BOOK BLAST & REVIEW - Born to be Wild (The Born Series #4) by AL Simpson

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Born to be Wild

Author: A.L. Simpson

Publisher: Cocky Romance Publishing

Cover Artist: Susan Horsnell

Genre/s: M/M Contemporary

Length: 61,482 words/331 pages

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Blurb 

Strong-willed.
Defiant.
Wild – Liam was born that way.
He's running from his past when he meets Jake, the owner of a gay club where beautiful men earn money by pole dancing.
Liam has nowhere to go so, what has he got to lose by taking up Jake's offer to dance. With somewhere to live, money and new friends, his life appears to have taken a turn for the best.
So, what sends Liam plunging into darkness once again?
Can Jake bring him back into the light, this time for good?

***Can be read as a standalone story***

REVIEW

My Rating - 5 Stars!

I love absolutely everything about Born To Be Wild. It is downright amazing! As the 4th book in AL Simpson's Born series, it picks up where Born To Achieve leaves off, with Liam on the run from his family, and his family desperately looking for him.

Liam is a broken man, after running away from home following a tragic event for which he blames himself. Twice he manages to find help from a stranger and starts to make something of himself. But, each time his brother finds him, his first thought is to run.

His life starts to change for the better when he is offered a chance to dance at a club. He's young, has no dance experience, but gives the job a chance. 

The description of his dancing is mesmerizing, as it's so well written, transporting you completely to Liam's world, believing you are seeing this beautiful dance for yourself. 

The evolution of his dancing, as well as his life, is beautiful to witness. Liam's level of guilt and shame leads him to make some bad choices, and limits his ability to open his heart fully.

The relationship that develops between Liam and his boss, Jake, is tender and inspiring. Jake tries to fight his attraction to the young dancer, but eventually he longer can.

After becoming a couple, they still have some struggles they will need to face. One of the biggest issues ahead for them is Liam's inability to forgive himself. He can't survive long carrying around all that guilt.

For those who haven't yet read the series, the relationship between Liam and his family is revealed over time, leaving the reader heart-broken for everything Liam has endured. I really appreciated this part, as often families make a child feel bad about themselves despite a lot of it being a misunderstanding. I found this to be very well written and very realistic.

With Born to be Wild, AL Simpson has created a spectacular and strong romance, that is heart-breaking, emotional and dynamic. I am thrilled to have found this book, and highly suggest you check it out for yourselves. 

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon AU

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Excerpt

Present Day

LIAM

The lights of the club dimmed. A spotlight appeared over center stage and a voice boomed over the loudspeakers.

“And, now please welcome the main attraction of the Velvet Post. Our very own Devil in disguise – Lee!”

Chatter ceased. Not a sound filtered through from the main area of the club where I waited beneath the stage. You could have heard a pin drop.

I gripped the pole, propelled myself almost to the top and wrapped one leg securely around the shimmering post, resting my other booted foot against my knee.

“Ready?” Pedro asked.

I nodded. Music thundered as the platform I was on began to rise. I didn’t need to glance up to know thick smoke billowed above me. I would emerge from it like I had done every night for the past three years.

I waited until my torso had cleared the floor of the stage and pressed a small button on the edge of my wings. The enormous wings eased open and scattered red lights flashed amongst the black feathers. The platform continued to rise and gripping the pole with my right arm and foot, I stretched out my left leg and arm until I was in a spread-eagled position. The smoke thinned and wafted away as the platform clicked and locked into place at stage level.

Men whistled and surged forward as I twisted erotically and slowly slid from the pole. The club was packed; I would make good money tonight.

About the Author 

I live in sunny Queensland, Australia and retired after 37 years of Nursing.

My husband of 44 years, together with our elderly Jack Russell Terrier and extremely opinionated 26-year-old Cockatiel, enjoy exploring the country with our caravan.

When we are at home, we spend our time renovating our home.

I write a variety of stories including Male/Male, Menage and Shapeshifter.

Each book has a strong focus on story line with romantic interest building throughout.

I explore real life issues from kids on the streets to motorcycle war and put my own twist on each one.

I hope you take the opportunity to check out my offerings.

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Also Reviewed - 

Book 1 -  Born To Sin

Book 2 -  Born To Be Different

Book 3 -  Born To Achieve

MF - Born To Achieve (Born #3) by AL Simpson

Amazon Link
Goodreads Link


Blurb

(First published as Born to Achieve on April 29 2016)

STEVE

I didn’t have the best of starts in life but, at seven years old everything changed.

My mother died from a drug overdose and I was taken in by Hamish, a man who loved me like no other had.

When he married Blossom, I found out what it was to have a real mother. A woman who loved me unconditionally. Nursed me through illness, laughed when I laughed and soothed me when I cried.

I’m an adult now with degrees in Social Work and Psychology. Now I’m back in the ’hood giving those who need it, my help.

It’s here I meet Keegan. A woman who will test me and turn my peaceful life upside down.


KEEGAN

I’ve been betrayed. I’m broken, lost the will to live, care about nothing and no-one.

I have no-one to turn to and nowhere to go. I risk living out on the streets at the mercy of criminals and gangs.

Then, I meet Steve, he steps up to help me. I have never known such kindness and caring. Slowly I learn to live and trust again.

Will fate intervene and tear the fledgling love they have for each other, apart?

Can Keegan survive the tragedy that befalls her at the hands of her two timing ex?

Published by Susan Horsnell t/a Cocky Romance Publishing

REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

What can I say except, Steve!!! Introduced to us as Jonesy in Born To Sin, Steve is now grown up and we get his story in Born To Achieve. This Born Series by AL Simpson is addicting and I have been happily binging on them.

Now an adult, Steve works to help out people, especially those who are experiencing the issues he did as a child. "I want to be able to help improve lives. I care so much, and I want to show kids like those in the 'hood that there is a better way of life..." And this is what makes Steve so special! I loved him as young Jonesy, and now I love him even more.

So when he meets up with an angry young woman who's sitting in  the middle of traffic, he wants to help. That woman, Keegan, has not had an easy life, for sure. Abused by her uncle, and her now ex-boyfriend, she thinks it's normal. "We argued and fought, sometimes he even hit me, but that's normal. Right? All men do it when their partners annoy them."

Now, at the age of twenty, she's not only homeless, but also pregnant, without any money to her name. And Steve wants to help her.

These two have something special together. It is effortless in some ways, and groundbreaking for them in others.

One of the most fun things about this story is the nude beach and the complete openness about sex. We first read about that nude beach back in Born to Sin, and now Hamish's kids go often to the beach. Most families would not discuss their son's physical reactions to a woman the way this family does. It awkward, yet very funny.

Relationships are a key part of this story. In addition to the building relationship between Steve and Keegan, we also see the beautiful relationship between Blossom and Keegan. Blossom she is very open, supportive and loving towards Keegan. We also see Liam's relationship with his family, as he is jealous of all the love and praise that they give to Steve.

This story contains some difficult to read scenes, a tragedy, and some intense chemistry.

Steve and Blossom are an interesting mix of innocence as well as having grown up too quickly. I love the way AL Simpson crafted this part of the story, as it is well developed and very interesting.

Born To Achieve is written with genuineness, honesty, and relevance. It is a wonderful emotional ride as we follow along with this 3rd book of AL Simpson's Born Series. This book holds up to the wonderfulness of the rest of the series. 

Also Reviewed - 

Book 1 -  Born To Sin

Book 2 -  Born To Be Different

Born To Be Different (Born Series #2) by AL Simpson

Amazon Link
Goodreads Link


Blurb

(First published as Born to be Different on March 20 2016)

WADE

I was Born to be Different.

My parents and sister did their best to change me but I needed to be true to myself. I wasn’t wrong, I was different. This was what my first lover taught me.

When he was taken from me, I spent eleven years on my own.

Sure, I had casual relationships but I thought I would never fall in love again.

Then, Rafe came into my life. Well, not really, he’d actually been in it for a long time. We just hadn’t noticed each other in that way.

We quickly fell into a passionate relationship and everything appeared to be great. Unfortunately past lovers couldn’t let go and our lives could have crumbled around us.

With the love of each other, family and friends, we determine to conquer adversity.


RAFE

I have been in a long term relationship with a man I have found out is betraying me. My heart has been broken.

I have known Wade for many years but when his own relationship breaks down, around the same time as mine, we are drawn to each other.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize, we were always meant to be.

Wade is everything George wasn’t. Attentive, gentle and man can he love.

Will our pasts come back to tear us apart?

Or together, will we not only make it through, but become even stronger?

Published by Susan Horsnell t/a Cocky Romance Publishing



REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Born To Be Different is a fantastic Friends-to-Lovers romance by AL Simpson.

I enjoyed this story from the get-go, as I had already fallen for Wade in Book 1, Born To Sin. I am thrilled to get to read his story. I'll admit that I was shocked that he ends up with Rafe, as I assumed he'd be with Mason. Definitely a fun curveball.

Wade's backstory, being taken in by his ex when he was young, is just beautiful. I questioned it at first, as anyone would, but the love that developed between them is all-consuming. I was sad when he his first ex died, and am thrilled to see him find love again.

Upon meeting Rafe, I wasn't expecting him to end up with Wade, but I am thrilled that he did. I thought they would have just a brief fling, but thankfully I was wrong. Rafe and Wade have been friends for years, and them falling in love is perfect for them. Their romance is just a delight that will leave you feeling good.

As for the crazy, recent exes, so sad. They certainly don't go gently into the night. These parts were definitely not an easy read.

Once again, AL Simpson treats up to a fantastic romance, full of some light action, some suspense and our favorite characters from Born To Sin. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes series with both MF and MM romances. If you're strickly a MM fan, be sure to at least check out this one and Book 4, Born To Be Wild!









Also Reviewed - 
Book 1 -  Born To Sin

BLAST & REVIEW - Broken Bastard by AL Simpson

Book Title: Broken Bastard Author: A.L. Simpson Publisher: Published by Susan Horsnell t/a Cocky Romance Publishing A.B.N. 57 357 599 847 Cover Artist: Susan Horsnell Genre/s: M/M, Contemporary Length:  265 pages

Goodreads Link

 

Blurb

Present Day

My name is Tyler Maxwell Alexander. 

I'm twenty-eight years old. 

A few months ago, I had it all. 

An executive job in a prestigious investment firm owned by my father. Ha! Yeah, right - father. I'll explain about that later. 

I lived in a waterfront apartment overlooking the harbor and drove a Mercedes convertible. 

Then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. 

All of it. 

Everything, except the f***ing clothes on my back. 

I was broken. 

A bastard. 

Did I mention, I'm gay? 

No? Oh well, I have now. 

This is the story of how my fairytale life turned to s**t in the blink of an eye….

REVIEW

My Rating - 5 stars!

Broken Bastard is my first time reading a novel by AL Simpson. I had no idea what to expect going into it, and I have to admit I was impressed.

Tyler is a fascinating character. He's been raised and living in luxury. He works for his father, and with his brother, but they are both hostile towards him. Too bad for Tyler that they are actually vindictive, as he soon finds out.

I find this to be an absolutely riveting and emotional story. I don't want to give away any of the plot, but let's just say, it is an interesting journey of someone hitting absolute rock bottom and managing to somehow survive. It is a compelling turn when he finds someone who believes in him and wants to help him. 

This book takes twists and turns that kept me surprised and on the edge of my seat. I find myself constantly changing from being content, sad, mad, concerned, happy, etc. 

I am thrilled to have found this little gem by AL Simpson. Broken Bastard  is not an easy read, but it is interesting and well worth the ride.

Excerpt

© A.L. Simpson 2018

I spend the rest of the afternoon working on the Murphy account. A couple in their mid-fifties, like my dad, who want to earn a little extra money to help make their retirement a comfortable one. They want a third of their funds in safe investments, forty percent in low risk and the last thirty percent in high risk.

Maxine and Thomas Murphy are a nice couple and I enjoy our chats when they come to my office. They are the typical mom and dad investors our firm caters to and have one hundred and twenty thousand dollars to invest. Not much to a business like ours. It's five in the evening when I close the file, satisfied I have placed their money wisely.

My phone buzzes and I smile as the message flashes on the screen. It's Ryan. "Good for tonight? 6pm at Riccardo's?"

I text back, "yes" before pushing the chair back and standing. The files, previously scattered all over my desk, are placed back in their folders in a walnut cabinet by the wall. I check nothing is left out before turning the key in the lock to secure them for the night. That's something else that pisses me off - dad will only allow old fashioned hardcopy files. He doesn't know, that against his instructions, I also have them on my computer. I swear to fucking God, my father and brother are dinosaurs. 

I leave my office and am halfway down the hallway to the elevator when dad calls from behind. I groan, wondering what he'll want now. Turning around, I wait for him to approach.

"Dad?"

"Where are you going?"

"Out for a drink with a friend." Not that it's any of your fucking business. 

He raises an eyebrow. "Girlfriend?"

Yeah, nope, he doesn't know I'm gay. None of my family are privy to that tidbit of information. While mom and my brother would not take it well, dad would fucking lose it. He's by far the worst bigot I know. I can see it now, the explosion of his temper would catapult us into the fucking stratosphere. Nope, definitely not going to give him that piece of information anytime soon, if ever.

"No, friend from school. Why?"

Dad shoves his hands in the pockets of his Guccipants and lowers his eyes to the floor. 

I follow his line of sight wondering what is suddenly so interesting down there. His feet shuffle about and I wonder what he is so nervous about. 

"Dad?"

He lifts his eyes to mine and licks his lips. Hmmm, definitely nervous.

"Samuel didn't get the account."

"I could say, I told you so." I'm a smug sonofabitch. He's taught me some things well.

"Yeah, well there's more." Dad swallows so hard, his Adam's apple moves from the bottom of his throat to the top at the speed of an express elevator. "Pope wants to leave four hundred thousand with us, like he told you, for high risk investment. The rest he is taking from us. He will only stay if you handle his account."

"Why me? You said yourself, Samuel would do a better job." I can't resist throwing his earlier sarcastic words back in his face. 

"He said he'll go high risk and pay our thirty percent only with you because you've never let him down. He only trusts you."

I lean against the wall, cross one leg over the other and fold my arms over my chest. "You said the account was no longer mine so I'm focusing on other clients now." I'm enjoying doing this to the fucker, making him sweat. As an executive of the company, I can accept or refuse any account as I see fit. Dad knows this and he also knows, he's rubbed me the wrong way.

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

 Amazon US  Amazon UK  Amazon CA  Amazon AU

About the Author 

I write Hot Contemporary Romance, M/M, Menage, BDSM and Shapeshifter under my pen name - A.L. Simpson.

I have panty melting m/f romance and c*** hardening m/m romance where they always experience adversity but eventually find their way to each other.

The lovin' is HOT and not for the faint hearted. I have a story where the men's coming together in Greece is actually true but we threw in some gun running, murder and drugs to make things a whole lot more interesting. (Destined to Shatter)

In my menage, a m/m/f the heroine refused to stay around so she dies a gut-wrenching death leaving the men to cope with a new-born babe. Life got a whole lot more interesting for them. (Diamond Rainbow.)

My shapeshifter takes the form of an Eagle and is out to save the heroine from a drug cartel deep in the forest of South America. (When Eagles Soar)

The Born Series covers social issues and what it's like to be raised in an unsavory area. I explore the mindset of never being good enough.

The Broken Series has Broken Bastard out and Broken Bitch. These books are about people who are pushed until they break. Book 1 is a m/m. Book 2 is MC.

Other books on offer have a mistreated, disfigured heroine, a strange cult, a disabled friend and so much more.

I hope you take the opportunity to check out my offerings.

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