Book Tour for Starfish and Coffee by Kele Moon (Review & GIVEAWAY)

I'm a fan of m/m stories and have read a number of them.  I found Kele Moon's Starfish and Coffee to be an entertaining read with likable characters and many other utterly delightful facets.  Today you get a glimpse of this wonderful read, as well as my opinion of it, along with the chance to win an Amazon GC just for commenting.  So start reading and see what led to my enjoyment of this new release...

On the island where they first met, two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks are reunited. Now jaded and broken, Alex and Matt still can’t deny their sizzling connection or the memories of one perfect, uninhibited year together.

At twenty-two, Matt Tarrington is rich, good-looking and destined to be powerful, but behind that confident exterior lurks a man who resents the life his family thrust upon him. Wanting an escape, Matt heads to Mirabella Island off the coast of Florida for a year of relaxation and a few wild nights with vacationing party-girls.

Matt never expected to find real passion in the arms of Alex Hunter, a handsome, laid-back local. Alex is gay, but closeted. Knowing Matt should be off limits, Alex finds the deeply-in-denial rich boy too tempting to ignore. Especially when a bet has them working together, fighting the heat in the rundown, beachside cafe where Alex sweats for every dollar.

Their love felt inevitable until youth left them vulnerable to hatred and greed. After six years of hating the lies they live to make others happy, they will have to risk it all for the second chance they both desperately need.

EXCERPT:

“Are you?” Matt’s simple question cut through the tension in the air, his voice low with something that made every hair on Alex’s body stand on end.
“Am I what?” Alex asked, still trying to think past the dread and lust and booze all pounding through his bloodstream.
“Gay?”
Matt’s voice hitched as he said it. The fear of the moment had obviously caught up with him, the realization that he’d just set himself up for something so socially taboo he’d lose everything if it ever got out. Alex had never experienced that feeling. Not his first time, nor any of the encounters after. He’d known he was gay since he was old enough to know what it meant. There was no shocking moment when something that had been nothing but a forbidden fantasy suddenly became startlingly visceral and real.
This was always supposed to be Alex’s reality.
Alex answered him by setting the whiskey in the sand and then leaning over. Matt had asked for it, but he still jerked in shock when Alex cupped his cheek, softly, like a lover instead of a friend. He met Matt’s eyes, seeing the light orbs grow wide and terrified as the reflection of the flames danced in them.
Knowing Matt was two seconds away from freaking out, Alex pushed his hand into Matt’s hair, held him there, and kissed him. Matt’s entire body was tense, but he didn’t shove Alex away. Seeing that as a good sign, he licked at Matt’s lips, needing more than the chaste press of lips against lips.
With a guttural groan that went straight to Alex’s cock, Matt surprised him by opening for more, and Alex pushed in, eager to taste all of him. The heady flavor of whiskey on both their tongues only served to fuel the flames. The smell of Matt’s expensive cologne that still clung to his skin even after working all day, the sweat and sea salt on both of them: it was all perfect and masculine. Alex was never more grateful to be born gay than he was right then.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fans of the m/m genre will find much to like in Kele Moon's Starfish and Coffee as outside forces tear apart, and ultimately reunite, friends to lovers Matt and Alex. Matt and Alex come from different backgrounds which you think would keep them apart, but the connection between them sizzles and you can't ignore how good they are together.  They're both strong-willed and long to find a new and less stressful life, but they can't hide from reality forever and fears of the truth about their relationship coming to light lead to a painful decision for Alex.  At first Alex seemed more accepting of his sexuality and booty calls to Key West, but being with Matt pushed him into the closet which aided in an already silly decision.  His fears seemed misplaced since I think people have become more enlightened, but he did reside in a small town and small towns don't like modern ideas. Thus I could ultimately forgive him. 

Up until this time Alex lived life as a carefree young man unconcerned with the future.  But his time with Matt made him better as it made him finally go after making something of himself, he finally left his youthful ways behind.  Matt always seemed more mature.  His life was fully mapped out for him and Alex was his lifeline to happiness. Whereas Alex seemed more cautious, Matt was more outspoken and would've gladly shown everyone how he truly felt about Alex even though this was his first gay relationship.  Their differences seemed to melt away in the bedroom though which led to numerous steamy, and at times playful, sexual encounters where there was a clear give and take.  The early interludes were frantic and gave the impression that their time together was running out.  When things did end it was frustratingly sad.

The flashback to their youthful time together took up most of the story with their reunion coming towards the latter part of the story and was wrapped up quickly and satisfyingly with a door left open for a return visit to this world and a hopeful HEA for secondary characters Holly and Will, Alex's best friend and his brother.  Their storyline was equally frustrating and I look forward to seeing the immensely likable Holly, who was a great support to Alex, finally make Will see the error of his arrogant ways.

With its likable cast of characters, steamy sexual encounters, and characters not afraid to show real emotions I found myself completely drawn to Ms. Moon's latest release.  The storyline perfectly balanced the sexual interludes and the intensely emotional scenes to create an ultimately unforgettable story that has me wanting to read more of her literary works.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

BUY AT:  AMAZON  |  LOOSE ID  |  BN  |  ARe

AUTHOR INFO:

A freckle faced, redhead born and raised in Hawaii, Kele Moon has always been a bit of a sore thumb and has come to enjoy the novelty of it. She thrives off pushing the envelope and finding ways to make the impossible work in her story telling. With a mad passion for romance, she adores the art of falling in love. The only rules she believes in is that, in love there are no rules and true love knows no bounds.
So obsessed is she with the beauty of romance and the novelty of creating it she’s lost in her own wonder world most of the time. Thankfully she married her own dark, handsome, brooding hero who had infinite patience for her airy ways and attempts to keep her grounded. When she leaves her keys in the refrigerator or her cell phone in the oven he’s usually there to save her from herself. The two of them now reside in Florida with their three beautiful children who make their lives both fun and challenging in equal parts–They wouldn’t have it any other way.

Website: http://www.kelemoon.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelemoon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kele_Moon

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Kele will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon Gift Certificate to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.

-A winner will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 2/8.