The Swap Masquerade by Annabella Michaels

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

“A night of passion and pleasure awaits you. No names, no faces, just the chance to live out your wildest fantasies. Leave your keys in the bowl and let fate decide who you’ll end up with.” 

After years of hiding his sexuality from his family and teammates, Elliott Stone is tired of living a lie. However, with only three months left until the baseball season is over and he graduates from college, he’s determined to keep his secret for a little bit longer. But the words written on a party invitation offer another option. One that might allow him to finally explore what it’s like to be with another man. 

Gavin Holt loves being a college professor, but living and working in a small, conservative town makes discretion essential when it comes to his sexuality. That’s why he likes going to Swap Masquerades. Hiding his identity under a mask is the only way he can truly feed all of his desires without anyone finding out.

Behind a mask, is the one place they can both let their inhibitions go, but what happens if the person finally revealed is someone who’s off limits?

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

The Swap Masquerade is a hot and kinky teacher/student romance by Annabella Michaels. 

In general, I try to avoid teacher/student romances, as they are very hit or miss for me. But with this being a swap tale by Annabella, I couldn't pass up this one. 

Everything about this story is fabulous. I adore the way they meet, the way things develop, and the ending. 

I love the journey for these two, both individually and together. 

Both men are well developed, with issues and emotions galore. 

Elliott's a closeted college baseball player, who's struggling with both his sexuality and his life choices. His father's expectations certainly don't align with his. I love seeing him finally learn about gay sex and his kinks. I love seeing him explore what he enjoys and wants. 

Then there's Gavin, who happens to be Elliott's professor. Gavin's sex needs aren't easily met in his small town. But with swap parties he's able to meet his needs. 

Of course, no surprise, the two men meet when masked, fall for each other when masked, yet don't know they know one another. Fun concept and well executed. 

I definitely enjoy the way things happen between the men. They know one another in different worlds, and the reader is well aware that sooner or later they'll figure out who's behind the masks. 

The writing is great, with everything being even better than I was hoping. There's way more depth to the men and their situations than I was expecting. It's a delightfully enjoyable hot read. 

The Swap Masquerade is a must read when you're in the mood for a teacher/student romance. Annabella Michaels brings plenty of layers and emotion to this story. 

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More to Life by Annabella Michaels

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Shaw Kelley has worked tirelessly his entire life, putting himself through college and quickly climbing the ladder within the company where he works. Of course, all the late nights and weekends he spent at the office had their price, which he paid dearly. He no longer has any friends or social life to speak of, but none of that matters when he’s finally given the chance for an executive promotion, one that will grant him the financial security he so desperately craves.

Kieron Parsons loves his life. He’s got a great family, friends he can count on, and a job that he enjoys. He works hard, but he also knows how to have fun, and for Kieron, there’s nothing more fun than teasing the sexy, surly man that comes into the deli every day for lunch. In fact, making the man blush has become the one thing he looks forward to most. He would love the chance to crack that hard exterior and see if there’s any sweetness inside.

When Shaw’s boss invites him to attend an exclusive company vacation for executives only, he is thrilled. That is, until his boss tells him how important it is to have a balanced work and personal life then asks who his guest will be. Worried that not having anyone might cost him the promotion, Shaw makes up a lie, using the only person he can think of, the outrageous guy who’s always flirting with him at the deli.

Thankfully, Kieron agrees to Shaw’s plan, posing as the uptight man’s boyfriend, but how are they supposed to convince everyone that they’re a couple when they barely know each other? Will Shaw’s rigid nature end up exposing their lie or will Kieron finally be able to convince him that there’s more to life than just work?

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

More To Life is a wonderful romance by Annabella Michaels. It's as sweet as can be and includes a whole lot of character growth.

Shaw needs a fake boyfriend for a beach business trip. Enter Kiernan, a stranger who loves to flirt with the businessman. 

Kiernan's may be a big flirt but he's nothing like Shaw expects. Seriously, I adore Kiernan. He's seriously a hoot, but there's so much beneath that layer.

 

It's great the way these two strangers slowly get to know one another, and ultimately fall in love. 

I love how Kiernan makes Shaw a better person. Shaw was nothing but business until Kiernan's able to show him that there's more to life than work. 

The ultimate theme is that not everyone is what you think they are. Opening up and showing someone the real you takes a lot of trust. But it can be well worth it. People have depth and can be way more than what they show the world. 

More to Life is a fabulous heartwarming, comfort read. I love everything about this Annabella Michaels romance. If you can overlook the way Shaw is so damn gruff at first, you will love this story. 

Maddie (Hamilton's Heroes #3) by Annabella Michaels

Amazon Link - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

Blurb

After witnessing firsthand just how dirty and underhanded a life in politics can be, Maddie Vanderhorne steps off the campaign trail to follow his passion. Starting his own event planning business is the best decision Maddie’s ever made, quickly winning over his clients with his vibrant and outgoing personality. That is, until he finds himself working alongside one very serious and seemingly impenetrable man.

Still haunted by the events of his past, Graham Ward has closed himself off from nearly everyone around him. He’s learned the hard way that letting people get too close only ends in heartache and disaster. Burying himself in his work and keeping everyone at a distance seems like the best solution. When his father comes to him with plans to announce his retirement, Graham knows that in order to take over his father’s role as head of the company, he must find a way to open himself up again.

When Graham steps up to host his father’s retirement party, the last thing he expects is the party planner to leave him feeling annoyed and perplexed. He’s never met anyone as vivacious and full of life as Maddie. He’s not quite sure how to respond to the boundless energy this man possesses - or the feelings Maddie seems to be resurrecting within him. Forced to work closely on this event, Maddie is determined to pull Graham out of his shell. But will opening himself up help Graham rediscover the man he once was; or will it leave him vulnerable to having his heart broken once again?

**This book is part of the Hamilton’s Heroes world but can be read as a standalone novel.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Annabella Michaels' Maddie, the third book in the Hamilton Heroes series, is an amazing romance. 

Graham's a man who's been barely living, isolating himself, closing himself off from being hurt again. He wants nothing to do with Graham, the party planner who's hired to work with him. But then...

One can't help but to be affected by Mattie. He's totally loveable, a complete breath of fresh air. He sees beauty in the world and helps Graham to look around him for a change. Be prepared for many sweet moments.

They make for a fantastic couple. Complete opposites in most ways, they do have a few things in common. Together they are intriguing, supportive, and absolutely romantic. The changes that Mattie bring out in Graham are inspiring.

Graham's family is wonderful. Their absolute support of Graham makes for some loving and tender scenes. They add greatly to the story and I love their involvement in everything.

Maddie is a story of finding someone who makes you feel again, someone who inspires you to live again. This Annabella Michaels' tale is fabulous. I love these guys and I love every second of their story.

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Clueless Cabot by André D. Michaels

Title: Clueless Cabot

Author: André D. Michaels

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: September 16, 2019

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 25900

Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, friends to lovers, first time, hurt-comfort, gay, bi, family drama

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Synopsis

Young gay professional Cabot MacCrae has been in love with his sexy best friend, Lloyd, since high school. They’re in perfect sync on almost everything. The only problem is that Lloyd is straight.

Cabot resigned himself long ago to pining hopelessly. Then Lloyd, a roofer, takes a bad fall and injures his collarbone. When he needs some TLC, there’s no question that Cabot will be the one to nurse his friend back to health. But Lloyd’s scantily clad presence in Cabot’s house brings out Cabot’s old longings.

But when Lloyd’s well-meaning mother and aunt fix Cabot up with a blind date, Lloyd reacts like a jealous boyfriend. Lloyd’s reaction makes Cabot wonder if those longings are as unrequited as he’s always assumed. What if Lloyd has been pining for him all these years? Has Cabot just been clueless all along?

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Clueless Cabot, by Andre D Michaels, is a tender story of two best friends who secretly love one another.

One is openly gay, the other is assumed to be straight.

I love the title, as yes, Cabot is often clueless, but he's definitely clueless about the way Lloyd feels about him. Cabot's long loved Lloyd, but can't make a move since his friend is straight. Poor Cabot. 

In reality though, this story frustrates me, as I don't know why it's all Cabot's fault for being clueless. Seriously, Lloyd is equally at fault.

Other than that, Clueless Cabot is a gentle, sweet, friends to lovers romance.

It's nothing great, but just sweet and more sweet, with some good humor added in as well.

Excerpt

Clueless Cabot
André D. Michaels © 2019
All Rights Reserved

DISH

Half an hour before Club Sandwich closed, Cabot McCrae knew he wasn’t going home with anybody. Once again, he’d sat in the corner, nursing his two drinks, eyeing the crowd for someone, anyone, who might be worth pursuing. And once again, as the ice cubes melted in the glass, he sat and did nothing while the few who drew his interest paired up with others and went off into the night. One or two drinks were sent his way, but the guys who sent them seemed creepy and stalkerish, and Cabot declined as politely as he could.

How the hell do guys find each other?

People talked about what a meat market this bar was, but if so, then Cabot was definitely not USDA Choice beef. Maybe not even leftover bologna.

“Thanks, Hank.” He dropped a five on the bar. Hank gave him a casual salute.

The cute Italian busboy didn’t even meet Cabot’s eye. The burly bouncer barely grunted as Cabot left the club. The darkness and cold, relative silence outside brought relief from the flashing lights, steamy heat, and pounding bass inside.

Cabot got in his car and checked his phone. Ring me, said the text from Lloyd.

At 1:45 in the morning, Cabot wasn’t about to call his best friend. He texted back: In the a.m. Beat, dude.

Immediately, Lloyd texted back. Understood. Hope you made out.

Cabot smiled grimly and started the car to head home. No, I didn’t make out. I never make out. Nobody wants to make out. But he wasn’t going to text that to Lloyd, either.

Lloyd always got lucky at the drop of a hat. He’d slept with more women than Cabot could count. He even juggled several girlfriends at a time, managing somehow to keep them all happy and coming back for more.

Not Cabot. He hadn’t gone on a date in—how many months? And he and good ol’ Rosie Palm were better acquainted than ever before.

The lights of the warehouse district behind him, he pulled into the garage below his apartment complex and parked the car. He sat there for several minutes, running his hands over his face. People tell me I’m cute, he kept repeating in his head. But he sure didn’t feel cute after one of these nights. No one talked to him. No one approached him.

No one wanted him.

His phone buzzed. Another text from Lloyd: Sweet dreams dude.

Back in his apartment, Cabot showered and padded naked into the kitchen. The blue calla lilies he’d bought himself were withered in the vase on the table.

He could have another drink. And unlike drinking at the bar, getting drunk at home wouldn’t make him go home with somebody he’d be embarrassed to wake up next to. Well, unless you counted waking up with yourself.

He virtually never wore clothes around the apartment. Nobody could see in. Nobody came to visit except Lloyd, and Cabot usually remembered to pull on some shorts or sweats when Lloyd visited. And when he didn’t remember, Lloyd didn’t care. Why would he? Lloyd was straight.

And besides, since he didn’t get much sex with anybody else, being a nudist at home gave him easy access to the one man who always enjoyed his lovemaking: himself.

His phone by the door buzzed again. Jesus, Lloyd, give it a rest already.

The text read: Yo dude, call me, man. Really.

Okay, that was scary. Cabot hit the call button.

“Hey,” said Lloyd’s sleepy voice.

“Hey. You okay, bro?”

“Sure. Kinda. No.”

“Okay, that’s three answers. What’s going on?”

“Just flirting with the nurse, man. He says I have to talk to you later.”

“Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. You’re flirting with a male nurse? What the hell is going on, Lloyd?”

“What? He’s cute.”

“Uh…you’re straight. What kind of drugs do they have you on?”

Lloyd sighed. “Just c’mon to the ER, man. Central MC. They’ll release me if I have a ride.”

“ER? What the fuck happened?”

“Tell you later. You gonna be my ride?”

“You got it, man. Be there in like five seconds. Four point nine.”

“Thanks, Cab.”

Cabot grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door, and then remembered he should probably put on pants. He pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and shoes and grabbed a clean shirt out of the drawer. No waiting for the elevator; he took the stairs.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Having held jobs as varied as wedding caterer, IT guru, nanny, construction worker, librarian, historical reenactor, screenplay consultant, and birthday party clown, André now writes poetry, plays, and romances and erotic fiction about men loving men. A lifelong bibliophile, André lives in a renovated 1800s parsonage in Ohio, with a variable number of cats and an invariable number of husband.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway

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Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 2

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Authors-

RG Alexander
May Archer
Macy Blake
Charlie Cochet
E Davies
E Finley
A Hendricks
Sloane Kennedy
Alexa Land
Lucy Lennox
Ruthie Luhnow
Annabella Michaels
KN Neuhold
Hailey Turner
Aimee Nicole Walker
Max Walker
AE Wasp

Blurb

Once upon a time, a bunch of M/M authors wondered… What if the Heart2Heart dating app put on a charity raffle in cities around the globe, and random guys in each location were paired up for an adventure? The dates could go terribly wrong…or spectacularly right.

Seventeen of your favorite gay romance authors have joined forces once again, bringing you back to the Heart2Heart world for more love and laughter just in time for the holidays. This collection of fun, sexy, and hot short stories features all-new characters once again chosen from your reader suggestions! From Boston to Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia and cities in between, these lucky raffle winners will learn love has a way of appearing when you least expect it.

Once again, all proceeds from this collection will go to the authors’ favorite LGBTQ charities, to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every single day of the year!

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

The Heart2Heart Anthology 2 is a great book for a fantastic cause. 

I love the idea of each author writing about the Heart2Heart app holding raffles in different cities. So much fun!!!

As I can't take the time to review every short story in the book, I will highlight a few.

Alexa Land - Oakland
Classic Alexa Land. So much so that we even get a little appearance by Skye and Dare! Their story is a fun example of not judging someone too quickly. And, of course, it has all the charm of an Alexa Land story.

KM Neuhold - Scotland
Two strangers winning a trip to Scotland together? How fun! And KM doesn't disappoint. Two complete opposites, one a workaholic, the other a free spirit. It's a sweet story of the two exploring Scotland together, while the workaholic slowly learns the wonder of living in the moment.

E Davies - Denver
A wonderful story of a trans man and an agoraphobic man. The men are so good together, complimenting one another well. It's fantastic how tender and gentle they are with each other as they help the other to overcome their obstacles. And, they are hot together too!

Ruthie Luhnow - Baltimore
I adore this story of Adam and Michael. It's a inspiring story of two complete opposites, one helping the other to come out of his shell. They end up being so good together.

Overall, each story is a great little read, and every purchase donates money to great causes.

Swap by Annabella Michaels

Amazon

Blurb:
When their daughter goes off to college, Samuel and his wife Gayle begin to take stock of their lives. Realizing they’re best friends and not in love with one another, the two agree to an amicable split. Nervous about jumping back into the dating world, they accept a friend’s invitation to attend a swap party.
Tossing their keys into a bowl and leaving it up to fate to decide who they’re paired with is too tempting to resist. But when Samuel is faced with an audacious young man who strikes up a conversation, the attraction to men he’s kept buried for so long comes rushing back.

At twenty-two years old, Oliver Hughes is one of the most sought after male models in the world. Sassy and bold, with a penchant for wearing high heels and a touch of makeup, Oliver’s life is what he always dreamed it could be. Except for one thing…
Yearning to fall in love and settle down, Oliver’s grown bored of meaningless hookups with shallow, fame seeking guys. While attending a swap party, his last-ditch effort to find someone who doesn’t know who he is when they meet, Oliver finds himself drawn to a handsome, older man. One who’s endearingly unaware of his own appeal.
As their relationship grows, something sinister and dark threatens what they’ve managed to build. What will it take for Oliver and Samuel to survive, and is their happily ever after doomed from the start?

REVIEW:

Wow. What a great story! I was immediately sucked into Swap by the blurb. It is a fantastic premise for a story. And Annabelle Michaels nailed it!  

I love how Samuel and Gayle are written. Their situation resonates with me, as I know people who have experienced similar paths, minus the swap party. It is a great idea for a story and leads to a wonderful book.

When they go to their first swap party, be prepared. There are some very hot scenes! It is at this party that Samuel and Oliver meet. Their attraction to each other is intense. And their experience there is HOT! 

One thing I really enjoy is the age difference between Samuel and Oliver. It exists but doesn't become an issue for them. Often, you find books with age differences to be one of the key parts of story. But, in Swap, it just is and never amounts to causing angst. 

This is a wonderful book. The love the way that Oliver's story is written. It is great to see that what appears to be a enviable career is not allows what it seems. This part is written remarkably well. It is detailed, develops more over time and is an integral part of the story. 

The amount of angst in this book is perfect.  It was well developed and kept me guessing, as well as adding so much to the story.

Ultimately, I completely enjoy Swap and recommend it to everyone who is open to reading some quick orgy descriptions.