Book Blitz for Wild Man by Sherilee Gray (GIVEAWAY)

Readers looking for a steamy read with a romance of opposites attracting will be drawn to this tale of a mountain man and a city woman with secrets she’s desperate to keep.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Wild Man by Sherilee Gray, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this second installment in The Smith Brothers series make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a $30 Amazon GC too!

The first time I saw Beau Smith’s face, I fell for him…hard. There’s just a few tiny problems. He lives wild. I’ve never left the city. He wants a wife who can handle his harsh world. I just want him.
He’s been burnt in the past, and he won’t let me in easily, but there’s no denying the spark between us, so intense it could set the woods on fire. And with every hot and dirty night we spend together, I can feel his walls crumbling.
But once he realizes I’m not what he signed up for, that I lied to him about who I am—will he still want me, or will I lose my wild man forever?
Warning: The Smith Brothers are not just identical twins, they’re big, burly, bearded, insanely hot mountain men. They’re also sweet, and very, very dirty. Did I mention dirty? 

EXCERPT:

She stepped closer and rested her hands on my chest, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright. “I’m so happy to be here with you, you have no idea,” she said softly.

My abs clenched. Jesus, just having her hands on me made me as hard as iron. “I think I have an idea.”

“Yeah?” she said, moving even closer.

I might have decided to keep my dick in my pants, but there was no way I wasn’t going to kiss her. I’d go mad if I didn’t taste those full lips. I dipped my head. “Oh yeah.”

We’d had a couple of hot and heavy conversations over the phone, but I’d tried not to go there too often with her. I knew this day was coming, and I had a definite idea of how our time together should be spent. If I’d been listening to her come over the phone the last six months all that would have disappeared out the window. Shit, I’d already have her naked in my bed.

I growled, shoving that image out of my head, and closed the distance between us.

Finally, our lips met…and I kid you not, the fucking angels sang.

My mouth covered hers, moving slowly at first, and my entire body lit up, every nerve ending sparking, my heart pounding. I slid my arms around her small waist and hauled her off her feet, lifting her so we were the same height. Shoving my fingers in her hair, I tilted my head to get more of her, and she opened for me, her sweet little tongue flicking out and brushing mine.

I’d been with quite a few women in my life. Like I said, I’d lived wild for a lot of years, acting out, trying to work out what I wanted. But as soon as I did, as soon as I knew what I wanted for my future, I’d stopped all of it. I’d focused on my goal, which was building a house and finding a woman who I could share it with. That was four years ago. Which meant I’d been celibate that long as well. So I wasn’t surprised by my reaction to Freya, by the pulsing need pounding through me at finally having her against me.

But I’d never in my life experienced anything like this. Like a live wire was sparking inside me, through my whole damn body. My hips punched forward all on their own, my cock impossibly hard. I knew I had to slow this down, take a step back, but God only knew how I was going to do that.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Sherilee Gray writes sexy, edgy contemporary and paranormal romance. Stories full of heat and high emotion, following stubborn characters as they fight against the odds… and their happily ever after. She’s a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful NZ with her husband and their two children. When not writing or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of Cadburys Rocky Road chocolate in the other.

WEBSITE  |  NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Book Tour for Infamous by Jenny Holiday (Review & GIVEAWAY)

As a fan of rock star romances I was immediately drawn to this tale of a rock star sacrificing his desires for the sake of fame and the friend who becomes so much more.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Infamous by Jenny Holiday, along with my impressions of this sensual m/m romance.  You’ll also get a message from Ms. Holiday and find out more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this second installment in the Famous series leave a comment telling me what your favorite rock star romance series is for the chance to win a $20 Amazon GC too!

Here’s a message from Ms. Holiday...Hello! I’m Jenny and I’m happy to be here to celebrate the release of Infamous. Infamous is book two in the Famous series, which mixes m/f and m/m romance. (And mixes famous musicians and regular people!) In Infamous, Jesse, our resident bad-boy rock star has to decide if he’s willing to risk his career to be with Hunter, a doctor he’s rapidly falling for. I hope you enjoy it!

All that up-and-coming musician Jesse Jamison has ever wanted is to be on the cover of Rolling Stone. When a gossip website nearly catches him kissing someone who isn’t his famous girlfriend—and also isn’t a girl—he considers the near miss a wake-up call. There’s a lot riding on his image as the super-straight rocker, and if he wants to realize his dreams, he’ll need to toe the line. Luckily, he’s into women too. Problem solved.
After a decade pretending to be his ex’s roommate, pediatrician Hunter Wyatt is done hiding. He might not know how to date in the Grindr world, how to make friends in a strange city, or whether his new job in Toronto is a mistake. But he does know that no one is worth the closet. Not even the world’s sexiest rock star.
As Jesse’s charity work at Hunter’s hospital brings the two closer together, a bromance develops. Soon, Hunter is all Jesse can think about. But when it comes down to a choice between Hunter and his career, he’s not sure he’s brave enough to follow his heart.

*****GET A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT INFAMOUS AT RIPTIDE PUBLISHING*****

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a reader obsessed with rock star romances, I was immediately captivated by the cover to this book and the smoldering lead singer desperate to live life on his own terms that’s depicted.  From the first page to the last I was quickly consumed by this story and its familiar storyline that won me over wholeheartedly nonetheless.

Jesse Jamison’s fame is skyrocketing, but it’s his personal life that’s floundering. When first we meet him he’s indulging a bit too much and getting dumped by his girlfriend after pictures of him kissing someone else surface.  It’s at that low point that he meets someone that will change his life irrevocably, a man that makes him question how he’s been living and becomes his muse that takes his band to the top of the charts.  To reach those heights though he has to sell his soul, deny who he is, and live a life that’s manufactured.  He’s able to keep up the charade for awhile but once he’s reunited with Hunter it’s clear that his life will change regardless of what his manager or his fans decide.  He and Hunter become fast friends, finding a soul-deep connection that ends the loneliness they’ve both been feeling.  But as time goes on those feelings turn romantic. Despite fears over what coming-out could mean for his band, the constant war raging in his heart can no longer be denied as it sets off a series of heartbreaking events that show Jesse who his real friends are and just how much Hunter means to him.  Jesse’s an immensely appealing character full of charm and teeming with sensuality.  He puts on a facade of being the sexy partying rock star, but he has a big heart of gold and deeply cares for those he calls friend.  He’s torn by his feelings for Hunter, desperate to be honest and claim him out loud, and I ached for him in feeling he had to choose between his wants and needs.  He’s the ideal rock star in many ways, and while I enjoyed seeing his bad boy rocker side, it’s the quiet moments between him and Hunter that I cherished the most.  Their closeness was one based on mutual support and caring and it just felt right when they evolved from friends to lovers.

Hunter Wyatt just ended a decade’s long relationship with a man that kept him hidden from the world.  He’s left alone and starting over and it’s at that point that he meets a man that will complete him.  It’s a long journey to reach HEA though, a journey full of uncertainties and heartache that kept me fully immersed in all the highs and lows.  Hunter’s a strong-willed character who refuses to be anyone’s secret ever again.  He’s quiet yet commanding when it comes to standing up for what he needs and I admired him for that.  Hunter has a big heart too and he and Jesse had a crackling connection teeming with sexual tension that was palpable.  He was torn by his feelings, scared of ruining their rich friendship, but once they finally admitted the truth about how they both felt I squealed like a school girl.

This was a charming romance that moved at a very slow pace, almost too slow at the start especially.  I enjoyed that time was taken to create a solid foundation between Jesse and Hunter which made their journey to HEA all the richer.  Jesse’s fear of the damage coming-out might have on his career didn’t ring completely true though as times seem to be changing a bit.  Media’s hot topic today is quickly forgotten tomorrow, so any negativity wouldn’t last long. Jesse and Hunter were a decadently delightful pairing.  Their scenes together were full of heart and soul with dual POVs that gave us great insight into the thoughts and feelings they kept hidden.  The music world was vividly depicted too, warts and all, showing a world based on fiction more than fact.  It’s a cutthroat world where individuals sometimes have to sell their soul to reach the top, which is why I cheered when Jesse finally took control of his life.  Jesse’s bandmates are a fun bunch, playful, with interactions that were brotherly in their mocking.  I would’ve loved to see more of them as they were a good support to Jesse who had far too many people in his life wanting to use him and not wanting to see the man behind the image.  I’d actually love to see them take center stage with stories of their own as the glimpses we got of them were very tempting.  From start to finish this was a romance that kept me invested wholeheartedly as the intense emotions seeped into my heart and had me rooting for this likable couple to get their much-deserved HEA.  Though this book is part of a series it stands strongly on its own and I look forward to what this author plans next.

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Jenny Holiday started writing in fourth grade, when her aging-hippie teacher, between Pete Seeger songs, gave the kids notebooks and told them to write stories. Jenny’s featured poltergeist, alien invasions, or serial killers who managed to murder everyone except her and her mom. She showed early promise as a romance writer, though, because nearly every story had a happy ending: fictional Jenny woke up to find that the story had been a dream, and that her best friend, father, and sister had not, in fact, been axe-murdered. Today she is a USA Today bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance. She lives in London, Ontario.

WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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

PRIZE IS A $20 AMAZON GC!

-GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

-To be entered, LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME WHAT YOUR FAVORITE ROCKSTAR ROMANCE SERIES IS (ALONG WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDY). NO EMAIL ADDY=NO ENTRY.

-To increase your chances of winning, comment at each of the stops on this tour.

-Winner will be chosen randomly from amongst each valid comment left.

-GIVEAWAY ENDS AT MIDNIGHT EST ON DECEMBER 2ND.

Book Release Celebration for Daring a Rogue to Love: Historical Romance Box Set (GIVEAWAY)

Fans of historical romances will find themselves drawn to these tales of strong-willed women giving the men in their lives a run for their money.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Daring a Rogue to Love: Historical Romance Box Set, with its six sensual tales of love in the Regency period, then fill out the form below for the chance to win a $15 Amazon GC too!

Indulge in Daring A Rogue To Love: Six tales of unrepentant rogues and the women who win their hearts. These scoundrels don’t stand a chance! Daring a Rogue to Love includes:

NEVER TEMPT A ROGUE by CHRISTY CARLYLE
An infamous rogue meets his match in a feisty chaperone who has all but given up on love.
Felicity Beckett’s uncle has tasked her with one goal for Lord and Lady Forsythe’s country house party. Keep her innocent cousin away from the notorious rake, Lord Lindsay. Unfortunately, no one warned Felicity how irresistible a rogue can be.

STOLEN BY MY KNAVE by DAWN BROWER
As a child, Lady Elizabeth Kendall glimpsed fantastical images in a mirror of a handsome man. Imagine her surprise when years later she meets a duke who bears a striking resemblance to her imaginary suitor.

MY LORD ROGUE by KATHERINE BONE
A masterful spy in disguise reunites with a noble rogue from her past. Espionage, secrecy, and thwarted assassination attempts. The only thing more dangerous is being in love...

CAPTIVATED BY THE CAPTAIN by AMANDA MARIEL

What happens when an American shipping company heiress crosses paths with a domineering pirate? Can two people whose life paths are at odds find common ground?

SHUNNED NO MORE by CHRISTINA MCKNIGHT

Lady Viola Oberbrook longed for a quiet life in the country, far from London and the society who'd shunned her during her first season. She never expected to come face-to-face with Lord Haversham, the only man who had every right to despise her.

THE EARL AND THE HIGHWAYMAN'S DAUGHTER by MAGGI ANSERSEN
Eugenia Hawthorne, daughter of a deceitful highwayman, saves the life of the Earl of Trentham after he’s deposited at her door suffering from a bullet wound. Outsmarting her father, the earl becomes her guardian and takes Eugenia to live as his ward in his beautiful country estate, Lilac Court. But what does he really want from her?

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS

FEATURED AUTHOR INFO:

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Book Release Blitz for Van by Sawyer Bennett (REVIEW)

As a fan of sports romances I’ve found this hockey series delightfully entertaining with each new installment a reason to celebrate!  Today readers get introduced to the hard-hearted Van by Sawyer Bennett, along with getting my impressions of this scorching tale of making a life on your own terms.  Once you’ve been fully tempted by this romance of opposites attracting make sure to add this ninth installment in the Cold Fury series to your bookshelf!

Score one for the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team as a stone-cold badass melts for a woman who makes his blood run hot.
As one of the league’s toughest enforcers, Van Turner is ruthless on the ice. He plays hard because it’s the only way to channel the rage boiling inside, and a reputation as an A-hole is better than everyone knowing the truth. Van has spent his entire life running from a secret that’s kept him from getting involved in relationships—or accepting lucrative deals with East Coast teams. Then the Carolina Cold Fury makes him an offer he can’t refuse . . . and Van meets a woman he can’t resist.
Simone Fournier is the stubborn one in her family—and that’s saying something, considering her brothers are two of the Cold Fury’s biggest stars. Simone gets what she wants, and what she wants is Van. Still, there’s a part of him Simone can’t reach, no matter how hard she tries. In private, he’s all fire and passion. In public, he freezes her out. Van may want to push her away, but Simone won’t let him go that easily. Because this time, she’s playing for keeps.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY  |  AUDIBLE

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

The sexy and rugged men of the Cold Fury hockey team are back in this tale of overcoming the past to find a future worth living for.  This is an erotically-charged tale with a strong-willed heroine and an emotionally bruised hero with a buried heart of gold whose connection is combustible.  It’s a scorching tale from the very start that slowly revealed itself to be a heartwarming tale with an ending that had me cheering.

Simone Fournier is the sister of two hockey gods who’s a bit uncertain what she wants to be when she grows up.  For the last year she’s been living a lie, living a life she never wanted, but with the truth coming out she finds herself on her brother’s doorstep ready to regroup.  Her plan to make amends doesn’t go quite as planned though as she continues to feel lost when it comes to her future career.  Luckily for her she finds a delightful distraction in her brother’s stoic and sexy roommate, Van.  They’re a combustible couple from the moment their eyes meet and from then on it’s a sensual battle of the sexes teeming with tension.  It’s a tug-of-war that has Simone using all her womanly wiles to break through Van’s emotional walls, a war that’s ultimately immensely satisfying and full of unexpected heart and soul.  Simone’s a larger-than-life heroine who lit up every scene she was in.  She has a kind heart, is close to her family, and is unwaveringly supportive of those she cares for.  She may be a bit flighty when it comes to her career aspirations, but she’s very comfortable when it comes to her sexuality.  She’s unafraid to go after what she wants, comfortable in having a casual relationship with Van based on sex...at least until she gets a glimpse of the hurt little boy hiding behind his guarded heart.  She’s an immensely likable heroine, brash and self-assured, with a refreshing and modern view of sex and romance that makes her the perfect match for the cold and commanding Van.

Van Turner is a man with a past he’s buried deep, a past that’s unspeakable and that’s left its indelible mark on his heart and soul.  His past taught him that no one is who they seem and that the biggest smiles hide the most blackest soul. He learned that the only one he can count on is himself and the woman who sacrificed herself to raise him.  He now lives a closed off life, barely interacting with others and interested in only random hook-ups.  He’s a Grinch who keeps to himself and who’s happy to not get involved.  Every decision he’s made, along with the formidable wall encasing his heart, is related to his past and the time has come for his battle to end as Simone is a mighty huntress determined to claim him.  Van’s very bitter at the start, angry at the world, but the more time he spends with Simone the more it becomes clear that his walls are starting to crack.  He goes from cold to hot in the blink of an eye when she goads him.  His smiles come faster and are a hard-won reward.  He may have been unlikable in the beginning but I quickly warmed up to him and became his cheerleader once he revealed his tragic past and the fears he has over how it will affect his future.  Even when Van was his most abrasive he was teeming with sensuality, a master of dirty talk who knew every button to push to make his and Simone’s encounters burn up the pages.  By the end he became a hero worth rooting for with a grand gesture that utterly charmed me.

Ms. Bennett’s Cold Fury series continues to delight with this tale that beautifully balanced fun and flirty banter with erotically-charged encounters that became more emotionally intense the closer Van and Simone became.  Though the premise was a bit familiar the characters kept if fresh.  With its take-charge heroine and emotionally bruised hero in need of healing, this romance worked its way into my heart and had me aching for both of them as they worked through each layer that history made Van Turner into.  It was a journey full of smiles, sexiness, and a bit of heartbreak that captivated me and had me cheering this couple on every step of the way.  Surrounding this combustible main couple was a cast of secondary characters who felt more like family.  The men and women of the Cold Fury hockey team were a colorful and supportive group whose stories intertwined with this installment to keep me fully immersed in the storytelling.  Some storylines were made even happier while others are just starting courtesy of the delicious taste we got of Reed, another up-and-coming hockey player who appears flirty and carefree, who I know will quickly become fodder for reader’s nighttime dreams.  Fans of sports romances will want to add this series to their bookshelf as each installment continues to satisfy with a near-perfect balance of action on and off the ice that pulls at my heartstrings while making me blush.

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE  |  BOOK+MAIN BITES  |  NEWSLETTER

Book Cover Reveal for Dare to Live by S.B. Alexander (GIVEAWAY)

Readers will find themselves quickly consumed by this tale of a man whose life has been mired in grief who finds an unexpected connection with a woman living life to the fullest after discovering she might be living on borrowed time.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Dare to Live by S.B. Alexander, with its life-affirming romance set in the music world, then count down the days until it releases on December 12th.  In honor of this fifth installment in the Maxwell Series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a Kindle Fire too!

Maybe opposites do attract.
Kody Maxwell’s life has been rooted in grief and death. He tasted love briefly until the girl he loved died suddenly. Determined not to experience that kind of pain again, Kody prefers being alone and writing music. His life goal is to sign with a big-name producer who will take his music to the next level. But lately, he’s been struggling with writer’s block until he encounters a beautiful nurse with the voice of an angel. She brings out feelings he hasn’t experienced in a long time, and that scares the crap out of him. Still, he knows he can’t let her get away. She may have just what he needs to get his juices flowing.
Motorcycle-riding Jessie Ryan loves the thrill of danger and the exhilarating desire for speed. She plays by her own set of rules. But when she discovers she carries the breast cancer gene on the same day she meets the most gorgeous man she’s ever laid eyes on, she isn’t prepared to face what the future may hold.
As Jessie and Kody begin to form a bond, they learn things about each other and themselves they didn’t see coming. Will they dare to live when fear threatens to stop them?

BUY THE OTHER INSTALLMENTS IN THE MAXWELL SERIES AT AMAZON:

DARE TO KISS (Book #1)  |  DARE TO DREAM (Book #2)  |  DARE TO LOVE (Book #3)  |  DARE TO DANCE (Book #4)

FIND THE MAXWELL SERIES ON GOODREADS here.

AUTHOR INFO:

S.B. Alexander is a bestselling romance author. Her books are filled with stories that tug at your heart, and are filled with romance, drama, action and suspense. As much as she loves to write, she also loves to read. Some of her favorite authors growing up were Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe. She stills enjoy reading Stephen King. In fact, she loves most genres, although in the past three years she has gravitated toward the romance genre, which is when she started her journey to write her first book. Her motto: write what you love to read.

Aside from writing, she’s a huge sports fan, in particular, baseball. Since she hails from New England, she is a diehard Red Sox fan. She’s also a navy veteran and former math teacher, loves white powdered donuts, and handbags. Her husband calls her the bag lady. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing golf and hanging out with friends and family.

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TWITTER  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  |  FACEBOOK READER GROUP

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

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Book Review of Hot Licks by A.M. Arthur

Benji Moore is living his dream traveling as the lead singer of his band. His life would be perfect if he could get his boyfriend, Josh, to commit to an exclusive relationship.

Even though Josh loves Benji, he has good reasons not to trust in long-term relationships. So Josh decides to take some time to himself and sublets a room at a friend’s beach house. But when he walks into the nearby Off Beat bar, he finds a bartender who may be a good distraction from his relationship problems.

Van Holt doesn’t do anything deeper than sweaty one-night stands. But when Josh sets his sights on him, Van is surprised by their connection. Except Van also doesn’t do complicated, and the situation between Josh and Benji defines complicated. But the more time Van spends with them, the more he’s realizing how hard it would be to let Josh and Benji go.

Can the three of them find a way together, or will they all end up going solo?

********************

As a fan of rockstar romances I couldn’t wait to start reading this book!  Add in a scorching romance between not two, but three, engaging men carrying their own emotional baggage and I quickly became consumed by their rocky road to HEA.

Lead singer Benji has been with his boyfriend Joshua since they met in college.  It’s been a bit rocky for their open relationship lately though as Benji’s insecurities, and Joshua’s fears over his ability to commit, are putting their HEA in doubt.  Add in the tempting bartender Van and readers have even more doubt about their future as Van is a temptation that neither can ignore.  A drunken night and a lot of soul searching soon has Benji proposing an unconventional idea that slowly binds them together more tightly than ever before in a journey full of emotional ups and downs.  Benji’s a sweet young man with a past full of pain that’s left its mark.  He endured horrific bullying in high school for being gay, leading to feelings of betrayal by someone pretending to be his friend, and ending in an event that‘s made him feel insecure when it comes to sex.  He’s shy, despite being a rockstar, but has a kind heart and a desire to do whatever necessary to make the man he loves happy...even if bringing Van into their relationship brings back his painful past.  He seems a bit unsure at the start but gains strength to become more self-assured as the story progresses.  As he discovers who he is, and admits what he needs, he finally starts standing up for himself in an empowering act late in the story that had me cheering.

Joshua has his own emotional baggage because of his rocky relationship with his family and has felt very much alone when it comes to familial love.  He’s always enjoyed the openness of his relationship with Benji, but when Benji wants him to commit it leads to a break-up and a meeting with the sexy and soulful Van that changes all of their lives irrevocably.  Time apart makes them realize how much they mean to each other, but it also leads to lots of soul searching and admissions about their sexual needs.  Part of that need revolves around Van and how much better they are when he’s in the picture.  From there it’s a juggling of needs and boundaries that scorched up the pages.  Joshua’s a likable guy who’s going through a crisis of trying to find himself and what makes him happy.  He never thought himself capable of commitment but he works very hard on making his relationship with Benji work through lots of honesty and heartfelt talks.  He’s supportive and caring and I enjoyed his sweet side as well as his commanding one.

Van Holt’s the typical fun and flirty bartender, but his past is anything but typical.  He was adopted by a farm family who were deeply religious, judgmental, and physically punished him for being gay.  The only joy he found back then was music and the boy next door who introduced him to making music...along with other steamier things he taught him.  It ultimately led to tragedy and years on the road that changed Van inside and out.  He’s leery of opening up his heart again, content to go from one coupling to another, but the moment he meets Benji and Joshua he can’t get them out of his head.  Not wanting to harm their close connection has him hesitant to agree to their unconventional proposal, but once he does it leads to lots of erotically-charged encounters and an opening of the emotional floodgates through quiet moments of talking.  Van’s a wonderful balance to Benji and Joshua, the perfect conduit to both of their needs, and a good sounding board as they work through their relationship.  On the outside he appears carefree, but his past is very painful as his father hurt him in the worst way possible by crushing his dreams and his hopes for the future.  He clawed his way back to living and I was rooting for him every step of the way to find a chance to love and be loved again.

This was an entertaining read full of intense emotions and scorching encounters.  Sexuality was discussed in all its various definitions, giving a wide spectrum that was never judgemental.  At times the discussion pulled me out of the story, but it helped give greater insight into Benji and Joshua’s relationship.  I enjoyed getting to know each of these men through glimpses into their pasts, the tragic stories they told, that have left them bruised but not broken.  Together they found love and wholehearted acceptance and they were a formidable force when things got difficult.  There was a perfect balance between the erotic interludes and emotional talks that kept me fully invested in the story too.  The interludes were both tender and dominant with each man’s unique personalities shining through in the heat of the moment.  Readers once again got to see the colorful members of Fading Daze and the affect Benji’s relationship has on their future.  It leads to harsh words, hurt feelings, but ultimately makes them stronger.  Though this is the third installment in the Off Beat series, I had no trouble immersing myself in this world.  The characters were immensely likable, the feelings both raw and sentimental, and from the first page to the last I felt like I’d been put through the wringer alongside the characters.  Though the story got a bit off track when delving into the definition of sexuality, and a reveal late in the story came out of nowhere, I still found this an appealing story that now has me wanting to go back and see where it all started.

My rating for this is a B.

*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Happy Black Friday AKA Chaotic Shopping Day!

I love finding sales and saving money, but I’m not a fan of big crowds.  I don’t like having a ringside seat watching shoppers fight over the last [insert any sale item here] either.  So you won’t catch me out in the shopping world today.  Instead I’m staying at home, searching the internet for sales and freebies to add even more ebooks to my tablet.  Below are a few links I’ve found that are offering freebies (and a few $0.99 sales) of ebooks covering a plethora of genres and themes courtesy of reader’s favorite authors.  Make sure to thank the wonderful authors who offer their books for free throughout the year after you’ve added all these ebooks to your reading shelf!

LINK #1 (FREEBIES & 99 CENT EBOOKS)

LINK #2

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LINK #5

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving full of wonderful food and many hours spent with family and friends!  Since politics are especially not a good topic to discuss amongst families right now, I’m including an intriguing graph that will make for a much better debate.

Book Spotlight on Finally Found by Lucy Felthouse

The theme of friends-to-lovers drives this romance where one weekend changes everything for two women if only they’re willing to put their hearts on the line in this erotically-charged short story.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Finally Found by Lucy Felthouse, then add this lesbian romance to your bookshelf!

Natalia has been in love with her best friend Ashleigh for years, ever since they were housemates at university. Unfortunately, circumstances, and then Natalia’s unwillingness to jeopardise their friendship, mean that she has never confessed her feelings, choosing instead to be grateful for the close relationship they do have. However, on a weekend away together, a bottle or two of wine and an erotic book place the girls in a highly charged sexual situation. Will Natalia make a move, or is she too afraid to rock the boat and risk losing Ashleigh altogether?

***This story was previously published as part of the Lover Unexpected: Sappho Edition anthology.

EXCERPT:

Natalia smiled as she caught sight of the familiar redhead sitting at a table in the hotel bar. Thankful for the thick carpet masking her footsteps, she walked up behind her friend, ensuring she wouldn’t be seen. Then she slipped her hands over her eyes. “Guess who?”

An excitable squeak, then, “Oh, I don’t know. Is it Scarlett Johansson?”

“Hmm, close, but not quite. Guess again.”

“Oh, shut up you silly cow, and come here.” With that, the redhead stood and turned, throwing her arms around Natalia and pulling her into a tight hug. “Hey, gorgeous. I missed you! How are you?”

“I missed you too, Ashleigh. I’m good, thanks. How about you? You look great.”

Disentangling from their embrace, Ashleigh looked down at her clingy black top and skinny jeans and shrugged. “Thanks. I’m okay, I guess. All the better for seeing you. It’s been forever. Come on, sit down. Let’s get a drink.”

They sat down, and a waiter appeared. Natalia suspected he’d been waiting at a safe distance until they’d finished their enthusiastic greeting.

He smiled. “What can I get you ladies?”

Natalia looked at her watch. “You know what, it’s Saturday and it’s after twelve. I’ll have a glass of white wine, please. Something mid-range and not too dry.”

Ashleigh piped up. “Make it a bottle. Thanks.”

The waiter nodded, gave a little bow and walked away.

“So,” Natalia said, settling back into the plush armchair, “how was your journey? I always find getting into London a total nightmare, but it’s not so bad once you’re here. The Tube may be sweaty and crowded, but at least it’s fast.”

Ashleigh nodded. “It was all right, actually. The train into the city was on time and not very busy, and, like you say, the Tube is quick and easy. It was pretty stress-free. You?”

“Much the same. I’m just glad we’re finally here. I can’t believe it’s been a year since we’ve seen each other. It’s so easy to forget that when we talk almost every day.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just life gets in the way, doesn’t it? Especially as we live so far apart. And then there was all that stuff with Kayla…” Ashleigh lapsed into silence and dropped her gaze to the table.

Natalia didn’t know how to respond to that, so she just nodded sagely. Kayla had been Ashleigh’s live-in girlfriend, until the discovery of some text messages and emails tipped Ashleigh off that she was being cheated on. Despite all of Kayla’s pleas and declarations of true and undying love, Ashleigh had no intention of being a doormat, so she’d thrown Kayla out, and that was the end of it.

Of course, Natalia had known that Kayla was going to be thrown out before Kayla did. As soon as Ashleigh had found the incriminating missives, she’d gotten straight on the phone to Natalia for advice. And as much as Natalia wanted to tell her friend to get the hell rid of the cheating bitch, she also wanted her to be happy, so instead she’d asked Ashleigh if she thought she was being too hasty.

“Fuck no,” Ashleigh had replied, “as far as I’m concerned, she’s destroyed my trust. Once that happens things are never the same, so it’s not worth it. And if I meant that much to her, she wouldn’t have done it, would she?”

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (universal links)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  SMASHWORDS

AUTHOR INFO:

Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller), The Persecution of the Wolves and Hiding in Plain Sight. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 160 publications to her name. She owns Erotica For All, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. Subscribe to her newsletter and get a free eBook HERE.