Tag Archives: M/M romance

The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour

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🧡The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour🧡

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2024

Not only the net should be protected.

Felton

I’m a disappointment, a failure, a shit show. Every decision is wrong. None of my accomplishments are good enough. I don’t do anything right.

This is what I’ve been told my entire life.

For more than thirty years, no one knew. What the world sees is a lie. I do a good job of hiding it.

Until I don’t.

Ren

Sometimes, all it takes is a single moment to realize you’re needed somewhere and in that moment, your entire life changes. Felton has so many broken pieces that he can barely breathe.

But that’s okay. I’m going to show this man what love is. If he doesn’t have the capacity to protect himself, I’ll do it for him. The abuse ends now.

••••

REVIEW: If I could reach into a book and hug/protect a character, then Felton would be it.

He may be a huge goalie, a mountain of a man , but he’s been belittled and terrorised all his life, and not by kids at school, no, far worse! By his own father!! His family, especially his mother didn’t really try to stop it! So Felton has no confidence at all, in fact when hearing his fathers voice, Felton goes into panic/shut down mode (his way of trying to protect himself!)

Then Felton’s world falls apart! His career is on the line. And Felton begins to spiral…..

Ren plays on the same team as Felton, they know each other, but not really friends. Ren has his own set of friends and a loving family. So when Ren begins to notice Felton, it’s firstly as a concerned team member. And the more Ren gets to know about Felton (the one behind the fake smile) the more Ren

It’s a sloooowburn, but watching as Ren slowly comes to realise that Felton is it for him, has me not minding the spice scenes being missing. In fact, if they’d gone at it from the get go, I think we would have lost a beautiful story.

Ren becomes Felton’s friend/confidant/mentor and cheerleader. He becomes the wall that Felton needs against his father. And Ren shows him that family can love each other unconditionally. Felton hands over the reigns to Ren, and lets him make ALL of his decisions. Suddenly a huge weight is lifted, and Felton can finally breathe.

I squealed as a crossover character is mentioned. Puzzled to myself as to who will be in the next book. And sighed, as I close yet another emotional book. I love this series.

I like how the author builds the story and the characters. This one has less crossovers, but it does have a few hockey moments. (Which the last few have been lacking. This one is possibly another “gay for you” as Ren has slept with women, and has never really looked at men “that way”, until Felton.

Felton and Ren are probably my second favourite couple in this series.

No need to read in order. You can dip in and out.

Another recommended read from me 👍🏻

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score
Coach Stare Down
Stick Lessons

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Overexposed (In Focus #4) by Megan Erickson-a review

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OVEREXPOSED (In Focus #4) by Megan Erickson-a review

Overexposed

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2016

Levi Grainger needs a break. As a reality show star, he’s had enough of the spotlight and being edited into a walking stereotype. When he returns home after the last season of Trip League, he expects to spend time with his family, only to learn his sister is coming back from her deployment in a flag-draped casket. Devastated, Levi decides the best way to grieve will be to go off grid and hike the Appalachian Trail—a trip he’d planned to do with his sister.

His solitary existence on the trail is interrupted when he meets Thad, a quiet man with a hard body and intense eyes. Their connection is stronger than anything Levi has ever experienced. But when Levi discovers the truth about what Thad is hiking to escape, their future together looks uncertain, and uncertainty is the last thing Levi needs.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: OVEREXPOSED is the fourth installment in Megan Erickson’s contemporary, adult IN FOCUS M/M romance series. This is former reality star Levi Grainger, and Thad Connors’s story line. OVEREXPOSED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The previous story line couples make a cameo appearance at the ends of the book. The reader was first introduced to Levi Grainger in book three-Out of Frame-where he was presented as the ‘token’ gay guy on the reality show Trip League.

NOTE: OVEREXPOSED contains M/M sexual situations.

Told from first person point of view (Levi Grainger) OVEREXPOSED focuses on the building relationship between former reality star Levi Grainger-a twenty three year old young man who recently lost his sister-his best friend- to the war in the Middle East, and quiet, brooding twenty six year old Thad Connor- a man struggling with the direction of his life. To fulfill his sister’s dreams and wishes, Levi goes off grid and begins to hike the Appalachian Trail-alone. Enter Thad Connor, the man who would steal Levi’s heart, and destroy his faith in the man with whom he would fall in love. What ensues is a friends to lovers relationship that will falter when the truth about Thad’s solo hike is revealed.

Thad is a dark, introspective and foreboding character; a man whose silence screams secrets and pain, and in this Levi is determined to draw forth some sort of emotion from the man with whom he is falling in love. Thad needs the solitude of the Appalachian Trail as he struggles with what was and what is about to be. As a former reality star, Levi remains hidden from the public and social life, preferring to complete the trip his sister had planned but life has a way of interrupting his freedom as they meet several people along the way. Thad is unaware of Levi’s notoriety, and Levi prefers it just that way. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top graphic language or text.

OVEREXPOSED is a passionate and emotional story about starting over and personal growth for two men whose futures are fated by distance and time. The premise is encouraging and impressive; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic; the romance is captivating and powerful. OVEREXPOSED is an inspiring and poignant story.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Strung Up (Blacktop Cowboys 7.5 /1001 Dark Nights) by Lorelei James-Review & Book Tour

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STRUNG UP (Blacktop Cowboys #7.5) by Lorelei James-Review and Book Tour

Strung Up Banner

STRUNG UP
Blacktop Cowboy #7.5 / 1001 Dark Nights
by Lorelei James
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, M/M romance
Release Date: September 13, 2016

Strung Up

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon Canada

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2016

Rancher Creston Grant retreats from the world after he loses the love of his life… Can his former flame, rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson prove he’s a changed man who can give Cres a second chance at love?

•••••••••

REVIEW: STRUNG UP by Lorelei James is the latest novella in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series, and #7.5 in the author’s contemporary, adult BLACKTOP COWBOYS erotic, romance series focusing on rancher Creston Grant, and former rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson. STRUNG UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the characters from previous installments in the Blacktop Cowboys series play secondary and supporting roles.

NOTE: STRUNG UP is a M/M story line with sexually graphic scenes of same sex encounters.

Told from dual first person points of view (Cres and Breck) STRUNG UP looks at the second chance relationship between rancher Cres Grant and rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson. Two years earlier Creston Grant lost the love of his life to a roadside accident and in the ensuing time has kept to himself pushing away family and friends. Fast forward to present day our hero is invited to the grand opening of Grade A Farms rodeo school arena he meets up with an old flame Breck Christianson and the attraction is immediate. What ensues is the rekindling of a friendship, romance and relationship between two men whose experiences as part of the LGBTQ community has been polar opposites. Breck has suffered numerous atrocities at the hands of fellow rodeo riders, and has been ostracized by family and friends. His career on the rodeo circuit has all but been destroyed because of his sexual orientation. Cres has been accepted for the man that he has become.

The rekindling of the relationship between Cres and Breck is quick to develop but Breck’s time working for the Grade A Farms has an expiry date-one that will force another separation between our leading couple, and an expiration that both are struggling to ignore. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. The sexual tension is high; the energy level is off the charts.

STRUNG UP brings together many of the previous story line characters, updating the reader about their lives and families. We witness the ongoing loving family dynamics, as well as the cautionary emotions towards Cres’s new love. The premise is entertaining; the characters are broken but slowly healing with one another; the romance is hot and heavy. STRUNG UP is an emotional read with issues of sexual discrimination, grief and acceptance.

Copy supplied by the tour promoter

Reviewed by Sandy

Strung Up Teaser

Excerpt

Sutton studied me before he sighed. “I’m protective of him.”
“Why? I get that he’s your younger brother, but he is an adult.”
“Cres has had a rough go of it and I don’t want you takin’ advantage of him.” Sutton’s gaze hardened. “Like you did a few years ago when I sent him to you to deal with my horse.”
“Cres was an adult then too. He made his own choices. And fuck you if you think his bein’ with me back then somehow turned him gay.”
“Whoa. I never said that and I sure as hell didn’t mean to imply it.” He paused. “Let’s start over. This isn’t meant to be accusatory. But when you were talkin’ with Cres last night, did you tell him about bein’ outed and all the crap that happened afterward?”
“Yeah. I always thought you were bein’ humble when you said not everyone in your family rabidly followed rodeo.” I sipped my coffee. “He didn’t know anything about it.”
“Not surprised. People outside the world of rodeo would likely shrug and wonder why it’d been such a big deal.” He folded his arms on his chest. “So part of me wonders why you’d willingly put yourself back into this world, Breck.”
My cheeks heated. “It’s not like I have another skill set. And besides, don’t think I don’t know that you’re the one who suggested me as a possible instructor for the Gradskys’ rodeo school. Macon made the call, but that happened at your urging, Sutton.”
He grinned. “I figured if they couldn’t have me, they’d want the second best champion bulldogger…which is you.”
“You’re hilarious. And if I haven’t said it, I appreciate your faith in me.” Before things got sappy or awkward, I added, “So why didn’t you take the job? Since your wife is here all the time anyway?”
“After I survived that last run, during my stint in the hospital I swore that I was done throwing myself off the back of a galloping horse onto a steer. It’s a promise I’ve kept.”

About The author

Lorelei JamesLorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”

 

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His Royal Secret (His Royal Secret #1) by Lilah Pace-a review

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HIS ROYAL SECRET (His Royal Secret #1) by Lilah Pace-a review

His Royal Secret

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /  BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 19, 2016

James, the handsome, cosmopolitan Prince of Wales, is used to being in the public eye. But he’s keeping a king-sized secret…James, next in line for the throne, is gay.

He’s been able to hide his sexual orientation with the help of his best friend and beard, Lady Cassandra. Sometimes he feels like a coward for not coming out, but he daren’t risk losing the crown. If he did, the succession would fall on his deeply troubled younger sister, Princess Amelia. To protect her, James is willing to live a lie.

While on holiday, he meets Benjamin Dahan—a rugged international reporter with a globe-trotting, unattached life—who catches far more than James’s eye. And when Ben is transferred to London, it seems fate may finally be smiling on James.

But what began as a torrid fling grows into something far more intimate and powerful. Soon James will have decide who he is, what he wants from life and love, and what he’s willing to sacrifice for the truth.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: HIS ROYAL SECRET is the first installment in Lilah Pace’s contemporary, adult HIS ROYAL SECRET M/M romance series focusing on the fictional Prince of Wales and the British Royal family. This is heir to the British crown Prince James, and journalist/reporter Benjamin Dahan.

NOTE: HIS ROYAL SECRET is a M/M story line with M/M sexual situations.

Told from dual third person perspectives (James and Ben) HIS ROYAL SECRET follows the building but forbidden relationship between the British Prince of Wales and heir to the throne James of the House of Hanover, and reporter Benjamin Dahan. While on assignment in Kenya, Benjamin comes face to face with the Prince of Wales, and within minutes is acutely aware that the young prince is hiding a secret, that if revealed could destroy any chance of ascending to the throne. James is a closeted gay using his best friend Lady Cassandra as his beard, and a man desperately lonely and looking for love. What ensues is a friends with benefits relationship that must remain hidden lest the British people, and the world, discover that the heir to the British throne is gay.

The relationship between Ben and James is fraught with issues of secrecy and trust. James and Lady Cassandra ‘pretend’ to be in a relationship but Cassandra’s numerous sightings with another man begin to destroy the façade that James had been building for years. Along with the need to keep their affair a secret, James must also contend with his younger sister whose emotional health is slowly beginning to unravel. The $ex scenes between James and Ben are intimate and hot; our couple switch between dominate and submissive at different points throughout the story.

We are introduced to several secondary and supporting characters including Lady Cassandra, and James’s long suffering younger sister Princess Amelia (aka Indigo), and several other members of the Royal Family including James’s uncle Richard whose line to throne is pushed further away. James’s personal assistant Kimberly, and his butler Hartley who keep James’s personal life a secret; Benjamin’s boss Fiona and co-worker Roberto , as well as some personal and private emails from Ben’s ex Warner Clifton who may be a future source of trouble.

The world building focused on the relationship between Ben and James-their growing love, and their need to keep secret the affair behind closed doors. Most of the conflict comes in the final pages of the book, wherein James has come to a decision about his relationship with Ben, and the secret he is going to reveal. I did have one issue, as it pertained to James’s coming out to the Royal family-the reader is not privy to the reveal; we are told and not shown, which is a bit of a let-down considering several members of the Royal family are stuck in the past.

HIS ROYAL SECRET is a slow building story line with a little bit of heartbreak, romance, lots of $ex, and two young men caught between falling in love or letting go. The premise is easy going and entertaining without too much angst or over the top conflict although I suspect book two HIS ROYAL FAVORITE will up the conflict and anxiety factor. The characters are colorful and interesting; the romance is a struggle towards a happily ever after-for now.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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