All You Touch (Love Starts Here #2) by E.M. Lindsey

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

When he prayed for an angel, this blond Norse god wasn’t what he was expecting…

West Balkany lived his life by one rule: make your own luck. And that means fighting his slum lord when his building starts falling apart, forcing himself to finish school no matter how much he wants to quit, and most importantly, never do something as stupid as falling in love.

Unfortunately, that last part isn’t so easy when his gorgeous one-night-stand who dragged him into a bar supply closet and made him see god, keeps turning up everywhere he goes.

But he doesn’t have time for Jake—no matter how much he wants to. His father’s health is failing, his deli is barely getting by, and now he’s facing a massive legal suit against Larsen Property Management for trying to kick everyone out into the streets. He also knows that Jake is hiding something, and he’s pretty sure whatever it is, it’s enough to turn his life upside down.

But Jake also makes him want to try, and that’s what scares him the most.


Jakob Larsen spent his life running from the man his father always wanted him to be, but that all comes to a stop when the man announced he was leaving LPM. He finally has a chance to prove to both his brother and to St. James that he can turn Larsen Property Management around and do something good for the people his father has been tormenting all these years.

The problem is, he’s just not quite sure how, when no one trusts him to do the right thing.

And it doesn’t help that Jakob has found himself distracted, falling for a gorgeous, stoic deli owner who has no idea who he really is. All Jakob has ever wanted was to be truly loved, but now that he’s found the one person he could see himself growing old with, he has to face the truth: everything they have is based on a lie.

Will he ever be a man worthy of forgiveness, or will he have to face the fact that everything he touches turns to dust?

All You Touch is the second book in the low-angst, humorous, steamy series, Love Starts Here. It contains no cheating, and a happily ever after.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

All You Touch is a the second book in the Love Starts Here series. This EM Lindsey book is a wonderful love story. 

Jakob and West are fabulous together. They immediately connect and have a hook up. And damn, it's hot! 

The opposites attract aspect is wonderfully done, as these two are night and day. And the age gap of more than ten years is a lot of fun.

I enjoy every interaction between these two. They're both looking for the same results, but they have some issues to face to get there. Because damn, sometimes a lack of communication, or lie of omission, is tough to get through. 

Their story involves family issues, a rich versus not so rich vibe, and a strong connection. 

Written in alternating pov, we get both men's thoughts and emotions. This is perfect to help the reader understand both men. Their story includes a lot of family members and their issues, keeping things interesting for sure. 

All You Touch is another great book by EM Lindsey. Unlike many of EM's books, this one is much lower on the angst, but just as great in the romance department. This is a heart-warming story that fell into my lap at the right time. I love it. 

Hide Your Love Away (If I Fell #1) by Mia Kerick

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Too young.

Too damaged.

Too close to Cole’s enormous secret for comfort.

Rough and tumble Edgewater University maintenance man Colton Ledger should keep his distance from the sleek and snarky college junior who has caught his attention. After all, Timmy is half his age, not to mention that Cole has a secret life he can’t afford to reveal. So why is he compelled to undermine the young man’s cocky game and lure him into his private life?

As the product of an unwanted late-life pregnancy, Timmy Hale has been emotionally shattered by a loveless upbringing. After years of desperate attempts to garner attention from his apathetic parents fail, young adult Timmy changes course. He hides his feelings of vulnerability behind meaningless sex, endless partying, and a big, bad attitude. Until Cole comes along…

When trouble finds Timmy in the form of a dangerous and relentless stalker, Cole must decide if Timmy is worth the risk of coming clean about the confidence he’s obliged to keep, as Timmy weighs the potential havoc falling in love could wreak on his heart.

Hide Your Love Away is Book One in the IF I FELL Series.

Age Gap, Hurt/Comfort, Keeping Secrets, Opposites Attract Adult Contemporary MM Romance.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Hide Your Love Away is the first book in the If I Fell series by Mia Kerick. 

This story has so much going for it. It's an age gap tale between Cole and Timmy. This is a unique to me idea, as Cole is a college employee who falls for one of the students. 

I love the sneaking around they have to do, as well as why. Cole's working at the college to pay the tuition for his son. His son who happens to be friends with Timmy. 

The dynamics between Cole and his son are so damn tough to read at times. In the end, it all makes sense, but oh god, it's hard to read. Poor Cole. My heart hurt so much for him. And it isn't easy to like his son at all.

The stalker aspect is an addition that adds a lot of tension and danger, as his presence is felt throughout the story.

Cole and Timmy are just so damn sweet together. They can't ignore their chemistry and neither can the reader. They're certainly hot together. I actually enjoy the way Cole handles everything, although it's a little hard to believe Timmy would go along with all of it at first. 

I love the author's writing style, but I would have enjoyed more background on Timmy. It's hard to get to know him properly, although it's easy to feel bad for him. 

Hide Your Love Away is a nice age gap romance. I was definitely invested in this Mia Kerick tale from the start, and couldn't wait to figure out what was going to happen. There's enough angst to keep things intriguing, even if you don't care about age gap romances. As for now, I am left excited to see what happens next in this series. 

BLOG TOUR, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - You're My Home by Katie Moore

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
You're My Home
By Katie Moore

A love story you can live in…

Zach

Brady is my overprotective best friend, and I love him like this. He’s so much bigger than me and makes me feel safe. We are opposites in so many ways, but when I’m cuddled up against him and he reads to me, all those differences fade away. Brady promises to be friends forever, but what will he say when he finds out my secret? Will I lose my best friend and the boy I love more than life itself?

Brady

Zach is so tiny and tenderhearted. All I want to do is protect him from the world. He’s my sweet bookworm and never wants to hurt anyone. I love my best friend, but how do I give him all of me when I don’t understand myself yet? If nothing else, I can shower him with all the acceptance and love he deserves.

Zach and Brady come from completely different social and religious backgrounds, but they don’t let that weaken their friendship. Both teens have to go through a journey of self-discovery, including all the heartaches and joys that come with growing up. As they get older, will they find themselves and how they fit together?

You’re my Home is a sweet and emotional coming of age story. It’s a slow-burn, hurt/comfort, teen best friends to adult lovers romance. There will be tears, laughter, new friends, and steamy lovemaking as Zach and Brady learn the meaning of true acceptance of oneself and others.

**Trigger warnings: domestic violence, trauma, PTSD, and religious homophobia.

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

This book! Oh my god, this book! You're My Home is a debut novel for Katie Moore. And it's mesmerizing, riveting, and all consuming.

This book is long. No question about it. It is detailed, complex, and covers many years. Set plenty of time aside to read this.

This book is serious. Extremely serious. It touches on abuse, family issues, bullying, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and a connection between two people unlike anything I've ever seen before. It thoroughly explores one's need to define their sexuality, and the elements of demi-sexuality.

This story is that of Brady and Zach, two boys who are worlds apart. But the connection between them is absolute. The first time Brady meets Zach, he knows he is there to help save him. From his father. From the bullies. From the ugliness of the world. And fortunately for Zach, Brady's family feels the same way.

I don't want to go into any details. It's best to just discover them as you read. But the story is amazingly beautiful and touching.

And it's as emotional as can be. Every single moment of this book, every single sentence, is weighed down with emotion. The emotions jump off the pages throughout.

It's a long, ugly, emotional journey for these two. But this is a romance, so ultimately it's no surprise that they eventually get together. I think it's fair to say this isn't a spoiler.

And when they do, oh my god. Seriously, I just can't even begin to explain how torturously emotional the sex scenes are. I thought the emotions carried this story before. But gah! The sex scenes. I've never read anything so full of emotion before.

Just read it.

Their journey starts as kids, carries them through the teen years, and ultimately looks at their futures. It's long. It's detailed. It could easily be a three part series. But it's pure perfection read all together.

You're My Home is absolutely addicting. From the first page, Katie Moore held me hostage with her words. This isn't like my typical review because this isn't a typical book. Zach and Brady grabbed my heart from the very first page and I lived and breathed every single moment of their journey with them. It's a spectacular book.

________________________________________________________________

---

Special Release Excerpt:

“I want to talk to you.” Dad walks down the hallway to his office, knowing I’ll follow him. I lean against the doorframe, staying just far enough out that Zach will know where I am if he comes back into the kitchen.

Dad sits on the edge of his desk, facing me. “Who were the kids that were being mean?”

“Derek Sanders, the one I asked to leave here when he called Zach a stalker. Along with a few of JV freshman players that I don’t know well.”

“Not surprising, he seemed like a dick.”

My dad doesn’t usually call someone a dick, and it catches me so off guard that an abrupt laugh escapes from my chest.

“What were they making fun of him about?”

“His size…being a fourth-grader…a hobbit. Then they called him queer, and he got up and left.”

“No wonder he was so upset.” Dad rubs the back of his neck, and I realize that I have that same habit when I’m stressed.

“He was upset because he thought it would embarrass me. He never wants to hurt anyone, and when he thinks he’s the cause of it, he can’t handle it.”

“That’s why it makes me livid that someone would hurt him, even with words. God knows the kid has been through enough already.”

I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and turn to see Zach in the kitchen, looking lost. I wave my arm so he sees me, and he smiles. I watch him walk over to help Mom with the ice cream before looking back at Dad.

“He trusts you, Brady. The kind of trust that most people will never give. Be sure to treasure that and not do anything to break it. I’m not sure you could get it back if you did.”

Dad’s words feel heavy, like I need to memorize them and keep them close. “I wouldn’t do anything to break his trust.”

“I know you never would intentionally, but you’re young, and teenagers do stupid things. I think you’re mature beyond your years, and I am so proud of the young man you’re becoming. I’m only cautioning you because I see the bond you have with Zach, and I’m not sure you truly understand what it would mean to lose that. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friendship…love…and so many go through life searching for what you’ve found so young. Many never find it.”

He walks over to put his hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “All I’m saying, Son, is that when it comes to Zach, think before you react and don’t take all the love and trust he gives you for granted. Someday you’ll truly understand the depth and beauty of what he gives you. And what you give him.” His hand moves down over my heart. “You’ve given him a lot of space in here. Take care of your heart, Son, because that boy in the kitchen is most of it.”

I nod, speechless at my dad’s words.

________________________________________________________________ 

---

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the Katie's debut release & cover reveal, we are giving away a 3 copies of You're My Home!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57241/?

________________________________________________________________

---

Katie Moore is a writer of romance and happily ever afters. She is very compassionate and tries her best to show others kindness. She loves to write and escape into some imaginary world she's created in her head. If she's not writing, she's reading a book. Preferably one with emotion that makes her laugh and cry. Katie is usually snuggled up with her four dogs, Izzy, Bess, Violet, and Skye.

Katie Moore is the author of You're My Home, a gay romance novel. She let her heart write Zach and Brady's story. She hopes all her readers love them as much as she does.

Connect with Katie:
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21577348.Katie_Moore
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatiemoore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatiemoore/

---

---

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Hide Your Love Away (If I Fell #1) by Mia Kerick

 

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Hide Your Love Away
By Mia Kerick

IF I FELL Series, Book 1

Too young.

Too damaged.

Too close to Cole’s enormous secret for comfort.

Rough and tumble Edgewater University maintenance man Colton Ledger should keep his distance from the sleek and snarky college junior who has caught his attention. After all, Timmy is half his age, not to mention that Cole has a secret life he can’t afford to reveal. So why is he compelled to undermine the young man’s cocky game and lure him into his private life?

As the product of an unwanted late-life pregnancy, Timmy Hale has been emotionally shattered by a loveless upbringing. After years of desperate attempts to garner attention from his apathetic parents fail, young adult Timmy changes course. He hides his feelings of vulnerability behind meaningless sex, endless partying, and a big, bad attitude. Until Cole comes along…

When trouble finds Timmy in the form of a dangerous and relentless stalker, Cole must decide if Timmy is worth the risk of coming clean about the confidence he’s obliged to keep, as Timmy weighs the potential havoc falling in love could wreak on his heart.

Hide Your Love Away is Book One in the IF I FELL Series.

Age Gap, Hurt/Comfort, Keeping Secrets, Opposites Attract Adult Contemporary MM Romance.

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Hide Your Love Away is the first book in the If I Fell series by Mia Kerick. 

This story has so much going for it. It's an age gap tale between Cole and Timmy. This is a unique to me idea, as Cole is a college employee who falls for one of the students. 

I love the sneaking around they have to do, as well as why. Cole's working at the college to pay the tuition for his son. His son who happens to be friends with Timmy. 

The dynamics between Cole and his son are so damn tough to read at times. In the end, it all makes sense, but oh god, it's hard to read. Poor Cole. My heart hurt so much for him. And it isn't easy to like his son at all.

The stalker aspect is an addition that adds a lot of tension and danger, as his presence is felt throughout the story.

Cole and Timmy are just so damn sweet together. They can't ignore their chemistry and neither can the reader. They're certainly hot together. I actually enjoy the way Cole handles everything, although it's a little hard to believe Timmy would go along with all of it at first. 

I love the author's writing style, but I would have enjoyed more background on Timmy. It's hard to get to know him properly, although it's easy to feel bad for him. 

Hide Your Love Away is a nice age gap romance. I was definitely invested in this Mia Kerick tale from the start, and couldn't wait to figure out what was going to happen. There's enough angst to keep things intriguing, even if you don't care about age gap romances. As for now, I am left excited to see what happens next in this series. 

 

Special Release Excerpt:

“I kick my clothes from my ankles and lift Timmy to the bed. “Just lie back and let me take care of you.”

“You, you just said…,” He curls up on his side and lets go another one of those angsty yelps.

I pull off his sneakers and joggers and then the snug boxer briefs beneath. I help him to sit up so I can take off his vest and T-shirt. “Why are you—what’s wrong, Timmy?”

Again, he shuts his eyes, this time scrunching them tightly.

“Look at me. You need to look at me when you answer,” I insist.

“He nods once and opens his eyes, though he must grit his teeth to do it. “Nobody loves me.”

“I love you.”

He shakes his head. “But you can’t.”

I know why he believes he isn’t worthy of love. My job is to prove it’s not true. “Yes, I can. Just try and stop me.”

I push him onto his back on the bed, climb on top of him, and fix my lips to his. He opens his mouth wide and frenzied tongue action starts.

“No Timmy, you don’t need to do that. Let me kiss you.”

When his body goes limp, I’m afraid I’ve hurt his pride.

I’m gentle when I kiss him, and his lips move carefully against mine. Soon I shift my attention to the vulnerable underside of his jaw and then the sleek column of his neck. I’m not sure he’s aware that he lifts his chin to receive more of my kisses. I lavish hordes of affection on him—all the love and care and passion I’ve held inside for twenty lonely years. And I don’t even stop to wonder how I can possibly love Timmy after such short time together.

I don’t need to ask this question.

It’s simple fact that I feel everything for this young man. It clicks with us. I know this as I know that the sky is blue, and the sun burns hot, and Timmy’s eyes are as deep and endless as the ocean. Tomorrow I’m going to talk to Robbie so I can bring Timmy fully into my life.

---

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Hide Your Love Away, Mia is giving away a $20 Amazon Voucher!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57254/?

---

Award-winning gay romance author and mother of four, Mia Kerick, knows that a satisfying romance novel is riddled with challenges. For true love to prevail, the leading men are going to have to put in some effort. But the HEA is oh-so rewarding.

From Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester to Brokeback Mountain’s Ennis and Jack, Mia has a great affinity for the tortured hero in literature. Her contemporary gay romance focuses on such steamy tropes as hurt/comfort, forbidden love, and enemies/friends to lovers. She firmly believes that sometimes you have to break his heart to save him. In Kerick’s books, the course of true love truly never does run smooth.

Mia’s books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine. They have won a 2019 IPPY GOLD award for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction, a 2018 YA GOLD MOONBEAM Children’s Book Award, a YA Readers’ Favorite Award, several Gold Rainbow Awards in YA and adult categories, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, a YA Indie Fab Award, a First Place Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a First Place Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award, and more. Mia cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Catch up on what Mia’s up to at:
https://www.miakerick.com
https://miakerickya.com
Join Mia and her Facebook Group Mia’s Lost Boys at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3769563033151500
Follow Mia on Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mia-kerick
Follow Mia on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/miakerick/
Follow Mia on Twitter:
@MiaKerick
Goodreads
Amazon

---

---

Waiting for Ru (Unfinished Business series #4) by Barbara Elsborg

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Ruari Byrne may not have had an easy life, but now he’s determined to live in the present, not his past. Trouble is, it’s hard to be independent when you’ve no money and no qualifications. All Ru knows is horses, and when he finds out that his beloved Joni and Cookie are off to auction, his heart is in his throat. How can he protect them if he can’t even look after himself?

Jasim bin Rajhi hadn’t intended to buy two working mares; the horses in his rarefied life are priceless polo ponies, but there’s something that intrigues him about the guileless young man who’s so concerned for their welfare. They might be worlds apart in every way, but Jasim doesn’t want this to be the last time he sees Ru. It can’t be because Ru might just be the one he’s been waiting for.

Reunited at Jasim’s polo grounds, the pair bond over lives lived in darkness and secrecy. But there’s a truth about Jasim that should make Ru bolt like his beloved horses. Jasim knows he should let Ru go for his own safety, and yet it feels like happiness might be within their grasp. Can they overcome their pasts and trust in a future, or will Jasim’s obligations forever have a hold on him?


Warning: contains references to past abuse and paid-for sex, physical violence and abduction. There is one oblique reference to suicide. But no horses were harmed in the making of this tale :)

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Waiting For Ru is a wonderful hurt/comfort romance by Barbara Elsborg. The fourth book in the Unfinished Business series, it can be read as a standalone. 

This entire series is marvelous, and Ru's story is no different. 

Ru and Jasmin meet under some emotional circumstances. Ru's attachment to his horses is well developed and felt throughout. 

Both men have harrowing pasts to deal with before they can truly be together. 

Ru's a man who has been saved after being abducted. The poor man is uneducated, unfamiliar with regular life, and without any support. In other words, all the feels come out.

Jasmin's a Prince who's stuck in the closet. For family and political reasons, he can't be out. But he can't resist the broken Ru. With Ru, for the first time, he's tempted to leave his easy life and live for himself.

These two together are wonderful. They definitely shouldn't be together, but they can only fight it for so long. And in the end, their relationship heals them both, as well as bringing them both to life.

Their story is full of attraction and an intense connection. Their chemistry oozes off the pages. Their story also includes horses, polo, and some danger. And it's lovely.

The writing is wonderful, with extremely well developed characters and a multi-layered storyline. This is not a light story, but as always, no one does hurt/comfort quite like this author. 

Waiting For Ru is a riveting and emotional romance. This Barbara Elsborg tale is a long, powerful tale that will leave you happy to have met these men. 

Rim Shot by Skylar M. Cates

 

Amazon Link   

Goodreads Link 

Kyle: Basketball is my life. I'm confident that with hard work, my position will carry me from rural Indiana to the NBA. I have big dreams, but they don’t include coming out of the closet. Admitting to the world that I’m attracted to guys is something I’m afraid to do. Basketball and my dad are everything to me, and I can’t risk losing either one. And now I’m secretly lusting after my new roommate, who is nothing like me. He’s out, proud, and definitely not a virgin.

Micah: My large family can't spare the money for my education, but that won't stop me from studying medicine—I’ll work my butt off to get where I need to go. I can deal with anything, now that I’m out of the house I shared with my ex, even if it means living with a straight jock. But our tiny dorm room is becoming smaller, and my feelings are becoming larger. What will Kyle do if I accidentally cross a line?

When a sports scandal rocks Kyle’s world, he and Micah fight for his reputation, and life's plans are turned upside down by love.

Rim Shot is a republished New Adult romance that contains tropes of forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, and hurt-comfort. It is a standalone work with a guaranteed HEA.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Rim Shot is a great college romance by Skylar Cates. I loved it the first time I read it, and I love it again, as I re-read it prior to it's re-release. 

It's a  fabulous combination of new adult romance, closeted athlete, and roommates. This, of course, is one of my favorite types of stories.

Micah and Kyle get to really know each other when they become roommates. Kyle's a closeted gay athlete who is terrified to come out. Even to his gay roommate.

Their story includes some hot and yet embarrassing masturbation. Dear god, that scene is HOT!

Written in alternating first person pov, the reader is able to fully understand both men. 

Rim Shot is definitely a great choice if you're looking for a college romance. 

Absolution by E.M. Lindsey

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

"I’m madly, irrevocably in love with a man I met on the streets one night, and if I get a second chance, I plan to make sure I spend every day reminding him just how absolutely loved and cherished he is.”

By the time he turned twenty-nine, Alexei Gurgov has managed to put his dark past behind him. Running a bookshop and living a quiet life in London, he has very few expectations. He may be lonely, but alone means nothing can hurt him. Alone means there's no one in his life to abandon him.

Then one night, he's mugged in an alley, and his life is irrevocably changed.

Instead of going to the police, Alexei tracks down the mugger and learns he’s merely a starving man trying to get by. Offering him a job and a place to stay, Alexei is determined to help make it right. After all, he knows better than anyone what it's like to struggle.

The one thing he doesn’t expect, however, is to fall for his sudden flatmate, even if it seems like August his hiding something from his past.

When all the chips fall, will this be his own version of a storybook romance, or are they star-crossed lovers, determined to burn bright and fall apart?

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Absolution is an emotional hurt/comfort romance by EM Lindsey. 

I have mixed feelings about this one. Overall, I definitely enjoyed the story and the characters. But something left me a little disconnected and I'm not sure what it is.

August and Alexei are two men who both know bad circumstances, pain, and suffering. When they meet, Alexei offers to help August. 

Upon living together, the two quickly give into their sexual attraction, and start a relationship. I think the quick nature of them falling into a relationship threw me off. Something about it just didn't work for me. 

But later...

The men have secrets and obstacles that come to cause problems. I enjoy this part, but it's a lack of communication that will through off some readers. That's not an issue for me though, so I just fell into the emotional rollercoaster of the second half of the book completely. 

The writing kept me from rating this higher as I didn't connect fully with it from the start. If it had more depth at parts, this would easily be a five star read. As is, it's a nice story, with two men who you want to smack around and shake the stupidity out of them. 

Absolution is a story with a phenomenal basis of a story idea. EM Lindsey had me entertained with these men and their tragic backgrounds. It's a nice story and the ending left me pleased. It's well worth a read if you enjoy seeing characters find a second chance at life, as well as love.