New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: PLAYING GAMES by Riley Hart (Franklin U Series #1)

Playing Games
By Riley Hart

Franklin University Series, Book 1

Brax

Tyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.

It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too. I revel in our banter and in never knowing what he’ll say next.

I’ve spent too much time on the wrong side of the law for someone like Ty, though, and if I want to make it through college and escape my past, he’s a distraction I don’t need.

 Ty 

Braxton Walker needs to learn to lighten up. If you search brooding online, his name pops up. He’s the bad boy with a leather jacket and a scowl. We couldn’t be more different.

Finding ways to annoy him is like the longest foreplay session of my life. And when we end up working together, it gets harder to deny how hot he makes me.

What’s a little hooking up between enemies?

We weren’t supposed to become friends or share secrets. We weren’t supposed to understand each other and all the complicated stuff we’re going through.

I’m used to playing games, only the more time I spend with Brax, the less it feels like playing around and the more it becomes something real.

Universal Link

Goodreads

Excerpt

“Yes,” I said to him.

He frowned. It fit his face like it was used to being there, like maybe it was his natural state of being. “Yes what?”

“You were waiting so you could offer to walk me back to Liberty Court, right? I mean, I’d be fine on my own, but it’s sweet of you to offer.”

“I didn’t offer.”

“But you were going to.”

“No,” he replied. “I… Shut up. You know I wasn’t going to ask.”

“It’s okay, Sunshine. I won’t tell anyone you like me. I’m sorry that I don’t feel the same, but we can continue being frenemies.”

Braxton shoved off the wall. “What the f*ck is a frenemy?” He headed toward the door, and I went with him.

“Us.”

“We’re not friends. Just enemies.”

“Only because it’s so hard for you since you like me.” God, he was fun. I could do this all night. Five minutes ago I was exhausted and wanted to fall into bed and never get out. Now, a new burst of energy exploded inside me.

“I don’t like—Jesus, how do you make me do this? I know exactly what hand you’re playing, yet I fall right into your trap.” He opened the door, and I walked out. Such a gentleman.

“It’s a gift.”

“You’re annoying, and I hate you.”

“There’s a thin line between love and hate.”

It was quiet behind the bar, nothing but the sound of the ocean and cars in the distance.

“I think…” He took a step closer to me, then another. I had a feeling the bastard was about to turn the tables on me. He was good at that, and I didn’t like it…or maybe I did. “You want me to like you.” Another step. My back hit the building, so apparently I’d been moving too. He kept coming. “Looking to slum it with a guy you know will make Mommy and Daddy angry?”

Braxton’s breath was warm against my face. I hated that he could manage this, that I could go from having the upper hand in this little game we played to thinking the guy in the bar was right and we just needed to bone and get it over with.

He leaned in, mouth close to my ear, and I wondered if he’d lick it again. “Remember what I said earlier? If you ask nicely, I might be willing to f*ck you.”

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! My d*ck was throbbing, begging for me to open my mouth and say please. But there was no chance I was letting him do this. He’d gotten the best of me earlier, and now it was my turn. “Oh, Sunshine, when we finally succumb to this, no one said you would get to be the one doing the f*cking.”

He sucked in a sharp breath.

This round went to me.

 

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Playing Games, Riley is giving away an eBook of the Winner's choice from her backlist!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author:

Riley Hart has always been known as the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She won her first writing contest in elementary school, and although she primarily focuses on male/male romance, under her various pen names, she’s written a little bit of everything. Regardless of the sub-genre, there’s always one common theme and that’s…romance! No surprise seeing as she’s a hopeless romantic herself. Riley’s a lover of character-driven plots, flawed characters, and always tries to write stories and characters people can relate to. She believes everyone deserves to see themselves in the books they read. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading or enjoying time with her awesome family in their home in North Carolina.

Riley Hart is represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. She’s a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Of Sunlight and Stardust. Under her pen name, her young adult novel, The History of Us is an ALA Rainbow Booklist Recommended Read and Turn the World Upside Down is a Florida Authors and Publishers President's Book Award Winner.
Join Riley’s reader group here!

Riley loves hearing from readers. You can contact her at rileyhartwrites@yahoo.com

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2018 in Review: My TOP RECOMMENDATIONS in M/M Romance!

Every year I add a small handful of exceptional books to my Top Recommendations list.  Only about 2% of what I read each year gets not only 5 stars from me, but also the honor of being named a Top Recommendation.  In 2018, there were five incredible stories that made my list, as well as two audiobooks. Find out more about these wonderful tales here!

My #1 book & audiobook of 2018:

Evolved by N.R. Walker blew away all the other books I read--and listened to--in 2018.  I featured it here on the blog yesterday, and you'll find me fawning over the author and Joel Leslie, the narrator of the audiobook in that post.  It is sci-fi romance with a uniquely human element, and I can't recommend this story highly enough!  

Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon AU - Amazon CA - Audible

Sharing the spotlight for #1 audiobook of the year:

The Solstice Prince by S.J. Himes, narrated by Joel Leslie, puts both the author's incredible writing skills and the narrator's unparalleled performance ability on full display.  And as amazing as S.J. Himes's storytelling is in this epic fantasy, the narration takes The Solstice Prince to another level with Joel's incomparable range of voices.  See my full review here on the blog!

AMAZON US - AMAZON UK - TANTOR - AUDIBLE

And now for my other top reads of 2018, in no particular order...

Of Sunlight and Stardust by Riley Hart and Christina Lee was simply stunning.  It hit me hard emotionally, and was really like two stories in one.  It's not only highly emotional, but also powerful and definitely one you will not want to pass up.  My full review is featured on the blog here.

Amazon US - Amazon UK

Forget Me Not by Brooke Blaine...I'd have given this ALL the stars--damn these 5-star limitations on rating sites!  Brooke snatched my heart right out of my chest, then held it hostage until the second book of this duet, Remember Me When (which you'll see on the blog tomorrow in my 5-star reads of the year list), was released.  See what I thought of this book that has all the feels here.

Amazon US - Amazon Universal

Ella Frank has long been one of my favorite M/M authors...and now also M/M/M with the introduction of her Confessions series in 2018.  Confessions: Robbie is the one that started things off for the series, and it was nothing short of sensational!  Explicit, erotic, and filled with intensity and passion, it's no wonder it's one of my Top Recommendations for the year.  Check out my full review in this post on the blog!

Amazon US - Amazon Universal

This year's list could never be complete without The Necromancer's Reckoning by S.J. Himes.  The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series is one of my all-time favorites in urban fantasy/paranormal romance--it's the kind of series where you wish the author would never stop writing stories in it.  I've been thoroughly enjoying Angel and Simeon's journeys, and can't wait for more in this world.  Complex characters, fascinating storylines, and Eroch the dragon...I couldn't ask for more.  See my review in its entirety in my review post here on the blog!

AMAZON US - AMAZON UK

So, is your interest piqued?  I hope you enjoy all of these stories as much as I did!  What were your top reads of 2018?

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: OF SUNLIGHT AND STARDUST by Riley Hart & Christina Lee - TOP RECOMMENDATION!

 

OF SUNLIGHT AND STARDUST

RILEY HART & CHRISTINA LEE 

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 09.21.18

  

Cover Design: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

Cover Image: Strangeland Photography

Amazon US - Amazon UK

Blurb

After the death of his wife, Tanner Rowe takes a step toward making her dream come true and buys the house with the dilapidated barn she’d been inexplicably drawn to in the picturesque Upper Peninsula. But after a year, he still can’t get past his grief long enough to make the repairs he’d promised.

Recently out of prison, Cole Lachlan has little to his name. Homeless, broke, and without many options as a felon, Cole heads to Red Bluff with hopes of a second chance. There, he meets Tanner, whose loneliness mirrors his own and soon, Cole is trading room and board for rebuilding the burned-out barn on Tanner’s property that hasn’t been touched in seventy years.

Turns out, the barn holds a lot more secrets than either of them could have imagined. After unearthing a hidden journal from 1948, Cole and Tanner spend their evenings poring through the pages and reading about a young man pining after his best friend. As they delve deeper into this forbidden affair from the past, the more Cole and Tanner’s own relationship shifts—from acquaintance to friend…to undeniable attraction.

But as they begin to deal with the newness of falling in love amid Cole’s past and Tanner’s loss, they also become more determined to unravel the mystery of the young lovers who’ve captured their hearts, the rumors about the fire, and what really happened that fateful night.

Goodreads

Excerpt

Every so often, Tanner found his eyes drawn back to the window. With the exception of a small lunch break, Cole didn’t stop working. He might not know much about building a barn, but the things Cole was doing now he could help with. There was no reason he couldn’t clean or haul debris to the truck. He didn’t for a couple of reasons. First, this was what he’d hired Cole to do. It might have only been a short amount of time, but Tanner knew Cole well enough to know he wouldn’t feel as if he was earning his keep if Tanner helped too much. But also, even though he’d promised Emma he’d follow her dream for them, part of him resented it because it hadn’t been his dream, it had been hers. They were supposed to do it together, and now she was gone and he was here, with a man he didn’t know, trying to make it happen.

Those thoughts made him an asshole, he was pretty sure, but they were true.

He was lonely, Christ, he was lonely. He’d almost asked Cole to share lunch with him earlier, but his phone had rung instead. He didn’t know why he kept himself from talking much with Cole. He was an interesting man, and obviously well read. He had a pride about him that Tanner respected. It intrigued him. They had common ground, so why was he resisting? Their arrangement was temporary and a working relationship. It wasn’t as if any harm could come from it. It would give him someone to talk to until Cole was on his way.

That’s the man I know, Emma’s voice whispered in his head. He was beginning to worry he was going crazy. He heard her more often than was probably healthy. Not just memories either, but moments like this one, where it was almost as if she was talking to him. Logically, he realized it was just that he knew Emma, knew what she would say and how she would feel, but it was also concerning.

Tanner continued working until he reached a good stopping point, then went downstairs.

He was craving spaghetti and meatballs, which usually wasn’t one of his favorite meals. Since he had ground beef in the fridge, he washed his hands and started dinner. He sautéed the meatballs while he got the sauce going. An hour later he had the meal ready, complete with a salad. He went to pluck a plate from the cabinet to fix some up for Cole, then paused.

What’s it going to hurt, Tan?

He closed his eyes, pursed his lips because a part of him wanted to answer Emma. It would make him feel closer to her. But he didn’t. Goddamn it. He put the plate away and made his way outside.

Cole was standing by the truck, with his shirt off. Beads of sweat rolled down his sun-kissed skin, over the tattoos on his arms. Did they mean anything? He found himself wondering. He didn’t have any himself. Wasn’t sure what he would get if he ever decided to get one.

Tanner’s eyes darted away when Cole turned around to look at him. He figured that was silly and glanced back to see Cole’s brows pulled together.

“If you’re hungry, dinner’s done.”

He saw Cole’s eyes lower to his hands since he usually carried the plate out.

“It’s hot as hell. Figured you could eat in the kitchen with me, if you’d like.”

Again, he averted his gaze, this time looking toward the barn. Did Cole not want to share a meal with him? Would he prefer to eat alone in a half-burned barn?

“You don’t have to if you don’t want, of course. I just thought—”

“No, no,” Cole interrupted. He had a slightly raspy voice that was unique to him. “It’s not that. It’d be nice to eat inside, enjoy the cool house. But I don’t want to take advantage of your hospitality.”

“You’re not,” Tanner replied. Really, what in the hell had he done for Cole? He wasn’t very hospitable at all. He was paying him for work.

“Okay,” Cole replied. “Let me get my things. And I should shower first. I’m awfully sweaty.”

Carra's Review

Sometimes I read a book that hits me so hard emotionally that I have to take a step back for a few days afterward to regroup before I can find the words to express what I thought about it.  Of Sunlight and Stardust is one of those books—I will tell you right up front that it’s going to get you in the feels when you read it, and it’s going to be a story that you’ll need a tissue box handy for while you’re reading.  Even now after letting my mind settle, when I think back to certain scenes I still start to tear up and probably always will.

The main characters of Tanner and Cole are by far some of my favorite individual characters I’ve ever read, and they definitely have a place as one of my favorite couples.  Both broken in their own way, both trying to rebuild their lives, and both lonely and needing someone.  I was particularly drawn to Cole, and I was impressed with his need to be independent and make his own way even as I was saying to myself, “please, just let someone help”.  But he desperately wants to make it on his own, to show everyone he will work for what he gets and is not there for a handout.  I loved how Tanner and Cole’s relationship developed slowly, first as boss/employee, then as friends, and eventually as lovers.  There is no rush to move things along, and things evolve naturally between them—something that gives Tanner time to work out his unexpected feelings when he’s never felt that way about a man before.

Intertwined with Tanner and Cole’s story is another—one that was the most responsible for smacking me in the feels, and the reason behind my need for the tissue box.  I thought the weaving of the two stories together resulted in a unique tale, and one that was incredibly emotional and powerful.  I want to tell you so much about it, but to do so would turn my entire review into a spoiler.  What you need to know?  You MUST get this book—if you are a fan of M/M romance I can guarantee you will love this story.  Be prepared for a LOT of emotion, especially with the interwoven storyline, and don’t be surprised if you have to go searching for your heart later because the authors will have torn it right out of your chest.  T+C means so much more than you think, and by the end you may even feel some chills once you realize it all.

5 stars could never be enough for Of Sunlight and Stardust, and this story has seized one of the highest spots on my Top Recommendations list.  Just know I’m sitting here biting my tongue (or physically restraining my fingers on the keyboard, however you want to look at it) to keep from blurting out more…because there’s so much I could say, but you really need to read it for yourself, then you’ll see what I mean.  Thank you Riley Hart and Christina Lee for this stunning story.

This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

Facebook - Website - Blog - Twitter - Newsletter

Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.

Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.

I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I'm addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

Facebook -  Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

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New Release-Excerpt: SOMETHING ABOUT US by Riley Hart (Saint & Lucky #2)

 

SOMETHING ABOUT US

SAINT AND LUCKY BOOK 2

RILEY HART

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 08.15.18

COVER DESIGN: X-Potion Designs

BLURB

Falling in love was the easy part.

Lucky and Saint are head-over-heels for each other. It doesn’t matter that they met only a few months ago. It also doesn’t matter that this is Saint’s first real relationship and Lucky’s first with a man. They’re infatuated, happy, and excited to start their life together in LA.

It isn’t as easy as they thought.

Away from home for the first time and feeling like he has to compete with Saint’s experienced and cultured friends, Lucky is a fish out of water. Saint is still coming to grips with his recent loss while doing everything he can to keep Lucky happy. The only time things feel right is when they lock themselves away from the world—when they’re alone, everything is perfect.

But reality comes crashing back in to challenge them at every turn. Lucky and Saint need to learn how to stand together, as well as apart, if they’re to have any hope of making this last. They’re learning the hard way that “I love you” is when the real work begins.

Amazon US - Amazon UK

EXCERPT

Lucky Holloway had never seen so many cars in his life.

Okay, so maybe he was exaggerating a bit. It wasn’t as if back home he’d never driven into DC. Obviously, he had, but that was different. DC wasn’t something he did on a daily basis. Since he’d just moved to Los Angeles with his boyfriend, Saint, this—the mass amounts of traffic—would be his life. Every day. He figured he’d better get used to it.

Lucky watched the obscene number of cars, thinking about how many people were there. Again, he glanced at his boyfriend—his boyfriend. It was still an adjustment to realize he had a boyfriend and that moving to LA was a part of it. He would take hours in traffic if it meant having Saint, if it meant stepping outside of the world he’d always known and seeing what else was out there.

There was a loud honk, and Saint cursed and zipped between two vehicles, changing lanes into a spot where his car technically shouldn’t have fit.

“You gotta be a little aggressive to get your way.”He winked, and Lucky playfully rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, this is going to take some getting used to. It’s so amazing to me that there can be this many people right here on this freeway with us, when there are fifty other freeways with likely the same amount of people on them.”

“It’s wild when you think about it in those terms. For me, it’s life. I don’t really know any different.”Saint continued to push his way into spaces, making other cars slow down to let him in, until he exited the freeway. Lucky still couldn’t believe he was there, that he’d met Saint only a few months ago. That somehow, in the course of Saint going to Lucky’s hometown of Cottage Grove, Virginia, to reconnect with an estranged grandmother, Saint and he had fallen in love. And how so soon after Saint had become a part of his grandmother, Alice’s, life, and in turn Lucky’s life, Alice had passed away. He was angry on Saint’s behalf. It wasn’t fair that Saint had lost her so soon after finding her. It wasn’t something Saint mentioned, not outside of that moment they’d shared in Saint’s grandfather’s old office. Saint kept himself zipped tight, as though he hadn’t lost Alice and this was all about their adventure. Lucky decided to make a point of trying to get him to talk about it more.

What he really couldn’t believe was that he’d made the decision to uproot his whole life, leave behind everything he knew, and go with Saint. He’d never done something so uncharacteristic in his life—falling in love in such a short amount of time—and it was both thrilling and scary as f*ck.

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

Facebook - Website - Blog - Twitter - Newsletter

New Release-Excerpt: EVER AFTER, A Gay Fairy Tale by Riley Hart & Christina Lee

 

EVER AFTER

A GAY FAIRY TALE

RILEY HART & CHRISTINA LEE  

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 02.28.18

 

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

Amazon

Blurb

As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall’s future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he’s long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before—a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant.

After his father’s passing, Cassius Havendale’s sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick has no understanding of true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it’s like to desperately desire something he cannot have.

Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius’ affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way.

As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they’re unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country, and Cassius has the needs of his family to consider. They’ve long known their stolen moments would have to come to an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?

  

Goodreads

 EXCERPT

“Now you are all set,” Cassius remarked, slipping the national Evergreen sash over Merrick’s neck and adjusting it over his shoulder.

Merrick was entertaining the Duke of Cairn this morning for brunch. The king would be joining them this afternoon for ice fishing on the property. Apparently, the royal family of Cairn were avid fishermen, and when the king mentioned it a few weeks back on his visit, Merrick’s father told them about Evergreen’s abundance of freshwater trout. Merrick did not exactly enjoy the sport, but Cairn was Evergreen’s closest ally, and it was important to entertain them properly while they discussed pressing matters, including Merrick’s royal visit to their lovely countryside in the coming months.

“At breakfast I overheard the cooks going on about how handsome the duke is,” Cassius mentioned casually as he smoothed down Merrick’s coat and then picked at some lint on the lapel.

The change in topic threw Merrick, and when he did not respond, Cassius glanced up curiously at him. Merrick smirked as he wrapped his hands around Cassius’s waist and pulled him closer. “You are jealous.”

“Of course not!” he declared as his neck turned beet red. “I was only relaying the gossip in the castle.”

“Hmmm, that’s very peculiar since you’ve never seemed to be affected by gossip before,” Merrick remarked, backing him against the wardrobe, the innocent look in Cassius’s eyes completely charming.

“What are you doing?” Cassius asked, his gaze flashing toward the closed chamber door.

“I don’t give a flying fig whether the duke is handsome or not. I have never paid him any mind.” Merrick kissed his cheek. “What I do know is that a stunning man is standing before me, driving me completely mad. And I long to take his pr*ck into my mouth.”

Cassius gasped and swayed toward him. Merrick wondered if Cassius felt just as feverish after spending such a sweet and intense moment in the woods the other day. He only dreamed to know more of him before it was too late.

“It is all I thought about last evening after you left me in the parlor room with the conservation committee,” Merrick added with a groan as he gripped the waistband of Cassius’s trousers. “I want you in my bed every night. In my arms. But I know it is an empty wish.”

“We…shouldn’t,” Cassius replied in a gruff voice even as he sank against Merrick, his pr*ck already hard as the steel jousting stick on display in the Great Hall. “You make it quite difficult to properly concentrate on my duties.”

Merrick drew back immediately, searching Cassius’s eyes. “I am sorry. I do not want you to feel any sort of regret.”

“Never.” Cassius grasped Merrick’s hand and placed it against the bulge beneath his zipper. “But now I shall go around all day with the front of my pants uncomfortably tight while you socialize with the handsome duke.”

Merrick hissed and then promptly dropped to his knees before the valet.

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

Facebook - Website - Blog - Twitter - Newsletter

Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.

Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.

I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I'm addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

FACEBOOK -  TWITTER

Book Review & Excerpt: TIED TO YOU by Riley Hart

TIED TO YOU

WILD SIDE BOOK 2

by Riley Hart

Genre: M/M romance

Cover Design: X-Potion Designs

Cover Photo: John Karrer

Artwork:  Sarah Jo Chreene

Blurb

Miles Sorenson prides himself on his brutal honesty. Facts and logic are a hell of a lot easier to deal with than emotions. He’s got his career and a small, close-knit group of friends, and he doesn’t need nor want anything else. The total opposite of Quinn Barker, who doesn’t take life too seriously and thinks a good laugh can cure anything.

When Quinn takes Miles home, it’s supposed to be a one-time deal. Except they really click in the sack and end up spending the weekend together, enjoying each other's bodies as much as their company…to Miles’s dismay. Matters get even more muddled when, months later, they run into each other at the popular West Hollywood bar, Wild Side, and pick up right where they left off.

On the surface, Quinn and Miles are like oil and water, but the draw between them is undeniable. As their lives further entwine, they realize there’s more to their connection than the way they singe the sheets together.

But demons from the past have a way of catching up, and no matter how strong the link is tying Miles and Quinn together, the pressure may be enough to make it snap.

Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon CA - Amazon AU

EXCERPT

They made it to Miles’s car and to the 101 freeway before his cell rang again. “Oh f*ck.” Miles rolled his eyes after looking at the screen.

“Your mom again?” Quinn asked from the passenger seat, snickering. “She offered to bring you chicken soup while I was blowing you. That’s some funny sh*t.”

“No,” Miles replied. “Worse. It’s Chance.” Who he had no doubt called because he’d gotten notice that Miles called off work today. Maybe this whole close-friendship-like-family thing wasn’t such a good idea after all. “What?” Miles said into the cell.

“You better be dying.”

“I’m not.”

“Oh, well your mom thinks you are. She’s convinced you’re somehow dying. I thought she was going a little overboard, but then she said you called off work, and I had all sorts of crazy thoughts—cancer, heart attack, but then I just remembered it was early as f*ck and I’d gotten woken up because you’re suddenly a normal human being who doesn’t go to work once in a while. Then, I just wanted to kill you. It’d be easier if you were dying on your own.”

Miles gripped the phone tighter. “You’re all mental. Every single one of you. I don’t feel well. That’s it.” Was it really such a big deal that he didn’t go in to work today? Apparently, it was. Quinn was right. He was boring.

“You’re in a car. Why are you in a car, Miles?”

“I’m running away,” he answered. He probably should. It was the only way they would leave him alone.

Chance sighed. “Seriously…you okay, boo? Does this have anything to do with what had you upset Friday night?”

Miles looked over at Quinn, who stared back at him. He considered playing it off, making up some kind of excuse, but then he remembered that he demanded honesty from everyone else. What right did he have if he didn’t give it himself?

“I’m fine. I’m…going to the beach.”

“You hate the beach,” Chance replied.

Yeah, he usually did. He was looking forward to it today, though.

He risked another quick glance at Quinn whose brows were pulled together. Just as he thought. Quinn could hear Chance.

“I’m going with a friend,” Miles admitted. Should he have said boyfriend? Dude he was banging? Dating? They’d decided they were boyfriends.

“You hate friends…except us.”

F*cking Chance. “I don’t hate friends, you jackass. I’m driving so unless you really want me to die, I’m going to go.” He paused, then added, “And I’m bringing someone to Wild Side on Friday.”

“What? You’re—”

“I’m hanging up now,” Miles told him.

“Don’t you end this call, Miles! You’re bringing someone to Wild Side and going to the beach? Who are you and what did you do with my best friend? I—”

Miles hung up before Chance could continue.

“You hate the beach,” Quinn said. “I mentioned the beach our first weekend and you said you didn’t hate it.”

It was then Miles realized that’s why Quinn had chosen it. For him.

Miles looked at him and gave Quinn another truth. “I don’t hate the beach today. With you.” And it hadn’t been as hard to say as Miles thought it would.

“We haven’t gotten there yet.”

“That part doesn’t matter.” Brutal f*cking honesty.

Carra's Review

The relationships that form when characters are least expecting it, where they don’t realize it’s happening and that turn them upside down—those are some of my favorites. What I loved about Miles and Quinn was that even though they started off as a hookup, there was always a connection between them and their relationship wound up developing over time, becoming more and more intense. This throws Miles for a loop since he has a very hard time trusting people he doesn’t know, and the feelings he has are difficult for him to reconcile.

There’s absolutely no question that Miles and Quinn have scorching hot chemistry together from moment one; their intimate scenes can be raw yet with a touch of sweet, then ranging back to naughty with a bit of kink. It’s enough to have readers reaching for their fans and ice packs because their heat level is at the top of the charts. But they don’t only have chemistry in the bedroom—I hate to use a cliché, but they honestly do fit together like two puzzle pieces, complementing each over perfectly. The banter between them held my rapt attention, and at times had me laughing out loud.

Miles and Quinn have a lot in common, at least to a certain point. This makes it easy for them to understand each other, and is also a factor in how comfortable they feel together. While there is some tension that comes and goes in the story (primarily from Miles’s uncertainty and hesitation at opening up to someone outside his small, tight inner circle), for the most part it is relatively low angst. There is a bit of conflict between them near the end, but other than that the story is more about the development of their relationship and Miles coming to trust and both of them coming to love each other.

I did have a small issue with the source of the conflict as it is not explained how some information that comes to light was obtained, and given the nature of the information it was like a sign blinking at me saying “how did that get uncovered?”. But other than that, I felt the story was powerful and was fully character driven—and those characters were so…REAL, strong and well developed to where I was fully invested in their lives and the outcome of the story.

Tied to You was a 4.5-star read for me, and I do highly recommend this story to any M/M romance fan. It can be read as a standalone, but once you’ve read it you’ll find yourself wanting to go back and read the other stories that the supporting characters have appeared in so you can find out their tales as well. This book is meant strictly for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit M/M sexual content.

About the Author

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. 

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine, while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves. 

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

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WILD SIDE SERIES

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