RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Benny from the Block by K.C. Kassidy

 

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Benny From The Block
By K.C. Kassidy

Blockers, Book Two

When high school principal, William Garrison, steps in to help a bullied freshman boy, he is surprised to learn that fifteen-year-old Ben is the son of his former high school nemesis, Benito “Benny” Vega.

William has mixed feelings about seeing Benny again, considering Benny was the one who used to torment and pick on William for being different. But Benny is a changed man, in more ways than one, and he wants the chance to prove to both his son and William that he’s not the same guy he once was.

Can William be the bigger man and let go of his unresolved feelings toward Benny or will their shared personal history get in the way of helping Ben?

​​​​​​​After all, they do say love always wins, right?

Universal Link

Goodreads

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Benny From the is a wonderful story of redemption, as William falls for his former bully, Benny. 

I am delighted with the way Benny is redeemed to William, as well as the reader. 

Benny is the classic example of someone who struggled with repressed homophobia. I appreciate that he had more problems in his past that formed his personality and led to his behavior. Now he has to deal with the fact that his son is struggling with being bullied. His son Ben is everything he didn't want for his son and brings him around to facing his own treatment of  William. 

William, as a principle, is fabulous. It's not an easy job, but he excels in caring about his students and trying to help them. 

I enjoy all of this story. The redemption. The romance. The Ben issues. All of it is written with heart and care, making for a multi-layered, and ultimately sweet story. 

This is a story with bullying, expectations, homophobia, parenting issues, school issues, and heritage issues. Benny's family has a history and expectations that come with their upbringing. To go off course isn't an easy step. 

Written with some glimpses into the past, the author allows the author an understanding of Benny and why he is the way he is. I am thrilled to have understood Benny early on and to be able to sympathize with him throughout. 

This is the story of Benny and his progression, as he deals with accepting himself and learning to grab on to love.

Benny From the Block is a fabulous story. KC Cassidy packs a lot of layers and emotions into this former bully romance. And I love every minute of it! 

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I watch as Ben towels off his dark shaggy hair, and I can’t tell if he’s letting it grow long on purpose or if he hasn’t been able to get a haircut.

“Ben, I’m just going to be blunt and bring up the obvious. I don’t think you did this to yourself in the boys’ bathroom this morning.” I swirl my finger around in the air toward his damp hair. “My guess is someone, maybe more than one, held your head down either in the toilet or the sink.”

Ben’s hands stall mid-air, the edge of the towel drooping over his head. His eyes pop wide in fear as they peer at me from under the cover. “How…I mean, why would you think that?”

Leaning across my desk, I give him an empathetic smile. I prop my chin in my hands, elbows on the desk, and look him straight in the eyes.

“When I was your age, I got bullied a lot, too. It got to the point in my sophomore year that I would avoid going to the bathroom at all during the day. Sometimes I barely made it home before I peed my pants.”

My smile is warm and self-deprecating and his lips twitch, a thin acknowledgment of the humor in my sad tale and perhaps some camaraderie.

“Ben, I know exactly what you’re going through because I’ve been there myself. I also know that it serves neither of us any good if I ask you who’s bullying you because you probably won’t tell me. You think that, by not snitching, you’re protecting yourself from retaliation. But I promise you, it won’t stop them. They’ll keep coming at you until you stand up to it safely.”

His bottom lip trembles slightly and my heart breaks for his needless suffering.

“I want to help you, Ben. You don’t deserve this. No one deserves to be beaten down and picked on by ignorant jerks. So, what do you say? Will you let me help you?”

The kid seems to think this over, glancing everywhere but at me, and then finally gives me a shrug of agreement.

It’s a start and I can work with it.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the exciting release of Benny From The Block, we are giving 3 lucky winners the chance to win an e-copy of the release!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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K.C. Kassidy is the gay romance pen name for Sierra Hill, new adult author of over 35+ awarding winning novels.
Her debut novel, C*ck Blocked, is the first book in the standalone Blockers Series.

Connect with K.C.:

Website: http://authorkckassidy.com/
Email subscriber link: https://www.subscribepage.com/authorkckassidy
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sKQVxb
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-kassidy
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/k.c.kassidyauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.c.kassidyauthor
FB reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kckassidyskaleidoscopereaders

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Ginger Snapping All the Way by Gabbi Grey

RELEASE BLITZ and AUDIOBOOK TOUR

Book Title:  Ginger Snapping All the Way

Author: Gabbi Grey

Publisher: Self-Published

Narrator: Michael Dean

Release Date: November 15, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Hurt/comfort, lumberjack/nurse, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity

Themes: Redemption, forgiveness

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 8 hours and 8 minutes

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Audible US  |  Audible UK 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Maddox

I’m not a fan of Christmas. I’m happy to stay up in my mountain cabin and let the silly season pass me by.  But when a friend asks for a favor, I can’t say no.  Now I’m stuck in my cabin during a snowstorm, trapped with the most beautiful man I’ve ever met—who can’t wait to get away. He just might break my heart when he goes.

Ravi

I’m racing to get home for the birth of my goddaughter when mechanical troubles force my plane’s emergency landing. There are no beds at the inn due to a horrendous storm, but a friend says she knows a guy who won’t mind putting me up until the bad weather passes.  Now I’m trapped with that man, and I must decide if I stay, hiding from the rest of the world, or go and face my past to earn a shot at my happily ever after.

This is a 72k word, hurt/comfort, lumberjack/nurse, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity MM romance novel with a moderate amount of angst.

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My Rating - 4 Stars!

Ginger Snapping All The Way is an emotional holiday romance by Gabbi Grey. I feel into this one easily and couldn't put it down. 

This story starts off with some insta love between Mad and Ravi. They're likable from the start and it's easy to root for them. 

This is a story of opposites, both of whom have some tough times in their pasts to deal with. This story has some serious moments and some difficult situations. But it's also wonderfully sweet, with lots of heart, and some major heat. 

Their story takes place over a short time period, with some forced proximity pushing the two to deal with things quickly.

The writing is wonderful, with some fantastic characters and a riveting storyline. I enjoy the dialog and the sensitivity the author brings to their writing. 

Ginger Snapping All The Way is a great read. Gabbi Grey certainly puts them men through some tough times to get their hard fought happy ending. But rest assured, it's all worth it. This is definitely worth a read when you're in the mood for a hurt/comfort holiday romance. 

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All of a sudden, the mechanical whirr of a window descending sounded through the cabin, and within moments, a blast of cold air hit my neck.

“Jesus, Sofia.”

I glanced in the side mirror, and damned if the dog didn’t have her head stuck out the window. She must’ve climbed over my bag and, apparently, knew how to lower the window.

Impressive.

“I’m rolling up the window.”

More whirring, and an indignant yip.

I didn’t speak dog, but I knew pissed when I heard it.

“I don’t care.” Maddox gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.

Another yip.

“Okay. One French fry. But that’s all you’re getting. Zephyra said no more treats.”

I hesitated. None of my business, but I couldn’t help myself. “Uh, if you don’t mind me asking, who is Zephyra?” I probably didn’t need to know, but this was the first conversation in about fifteen minutes, and even if I was interrupting dog/human communication, I wanted in on the discussion.

“Dr. Zephyra Dixon is Sophia’s veterinarian. Her clinic is across from the A&W, and she might have spotted me giving Sophia a French fry.”

Two quick successive yaps.

Ah, now the truth was coming out.

Sofia placed her front paws on the center console by my elbow and nuzzled my ear again.

“Holy crap, dog, you’re all wet.” And cold.

“Hence the reason I don’t want her rolling down the window. Doesn’t have the sense God gave her.”

I glanced over my shoulder to find a grinning pup. Oh, she was mighty pleased with herself.

“At least she’s strapped in.” I’d noticed that. Some kind of harness system. She could go back and forth between the two back windows and come up to the front console, but was clearly secured.

“There’s a reason for that.”

I waited, but no further elucidation came. “Care to share?”

A grunt. “Not long after I got her, we were driving home from town. When I arrived at my place, the back seat was empty.” He shot a quick glare at the dog who didn’t appear the least bit cowed. “She won’t tell me if she slipped or jumped, but she’d gone out the window when I’d slowed down to make a left. Took me two hours of walking the back roads. Finally, someone stopped and told me where they’d seen her. Little shit.” That last bit was muttered, but clearly audible.

I turned to face Sofia. “That must have been traumatizing.”

A snort. “Little dear was lapping up the luxury in someone’s backyard, sunning herself after a dip in the kiddie pool. Damn lucky no one shot her.”

“Shot her?” I pressed a hand to my chest.

“Plenty of my neighbors have guns. Wouldn’t be legal, but that wouldn’t stop some of them. She lucked out.”

I tweaked her nose. “Did you hurt yourself?”

A snicker. “She was just fine. Shaved a couple of years off my life, but she was no worse for wear.”

Ah, so he did have a heart.

For his dog, at least.

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Gabbi lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black.

Social Media Links

Audible Profile   |   Blog/Website  |   Facebook 

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Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

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Tackling The Tight End (Long Pass Chronicles #3) by Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  ??

Goodreads Link

Lives far apart. Souls close together.

Raven Nez thinks he’s got problems. Everybody expects him to become a big pro football hero and promote his tribes’ casino. He wants to work with gay kids.

Then he meets Dennis Hascomb and finds out what problems really are. Dennis’s struggle to break away from his ugly life and everything he’s been taught could literally kill him.

Throbbing with their unexpected attraction, Raven sets out to rescue Dennis from pain and destruction— and puts himself in danger.

They’re the most unlikely couple on earth, but as friendship grows into more, they’re willing to fight for their love.

First, they have to fight for their lives.

TACKLING THE TIGHT END is a hurt/comfort, friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, MM romance.

NOTE—TACKLING THE TIGHT END is a republication of a previous work. Only the cover is changed.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Tackling the Tight End is the third book in the Long Pass Chronicles series. This Tara Lain book is awesome. I loved it when it was first released and am thrilled it's being re-released. 

This one starts off a little different, as I hated Dennis coming into this story. He was the bad guy in the first book and I couldn't forget how horrible he was. But damn, if you enjoy redemption tales, you will love this.  

Yes, there is much more to Dennis than meets the eye. The Dennis we know is actually a victim of his family's control and my heart hurts greatly for this young man. He is truly a troubled character and I enjoy the way he comes to his own in this story. 

As for Raven, oh how my heart hurts for him. He is being pressured by his family to live a life he doesn't want. I could feel the tension throughout. I just wanted to hug him and tell him to forge his own path. The poor man. 

I have to note that I don't know much about Native Americans, so I definitely can't comment of the genuineness of this aspect. But I do absolutely enjoy every bit of this part and love Raven's grandfather. 

This is a story with a lot going on. It's a story of two young men being pressured to take a path in life that neither wants. I enjoy the relationship they forge and the way everything develops between them. 

Tackling the Tight End had me engrossed from start to finish. I love this Tara Lain story and highly recommend it. This one is definitely for more than just sports romance fans. I love it all. 

PRE-ORDER NOW - Role Model (Game Changers #5) by Rachel Reid

 

Amazon Link  

Goodreads Link

Troy Barrett has been freshly traded to Ottawa after calling out Dallas Kent during a team practice. He wants to be a better person, and the weird, scrappy energy of the struggling Ottawa team seems like the place to...well. It seems like the only place that will have Troy right now.

Fortunately the Ottawa team includes Ilya Rozanov and Wyatt Hayes, and also includes an adorable social media manager, Harris Drover. Harris is the opposite of Troy in every way: friendly, cheerful, chatty, and goofy with a booming voice, a startlingly loud laugh, and Pride pins all over his denim jacket. Definitely not the sort of person Troy would normally associate with, and yet…

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Role Model is a fabulous hockey romance. The fifth book in Rachel Reid's Game Changers series, it's a great addition to this hockey world. 

Troy's world is a mess when he's traded to a new team. It's not easy to be accepted, due to some complications. As he finally tried to do the right thing, he's left with a bad reputation as a trouble maker. 

Enter Harris, the team's social media manger. 

I love the night and day difference between the two. And even more, I love the way the openly gay Harris is accepted by the team, and the way that Troy notices this. 

This story is wonderful, with a slowly growing relationship between the two. The two men are great together, and I love the way everything evolves for the two. 

I appreciate Troy's struggle with his sexuality and coming out. It's never an easy road in the hockey world, and the author does a great job once again illustrating this. 

The redemption theme is a ever looming theme in this tale, as Troy works hard to change his imagine and redeem himself among the players and the fans. It's not an easy ride, but I enjoy the way it ends up. 

And in the end, the theme of sexual abuse is a constant, as Troy is trying to bring light to the issue. It caused him major issues with his ex best friend, his former team, and the league itself. It's the classic let's not believe the women scenario. I found this all to be well written. 

Role Model is a wonderful addition to this series. Rachel Reid left me riveted throughout. I love this series and I love this book. 

Ben's Boss (Maine Men #2) by K.C. Wells

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

“Pearson’s a common name.”

“It can’t be him.”

“God wouldn’t be that cruel.”

A painful history

Walking into the job interview confirms Ben White’s worst fears. It’s been eight years since high school, yet he can still recall Wade Pearson’s taunts.

There’s always a chance Wade isn’t the same homophobic asshole Ben knew. Yeah right.

Except the boy Ben remembers has grown into one seriously hot, brooding man. In another life, Ben would have climbed him like a tree. Wade’s gaze still makes Ben shiver – although now for entirely different reasons.

A secret longing

As soon as Wade read Ben’s application, he knew he had to see him. Ben’s still as gorgeous as Wade remembers. It’s obvious he doesn’t expect to get the job, given their history.

But Wade has an agenda. He has to make it up to Ben for treating him so badly – not that Ben will ever know why he acted like he did. Seeing him every day only heightens Wade’s regret. If he’d had more courage back then, maybe he and Ben could have been something.

The least he can do is show Ben he’s changed.

There’s no way Wade can get what he really wants – Ben’s heart.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Ben's Boss is a wonderful romance by KC Wells. The second book in the Maine Men series, it has all the charm and heart of the first book, Finn's Fantasy.

I love everything about this book and series so far. 

Ben meets up with his former bully, Wade, when he applies for a job in Wade's company. 

It's a fantastic story of forgiveness and redemption. A wonderful tale of second chances and the fact that people change. 

This is a beautiful tale of friendship and love. And in a wonderful twist, it's Wade that needs Ben's love to help him heal. 

If you love men who can forgive their former bully, look no further. I'll admit that as a reader, it isn't always easy to believe this can happen. This book does a damn good job making the reader believe in this couple. 

The writing is great, with small town charm and plenty of delightful secondary characters. The men are complex and their storyline is intriguing. There's plenty of humor and one liners to keep one laughing as well. 

Ben's Boss is a heart warming romance. This KC Wells book is a great combo of sweetness, heart, humor, and heat. 

Consuming Redemption: Love in the North by J.S. Grey

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Tyler:

Apparently time heals all wounds. Whoever came up with that saying obviously didn't go to school with Lukas Ford. After i made a stupid schoolboy error, Lukas Ford made it his mission to make me wish that i was never born. How can the one person who makes my life a daily living hell be the same person i can't stop wanting. I want to regret the day i first laid eyes on Lukas. I just need to bide my time and get the hell out of this high school.

Lukas:

After a life changing tragedy irrecoverably altered the lives of me and my family, I was left with no other decision to hide who I am to protect those i loved from coming to harm again. High school, is over, yet here i am years later haunted by the man whose face haunts my dreams. I messed up big time in high school, not this time though. One way or another, I am going to make Tyler Dane mine.

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Consuming Redemption: Love in the North  is an all-consuming, gut wrenching love story by JS Grey.

From Lucas' first day at school, Tyler gets off on the wrong foot with him. Now, fours years later, he's still bullied and hated, while Lucas is the popular guy. 

Oh Tyler. He's someone I want to hug and protect from the start. The only gay guy in school, he stands no chance against Lucas and his friends. It's awful to see what he has to endure each day. 

But then there's Lucas, who's living a lie, as the closeted jock. He secretly enjoys his interactions with Tyler, but can't let his defenses down. 

What a tough read. Fast forward and the two men meet again. Damn, these two ooze chemistry. They are seriously amazing together. Even once they're together, things aren't easy. I cried. I bawled. But damn I love these men and know they aren't perfect. But, omg. The ups and downs killed me.

It's not always easy to redeem a former bully, but the author does just that. And does it well. Learning about Lucas's past had be bawling for the man. Good god, I wasn't ready for that. 

Some people are publicly bullied while others are bullied in private. Both kinds of bullying leave a person forever changed. And damn, the author powerfully illustrates this.

Good god, the only consolation I have is that people's experiences make them who they are. Had these two not suffered so much, they might have never gotten to a place of loving each other. Yes, I know, they aren't real people. But don't yell at me. Blame the author for creating such lovable and realistic characters. And, yes, that is one of the greatest compliments one can give to an author. Let alone a new author.

Written in present tense, it isn't my preferred writing style. But other than the tense, I enjoy the rest of the writing. It's written in alternating povs, bringing both men fully alive. It's amazing. Absolutely amazing. 

Consuming Redemption is one hell of a love story. I can't recommend this JS Grey book enough. Be sure to put some time aside for this one, because you won't want to put it down. 

Shameless (Wrecked #3) by Kelly Fox

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Two things I know for sure:
1. Cheerleading absolutely prepared me to become a US Navy SEAL
2. Heath Treadway hates my guts

Let’s just say that this beautiful bear’s hatred for me involves a high school nickname and possibly a limerick. #badtwink

Now, he's back in my life. And all I wanna do is show him that I’ve changed.

My attempts so far have ended in hospitalization, second-degree burns, and a destroyed towel rack. To be fair, I blame that last one on the hate sex.

Worse than all of that? I’ve started to catch feelings, and if he finds out about the military op that forever changed me, it might be game over.

I mean… can he forgive me if I can’t even forgive myself?


Shameless is post-military enemies-to-lovers MM romance set in a gym for combat vets. It features muscled twinks, beautifully-bellied bears, and a four-year-old with a lisp.

Note: This book depicts military violence, but the HEA is guaranteed. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Kelly Fox's Shameless, the third book in the Wrecked series, is fabulous. 

All the emotions come out in this story of second chances and redemption. 

This is a story of attraction and hate sex. It's a story of not being able to admit one's feelings. It starts with some animosity, as these men where enemies in high school. 

In the beginning, it's tough to figure out who was the bad guy. Of course, it ends up neither is. Roly was a jerk in high school and his mocking of the large sized Heath came with lasting effects. Heath is a bear who has always been heavy, and Roly made his life hell. 

I love Roly, especially his reason for being attracted to bears now. It's so damn touching. 

Their story is one of a whole lot of hate sex. At first. 

This story includes PTSD, guilt, and more, all of which is well developed. There are self esteem and self worth issues. As with the previous books in the series, the author includes a wonderful, large group of friends in this story. They are all lovable and add immensely to the fun. Basically, if you're a fan of series with returning friends, you'll enjoy this one a lot. 

In a touching subplot to the tale, Heath's daughter faces many challenges, and her story will break your heart. 

And in the end, the author explores the power of words, as they have been used against people and capable of scarring people for years. It's poignant and an important thing to remember. 

Shameless is a stellar tale that reinforced that people grow and change. If you enjoy seeing character growth, you will love Shameless.