after years of trying to work through it I was beginning to feel like I’d never be normal.” ~ Cody

Hiding the fact that I was in love with my best friend Isaac used to be the most complicated part of my day, until a chance meeting with a handsome stranger named Jonah sent my life into a tailspin. Scars from my past have stopped me from giving in to my desires for so long, but I’m done being afraid. I want both men. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to trust that anyone can love me.

“I knew it was a bit messed up, but there was no jealousy or envy when I thought of my men together.” ~ Isaac

I’ve loved Cody for as long as I’ve known him, but have always held back because of his past. Then I met Jonah and I knew there was no way I could choose between them. I want it all—the man I’ve loved for so long, and the one I’m quickly falling for. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

“I wanted to believe it was all true, but I couldn’t push aside the fear that I was just a distraction until the two of them got together.” ~ Jonah

After having my heart broken I never thought I’d find love again. I wasn’t looking for anything real, and then I met not one, but two men I can’t resist. Isaac and Cody are everything I ever wanted but didn’t know I could have. I want to believe the three of us can work, but a part of me can’t get past the fear that I’ll be the odd man out, again.

*This is Book 2 of The Den Boys series, but can be read as a standalone - no cliffhangers.

*This book is intended for an 18+ audience and is a story of male/male/male romance and love. There are graphic depictions of man parts doing naughty and sexy things, so please be sure this is the kind of book for you before reading.

Cody is pretty damaged in the beginning of this story. He has touch aversion from past trauma and there are very few people he will allow to touch him, and even then it is for very short periods of time.

He is in love with his best friend Isaac but he knows he cannot put it out there because he could never trap Isaac into a relationship where he cannot be with him physically.

Isaac holds a torch for Cody, but understands his touch aversion. It’s taken a year for him to gain enough trust to be able to lie side by side and watch movies. He has no delusions about a future with Cody right now, but he has no interest in anyone else, until he meets Jonah at a bar and feels a pull towards the man.

The start of this story was on point. The longing but the realistic expectations was great. It allowed for some great emotional connection between Cody and Isaac, and it was obvious they had been friends for a while.

I liked all the characters as they are introduced, and the plot line was strong. However, I wasn’t convinced by the progression of events after Jonah enters the scene. It was too quick. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense, and I wasn’t satisfied with the non-explanation that came from it all.

I did understand Jonah’s position, but I was frustrated by how he didn’t even discuss his fears with the other two. Being the older of the three I expected him to be the one who would be a grown up and speak his mind. It almost felt like additional manufactured drama on top of the already occurring drama, and could have been avoided by one simple conversation.

Putting that aside, the erotic scenes were hot. Their chemistry was great, and I really loved the way they connected.

This can definitely be read as a standalone, but it is obvious it is part of a series. I haven’t read book one, but I am interested in picking it up and filling in some gaps.

Recommended for readers of menage with a bit of an age gap. If you can look past the drama and the ‘love fixes all’ plot line, I think this is a pretty sweet threesome story.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Tender with a Twist (Rainbow Cove #2) by Annabeth Abert

Annabeth Albert and IndiGo Marketing host the Tender with a Twist (Rainbow Cove #2) release blitz today! Check out today's information, our 4 ❤ review HERE, and enter in the giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Good luck!

Title:  Tender with a Twist

Series: Rainbow Cove #2, but stands alone well

Author: Annabeth Albert

Publisher:  Annabeth Albert

Release Date: October 2, 2017

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 79,000 words

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, May-December, BDSM (light), Small Town

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Synopsis

One kinky wood carver. One younger chef looking to try new things. A series of lessons that bring both men more than they bargained for…

Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.

Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate…

But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good.

Tender with a Twist is a 75,000 word stand-alone gay romance with a May/December theme, featuring a second chance at love, opposites attract, loads of sexy times with mild BDSM elements, and one emotionally-charged, guaranteed happy ending with no cliffhangers.

Excerpt

Logan

The crazy woodcarver was shirtless. Again. It was a sleepy Thursday in January on the Oregon Coast which meant most sane people were in flannel and jackets and bundled for the sharp bite of the wind. I was wearing fleece-lined bike pants and a long-sleeved cycling jacket myself as I celebrated the first good ride of the year, and I was still chilly when I stopped my ride near the jewelry store on 101—the main highway running through Rainbow Cove. I told myself that I’d stopped for some water from my bottle, but I knew it was a weak excuse. Really, I’d been transfixed by the sight of Curtis Hunt carving up a giant tree trunk with his chainsaw.

For all that rumors flew about his eccentricity, the man was an unparalleled artist, and watching him do his thing was a true pleasure. Sweat dripped from his head and back despite the cool temperature, and he worked like a man possessed, moving this way and that around the piece, dancing almost as his chainsaw flitted about with the sort of grace I’d expect from the jeweler, not this buff lumberjack with heavy machinery.

He wore sawdust splattered jeans, heavy boots, safety goggles and ear protectors, but his red flannel shirt lay discarded on a nearby sculpture of a falcon, showing off his shimmering muscles and tats that even from a distance were impressive. For all that the guy had probably fifteen years on me, he was in amazing shape. Hell, if I had ink and muscles like that, I wouldn’t keep my shirt on, either. All the muscles made something warm unfurl in my gut, but I dismissed the low thrum of arousal as a never-happening-in-this-lifetime thing. Chances were very high that he’d laugh at any of my fantasies, especially the ones involving him, some rope, and his usual intense stare replaced with something closer to supplication.

But, a guy could still look. And want. So I took my time drinking my water, watching as the outline of a bird slowly emerged from the raw tree trunk.

In a town as tiny as Rainbow Cove, the rumor mill worked overtime, and I knew all the rumors about Curtis. Knew he’d lost his longtime lover a year or two ago and that the two of them had been mythic fixtures in the area. Curtis had apparently gotten more eccentric since the other guy had passed, moving into the old gas station he used as a gallery for his carvings, growing his own food, and going notoriously cranky about change.

And change was what had driven me to Rainbow Cove. Change was what my restaurant represented—hope that the area economy could find a new foothold in tourism. So it wasn’t surprising that Curtis didn’t seem to like my friends and me any. Probably wouldn’t appreciate me looking at him like he was a lumbersexual Tumblr all queued up for my viewing pleasure.  But damn, those muscles…

I gave myself last look before I pedaled away, heading away from the center of town, taking the turnoff that would lead me to the narrow residential road that skirted the beach to the south. I was alone on the road, glorious, vast gray skies and sprawling blue ocean my only companions. This was what I’d come to Rainbow Cove for, the space to be alone, the quietness that I’d only ever found before in a dojo. Portland was crowded, and not just with people. My parents’ expectations always loomed large, as did past mistakes and hurts, and the general hustle of the area made it hard to catch my breath, hard to think and breathe and simply be. The traffic. The noise. The demands. All of it had gotten to be too much for me, and when my friend Mason had proposed the idea of the bar and grille here on the coast, I’d leapt at the chance to start fresh, especially since I’d loved the coast from some of my earliest memories of family weekends away.

Eventually, my ride returned me to the tavern where Mason was signing off on a meat delivery from a local farm.

“Chef!” The driver greeted me with a wave as I locked up the bike. “We’ve got some new fillets in. Think you might want some for a special this week?”

My mind immediately flitted away the shirtless woodcarver and back to my real passion—cooking. I loved being the chef here, the guy who made the decisions and the specials. I’d had years of sous chef positions in Portland, growing ever more eager for my own menu, one where I could play with sauces and presentation and choose my own local ingredients.

“I’m picturing a peppercorn crusted fillet with red wine reduction.” I inspected packages Mason was loading into the freezer and fridge. We’d do most of our business with the endless stacks of burger patties, but I loved changing things up with my daily specials, too.

“Don’t know if anyone will pay fillet prices.” Mason shook his head. The slow winter season was starting to wear on my friend, who also served as our business manager. “You can try it as a special, but let’s not over-order.”

I reluctantly took a small order of fillets, ceding to Mason’s wishes, and rounded out my weekly specials plan with cheaper options like shepherd’s pie.

“How was your ride?” Mason asked after the delivery guy was on his way.

“Fine.” I didn’t feel the need to report on my perving of the woodcarver. It had been a little personal indulgence. Not to mention the fact that Mason’s police chief boyfriend, Nash Flint, was close friends with Curtis, which meant I’d be in for double the teasing if I let on that I’d let my eyes wander in that direction.

“You’re not too lonely, are you?” Mason pressed. “It’s your first winter on the coast, and I know that can be hard.”

“Not lonely,” I said, truthfully. I was so happy to be free of all the voices of Portland—my well-meaning parents, my ex, my aikido master, my many opinionated friends, the executive chefs and restaurant managers who hadn’t seen fit to promote me. The silence of the off season meant that for the first time in my life I was finally free to figure out my own direction, and I intended to seize that. I wasn’t telling Mason, but that was my New Year’s resolution—be the person I’d been reluctant to embrace in Portland. It was high time I took a chance on myself.

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 Meet the Author

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

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Review: The Bunny and the Billionaire by Louisa Masters

Spending their fortunes and losing their hearts.

Hardworking Australian nurse Ben Adams inherits a substantial sum and decides to tour Europe. In Monaco, the home of glamour and the idle rich, he meets French billionaire playboy Léo Artois. After getting off on the wrong foot—as happens when one accuses a stranger of being part of the Albanian mafia—their attraction blazes. Léo, born to the top tier of society, has never known limits, and Ben, used to budgeting every cent, finds it difficult to adjust to not only Léo's world, but also the changes wealth brings to his own life.

As they make allowances for each other's foibles, Ben gradually appreciates the finer things, and Léo widens his perspective. They both know one thing: this is not a typical holiday romance and they're not ready to say goodbye.

Ben Adams is an RN who specializes in home health care for the terminally ill and was recently left a large sum of money by a patient after caring for her during the last years of her life. Ben is used to weighing everything he does or buys on merit and worth and is shocked when he is left the money. He’s used to buying his clothes in second hand or discounted stores and wearing them until they are threadbare or ready to be tossed and doesn’t factor traveling into his budget due to cost. But his last patient, Mrs. K, had talked about her favorite places to travel and Ben is now honoring her memory by traveling to them himself. While in Monaco eating the best ice cream ever, Ben sees a trio of men entering a casino who attract everyone’s attention but one in particular catches Ben’s fancy. Ben decides he has to meet this man and sets about buying the right outfit to get into the club.

Léo Artois is at the casino with his cousin Malik playing babysitter to their young cousin Karim who wants to experience all that is Monaco. Malik teases Léo about the young man who caught Léo’s eye as he quite enthusiastically licked ice cream off a spoon and nicknames him “bunny” because Léo eyed him as prey. When said bunny enters the casino looking lost but eager, Léo sets upon meeting the young man and possibly getting to know him better.

This took a bit for me to get into. I am new to the author’s writing and the first meeting with Ben and Léo felt awkward for me. Honestly the first few chapters were rough waters but the morning after their date, when Ben gets Léo’s note and talks to his best friend Danika about his romantic movie-eqsue encounter it started to smooth out. Ben’s lunch date that afternoon with Léo helped the things feel more cohesive and I started to see a connection between the men.

We get both POV’s in this story and it made for a sweet read. Ben being a self-proclaimed dork that intensifies when Léo comes around is endearing. I remember when I was 18 and had the biggest crush on a boy named Sol who worked in the department next to mine. I swear, every time I talked about him to my BFF/co-worker with heart eyes, she would get this look on her face and I knew he was standing right behind me. The smile and wink he would give me would make my brain short circuit and we won't even talk about the times I actually talked to him and ended up complimenting how good he looked when he was just freaking about not wearing a tie that day. Ugh. So yeah, I get being all thumbs and losing your tongue when a hot guy comes around.

You look at him like he’s edible, which doesn’t surprise me, but also like he makes your day better. He babbles, and you smile indulgently. It’s… surprising. Not bad, really, but surprising.

Getting Léo’s POV was a definite plus for me as I loved seeing this notable playboy billionaire who had the world at his feet fall for Ben simply because he was being himself. Léo’s finds what Ben would consider faults about his appearance or character endearing and adorable and getting it all from his POV made his side of this romance plausible. Seeing Léo do touristy things with Ben because it made Ben happy was lovely and his domesticity couldn’t have been more appealing.

The additions of Léo’s cousin Malik and best friend Lucien to the mix gave Ben a nice look into Léo’s world and allowed him to see Léo as more than his Wikipedia page. Ben needed to see that Léo wasn’t perfect and having friends rib Léo while sharing embarrassing stories of his youth to Ben certainly allowed for that to happen. I wish we had the chance to meet Danika in person but I did love her shopping trips with Ben and just how supportive she is of her best friend.

This romance moves along with very little angst between Léo and Ben with Ben extended his stay in Monaco indefinitely to spend more time with Léo. We get to experience the high life and notable locations the men visit while fitting into the lifestyle that Léo is familiar with. The couple falls quickly for one another and though Ben questions if their romance and love is only because they met while he was on holiday, the men stay true to their feelings and we get a nice ending wrapped up with an expensive bottle of champagne.