RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - MF - Safeguard (Speakeasy Taproom #9) by Stephanie Rose

  

SAFEGUARD BY STEPHANIE ROSE

Release Date: September 2, 2021

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Amazon: https://geni.us/AmazonSafeguard

Audio → https://geni.us/AudibleSafeguard

Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/3oEp7rw

Series Page → https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/speakeasy-taproom/

The worst kind of heartache is the kind you can’t walk away from.

Jilted. Living in a glorified closet. The world’s worst bar waitress. I just need to keep a roof over my head and make tuition payments until I can finish graduate school. Then my real life will start. But right now, long nights at the Speakeasy have me burning the candle at both ends and the wax melting all over my fingers.

When a bar manager offers me a job taking care of his adorable five-year-old daughter, it seems like the perfect solution. I get a quiet place to study. Matteo gets a reliable sitter. 

There should be no complications. Except that I like my new boss a little too much. His gorgeous dark eyes humble me, and the long talks we share fill me up inside. I can’t possibly fall for him.

But the undeniable pull between us leads to a scorching kiss I can’t ignore or forget, and suddenly I’ve fallen for them both, father and daughter. 

And now three hearts are at stake.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Safeguard is the ninth book in the Speakeasy Taproom series. This is Stephanie Rose's contribution to this multi-author series. 

I love this book. It's a fun mix of single father, friends to lovers, and small town charm.

Matteo and Melanie make for a great couple. And I adore their story. 

Melanie is hired to help Matteo with his daughter. I love the way Melanie and Lauren bond. And of course, I enjoy the way Melanie bonds with Matteo too. 

Before all that though, Melanie's job as a waitress is just funny. I'd feel bad for her, but she's so good humored about her lack of skills. 

Of course, I also love the way Matteo is with his daughter. Her needs are front and center to him and it makes me so damn loveable. He's everything you want to find in a single dad. It doesn't hurt that Lauren is absolutely adorable too. 

If you enjoy nanny romances, you will definitely like this one. It's all good natured and somehow the two are well balanced despite the employer/employee relationship. 

Safeguard is a sweet, enjoyable read. I enjoy everything about this Stephanie Rose romance. 

RELEASE BLITZ. EXCERPT & REVIEW - MF - Starlight (Speakeasy Taproom #7) by Christine DePetrillo

 

STARLIGHT BY CHRISTINE DEPETRILLO

Release Date: September 2, 2021

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Amazon: https://geni.us/AmazonStarlight

Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/3jca47d

Series Page → https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/speakeasy-taproom/

He doesn’t trust women. She only trusts dogs. Why can’t they keep their paws off each other?  

Darren Reade builds stone walls in Vermont--and around his heart. Women don’t stick around, so it’s better to put up No Trespassing signs and focus on raising his adopted son. Darren is willing to do whatever it takes to help the boy cope with his mother’s death. But doing it alone is a challenge. 

Grace Hollings indulges her love of old-school jazz by singing nights at the Speakeasy Taproom,  and spends her days training service dogs, connecting small humans with smart pooches. Of course she’d planned to be married already, but a failed engagement has taught her that dogs make better company than men.  

One evening, Grace and Darren don’t exchange names, but they do engage in a single night neither of them will forget. Is once all there is? Or can they train their hearts to trust what they’ve built under the starlight?

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Starlight is the seventh book in the Speakeasy Taproom series. This is Christine DePetrillo's contribution to this multi-author series. 

This standalone romance is extra sweet and amazingly moving. It starts off with a one night stand, but soon the two are reunited. 

Darren and Grace spend time together as Darren needs a service dog for his son. Darren's son Kolton is wonderfully written, with a believable background and all of his issues illustrated with knowledge and care. He won over my heart from the start.

I love the dog aspect of this story. There's a history behind Grace's business and a lot of wonderful things have happened as a result of Grace's work. She is truly helping the world to be a better place. 

It's beautiful seeing the way Kolton takes to his dog to be. I had tears in my eyes over this. Both happy and sad tears. 

Both characters are so damn likeable. Darren uprooted his life instantly to care for Kolton. Meanwhile Grace spends her life helping people who need service dogs. Both are selfless and likeable. 

And together, they work well. They not only have great sexual chemistry, but they balance one another well in life. They definitely help the other to be the person they want to be. It's perfect. 

This is a story with lots of things to make you smile. There's puppies, sweet moments, and plenty of spark between the two. But there's also some moments that will leave you angry and depressed. Don't fret though, as the ending is absolutely heart warming. 

I love Starlight. Everything about this Christine DePetrillo book had me riveted and charmed. This book is a fabulous addition to this small town Vermont series. 

“So what will you do then?”

In the mirror, I caught Kolton’s confused scowl. How did one explain the purpose of a date to a ten-year-old boy? With all of his difficulties, Kolton hadn’t noticed girls yet. Not that I wanted to rush into that territory, but he was oblivious to them.

“I imagine we’ll talk, eat, and enjoy a nice evening together.” I rinsed off my razor and stowed it in the vanity drawer then splashed a few handfuls of water on my face.

“Will you kiss Grace?”

Okay. Maybe he wasn’t as oblivious as I’d thought. “Umm . . . I don’t know.” I didn’t want to lie to him, but I didn’t want to admit that kissing was at the top of my agenda either. I blushed a little thinking about what else was on that agenda.

“Grace is pretty and nice.” Kolton angled his head as he met my gaze in the mirror.

“She is.” I rubbed a towel over my face.

“So wouldn’t you want to kiss someone who is pretty and nice?”

Where is Mrs. Lilly? I needed a bedtime story intervention. Quickly.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” I said.

“Do you know how to kiss?”

I turned to face him now, my manhood in question. “Of course I know how to kiss.” I certainly knew how wonderful it was to kiss Grace.

Denver's Calling (Cooper's Ridge #1) by J.J. Harper

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

This book has previously been released in 2017. It has been re-edited and extended, but the story hasn't changed.

When Denver’s long-term partner breaks up with him, he flees his life, his career, and his bright future as one of the country’s leading trauma surgeons. Ditching everything but his dog, Denver returns to the quiet town of Cooper’s Ridge and his parents’ ranch.

Leaving twelve years earlier, Denver knew he would never be accepted as a gay man in an unaccepting town. So, when he meets Kes—an old school friend—in the bar he owns, he is shocked to find him in an openly gay relationship. Something he never thought would happen here.

What surprises him even more is the instant, mutual attraction the three men have. Accepting a job in Kes’ bar, they dance around each other, wanting them but not believing he would ever fit in with a couple so obviously in love. But, they want him. And they are not prepared to let him go.

Denver takes a risk and accepts their offer of a night out, finding a side of himself he never knew existed. Not trusting himself to be enough for the two men, the desire blooming in him is unprecedented and he can’t deny it: he wants them as much.

He finds his life falling into place, all because of two men. Is it possible he found his forever in a place he never expected it?

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Denver's Calling is a delightful menage romance. The first book in the Cooper's Ridge series by JJ Harper, it's a sweet, feel good, and effin smoking read. 

Don't read this one in public though! Seriously, just don't even bother trying. It's not worth it.

This one caught my attention early on. The writing is easy and smooth and the characters charming. And hot. Hell, early on the author puts a hot glory hole image in our heads. 

I enjoy Kas and East a lot. They're hot and ooze sex. They are strongly committed and easily get along. I enjoy their connection. 

Then adding Denver into the mix, as both are attracted to him, just makes things better. 

I adore the way everything develops. There's the instant attraction, amazing chemistry, and all the fears and doubts involved with getting involved with an established couple. The emotions are well explored and realistic.

As well, I appreciate the complications and fear of coming out as a throuple in a small town. Of course, the fact that a child is involved just complicates things. And then there's Denver's past experiences also causing him some problems.

Denver's Calling is a steamy menage romance. Everything about this JJ Harper tale works for me. I love it all!

Three Shots: A MMF Small Town Poly Romance by Brigham Vaughn

 

Amazon Link  - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

A musician, a computer designer, and a tavern owner walk into a bar: it’ll take three shots to get this right …

When Reeve Jenkins picks up his guitar to sing at a local dive bar, the last thing he expects is to bring a guy home that night. Grant McGuire is a man drowning his sorrows in beer after a painful breakup. Having some fun in bed is easy for the two of them but while hookups are simple, pursing a relationship never feels quite right.

Rachael Bradford has seen plenty of attractive men walk into the Hawk Point Tavern but she’s too busy running the place to worry about taking any of them home.

The chemistry between them is off the characters but when Reeve and Grant offer her more than a quick fantasy, they’ll have to figure out how to navigate an openly poly relationship in the small town of Pendleton Bay.

Originally released in 2017, Three Shots has been re-written with an additional 40k words of content, set in the Pendleton Bay Universe, and re-edited.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Three Shots is a fantastic menage romance. This Brigham Vaughn MMF romance is a great mix of fun and heat. 

Take note that this is a new, updated edition releasing in 2021. The reviews from 2017 need to be ignored. The author has revamped this story from a hot, short story, and added a whole lot of emotion, development, and charm to the original content. 

This relationship is slow going, taking years to cement itself. Grant and Reeve have one hot night together, but Grant isn't looking for something serious. They definitely connect well and it's relaxing and hopeful. 

And then there's Rachael. And hot damn, even her masturbation scene is smoking, as she dreams of two men taking her at once. 

I enjoy the pace of this story. There are a lot of time jumps. Sometimes that can be annoying, but I really enjoyed it in this book. 

The men slowly reconnect and definitely enjoy their time together. But they both know something is missing, keeping them from wanting more. 

And then they meet Rachael. Woah. Cue the sexual tension. The chemistry is off the charts. And the three are wonderful together. 

I love this story. The characters all truly complete one another. The bond of their relationship is solid and their chemistry is off the charts. And damn, the communication between all of them is stellar. You definitely don't need to worry about misunderstandings with these three. 

The one thing I didn't love though is the missed on-page first dp scene. Omg, I wanted that so badly and was shocked it was off the page. That was disappointing. 

But everything else is fabulous. 

They face some narrow minded townsfolk, but damn, most of this small town is supportive and truly wonderful. 

The writing style is great. Written in alternating povs, we get to know each character well. But, hot damn, it's the sex that's the big draw here. Let's be honest, MMF menages are hot, and the author never lets us down. 

Three Shots is a must read to any fans of MMF romances.  Brigham Vaughn definitely delights in this poly romance. It's hot. It's sweet. And it's well worth a read when you're in the mood for some spicy fun. 

Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1) by Tia Fielding

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

What would you do if you’d been in love with your straight best friend for fifteen years, and his third marriage just fell apart? When is the pain of unrequited love too much to bear?

Josiah owns Hoppy Hare, a bar where he worked when he first met his two best friends, Denny and Sammie. Now, Denny owns a record label and Sammie tours the world with her band. Josiah is content with running the Hare and the staff who have become family.

A lot of things have changed over the years, but they’ve gotten over each hurdle. Life is good, if you don’t count the constant, searing pain of unrequited love Josiah has pushed aside for so long. But then Denny’s third marriage falls apart, and Josiah can’t take it anymore.

Confused about what’s going on, Denny gets the professional help he so sorely needs, and finds out more about himself in the process.

Life isn’t done with those curveballs though. How can they stick together during troubling times and everything between Denny and Josiah is up in the air like never before?

Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1) is a low-angst, warm fuzzies kind of story about found family formed by people who are very different from one another, yet who fit together like pieces of a lovely rainbow-colored puzzle, and who realize that love in all its forms is what matters the most, everything else is just the garnish on top of the cocktail of life.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Bar None is a fabulous friends to lovers romance. The first book in Tia Fielding's Hoppy Hare series, I am in love. 

Denny and Josiah are best friends. Josiah's long been in love with his best friend but Denny is straight. When Denny's latest marriage ends, he's suddenly looking at his best friend in a sexual way. I love sexual awakening romances! 

First of all, I adore Denny's cluelessness. Without some outside help, he'd probably never discover that his friend loves him and that he's actually attracted to his friend also. Seriously, he just doesn't have a clue.

The author slowly moves things forward for these two. It is slow burn for sure. Somewhat too much of a slow burn. But, it's all well developed. And it's fabulous. 

Their story includes family issues and therapy. There's sexual awakening, doubts, and insecurities. It's first kisses and first dates. But most of all, it's two best friends who will do anything for one another. 

A wonderful aspect of this story is the addition of all the secondary characters. There are many and I'm in love with them. I definitely want to learn more about these people. They are all family at the Bar and it's beautiful. 

Overall, I love Bar None. Every moment of this Tia Fielding tale had me mesmerized. It's sweet and feel good, with all the signs of a wonderful series in the making. 

Whirlwind by Reese Morrison

 

Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

A magical moment.

A single night.

A collection of stories about first kisses, second chances, kinky explorations, and having the confidence to ask for what you want.

Five whirlwind relationships celebrating queer bodies and queer love.

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Waiting for You: Taylor has been pining for his best friend, Julio, for most of his life. But he knows that he’s too big, too fat, and too plain to ever appeal. It doesn't help that his secret desires for lace, makeup, and submission don't match his outsides at all. He could never catch Julio’s eye, could he? (MM, friends-to-lovers)

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Here for You: Eric has always avoided dating. But something’s different about the new sub, Micah. He’s both vulnerable and strong, owning his disability, his transgender identity, and his unconventional desires. Eric is happy to arrange a group scene for the night... and perhaps look for something more tomorrow. (MM, first time)

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Game for You: Ben and Parker have been circling each other for years in a frenzy of insane dares and sexual innuendo. But as two Doms, they know they could never get together. Enter sassy, gorgeous Dakota, a perfect mix of masculine and feminine, and a perfect challenge for the two men to claim. This story contains spanking, whipping, an erotic game of darts, and an even sexier bet. (MMX, friends-to-lovers with someone new)

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Back for You: When Nina was betrayed by her teenaged crush at their all-male boarding school, she vowed to move on in her life. She transitioned to being the woman she always knew she was and didn’t look back. But when she meets a gorgeous new customer, it takes only a moment to recognize those eyes. Angel has a new name, but she’s as intense and commanding as ever. And she wants to ask for another chance. This story contains role play, spankings, foot worship, and a chance to reclaim the one who got away. (FF, second chance)

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Time for You: Charlie knows that she’s too old and grumpy for someone like Carla. He’s young, dapper, confident, and most of all, just as butch as she is. It’s easier to just ignore his flirting and push away any hope for something between them. What would that even look like? When Carla asks her out, Charlie has to decide. Can she take the risk to not only trust Carla, but explore sides of herself she never dared to face? And if she does, will Carla still want her? This story contains shibari and first-time submission. (XX, friends-to-lovers, younger Dom/older sub)

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The first three stories (Waiting for You, Here for You, and Game for You) were previously available as separate books.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Whirlwind is a fabulous collection of 5 Reese Morrison stories, all revolving around the Whirlwind bar. I love that it isn't the main setting, but rather a place all the couples hang out.

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In Waiting For You, we get the romance of Taylor and Julio, best friends and business partners who secretly love one another. In a nice twist, Taylor is a large man who desires the smaller Julio to dominate him. Theirs is a story of secrets being unveiled, and desires being satisfied.

Both men are lovable. Taylor's overweight, looks like a bear, but doesn't have the mindset of a bear. He prefers femme clothing, including lace, as he enjoys being pretty. I love these two friends who have secret desires that perfectly compliment one another. Their story is full of heat, including BDSM, spanking, and bondage.

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In Here for You we get a stupendous BDSM romance between Micah and Eric. 

Micah has a secret desire to be dominated, held down, and taken by multiple men at the same time. Being transgender, he's always struggled with baring both himself and his desires. He also has a physical disability caused by his cerebral palsy, which is well written and explored.

Eric's a Dom who is able to give Micah everything he's ever wanted. And oh my, I just love him and his connection to Micah.

Their story is multi-layered with characters full of pain and doubts. The plot is serious, yet fun. And be ready for some serious heat!

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In Game for You, we get a fabulous menage romance between Ben, Parker, and Dakota.

Ben and Parker are great friends, both in love with each other, but sexually incompatible. Both are Doms, and soon they find the answer to their problems in Dakota. 

With Ben and Dakota immediately attracted across the bar, things get fun. 

In general, there's a lot going on in this story. Ben's biracial, never fitting in fully, always just seen as a black guy. Parker's trans and has been abused and disowned by his family. And Dakota is intersex. I love how all are explored.

The gender identity issues are in full force throughout and make this story extra special. 

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In Back to You we a second chance romance between two trans women, Angel and Nina. 

The two have a messy past, and a lot of new things to unveil about themselves. Their tale involves some forgiveness and a new chance. 

I love how their kinks align, including roleplay and a foot fetish, which is rare to see in a book. 

This story involves two POC in this hot, erotic, and sweet tale. 

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In Time For You, we finally get to see Charlie finds love, with the trivia guy Carla.

Charlie's a butch queer, while Carla's a transgender man. It's cute and sweet, as Carla finally gets Charlie on board with a date. 

Charlie's interested, but is full of doubts, all because Carla loves kink and she's never been involved with kink before. Charlie has a lot of baggage and has a journey to get past it. 

Their tale is hot and intense, with everyone accepting each other. It's fun, playful, and passionate and a lot of fun. 

I love how Charlie can trust Carla. They understand that everyone can have different feelings about their bodies. I applaud the author for the  way they explore this with Charlie. 

And then we get some Shibari, which is hot, but gentle and freeing. I love how Charlie discovers new likes and new things about herself.

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I love the representation of varied genders, races, couplings, and gender expression. It's as varied as you'll ever get, and it's wonderful. Reese includes a variety of employment types, backgrounds, and body types. 

Overall, Whirlwind is a fabulous collection of 5 stories, all of which start at the Whirlwind bar. All the people involved are part of a type group, making for plenty of fun moments.