RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Booklover (Vino & Veritas #6) by J.E. Birk

 

Release Date: March 29, 2021
Pre-Order here: Amazon Link
Add to Goodreads here: Goodreads Link
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Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Two guys meet over a stack of romance novels. Soon they're turning pages late into the night...

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down…not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything or anyone. And that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection. Soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending . . .

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Booklover is a fabulous story by JE Birk. The sixth book in the Vino & Veritas multi-author series, this is a great addition to the small town Vermont fun. 

Jamie and Briar meet at a book club at Vino & Veritas. Both men are hurting as they have complicated lives. 

Jamie's family is draining him. They are all wonderful, and he loves them, but his responsibility to helping out at the family farm, leaves him losing his dreams. It's a large part of this story and it's so damn emotional. I just want to hold Jamie and help him. 

How can he finish college, get his dream job, and still help out his parents? He can't. And that's the problem. 

And then there's Briar. He loves his job at V&V, but his past comes knocking on his door and threatening all he has. How can he keep his past from ruining everything without actually ruining everything? And omg, when we learn his past, I was bawling. 

I love these men. And I love their story. And best of all, I love the writing. I was drawn into this story at the start, and I was consumed throughout. Oh course, the light angst definitely had me turning the pages quickly to get to the happy ending. 

Written in alternating first person pov, the men fully come to life. I felt every feeling, every emotion, every look, and every touch. And if you enjoy cute chapter titles, you will love these ones.

And then there's the setting. The Vermont aspect is well developed and is felt throughout. The mud. The farm. The maple syrup. The small town. The haunted library. All of it adds to the small town feel. 

And oh how I love the book club and all it's members. 

Booklover is a wonderful, feel good read. This JE Birk tale is beautiful, sweet, and tender. I can't recommend it enough. 

 

I start heading toward the circle of couches and chairs near the back where the inaugural meeting of The Booklover Club is supposed to take place. I make a quick stop at a shelf of new titles because the store’s got at least three that I’ve been meaning to read. I grab one of them, a nonfiction book about dairy farming, and I take a quick pause to wonder if my wallet can handle a bookstore binge. I’m still reading the inside of the jacket flap when I hear a voice behind me. 

“Can I help you?”

I turn around and try not to do that thing Jeremy says I sometimes do, where I just stand there staring at someone or something without speaking. In my defense, I think the problem comes from spending most of my childhood surrounded by cows. Sometimes I just forget how to people. 

         Especially when incredibly hot human beings are standing in front of me. Which is happening right now.  

This guy looks exactly like Porter, one of my other favorite book characters. He’s in Alyssa Samuel’s gay romance novel Lost Key, and right now I can’t help but wonder if he walked right off the pages of that book and into this store. The Porter look-alike in front of me has sharp, angular cheekbones sitting under hazel eyes and dirty blond hair and eyebrows. He’s got some scruffy I-wanna-be-a-beard-but-I’m-not-there-yet hair around his chin that’s straight out of the Vermont tourist brochures. His head is covered by a pilling green tuque, and his skin is this olive tone that should be next to impossible for any white guy to have in Vermont in March. He’s wearing a flannel shirt and jeans, which is pretty much the stereotypical Vermont uniform, but somehow on him it manages to look cool and unique.

         And as if all that weren’t enough? He’s carrying a stack of books.

         Some men dream of seeing their perfect lover strutting around in hot lingerie or tiny speedos. I dream of my perfect lover naked, with a stack of books strategically placed in front of them.

How to Love (Lovestrong #8) by Susan Hawke

 

Release Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
How To Love
By Susan Hawke

 LOVESTRONG, Book 8

Take one hurting guy recovering from scandal…

Two years ago, Hunter Riley was ghosted by his long-term boyfriend, then stuck with a ruined reputation when the town mistakenly thought he’d cheated on his ex… a man fighting breast cancer. These days, Hunter is happiest simply taking care of the sick kittens he fosters and rarely leaves his house.

Add one sunny man healing from loss…

Quinn Sullivan is alone in the world but doesn’t let it get him down. He dealt with the grief of losing the last piece of his family by looking to the future, finishing college, moving to a new town, and hitting reset on his life. An instant connection on a never-ending blind date has him ready to move in with Hunter and Quinn can’t see anything possibly ruining it.

To equal a pair who find even instalove requires time and patience.

Life can always catch you off guard, as Quinn discovers when child services arrives with an adorable angel—a piece of his lost twin he didn’t even know was out there—needing a family, needing… him. While Quinn is floundering with his parenting role, Hunter is left thinking he’s been ghosted again until Quinn comes up for air and sets things straight.

Can two guys who fell together so easily have what it takes to build a family?

This is the eighth and final book in the LOVESTRONG series about finding love and being yourself in a small town. Watch out for a three-year-old with an addiction to daytime TV, a diabetic kitten, and the worst wedding interruption ever. This is an mm romance full of all the fun, laughter, and sweet feels you’d want from an S. Hawke book.

Note: The book mentions the death of a sibling through suicide in the past, but no details are on page.

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

Catch up on the Lovestrong Series

My Rating - 5 Stars!

How to Love is the eight and final book in Susan Hawke's Lovestrong series. I, for one, am sad to see this series end. 

This book has an interesting premise that's full of forgiveness and second chances in life. 

Hunter and Quinn's romance is as insta-love as it gets and I love it. I enjoy the way they meet and develop into more. I love the way they help one another to heal. 

It's a powerful reminder that not all rumors are true, and that sometimes the facts are misleading. Sometimes reputations are ruined due to incorrect information.

The conflict is well done and I enjoy every moment of their story.

This story has an adorable kid. Of course, the fact that he acts a lot older than his age is not funny at all. But I love the way it's all written. 

And kittens! I love, love, love all the kittens!

The writing is once again superb. I appreciate the way the old characters are around. But most of all, I love seeing the other perspectives in this book from what we learnt in the past. Awww, sweet redemption.

How to Love is a perfect ending to the Lovestrong series. Susan Hawke delights in this hurt/comfort romance. This is a beautiful series and I am thankful to have met all these amazing men. I'm sad it's ending, but I am definitely satisfied with this ending. 

I pulled my attention back to Hunter, remembering our game. "Okay, I have another one for you. I slept with a teddy bear until I was twelve."

He nodded solemnly. "Respect. I'll take your teddy bear story and do you one better. I took my baby blanket to college with me."

I chuckled at the idea of a college freshman carting around a baby blanket. "I call bullshit. Sorry, but there is no way."

Smirking, Hunter held up a Boy Scout salute. "I swear, I totally did. My mom made it into a pillow. There were many long nights when I was homesick and would lie in bed hugging it. Next time you're at my house, remind me, and I'll show it to you."

"I hope you know I'm going to remember. This one I have to see." As the music stopped and the pastor began to speak, I lowered my voice. "Okay, this might be a little personal, but I have a good one for you. I only wear underwear with funny phrases printed on them."

"Seriously? Like what kinds of things do your underwear say?" Was it my imagination, or was Hunter staring at my crotch? "And more importantly, why do you prefer silly underwear?"

Leaning back, I lifted a brow as imperiously as I could manage. When he started to laugh, I played it up, pressing a hand to my heart and pretending to be appalled. "Dude, are you judging my underwear choices? I mean, nobody would think twice if I said I liked to wear lacy drawers. Or if boxers made my heart sing. Hell, I know plenty of guys who wear nothing but jockstraps. Is it really so wrong I would want to wear funny underwear?"

Hunter rolled his eyes. "Don't try to guilt me, Quinn. I have a sister, remember? I can play the guilt game all day. Now spill… tell me what your underwear says right now."

"I mean, I could…" I stood, looking around to make sure nobody could see us. Yeah, we were far enough back, and the railing was so tall, I'd be hidden from view. Especially since we were sitting in the shadows. I swallowed nervously but played it off, glancing back at Hunter. "Or… I could show you?"

Hunter nodded decisively. The guy didn't even take a second to think, immediately earning him several more points in my respect bank. "Yes, drop those pants. Show me what you're hiding underneath to make me laugh."

I'd already started loosening my belt, but I stopped when he spoke, choking on laughter. "Really? You're going to tell a man to drop his pants so you can mock what he's got covered up?"

He flashed me a playful wink. "Damn right I am. You started it, buster. Now drop trou."

I let my pants fall around my ankles and lifted my dress shirt so he could get the full view. With one glance, he started guffawing so hard he nearly choked. My hot pink bikini briefs with the Eat at BJ's Diner sign did look pretty great over my junk. He was laughing so hard tears streamed down his face, but he dropped to his knees and leaned in to read the fine print at the bottom of the sign.

He was so close, his warm breath fanned over my legs. My dick woke up, thickening and hardening in my underwear with every second he was down there. He read the words aloud. "Come and try our cream pie." I waited for him to start chuckling again, but instead, he stroked my growing bulge. "I have another random fact nobody knows about me. I've always wanted to do a sexual act in an inappropriate public place."

I couldn't help but be charmed. Seriously, could this guy be any more perfect? Grinning down at him, I shook my head. "And to think I almost wore my rainbow-colored briefs with All Sass, No Ass printed on the butt. But I had a feeling these were the underwear to wear today, and apparently I was right. My mom was correct—always follow your gut and you won't go wrong."

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Susan's new release, we are giving away 3 e-copies of How To Love!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I'd care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I've found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that's what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

I'm a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown "kids of my heart." I'm more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.

Connect with Susan:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/authorsusanhawke
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanHawke
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-hawke
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/SusanHawkeNewsletter
Audio: http://bit.ly/SusanHawkeAudio
Reader Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TheHawkesNest
Website: http://www.susihawke.com

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Songs of a Red Currant Wine (Colors of Love #6) by V.L. Locey

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

No matter how far you go love will always lead you home again.

The world has changed quite a bit since Carl Cimino was a young man in Port Plechard. The small Connecticut coastal town once had everything that he held dear: his family, his friends, his hockey team, his school, and his first love, Mike Rinnert. Back then gay boys didn’t parade along the rocky shores in bright rainbow swim trunks. They hid their shame then moved away or married a nice girl and pretended to be happy. After a dismal marriage attempt and a lackluster playing career that ended with an equally unsatisfying coaching job, Carl is called back to Port Plechard to attend Mike’s funeral and swears that he’s just seen a ghost.

Either that or he’s had one too many sips of his father’s homemade wine. He soon discovers that the spirit hovering around Mike’s grave isn’t a phantom at all, it’s Tigh, Mike’s much younger brother. Tigh is nearly an exact replica of young Mike right down to his dark sensual eyes, wavy hair, and lips that beg to be kissed. The two men are drawn to each other immediately, but there’s more than one hurdle to overcome: a sizeable age difference, small-town gossip, personal demons, family problems, and a hurricane just to name a few. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

VL Locey's Songs of a Red Currant Wine is an absolutely beautiful May to December romance. The sixth book in the Colors of Love series, it's a powerful standalone. 

I was drawn in from the start, as we meet Carl, a former hockey player, who's in his fifties and floundering through life. 

The first scene between Carl and Tigh, when Carl believes that Tigh is Mike's ghost, wow. What a scene! I love it. 

This story is one with years of homophobia, not just in a small town, but also in the hockey world. It's a tale that explores the ramifications of spending one's life in the closet. Lying to others and denying himself from being honest has left Carl an unhappy alcoholic. 

And then he meets Tigh.

What follows is a journey of starting over, finding a purpose and grabbing onto happiness. I love the way the author gives Carl a chance to live authentically. Seeing him do what he wants to do instead of what he's been conditioned to do is wonderful.  

If you enjoy romances with closeted athletes, you will love this story. Damn, the sports world is tough to live as openly gay, and with Carl being in his fifties now, he certainly couldn't have been open when he was younger.

The ex's brother aspect is obviously a huge deal when they first meet. But it's never an obstacle, which is quite impressive.

Songs of a Red Currant Wine is a serious story, full of pain and addiction. But this VL Locey romance is one of getting over one's past and working on a better future. And it's fantastic. Basically, another amazing book by VL!

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY - Finding His Boy by KD Ryan

 RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Finding His Boy (An MM Age Gap Daddy Romance)

Author: K. D. Ryan

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: K. D. Ryan 

Release Date:  March 25, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance 

Tropes: Age Gap, Slow Burn, Daddy Kink

Themes: Self-confidence, Trust, Exploring Sexuality 

Heat Rating:  5 flames

Length:  96 000 words

It is the first book in the series - Safe Harbor #1

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Amazon AUS 

A lonely Daddy. An innocent boy. A twenty-year age gap. Whatever happens next is in Daddy’s hands. 

Finding his way in life all on his own hadn’t been easy for eighteen-year-old Elliot Hedrick, but he’d managed to hold it all together so far. 

Even though it was just by the skin of his teeth. 

Between his warehouse job and pursuing a career as a professional ballet dancer, he’d been working sixteen-hour days and was still barely making ends meet. 

He was fraying at the seams. And he was so damn lonely.

There was nobody for him to lean on, nobody to come to his rescue when things fell apart—it was all up to him to achieve his dreams.

Then suddenly Grant Weston charged into Elliot’s life, his knight in shining armor—literally and figuratively—and despite their twenty-year age gap, Grant couldn’t seem to leave the boy alone. Even though Grant knew he should.

There were too many obstacles between them—and not just their ages. Grant had secrets of his own, ghosts from his past that made him hold back from taking what he really wanted from Elliot. 

And what Grant wanted was to make Elliot his boy. 

To have a true partner.

But Grant was afraid to trust himself—afraid that history would repeat itself and leave him with a broken heart yet again.

 Is age really just a number, or will the years between them end their relationship before it can even start? 

Finding His Boy is the first book in a duet taking place in the Safe Harbor universe but can be read as a stand-alone and has an HFN ending. This book is a 90+K word slow burn, steamy romance that features a Daddy/boy relationship between two consenting adult men. No age play. Dual POV. There are explicit descriptions of sexual acts, so this book is intened for a mature audience (18+). 

Trigger Warning: On-page physical assault (not between MCs), mention of sexual assault. 

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Grant knew he should pull back, he should close the door—that would be the smart thing to do. He should be respectful of Elliot’s privacy. 

Because if he crossed this line, there would be no going back—all of his noble rationalizing about not taking advantage of Elliot’s vulnerability would be out the window. 

But fuck, the boy was incredibly gorgeous—the planes of his slim muscular body highlighted in a soft blue glow from the moon, his face a study in shadow and light. He looked so young, so vulnerable, and so ripe for the taking. Exposed, ready for Grant to sink his teeth into the pale expanse of flesh on display, to mark Elliot as his. 

If Grant stepped further into the room now—and he wanted to, oh he’d never wanted anything so badly in his life, he could taste the wanting like metal on his tongue—where would that choice bring them? 

Because the boy had no clue what Grant wanted to do to him. 

He couldn’t know how Grant wanted to use him. To flay him wide open with word and action and touch, and pick apart the soft tender insides of him, to leave him wanting and vulnerable and his. To deliver the safety and comfort and pleasure that his boy craved and that only he—Grant—could give.

Grant’s own possession. 

His boy. 

Those words—his boy—they acted like a bucket of cold water—a wave of uncertainty and apprehension to temporarily subdue his lust. Was this just history repeating itself? Would Elliot realize a year down the line that Grant couldn’t give him what he wanted, and Grant would be left high and dry once again? 

Could Grant risk his heart like that again? The thought of sharing that experience with someone, only for his heart to be trampled, handled carelessly, and discarded…  

He should leave now, back out and pretend he’d never been here. Just leave and act like nothing had changed the next day. Leave this beautiful boy whole and innocent and let someone else break him in gently, softly, like he deserved. Someone he could grow with, change with, learn with. 

Fuck, he was a coward. 

But then. 

But then Elliot opened his eyes. And he parted his lips. And he kept on pumping his hand up and down as he locked his eyes with Grant’s, his heated gaze burning with open desire. 

Desire for Grant. 

And Grant knew he couldn’t walk away.

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Just a dreamer fueled by coffee who’s been writing about love that comes in all forms since she got her first word processor. Passionate bibliophile and lover of science, caretaker of humans and friend to dogs. 

Social Media Links

Facebook   |   Facebook Author Page  |  Instagram 

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Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

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Silky Smooth (Bold Brew #6) by A.M. Arthur

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Falling in love isn’t always smooth sailing.

College drop-out Nicolas Cannon has a secret he’s been hiding for all his adult life. A secret that has left him isolated and mostly friendless—until the day a very friendly parrot flies into his life. In his search to discover the parrot’s owner, Nicolas meets the handsome, enigmatic and much-older Alex Durant. But Nicolas has become fond of Alex’s pet Calamity, and the pair develop an unexpected friendship over their love of the bird.

Alex Durant is a man with money and power, but he’s also haunted by his past with an abusive ex. Calamity saved Alex’s sanity, and he’s surprised at how easily he shares her attention with Nicolas, a young artist who arrests Alex’s attention. As their friendship takes a brand-new, sexy turn, Nicolas discovers Alex also possesses something else he never expected: a shared love of silky underthings. But Nicolas isn’t out to his family, and that decision may test his fledgling relationship with Alex to the breaking point.

Silky Smooth is a stand-alone story in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe, centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional college town. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! My 40k word story features a reclusive artist, a lonely restauranteur, an emotional support parrot, age gap, and satin underwear.

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Silky Smooth is AM Arthur's contribution to the multi-author Bold Brew series. The sixth book in the series, this is a standalone just like the rest of the books. 

Nicolas and Alex's romance is a May to September one, with them coming together over a lost parrot, as Nicolas rescues Alex's missing parrot. The relationship that evolves between the two is kinky, as well as sweet. 

The men are great together. I enjoy the way they each have some pain in their pasts, but together they help one another heal. The fifteen year age gap is there but isn't a huge issue for them.

And of course, their chemistry is hot, with some much aligned kink. Oh how I love romances with silk!

But, dear lord, the parrot is my favorite part of this story. I adore that Calamity's a support animal. Seriously, how cool is that? A parrot who serves as an emotional support animal. Love it. And with all the wonderful things the parrot says, you will easily fall in love with it too. 

Silky Smooth is a quick, kinky read. This AM Arthur book is a great choice when you're in the mood for a short read. 

My Best Friend's Brother by K.C. Wells

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

My best friend’s younger brother is all grown up. And gorgeous.
Casey’s off limits. Forbidden. But that just makes me want him more.

Rylan

I’ve watched Casey grow up. I never imagined how the sweet, scrawny kid would turn into a hot muscular man. A hot guy who just came out.

Casey torments my thoughts. And my dreams. I need to stay far, far away from my best friend’s kid brother. Should be easy, right? I can find plenty of guys to distract me.

Problem is, all I want is the one man I can’t have.

Casey

There’s never been a time when I wasn’t in love with Rylan. My brother’s best friend was my first crush. My only crush. He’s the one man I shouldn’t go near. And here I am spending the summer in the apartment he shares with my older brother.
That seemed like a good idea in the beginning. I thought I could handle it but now that I’m so close to the man I’ve always wanted, I’m not so sure. About anything.

I can have any man – except the one I want.

It’s going to be a long, hot summer.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

KC Well's My Best Friend's Brother is a fun romance. With this being one of my favorite tropes, I was excited for this book. And damn, I love it!

The forbidden romance aspect is every looming in this one, as Casey's brother, Trask, doesn't want him with Rylan. Rylan's a former man whore so of course Trask doesn't want him with his baby brother. Cue the sneaking around. 

I adore that they both secretly loved one another for a long time and won't let anyone keep them apart. It's wonderful. 

And, omg, the notebook!!! I effin love the notebook!

Their story is a nice slow burn romance with a wonderful first kiss, first times and plenty of swoony moments. Heck, who can resist a man whore who changes instantly when love is an option? 

Written in alternating first person pov, everything about this story works for me. I love it all. 

My Best Friend's Brother is a super sweet forbidden romance. This KC Wells gem had me happy from the start to the finish. I highly recommend this fantastic romance.