RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Heartsong (Vino & Veritas #13) by A.E. Wasp

 

HEARTSONG BY A.E. WASP

Purchase here → https://geni.us/AmazonHeartsong

Add to Goodreads → https://bit.ly/3bRqTTq

Series Page → https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/

All the links in one spot → https://shor.by/vino-and-veritas

The best music comes from the heart.

Sean Anderson has spent his life waiting to get the hell out of West Virginia. His plans got derailed when his dad shipped him off to “pray the gay away,” but he’s over it, ready to prove that he’s a grown-ass man who can take care of himself. Of course, he’d have a better chance convincing himself if he could stop lusting after his grumpy roommate. 

Army veteran Cooper Hill returned to Vermont minus one leg and one career, but determined to build a new life. When an army buddy asks Cooper to keep an eye on his nephew, a junior at the local college, Cooper can’t say no. He’s expecting a sheltered kid. What he gets is a gorgeous young man whose brilliant poetry gives voice to everything Cooper’s been trying to express. He wants Sean more than he’s ever wanted anything. And somehow, miraculously, Sean wants him too. 

But wanting each other isn’t the same as being good for each other . . . especially when past pain threatens to write its own verse in their song.

A stand-alone novel in Sarina Bowen’s True North world, HEARTSONG contains first love, found family, kisses around the campfire, and two caring men who discover they make beautiful music together.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Heartsong is the thirteenth book in the Vino & Veritas series. This is AE Wasp's contribution to this multi-author series. 

I have mixed feelings about this story. Overall, the story is wonderful and full of heart. But the present tense writing style left me struggling to fully connect throughout most of the book.

Sean and Cooper have an instant attraction to each other, and their romance is sort of insta love since it happens so quickly. Their age difference is a great aspect to this story. 

The men are both well developed, with interesting backgrounds. I enjoy the way the layers are peeled back over time.

Cooper's a totally loveable character. His disability is well explored and extremely emotional. I am impressed with how this is written and enjoyed this element a lot. Best of all though is the way Sean reacts to everything.

Sean's a sweetie from the start, but definitely has some lingering issues to deal with. His pain and PTSD is heart-wrenching. Everything unfolds over time, with one hell of emotional moment towards the end. It makes it a little harder to understand him, as it takes a long time to fully understand Sean. 

In the end, Heartsong is a beautiful hurt/comfort story that I might connect with more on a different day. If this AE Wasp book was written in past tense, I would be rating it higher. But for me, that left me distracted a lot. The journey for these men is wonderful, full of emotion, both good and bad. It's definitely worth a read. 

Head down against the driving rain, body hunched over the injured dog, I don’t see the taillight of the car pulling out of a parking spot until it’s almost too late. Oh fuck. I close my eyes, turn the dog away, and brace for the impact.

Strong hands clamp down on my upper arms and yank me back. My back slams against a hard, broad chest, and then all three of us, me, my rescuer and the dog, are stumbling into the back bumper of a minivan.

The hands around my arms tighten and I lean against this stranger’s body for a second. The guy is almost the same height as me, but much broader, his chest wide and warm against my wet back. The feel of stubble against my cheek and warm breath blowing over my ear makes me shiver.

“Sean?” he says, voice deep and smooth.

Oh, holy hell. Can it be?

“Cooper, get the hell in here!” a second man calls from behind us.

A’course it is.

I straighten up and try to pull away. I swear his hands tighten on my arms, tugging me back against him for a glorious but far too brief moment before he lets me go. When I look over my shoulder at him, our eyes meet and my words lock in my throat as a sizzle of electricity shoots down my spine. It’s so real, I swear lighting must have touched ground somewhere. By the way his eyes widen, Cooper feels it, too.

I can’t hear anything except our breathing and the rain pounding on the gravel parking lot, soaking my thin t-shirt, and plastering Cooper’s hair to his head.

In my arms, the dog whimpers, and still I can’t look away from Cooper’s piercing gaze. What the hell is going on?

He starts to speak, and I sway towards him, holding my breath.

Those dark, intense eyes narrow and he scowls. “Don’t you fucking know how to drive?”

Speechless, I reel back and he grabs my arm again to keep me from losing my balance.

“Jesus Christ,” the older man says. “Don’t either one of you idiots have the sense God gave a goose? Get the hell inside.”

Cooper drops my arm like it’s scalding him, and I tear my gaze away from his angry face. An older guy with dark-brown skin, grey beard, and salt-and-pepper dreadlocks tied behind his neck waves at us from the open doors of the diner.

Grateful for the save, I walk carefully to the doors and into the diner.

“What happened?” the man asks as I pass him.

“This kid hit a dog and then almost got hit by a car himself,” Cooper answers from behind me.

“Are you always such a dick or is today special?” I snap at him.

A Kind of Forever (Finding Forever #1) by Marie Sinclair

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Ry and Cart were inseparable in college: two innocent kids in love who thought they could take on the world. But when a photograph of the two of them at an LGBTQ protest outed Ry to his conservative family, his parents forced him to leave college and convinced Cart their relationship was something Ry regretted.

Twelve years later, they’re given a second chance.

Since they last saw each other, Cart has moved on. Sort of. He relocated to San Francisco, became a human-rights lawyer, and fell in love again and got married, only to lose his husband to cancer. Still reeling from the loss, he’s devoted himself to the struggling LGBTQ youth center his late husband founded. Then Ry joins the law firm where Cart works. The moment they see each other, Cart can tell Ry’s changed. Gone is the sensuous and enthusiastic lover Cart remembers, and in his place is a man who looks at Cart with disgust. The last thing Cart needs is having to figure out what’s going on with his former lover, but he can’t ignore the strong emotions resurfacing between them.

When Ry returned to his hometown of San Francisco, he knew being near his parents again was going to be a challenge. For twelve years, they’ve been manipulating him with threats of being disinherited and losing his trust fund. It worked when he was younger, getting him to leave college and agree to conversion therapy in the hopes of getting away and returning to Cart. But the camp caused him so much trauma, he can’t even look at another man without experiencing a panic attack. Now his goal is to beat his parents at their own game by pretending to be the dutiful, straight son they want. Two more years, and he’ll succeed. Then he sees Cart again and realizes what really matters to him. He just needs to find a way for Cart to realize it too.


Trigger Warnings: This book contains references to attempted suicide, conversion therapy, depression, and self-harm, as well as depictions of PTSD and panic attacks. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

A Kind of Forever is an emotional and powerful second chance romance by Marie Sinclair. 

Way back when, Ry and Cart were dating and in love. Until Ry disappeared without an explanation.

Set in San Francisco, this one is one hell of a read. Ry's past is full of pain and anguish, all caused by his controlling, homophobic parents. 

As for Cart, he's now grieving the loss of his husband Sam and helping to save Sam's LGBTQ youth center. 

Upon their reunion, the anger and animosity are both intense. What follows is a beautiful tale of regret and forgiveness. It's a tale with family issues, as Ry can't come out to his family. Their story includes panic attacks and so damn many flashbacks to conversion therapy.

In the end, it's an impressive story with explanations, apologies, and acceptance. It's story of trying to deal with one's own past, as well as another's. And I couldn't put it down. 

This is a story with plenty of heavy topics and heavy moments. Take note of the trigger warnings and avoid if conversion therapy or attempted suicide is a hard no for you. 

The writing flows well, with a great pace. The characters are well developed and their storyline emotional and intriguing. The great thing is, despite all the heaviness involved, the author manages to keep things lighter than one would except.

A Kind of Forever is a stellar read. My first time reading a Marie Sinclair book, I am in love with this one and look forward to reading more from this newish author.

Intoxicating ( Elite Protection Services #1) by Onley James

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Lincoln Hudson has just been handed the easiest job in the world. Babysit the spoiled son of a conservative senator, keep him out of trouble, and receive a six-figure paycheck, a paycheck he desperately needs. Wyatt’s father claims he needs Linc’s firm hand and discipline. One look at him and Linc agrees. Wyatt needs discipline.

Being the closeted gay son of a family values senator has left Wyatt Edgeworth with a reckless streak and a love of partying that just cost him eight months of his life and might cost his father his re-election. So now he has a babysitter. A very sexy babysitter.

When Wyatt drunkenly tells Linc he’d make an excellent Daddy, they reach an understanding. Wyatt gets a Daddy and Linc gets a paycheck, then they go their separate ways. For this to work, discretion is key, but with a reporter dogging Wyatt’s every move, that might prove impossible.

Staying together was never an option, but with each passing day, their feelings only grow. Will they risk it all for what’s supposed to be a harmless fling?

Intoxicating is the first book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains age-gap, Daddy-kink and BDSM elements complete with a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

From the start, I was completely riveted by Onley James' Intoxicating. An amazing story of finding a purpose, I was intrigued throughout.

The prologue sets the reader off on an amazing journey, as Wyatt is instantly a sympathetic character. What follows only furthers our love of the troubled man. 

With parents that don't care about him and in the political eye, Wyatt's drowning and has nothing to live for. Never been able to make a decision or care for himself, he doesn't know how to do the simplest of tasks. Let's just say that having a Daddy is exactly what he needs.

When Linc's hired to babysit Wyatt, everything changes, as the tough Linc not only recognizes Wyatt's need, but can also deliver. My heart warmed watching Wyatt find someone to not only protect him, but to also save and love him.

This Daddy romance is fast paced, riveting, and full of amazing characters. It's a wonderful storyline, with both main characters having heavy backgrounds. The author delves into the pain of PTDS, conversion therapy and sexual abuse. 

I love Wyatt. He's a loveable yet broken man. But it's his skills with makeup that are truly extraordinary. I appreciate his thoughts about makeup, as it provides a mask to hide behind, and with makeup, anyone can be beautiful.

The Daddy play is perfectly done, just what both men need. Damn, these two are super steamy together. If you're looking for some hot scenes, you will not be disappointed.


Intoxicating is a story with a lot of meat, a lot of heart, and a lot of sex. I truly love this story of finding someone to trust. A gripping and emotional story, I can't wait for the next book in this Elite Protection Services series. 

Coming Home (Finding Home, #2) by Carly Marie

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Ty Scott has spent most of his life trying to keep his best friend, Declan, strictly in the friend zone. It hasn’t been easy, especially sharing a condo with him for six years. But having an unattainable straight best friend in his life is better than losing that friendship altogether.

At 26, Declan Andrews is settled in his life. He’s been a Navy SEAL for eight years, rapidly climbing the ranks and doing everything he can to put as much space between him and his childhood. Being locked tightly in the closet is wearing him down, and seeing his best friend shamelessly flirting with a guy in a bar one night snaps something inside of him.

Will staying in the closet end up pushing Declan’s best friend, and the man he’s loved for most of his life, away for good? Will Ty’s sexy secret be too much for Declan to handle? Or will an on-the-job accident stop everything before it starts?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Coming Home is another fantastic book by Carly Marie. 

As with At Home, I love Carly Marie's writing style. The story is compelling and the writing is great, with a fluid pace and a great story structure.

It's a tender tale of Declan who's struggling with his sexuality. He's one seriously messed up guy, completely insecure and unsure of who he really is. He grew up with religious, homophobic parents, who have left him scarred.

Declan and Ty have been best friends forever, and have been roommates for years. There is so much depth to their history, and I like the way we slowly learn more and more about them. We get to witness them as they go from friends to lovers. I enjoy the way Declan discovers how he really feels about Ty, and the discovery that he's demisexual.

Their whole story is a lot of fun. The struggles are real, as Declan's so damn scared to tell Ty that's he not straight. His secret has been going on for so long that he's afraid of Ty's reaction. You can feel Declan's fear jumping off the pages.

Ty and Declan have a wonderful best friend teasing and banter between them. If you enjoy good banter like I do, this one will leave you satisfied.

And, damn, Ty wears lace! Seriously, seriously hot scenes. I can't resist a man in lace!

If you haven't read At Home, you'll still enjoy this story a lot. However, I'd recommend also reading At Home if you enjoy age play. And, as we get to spend time with Colt and Derek again, you'll appreciate them better if you know their story. I, for one, am in absolute bliss that we get more time with them. 

My favorite scene is when Ty cries. I don't want to give the scene away. You'll have to read it to find out. But it's a tender and beautiful moment. You can feel the love radiating from the page.

My favorite quote has to be "Your happiness is important...Find it."

I love Coming Home. I love everything about it. It's an amazing friends to lovers story. The addition of demisexuality and lace/lingerie is terrific. I will definitely be re-reading this gem! And I am excited to see what else Carly Marie has up her sleeve for this enchanting and kinky series.

Storm Clouds Ahead (Black Ops Heroes #2) by Kendel Duncan

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Three lost souls. Thrown together by chance, by circumstance, by life. Two men, one woman. Will they combine to make the perfect storm – creating havoc and destruction all around them, destroying everything they touch, including each other? Or will love prevail and give them what they need, what they desire, what they crave?
Raine Braddock – tough as nails Park Ranger with a heart bigger than the National Park that she lives in, but also a woman who knows what she needs to make her life complete – and that is more than one man to love her. She can’t seem to find men strong enough so she flounders alone, a lost soul in a big park.
Paddington ‘Mac’ McIntyre – Not your typical FBI agent – he’s got piercings, tons of tattoos and enough of an Irish temper to have gotten him into trouble more than his fair share of times. But he’s also got a dark past – a traumatic upbringing by a strict Catholic father has him fighting his true nature, his basic desire, his need – and it’s keeping him angry, confused, lost and unable to find the love that he so desperately needs in his life.
Storm Wilson – DEA agent who has never hid his bi-sexual nature from anyone, not even his co-workers, but with his career stalled as he’s bumped around from every crap case that his supervisor can seem to find, he’s re-thinking his choices and wondering what the hell he’s going to do with his completely lost, lonely, messed-up life.
A series of events: A murder, an opportunity, a chance – bring these lost souls together. Will the love that they find together be enough or will this stormy life try to rip them apart?

Warning – Contains adult subject matter, including graphic language and sex, including: m/f, m/m & m/m/f. It is NOT suitable for younger readers – parental discretion is advised.

Reader Advisory – While the main characters in this book do have an HEA, this is a cliffhanger involving some secondary characters. The secondary characters will go on to become the main characters in the next book in the series. 

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Storm Clouds Ahead is the second book in Kendel Duncan's Black Ops series, and it is HOT!

This book centers around Storm, Mac, and Raine. Their tale is thrilling, suspenseful and oh so steamy. It's fun watching them navigate their feelings while dealing with a whole lot of danger. 

The story is exciting and deep, and is written with a whole lot of humor and tenderness. Admittedly, there are parts of the story that I have to just agree to ignore, as they don't make sense, but I believe an author can take some creative liberties from time to time. 

Mac's background, and resulting struggles with his sexuality is abhorrent. I found my heart breaking so very much for this man and his pain.

I find Storm and Mac to be amazing together. I enjoyed every part of their tale. I wasn't so in love with Raine, but she's ok and adds a lot to the story. She's definitely a bad ass and her sass is fun. 

Overall, the Black Ops series is superb thus far. I am loving the feel we get for Ben and Billy so far and cannot wait to read their story. And as with any good series, I love getting to spend time with the previous characters.



My Reviews of the Series:
Drake Malone