Scandal (Secrets & Scandal Duology #2) by Gianni Holmes

Amazon Link  - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

The best kisses are the ones kept a secret.

Billionaire business guru Charles is a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. That’s certainly no secret. Unlike the affair he’s about to engage in with August who is half his age. A younger man he really has no business calling Sir.

Auggie is only supposed to be pet-sitting for his father and step-dad while they are on their honeymoon. Not kissing Charles and making him laugh. Not buying his favorite food and taking him out on dates.

One night is what they agreed on. A secret shared between only their lips as Charles discovers he’s not so straight. But maybe one night can become two...and even more...After all, anything’s possible as long as they don’t get caught.

This is the first book in the Secrets & Scandal duology featuring two men whose affairs must be kept secret to avoid a scandal. Part 2, Scandal will be out shortly. Both books must be read together.

Secrets & Scandal features supporting characters from the Taking Caring trilogy but can be read on its own. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Damn, Gianni Holmes once again has blown me away with Scandal. The second book in the Secrets & Scandal Duology, it's a riveting wrap-up to this set of stories. 

First, this is an extremely messy romance, with multiple connections and issues. It's complicated, it's ugly, and it's amazing!!! Seriously, I couldn't put it down as it's 100% mesmerizing. 

Second, this is a BDSM romance, with the younger man being the Dom. And the passion is off the charts! If you like intense passion, you will love these men and quickly devour their story. 

This is a multi-layered tale with a lot of angst and some twists included. But for these men, it's all about the connection. They might fight it, they might try to deny it, but the overwhelming connection is ever present throughout.

Yes, one of the characters is married and is having a child, but is involved with someone else. Do not let this scare you away. The marriage is seriously not a real marriage. It's written in a way that it is not "cheating." 

And I absolutely love the forbidden aspects of this story, with the secreted nature being completely warranted, on multiple levels.

The writing is stellar. Gianni Holmes excels in creating intriguing characters and taking them through a complex journey. The world building, with connections to the Taking Care series, is amazingly well done. More than anything though, I am just so damn impressed with the way Gianni connects everything and makes things not only so damn messy, but also extremely emotional and satisfying. The way she manages to balance everything continues to be impressive. 

Scandal is one hell of a fun read. Definitely read this Gianni Holmes book (and series) is you enjoy complicated BDSM stories. In these books, it's all about the need for BDSM and the desire to give into one's needs and wants. And I freaking love it. Gianni Holmes is one hell of a can't miss author!

PRE-RELEASE REVIEW - Nobody's Groom by D.J. Jamison

COMING April 9, 2020

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Blurb

Can two enemies find love after a rocky start?

TJ hoped the Triple J Ranch would be a fresh start under a new name, with his tarnished family reputation behind him. He didn't count on the young, spirited Colby provoking him at every turn. But when tempers boil over, TJ discovers that Colby's disgust with him is more like lust, and that he'd do just about anything to tangle with the confused kitten.

Colby likes everyone, but something about the new, unfriendly cowboy on the crew gets under his skin. He doesn't understand just how worked up TJ has him until his body reacts, shocking them both. Colby's never been with a man, but he can't fight the desire TJ's rough hands have awakened in him.

It's just physical, an opportunity to indulge Colby's secret desires. But the young ranch hand's innocence softens something inside TJ, and he can't deny he wants more. He's nobody's groom, but could he be Colby's love -- or will his lies come between them?

Nobody's Groom is a Marital Bliss novella. It can stand alone, but is best read after Wrangling a Groom due to overlapping events that may contain spoilers. 

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Nobody's Groom is a steamy enemies to lovers romance. We first met TJ and Colby in Wrangling a Groom. We knew they didn't get along, but now we learn more about their story. 

TJ's a man who feels unworthy of love, preferring to keep to himself.

Meanwhile Colby has his own issues. He may be sweet as can be, but he's also firmly in the closet. As the two men give into their mutual attraction, they struggle with letting their feelings get involved. 

Their relationship is a story of heat and passion. It's hot and dirty, full of angry hook ups and stolen moments! Their story includes some family issues and a great group of characters as part of the ranch family.

I enjoy the author's writing style. She does a great job with the character development and takes the reader on a delightful journey. The secondary characters add a lot to the tale and the ranch setting is wonderfully explored. 

Nobody's Groom is a fun enemies to lovers romance. This DJ Jamison book is a great choice when you're looking for a quick, hot cowboy romance. As part of the Triple J Ranch world, it is more enjoyable if you've read the other books first. Personally, I am hoping we get more from these men at the ranch. 

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - The Ghosts Between Us (The West Hills: Chris & Elliot) by Brigham Vaughn

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/b/TheGhostsBetweenUs

Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 130,000 words approx.

Blurb

Dr. Christopher Allen knows how to deal with death. He’s a psychiatrist who works with hospice patients and their families, helping them cope with grief and letting go. But Chris’s job doesn’t prepare him for the sudden death of his devil-may-care brother Cal.

At Cal’s funeral, Chris is completely thrown when he meets Elliot Rawlings, an artist Cal has been dating. Chris is hurt to discover that the brother he knew as straight was actually bisexual. Elliot is angry and resentful of having been kept hidden from Cal’s family.

After the funeral, a night of drinking at the bar with Cal’s friends leads to Chris and Elliot falling into bed together. The next morning, they’re overwhelmed by guilt and grief and agree to never speak of it again.

But Cal’s apartment needs to be packed up and Elliot reluctantly agrees to help Chris, as well as answer some questions about Cal’s life and their relationship. Despite their guilt and initial dislike for one another, they sort through the pieces of Cal’s life and begin to fall for each other.

Despite his best efforts to fix things, Chris’s family seems to be crumbling around him and he begins to question who he is and what his role with them is. As his feelings for Elliot grow, Chris must decide if they’re worth further damaging his fragile relationships with his friends and family.

Elliot’s rough upbringing has left him distrustful of getting close to anyone, much less another man who isn’t willing to acknowledge him in public. The odds seem stacked against Chris and Elliot, but if they can overcome them, they may be able to lay Cal’s ghost to rest, along with their own demons.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Damn! The Ghosts Between Us is a spectacular book. It's a multi-layered story that kept me up late into the night, as we're reminded that things are not always as they seem.

We meet Chris at his brother, Cal's funeral. That's where Chris meets Cal's secret boyfriend, Elliott. Chris is already struggling with Cal's death, but finding out that his brother had a whole part of himself that he never revealed to Chris hurts even more. Soon he's on an emotional journey of learning about himself, his brother, and his parents.

This is a tale of loss and recovery. It's a tale of grief and guilt. It's a tale of fear and strength. It's a tale of mistakes and regrets. It's a story of need and want.  It's raw, it's real, and it will have you crying with these men at times.

There are several types of loss involved; that of a brother, a lover, a parent, and a best friend. Everyone deals with it different, but each is suffering. This is their journey of finding love when they find peace in one another.

As Chris and Elliott spend time together, they find that they are each other's peace and safety. But, it won't be easy. And there are secrets and lies between them and happiness, in addition to guilt, confusion, and fear.

I love the way in which this story is told. It's a complex tale, and it's development is fantastic. It's a sad story, with a gloomy tone, but it involves a whole lot of hope, as it's also a story of healing. The author uses a lot of flashbacks that reveal a whole lot to the reader.

One of my favorite parts is the letter. The letter gutted me, but I loved it.

Chris' family issues are a tough read, leaving the reader heartbroken. The pressure to help his family is all too present and overwhelming.

The Ghosts Between Us is an accomplished book, showing the internal struggle to find oneself. Chris has no idea who he is without his brother, and he needs to find out. Secrets have a way of putting a chasm between people, and boy does that happen. It's a stellar read that I highly recommend.

Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time author. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.


Her books range from short stories to novellas. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.

To stay up to date on her latest releases, sign up for the Coles & Vaughn Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dkyS7P

Social Media Links:

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