New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: ICEBREAKER by Blair Brady (Portland Lumberjacks #1)

Icebreaker
By Blair Brady

Portland Lumberjacks, Book 1

Axel Karlsson, a grumpy hockey defenseman in the twilight of an NHL career haunted by scandal and injury, is traded to the Portland Lumberjacks, a startup expansion team. There, he meets Quinn O'Reilly, a sunshiny, brash, talented rookie with a heart of gold.

Despite their differences, Axel and Quinn are drawn to each other, finding unexpected connections amid the pressures they face in trying to make the Lumberjacks contenders.

As they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, Axel and Quinn find strength and support in their loved ones - Axel's artistic sister Maja and stoic father Sven, Quinn's fiercely protective sister Maggie and lovable best friend Milo.

But the road to happily ever after is never smooth, and Axel and Quinn must confront the ghosts of their pasts and the challenges of their present if they hope to have a future. With the help of their found family on the Lumberjacks and the love they've forged against all odds, they'll learn that even the most battered and bruised hearts can thaw and bloom with the warmth of love and acceptance.

Icebreaker, Book 1 in Portland Lumberjacks, is a mm hockey romance with grumpy/sunshine, first time, and age gap themes, steamy scenes, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Excerpt

Of course, I couldn't forget meeting Axel Karlsson face-to-face. I'd read about his career and the spectacular scandal that nearly killed it, but seeing him in person was next level.

His dark brown, almost black, eyes had bored deep into mine. I'd thought Swedes were blonde and blue-eyed like me, but Axel broke the rules. His jet-black hair framed a chiseled face that took my breath away.

He was a true battle-scarred veteran of wars on the ice, and there I was, a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, having the audacity to prank him. I'd kept those pink skates after someone left them behind when I helped little kids learn to figure skate. I knew they'd come in handy someday.

And who would have known my heart would kick into its highest gear, pounding away, when he looked at me? A giddy wave of excitement, nerves, and something else I couldn't name yet crashed over me.

Surely, I had imagined most of it. That electric sizzle when he'd shaken my hand must have been static electricity.

Axel Karlsson was the kind of man to inspire secrets whispered in the corners of the locker room. He'd been up and down, seen it all, and done everything. Now, we were fortunate enough to have him as a leader on our team.

I was merely a rookie, a little audacious, to be sure, but at heart, I was just hoping to find a spot for myself in the big leagues. I wasn't looking for men to…

Damn, I'd always had a brain that ran about three lengths ahead of both the cart and the horse. How could I even think Axel might have looked at me that way?

It hadn't been possible, and to think that he might have was only setting myself up for major heartbreak down the road. I had to nip that silly crush in the bud…and fast.

According to my college literature buddies, that was always much easier said than done. I couldn't stop replaying the moment when Axel's lips almost curled into a genuine smile.

His eyes did linger on me a little longer than usual, too. I wasn't making that up.

With a heavy groan, I raised a hand and raked my fingers through my hair. I needed to find a distraction, something to take my mind off Mr. Tall, Dark, and Adorably Grumpy.

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To celebrate the release of Icebreaker, we are giving away 3 e-copies of the release!

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About the Author:

Blair Brady loves cooking, gardening, traveling, and hot and steamy romances...with a caramel latte on the side.

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Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: BEAUTIFULLY FRACTURED by Michele Lenard (Front Range University #1)

Beautifully Fractured
By Michele Lenard

Front Range University, Book 1

Ever have someone get you so well it’s like looking in a mirror?

Cruz
Starting over is not what I had planned.

Those stories about magically becoming best friends with the person assigned to live with you… Yeah, that won’t be me. I already have a best friend. Even if I wanted a new one, Liam wouldn’t be it. He’s permanently grouchy, carrying a negative energy I don’t need since I’m finally in a good place. But I’ve never been good at ignoring when people need help, so I paste on a smile and play nice.

Predictably, Liam isn’t much of a talker, but after an unexpected accident he needs my help in other ways. Ways that offer me answers about myself. Ways that raise new questions about the football dreams I’ve been chasing since I was a kid. Ways that make me relive the past I want to ignore.

To say I’m confused is an understatement, but there’s one thing I know for certain…Liam is either the key to one door or the bolt that could prevent another from ever opening. And I have to choose which I want him to be.

Liam
Starting over is exactly what I need.

I can’t get any more invisible than I’ve been for the past few years, and I figure rooming with another person means at least one human on the planet can’t ignore me. Unfortunately, that human is Adonis personified, and not gay, so it’s looking like my invisibility streak might continue.

Then I suffer a minor accident, and Cruz’s hero complex comes out in full force.

I should be grateful to have someone to open my door and carry my books, but when you pair his selfless personality with that body… My mind starts to blur the roommate line, which makes his blur the line of not being gay.

My heart is already battered, and I doubt it can take rejection from the one person who broke down all the walls I’d built around it. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to give it to him anyway.

**Beautifully Fractured is a high-heat MM romance with medium angst that features a grumpy/sunshine relationship, forced proximity, hurt/comfort situations and a bi-awakening. This is book one in a series of interconnected standalones. Though the main characters are athletes, this is not a sports romance. Rather, it's a romance that happens to feature people who play sports.

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Excerpt

“So, now that we’re friends.” Cruz’s voice halts my internal rambling, and I try not to choke on my own breath as he steps back into our room wearing only a towel that does very little to hide the delicious little ‘V’ I suspected he’d have at the base of his torso. “Got any thoughts about what to do with this room?”

I swallow back the saliva pooling in my mouth as he pulls on a pair of boxers–before letting the towel drop to the floor thank God. “What do you mean?”

His head swivels around, taking in the space. “It’s kind of depressing, don’t you think?”

“It’s a dorm.”

“We might need to work on your vocabulary, Sunshine.” He tugs on a pair of sweats that do nothing to hide how round his ass is. “This place isn’t just a plain dorm room, it resembles a prison cell. Where’s the personalization?”

I force myself to look at his face. “Just because we’ve called a truce doesn’t mean you get to give me a nickname.”

“An ironic nickname.” He smiles proudly, like we’re already on our way to being best buddies, and I can’t decide if that makes me want to roll my eyes or smile back.

He’s just so…eager.

Rolling my eyes wins out, though I take my own tour of the bare white walls, plain tile floor, and worn wood furniture. “What did you have in mind?”

Carra's Review

If you’re looking for solid asexual representation and wonderful characters, this story is going to be a perfect fit, particularly if you enjoy a new adult/college setting.  I adored Cruz, he’s a wonderful blend of oblivious, sweet, protective, and intelligent.  While every character always has their own journey, this is definitely focused on Cruz and the self-discovery he undergoes the closer he and Liam become.

I liked how patient and kind Liam was with Cruz, he really was a great match for him.  Both Liam and Cruz each have their own personal issues to deal with, which does mean you’ll find a medium amount of angst here.  I loved though how Cruz dealt with his issues related to his best friend, and Liam’s sensitive responses to the situation.  On the flip side, Cruz was a great support to Liam with his family issues.  They complemented each other perfectly.

You’ll also find some great supporting characters, in particular Jagger and Cameron, best friends who are on the football team with Cruz.  Like I’m sure many other readers will be, I’ll be eagerly awaiting their stories (story?  Yes, please!).  They turn out to be fantastic friends to both Cruz and Liam, and Cruz’s family was wonderful with Liam.

Beautifully Fractured was a 4.5-star read for me, and I am looking forward to more in this series.  I’d definitely recommend this to any M/M romance fan, especially if you are looking for a story with an amazing character on the asexual/demisexual spectrum.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

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To celebrate the release of Beautifully Fractured, Michele is giving away a paperback copy of the release!

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About the Author

Hi! I'm Michele-or at least that's the name I write under-because my parents and my kids are not allowed to read my books. Ever. Though sports romance is my guilty pleasure, I like to dabble in all MM tropes. My books are set in my home state of Colorado, because to me the mountains are the only thing that can compete with a good book. My favorite food is Mexican, my favorite shoes are flip-flops, and my drink of choice is whiskey, the same as virtually every character I've ever written.

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: MINT TO BE by F.A. Ray (Boyfriend Café #4)

Mint to Be
By F.A. Ray

Boyfriend Café, Book 4

I’ve given up on love by the time tall, dark and handsome sweeps me off my feet — literally.

Mal

Everyone around me is sickeningly in love. And I’m happy for my friends. I really am. But when is my turn coming? Why am I still a disposable hookup?

I’m ready to give up on love entirely by the time a bunch of drunk jocks decide to jump me on my way home from the Boyfriend Café. But before a single punch can fall he sweeps in, my dashing hero, my literal tall, dark and handsome, the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

Please tell me this isn’t a dream.

 

Omari

The second I hear a scream I run toward it without thinking. My own teammates are threatening someone, and I rush in to stop them. But the man I save is … beautiful. And funny. And smart. And he brazenly gives me his phone number right then and there.

He has no idea that he just gave his number to the most hunted man at this university.

I’m Omari Carter, a football player everyone assumes is destined for the pros. Scouts are hounding me. Coach is pushing me to decide on my future. My whole family is depending on me. But Mal doesn’t know or care about any of that.

With all the expectations weighing me down, I don’t have time for love. So why can’t I walk away from this?

Mint to Be is an opposites attract MM romance with a major size difference, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, an athlete meeting a lovable fashion nerd and spicy open door scenes.

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Excerpt

Broccoli cocks his hand back. I stumble away, but I’m not looking and my foot catches on the curb. I fall backward onto the sidewalk, screaming in terror as I thump to the ground. It’s a real scream, too, a full-throated shriek of panic as my doom approaches. I cover my head in my hands. It won’t do a bit of good, but I don’t have anything else to protect myself with. I can’t run. I can’t hide. I can’t talk my way out of this. When that fist comes down on me, I’m pulp on the sidewalk.

“Hey. Assholes.”

Everything stops as someone shouts at the football bros. Broccoli hesitates, his fist in the air, his dumb neanderthal face going slack with surprise as he sizes up the man sprinting toward us like his shoes are on fire. Seriously, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone that fast in my life.

He doesn’t slow down when he reaches the group, either. He keeps running, slamming into Broccoli and tackling him to the pavement. They grunt and shout, but the new guy has the upper hand. He doesn’t seem drunk, for one thing.

“Cut it out, Derek,” New Guy says.

“F*ck, Omari, what the hell? That really hurt!” Broccoli says.

“As much as it would have hurt that dude you were about to punch? What is wrong with you, man? You really think Coach won’t sit your ass on the bench for that sh*t?”

“I don’t know, man. I was drunk. He was in our way. He said some sh*t. I got mad.”

“Well, get un-mad. Real quick. And then get the f*ck out of here, understand?”

Broccoli nods, and New Guy lets him up. I’m still on the ground, mouth agape as I watch this interaction play out. The other guys in the group all mutter apologies before they drag their buddy away. And then it’s just me and that new guy, the one they called Omari.

He turns toward me, and I instantly forget how to breathe.

People jokingly call Albert tall, dark and handsome, but this guy is literally tall, dark and handsome. He might be taller than Albert, and he’s built from nothing but lean muscle. His every movement bears an athlete’s grace. When he looks down at me, his eyes are deep and vast and dark, nearly as dark as his close-cropped hair and beard. He extends one smooth brown hand toward me.

“Are you okay?” he says.

I don’t know how to answer that with my heart flailing around in my chest.

I just got superhero rescued by the most gorgeous man on this entire campus.

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To celebrate the release of Mint to Be, F.A. Ray's giving away 2 e-copies of the release!

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About the Author

F. A. Ray started writing fiction as a child and has never stopped. When they aren’t writing, they enjoy rock climbing and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where they live with their partner and cat.

Visit linktr.ee/faraywrites to find out more. You can also sign up for my Patreon, where I post WIPs, updates, bonus scenes, deleted scenes and short stories that don’t appear anywhere else.

Catch up with F.A. Ray:
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New Release-Excerpt: SKIN AND BONES by Sophia Soames (London Love)

SKIN and BONES 

(London Love)

Author and Publisher: Sophia Soames

Cover Artist: Christina Stern

Release Date: January 31, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, Grumpy/Sunshine

Themes: Eating disorder, domestic violence, hotel setting.

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 92 000 words       

SKIN AND BONES is best enjoyed if read after TASTE.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

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Blurb

Hugo Burrows has life under control.

He's got a decent job, a long-term relationship and a flat in Canary Wharf.

It's all under control. It's just becoming a little problematic trying to hold everything together. Keeping the bruises on his skin hidden away. A smile plastered on his face. Controlling the calories he allows his body to consume. And now his boss is on his back with too many questions, and the grumpy French head chef keeps staring at him like he's a freak or something.

Everything is under control. It has to be.

Ben Desjardins may be the Head Chef at the Clouds Hotel but he definitely hasn't got anything under control. His relationship with his best friend is crumbling and simply turning up for work seems to automatically cause never ending chaotic disasters. Yet there is something about the new concierge that has crawled straight under his prickly skin.

Ben doesn't need more complications in his life. The last thing he needs is to inconveniently, and reluctantly... fall in love.

SKIN AND BONES is best enjoyed if read after TASTE.

Reader Advisory. This book contains the following topics: Eating disorders, OCD, domestic violence and sexual assault. Please look after yourself and take care if these topics could upset you.

Excerpt

So, the new concierge, his name was Hugo, and he was tall and skinny—far too skinny if you asked me—with a head full of bouncy blonde curls, thick, dark eyebrows over deep-set eyes, sharp cheekbones and plump, puffy lips. He seemed like a nice bloke, stood up for himself. Finn moaned about him, saying something about the guy being great at his job but an untidy bugger. The floor around his desk was always a disaster zone of scrunched-up pieces of paper and torn-up leaflets. Finn wasn’t wrong. I could see stuff on the floor from where I was, while Hugo gave directions to some guests, arms flailing, his phone miraculously still pinched between his cheek and his shoulder. He smiled at something. I smiled too. He had that kind of smile.

Dropping my cigarette on the ground, I squashed out the embers with my shoe. So sue me. I was French. Had grown up there, then moved to England with my mum in my teens and had to adapt to being Ben instead of Benjamin after my arsehole dad kicked us out. I didn’t take sh*t from anyone.

It hadn’t been bad. Just…my life hadn’t become quite what I’d expected.

I strode back through the lobby with confidence, smiling politely at our maître d’hôtel, who pursed their lips at me. Yeah, I was a d*ck. I had tomato juice down my front, and my apron was covered in cooking fat. I looked a state and shouldn’t be anywhere near paying guests. I knew it. Mabel knew it. I actually liked them. A lot. Today, our super-efficient restaurant leader rocked a shocking-pink dress and sky-high heels with a face full of make-up. Some days, they presented as a stunning bloke, other days, like today, they wouldn’t look out of place on the cover of a women’s fashion magazine, and they knew it too.

“Looking good, Mabs.”

“Oh shut it, Ben.” They grinned and blushed while giving me a full head-to-toe inspection. “You really need to go change, babes. Honestly, you’ll give Mark a heart attack.”

“You mean I look that good?” I laughed, enjoying another of Mabel’s many smirks.

“You look like sh*t, babes. How are you ever going to get laid when you walk around looking like someone has dragged you face down through the walk-in fridge?”

“Bah,” I huffed and left them to it. I washed my hands and ripped off my apron, dropping it in the laundry chute and grabbing a fresh one from the shelf before glancing over the line. All under control. Nobody panicking.

“Watch the liquid,” I commented to one of the trainees as they flipped a tray of mushrooms into a serving dish and splattered juice all over the hot plate. Yeah. Newbies. They had to learn, usually the hard way, and there wasn’t much I could do other than show them how to do it the right way, remind them to watch the bloody timings, let them make mistakes and hope they didn’t kill themselves in the process.

I looked down at my own battered hands. I had too many scars to count. Cuts, burns. My hands had survived years of being battered on the rugby pitch, which was nothing compared to getting fingers stuck in blenders and close encounters with sharp knives.

I blamed my mum, getting me into cooking when my hand-eye coordination had been blasted to hell. I had to concentrate, not be stressed, keep focused for my mind to function the way it was supposed to, not that it ever did, and this was a working kitchen. My entire shift was always one huge, stress-induced, disaster-prone trial.

“You all right?” Mark appeared next to me in his immaculate suit, his hair up in a tidy man-bun and eyebrows tightly knitted. Arms crossed, he surveyed our little world. Him and me, we were brothers, partners in crime, a duo of idiots who should have known better, but we worked well together, and there was nowhere else I would rather work than here with him by my side.

“All good,” I said, mirroring his pose.

“The boys out there,” he said conspiratorially. “They’re placing bets on who can get a hook-up with Hugo. There’s good money involved.”

“Hell.” I sighed, rolled my eyes harder than Mabel. “He gay then?”

“I went over and asked him. He just laughed, so yeah. Between you and me, he lives with his long-term boyfriend down in Canary Wharf, so I think all the boys are barking up a dead tree, but I’m not going to tell them. Are you?”

“Nah.” I laughed. I wasn’t. As long as they did their job and made my food look good, I wasn’t getting involved with anything. And anyway, this Hugo? None of my business.

Rolling up my sleeves, I plonked my arse down by my little office set-up and logged into the laptop. I had orders to sign off, menus to plan, things to do. A life to live. Mark shook his head and disappeared back out to the restaurant.

This Hugo? God help him.

About the Author

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

Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The dogs are too.

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

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

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New Release-Review & Excerpt: PUMPKIN SPICE AND CHILL by F.A. Ray (Boyfriend Café #2) - Includes Giveaway!

Pumpkin Spice and Chill
By F.A. Ray

Boyfriend Café, Book 2

"Tie me up. Make me yours."

Albert

Accidents don't happen to me. I eliminate random chance with surgical precision, whether that's in my role as the manager of the Boyfriend Café or my role in the bedroom.

Having an earnest, soft-eyed stranger show up one day is not part of my plans.

The university is sniffing around the café, and David says he wants to help hold them off. But why should I trust someone I've just met, someone who's acting on pure intuition, someone who isn't part of the road map?

David is smart, kind and earnest. When he looks at me with those big, soft eyes, it makes me want to discard all my careful calculations. But I don't do spontaneous. My wealthy parents groomed me to be a perfect CEO, cold and calculating. So why do I want to throw out the rules for him?

David

I've heard rumors of a Boyfriend Café on campus that's staffed by a bunch of queer students. And I've also heard that the university is breathing down their necks, threatening to shut them down.

I know I'm still pursuing my law degree, but I'm sure I can help - if they'll just let me. Unfortunately, Albert literally slams his door in my face when I try.

I can't bring myself to give up, no matter how ardently Albert wants to shut me out. This guy has major control issues, which really shouldn't be a turn on, but here I am trying to get closer to Tall, Dark and Handsome despite every instinct telling me he has a closet full of ropes and handcuffs somewhere.

I'm supposed to be thinking about how to help him save the café, not what kinds of crazy toys he has stashed in his bedroom. Now if I could just stop imagining him in sexy leather gloves and me on my knees...

Pumpkin Spice and Chill is an MM grumpy/sunshine romance with a secret billionaire, a kind-hearted nerd, a closet full of "creative" toys, and spicy open door scenes. CWs available at linktr.ee/faraywrites.

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Excerpt

“I can’t believe you’re real,” he says.

I huff a laugh. It should be me saying those words. Who am I compared to this genuine, sweet, bold man who’s turned my life upside down in the best possible way?

“Is it crazy that I want you again already?” David says. “I know we were up basically the whole night, but God, Albert, I just can’t keep my hands off you.”

A tremble of answering desire surges through me. I turn him until his hips hit the edge of my table, then hike him up onto it, heedless of the way my tools and half-formed artwork rattles.

“No,” I say, “it’s not.” Because I want him again too. Because I will never have enough of him. Because I will never grow tired of drawing out every sigh and moan his body can give me. It has become my life’s work, a project I will labor over for as long as he allows me, and I have no greater ambition in the world anymore.

I slide my hands along his thighs. They open for me, allowing me to fit between his legs so I can lean in close and press my lips to his neck. He responds instantly, sighing and grabbing at my shoulders. His fingers clench more tightly every time I lick along that tremulous skin pebbling under my touch, his nails biting at my shoulders through my shirt.

“Albert,” he groans, and I thrill anew at the way he says my name in moments such as this. “F*ck, I want you so bad. I can’t get enough of you.”

Everything inside of me sings in response. I have always been like this, wanting to give more than I take, wanting to offer more than I receive.

“Tie me up again,” David pants. “Make me yours.”

Carra's Review

F.A. Ray did another great job here in book two of the Boyfriend Café series.  Here, the quiet, steadfast Albert is the focus along with David, an aspiring do-good attorney (though currently a college student) who just wants to help when it seems the café might be running into trouble with the university.  There is plenty to enjoy in this story, with just a couple of nitpicks from me.

One thing that truly stands out—again—is the excellent writing.  The style, the descriptive and emotional passages, and the very layered characters all make for a strong story that pulls you in.  I also love that the café’s team has become a found family that can depend on each other and support each other.  

Albert though…he pushes too hard to handle a big issue all on his own.  Honestly though, I was surprised given what we learn about his family background that he wouldn’t have done things differently with his friend Rhett with the café from the start.  It’s something that niggled at the back of my mind in book one, but I willingly overlooked it there since the focus of that book was very different.  Here though, it seemed like such an obvious thing that should have been considered.

When it comes to Albert and David’s interactions, they are frankly just beautiful together.  Their physical scenes are fantastic, leaving you hanging on every word.  You can feel the gradual building from hookup to committed boyfriends as it slowly progresses through the entire story, never feeling rushed.  I do wonder though (another niggle here), when it comes to the skills Albert has in the bedroom how and when did he acquire them given he is still relatively young in college in this story?  I would have liked to have had that backstory given the tools and toys he already seemed to have extensive knowledge in using.

Albert and David are a wonderful couple, I really enjoyed their story and it was a very strong 4-star read for me. I’d recommend this to any M/M romance fan, especially if you enjoy sensual and emotional physical scenes—there are plenty to be found here.  Given that, plus the adult language, this book is recommended for readers 18+. 

Want to know what I thought of book one, A Matcha Made in Hell?  Check out my review here!

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Pumpkin Spice and Chill, F.A. Ray's giving away 2 e-copies of the release!

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About the Author:

F.A. Ray started writing as a child and never really stopped. They enjoy rock climbing and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where they live with their partner and cat.

Catch up with F.A. Ray:
linktr.ee/faraywrites

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: FOOTWORK by TA Moore

Footwork

by TA Moore

Publisher: Rogue Firebird Press

Cover Artist: Tammy Moore

Release Date:  September 10, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: First Love, Second Chance, Bad Boy, Grumpy One and Sunshine One

Themes: Forgiveness, second chances, family, redemption

Length: 57 000 words/ 90 pages

Heat Rating:  3 flames

It is a standalone book set in the same world/town as the Dirty Deeds series

It does not end on a cliffhanger

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When your ex-boyfriend finally has the life he always wanted, it would take a real asshole to interfere with that…but not like Bode’s ever said he’s not an asshole.

Blurb

Bode Harlan has never claimed to be a good guy, but he’s trying to keep his nose clean and his head down these days.

After a year in prison for assault--and to be fair, he did it--he isn’t looking to go back. Admittedly, his pretty face being the star attraction in an illegal underground fighting ring seems to run counter to that goal, but he’s gotta pay the bills and there ain’t much else he’s good at.

And it keeps his parole officer off his back…since she runs the place.

Then his mom skips town and her boyfriend kicks Bode’s 14 year old brother out on the street. Bode grew up in and out of foster care, he doesn’t want that for Danny. It’s not like he can take the kid in, though. He’s an ex-con who gets beat up twice a month for money. That’s how he ends up on his good-natured ex-boyfriend’s doorstep. Sonny is a soft touch. At least he always was for Bode. All he wants is somewhere to crash for a couple of nights, nothing more. Sonny’s got his life together now--a home, a boyfriend, even a dog--and it would take a real asshole to want to blow that up.

…of course, Bode’s never said he wasn’t an asshole.

Excerpt

SONNY SLAMMED THE door. Or tried to. Before it closed, Bode shoved his boot into the gap, and the heavy wood bounced off leather and bone. 

Bode winced and had the balls to look put out. The cooking show Sonny had been halfway through rattled on in the background. It wasn’t the soundtrack that Sonny had imagined for his first reunion with his sort-of ex. That had either been Driver’s License or Bad Guy, depending on his mood.

“Why do you assume I want something?” Bode asked. His hair was shorter than it used to be—making it look darker, more red than ginger—and a bruise had just started to bloom around one of his eyes. At some point, Sonny knew it would fade down to a marshy green that nearly matched Bode’s eyes. He’d seen that happen before.

Back when Bode’s bruises had been Sonny’s business. That had been a while ago.

“Why else would you be here?” Sonny asked. He could hear it in his voice—the dredged-up hurt, the once-broken heart—but he doubted Bode would notice. It wasn’t the sort of thing he cared about. Other people and how what he did affected them were not Bode’s area of expertise. Sonny checked the time. “At nearly midnight.”

Bode shrugged, one-sided and laconic. “Maybe I wanted to tell you I’m out.”

“You’ve been out for three months,” Sonny said. 

“Keeping tabs?” Bode asked with a slow, smug smile. It probably hurt as it creased along the edges of the bruise, but he didn’t let that stop him. “I didn’t know you still cared.”

“I don’t,” Sonny said. It wasn’t true. He cared, but that didn’t have to mean anything. It didn’t mean anything. “Just pointing out you’ve had plenty of time to drop by, yet this is the first time I’ve seen you. What happened? We keep missing each other?”

“You always got up too early for me.”

Sonny was surprised at how angry that made him. He wasn’t stupid. Bode knew that. So why stick to his stupid lie when they both knew Bode wouldn’t cross the street to see Sonny, not unless he had an ulterior motive. His temper felt like a head cold, the pressure of it at the back of his eyes. Usually it took him a long, grudging time to get mad about something, but Bode had been an asshole for years, so that pump was about ready to blow.

Except Sonny didn’t like it when he lost his temper. He didn’t like being out of control. It never ended well. He bit the inside of his cheek, a knot of old scar tissue from the habit gritty between his teeth, and throttled the hot emotion back. 

“Right, well,” he said. “Whatever. If that was the only reason you’re here, job done. Now I know. I’m glad for you.”

He opened the door. Bode had the balls to look smug, as if he’d known that Sonny would come round. More fool him. Sonny braced his hands flat against Bode’s chest and gave him a shove that made him stagger backward.

“You can still f*ck off,” Sonny repeated and slammed the door.

He turned around and leaned back against the door while he waited. On the TV screen, a woman in a white chef’s coat was trying to do something to a side of beef with a coat hanger. The dog had taken the opportunity to crawl up onto the couch and bury her head under a cushion, as if there was no way Sonny would see her whole ass sticking out.

Five.

Four.

Three.

The idea that he might have gotten it wrong—that Bode might have actually f*cked off—had just started to nibble at the back of Sonny’s mind. He hated—really, honestly hated—that it would bother him if Bode had. 

It wasn’t that he deluded himself that Bode couldn’t leave things unsaid with him—that was how Bode preferred to leave things. It was just that they’d known each other since they were kids, and Bode didn’t easily give up on anything he wanted. It would be weird if that changed now. No, the reason Bode was here was because he wanted something.

And two…

“I need somewhere to crash,” Bode said through the door. “Just for a couple of nights, until I sort something out.”

About the Author

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

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