That Summer in Spain by Lawrence I. Hill

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Blurb

It wasn't just a role this time...

Xavier Duran is ready for the breakthrough film role of his career, and he thinks he's found it.

Not only does this new job take Xavier to the beautiful countryside of Spain, it also takes him right into the arms of his silver screen crush, Hollywood hunk, Dennis Herbert.

Dennis may be gorgeous but everyone knows he's straight.
Or is he?

Lines blur and soon Xavier can't tell if Dennis is just playing his lover or if he wants to take on the role off-screen as well. And what about Dennis' beautiful model girlfriend?

Xavier has been burned before, and he isn't sure he wants to be the secret lover again. He's certainly not ready to risk his feelings on something deeper.

But passion presides and soon Xavier and Dennis are tangled in a web of fraught emotions and uncertain advances.
Is this only a fling? Or is this the beginning of a real romance?

One thing's for certain, it's going to be a scorcher of a summer.


Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

That Summer in Spain is a great romance by Lawrence I Hill. 

Xavier and Dennis are two actors who are off to Spain for the summer to work on a movie. One's openly gay, the other has a girlfriend. Playing lovers onscreen soon starts to blur the lines between these co-stars. 

At the start, the reader learns of their sexual relationship, as well as the feelings that have evolved. I absolutely love the way it begins. And then it gets even better. Their chemistry is intense, and the development of their relationship is riveting. 

The writing is great, extremely emotional, fully pulling the reader into the emotions, including pain, hurt and intense need. 

Please take note of the warning however that the whole story is based on an affair. Avoid this book if that is a hard limit for you. 

That Summer in Spain is a wonderful story of finding what love really is. I definitely love this story. 

Gnarly (World of Love) by Mickie B. Ashling

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Blurb

Dr. Ed Hollingsworth, widowed for five years, returns to San Sebastián, Spain, after a thirty-year absence. He seeks out his first and only male lover, pro surfer Javi Elizalde.

After surviving a near-fatal shark attack, Javi turned his back on the sport he loves and became a recluse.

Iker Lizaso, professional jai alai player, finds himself at loose ends now that his contract has expired. Forced to retire at thirty-eight, he returned to his home in the Basque Country to figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

Three different men, encumbered by their past, converge in a city famous for its food, summer festivals, and romantic promenades. Can they find happiness together? It’ll be difficult, maybe even improbable, considering their backgrounds, but Cupid’s arrow usually hits the mark, and this particular strike might be epic.

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

When I start a book, I try to not look at the blurb, so I go into it with no clue what I'm about to read. (I read the blurbs when I buy a book or request an ARC. I'm not that crazy. lol) Thus, Gnarly, by Mickie B Ashling, is nothing like I was expecting.

From the cover, I certainly wasn't expecting a menage romance, but, luckily, that is exactly what I got. 

I found the beginning to be a little awkward, as the author packs in so much background information. There's the description of Ed and Javi's relationship 30 years ago and Ed's years since. Once we are all caught up and start with the present, the story really grabbed my interest.  

Ed left Spain 30 years ago, and hasn't spoken to Javi since, but he's back trying to find him. The Javi he finds is a mere shell of the man he used to be. Back then, Javi was a surfer and he went on to become famous. But, now, he's a depressed, washed up has-been, after losing his foot to a shark. 

With Ed's visit, and strong words, Javi is inspired to live again. Ed's able to jumpstart Javi's life again, as Javi realizes he's still got things to appreciate in this life, mainly Ed.

But there's also fear. As much as he's happy to have Ed back, he's terrified that Ed will leave again. He's still hurt from the 30 years of silence.

The changes in Javi from the beginning to the end are amazing. I absolutely came to love Javi. He's so insightful and so loving. And the strength in his love for Ed is stellar. 

One of my favorite parts is the cuddling between Ed and Javi. Honestly, it's so damn sweet and tender. 

Now, add in Iker, who's a much younger lifeguard and things get more interesting. The way the addition of Iker is handled is unique and completely impressive. I certainly never expected any of it. And I found it romantic and enchanting. 

Gnarly is an impressive tale of facing your fears and overcoming challenges. It's a second chance story, not just of love, but also life.