RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Out For the Holidays & Out For Gold by Lane Hayes

 

Title: Out for the Holidays/Out for Gold

Series: Out in College, Book 9

Author: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Lane Hayes

Release Date: July 26

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 30k

Genre: Romance, Contemporary MM Romance, Sports Romance, Bisexual, College Romance

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Out for the Holidays

A Dream Come True…

Derek-

This is it! I’m finally opening my own bistro. I’ve spent the last two years getting ready for this moment. I can’t decide if the holidays are the perfect time to begin a new venture, but I’m excited. It would be nice if my family were on board too.

Gabe-

I play water polo. I don’t know anything about the restaurant business, but I want to make sure Derek’s grand opening goes according to plan. I’ll rally our friends, send out invites, and yeah…I’ll even deal with his mother. He’s my number one person and I’ll do whatever it takes to be sure we’re out for the holidays.

Out for the Holidays is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep…and a host of friends from the Out in College books!

Out for Gold

Chance of a Lifetime…

Gabe-

Winning a spot on the Olympic water polo team is my lifelong goal and guess what?...I made it! Of course, nothing goes smoothly. This is a bad time for a shoulder injury and an even worse time for my dad to show up out of the blue. I might be doomed.

Derek-

Family isn’t easy. Trust me, I know. But in my experience, ignoring obvious issues only makes them more challenging in the long run. I can’t solve Gabe’s problems with his dad, but I’ll help if I can. Win or lose, my man is going out for gold.

Out of Gold is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep in a full-circle quest for the ultimate prize…love.

*OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS was originally featured in the holiday collection, Gifts for the Season. Since the anthology is no longer available, I wanted to publish it on my own and add new content. OUT FOR GOLD is a brand-new novella that really brings the whole story full-circle, featuring Gabe and Derek from Out in the Deep.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

It's Olympic Season and Lane Hayes has re-released Out for the Holidays and a fabulous new Olympic romance, Out for Gold. Both are now available in a set. Perfect timing!

If you're in the mood for a fun Olympic romance, don't miss this set!

The first story is a short that followed the author's established couple from Out in the Deep. Out for the Holidays is wonderful, as we see the men moving forward and their dreams coming true. The emotions are all there, as we see a man try to achieve his life long Olympic dream. Love it!

As for Out for Gold, we get to see the Olympic journey up close. As an Olympic fan, this story just hits me up close. I love this book. 

There's plenty going on in this set. Both men are chasing their dreams. One in water polo, the other with running his own Bistro. Both have family issues that they're dealing with. 

I adore how easy this set comes together. As a established couple, it's still easy to follow their journey, even if you haven't read their original story. The author gives us enough background to be able to follow, and enough emotions to keep us intrigued throughout. 

Out for the Holidays and Out for Gold are a lot of fun. Lane Hayes is fantastic at writing sports romances, and these are pure delight. Thank you Lane!

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The early July air was balmy with just a hint of chill. We changed into sweats and rode two blocks to the deserted beach. We spread a blanket and sat facing the ocean with our bare feet in the cool sand. Stars glittered above us and a crescent moon did its best to cast some light, but the darkness was kind of therapeutic. And there was something poetic about the roar of the Pacific and the silent beach. I could almost imagine Mother Nature had been waiting for us.

“This is nice. We haven’t done this in a while,” I commented, crossing my arm over his as I leaned back to watch the waves breaking in the distance.

“We’ve been busy.”

“It’ll get better, Der.”

“I know…”

“But?” I prodded when he didn’t continue.

“You need to talk to your dad, Gabe.”

“I talk to him all the fucking time lately.”

“You let him talk at you. You need to tell him how you feel.”

I groaned. “That’s the last thing I need.”

“It’s exactly what you need. You’ve given him rent-free room in your head. No…you’ve cleaned out space and invited him to take a little more from you. I get it. He’s got a strong personality, and he’s your father. You’re confused, but excited too, and you’re grateful, but you’re also still pretty damn angry with him. And not dealing with those feelings is wearing on you.”

What could I say? It was true.

“Yeah. It is.”

“Sharing your experience is one thing, but giving it away is another. You don’t owe that to him or your mom or me or anyone. <em>You </em>worked your ass off for this chance. <em>You</em> did it, babe. It was all you,” he whispered fiercely.

I didn’t expect the prick of tears behind my eyes. I blinked wildly and squinted at the horizon.

“He’s not easy, Der. He’s not a villain, he’s not my enemy. I’ve talked to countless therapists and I’ve conquered the worst of my anger, but I wasn’t prepared for this. I need to read the handbook about what to do when the guy who abandons you as a kid returns with a vengeance when you’re twenty-fucking-six,” I huffed derisively. “The thing is…he isn’t going to change. He won’t suddenly turn into Dad of the Year. And if he does, it’ll be for half brothers I barely know. How is that fair?”

Derek leaned into my side. “No one said it was fair, Gabe. But he can’t fix what he doesn’t understand. And maybe he’ll never get there. That doesn’t mean you should lose sleep over old pain or worries. Let that shit go. For your sake. For your sanity.”

I gave a humorless half laugh and nodded. “You’re right.”

“I’m pretty smart,” he boasted playfully. “And I have some experience with pushy parents.”

“Your mom is nothing like him. She loves you so much she can’t see straight sometimes. And my mom is like that too…to a less obsessive degree.” I teased.

“True.”

We chuckled, then let the silence fall like a gossamer blanket. I didn’t want to break it, but now that the cork was off my emotional bottle, I couldn’t help voicing one of my greatest fears.

“I don’t want to be like him, Der. If we ever have kids, I just…please let me know if I—”

“Stop.” Derek shook his head vehemently as he shifted to face me. “You are not your dad. You’re not going to turn into him the day you become a father. You know that. Someday, we will have kids, and they’re going to be really damn lucky to have two dads who love them unconditionally. You’ll probably be the fun dad who lets them get away with everything, and I’ll be the uptight one who keeps track of bedtimes and homework assignments.”

I caressed his jaw lovingly and bit his bottom lip. “Is it crazy that I’m not even a little freaked out that we so casually talk about having kids? Like it’s a foregone conclusion.”

He kissed me and rested his forehead against mine. “It is. You’re going to the Olympics, and then one of us will propose. We’ll close escrow on our house, get married, and talk about starting a family. Sound good?”

My heart was practically bursting at the seams, but I played it cool. “Yep. Sounds perfect. How many kids do you want?”

“Two. At least.”

“Same. And how will we know who should do the proposing?”

Derek smiled. “We’ll know.”

Purchase at Amazon

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Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |Instagram | BookBub

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Giveaway

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Relay (Changing Lanes #1) by Layla Reyne

 

Amazon Link   

Goodreads Link

A last chance at swimming gold, a second chance at lasting love.

Team captain.
Olympic medalist.
Devoted son and brother.
Alex has it all, and all the demands that go with being the best.
The last thing he needs on his crowded plate—and on his team—is his closeted ex.

Dane is swimming’s biggest star.
Carefully crafted from crib to pool, his fame feeds his celebrity parents’ empire.
He dropped the act once—the summer he fell in love with Alex.
Ten years later, the performance is crushing his soul.
So is resisting the man he still loves.

As the team struggles to gel, Alex and Dane clash in and out of the pool.
Forgive and forget is easier said than done.
But something has to give, if Alex and Dane want a shot at gold.
And a second chance at love.

Team captain and team celebrity square off in this enemies to lovers, second chance MM sports romance between two elite swimmers fighting against their hearts and fighting for Olympic gold.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Relay is an enjoyable second chance romance by Layla Reyne. I always enjoy a good romance involving athletes, and especially Olympians. Alex's a closeted swimmer on the Olympic swim team. Suddenly, his ex-lover, the press favorite, Dane, is on his team. Their reunion is not a fun time for either, as Alex is far from welcoming to his new teammate. Dane's spent his life as his parent's puppet. He does and says what he's told. He's closeted, as his religious parents would never allow their darling son to be gay. Dane's tired of pretending, living his life according to his parents' plans. Their story includes some scandal, betrayal and jealousy. People start meddling and careers are threatened. Relay's a wonderful reminder that living your truth can help you find real happiness.

BOOK TOUR, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Volley by Lynn Michaels

Volley 

by Lynn Michaels 

Genre: M/M Sports Romance 

Can they handle the competition?

Getting down and dirty in the sand is all in a day’s work for pro-volleyball digger, Robby Gilcrest, but a new doubles partner has him competing both on and off the court.

Ace Henderson comes from the wrong side of the tracks and has worked for every success in his life. Why should he think his relationship with Robby would be any different?

But he’s not losing to Morgan. Robby is his, right?

Beach volleyball and fouled emotions will bring them together or tear them apart--right on time for these Olympic hopefuls.

A sweet MM romance with an established couple and plenty of balls.

#sweet heat

#sports romance 

Goodreads * Amazon

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My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Volley is a simple sports romance by Lynn Michaels.

I adore Ace and Robby, but there wasn't much to this story. I would have loved MORE of them. There's a little jealousy, a little competition, and some hot sex. 

I kept expecting something more to happen, but it never does. I think I would have preferred reading more about the sexual tension that lead to their relationship and then some more tension during this stage of their relationship. Instead, the book is a sweet low-angst sports romance. It's not a bad book, it just isn't what I was expecting.

Overall, Volley is perfect for anyone looking for a fluffy sports romance. This Lynn Michaels tale is a short and sweet read.

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Lynn Michaels lives and writes in Tampa, Florida where the sun is hot and the Sangria is cold. When she's not writing she's kayaking, hanging with her husband, or reading by the pool. Lynn writes Male/Male romance because she believes everyone deserves a happy ending and the dynamics of male characters can be intriguing, vulnerable, and exciting. She has both contemporary and paranormal titles and has been writing since 2014. Her stories don't follow any set guidelines or ideas, but come from her heart and contain love in many forms. 

Website * Facebook * Facebook Readers Group * Facebook ARC Group * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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$10 Amazon 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! 

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RELEASE BLITZ, GIVEAWAY &REVIEW - Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold #1) by Colette Davison

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold Book 1)

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: January 29, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Second chance, sports, slow burn, hurt/comfort

Themes: Forgiveness, trusting others, dedication, self-care

Heat Rating: 2 - 3 flames

Length: 68 500 words

It is a standalone story.

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Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Can second chance love survive past trauma?

Reece has one goal: to compete in the Olympic Games. With the gymnastics World Championships looming, his dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

When his childhood sweetheart, Alex, walks back into his life unexpectedly, Reece’s world is turned upside down. Alex was the boy who inexplicably pushed him away and broke his heart; the boy he still loves.

When the truth behind their break-up is revealed, Reece wants to hold Alex up and give him the strength to heal.

But can Reece be Alex’s rock, and remain focused on his training, or will his Olympic dreams suffer in the process?

Hold Me Up is a MM second chance romance, with a slow-burn relationship and lots of hurt/comfort. It’s the first in a series of books that follows male artistic gymnasts as they chase gold.

Trigger warnings: Hold Me Up features a character who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks due to a past event that is briefly described.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Hold Me Up is a captivating second chance sports romance by Colette Davison.

Four years after Alex broke up with Reece, completely ghosting him, they are reunited. Alex, a man of self sacrifice, is led by his need to support, from afar, the one that he loves. He's haunted by the demons of his past, spending the past four years with panic attacks, distancing himself to the point of putting off everyone. 

And poor Reece has no idea that any of this has happened. His focus has firmly been on making the Olympic team, and suddenly he's faced with his ex. 

Both men are well developed, interesting characters. Both are written in a manner that draws the reader right into their emotions and actions. And both are positively loveable.

The author excels in her extraordinary illustration of Alex's anxiety stemming from trauma. She does a fantastic job handling the writing of panic attack hangover. It's all written with knowledge, compassion, and care.

I enjoy the uniqueness of this story. We don't get to read about gymnast often. And the strength of their love is extraordinary. For them to be so young, and yet so purely devoted to each other is inspirational and all consuming. It's absolutely beautiful. 

Hold Me Up is a wonderful story of healing through love and support. A tough subject matter, Colette Davison handles it well, creating a riveting and complex amazing read that I couldn't put down. You can't go wrong with this book. The storyline, the characters, the emotions, and the love are superb. Just read it.

Excerpt

“Pizza and beer, as requested.”

Alex’s smiled deepened as he stood back, allowing Reece to enter.

“Are we eating at the table, or are we going to be uncouth?” Reece made eyes at the sofa and then frowned playfully. “How can you be uncouth when you can’t be couth?”

Alex chuckled. “You’re an idiot.”

“It’s true, though,” Reece pointed out, kicking the door shut behind him. “Just like you can be over- or underwhelmed, but you can’t actually be whelmed. The English language is weird.” Raising the hand carrying the beer, he pointed to the table and then the sofa. “Table or sofa?”

Alex considered the question. The sofa would be far more relaxed, but he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. In just a few days, most of his barriers regarding Reece had crashed down. He was enjoying having Reece back in his life, but he felt like it was for all the wrong reasons.

Reece took the decision out of his hands. “The table is occupied by your laptop. Let’s take the sofa.” He put the pizzas and beer on the coffee table before flopping down on one end of the sofa. He looked up at Alex expectantly. “Are you joining me?”

Alex glanced at the table, wondering if he should offer to move the laptop. It would have taken him two seconds to close the lid and prop it against the wall and only slightly longer to take it back through to his bedroom, but he didn’t want to. Instead, he wandered to the kitchen units and grabbed the bottle opener from the drawer.

“Good call,” Reece said as he pulled two bottles out of the cardboard pack. He held them both while Alex flipped the lids off, and then gave one to Alex. “I got us garlic bread,” he declared. “And I seem to remember that you’re not much of a fan of topping on pizza, so I’ve got a margherita for you and pepperoni for me.” He took a swig of beer before opening up the pizza boxes and handing Alex his. Then he reclaimed the bottle. “We should have a toast.”

Alex raised his eyebrows as Reece lifted his bottle.

“To you. Reporter extraordinaire.”

Alex felt heat creep up into his face. “I don’t—”

“I do,” Reece cut him off. “Like I said earlier, your article was amazing.” He glanced around the room. “You should cut it out and frame it.”

The heat swept up to Alex’s hairline and into his ears. “My boss already did.”

“Where is it? I don’t see it up anywhere.”

“At work.”

“On the wall?”

Alex shook his head.

“You need to bring it home. I’ll help you put it up, if you want?”

Alex dipped his chin. “I—”

“It’s your first article. It’s a big deal, Alex and you should be bloody proud of yourself.”

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

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Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

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Relay (Changing Lanes #1) by Layla Reyne

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Blurb

Captain is not a title Alejandro “Alex” Cantu takes lightly. Elected by his teammates to helm the US Men’s Swim Team, he proudly accepts the role, despite juggling endless training, team administrative work, and helping out on the family farm. And despite his ex-lover, Dane Ellis—swimming’s biggest star—also making the Olympic Team.

Dane has been a pawn in his celebrity parents’ empire from crib to pool, flashing his camera-ready smile on demand and staying deeply in the closet. Only once did he drop the act—the summer he fell in love with Alex. Ten years later, Dane longs to cut his parents’ strings, drop his too-bright smile, and beg Alex for another chance.

Alex, though, isn’t ready to forgive and forget, and Dane is a distraction he doesn’t need on his team, until an injury forces Alex to accept Dane as his medley relay anchor. Working together, their passion reignites. When Dane’s parents threaten reprisal and Alex is accused of doping, the two must risk everything to prove Alex’s innocence, to love one another, and to win back their spots on the team, together.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Relay is an enjoyable second chance romance by Layla Reyne.

I always enjoy a good romance involving athletes, and especially Olympians. Alex's a closeted swimmer on the Olympic swim team. Suddenly, his ex-lover, the press favorite, Dane, is on his team. 

Their reunion is not a fun time for either, as Alex is far from welcoming to his new teammate.

Dane's spent his life as his parent's puppet. He does and says what he's told. He's closeted, as his religious parents would never allow their darling son to be gay. Dane's tired of pretending, living his life according to his parents' plans.

Their story includes some scandal, betrayal and jealousy. People start meddling and careers are threatened. 

Relay's a wonderful reminder that living your truth can help you find real happiness. 

GRL 2018 SPOTLIGHT - Andrew Grey - Heart Untouched (Hearts Entwined #3)

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

Andrew Grey's new release
Heart Untouched!

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

BLURB

A Hearts Entwined Novel

An accident crushed Duncan’s Olympic dreams and landed him in a chair, but he knows it’s time to get his life back on track—and he has a plan in mind. Working with his friend Todd, an Olympic skeleton racer, on a promotional campaign will not only help Duncan regain some direction, but it’ll give Todd the financial boost he desperately needs. The sport Todd loves is draining his resources—so much so that he’s thinking of giving up racing just to make ends meet.

As the two men work together, their friendship blossoms into much more, and suddenly the future is looking brighter than it has in a long time. But just when love, happiness, and success seem within their grasp, the USOC steps in with plans to stop their campaign. That’ll mean an end not just to Duncan’s business, but to Todd’s dreams… and Duncan isn’t about to let that happen to the man who means everything to him.

REVIEW

My Rating - 5  Stars!

Wow! Andrew Grey excels at writing characters with physical limitations, whether it be that a character is blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair. And, with Heart Untouched, he has written another remarkable book.

Duncan's a former Olympic prospect, who is in a wheelchair after being injured. He believes he'll never find love, as he wouldn't want to burden anyone with someone who can't function properly in the bedroom. He is just getting through his days, completely lacking any zest for life. 

As he starts working with his friend Todd, their friendship is renewed, and Todd is upset at seeing how different Duncan is now, as he's sullen and negative. Both men are forever changed as they both help each other tremendously. They push each other to be the best they can be, and to find what makes them happy. And they also find a not-so-little thing called love.

As a couple, Duncan and Todd are so darn good together. They compliment each other well, and truly want the best for each other. 


As always, Andrew Grey's writing is fantastic, with a great pace and good development. And it's always fun to see some of the guys from Andrew's previous books make appearances!

Don't miss out on Heart Untouched, as well as the rest of the Hearts Entwined series. Andrew Grey is just one of those writers who is sure to please.  

Andrew Grey

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew's hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink.

http://www.andrewgreybooks.com/index.htm

http://andrewgreybooks.com/blog/