Roxy's Recovery
by Kim Breyon
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 21, 2019
Length: 62k words
Subgenre: Contemporary romance
Warnings: Very brief on-page mentions of dog abuse and domestic abuse. It is mentioned after the act has occurred, not during.
Synopsis
As the newest veterinarian in the small town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Vaughn Winters doesn't have time for relationships. He is too busy healing injuries and establishing his reputation as a trustworthy vet. But when a strange man waves him down one stormy night seeking help for his injured dog, Vaughn simply can't refuse.
Obviously homeless and with no means to pay for Roxy's medical care, Vaughn throws caution to the wind and strikes a deal with the hesitant stranger that would allow Roxy the time to heal and provide some much-needed TLC to his property as well. As the days pass, Vaughn's curiosity grows. Alex's dedication to the job is as surprising as the sexy tats hidden beneath his rugged clothes. What could have pushed this kind, hardworking man to the streets, or cast such dark shadows in his otherwise bright blue eyes?
Will six weeks be enough time to earn Alex's trust? Or will asking questions cause him to tuck tail and run as soon as Roxy is able?
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Roxy's Recovery is a 61k standalone contemporary romance involving two men, a meddling sister, and a seriously sassy pug.
Book Links
Excerpt
An hour later, we pulled up into the parking lot of Riverbend Reels. I knew the moment I walked into the place that I’d want to come back. There were aisles upon aisles of high-quality but affordably priced gear, all of it aimed at the enthusiastic fisherman.
“Wow,” Alex murmured, looking around.
“Yeahhhh,” I said, a little dreamily. “They sure know how to lure a guy in.”
Alex chuckled. “Careful, Doc. I might need to wipe drool off your chin.”
I smacked him in the chest and went down the first aisle, reaching out to touch a few of the nicer items on display. For the next two hours, Alex and I wandered nearly every inch of the store, and his teasing only got worse the more excited I became.
Slowly, his teasing morphed into what felt like genuine interest. He began asking me questions about the different kinds of reels and lures, and his eyes shone with excitement as he started to understand the significance of the weights listed on each package. It only made the experience that much more enjoyable for me, having someone there to share it with. And honestly, it was the most relaxed I’d seen Alex since… well, ever.
It wasn’t until I made Alex hold one of the lightweight carbon poles that something clicked into place, and he seemed to understand my appreciation. He turned it over and ran his fingers along the shaft, admiring it.
“Okay, yeah. I think I get it now. This rod feels better than the other one. I like the way it fits in my hand,” he said, noticing the grip.
I grinned, loving the way that innocent innuendo just seemed to roll off his tongue. “You like a nice rod in your hand, do you?”
Alex blushed and stammered for a change of subject. “I meant… It’s… The color is nice too.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you’re flustered?”
Carra's Review
Right from the start, almost everything about this story appealed to me. The setup/meet-cute, the characters, and the slow and easy way their relationship evolved. This wasn’t about some quick insta-lust thing or a “let’s have fun while it lasts” thing; it was about two men naturally learning about each other and getting to know one another in a relaxed way. At least until Roxy finally healed.
Vaughn may have a tendency to fall for a guy too quickly, but he also has a heart of gold and wants to help people—and animals of course. As for Alex, you know he’s not telling everything about himself or his circumstances, but as Vaughn sees right away Alex really is a good guy. Alex is a hard worker, and is fiercely protective of the one thing he really cares about—his dog Roxy.
I loved the evolution of their relationship, and thought the two of them were wonderfully sweet together. Frustration did enter the picture for me though with the way Alex acted once Roxy was all better. While I can understand and sympathize with his reasoning and motivations, it still drove me nuts…especially since I had really grown attached to his character and not just wanted but NEEDED him to find his permanent happiness.
When all was said and done, Roxy’s Recovery wound up with a solid 4 stars from me, and I would absolutely recommend this story to any contemporary M/M romance fan, and if you love animals then all the better. Since there’s some adult language, sexual content, and mentions of previous abuse this book is meant for readers 18+.
Giveaway!
For the Blog Tour, Kim is giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card:
About the Author
I am an Idaho native who grew up dreaming about traveling the world and writing stories. As a child, I would often spend my spare time curled up with my favorite blanket and a notebook, writing another fairy tale. I never would have guessed those fairy tales would one day grow into gay romances, but that is where my heart led me and I am so glad it did. I write about love because I believe it can happen to anyone, with anyone. I also believe dreams never expire, redemption is possible, and true forgiveness can heal us in ways we never expect. I know firsthand how messy life can get, but as any artist will tell you, a little mess is needed to create something beautiful. You can often find me with a mug of coffee in one hand and a dog toy in the other. There is never a day that goes by without my sweet boy insisting on a game - or twenty - of fetch.
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