Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) by Teodora Kostova

 

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"You hired my ex as my bodyguard?"

When Alec left NYC - left me - I was a broken mess. All my days blurred into a continuous haze of alcohol, parties, and meaningless hook-ups.
Until my sister nearly died in a car accident. Her recovery was the wake-up call I needed.
Now, three years later, I've cleaned up my act, sobered up, and finally became the son my father always wished I was - the heir of Van Dorf Media Group.
But being part of one of the most influential families in America has its disadvantages. Like fanatic supremacists trying to kill you.
My father's solution? Hire Alec Bonovich to protect me.
Doesn't matter that he's my ex.
Doesn't matter that just seeing him makes my pulse quicken.
Doesn't matter that he's the only man who's ever broken my heart.
Because Alec is the best.
And he’s the only one I trust to protect me when my life is in danger.


80,000 words.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Stoking the Fire is a riveting bodyguard romance by Teodora Kostova. The first book in the Salus Security series, it's a wonderful second chance tale.

Zach and Alec's romance starts in an easy manner, with everything developing quickly. It had me wondering what was going on, as things seemed too easy. 

Other than Zach's anxiety, that is. Being from a famous family, he's in the public eye. And the non stop criticism is drowning him with panic attacks. It's hard to see happen. 

And then. Oh man, their separation is devastating. 

But after that, things fast forward a few years. Zach's reclaiming his life for himself. He's removed himself from the public eye and goes about mostly unrecognized now. And Alec is no where to be seen.

Until Alec is hired as Zach's bodyguard. Ouch! 

Once they're reunited, it isn't easy. There's a lot of unresolved feelings and plenty of things to say. They also have to deal with danger. Worst of all though are all the things Alec doesn't know about.

Good god, Alec is so good for Zach. He saw what social media did to Zach and he is the only one who can get through to him to take care of himself. 

This is a tale where Zach essentially can't trust anyone. Except his sister and Alec. And oh man, his sister's situation is heart wrenching.

It's full of twists and turns, both in their relationship and in the danger aspect. It's a political power hungry read with threats, blackmail, and attempted murder.

I love the author's writing style, as well as the depth of her characters and storylines. It's written in first person pov, which is my preference. 

Overall, Stoking the Fire is a great second chance romance. Teodora Kostova excels in combining these complicated men and their romance with a lot of danger and a large, ever looming mystery. I'm excited to see what comes next in this series.

Butterfly Wishes by Teodora Kostova

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Goodreads Link

Blurb

First love never works out.
Right?
In school, Nico and King are best friends, and each other’s first love. But their lives take a different path and they lose touch.
Now, ten years later, King is a famous musician and Nico is trying to make a name for himself as a journalist. When King’s life starts falling apart, fate brings them together on a private island, and reignites old feelings.
Can they make it work this time?
Or are their worlds too far apart?

Butterfly Wishes is a stand-alone novella featuring friends to lovers, sweet moments on a private island, a tortured musician and a soft journalist, and a very cute dog.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Butterfly Wishes is a sweet romance. I enjoy Teodora Kostova's writing style and was immediately mesmerized by the tone of the story.

When we meet Nico, he's a teenager who's in love with his best friend, King. Soon, they lovers, but things don't work out. What follows is a wonderful second chance romance between two men who are two halves of a whole. 

Years later, King's a famous musician and Nico is sent to interview him. I enjoyed the set up for this immensely, and the devotion to reclaiming lost love. The author expertly sets up an atmospheric read that includes a whole lot of emotion, as these two men are clearly meant to be together. 

Both Nico and King are extremely loveable characters, and the re-development of their relationship is heartwarming and completely satisfying.

Theirs is a riveting tale of realizing that dreams don't always satisfy when you aren't with the one you love. It's a compelling tale of reclaiming the one you lost, as you can't live without him.

Butterfly Wishes is a beautiful and tender second chance romance. I love this book. Every single second of it. The writing is fabulous, with two amazing characters and a riveting storyline. I highly recommend it to any fan of second chances.

BOOK BLITZ - Hot Summer Nights (MM Romance Anthology)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link 

Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited 

Seven sizzling LGBT romances to fan the summer heat

Grab a cold drink and dive into these steamy stories covering a wide range of MM romance subgenres and tropes - from friends to lovers, second chances, and sexy ménages, to May-December pairings, werewolves, and even dragons.
There’s bound to be a story to catch your eye and make your hot, summer nights even hotter. You’ll also be helping us raise money for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention charity for LGBTQ+ youth.

Hurry up and get your copy of Hot Summer Nights right now to enjoy seven stories guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Butterfly Wishes by Teodora Kostova

In school, Nico and King are best friends, and each other’s first love. But their lives take a different path and they lose touch.
Now, King is a famous musician and Nico is trying to make a name for himself as a journalist. When King’s life starts falling apart, fate brings them together on a private island, and reignites old feelings.
Can they make it work this time? Or are their worlds too far apart?

Alpaca My Bags by JL Merrow

Silver fox Scott Riley is holidaying on the Isle of Wight with his newborn granddaughter and her parents following the breakup of his relationship. A bit of fun in the sun with rugged alpaca farmer, Ryan, could be just what the doctor ordered. But when both men realise this holiday fling could be the start of something more, they’ll need to work hard to counter Scott’s family’s misgivings—not to mention their own.

Alpha Mine by Aimee Brissay

Away from home and its escalating conflicts, the last thing Andrei needs is to fall for the newest member of the pack. But he can’t help lusting after Sorin.
As the alpha, he can’t afford to be distracted, but neither he nor Sorin seem able to resist the burning attraction between them. Will this connection prove to be too much of a risk?

Everybody in the Place by Suki Fleet

Alfie Adams comes at life sideways.
After unexpectedly losing his job in television, and having the script he’s worked so hard on unceremoniously dropped, Alfie turns up at his oldest friend, Jam’s, birthday party drunk, pretty sure his world has ended, and that he’s about to hit rock bottom with a bone-cracking thud.
But it’s funny how Jam’s little brother, Benji, seems to know exactly what Alfie needs. For the past twelve months Alfie has thrown himself into his job and tried hard not to think about beautiful punk-loving Benji—tried not to see how the sweet kid he used to look out for, and who used to trail so adoringly after him, has grown up into a big lad with an even bigger heart. As Alfie sobers up, he begins to see things with a new perspective, and Benji has his full attention.
If only Alfie can admit what it is he wants.

Good Boys Don’t by K.A.Merikan

Nate doesn’t fit in with his friends from church. He isn’t all that religious. He likes music his parents wouldn’t approve of. He’s gay. He’s determined to stay under the radar, but a chance meeting with a handsome biker who flirts Nate out of his modesty might throw those plans out of the window.

Heart of the Dragon by Alina Popescu

When a power-hungry king threatens to drown the world in blood, a bastard prince and a prisoner suspected of hiding mythical beasts find themselves in an unlikely alliance. Driven together by loneliness and undeniable attraction, they struggle to trust their choices and each other. Should they fail, neither will survive.

Not so Predictable by Jessie G

Oliver Tryst yearns for excitement, fun, and a reprieve from the endless winter blanketing Upstate New York. But when a cruise with his best pals turns into a solo trip to paradise, Oliver finds himself mustering with the winter fling he wished hadn’t gotten away. With his cautious heart thawing in the Caribbean sun, Oliver will have to decide if he can leave stability behind for a chance to turn his holiday hookup into a happily ever after.

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Grounded by Teodora Kostova

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Blurb

A chance encounter.
A passionate night.
An intense connection.

When medical student Shane Sanford and RAF pilot Greg Becker meet the air between them sizzles with mutual attraction. There’s nothing holding them back as they give in to their desire. But once their paths lead them into a different direction, neither of them can forget the intense connection they’d shared.
When fate brings them together again a year later, they have a choice to make: try and make a long-distance relationship work or let this be a one-night stand again.With war, tragedy and fear standing in their way, can Shane and Greg overcome the challenges life keeps throwing their way?
Is their bond strong enough to survive?
Is love enough?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

I wish I could give Teodora Kostova's Grounded ten stars. Five just doesn't seem enough. I found myself completely invested in this story of true love from the start.

The romance between Greg and Shane begins with a hot hook-up. As the months go by, they can't stop thinking about one another. So, when they run into each other again, they want to make things work between them. Their relationship is long distance, but goes on for years. They are completely in love; they just have to keep saying goodbye.

They help each other through tragedies, pain, and loss. There are broken hearts, and some scenes that will have you bawling. And that's all before the big complications get in their way, as a tragedy sets them on a new path. As real gets in the way, they face even more pain. And more goodbyes.

Grounded is a terrific tale of need and longing. The writing is masterful, as it's riveting and compelling, having me feel every single feeling, every single emotion, and every single scene. It is absolutely sensational and memorable. Basically, just read it! And then thank Teodora Kostova for this powerful story.