Advance & Retreat (Midwest Series #4) by Brigham Vaughn

BOOK 4

Book Title: Advance & Retreat

Length:  105 980 words/368 pages

Release Date: July 14, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary m/m romance, sports romance, bisexual romance

Trope/s: Opposites attract, age gap

Themes: Acceptance, coming out

It is a standalone story.

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Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

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Tagline:

Olympic-size dreams come at a price.

Openly gay college swimmer Ian Harrington feels like he's fighting against a current of tragedy. He's grieving the loss of his parents and best friend, and now he's dealing with a toxic coach and judgmental brother. But he won't let that stop him from chasing his dream: Olympic gold. 

Ricky Chavez has just about everything he wants in life: a great career, a supportive family, and a side gig as drag queen Rosie Riveting. The only thing he's missing is a partner to share it all with. 

When the two men connect after Rosie’s performance, they're immediately drawn to one another. But it's never that simple. Ricky isn't the type of man to hide, and with Ian's coach breathing down his neck, he can't openly love a drag queen without making waves. 

They'll have to brave deep waters to make it to the finish line.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wow! Advance & Retreat is another stellar book by Brigham Vaughn. The fourth book in the Midwest Series, it's the perfect addition to this series of sports romances. 

Ian is a wonderfully developed character. He's an openly gay Olympic-quality swimmer, but he knows he can't let people find out he's attracted to drag. As in, he's attracted to drag queens. He comes with some serious baggage. His best friend died and his coach is misogynistic. His backstory is heartbreaking and had me falling for him early on. 

And Ricky. I love Ricky. He's Rosie when he's in drag, and he has a one night stand with Ian. Ricky has confidence issues, as it isn't easy finding men who like both the Ricky and the Rosie sides of him. He's always rejected the morning after. His struggles are real and his story is emotional.

Ian and Ricky are fabulous together. Their developing relationship is one of confusion and anger, as well as guilt, grief, and shame. Each man has a interesting story to tell, and together their story is spectacular.

The author's writing style is wonderful, with some great characters, an easy flow, and a worthy storyline. The continued appearance by former characters is fabulous. I love seeing Lowell and the others again. 

Advance & Retreat is a definite must read for any sports romance fans. And for those you don't love sports, but love to read about drag queens, read this book. Brigham Vaughn excels in combining two completely opposite worlds and giving the reader a memorable romance.

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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 to novels. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.

Author Links

Blog | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Fan Group (Brigham’s Book Nerds) 

Twitter | Newsletter sign-up | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Out on the Serve (Out in College #7) by Lane Hayes

Title: Out on the Serve

Series: Out in College, Book 7

Author: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Lane Hayes

Release Date: July 10

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 55K

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Bisexual, Friends to Lovers, College romance, 

Athletes, Volleyball, Humor

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Roommates to friends to lovers… 

Elliot-

I need a roommate fast. Even a temporary one. Beggars can’t be choosers. Going pro after graduation has been intense, and time is precious. Thankfully, Braden seems cool. He’s a little quirky…and very sexy. Of course, I would never get involved with a roommate. That’s a bad idea. Isn’t it?

Braden-

Moving to Long Beach seems like a no brainer. It’ll be a perfect chance to wind down before grad school and a nice respite from my folks. Plus, my new roommate is a great guy. A little messy, but sweet. Gotta admit, I like him more than I should. And we’re off to a strange start when a mutual friend hooks me up with his ex. Elliot’s the one I want, but going from friends to lovers is a risk. We could end up out on the serve…or we could win it all.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Out on the Serve, the seventh book in Lane Hayes' Out in College series, is another awesome college sports romance. 

This time we have volleyball players Elliott and Braden, who are new roommates. Their connection is intense, leading to some hot hook ups. But, they've agreed to just that, hook ups with no commitment. That always works out well, right? 

The differences in the two men set up for some good entertainment. One wants order and everything in it's place. The other is a go with the flow kind of guy. It makes for some fun scenes. 

Braden's a young man who's always strived to please, always trying to be perfect. My heart hurts for his need to please. His life is full of family issues and family pressure, creating a truly sympathetic character. 

This is a story with great character growth, as one finds their purpose. It's a story of knowing people come and go from our lives, serving a valuable purpose at the time. I truly love that aspect of the storyline. 

Their story includes some exes and meddling friends. This just ups the emotional factor. 

The writing style is classic Lane Hayes. Everything flows well, there's good dialogue, and she takes her men on a wonderful journey. She adds plenty of humor into this steamy read. Overall, she has yet to disappoint me.

Out on the Serve is a delight tale of grabbing onto love. Lane Hayes has created another riveting romance, this time focusing on learning to admit what one wants and needs, instead of what they are told they need. It's awesome. 

  

Ten minutes later, I tied a towel around my waist and opened the bathroom door to release some steam just as Braden opened his bedroom door.

It might have been my imagination or wishful thinking, but I could have sworn he eye-fucked me before he met my gaze.

“Mornin’,” I said in a raspy voice.

“Good morning.”

“How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good. Are you going to the beach today?” he asked awkwardly.

“Yeah. I’m leaving soon.”

“Hmm. I heard the swell is huge,” he said in a fast, clipped tone.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “Yeah, I heard that too. There’s some big storm off the coast of Mexico.”

“Right.”

“Want to come with me?”

“To Mexico?”

I barked a laugh. “No, dork. To the beach.”

Braden chuckled. “Believe it or not, I’m going to the theater. Sophie talked me into trying out the assistant gig. Hopefully, it’ll keep me out of trouble.”

And there was the opening I needed. I wasn’t sure how to word it, though. The hint of unease between us told me that I should proceed with caution. We had to be on the same page and willing to try something new and—fuck. My window of opportunity was closing. Braden’s cheeks reddened as he mumbled a good-bye.

I grabbed his wrist before he closed his door, ignoring the spark and sizzle that zipped along my spine. “Hang on…thank you.”

“For what?”

“The cereal.”

“Oh.” He let out a half laugh and yes…his face went a shade pinker. Fuck, that was both cute and hot at the same time. “It was silly.”

“I love silly. I’m a huge fan of all things ridiculous. Ask anyone.”

“I believe you.”

“Good. So…let’s agree that this doesn’t have to be weird. We’re grown adults. Well, you are anyway. We can call it a celebratory kiss if you want and move on. What d’ya say?”

“Yes, okay. I’m—I’m sorry about”—he circled his wrist meaningfully—“everything. I overreacted.”

“You mean the part when you yelled at me for getting sand on the floor? I forgive you.”

“No, I was serious about that part.”

“I know. But don’t worry about the other thing. Boners happen.”

Braden sputtered. “I did not have a boner.”

“Liar. We both did. Might have been your mom’s fudge,” I teased.

“You think my mother’s homemade fudge gave you a hard-on,” he repeated incredulously.

“Dude, chocolate totally gives me wood. Or maybe she added a chemical substance that made us too relaxed.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know…weed?”

Braden snickered. “Unlikely. My mom is very proper. I don’t think she even knows what weed looks like.”

“Hmm. You seem kind of proper too. Do you take after her?”

“Maybe, but I know what weed looks like,” he assured me. “My roommate in the dorms my freshman year was very fond of the stuff. We didn’t get along at all. He was a total—”

“Slob?” I supplied, quirking my brows.

“Yeah.” He shrugged carelessly. “I was probably overbearing, but in my defense, I come from a super rigid household. I’m an only child, and I was sick a lot when I was little. I had colic and sensitivity issues. I’d break out in rashes if I was in the sun for five minutes or if I ate citrus. My asthma was off the charts. I had a nebulizer at home, and I carried inhalers everywhere I went.”

“That’s a lot of information,” I said with a laugh.

He winced, then sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. My geek is showing.”

“Ha. Nothing wrong with that. You like me, eh?”

Braden chuckled. Like I’d hoped he would. “What makes you think that?”

“You kissed me. Twice. We might as well get married and pick out His and His towels. Thoughts?”

“Great idea. Just don’t tell my mom. She’d have a heart attack. She was already worried I’d moved in with you because you were my…”

“Boyfriend,” I supplied.

“Yeah, except she has a hard time saying that word, so it comes out in a strained whisper like…boyfriend.” Braden modulated his voice to sound like a scared woman. He grinned when I busted up laughing, and I could have sworn a ray of sunshine burst through the wall of our apartment.

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Lane Hayes loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. 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 newly empty nest.

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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 

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