Thursday, August 31, 2017

Review & Giveaway: SURVIVOR by T.M. Smith





Survivor
Author: T.M. Smith
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: August 22, 2017



Taylor Langford’s world is torn apart when he is only thirteen years old—his parents killed, leaving him alone and orphaned. With no living relatives, he’d certainly be another statistic if not for the intervention of the policeman who found Taylor in the crawl space where his mother hid him that fateful night. Despite the tragedy and resulting anguish in his life, Taylor knows how lucky he is.

Frank Moore is a rookie with the Dallas Police Department when he and his partner answer a call in Devonshire, one of the city’s more affluent neighborhoods. They think the young boy in various pictures throughout the home has been kidnapped until they find him, shaken but alive. Officer Moore recognizes the pain in the kid’s eyes, having lost his own mother to cancer when he was just a boy. He steps in, making sure Taylor is placed with a loving foster family. Over the years, Frank becomes a permanent fixture in Taylor’s life.

A decade later, the case remains unsolved and the once gangly, uncertain teenager is now a college graduate who knows exactly what he wants. He’s coming home to the man that helped mold and shape his life, the man he’s loved for as long as he can remember, Frank Moore. But Taylor isn’t the only person returning to Dallas, and while Frank is distracted by his own conflicting feelings and the new bond growing between the two, the past creeps up on them, determined to finish what was started ten years earlier.

A note from the author…
I hope you enjoy Frank and Taylor’s story. It’s been a long road to get them settled, but I’m happy with where this story has taken them. When I started this book, the intent was to write a stand-alone story, but that has changed. Characters continually evolve throughout the writing process, and there are several characters in the book that want to tell their story. I’ve grown especially fond of Rory and I can’t wait to write his book, which will take us back to when he first joined the Bureau, and continue on to his happy ever after.

Please be advised: This is a May/December romance, and as in life, there are sexual situations that take place prior to the main characters finding their way to one another. This is not gratuitous; it is meant to show character growth and self-realization. There is absolutely no cheating. 


















There’s so many things I liked about this story.  I love age gap books, and while the difference between Frank and Taylor is only ten years, the fact that they first meet when Taylor is only thirteen, and then getting points of view almost every year until they finally express their feelings as adults makes it seem like the gap is bigger than it is.  This actually threw me off a bit and made it a little awkward to me even though I knew the gap was only ten years.

I also like the hurt/comfort theme, and that this leads to the unbreakable bond that forms between the two men over the years.  Frank and Taylor's relationship could be seen as hero worship gone overboard, but that really is so far from the truth—even their friends and family who have figured out how the two men feel about each other know that is not the case.

Another aspect I liked was the first half of the story being told over time, showing how their relationship slowly develops from rescuer/rescued to buddies to close friends, to lust and then love.  Once the story reaches the point where Frank and Taylor are exploring their feelings for each other fully, the emotion and deep connection between them grows even more intense, but never feels rushed or like it’s too much.  And their physical chemistry—that was far enough off the charts that you may need some ice on hand to cool yourself down once things get that far.

Even though the development of Frank and Taylor's relationship provides plenty of romance to drive the story, there’s an added dose of drama and suspense related to Taylor’s parents’ murder.  It’s enough to keep you on the edge for a while wondering exactly when things will go sideways, which adds some great tension to the story.  

The cast of supporting characters is fantastic—I really loved how they all wound up becoming a big, unconventional extended family and how supportive they all were of both Taylor and Frank.  All of these secondary characters were well rounded and brought depth to the story, and there’s even potential among them for other stories in the future (please? okay?).

Survivor was a 4.5-star read for me, and I already know this is one I’ll be re-reading in the future.  I do recommend this to any M/M romance fan, particularly if you’re a fan of the tropes featured in this story as they are written well.  This story is strictly for readers 18+ for adult language/situations and sexual content.






















A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel.


Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!







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New Release-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: THE HIGHLANDER by Kasia Bacon (The Order series #2)


The Highlander (The Order series #2)
Author:  Kasia Bacon
Cover Artist: Marek Frankowski 
Release Date: August 31 2017
Genre/s: Fantasy/Paranormal M/M Romance
Length: Words: 16K  No. of Pages: 65

Buy Links

Available on Amazon and KU.


Goodreads Link



Blurb


I, Lochan of the famed Féyes clan, know all about fighting.

As a half-breed Elf, I have struggled against prejudice and feelings of inadequacy.

A recluse by nature, I have battled my aversion to touch and interaction with others.

To become an assassin of The Order, I have learnt to overcome the limitations of my mind and body.

But denying the power Ervyn Morryés holds over me might be the one fight I lose. The truth is—damn it all—the relentless Highlander brings me to my knees.

Note: This novelette is the second in the Order Series and not a standalone instalment. Reading The Mutt is crucial for its full enjoyment.

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Excerpt

I knew my insomnia worried him. Elven Army regulations regarded bedtime as a serious matter. A soldier's body—well-honed, fed and rested—served as their primary weapon. A tired soldier made errors. And errors claimed lives.

To escape further scrutiny, I backed towards my cot and hopped under the blankets.

Of course, Ervyn took it as an invitation. Not that he ever acted as if he needed one. He shrugged out of his heavy leather jerkin and pulled off his boots.

“Come now.” In the near darkness, I heard a smile in his voice. “Let me tuck you into bed, mu'hrōnye.”

He’d fallen into the habit of calling me that. I asked the meaning of it once, but he simply laughed and distracted me by biting on the shell of my ear.

Ghor still hadn’t stirred. For once, I didn’t mind his snoring.

The narrow cot made for a tight fit for Ervyn and me.

Something else felt tight, besides. The crotch of my trousers.

Ervyn’s hand immediately rose to brush my cheek and jaw line. “I missed you,” he murmured.

My pulse jumped a notch.

He tended to say things like that, nonchalant, as if betraying one’s thoughts cost nothing. His impulsivity meant he rarely bothered to conceal his wants and intentions. Such a barefaced approach shocked the hell out of me, although I partly admired, partly envied his readiness to show emotion.

My eyes slid closed at the warm, rough feel of his thickened fingertips: the draw hand of the archer. Somehow this heightened my pleasure. The smell of pine needles, leather and horses hit my nostrils.

His thumb skimmed my bottom lip.

I moaned, already so aroused I could kill with my hard-on. Which, in fairness, would be a handy skill to have for an assassin.

Mountain Forest Covered By Fog

Carra's Review

I was excited to read this second book in The Order series to find out how Ervyn and Lochan’s relationship was evolving.  This book is told from Lochan’s point of view, and we get to see both his undeniable attraction to Ervyn but also how conflicted he is about them being together when he believes they will wind up separated from each other soon.

I loved delving back into this world and getting to see Lochan’s side of things.  It was already obvious from the first book how deep his and Ervyn’s connection runs, and it’s even more evident here in The Highlander…something that makes Lochan’s heart ache when he thinks of how they will both be headed off to separate assignments soon.  The angst factor is definitely upped in this story, enough to actually have me concerned for a bit.  Thank goodness Ervyn’s pull is so powerful… (and yes, that’s a tease)

I really like how this world and what goes on there is unfolding, and after the way this story ended I am desperate to read more.  There’s romance of course, but there’s also tension, action and excitement as well—all taking place in this great fantasy world setting.  I’m in this one for the long haul, and I hope there’s going to be a lot more to come—there’s certainly plenty of directions this series can go from here.

5 angsty stars for The Highlander, and if you’re a fan of M/M fantasy romance you’ll definitely want to start this series if you haven’t already.  The Mutt should be read before The Highlander, otherwise you will probably be a bit lost coming into the middle of Ervyn and Lochan’s tale.  This book is for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.


Meet the Author

Kasia Bacon Pic Bio

A linguist and an avid reader with a particular fondness for fantasy and paranormal genres, KASIA BACON lives in London with her husband. When not tearing her hair out over a translating project, she writes stories about the shenanigans of emotionally constipated assassins and sexy Elves. Otherwise, she can be found shaking her loins at a Zumba class, binging on anime or admiring throwing knives on Pinterest. She has a mild coffee and lemon tart addiction. A lover of MMA and Muay Thai, she also enjoys nature and the great outdoors. She dreams of becoming independently wealthy, leaving the city and moving into her wooden mini-manor—located in the heart of stunning forests resembling those of the Elven Country depicted in her tales.



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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Audiobook Release & Giveaway: THE UNDERCOVER ROCK STAR by Jenna Galicki





The Undercover Rock Star

Series: Bulletproof #1
Author: Jenna Galicki
Genre: M/M Adult Contemporary Romance
Narrators: Nick J. Russo & John Solo
Audio Release Date: August 22, 2017


Blurb

A spur-of-the-moment vacation was supposed to jolt Cameron Douglas out of his funk, but it appears he only traded locations. It was a chance meeting with a handsome stranger that changed everything. Brandon stirs Cameron's interest and his heart, but will the mysterious man reveal his true identity before their vacation in paradise is over?

Sometimes life in the spotlight was a heavy weight to bear for Brandon Bullet. He never knew if men were interested in him as a person or just enamored with his rock star status – until he meets Cameron Douglas. It wasn't often that Brandon shared a connection with someone who wasn't aware of his notoriety. He's determined to keep his identity a secret while the two of them get to know each other and before someone blows his cover.






Purchase Links

AUDIO 



EBOOK

Only 99c!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU 

Ebook free in Kindle Unlimited




Author Bio


Jenna Galicki writes in multiple genres including m/m/f, m/f, and m/m. She is predominantly known for her Radical Rock Stars Series. The Prince of Punk Rock (Radical Rock Stars Book 1) was a finalist in the 2015 Bisexual Book Awards.

A native New Yorker, she now resides in Southern California. She's a Rottweiler enthusiast and an avid music buff. When she's not hunched over a computer, you can find her front row at a rock concert.


Author Links

Cover Reveal-Excerpt & Giveaway: WAKING THE BEHR by Pat Henshaw



Waking the Behr 
(A Foothills Pride Story)
Author: Pat Henshaw
Cover Artist: AngstyG
Genre: contemporary gay romance
Length: 29,689 Words/88 Pages
Release Day Date: September 20, 2017

Pre-Order Link


Blurb

Both Ben and Mitch think they know exactly what they want. Turns out, they don’t even know their own hearts.

Good old boy Ben has dated women his entire life, while gay nightclub owner Mitch has never considered unsophisticated country boys his type. But after they start hanging out, the small-town contractor and the urban entrepreneur are both stunned by the electricity sparking between them.

As they step outside their comfort zones to spend time together, Mitch finds he enjoys rural car rallies, and Ben is intrigued by the upscale bars Mitch owns in San Francisco. When they share their lives and grow closer, they start to question the way they’ve always defined themselves. Then they kiss and fling open the door to love. Now they must step up and travel the road that may lead to happily ever after—even if that path isn’t one they ever expected to walk.

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Excerpt

(From Ben Behr’s point of view. Contractor Ben has signed up new client Mitch O’Shea and is going to lunch with him outside Stone Acres, California, at the Rock Bottom Cafe in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Mitch has nicknamed his custom-made muscle car Rita.)

Driving Mitch’s Rhino GX up to the Bottom was every good old boy’s wet dream. The thing greedily gobbled up the road. A couple of times I felt like I was holding it back with a thin piece of rope that was on the verge of breaking.

Mitch, the bastard, laughed at me the whole way.

“Let her have some head.”

“Can’t. We’re coming up on a couple of tight switchbacks. Don’t want us to go off the road before we’ve had lunch.”

“P*ssy,” he whispered.

Easy enough for him to say. I was sure glad I hadn’t let him drive. We’d have been careening all over the place and probably would’ve had a lot more near misses.

I could just imagine my cell lighting up with calls as we passed some of my friends in their trucks. I felt them all staring at Rita as we flew by.

“You could have let her go,” he grumbled after we parked at the Bottom.

My hands were shaking from exhilaration. My zillion-dollar smile had to be glowing. F*ck. A guy could come just from driving this baby.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, because I really didn’t have any words at all. I had no native language at that point. I was cruising on the blissful release of having danced with Rita.

As we rounded the corner of the parking lot and headed for the front door, my brother Connor nearly bumped into me.

“What the f*ck is that thing, Ben?” He was practically panting as he took in Rita.

“Well, damn me. There are two of you beauties,” Mitch whispered close to my ear.

“Yeah, well. Mitch O’Shea, this is my younger brother, Connor. Connor, Mitch.”

They stared for a split second before Mitch thrust out his hand and Con grabbed it.

“Hey, nice to meet you. What kind of car is it?”

They stood much too close, in my opinion, as Mitch listed Rita’s specs.

Not that I was jealous or protective or anything. I mean, Mitch had said he was gay, and Con definitely was. So they were a perfect match, right?

Are you kidding? my d*ck sneered.

My gut screamed that Con was encroaching, which was really weird. It wasn’t like I had any real designs on Mitch. I mean, I’m straight, even though I was between women and didn’t really feel like hunting down another one at the moment.

So what if I was attracted to Mitch? He was a good-looking guy. I had a lot of good-looking friends.

True, none of them made me want to run my hands all over them, though. Which was beside the point, right?

“So you’re here for lunch?” Con asked Mitch.

I nodded, but Con didn’t acknowledge me.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, staring at Mitch.

Couldn’t he tell he was the third wheel at this party?

I shrugged, and Mitch nodded. I had no clue what the nod meant.

Lorraine, the Bottom’s co-owner, latched on to us near the hostess stand, scooped up three menus, and said over her shoulder, “Right this way.”

Connor was having lunch with us, then.

“Let me give you a quick overview about the roadhouse, Mitch. Then you’ll have some basic info to think about. Okay?” This was a working lunch, right? So I’d best be acting businesslike.

Mitch nodded, and Con, fortunately, figured out what was going on and shut the f*ck up.

After we ordered, I walked Mitch through the building’s long list of minuses and its one plus—it was a sturdy old bugger. He told me he’d get back to me about what he was going to do. I had a feeling he’d already decided and was going to call the Realtor to make an offer once we were back in town. You don’t often find guys dancing around like crazy idiots who don’t already have their minds made up.

As we ate, I watched Mitch and Con chat. I sat there and mentally took notes on how gay guys flirt. If nothing else, I guess I could chalk lunch up as a learning experience.


Meet the Author


81K35AAJl2L._UX250_Pat Henshaw, author of the Foothills Pride Stories, has spent her life surrounded by words:  Teaching English composition at the junior college level; writing book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites; helping students find information as a librarian; and promoting PBS television programs.

Pat was born and raised in Nebraska where she promptly left the cold and snow after college, living at various times in Texas, Colorado, Northern Virginia, and Northern California.  Pat enjoys travel, having visited Mexico, Canada, Europe, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Egypt, and Europe, including a cruise down the Danube.

Her triumphs are raising two incredible daughters who daily amaze her with their power and compassion.  Fortunately, her incredibly supportive husband keeps her grounded in reality when she threatens to drift away while writing fiction.

Blog - Website - Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - Amazon - Email



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New Release-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: HEALING HIM by A.T. Brennan (The Den Boys #2)



Buy Links: 


Length: 71,000 words


Blurb

"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.


Excerpt

“So, start with Insidious?” I asked Cody as we flopped on his small couch.

“You’re evil.”

“What? We’ve seen it so many times you should know when the freaky parts happen. I could have said I Spit On Your Grave.”

“That movie was messed up, not scary.” Cody shook his head and took the beer I held out to him. “I’m never watching that one again.”

“True, how about The Grudge?”

“Fine, but I swear to god, if you change my ringtone to that creepy moaning noise, I’ll never speak to you again.”

I grinned and opened my computer to cue up the movie. We might be able to joke about that incident now, but at the time it had been anything but funny.

The first time we’d watched it together we’d only been friends for about a month. I’d waited until Cody had fallen asleep then downloaded the moaning sound the demon character made as his ringtone. Then I’d snuck into the bathroom, blocked my number and called his phone. We’d been at my place that night, and he’d flipped out.

I’d felt terrible at how badly I’d scared him. I’d thought he’d get a good laugh out of it and that would be the end of things, but he’d been so freaked out he hadn’t been able to sleep for hours.

That was the night I’d learned a little bit about Cody’s past, and why he hadn’t handled the joke well. It wasn’t so much the ringtone that had scared him, it had been waking up in my bed alone, scared and disoriented.

It had taken a few more months for Cody to open up and tell me more about his past, and every time he told me something new my heart broke a little bit more for him. Even now I’d learn about something he hadn’t told me yet, and I’d wish I could take away his pain.

The more time I’d spent with Cody, the more I’d realized that he was an incredible person. He wasn’t just sweet and kind, he was caring and fiercely loyal. He was also beautiful.

At five-nine he wasn’t short, but with his slender build and cherubic face he seemed so much younger than twenty-one. His big blue eyes were wide and expressive. He wore his blond hair shaved close on the sides but long on top, so it was constantly falling over his forehead and brushing the tops of his cheeks if he didn’t continuously push it back. Everything about him was so beautiful it was almost painful, and it hadn’t taken me long to fall in love with him.

If he’d been any other guy I would have asked him out on a date, and gotten to know him as a romantic interest instead of as a friend.


Carra's Review

This story had my attention with the blurb that gives 3 different characters’ points of view—M/M/M is a favorite of mine, as long as all of the characters in the relationship have plenty of depth and are all given equal attention in the story.  The author did a great job of this with Cody, Isaac and Jonah—none of them were shortchanged, and getting to see everything from all three points of view gave so much more insight into their relationship, emotions and feelings.

You can’t not feel for Cody.  He’s been through too much in his young life, through things that no one—especially a young child—should ever have to go through.  It’s very hard to read about his past (be warned it can be a trigger for some readers, please read the trigger warnings at the front of the book before you start to read), and my heart was breaking for him hearing about it.  

Isaac’s past was nothing like Cody’s, though he does have family issues that will draw your sympathy.  I loved how patient and caring he was with Cody, you really can tell just how much he loves him and wants him to heal.  He’s willing to set aside his feelings to help Cody, even if it means not being together in the way that he would want.

Jonah has had a really good upbringing with a large, loving family.  Being drawn to both Cody and Isaac, and having them both reciprocate is like a dream come true for him—though he’s just waiting for it all to evaporate based on his assumptions that the two of them won't need him in the long term.  I was a tiny bit frustrated with him assuming things instead of talking to them, that kind of formed a little disconnect for me with him just accepting that he wouldn’t be with them for long.

The chemistry between all three men—as separate couples and as a threesome—is blatantly obvious, and is beyond scorching hot.  Their physically intimate scenes are sensual, erotic and frankly quite stimulating for a reader.  And they all are compatible emotionally as well—something that helps contribute to Cody’s healing.  A lot of their interaction does concentrate on the physical, and on Jonah and Isaac helping Cody to become more comfortable with physical intimacy.


I really enjoyed this story, though at times Jonah's thoughts toward what would eventually happen in their relationship frustrated me.  I would have liked to see a bit more development of their relationship beyond the physical to be able to see more of the emotional side of things grow between them.  Healing Him was a 4-star read for me, and while it is part of a series it can definitely be read as a standalone…though I do recommend reading All In to get Blaze and Galen’s story.  This book is meant strictly for readers 18+ for adult language, mentions of trigger topics involving a young child, and explicit sexual content.  


Author Bio

A.T. Brennan, who also writes under the name Mandie Mills, is a romance and erotica author. A native of Ottawa, Canada, she enjoys picking up and moving from city to city every few years. A former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, current entrepreneur and freelance writer, she enjoys spending her days working on her many projects and her nights writing and not getting enough sleep. Currently she lives on Canada's East Coast with her family, both two- and four-legged. She enjoys collecting books and exploring the different sides of romance and romantic expression in her works.

You can visit her at www.mandiemillsauthor.com, or on Facebook at A.T. Brennan Author, and also at Author Mandie Mills.


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