RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey #5) by Eden Finley & Saxon James

 

PUCK DRILLS & QUICK THRILLS

CU Hockey - Book Five

by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Release Blitz

Release Date: October 6, 2021

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Genre: M/M College Sports Romance

Trope: Friends to lovers, secret relationship

---

WESTLY

The fall from NHL superstar to domestic disaster was swift and painful. When I became the legal guardian of my five younger siblings, I had no idea what I was doing.

One year later, I’m still lost.

Coaching CU’s hockey team might be the only thing I’m excelling at. But when our star forward is failing math, I have to do what it takes to keep him on the team. Even if it’s going head-to-head with Jasper Eckstein.

One minute I’m confronting the notorious hockey-hating professor, and the next I’m agreeing to be his date to his twenty-year high school reunion.

I don’t know how that happened.



JASPER

My rules are simple. I don’t give extra credit. Ever. No matter how entitled jocks think they are, I refuse to give them special treatment.

It's not because I hate them. It's not because a hockey player broke my nose in high school.

It's fair.

But when Westly Dalton bursts into my office like a hurricane, all my principles fly out the window.

Suddenly I'm giving extra credit.

And I have a date to my reunion.

After one explosive night together, I want more, but his home life is a mess, and I don't want to get in the way. If all we can have is quick thrills, I’m okay with that.

It’s not like I could ever fall for a jock.

---

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK

---

Purchase Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/WfRG

_________________________________________________________________________________________

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Puck Drills & Quick Thrills is a fabulous addition to the world of CU Hockey. The fifth book in this Eden Finley and Saxon James series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

Dear lord, I love every second of this book. Their first meeting is memorable, and everything that follows is awesome. 

I love Jasper's firmness as a teacher, but learning about his past certainly makes him a well rounded character. He's definitely more than meets the eye, with a past that has shaped him.

And Weston. Poor, lovable Weston. He's doing the best he can for his siblings, but it isn't easy. I admire him greatly and am thrilled to see him find some happiness and peace for himself. 

I absolutely love the character growth for both men. Together, they lift one another up, encourage each other, and help each other find happiness in their futures. I love them together. 

As usual, the writing is fantastic. You can't go wrong with this writing duo or this series. The full cast of characters in every book are well worth the read. 

Puck Drills & Quick Thrills is a great ending to this sports series. This writing duo managed to capture my heart with these lovable men and this compelling hockey team. Definitely read the whole CU Hockey series the next time you're in the mood for a college sports romance. 

---

GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

ENTER HERE

---

Other Titles Within this Series

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

---

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn't take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son's, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

---

Connect with Eden

Website:

https://edenfinley.com

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2owAsgY

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2GMjfag

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2t1KqM4

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouFzya

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2HQnyCv

Instagram: https://bit.ly/33mNum4

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3gS5aLZ

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3qkn0eP

Bookbub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouhBDq

---

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

---

Connect with Saxon

Facebook Author Page:

http://bit.ly/2QSVCmS

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/36slT1W

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2SYfPKU

Instagram: https://bit.ly/33m1XPb

Amazon Author Page: hhttps://amzn.to/2ZXjp9C

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3fKt5MC

---

Verismo (Magnum Opus #1) by E.M. Lindsey

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Two men, shaped by the demons of their past, find their lives inexplicably intertwined.

Nicolas Michaud, the prodigy composer and pianist, grew up apart from the world. A mother who neglected him, and a father who never met him. But when he's suddenly orphaned, Nicolas is taken from his comfortable home and thrown into a life where no one understands him. Consumed by his desire to find the perfect musician for his Magnum Opus, he turns away from human relationships, and it turns him cold. Taking a job at the University in the United States, Nicolas is met with disappointment and regret.

Until he meets Cedric Blum, a young chemical engineering student with a secret talent for music like Nicolas has never seen. But Cedric has his own past to overcome. With the help of an old friend, and new relationships, the pair begin their journey toward love, life, and the Magnum Opus.

In the end, will Cedric's happy nature thaw Nicolas' icy exterior, or will Nicolas find himself consumed by his fear of love? 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Verismo is a stellar read. The first book in the Magnum Opus series, this EM Lindsey story is impressive and powerful. 

This is an emotional rollercoaster, so be prepared for a lot of heavy and hard to read content. 

We first meet Nicolas and Cedric when they're kids. We learn about their tragic upbringings and all the hardships they face. 

Nicholas's childhood is awful with his mother and then he ends up an orphan. Sent to live with his rich and powerful half brother, money is never an issue. But love, or the lack there of, certainly is. He turns himself fully to his music, never learning how to be personable; never caring about anyone.

Cedric is left orphaned at birth. Taken in by a couple who end up traumatizing him in the end certainly shapes who he is. One father loves him, but caters to his abusive husband. That abusive father leaves him feeling unloved, unworthy, and in denial of his sexuality. Worst of all, he's told over and over that he's broken because he's blind.

Fast forward to when they meet years later as adults. 

This is a story of music. Two gifted pianists with different paths. One is a world renowned musician, but his life is lacking, as all his energy is devoted to finding someone capable of playing his great piece with him. The other is stripped of his natural born gift to play, as his father doesn't want music to make him gay. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this story is the powerful effect of internalized homophobia by Cedric's father. He himself is gay, but will spend all his energy making sure that his son is not. Crazy and sad, but definitely not far fetched.

The music aspect is well written. It's hard to make a reader feel the music, but somehow the author does just that. It's impressive. No, I don't have a strong music background, but I definitely love how it's written. 

These two are fated. Destiny has plans for them. It's a long road to get there, but in the end, they are certainly meant for one another. Their journey is paved with conflict, homophobia, tragedy, and abuse. Of course, it's also paved with a strong attraction and profound connection. 

I'm seriously blown away by this book. Written in alternating pov, both men fully come alive. The seriousness of this story is felt throughout. The men and the heaviness of their lives, jumps off the pages throughout. And the storyline is truly amazing. The author waits a long time for these men to meet. That isn't typical in a romance, but it is definitely done for a good reason. These men and their lives have lead them to someday meet. The author needs to build up who they are and what got them to the place where they met. Without that background, there is no story.

Verismo is a beautiful story. EM Lindsey left me heartbroken and stunned by these men and their harrowing journey. 

  

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Fake Friends (Never Just Friends #2) by Saxon James

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Fake Friends by Saxon James

 A Never Just Friends Novel, Book 2

ROWAN

Five years ago, I did something horrible and ran.

I ruined the best thing I had in my life, and now, I’m finally back to make things right.

I need Circus’s forgiveness, and then maybe I can finally move on.

I’ll leave Sunbury for good this time and never look back. I can escape disapproving family members and hiding who I am.

I’ll be able to live my truth.

But earning his forgiveness isn’t as simple as I hoped it was going to be.

He’s going to make me fight for it, and I don’t blame him at all.

CIRCUS

Rowan Harvey coming back into my life is something I never thought would happen.

But now he’s here, begging for forgiveness, and I’m tempted to give it to him just so he’ll disappear again.

We make a deal.

I’ll forgive him if he helps me with a social media campaign I’ve landed.

I need an extra model for a swimwear shoot, and none of my friends are available or fit the brief. In exchange, he promises to leave again as soon as it’s over.

I don’t need or want him back in Sunbury.

His request of anonymity during the shoot proves he’s still living in his dark closet, and I’m not going to make the same mistakes I did when I was a teenager.

I won’t let myself fall for him again.

I won’t.

Amazon US  *  Universal Link

Goodreads

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Fake Friends is a fantastic friends to lovers romance. The second book in Saxon James' Never Just Friends series, I fell into it hook, line, and sinker. These men and their story are everything I could have asked for. 

I love Circus and Rowan, both together and individually. Their pasts are both heart wrenching, fully illustrating why they are the way they are now. One lost his family and struggles with being alone. The other is closeted all in an effort to stay close to his family.

An enemies to lovers aspect exists in the beginning. Their messy past is beautifully overcome however, in both a fun and natural manner.

I love that Circus is a social media influencer. I follow way too many hot guys online and can total imagine this story. Every single bit of it. It's fun to read a tale that includes this.

Their story is a second chance, friends to lovers romance, with some fake relationship moments thrown in. There's plenty of heat, including phone sex and hot first times, and tons of wit and humor.

And omg, the tears. Poor Rowan's struggles with his sexuality are heartbreaking. I want to cry for the way he wants to be true to himself, but also can't deal with losing the love of his family. His struggles are all too common and well written.

There are definitely some tough elements, as Rowan's family is homophobic and there's mention of conversion therapy. It's mostly referred to though, with only a little of on page action. 

The writing is what I've come to expect from the author. Everything about the story works for me. I adore the author's tone, choice of words, and storyline. The characters are fabulous as they fully come to life. And the dialogue is natural and perfectly done. I love everything about this book.

Fake Friends is an absolutely wonderful read. This Saxon James romance is emotional, sexy, and completely feel good in the end. I enjoyed every single second of reading this and can't wait to read it again. 

 

Release Blitz Excerpt:

This. Is. Bad.

I flick through photo after photo of perfection.

And I hate to say it, but Rowan makes me look good. The tats, the unruly hair, the confidence in how he holds himself.

He’s come a long way since high school.

Back then he was guarded and scared, and the only place he looked like he owned his skin was on the football field. Still, he always caught my eye. Always drew out that curious side of me that was attracted to what I didn’t know.

The first time I went to his house after school, I remember overhearing his dad asking who the little pretty boy was. And I knew by his tone what he was really asking.

First: is that kid gay?

Second: what the fuck is he doing with my son?

I was never a favorite around his place, especially when his grandparents were there, so we spent as much time at my house, or wandering Crown Trails, as we could.

And as I pause over the photo of Rowan kissing my nose, an irrational surge of anger passes through me.

I was there, for years, in the secret, stolen moments of his life. I was the only one who knew his secret, and the only one who didn’t push for him to figure himself out.

All I did was wait.

Show him it was okay.

And that night, five years ago, when he finally kissed me and we gave into a year of sexual tension, I kissed him like we meant forever.

I had no idea forever would last all of five minutes.

---

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Saxon's new release, we are giving away 2 e-sets of the Never Just Friends Series so far!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: hhttp://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57116/?

---

Saxon James is an author from Australia who's obsessed with writing queer characters. She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love.

When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.

Connect with Saxon:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pg/thesaxonjames/
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/saxonssweethearts/
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/saxon-james
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Saxon-James/e/B082TP7BR7
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/19404191.Saxon_James
Instagram: www.instagram.com/saxonjameswrites/

---

---

Wild for You by Liam Livings

Title: Wild for You Author: Liam Livings Length: 52k Series: ​standalone Genre: contemporary

Amazon Link  - Available in KU

Goodreads Link 

Take one grieving widower...

William promised his husband they’d rewild a farm. Now his husband’s gone, William’s clueless about how to bring wildlife back to the farm, and can no longer write romance.

Add one bodybuilding farmer...

Since his parents’ failed marriage, Luke’s sceptical of love; it’s as old-fashioned and unnecessary as a relationship. Social media attention is better than real life.

And you have a friendship slowly turning into lovers...

William’s romantic heart and desires fight with guilt and grief as his attraction to Luke grows. Luke's connection with William melts his jaded heart.

My Rating - 3 Stars!

Liam Living's Wild For You is a good neighbors romance. 

William and Luke are new neighbors. William is new to town, still grieving the loss of his ex husband and hoping to fulfill a dream. Luke and sister Charlotte live next door. 

This is a story that starts with assumptions and a man who's not wanted in town. It's a story full of stubbornness, frustration, and pride. William's inability to ask for or accept help is maddening. But I enjoy the way Luke sets out to help William, despite the neighbors not wanting him and the change he's bringing. 

Several things lead this story. William is trying to make changes to his farm that the town doesn't want. And then there's the issue of the developing feelings between him and Luke. It all adds up to be an interesting story with some good conflict. 

Wild For You is a slow burn romance as one struggles to accept a second chance at love. Liam Livings entertains in this tale of facing fears and grabbing onto love. 

Unearthing Cole (Discovering Me #1) by A.M. Arthur

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Cole Alston swore he’d never return to his childhood home in rural North Carolina, but when his mother dies, he inherits her hoarded property. He hopes to sell everything and use the money to start over in Canada, far away from his abusive ex-boyfriend. It’s a daunting task, and Cole has no idea where to start. Luckily for him, the local antique store owner, Jeremy Collins, volunteers his services in sorting the hoard. Their professional relationship soon evolves into a personal one, but Cole must overcome his past and his anxiety before he can accept a new man in his life or the possibility of a happy future.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Unearthing Cole is book one in AM Arthur's Discovering Me series. It was originally published in 2013, but is now being re-released with no new content. 

This book explores abuse and hoarding, so be warned if these are triggers for you. 

Jeremy and Cole meet while Cole is in town dealing with his mother's house. The connection and attraction between Cole and Jeremy is strong, yet Cole is only in town for a short time. 

This is a story with some fascinating characters and their many layers of issues. Cole has to deal with his parent's lifetime of hoarding. I find this aspect to be extremely well explored. Not only does he have to physically deal with all their junk, but also the mental effects of their hoarding upon himself. I truly love the manner is which the author demonstrates this issue, including the way he easily fell prey to an abuser.

As well, the effects of his being abused are well illustrated. Cole is a man who's running from his ex, as well as his past. He has to deal with a lifetime of shame and feeling unloved. It's a lot to deal with, but the author does a great weaving it all together.

Then there's Jeremy, a small town man who helps Cole get his mom's property ready to sell. They fall into a casual relationship quickly, and soon the attraction is front and center. Jeremy himself, is also a wounded soul, yet not as effected by his past as Cole. 

This is a story that heavily explores shame and it's long lasting effects. It's also a story of dealing with one's past and coming out better on the other side. 

On top of all the heavy issues, the story is a slow burn romance which is well done. There is plenty of attraction and chemistry to keep things a little lighter. The healing process is written with care and compassion, never feeling rushed. 

I do need to say I was disappointed by a couple of things, but I don't really want to give any spoilers here. Overall, I am thrilled to have discovered this book. 

Unearthing Cole is a wonderfully written slow burn romance. AM Arthur manages to tackle some extremely heavy issues, all without overwhelming the reader much in the end. I was left wanting more of these men, which is always a good thing. Luckily for me, there are two more books in the series coming soon. 

A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies by Christina Lee

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link



Blurb

The last thing Emerson Rose expects is to fall for his best friend, Rhys, especially since he’s never been attracted to a man before. Everything in his life is already complicated enough. He’s put his own future on hold to raise his two younger siblings, and confusing feelings for the guy who always has his back muddy the waters even more. But then something astonishing happens. For one perfect moment, he thinks Rhys might feel the same—only to have his world come crashing down around him a second time.

Rhys Lancaster has always known he’s gay and that Emerson isn’t. Best friends since childhood, their easy companionship has usually been enough. Between his job, his adrenaline-filled adventures, and hanging out with Emerson and his siblings, he has it good…until he wakes up in the hospital with no memories of the last year of his life.

Like they normally do when things go horribly wrong, Rhys and Emerson support each other. Frustrated by all he’s lost, Rhys stays with Emerson during his recovery, and Emerson helps Rhys through the fog, while pushing those other feelings aside. To make matters worse, Rhys knows Emerson’s keeping something from him. Everything feels different now when he looks at Emerson, and as they fall into a comfortable routine, that aching desire doesn’t stay buried for long.

But Emerson has a family to raise, and Rhys is struggling to figure out what’s going on inside his head. Unless they can push past the doubts and fears to seal that connection between them again, this tragedy might become the one each has to weather alone.


Review 
My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Wow, Christina Lee's A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies is a stunning read. This character driven romance is an absolute must read. 

Emerson and Rhys are best friends and neighbors. They have both suffered too much loss in their lives. And now Rhys losses a year of his life, and a large part of himself to his accident. His story is one of trying to figure out who he is now and it's absolutely riveting. 

This is a story of trying to preserve the strength of one's friendship. This is a story about trying to protect one's heart. It's a story about the fear of going from friends to lovers. It's a story of losing one's best friend. And every single second is amazing.

The author illustrates in a spectacular manner, that sometimes it takes a loss to face one's fears. These are characters for whom accidents have shaped their lives. The author excels in demonstrating that in loss, we gain other things, as with Emerson and Rhys, they may find a new kind of family. 

The author's character development is extraordinary. She has brought to life some spectacular people, including young Sam, who is a wise, old soul. 

Then there's the emotional rollercoaster. Damn, just damn. I felt every single second of this book as if it was happening to me. The ups, the downs, the hope, the despair, the longing, the fear. All of it. 

Then there's the title. Wow, I just love the title and it's meaning in this story. It's impressive in both it's symbolism and importance.

As for quotes, this one perfectly sums up Emerson's demisexuality perfectly.
"I was slowly falling in love with you...during all the bigger and smaller moments in our lives...and all the spaces in between." Honestly, I don't think the author could have done any better with exploring this type of sexuality. 

A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies is impressive and absolutely beautiful. Set time aside for this Christina Lee book, as you'll want to read it in one sitting. It is exquisite!