Review & Giveaway: RIVER HOME by Elle Keaton (Accidental Roots #5)

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Length: 67,000 words

Cover Design: Cate Ashwood Designs

Accidental Roots Series

#1 Storm Season - Buy Links

#2 No Pressure - Buy Links

#3 Spring Break - Buy Links

#4 As Sure As The Sun - Buy Links

Blurb

If you don't know what you want, would you recognize it if you found it?

Miguel Ramirez is the definition of pochos; a half-breed-white-washed Mexican-American who doesn't speak Spanish (also unapologetically bisexual). Three years ago he arrived in Skagit a broken man having barely managed to escape an abusive relationship. Slowly, he's rebuilt his life. He's tried hard to discard his deepest desires and be happy with what life has doled out. Family feels out of his grasp, no one really wants to keep a stray after all. Except, maybe, a red-haired stranger with a galaxy of freckles covering his face who seems to encompass everything Miguel's learned to avoid.

Nate Richardson; focused, solid, reliable, career-minded, Federal Agent. No time for relationships outside of work. Then he runs into Miguel with his crazy green eyes, rakish smile and outrageous sense of humor. Nate starts thinking about Miguel as more than just another guy. Nate was sure he didn't care about sex and didn't believe in love...he'd never met Miguel Ramirez before.

Things quickly heat up between Nate and Miguel. Crime is heating up in Skagit as well. Nate is sidelined when the case he is working on reaches a frustrating standstill. In the meantime, unnerving incidents transpire, some literally on Nate's doorstep. Will outside forces-or their own baggage-keep Miguel and Nate apart? What exactly is family, and can Miguel and Nate make one of their own?

Carra's Review

You know when you have a book with two characters who are just SO right for each other?  That’s exactly what I found in River Home.  This is very much a character-driven story, and both Miguel and Nate were so well written with plenty of depth, and I felt completely drawn to them both as individuals and as a couple.

Miguel is outgoing, teasing, and a huge flirt with just about everyone.  He’s a pretty open guy, and you wouldn’t know from his outward attitude what he’d gone through in his past.  Nate may seem reserved and dedicated to his career with the FBI, but once he meets Miguel and they spend some time together and Nate realizes what he wants, he is 100% all in and ready to explore everything.  Nate is the type of person who does what he wants and doesn’t care what other may think about him—not something you might expect from him based on first impressions.

Put Miguel and Nate together, and you get an intriguing couple who I very much wanted to see get their happily ever after, and who balance each other out quite well.  Usually I lean towards one of the main couple characters as my favorite, but with these two it was impossible for me to choose.  They both had characteristics that drew me to them, and together they just fit so well and their chemistry was downright incendiary.  Some readers may think things between them moved too fast, but I attribute that to Miguel and Nate’s personalities, especially Nate’s since once he knows what he wants he is all in and goes after it wholeheartedly.  

There’s a good blend of drama, tension, and romance between Nate’s case, Miguel’s ex, and Miguel and Nate’s evolving relationship.  The story can stand on its own, but reading the series in order will help you enjoy it even more.  There are returning characters from the previous books, and you’ll want to read their stories as well if you haven’t already; well-written characters are something at which this author excels.

River Home gets 4.5 stars from me, and is a story I highly recommend to M/M romance fans—especially if you love stories driven by the characters.  Again, you’ll really want to read the series in order to get the most enjoyment out of it.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

About The Author

Author, photographer, rare Pacific Northwest Native, Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west. Less than two hours northwest lie the majestic San Juan Islands. To the northeast is the Methow Valley and the scrub deserts of Eastern Washington. Geography ripe with material.

A graduate of Western Washington University, Elle has a BS in biology which taught her to be tenacious. The closest she has come to biology since then is having two kids. Like an experiment or something. She's lived in four states (none of which were gaseous), London England, and Hong Kong; always knows what time it is, and has no problem finding parking even in the most difficult places. Cannot balance a checking account.

Elle's series Accidental Roots, mostly set in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington, will make its debut spring of 2017. Storm Season is tender, sometimes irreverent, full of nosy neighbors and help when the hero didn't think he needed it. Writing has always been a passion but not something she was able to take seriously until recently. Now her head is full of ideas and not enough time in each day.

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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?

  

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 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.

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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.

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Review & Excerpt: FOUND by Annabella Michaels (Hamilton's Heroes #1)

Found 

Author: Annabella Michaels

Series: Hamilton's Heroes Book 1

Genre: M/M Romance

Release date: February 23, 2018

Cover artist: Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

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Blurb

​As a former U.S.A.F. Pararescueman, Jeremy O’Brien is used to following orders, no questions asked. So, when Micah, his boss at Hamilton Security, asks him to take on a special case, he readily accepts. Micah’s instructions are simple, find the man in the picture and bring him back to Chicago.

​Seven years ago, Zane Wilkinson left the hospital against doctor’s orders, only to suffer a final, devastating blow that left him with no choice but to leave the only place he’d called home. Feeling heartbroken and empty, Zane moved from town to town just trying to survive, while never letting anyone get too close.

​In a chance encounter, Jeremy finds himself crossing paths with a man who fits Zane’s description. His instincts tell him that he’s on to something, but Micah warns him that he needs to be absolutely sure. Jeremy sets a plan in motion that will allow him to get closer to the man he believes to be Zane. However, the closer he gets, the more he likes the man and begins to question why he was sent to find him.

Will Jeremy be able to follow through with his orders without becoming too attached? Or will he realize that in his search for Zane, he’s found so much more than he bargained for?

Excerpt

He pulled up to the window and I watched him as he lifted his hips and dug his wallet out of his back pocket. The move shouldn’t have been sexy, but it planted images in my head of those hips rising up to meet mine and I had to swallow back a groan as I turned and looked out my own window. The guy was sexy as fuck, there was no denying that, but I could barely get him to look me in the eye or talk to me. If he knew the things I’d been thinking about him, I’d scare him away for sure. - Jeremy

Carra's Review

I love slow burn romance.  Coupled with a character who learns to slowly allow someone into their life again who they care and develop feelings for…it makes that slow burn even more sweet and poignant.  Add in secrets being kept on both sides where you know they’ll cause an issue down the line, and it ramps up the tension a bit since you have no idea how the characters will react.  All of these things contributed to this story being one I did not want to put down once I got started.

It’s impossible not to feel for Zane with all that he’s been through and everything he’s lost.  He’s a truly good man, and I only wanted to see him get a happy ending.  Jeremy is also a good man—though once his secret comes out, it’s quite possible that Zane might not see him that way.  As the two slowly become friends and eventually their relationship grows into something so much deeper, I kept waiting for the inevitable—the reveal of both of their secrets—and the possible ensuing heartbreak on both sides.  It worried me while reading since the two of them together felt so right, so comfortable, and most importantly they made each other happy.

I’ll admit that once Zane started to reveal the events of his past, there’s was one point of his story at which I figured out what Jeremy’s secret was (even though Jeremy himself did not know the details).  Even so, I was still completely immersed in his and Zane’s relationship all the way to the end.  It felt genuine and progressed slow enough for them to make the transition from co-workers to friends to everything more.

4.5 stars for Found, a wonderfully emotional love story and journey of healing for Zane that only Jeremy could help him traverse.  I’d definitely recommend this to any M/M romance fan.  This book is for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

I am married to my high school sweetheart who let’s face it, is a saint for putting up with me all of these years. Together we have been blessed with the chance to raise two amazing human beings and so far, we haven’t screwed it up; I’ll let you know for sure later. I love watching movies, cooking, going to the beach and spending time with my family and best friends. I am an obsessive reader who is a complete sucker for a good love story but loves to feel a broad range of emotions throughout a book. I think real life is hard enough and so my books offer twists and turns, but always with a happy ending.

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: BEAST by Measha Stone (Ever After #1)

BEAST

International Bestselling Author Measha Stone

Series: Ever After Book 1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Orzell Publishing
Publication Date: February 27, 2018

No debts are forgiven

Wouldn't you give up everything for the one you love?

When Ellie's father is taken by a group of thugs planning to take his life in exchange for his debts, it's no surprise she goes running straight into the beast's lair. After all, Ellie Stevens has been her father's keeper for as long as she can remember.

However, Ashland Titon isn't a man of mercy. If you owe, you pay. End of story. His unrelenting control has built his empire, and he's not going to give over that power now. But when Ellie charges into his life with her demands and possibilities of sweet surrender, her offer proves too tempting to pass up.

Yet there's more at play here than just working off a debt. There are secrets buried in the shadows, and dangerous desires to be explored. While the two of them dance to an erotic beat, outside forces threaten Ashland's empire and Ellie must decide where her heart truly lies - and what she's truly willing to risk for love.

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Purchase Links

Available on Amazon.com

Excerpt

Releasing her shoulder, he ran his knuckle across her jaw until he reached her mouth. He ran the tip of one finger over her bottom lip then her chin, her neck, until reaching her chest. He didn't stop, and she made no move to make him. She sensed a test at play, and how well she performed would determine his willingness to accept her offer.

Her father yelled again for Ashland to leave her alone, but no one paid him any mind.

Ashland's finger trailed along her breastbone, into the dip of her T-shirt, and into the valley between her breasts. Her breath picked up, her lips parted-to beg him to stop?

He moved from her chest to the elastic band of her skirt. Instincts took over, and she put her hands on his, stilling him. It only took a raised brow to make her release him. If she stopped him now, he wouldn't consider her offer.

Unchallenged once more, he continued his descent, slipping inside the band then beneath the cotton of her panties and lower still until he tickled the narrow trail of hair there.

"Spread your legs," he whispered. She scooted her feet out, just enough to give him room to continue. Her face heated, and tears welled, but she wouldn't tug away, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She had to make this deal in order to keep her father safe and alive. Ash could touch her body, but he wouldn't get gratification of seeing her unease.

"Youíre wet," he accused softly. The ends of his lips curled. "Danger turns you on." He kept his gaze locked with hers and pushed a digit into her entrance. She gasped, not having expected him to go so far. Her body stretching around him was only slightly uncomfortable. He pumped in and out half a dozen times before he pulled out and rested his finger against her cl*t. Humiliation over what he'd just done washed over her, stealing her breath and heated her face.

Keeping the tears back took more strength than she could have ever imagined possessing. Managing to stay upright and conceal the shaking of her insides, a damn miracle.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." Fatality resounded in the words he spoke, amplified by his solemn tone.

About Measha Stone

Measha Stone is an international bestselling author of erotic romance. She's had #1 top-selling books in BDSM, and suspense. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and children, who are just as creative and crazy as her. Her vanilla writing has been published in numerous literary magazines, but she's found her passion in erotic romance.

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: IMMORTAL RECKONING by Tara Fox Hall

IMMORTAL RECKONING

Tara Fox Hall

Series: Promise Me Series Book 18 (Origin Story)
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Through the love and loss of the ages, immortality brings only one certainty: vengeance.

Disinherited and poverty stricken, bastard Danial clutches at the slim chance to earn a living as a guard, until a night attack leaves both him and his half-brother Devlin vampires. After finding true love with the aristocrat Lacey, Danial comes to the attention of James, the devious Vampire Lord of France. Enslaved by James, his love murdered, Danial plots to escape, his complex plan of years finally succeeding only to result in all of Europe's demonic forces on the hunt for him.

After a reunion and subsequent falling out with Devlin, Danial travels to the new world of America in pursuit of a new life. Settling in the west, Danial forms alliances with native vampire Valerian and the witch Cheyenne to survive a game of cat and mouse with Devlin and protect his new love Kathryn amid his rapidly changing world. Triumphant yet nursing a broken heart, an undeterred Danial protects his friends and thwarts his enemies, determined to find a life of peace...until unexpected news comes of James's presence, the one man on whom Danial has waited centuries to get revenge.

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Excerpt

I woke at dusk, to men shouting. Flames were flickering in torches on the wall.

I ran toward the noise, coming face to face with Cerdan, in all his armor. “You bastard,” he said, baring his fangs and pointing his sword at me. “You have much to answer for.”

I didn’t reply, just braced for attack.

He circled me. “Hunters have attacked all over France. Easily a hundred werewolves are dead, and as many humans. Cannibal is missing, and presumed dead. Veronique is safe, but some of my best men are dead.”

“Leave now, or you will die, too.”

Cerdan lunged for me, and I evaded him, grabbing up a sword. He parried my thrust, then attacked in earnest. I defended myself, but he was older, and faster. He spitted me on the end of his sword in a few moments. With a shove, he pinned me to the oak door of the rectory. “I’ll bring your upper half back to James, so he can know you were faithful to death,” he said with an evil laugh, drawing his dagger. “A small comfort, to be sure.”

As he went to cut me, a dozen red furry forms launched at him, biting ferociously. He cut them to pieces, littering the ground with dying foxes as the bites rapidly healed up. But as he turned to deliver my killing blow, an arrow burst through his neck, the bloody head appearing under his chin. He staggered, but didn’t go down.

Charlise appeared, a bow in her hand. She stepped in front of me, and put another arrow through Cerdan’s right eye, then his left one. He cursed her, blinded, trying to pull them out. She turned to me and tugged at the end of the sword, freeing it. “Kill him,” she said, giving me the sword.

Other Books in the Series

In the Promise Me series, Sarelle, a mortal woman, encounters a wounded (and sexy and handsome) vampire, Danial. Without knowing who he really is (a murderer for hire, for one), Sarelle begins a romantic relationship with him a little too fast. Interestingly, Sarelle also finds herself attracted to Danial's best friend, the werecougar, Theo. What will happen to Sarelle's relationship with Danial? Where does Theo fit in? Amidst new obstacles and relationship problems, Sarelle has to decide where her future lies.

BOOK ONE Amazon Link

BOOK TWO Amazon Link

BOOK THREE Amazon Link

About Tara Fox Hall

Tara Fox Hall's writing credits include nonfiction, erotica, horror, suspense, action-adventure, children's stories, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal fantasy Lash series, the paranormal romantic suspense Unhallowed Love series and the paranormal romantic drama Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. All of her published children's stories to date are free reads on www.childrens-stories.net.

Tara Fox Hall's Email: tarafoxhall@gmail.com

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Book Tour Schedule

Follow the Tour: March 1 - 21, 2018

Visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more!

To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Immortal Reckoning Book Page at Book Unleashed.

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