Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Book Review & Excerpt: THE RIGHT ONE by Felice Stevens

 


The Right One

by Felice Stevens


Genre: M/M/ Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 14, 2021

Cover Design: Reese Dante

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Tagline: "Wrong never felt so right."


Blurb


"Wrong never felt so right."


Morgan Cantrell is a survivor. After running away from an abusive husband, he’s finally divorced and starting over, but it’s hard. Of course he doesn’t mean to set off the smoke detectors in the building or short out the electricity in his apartment. Mistakes happen. The last thing he wants is to draw the attention of his growly, moody-ass super. Every time they meet, it’s like oil and water—they just don’t mix.


Leo DeLuca learned at an early age that the people who are supposed to love you only hurt you. He’s happy to keep to himself, but the walking disaster of a new tenant in 5C won’t stop getting in his way and into his business. They can’t even speak to each other without arguing, but Leo has to admit—it’s kind of a turn on. That must be the reason why he can’t stop thinking about the guy in 5C. Or wanting to touch him. But hell, no. That would be a mistake.


One kiss leads to an explosive night both men fight to forget—after all, Leo has nothing in common with the sweet kindergarten teacher while Morgan is looking for a happily ever after he knows Leo can’t give. Yet it’s Morgan who Leo leans on to help deal with his painful past, and Leo is the key to unlocking Morgan’s inner strength.


Trusting someone is never easy, but it might be the only way they discover that everything they think is wrong about each other, could be everything that's right.


Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited


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Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon CA - Amazon AU



Excerpt


Leo had recognized the shadows in Cantrell’s eyes. He saw that pain and loss in the mirror every day, and every day he ignored it. If Leo were to hazard a guess, it must have something to do with his failed marriage. No one went from luxury to low-cost without a damn good reason.


“Well, Mr. Nosy Ass, you still have to eat.” He gathered up the items, put them in a bag, and left his apartment.


Trudging up to the fifth floor, he figured Cantrell would’ve had enough time to cool off and they could calmly discuss the reasons why he should leave the management of the building to the people who knew what they were doing.


He knocked on the door, and he waited impatiently as Cantrell unbolted the three separate locks he’d had installed. After all that, Cantrell still only opened the door as far as the security chain would allow, but even in those few inches, Leo could see the consternation filling Cantrell’s wide green eyes.


“What do you want? Did you come here to keep yelling at me? I already said I was sorry.”


“Actually, you didn’t.”


“I’m pretty sure I did. And even if I didn’t, you had no right to call me names.”


Cantrell’s stubbornness began to grate on Leo’s nerves. That was why he didn’t waste time with people. Inevitably, they pissed him off, like this guy.


“I call them as I see them. And are you going to stand there and say to my face you were right in fumbling around with the electrical system of this entire building that I’m responsible for?”


“If you came to berate me, I’m going to close the door. I have better things to do than listen to you.” True to his snooty words, he started to close the door, but Leo quickly stuck his foot in the narrow opening.


“I thought we could have an intelligent discussion, but obviously, that’s not happening. So here.” He held up the grocery bag. “I got the stuff you left behind when you ran away from me in the supermarket. I knocked on your door yesterday, but when no one answered, I didn’t want to leave it and have the meat spoil. You’re welcome.”


Without waiting for Cantrell’s reply, he set the grocery bag on the floor and turned on his heel. At the top of the stairs he heard a door slam shut, then open, and Cantrell call out.


“Wait. Please?”


Leo closed his eyes. He really should walk away and leave that mouthy little f*cker alone. “What is it?”


“Th-that was nice of you. You didn’t have to do it.”


“I know.” Leo crossed his arms and waited.


“Thank you. And…” Cantrell bit his lip. “I’m sorry. I-I guess I shouldn’t have tried to fix the problem myself. You’re right.”


The guy was pretty damn cute.


Oh hell no. Don’t even go there.


Praise for the novel


Yet again Felice has given is a story full of love, emotion, heartache and so much more.’ ~ booklover (Goodreads review)


‘The feelings and emotions just poured off the pages and I felt everything!! Explosive chemistry!! Seriously loved every moment about this story!!’ ~ Janet (Goodreads review)


Carra's Review


I’ve always been able to count on this author for a solid contemporary romance, and in that respect The Right One does deliver.  I did have a harder time getting into this story than I usually would, and I’m going to chalk that up to the interactions between Leo and Morgan.


Separately, I liked each of their characters.  I was proud of Morgan for making that break to get out of a bad situation, and then for finally getting out on his own after staying with friends.  Leo seemed like a real go-getter buying a building and doing the renovations and upkeep on his own.  At first it looked like this might be an opposites attract with one clumsy, the other always coming to the rescue, and yes there was a bit of that.  


To me though, it felt like both of them ran hot, then cold, sometimes seemingly for no good reason or because one would make assumptions.  Underneath all that there was a good matchup of characters, I just found myself a bit frustrated with their behavior.


I did enjoy the overall story, and was satisfied where things added up in the end.  It was just getting to that point that was not as smooth as I would have preferred.  The Right One was a 3.5-star read for me, and I’d recommend this to readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.



About the Author


Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy, and that includes love.

 

She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe yet can't stop buying "just one more pair" of black pants. Felice is a happily addicted Bravo and Say Yes to the Dress addict and proud of it. And let's not get started on House Hunters. Her dream day starts out with iced coffee and ends with Prosecco, because...why shouldn't it? You can find her procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice's Breakfast Club.

  

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Monday, April 26, 2021

Audiobook Review: FLAME AND ASH by Morgan Brice, narrated by Kale Williams (Witchbane #4)

Flame and Ash

by Morgan Brice

Publisher: Darkwind Press

Narrator: Kale Williams

Release Date: March 16, 2021

Genre: Urban fantasy M/M paranormal romance

Trope/s: ghosts, magic, supernatural, monster hunters, established and evolving relationship 

Themes: Trust, found family, healing from past loss, letting go of grief and guilt, learning to be a couple

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length:  6 hours and 6 minutes

It can be read as a standalone, although it is the fourth book in the Witchbane series. 

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Buy Links

Audible US  |  Audible UK 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Audiobooks.com

The hunters become the hunted when the witch knows they're coming to get him, and has deadly plans of his own.

Blurb 

One hundred years ago, a sheriff's posse killed dark warlock Rhyfel Gremory, but his witch-disciples escaped, and their magic made them nearly immortal. To keep their power, each year one of the witch-disciples kills a descendant of one of the men in the posse, a 12-year cycle that has cost dozens of lives, including that of Seth Tanner's brother, Jesse.

Seth rescued Evan Malone from one of the witches, and they've fallen in love despite the danger and chaos, going on the road to complete the quest and bring an end to the ritual murders. Their relationship is new, their emotions are raw, and the danger is real. It's a challenge to find their way as a couple while they're on the road together in the close quarters of Seth's RV, training in magic and combat skills to fight off a supernatural killer.

Their quest to stop a century-long killing spree takes them to a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They're ahead of the sacrifice cycle, with plans to stop the murders and kill the dark witch. Only this time, the hunters become the hunted when the witch knows they're coming to get him, and has deadly plans of his own.


Carra's Review

I’m so happy to be reading Seth and Evan again!  Not only that, but this story is set in Boone, North Carolina where I lived for several years…always love reading something set in a familiar locale.  Plus getting back into the whole witch disciples storyline—I look forward to these two guys continuing to take these baddies down.  Even better was that this time around, Seth’s mentors Toby and Milo join them to help, plus we get introduced to a new couple, one of whom is the target this time around.  I’m hoping we might see more of them at some point in a future story.


Seth and Evan’s relationship seems more solid than ever, and even with that we still get more relationship development in this book (I love that).  They’re just as hot as well…maybe even getting hotter together (you’ll see what I mean ;-) ).  Even if a bit of a wrench is thrown in at one point…


Though the core legend on which this series is based and the resulting methods of fighting the disciples seem to remain constant, you’ll find some interesting new places, supernatural creatures, and objects to capture your attention (you can be absolutely sure on my next trip to North Carolina I’ll be checking out the Road to Nowhere since it’s an actual place with an intriguing history!).  The paranormal aspects of the story, the angst brought up thanks to someone from Seth’s past, and the fight against another disciple had me reading this story through in a single sitting.


Flame and Ash is another excellent addition to this series, and I’ll be here waiting for Seth and Evan’s next adventure.  This book was a 4.5-star read for me, and I know fans of the series will definitely enjoy it.  This is the third book in the series, and you really do need to read these books in order to get the full effect.  There are also mentions of characters from the author’s other series, though you don’t need to have read those to enjoy this one.  This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.


The narration: I really enjoyed the narration.  Kale Williams did another solid job, and I found myself fully immersed with Seth and Evan once again.  The story flew by, and the voices were consistent with the prior books in the series.  5 stars for the narration!

About the Author

Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.

On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.

Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

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Friday, April 23, 2021

New Release-Review & Excerpt: JARED by RJ Scott & Meredith Russell (Boyfriend for Hire #4) - Includes Giveaway!

 


Jared 
(Boyfriend for Hire, 4)
by RJ Scott & Meredith Russell

GLBTQ, M/M
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Fake Boyfriend, Single Dad
Released: 23 April 2021
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Length: 180 pages, 40,300 words
Cover Design: Meredith Russell


All Buy Links here: 





Blurb

Jared’s world is turned upside down after Luka hands over his pocket money to hire him as a friend for his lonely, widowed dad.

Jared is good at his job, but his soft heart means that he often finds himself in the weirdest of situations. A kind-of-threesome, a disappearing swan, and a destroyed hotel room are just the tip of the iceberg, but he is a popular boyfriend-for-hire and always in demand. He dreams of working as a family psychologist one day, and as his work with Bryant & Waites is funding his studies, the last thing he wants is to lose his job. At a make-or-break meeting, Jared vows to focus on being strictly professional. Still, almost immediately, he meets Luka sitting on the office steps with pocket money in hand and with a sadness that melts Jared’s resolve. Luka explains that his mom passed away some years ago, and his hardworking father needs a friend. Jared has no intention of taking Luka’s pocket money, but he wants to make Luka smile again, and if being hired as a friend for Luka’s widowed dad is what it takes, then he’s all in.

Being a single dad to eleven-year-old Luka is the best thing in Nate’s world, but add running a bar with long hours, and his work-life balance is screwed. There’s certainly no time for relationships, and even though Luka worries about his dad’s love life daily, romance is the last thing on Nate’s agenda. Owning Rhea’s Bar and keeping his head above water is second only to his love for Luka. His entire world consists of his son and the bar until Jared stumbles into his life. Even though Nate won’t admit it, he’s lonely, and Jared is the first friend he’s made in a very long time. Could their friendship become something more?

Excerpt

“Do you have any idea how worried I was? And Auntie Lee? What were you thinking? Lying? No lies, we don’t lie, ever.”

Luka’s bottom lip trembled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Nate held Luka’s face, tugged the beanie he was wearing down over his ears. His cheeks were flushed pink from the cool air and felt chilled against Nate’s warm palms. “What would I do if something happened to you? Hey?” He pulled Luka to him, appreciated the solid feel of him in his arms. “Promise me you won’t do anything like this ever again.”

There was a small hic as Luka nodded against him.

“What were you doing that was so important that you thought you had to lie about it?” He rested his hand on the top of Luka’s head, encouraging Luka to lean back.

Luka’s eyes were wet, his nose red. “It’s your birthday soon. I wanted to get you something.”


The Series

Boyfriend for Hire, RJ Scott & Meredith Russell





Carra's Review

This writing duo and their Boyfriend for Hire series is one I know I can turn to for something relatively lighthearted and sweet, with a definite HEA.  Jared once again fits the bill, this time with the addition of Nate’s incredibly adorable son Luka, who just wants to hire a friend to spend time with his dad. 


Poor Jared has had a bit of a bad run lately with his boyfriend bookings, but he’s really not a bad guy…just maybe a bit too likely to let tears cause him to get into odd situations. His first encounter with Luka kicks things off, and my heart hurt with Luka’s story.  That does however lead to Jared and Nate meeting, and while that first introduction might have been a little rocky, it does set off their friendship.


Their relationship develops at an easy pace, going from friends to eventually more without feeling rushed.  The angst level is minimal, even when Nate finally finds out what Jared’s job is.  The whole story is a nice, relaxed journey with two sweet, well-matched guys and is just the thing for any reader wanting something low-stress and a guaranteed happy ending.


Jared was a 4-star read for me, and is recommended for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.



GIVEAWAY!

1 x $10 Gift Card plus, 2 prizes of an ebook from our backlists

Closes 3 May 2021, 12am, London UK




ABOUT THE AUTHORS


RJ Scott, author of M/M romance.
Writing love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards
 
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.
She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.



Meredith Russell is an author, cover artist and vampire slayer. Okay, she may have made that last one up, but that’s what she loves about writing—the possibilities. No matter where her stories are set—from fantastical worlds of zombies and werewolves to the ambling life of an English village—she strives to write about romance and the tales of men searching for their happy ever after. Meredith  writes the stories she loves to read—complex, emotional, a journey, and sometimes unexpected.

In 2012 Meredith had her first novels published, as well as being commissioned to do her first cover design. She now splits her time between populating fictional worlds with characters she adores, and helping other authors bring theirs to life through cover art. She has had a number of popular releases, including Dead ThingsJust Jack, and both the Sapphire Cay and Boyfriend for Hire series' written with RJ Scott.

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