Preston James did things to me. Things that had me wanting more of him and his dirty mouth, even though I knew better. Things that made my heart race. Things that made me come to realize there was more to my boss’s best friend than met the eye.
Nick Reed
As one of the bartenders at Alejandro’s Bar, I’ve seen it all. I’ve even watched my friends, Christian and Cooper, both find the loves of their life. Six years after breaking up with my college boyfriend, I’m convinced that’s not the life I’m supposed to have until forty-five-year-old Preston James makes me the target of his relentless sexy stares and his straight-forward, dirty propositions.
Maybe being the object of his desire wouldn’t be so bad.
Preston James
The first time I laid eyes on Nicholas Reed, I knew I had to have him. There was something about my best friend’s bartender that captivated me. And I always got my way. But this twenty-eight-year-old grad student has me jumping through all kinds of hoops to get his attention. There’s nothing I won’t do to prove to him I’m exactly what he needs. I’m relentless like that and I won’t stop until he’s mine.
We Could Do This Forever is the first book in the We Could Do This Duet and is an MM Bisexual Romance. Additional tropes: Age Gap; Mutual Pining; Boss’s Best Friend; Secretly Wealthy; Humor.
The dance these two go thru getting together provided quite a few entertaining moments. Drunk Preston laying out everything he thinks and feels for everyone is downright hilarious and I can’t blame Nick for finding him irresistible. Once they finally give in, Preston is an attentive and giving boyfriend, taking care of Nick and showing him as much as telling him how much he cares.
But while I liked Nick and Preston’s story overall, there were a few issues. Mainly that these two REALLY need to work on their communication skills. A good portion of the beginning of the book is spent with them giving each other googly eyes, but not going anywhere because they won’t have an actual conversation. Throw in that once they do get together there’s a lot of suggestion about things but no talking and when something that Nick knows needs to be talked about comes up he … avoids it. Does he think it’s just going to go away? And then there’s the whole third act breakup and Preston, because of his additional years of maturity, works thru it like a grownup, right? Uh, no. He handles it about as well as he did the actual conflict, which was not well. At all. I liked the two of them together, but sheesh there were moments.
I’ve enjoyed pretty much everything that I’ve read from Beckett and I’m definitely looking forward to Alejandro’s story to complete this duet. I’m also really hoping that introducing Nick’s friend Evan means that we’re going to get some new football players in San Diego. Please!
*****
Author Info:
Emerson Beckett is an avid sports fan and lover of M/M romance books. She loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.
Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference, Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, Illegal Motion, Ineligible Receiver, and Roughing the Kicker.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 33 years. She is a mother of three, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.
I loved my life. Sleeping around. No commitments. But my mother kept prying into my love life, wanting to see me happily settled down.
The remedy seemed to magically reveal itself when I stumbled onto Travis, my childhood best friend, on a dating app. When we were in elementary school, we promised to marry each other if we were still single at thirty.
Reconnecting, I proposed we give the pact a real shot. To my surprise, Travis agrees. Somewhere in the midst of planning our wedding, the unthinkable happens. Our feelings for each other become… real.
As the day of our fake marriage grows near, how do I tell Travis I want the real thing and for him to be mine forever?
I gave him a little smile. “I wouldn’t want to make my future mother-in-law uncomfortable, especially not so early in our engagement. And I don’t want to get you in trouble. Heaven knows we did enough of that as kids, right?”
He inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly, grinning. “Thanks for understanding.”
“That’s what partners are for, right?”
His voice was soft when he spoke. “Yeah. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Silence stretched between us, nervous tension, the air crackling. My heart thumped and thudded. I was sure he could hear it. The tension in my stomach fluttered and roiled, urging me to act.
I swallowed my nerves and leaned close, putting my hand up to cup his face, pulling him close very gently, and we met in the middle with a tender kiss.
The way our lips touched was so tentative. Travis’s sharp inhale was loud in my ears, as was the soft little noise of surprise he made when our tongues met. My entire body was alight, every nerve ending firing at the same time. Travis’s hand found my bicep and gripped me, holding on for dear life as we kissed so slowly. I couldn’t remember a kiss ever being that intense, even the hurried, sexy ones, and I never wanted it to end.
Travis broke the kiss just as gently and carefully as it had started. He backed away, loosening his grip on my arm, and slid back. “Wow,” he whispered. “That was…”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“I think I’m going to like this arrangement,” he said, grinning slowly.
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing a little breathlessly. “Me too.”
*****
Author Info:
Riley Long is an author of gay romances novels spanning many genres from contemporary to paranormal. They live a quiet life in Virginia, with their husband, son, and two very silly pit bulls.
They spend their evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television).
For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs.
They like things with silly acronyms.
Riley can tell you two different stories about getting covered in dairy products for a hug.
Join us this Halloween for the exclusive Once Upon a Halloween Night bash in the New Orleans Warehouse District for an evening of fun, costumes, and romance. The Indie Pen PR and Beyond the Bookshelf Publishing are excited to kick off spooky season with seven brand-new, fun, and sexy novellas from Lauren Helms, Kate Stacy, Mel Walker, Susan Renee, Kartina Marie, Courtney W. Dixon, and Louise Lennox.
Once Upon a Halloween Night
by Lauren Helms, Kate Stacy, Mel Walker, Susan Renee, Katrina Marie, Courtney W. Dixon, Louise Lennox
Blurb:
Congratulations!
You’ve been invited to attend the exclusive Once Upon A Halloween Night bash.
This year, join us in New Orleans Warehouse District on Halloween Night for an evening of fun, costumes and… romance?
Wait. What?
That’s right.
The Indie Pen PR and Beyond the Bookshelf Publishing is proud to host Lauren Helms, Kate Stacy, Mel Walker, Susan Renee, Kartina Marie, Courtney W. Dixon, and Louise Lennox – in this fun Halloween romance anthology.
So, throw on your best costume and get ready to sit back and enjoy seven brand new novellas to celebrate spooky season with a romantic twist.
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Dating in Disguise by Lauren Helms
She sets the drink down and turns to me. “You must love Robin Hood if you’re willing to invest.”
“Robin Hood and I have a lot in common, actually.” I inform her.
Her nose scrunches. “Oh really? How so?”
“Well, for starters, I’m a master archer”
“Nope. I don’t believe it.” She giggles.
“I am. Really. I learned at summer camp when I was twelve. Hooked ever since.” I tell her almost defensively.
“Ah, okay then. What else do you have in common?”
“I’m glad you asked. See, I’m also a master of disguise.”
Her eyes widen playfully, “Oh my. I can see that. Is this even your real face?”
I lean my head back and smirk at her. “Everything about me is real, baby. Truth is, I’m not worried about disguising myself tonight, so what you see is what you get.”
“I’ve heard that he’s also a charmer. A ladies’ man. Obviously, that checks out.” She grins.
I nod. “I was born a charmer. It’s in my blood.”
“Right.” She nods in understanding, laughter dancing all over her face. “So what you’re saying is that you are the embodiment of Robin Hood.”
“Oh, I like that. The embodiment of Robin Hood.” I snap my fingers. She’s brilliant and beautiful.
Her brows furrow, “Does that make you an outlaw then?”
“Nah, I mean, if stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is considered breaking the law…”
She huffs out a laugh. “Stealing is totally considered breaking the law.”
I shrug, “Meh, maybe, but I’ve got a heart of gold, so that’s all that matters.”
“I suppose that’s true.” She reaches for her drink and sips it, keeping eye contact with me over the glass. She’s flirty and I’m digging it, but she’s not getting all touchy-feely with me, so I’m a little unsure of where this is going.
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Haunted Melodies, Kate Stacy
“Come with me,” I say, grabbing hold of her hand.
Remi’s laughter rings through the night air as I lead her between the cathedral and museum, slipping into one of the alcoves there. The joy in her voice mirrors the twinkling stars in the sky, and her eyes sparkle with a mix of amusement and excitement. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
Carefree looks incredible on her.
Shrouded in shadows, I watch Remi as her laughter subsides into a contented sigh. She looks at me and smiles, so I kiss her again, pressing her body against the hard stone behind her.
I can’t get enough.
The way she tastes.
The feel of her body against mine.
“Luke,” she murmurs breathlessly against my lips.
I trail kisses along her jaw, groaning when she tips her head back, giving me access to more of her soft, silky skin.
“Luke,” she says again, and I want to hear her say it a thousand times more. “We can’t do this here.”
“Afraid of things that go bump in the night?” I murmur, smiling as I kiss down the column of her throat.
She sucks in a breath.
“No. Just charges for indecent exposure, public lewdness, or—”
Chuckling, I take her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply.
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Love on the Halloween Dance Floor by Mel Walker
“You promise to wait for me?” She asks the question, already knowing the answer. At a concert in Detroit that had technical issues with the lighting and sound equipment, Aaliyah spent nearly an hour reaming out the organizer. She came out an hour later and was shocked to see me waiting for her. I committed to her that day that I would never leave a venue without her.
“The rest of my life if I have to.” The words slip from my heart to my lips without thinking. My chest thumps heavily with my misstep. She twists to read in my eyes the meaning of my words.
Lights bounce off her glasses, and I fail in my attempt to read hers. An explosion of cheers erupts in front of me, and I look up to investigate. Ali is bowing at the front of the stage. The performance has ended.
The house lights rise in the theatre, and Poppy leads the girls back to their families. Whistles and cheers continue to float in the air.
A warm set of lips land on my cheek. I hold my breath and record this moment, stored alongside a treasure trove of protected memories.
Aaliyah’s lips linger for a heartbeat longer than normal, a hesitation I pick up on because when it comes to her, I notice everything. “Really good work today. Congrats. See you in ten.”
“Here, let me …” I take her hand to help her out of the pit. I chew on my tongue to distract myself from the spark that shoots through my body.
“Such a gentleman. Someday, some lucky woman will …” She doesn’t complete the sentence. The words hang like a challenge.
A challenge I’ve yet to answer.
My eyes linger on Aaliyah as she navigates the narrow aisle. She moves with a purposeful stride, a woman on a mission. My eye refuses to look away until she disappears out the exit. Only then do I take a breath. Only then do I realize I hadn’t.
Like I said, I got it bad.
She has work to do. But I’ll wait. I’ll always wait for her. I whisper the words I don’t have the courage to say to her face. The words I pray may come true someday. “Someday. Someday that lucky woman will be you.”
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Ghosted by Susan Renee
“How do you make it so easy to breathe, Scarlett?” Oliver asks me, his forehead pressed to mine.
“Because I don’t expect you to be someone you’re not, Oliver. You’re free with me. Zero expectations. Consider me your safe space.”
“I’m finding myself overwhelmingly attracted to you,” he says. “And I’m sorry if that’s too much. Maybe Rowena was right. I’m not good at hiding my feelings.”
“It’s perfectly fine to have feelings. I have them too.” I bring my hands to his cheeks. “I wasn’t sure how this day was going to go, but somehow, you’ve managed to make every moment perfect. You let me take the lead instead of treating me like your personal arm candy. You’ve asked about my feelings. My desires. What I want for myself and for my future. Do you know how long it’s been since a man has asked how I feel? Hell, I could marry you right now and have no remorse given what I was about to walk into.”
“I’m really fucking glad you didn’t marry him.”
“Me too.”
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Hurricanes & Halloween by Katrina Marie
“My bad.” He doesn’t look sorry at all. The wide grin he’s sporting as he watches the people still staring at us says he’s pretty proud of himself. I don’t blame him, though. He never would have had the confidence to do that at eighteen. Now, in our mid-thirties, he’s sure of what he wants. Even if that person lives hours away from him, and has no idea how we are going to make this work.
“It’s all good.” I lean my head on his shoulder. “I’d say it was more than worth it.”
We sit in silence as the DJ continues to play music downstairs. There are still a couple of hours until this thing ends. And as much as I want to ditch the rest of the party and head straight to our hotel room, I know we should stay a little longer. Especially since our tickets were essentially free. I know the payoff will be fine with Kelly, though. This was her moment to play fairy godmother. Her way of making my wildest dreams come true.
“Want to see what else this party has to offer?” Patrick squeezes my knee. It might be my imagination, but I think his hand moved further up my leg. There’s a good chance he’s having the same thoughts I am. Both of us are too polite to voice them aloud.
“Sure.” I stand and he does the same. Grabbing my drink, I hook a finger into his belt loop. Not so accidentally grabbing his butt in the process.
“You keep doing that and I’ll carry you out of here.”
The drinks are working their way through my system because what falls from my lips next is something I’d never say. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Masked Love by Courtney W. Dixon
Greyson sat back in the seat and stared out the window. We were almost there despite the heavy traffic. “How did we meet?” he asked.
“Hmm, how about at my favorite coffee shop? You spilled coffee on me.”
He waved a hand at me. “Ugh. Please. That trope has been done to death.”
I huffed a laugh. Seriously, I was going to give him wine more often. “And what would you suggest?”
“Let’s keep it relatively realistic and almost the truth since it will be easier to remember the lie.”
“Good at lying, are we?”
He smirked and leaned closer to me. “Did you just make a joke?”
“I never joke.” Which was also a lie.
“Anyway! Let’s say I applied to Nomadology, and you found me so hot and irresistible that I swept you off your feet, and you refused to hire me so you could date me.”
For the first time since I could remember, I barked out a laugh and enjoyed watching him blush.
“What? It could happen.”
~
Excerpt- Copyright 2023 Hot Hex on a Platter by Louise Lennox
At this point, I have tunnel vision. I’m focused on taking out the piece of shit who had the nerve to violate my woman. No one touches or hurts what’s mine and gets away with it.
I maneuver around him while he continues cursing and swinging, matching his speed and intensity as he advances closer to me with every step. As he reaches out with both arms to grab me, I take a chance, knowing I need to knock his big ass out and get this over with.
I hit him with a powerful uppercut that sends him sprawling onto the ground below.
He lies there motionless as I stare down at him with disgust; the power of my punch had been enough to knock him out cold, and between that and his intoxication, he’ll be down for a while.
Tessa rushes over to me, her face filled with worry as she glances at the man’s condition and grimaces.
“Thank You. But I had him under control. The violence wasn’t necessary.”
Her voice has a bite of annoyance, but the relief on her face is evident. She didn’t want to admit it, but she liked being rescued, but I’ll gladly admit that saving her has made my dick impossibly hard. I want to love. Protect, and fuck her until she passes out in equal measure.
Maybe there was a chance of staying out of her life if I hadn’t seen her in the flesh. However, now that she’s within arm’s reach, I know I’ll never let her go.
Her sister steps over the unconscious man, who is now snoring loudly and shakes her head. The man she was with was long gone. “Tessa, are you kidding me? You couldn’t control him, and I swear if I had known he was that disrespectful, I would have never dragged you up here.”
Tears well up in her sister’s eyes. “I’m sorry; I should have listened to you.”
Yeah, she should have.
Tessa gives her a sweet smile and pulls her into a hug. “It’s OK; you didn’t know how bad he could be because I never told you how he harassed me in high school. I was too ashamed and thought I was leading him on or something.”
“This fool harassed you in high school?” I roar. “He doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.”
Both women look at me like I’m crazy, but I don’t care. The idea of him hurting my sweet girl in any way makes me want to wake him up to knock him out again.
Tessa looks at me warily. “Umm, thank you, I guess.”
She looks back at Foolio lying on the ground and ponders something before returning to me. I hate the look of worry on her face, and all I want to do is kiss every stress line away.
“Look, Marcus, it’s been a long night. We’re heading home, and you should probably get home before he wakes up. He will be furious, and I’d hate seeing you get into trouble on my account.”
I frown. “I’m not scared of him. Didn’t you see me lay his ass out?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, Action Jackson, we all saw you, but do you even know who you knocked out?”
Exasperated, I step closer and breathe her in. She smells like cherries and doesn’t flinch away like she did with the man lying on the ground. Instead, she subconsciously steps closer to me.
That’s because she’s mine.
I brush the back of my knuckles over her arm. “No, sweetheart, I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
Her sister Selene snorts and speaks up. “Well, you should care Romeo because he’s Richard Harris, the Chief of Police. What do you have to say now?”
I give her an incredulous look but say nothing.
This can’t be life.
*****
Author Info:
Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.
Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.
Author of emotionally-gripping, contemporary romance, Kate Stacy’s novels feature sassy heroines, swoony heroes, life, love, friendship, and all the angst. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family and friends in small-town North Carolina, Kate can most likely be found nose deep in her Kindle. She stays up too late, swears too much, and loves too hard.
Mel Walker has been writing fiction most of his adult life. Specializing in Short Stories and Contemporary fiction and Romance Novels. A native New Yorker and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan. He loves to write about ordinary people placed in difficult situations, especially as it relates to their closest relationships.
Mel Walker is a rare bird, the male romance author. Specializing in heartfelt small town romance, he enjoys telling compelling romances with all the feels. A native New Yorkers and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan, he enjoys long walks, bike rides and taking in the energy of the city.
Susan Renee wants to live in a world where paint doesn’t smell, Hogwarts is open twenty-four/seven, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she’s not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.
Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, bonus child, grandchild, and fur babies. She is a lover of all things geeky and nerdy. When she’s not writing you can find her at her children’s sporting events, curled up reading a book, or binge watching her favorite shows.
Courtney W. Dixon loves to write steamy romance, but in each story, she gives her character’s challenges and struggles. She writes m/f and m/m stories within one series to add a variety to her characters. And she writes her characters as having flaws, imperfections, and who don’t always do the right thing. Humans are never perfect, and make a lot of mistakes in their lives. In the end, she tries to help them grow to be better as they achieve their HEAs.
You can find Courtney working in Central Texas with her husband, two boys, and two crazy dogs, none of whom know how to knock on a door while she’s working.
Contemporary romance Author Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic writing steamy romances full of heart and healing.
A Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, Louise provides women with diverse and meaningful representation in romance novel pages. Not seeing enough women like herself headlining positive love stories, she launched #HappyBlackRomance; a community of readers and writers committed to the creation and sharing of positive romance stories featuring Black heroines.
Louise Lennox plots highlight the joys of Black relationships across the diaspora; pushing readers from all cultural backgrounds to admire them for their strength and downright sexiness. In her novels sparks always fly; the sex amazes; and the characters always leave the world better than they found it through their love.
When she’s not writing, Louise is enjoying her work as a school leader, wife, and mother of the two cutest dragons to ever walk the earth!
To learn more about #HappyBlackRomance and to score a free book or two, check out her website http://www.lovelouiselennox.com.
A grumpy single father is making his first album in three years and he doesn’t need any distractions. Especially not from the nanny he hired to care for his daughter while he works. Readers who enjoy romance short, steamy reads will love In Tune by Jade Royal, a small town, grumpy/sunshine, billionaire romance.
In Tune
Candy Cane Key
Man of the Month: October
by Jade Royal
Blurb:
Single father musician hires a nanny to help him care for his daughter while he makes his first album in three years. He doesn’t need any distractions. Not even from the patient woman willing to put up with his grumpy behavior.
The MAN OF THE MONTH CLUB is a steamy small-town collection featuring a new hottie (or two!) every month. In 2023, escape to Candy Kane Key, Florida, and celebrate ALL the holidays with your favorite group of romance authors and their delicious mountain men. Can’t wait to see you there!
*****
Author Info:
When the voices begin to speak, Jade Royal sits down in her lab to tell the tale. Each story unfolds when she listens to her instincts, bringing the words to life. Jade has always expressed her creative nature artistically, especially by writing. She refers to herself as “Slave to the Pen” because it’s difficult for her to resist the call to write.
Jade resides in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was born and raised. Always traveling, she looks for the next adventure in everything she does. Coffee is always part of her plan with shenanigans thrown in the mix and music of all genres blasting from her playlists. Jade Royal has never met a stranger and once you’re part of her pack, she holds on tight keeping those in her fold protected.
Jade Royal is the author of the “Limits of Love Series”. The series focuses on love, romance, and the eroticism of the two combined. She writes interracial romance in lots of sub-genres including; BDSM Romance, Paranormal Romance, Suspenseful Romance, and more. She also dabbles in non-romance genres of Thriller and Suspense.
As an author, Jade pulls her readers in to experience raw stories that readers can relate to on various levels. The emotional roller coaster bestowed will hopefully make her readers stalk her words and indulge in her realm of fun.
Queen of her world, Jade Royal pushes the envelope of ideal, bringing you something a little different than you’re used to. To explore her domain, follow her on her website and social media avenues.
When my best friend’s little sister walks in on me moaning her name, it’s all over. All restraints are shattered, and every boundary demolished. Nothing will be the same…
For years, I’ve tried to keep my distance from Dakota Cooper. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and the one thing I can’t have.
But when she calls me in the middle of the night after someone tries to break into her house, I can no longer handle that distance, and I convince her to stay with me, along with her young son.
I should have known having her living under my roof would push me to the edge. Ignite the need that has simmered for so long.
The problem is, she’s forbidden. Off-limits. And I know better than crossing that line.
I can’t drag her into the dark secrets of my life.
But I can’t stay away from her either, so I do the one thing I shouldn’t—I take.
And now that I’ve had her, I’m not sure I can save her from who I am. . .
What to expect in Don’t Forget Me Tomorrow… *Brother’s best friend *Small town romance *Secret past *Pierced MC *Touch her and die vibes *Romantic suspense *No cheating *HEA Check CW’s at author’s website
So I almost didn’t give this one a chance. I’m not a fan of the darker romance trend (mafia, biker gangs, etc.) and this one seemed like it would fall into that category when I first started it but I decided to give it a few more chapters. While there is a touch of that, and it is the reason that Ryder doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for Dakota, it isn’t the focus.
Instead we spend time with the will they/won’t they as Ryder struggles against his feelings, for Dakota and about himself, and Dakota believes that he doesn’t want her as more than a friend. While I enjoyed the back and forth, getting to know the two of them and seeing them struggle with their feelings, it did drag a little in the middle. But once the truth comes out, and Ryder and Dakota have to face the consequences of his past, it definitely picks up. (I think that it needed more of the danger element actually – the part that I didn’t think I’d want, yeah I get the irony.)
The story is told with moments of flashback that explain how Dakota and Ryder have gotten to this point. As we get Ryder’s story, my heart just went out to him. He goes through a difficult period where he loses himself, gets caught up in things that he shouldn’t, and sets himself on a path that he can’t get off. It costs him so much and it takes a long time for him to start the process of saving himself. There’s a lot of gray area there that makes his actions with Dakota understandable, although it doesn’t make him breaking her heart any less devastating.
The characters definitely make this story for me. The heartache and struggle they go through, but also the amount of care and love they have for each other. Dakota’s son, Kayden, is just the cutest and the way Ryder loves him will melt even the hardest heart. This is the first of Jackson’s stories that I’ve read and I’ll definitely give the next one a shot (hello, Ezra!)
*****
Author Info:
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
From Amazon Charts bestselling author Jennifer Millikin comes a brother’s best friend, second chance romance filled with heart, heat, and humor.
Better Than Most
by Jennifer Millikin
Blurb:
Back then? They were great together. Now? They could be even better.
Rhodes Porter.
A name Georgia Whittier would prefer never cross her lips again. Not only was her older brother’s best friend her first love, her first everything, but he broke her heart for a reason she still hasn’t fully accepted. To make it worse, Georgia couldn’t properly nurse her broken heart, because nobody knew about the love affair.
A decade has passed, and Georgia is all grown up. She’s twenty-seven, a college graduate who had a real world job. Had. Her small hometown of Green Haven isn’t flush with teaching jobs, but she knew that when she moved back home. She’s making ends meet with odd jobs, and has rediscovered her old love of West Coast swing dancing. Life isn’t great, but it’s good enough.
Until Rhodes returns to Green Haven. For good.
As much as Georgia would prefer to banish him from her life, she can’t. See: Brother’s best friend. Now Rhodes is everywhere. Her brother’s wedding. At a family barbecue. On the sidewalk across the street while Georgia waits in line at the post office.
And that broken heart Georgia thought had healed? It hasn’t. Because Rhodes is just like before. Better, even.
Georgia is determined to keep Rhodes at arm’s length, even when he’s buying her blackberry orange jam at the Sierra Grande farmer’s market. Even when he’s holding eye contact a beat too long. Especially when she finds out the old note she wrote him is still sewn into the brim of his baseball hat.
The hat he still wears.
Every day it gets more difficult for Georgia to refuse her heart. But if what Georgia wants is a reason not to fall in love with Rhodes again, she need look no further.
Rhodes is holding onto it. All these years he’s kept the truth of why he left her a secret, but secrets have a way of revealing themselves.
There’s just something about charming small town romances that makes them a delight to read. They inevitably have an entertaining supporting cast and quirky moments, and Millikin’s latest firmly lands in that category. She balances heartbreaking moments with lightheartedness as Georgia and Rhodes dance around each other, facing their past and figuring out a future.
Rhodes leads with his heart and it makes him a delightful book boyfriend, and while Georgia starts out being controlled by her hurt, it doesn’t take long for their feelings to overcome their pain. I do feel like Georgia was suddenly “OK, I’m over it. Let’s be friends” which just didn’t mesh with the attitude that she’d been expressing up to that point. I think maybe if there had been a little more discussion, even within her inner monologue, it would have been just a little better.
Overall, though, Millikin’s newest is a low angst and sweet second chance romance that leaves readers with a satisfying HEA.
(Some characters from other stories make an appearance but this story can stand on its own.)
*****
Author Info:
Jennifer Millikin is a bestselling author of fifteen contemporary romance and women’s fiction novels. She is the two-time recipient of the Readers Favorite Gold Star Award, and readers have called her work “emotionally riveting” and “unputdownable”.
Following a viral TikTok video with over fourteen million views, Jennifer’s third novel, Our Finest Hour, has been optioned for TV/Film. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, children, and Liberty, her Labrador retriever.
From USA Today bestselling Author Chelle Bliss comes a sexy, opposites attract, friends to lover romance.
Olive Thornbury only had one crush in high school, and his name was Asher Gallo. She was smitten with him from the first time she had laid eyes on him. But instead of acting on how she felt, she kept her nose stuck in a book, finding safety in the words rather than emotions.
Asher had never thought of Olive as anything more than a friend. She was aloof, preferring to read books. instead of spending time with her friends. And when she moved away almost a decade ago, their friendship quickly disintegrated.
But when Olive returns to visit a local university, she never expected to run into a very grown up and even more handsome Asher. And what starts off as a rekindling of an old friendship turns into a fiery relationship.
Do the opposites have enough in common to go the distance? Or will their combustible chemistry cause the flames to turn everything into cinders?
I’ve only read one other book by Bliss (earlier this summer actually) and it had a bit of a different feel than this one. With Never Too Soon, the characters had an initial connection but they spend some time deciding whether they want to act on it. Cinder on the other hand is very much an insta-love story and then we see how that plays out.
Asher runs into Olive in a parking lot after not seeing each other for about a decade. While they were in the same circle as kids, Olive moved away at 16 but is now back to go to graduate school. His grandma, in all of her meddling glory apparently, pushes him to invite her to a get together they are having that day and … well, the rest is history. Before the party breaks up they’ve pretty much have decided to live happily ever after together. Not having read the rest of the series, I’m not sure if this is normal for this group but from the reviews I think that it might have been surprising to some readers. So just a warning in case that isn’t your kinda of thing 🙂
I liked the characters, individually and together, so I didn’t mind so much. I just went “oh-kay” and then accepted it. It’s not overly realistic but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. There are a few bumps in the road but for the most part their relationship is drama free, sweet, and enjoyable.
While the book can stand on its own, I kinda wish I’d read more in the series because I would have liked to have known Asher a bit better going in and his whole clan is fantastic together so I would have loved to have more of that. Their interactions are full of love and humor, teasing and support, and the occasional butt-kicking when it’s needed. Olive didn’t have that growing up and I’m happy that she finally gets that with Asher’s family.
I get the idea (granted it’s based on a whopping two book of her’s that I’ve read) that Bliss might be for a particular audience. Not everyone is going to enjoy a slow burn romance, whether it starts with insta-love or a little more caution, but I think that if that’s your thing her characters will be enough to keep you coming back.
*****
Author Info:
Chelle Bliss is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of Men of Inked Series and Misadventures of a City Girl.
She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, ex-high school history teacher, and currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. Chelle loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers.
That’s how everyone describes Cole McCord, billionaire CFO of McCord Media. As notorious for his bad attitude as he is for his good looks, he’s the one every girl’s mother warns her about.
We spend one passionate, unforgettable night together, two strangers who bond over neat whiskeys and messy confessions in a Beverly Hills bar. Then we go our separate ways in the morning, never expecting to see each other again.
We soon discover that some connections can’t be undone. Some bonds, once made, can’t be broken.
And some loves can be as deep as they are destructive…yet impossible to let go.
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J.T. Geissinger is a #1 international and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty novels. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over ten million copies worldwide and been translated into more than twenty languages.
She is a three-time finalist in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.
When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.
How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.
To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.
Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.
I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.
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I have to say I really wished they’d found some way to get Miles and Bryce a story without moving him to Chicago. I felt so bad for him, having to leave his friends (yeah, I understand the reality of the sport but this is a work of fiction), and I don’t quite feel like they gave him a connection with the new team to replace that just yet. It helps to amplify his issues, especially with Bryce’s articles, but I like him so much I just wish he’d been treated a little better 🙂
Having said that, I enjoyed this story a lot more than I thought I would. I don’t know why the way these two fight never appealed to me in the Kingsmen stories but I should have remembered that Piper Rayne writes a dang good story and I just needed to have faith. Their characters are a delight to read and the stories flow so smoothly to endings that always make me so happy.
Returning readers know that there had to be more to Miles & Bryce’s bickering so it’s satisfying to finally get our answers. And Bryce proves to be just as feisty as we knew she’d be, as well as troubled by her past. It will take a patient man to break through her barriers and luckily Miles is just the guy to do it.
With fun & spicy banter, plenty of sexy times, and moments that deliver the feels, Something Like Hate is a satisfying conclusion to an old series and a good start to a new series. I’m so looking forward to getting to know the rest of the Grizzlies!
(Can be read as a stand alone but will probably be better enjoyed having read the Kingsmen series to really get a feel for Miles & Bryce’s history.)
*****
Author Info:
Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!
Art evaluator Miles Tate is finally about to start living his dream… that is if he can get the funding in place to open his own art gallery in New York. But when an unexpected turn of events finds every one of Miles’ perfectly-planned dreams turned upside-down, it’s time to escape Manhattan and reluctantly take up a well-paid job in the tiny seaside town of Hope’s Bluff, Georgia. For Miles, it’s his only chance to make some money, claw back what little dignity he has left, and figure out what the hell to do with his life.
But evaluating the art collection of a deceased estate isn’t made easy by the grandson of the dearly departed in question. Indeed, the young man who calls himself Rainbow is a hot-tempered, hotter-than-hell artist whose secrets run deep and passions run raw. He is talented, troubled, tempestuous and deaf… and possibly the one person who can save Miles from his own heartache.
Can Miles finish the job he’s been paid to do… or will two opposites find that they have more in common than they first imagined? Can the pair of them find the strength in each other to rebuild their lives… or will the traumas of their pasts drive them both away? Will Miles turn his back on the handsome, hurt, artistic genius he’s stumbled upon… or will he finally find true love in the arms of a Boy Called Rainbow?
Instead, I tried to compose myself, watching as he squeezed paint onto the palette and began mixing colors together.
An intense focus overcame his handsome features, his brow creasing, eyebrows dancing in deep concentration as he conjured up tones and textures until he was happy with the colors he’d created. Then he began to paint. He lathered the brush and took to the canvas like a man at the whim of a spirited muse. He made strokes both large and small. His eyes looked from my reclining body to the canvas and back again. Occasionally he switched tools, biting the brush between his teeth as he grabbed a spatula and slathered thick gobs of paint onto the canvas, before switching back to his brush. At times he abandoned the tools altogether, using his strong hands, his dextrous fingers, to smear and dab the paint before wiping his hands on his chest and abs, unwittingly turning his torso into an artwork of its own.
The vision of this beautiful, naked artist at work— the sight of his talent unfurling from his hands, his creative genius spilling onto the canvas— made me want him more desperately than ever before. My cock ached. My lungs burned as I tried to calm my heaving chest. I clenched my fists and he noticed, gesturing for me to loosen my hands and relax my fingers. I did as I was told, counting down the seconds until the painting was done.
As soon as he was finished, he stepped back— his cock still hard, his brow beaded with sweat, his belly panting with the physical efforts of his creativity— and looked from the canvas to me and back again once more.
He added several feathery brushstrokes to complete his work.
Then, after putting down the brush and palette, he took the canvas and spun it around for me to see.
I hadn’t really looked at myself— I mean, really looked at myself— in years. Practically the only reason I looked in the mirror at all in the mornings was to tie my bowtie and make sure my hair didn’t look like a bird’s nest. I suppose after being run out of home all those years ago, I didn’t really see much reason to look too long into the eyes of a man who could be so easily rejected by those who were supposed to love him the most.
But as I looked at the portrait of myself that Rainbow had so masterfully conceived— his eyes capturing a vision of myself I had never dreamed of, his hands so skilfully sowing the seeds of his creativity— I saw something in myself that I hadn’t seen in a long, long time… if ever.
The dazzling colors made me bold.
The rough strokes and fearless use of textures made me defiant.
The rawness of my naked body made me brave.
I saw a confidence in myself I almost didn’t recognize.
I saw uniqueness.
I saw beauty.
And all I could wonder was— had Rainbow used his paints to create my portrait… or unravel my mask of insecurity?
I stood from the chaise lounge and walked slowly up to Rainbow’s work of art, my eyes fixed, my heart spellbound.
“This is me?” At first the words came out as a question, but as he gave me the painting and I took it in my hands, the question mark vanished. “This is me.”
*****
Review:
The villains in the story were a bit … over the top. Rainbow’s brother might as well be twirling his mustache and cackling (he does stroke his goatee, does that count?). The family has an almost fanatical hatred of Rainbow and Franklin is set on taking everything away from him now that their grandmother has died. It’s a little much and might come across as cartoonish for some but it is a vehicle to bring the mains together and team up with some of the more quirky townsfolk.
I do wish we’d gotten Rainbow’s perspective, get an idea of his feelings about his family as well as his feelings towards Miles. I think that he’d have a unique voice and also it would help readers feel like he’s participating fully in what happens. But being a single POV we have to infer a lot and it’s a bit of a missed opportunity.
I do like Miles. He’s a little frumpy in his personality but he’s got a good heart. The effort he puts into his relationship with Rainbow, to helping him and understanding him, is sweet. It may be a little fast, especially with how his last relationship imploded, but if you go into it knowing there’s a bit of insta-love I think it’ll be more enjoyable.
With quirky characters, outrageously vile villains, and a touch of magic thanks to Rainbow’s grandmother, A Boy Called Rainbow isn’t going to be for everyone. But I think that it’ll definitely be a hit with the right audience.
*****
Author Info:
Robin Knight is the author of gay fiction novels, novellas, and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense, and gay comedies.
The heroes of Robin’s books love to spend their time jumping off the page, stumbling through misadventures, and falling in love.
Robin has worked in advertising, politics, journalism, and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories.
Romantic Reads and Such 