Showing posts with label bakery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bakery. Show all posts

Thursday, March 3, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - MF - The Score Keeper (Boston Hawks Hockey #9) by Gina Azzi

 

Release Date: March 3

Boston Hawks owner Scott Reland is my father’s biggest rival and the last man who should catch my eye. But when he does, I don’t look away.

 

We’ve circled each other for years, two outliers in a small club of NHL owners. We know the rules, manage similar pressures, and understand that this lifestyle — hockey over everything — isn’t for everyone. 

 

Which is why I want out. 

 

To prove to my father that I have a future beyond the New York Sharks, I score one for me and open a bakery in Boston, the city that reveres Scott. 

It isn’t long until the dynamic and perceptive Hawk pursues me. And I’m entirely unprepared to be swept off my feet, cared for and supported after so many years on my own. Scott easily draws me back into the hockey life I thought I didn’t want. 

 

But can our relationship survive the demands of this industry? Or will I always be keeping score, second to the game that dictates everything?

Grab Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Google Play 









My Rating - 5  Stars!

The Score Keeper is the ninth book in the Boston Hawks Hockey series by Gina Azzi. This is easily read as a standalone. And Wow! I love this book. 

Scott and Noelle's tale is a forbidden romance, as Noelle's father is Scott's rival. 

This story is full of tension between Noelle and her father. Not only does he not want her with Scott, she also has to deal with his expectations. 

Noelle owns a bakery and loves her job. But her dad wants her to take over his team someday. His treatment of her is awful and I was constantly feeling bad for her. 

This is a fabulous read. It's hot, steamy, and has plenty of underlying angst. 

I love the Boston Hawks players and their wives. This whole series is a must read for fans of sports romances. 

The Score Keeper is a riveting and compelling romance. I love every minute of this sports romance and couldn't put it down. 









I’m Gina Azzi, a book-obsessed, coffee-drinking, globetrotting, mama of soon-to-be three! I write sweet with a dash of spicy New Adult and Contemporary Romance full of good men putting in work to win the hearts of even better women.

A total Jersey girl at heart, I struggle with insatiable wanderlust and currently reside in Ontario, Canada with my family. 

 

When I’m not dreaming up storylines or writing all the words, you can find me hanging with my littles, attempting to bake, or planning my next adventure.

 

Connect with me on social media or at ginaazziauthor@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Happy Reading!

Xo,

Gina


Connect with Gina Azzi

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Reader GroupTwitter | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads    Amazon Author Page



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Wednesday, January 13, 2021

BLOG TOUR & REVIEW - Roommate by Sarina Bowen

 


Goodreads


Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.  

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. 

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: a room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread. 

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me. 

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another fresh-baked pretzel. But if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.

Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart…

_______________________________________________________________________________



My Rating - 5 Stars!

Sabrina Bowen's Roommate is a wonderful small town romance. I was thrilled to hear she was writing a new mm romance, as she's long been one of my favorite authors. 

This book has a lot to love. For one, it's part of the True North world that includes all the Shipley family. Love it. And if you haven't yet read the True North books, fear not; it's easily read as a standalone.

Roderick's back in town, homeless and thankful to be given a chance at the bakery. With Roderick back in town, Kieran is embarrassed and nervous to be around the other man.

It's slow going for these men, as Kieran and Roderick have a messy past. I love the natural progression of things for the men. 

Both men are wonderful, and so stinking vulnerable. Each man truly needs the other to heal and become the man they want to be. Keirnan's anxiety is endearing, totally sweet. And  Roderick, poor Roderick, his past is painful, with a life of full of never fitting in, always being rejected. 

The family issues for Roderick make for a tough read. He's a man who's never been accepted by his father. His father's always favored Kyle, saving all the complaints for Roderick. 

He's  closeted, completely afraid to be out and truthful with the world. 

And the sex scenes are a fabulous combo of heat and emotion. 

There's something special about the cooking lessons. Not only did these scenes help bring the men closer together, but they are sweet scenes. 

And damn, the family secrets and the tension between Kieran and his brother had me riveted. These moments are super emotional. 

As for William, the sourdough starter, I couldn't stop laughing. Out starter is named Bartholomew. 

It's no surprise that I love the writing style and the tone. The characters are both well developed and their storyline wonderful. And holy crap, the last third of the book had me consumed with every word. Every single moment had my heart beating fast. It was wonderful!!!

Roommate is everything I was hoping it would be. I can't wait to see what comes next in this multi-author small town series. I love everything about this book. 

_______________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________________________________________

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon  * Apple

Kobo   * Nook

Audible


_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________


RELEASE WEEK EXCERPT:

Back at home, I do all the chores and then some. 

First I put the cows in the north pasture. Moving cows is easy enough in good weather. It only requires me to move the portable fence and wave them through the opening. “Go on, enjoy,” I say as they file past me eagerly. Our herd is grass fed, and they don’t need to be asked twice. The long, seedy grass and corn stalks I’m offering are like a recently freshened, all-you-can-eat buffet.

Let’s face it—the cows are easier to handle than any of my family members. They go where they’re needed, no questions asked. But my dog—Rexie—gives the cows a nice loud woof just to pretend he’s working hard. 

After the cow parade, I close up the fence and turn the electricity on. After that, I spend forty-five minutes raking cow shit out of the lower farmyard in the dark. 

It’s boring drudge work, and my mind starts to wander. And, fuck, it wanders right to Roderick Waites—the guy who climbed out of a blue Volkswagen and right back into my brain.

I wish I could say I haven’t thought about him since high school, but that would be a lie. And if I were a more spiritual person, I’d probably interpret Roderick’s reappearance in town as a sign. A wakeup call.

Nobody knows all the tangled things in my brain, but for a split second when I was a teenager, Roderick came close to learning one of my biggest secrets. 

The first time I saw him on his knees in front of another guy, it was an accident. 

It was autumn then, too. I’d been at a high school football game. It was chilly that night and, last second before leaving for the game, I’d grabbed my dad’s jacket from the hook by the door. After shoving my hands into the pockets while standing on the windy sidelines, I’d found a flask of whiskey. My father must have last worn the jacket when he was sitting out in the deer blind with his pals. Bonus

But, of course, I’d had to sneak around to find a place to take a taste. 

Leaving the crowd and the game, I ducked inside the door to the school’s gym. Under the cover of the bleachers, I drew out my dad’s flask, and unscrewed the top. Just as I raised it to my lips, I froze at the sound of whispered voices. Whoever was speaking had entered the gym at the other end of the bleachers. 

Their shadowy figures weren’t easily visible. But I guessed it was a couple looking for a little privacy for a make-out session. And since a couple sneaking off together wasn’t a threat to me, I stood my ground. 

I took a swallow of my father’s hooch. My first sip wasn’t life-changing—it burned going down and made my eyes water—it’s what happened next that changed everything. 

After screwing the lid on the flask and pocketing it, I ducked out of the gym and into the hallway. Feeling nosy, I walked toward the gym’s other entrance, noiseless in my Nikes. When I reached the door, I eased into a position that allowed me to spy on the couple I’d heard whispering to each other. They were silent now, and I wanted to know why. 

When I saw who it was, I swear my heart almost stopped. A varsity soccer player—Jared Harvey—stood beneath the bleachers, bracing his hands on a tread overhead. Roderick Waites knelt in front of him, unzipping Jared’s jeans. 

You can bet I didn’t even blink for the next five minutes…

_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________





Tuesday, January 12, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ - Roommate by Sarina Bowen

 


Goodreads


Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.  

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. 

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: a room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread. 

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me. 

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another fresh-baked pretzel. But if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.

Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart…

_______________________________________________________________________________



My Rating - 5 Stars!

Sabrina Bowen's Roommate is a wonderful small town romance. I was thrilled to hear she was writing a new mm romance, as she's long been one of my favorite authors. 

This book has a lot to love. For one, it's part of the True North world that includes all the Shipley family. Love it. And if you haven't yet read the True North books, fear not; it's easily read as a standalone.

Roderick's back in town, homeless and thankful to be given a chance at the bakery. With Roderick back in town, Kieran is embarrassed and nervous to be around the other man.

It's slow going for these men, as Kieran and Roderick have a messy past. I love the natural progression of things for the men. 

Both men are wonderful, and so stinking vulnerable. Each man truly needs the other to heal and become the man they want to be. Keirnan's anxiety is endearing, totally sweet. And  Roderick, poor Roderick, his past is painful, with a life of full of never fitting in, always being rejected. 

The family issues for Roderick make for a tough read. He's a man who's never been accepted by his father. His father's always favored Kyle, saving all the complaints for Roderick. 

He's  closeted, completely afraid to be out and truthful with the world. 

And the sex scenes are a fabulous combo of heat and emotion. 

There's something special about the cooking lessons. Not only did these scenes help bring the men closer together, but they are sweet scenes. 

And damn, the family secrets and the tension between Kieran and his brother had me riveted. These moments are super emotional. 

As for William, the sourdough starter, I couldn't stop laughing. Out starter is named Bartholomew. 

It's no surprise that I love the writing style and the tone. The characters are both well developed and their storyline wonderful. And holy crap, the last third of the book had me consumed with every word. Every single moment had my heart beating fast. It was wonderful!!!

Roommate is everything I was hoping it would be. I can't wait to see what comes next in this multi-author small town series. I love everything about this book. 

_______________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________________________________________

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon  * Apple

Kobo   * Nook

Audible


_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________


RELEASE WEEK EXCERPT:

Back at home, I do all the chores and then some. 

First I put the cows in the north pasture. Moving cows is easy enough in good weather. It only requires me to move the portable fence and wave them through the opening. “Go on, enjoy,” I say as they file past me eagerly. Our herd is grass fed, and they don’t need to be asked twice. The long, seedy grass and corn stalks I’m offering are like a recently freshened, all-you-can-eat buffet.

Let’s face it—the cows are easier to handle than any of my family members. They go where they’re needed, no questions asked. But my dog—Rexie—gives the cows a nice loud woof just to pretend he’s working hard. 

After the cow parade, I close up the fence and turn the electricity on. After that, I spend forty-five minutes raking cow shit out of the lower farmyard in the dark. 

It’s boring drudge work, and my mind starts to wander. And, fuck, it wanders right to Roderick Waites—the guy who climbed out of a blue Volkswagen and right back into my brain.

I wish I could say I haven’t thought about him since high school, but that would be a lie. And if I were a more spiritual person, I’d probably interpret Roderick’s reappearance in town as a sign. A wakeup call.

Nobody knows all the tangled things in my brain, but for a split second when I was a teenager, Roderick came close to learning one of my biggest secrets. 

The first time I saw him on his knees in front of another guy, it was an accident. 

It was autumn then, too. I’d been at a high school football game. It was chilly that night and, last second before leaving for the game, I’d grabbed my dad’s jacket from the hook by the door. After shoving my hands into the pockets while standing on the windy sidelines, I’d found a flask of whiskey. My father must have last worn the jacket when he was sitting out in the deer blind with his pals. Bonus

But, of course, I’d had to sneak around to find a place to take a taste. 

Leaving the crowd and the game, I ducked inside the door to the school’s gym. Under the cover of the bleachers, I drew out my dad’s flask, and unscrewed the top. Just as I raised it to my lips, I froze at the sound of whispered voices. Whoever was speaking had entered the gym at the other end of the bleachers. 

Their shadowy figures weren’t easily visible. But I guessed it was a couple looking for a little privacy for a make-out session. And since a couple sneaking off together wasn’t a threat to me, I stood my ground. 

I took a swallow of my father’s hooch. My first sip wasn’t life-changing—it burned going down and made my eyes water—it’s what happened next that changed everything. 

After screwing the lid on the flask and pocketing it, I ducked out of the gym and into the hallway. Feeling nosy, I walked toward the gym’s other entrance, noiseless in my Nikes. When I reached the door, I eased into a position that allowed me to spy on the couple I’d heard whispering to each other. They were silent now, and I wanted to know why. 

When I saw who it was, I swear my heart almost stopped. A varsity soccer player—Jared Harvey—stood beneath the bleachers, bracing his hands on a tread overhead. Roderick Waites knelt in front of him, unzipping Jared’s jeans. 

You can bet I didn’t even blink for the next five minutes…

_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________





Tuesday, April 21, 2020

RE-RELEASE BLITZ, GIVEAWAY, & REVIEW - The Play of His Life by Amy Aislin

The Play of His Life Banner

Re-Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:

The Play Of His Life by Amy Aislin

playlife-aislin-ebook

Amazon US  *  Universal Link


________________________________________________________________________________



The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he's still in love with the jerk?

Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he's got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian's life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him...



Teaser 2



My Rating - 4.5 Stars!


The Play of His Life is a sweet second chance romance. 

Riley's an ex hockey player who now owns a bakery after an injury ended his NHL career. When he sees Christian again, the attraction is still there, and their connection is easily restored. Years ago, Riley choose hockey, but now he has a second chance with Christian, and he isn't going to pass it by. 

Their relationship if fabulous, as their friendship rekindles quickly, followed by their romance rekindling too. My favorite aspects of this story are the little things; snuggling on the couch, the necklaces, the presents. Everything is just perfectly developed. 

This is a story of two men who desperately belong together, but have to right some wrongs before anything can happen. 

Overall, I love The Play of His Life and I wouldn't change a thing. This Amy Aislin story is perfect to snuggle up on the couch with for a while. Definitely give it a chance when you're in the mood for a low angst, sweet read.



Teaser 1


When Riley screwed up an order because he was busy thinking about trying not to think about Christian, he pretended this day was the same as any other and that Christian was still in Vancouver and went about his business.

Christian’s gruff laughter from the back shot that plan to hell.

It was almost an hour later that the line disappeared, though a few people remained at the tables.

“Is it just me, or was that busier than normal?” his other part-timer, Henry, asked. Henry was a seventy-year-old retired army vet who only worked Tuesdays and Fridays because those were the days his wife hosted her knitting club and it was either get the hell out of the house or listen to them talk about the misadventures of their various grandkids.

“Everything’s crazier at the holidays,” Riley replied, wiping down the drinks counter.

Henry started wiping down the small counter that held the condiments. “Should’ve seen the fight that broke out over a parking spot at the Toys “R” Us yesterday. Thought I was going to have to use my army general’s voice.”

Riley had heard Henry’s army general voice. It was terrifying.

Speaking of terrifying voices, where was Christian? Not that his voice was terrifying, but his grumpiness had been known to scare a kid or two.

Riley turned and there Christian was, standing in the doorway to the kitchen, hands on his hips. He wore one of Warm Glow’s green aprons over jeans and a dark blue T-shirt. Just the sight of him made Riley’s heart flip.

Christian had always been a big guy, but Riley had forgotten just how imposing he could be when he scowled that way. And what was with his pouf hairstyle? A pompadour, was it? Riley had seen hairstyles like that on guys before and thought those men should be on the cover of cheesy romance novels. But Christian pulled it off, probably because he could scowl anybody into liking anything.
“Is it my turn to order now?” Christian asked.

It made Riley laugh and the tension drained from his shoulders. “Sure, what do you want?”

“What’s good?”

“Seriously? You’re asking me that in my own bakery? Everything’s good. The salad—”

“What guy likes salad?” Christian interrupted. He said “salad” like “peas”—which Riley knew Christian hated more than any food ever.

“I like salad,” Riley said, slightly offended. Warm Glow’s salads were good, damn it!

“Me, too,” Henry said, coming around the counter to grab a wet cloth. “Know why?”

“Because you’re turning over a new leaf?” Christian suggested.

Riley just looked at him.

“What?” Christian said. “That was funny.”

“That was as lame as ever.”

“I thought it was funny,” Henry said.

“Me, too,” piped in a customer adding milk to his coffee.

Christian raised an eyebrow at Riley like, see?

“Awww,” Riley gushed. “You have fans.”

That got Christian scowling again.


IG Teaser 2

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the re-release of The Play Of His Life, 
Amy is giving away a $20 Amazon Voucher!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!



Out Now Winter




IMG_20191029_175329


Amy's lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she's read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she's been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn't at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada's largest environmental non-profit.

An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group, Amy Aislin’s Readers, to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her newsletter.



grr-tours-promo


Monday, July 15, 2019

GRL 2019 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Anticipating Rejection (Anticipation #2) by Silvia Violet


In my attempt to explore some of the attending authors for this year's GRL,
I am reviewing 

Silvia Violet's 
Anticipating Rejection!








BLURB

Del is now a single dad, and for the sake of his young daughter, he's moving back to his parents’ ranch. Returning to Anticipation means seeing Noah again—the man who was his best friend and then so much more. Del enjoyed surrendering control to Noah, but fear of what their relationship would mean sent him running. Will Noah even speak to him again, much less give him a second chance?

Noah has resigned himself to a quiet life improving his baking skills and running his family’s café. When his mom volunteers him to pick up Del at the airport despite an incoming blizzard, he braces himself to be stranded overnight while trying to pretend he hasn’t missed the man who broke his heart.

The moment they see each other, heat flares between them, and all Noah's dominant urges come to life again. He wants Del as badly as he always has, but he can’t trust Del to stay around long enough for their relationship to develop. Is there any chance of a future for these two men who are both anticipating rejection?


REVIEW
My Rating -  5 Stars!




Anticipating Rejection is a fantastic second chance romance by Silvia Violet. Despite being the second of a series, it's easily read as a standalone.


I love the mood from the start. It's a great mix of regret, pain, and hope as 


Del returns home with his daughter in tow, bringing back all Noah's feelings for the man. These former boyfriends have been separated for years now, yet the emotions are still raw. What follows is not just a second chance for Del with the man he loves, but also with the family he left behind. 

Del's daughter Clarice is adorable, and greatly adds to the tale, as she forms a wonderful bond with Noah. She's sweet, funny, and charming and quickly wins over Noah in a heart-warming manner.


As for the sex, these two enjoy some D/s which is a whole lot of fun. Both steamy and sexy, these two won't disappoint. 

This is a beautiful tale of forgiveness and self-acceptance, of taking a chance on love and risking your heart. As I've come to expect from Silvia Violet, the writing is great, with some wonderfully developed characters, a good pace, and a superb storyline. I seriously love everything about this story. It's the perfect way to spend an afternoon, just hanging out with these two confused men.

And of course, we get more of the charming small town of Anticipation. I love this Silvia Violet created world and can't wait to read more. As for now, I highly recommend Anticipating Rejection.






Silvia Violet


Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

For insider information, early looks at works-in-progress, and other rewards, join Silvia on Patreon.
 




Season's Change (Trade Season #1) by Cait Nary

  Amazon Link    Goodreads Link A veteran hockey player and a rookie can't get away from each other—or their own desires—in this sexy, h...