Sundae's Best (Briar County #2) by Riley Hart

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Grady Dalton is in a rut. He’s thirty-eight, without a boyfriend, and has yet to find the place that feels like home. The closest he ever got was his best friend, Nathan. But it’s been seven years since he passed, and life isn’t getting easier. That’s how he ends up in Briar County, hoping to grow roots in the place Nathan had loved.

Deacon Sharpe spends his days serving homemade ice cream at Sundae’s Best and his nights alone, pretending he’s getting by after his wife’s death better than he is. His world is rocked when a man shows up, claiming he’d been his brother-in-law’s best friend, and who seems to miss Nathan as much as Deacon misses Patty.

Their losses connect them, but soon, the weight of their loneliness eases with laughter, making ice cream, and Grady reminding Deacon what it feels like to be held again. Deacon tells himself it’s platonic. How can it be more when he’s forty and has never been with a man, never even been attracted to one. But then, he’d never felt those things about anyone other than Patty either. And when Grady touches him…kisses him…nothing else matters and the rest of the world melts away.

Together they can deal with family drama, small-town gossip, and Deacon’s newly discovered feelings. But as it often does, life has one more curveball to throw their way…

Sundae’s Best is a small-town, bi/demisexual awakening romance, with characters who like to be held, swoony moments, a dog named Moose, and lots of ice cream. Sundae’s Best can be read as a standalone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Sundae's Best is an amazing romance. The second book in the Briar County series by Riley Hart, it's easily read as a standalone.

This story! Omg, I absolutely love it! 

Deacon and Grady are more than I could have ever asked for. Their story is a sexual awakening story that is unique and emotional throughout. The connection between the two is undeniable, and their journey is unforgettable.  

This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It's a story of making amends and moving forward. 

This is a reminder that sometimes things happen that we don't expect. It's best not to question or judge. Rather, grab love when you can.

Sundae's Best is another amazing story by Riley Hart. I love everything about their tale. It's wonderfully sweet and heart-warming, with plenty of tearful moments. Just read it. 

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Twice In a Lifetime (Sheltered Connections #1) by R.M. Neill

 

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Twice In A Lifetime
By R.M Neill

Sheltered Connections, Book 1

One is suffering through a fog of grief. The other crushing feelings of inadequacy. Fate knew they needed each other.

Dominic
For the longest time, I believed we get one shot at true love. A single person that sets our soul on fire. I had that with my wife until she died, then I was lost in a dark sea of grief. In need of companionship, I decided to adopt a dog.

What I found at the shelter was so much more. Micha, the volunteer, is insanely cute and ridiculously funny. He awakens feelings within me I never knew existed. Is it possible I may get a second chance at real love?

Micha
Love just isn’t in the cards for some people. And I’m among those unfortunate few destined to be alone. I trusted the wrong man with my heart once and had it shattered into a million pieces. I won’t make that mistake twice.

Instead, I pour every ounce of my energy into building my business and trying to convince myself I’m not lonely. But Dominic could be the one to tear down the walls I hide behind. He’s the most handsome man I ever met and unbelievably kind. I know he experienced a horrible loss. Is that what’s behind his attraction to me? Or has the connection between us led to his bisexual awakening?

Twice in a Lifetime is the first book in the Sheltered Connections Series. This book involves themes of hurt/comfort, bisexual awakening, and an age gap. Swoon-worthy moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching chemistry make up this 70k word story. Oh, and don’t forget the cherry flavored icing.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Twice in a Lifetime is a beautiful romance by RM Neill. It's the first book in the Sheltered Connections series. 

Dominic and Micha are two men with a lot of pain in their lives. They're both well developed and wonderfully complex. 

I love this story and all the emotions involved. Dom's drowning in his grief when he meets Micha. And damn, he can't help but to be attracted to the man. But he struggles with being faithful to his dead wife. 

This is a story with an age gap, hurt/comfort, and lots of adorable pets. It has a sexual awakening, a bisexual man, and plenty of heat. It also has some friends who think they know best and some bad outside obstacles. 

Twice in a Lifetime is a sweet story of grabbing a second chance at love. This RM Neill book had me feeling all the feels and kept me charmed throughout. I enjoyed it all. 

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"Listen to me Micha. Really fucking listen, because I'm getting tired of you thinking you aren't good enough for someone. You. Are. Amazing. People love you. There's nothing about you that people don't like. Dominic is no exception. Stop fucking hiding. Take this and run with it. Have fun with someone. If it still ends after you tried, I'll eat a pint of ice cream with you while we watch The Fox and the Hound for the zillionth time and I'll cry with you." He sucks in a breath. "But I can't stand here any longer and try to support you if you can't even see how wonderful you are."

"Wow, uh okay. I'm not really sure how to take that last part. Are you still my friend?"

Travis barrels into me, his giant hug squishing the air out of my lungs with an oomph. "Of course I'm still your friend you nincompoop. But I'm not listening to you talk bad about your self any more." He eases his grip. "Just follow your heart, Mic. He's a good one." He stabs me in the chest with his finger. "Let the hope win, just for once, okay?"

"That's the problem Trav. I don't trust my heart. It never steers me right."

He sighs, slumping his shoulders in defeat. "It's going to get it right some day. Either way, I'll be here. No matter what I say." He picks up the spilled pens. "You deserve it just as much as anyone else Micah. Love yourself like everyone else loves you."

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Twice In A Lifetime, R.M. is giving away a signed paperback copy (US Winner) and a $10 Amazon Voucher (International Winner)!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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I'm a wife, mom, animal lover and a hopeless romantic.

I want my stories to make you smile, swoon and snort laugh, but not necessarily in that order.

I hope I can be the author you turn to when you need a story to make you laugh, or add light to an otherwise dark day.

Coffee always wins, you can't change my mind.

Connect with R.M.:
Website: https://www.rmneillauthor.com/
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/RMNeillauthor
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B091BGY8LS

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Pines and Violets (Colors of Love #7) by V.L. Locey

 

Cover Design: Designs By Sloan

Colors of Love Series

Lost In Indigo - All Buy Links

Touch Of A Yellow Sun - All Buy Links

The Good Green Earth - All Buy Links

Slow Dances Under An Orange Moon - All Buy Links

A Brush Of Blue - All Buy Links

Songs of a Red Currant Wine - All Buy Links

Amazon Link    

Goodreads Link

He never thought he’d find love again, but one summer changes his entire life.

Greg Mattar always had a clear path in life. The son of wealthy professionals, he and his sister wanted for nothing growing up in Montreal. His skills playing hockey led him to be picked first in the draft and a successful career as one of the premier defensemen in the league. He married his college sweetheart and within a year, they’d been blessed with twin girls. Then the unthinkable happened, and Greg’s life was turned inside out.

After losing his wife to cancer, he’s left alone to raise his daughters and at the same time balance his career. After a rough two years of mourning coupled with a dismal season, Greg and his girls travel to a small vacation community deep in the Catskills. There he meets Aiden Burke, a local artisan with a past who enchants not only Greg’s daughters but Greg as well. During a vacation filled with laughter, acceptance, and morning goose parades, the two men fall for each other, which begins a journey down a winding road of revelations and romance. 

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Pines and Violets is the seventh book in VL Locey's Colors of Love series. Each book is easily read as a standalone. 

Greg's a black hockey player who's spending some time in the woods with his daughters. Still grieving the loss of his wife, he's surprised to find himself attracted to the strange guy with the goats. 

Their story is cute and sweet, with everything evolving naturally between the men. And I adore the kids and their contribution to the story. They are cute and funny, and totally loveable. 

I appreciate that Greg never struggles with his sexuality. Instead, this is the story of him falling in love, coming out, and dealing with some obstacles that are in his way. 

Their story is full of first times and sexual experimentation. It's a story with racism and homophobia, both of which had my heart hurting for Greg. 

Theirs is a story of redemption, acceptance, and forgiveness. It's a story of finding one's place in the world again. And I love it all!

Pines and Violets is the perfect feel-good escape. This VL Locey is nice and low-angst, with plenty to keep you charmed throughout. 

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USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Unguarded (Vino & Veritas #10) by Jay Hogan

 

UNGUARDED BY JAY HOGAN

Release Date: May 6, 2021

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Series Page

All the link in one spot

I fled Boston and my cheating jerk of an ex with three hundred dollars and a lip gloss in my pocket. Waking up the next day in Burlington, Vermont, with a crick in my back and a frozen ass wasn’t exactly in the plan. If there was one. Which there wasn’t. Story of my life.

Three hours later and I’ve been hired as temporary help in the local veterinary and grooming clinic, which is kind of impressive since I know zip about animals and even less about grooming. But one thing I do know—I’m crushing hard on the sexy, absent-minded vet I work for. 

My life is a hot mess. The last thing I need is another relationship. Emmett pushes all my buttons, but he isn’t out. He's overwhelmed with a business to run and a son to look after and the kind of domestic life I never thought I wanted.

I should walk away.

But Emmett believes in me, and I might just be starting to believe in myself. As different as we are, is it possible we're exactly what the other needs?  

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Unguarded is Jay Hogan's contribution to the multi-author Vino & Veritas series. It's a wonderful addition to this small town world.

Tai and Emmett make a for a great couple, and I enjoy the way everything unfolds for these two. They're both a little bit broken and in need of healing. Their backgrounds are well developed, helping to fully establish this. 

Their story is one with an instant attraction, intense feelings, and a lot of personal conflict. Everything happens over a short time period, but is still relatively slow in the development. They are simply amazing together and I enjoy every moment of their journey towards love, acceptance, and healing. 

Emmett's raising his son solo since his wife passed away. He's a closeted bisexual man who's struggles with coming out are a leading factor in his journey. 

Tai, Oh sweet Tai. Still reeling from his abusive ex, he's struggling to be independent and not fall into a dependent relationship again. He's an intriguing character who shines despite all he's gone through.

Their story includes plenty of doubts and fears, as well as sass and banter. The slow burn build up is fabulous, with plenty of built up sexual tension.

Their story also includes some heartwarming animal scenes, as Emmett is a vet. I adore the way his patients are included in this tale.

Unguarded is a wonderful story. This Jay Hogan romance had me turning the pages quickly, as I enjoy every moment with these men. It's a great mix of light hearted fun and just the right amount of light angst. 

The final client of the morning was a grumbling, overweight Pekingese cross named Charles, with an attitude to rival Genghis Khan and an owner who refused to come in with her dog because she didn’t want the nippy little demon to associate her with any discomfort.

Under instruction from Ivy, Tai had the growling, muzzled dog wrapped in a towel and pinioned against his stomach, his expression caught somewhere between are-you-fucking-kidding-me and abject terror.

I told him what we were about to do and he stared at me in wide-eyed disbelief. “You did not just say you were going to milk this little guy’s anal glands?”

I swallowed a laugh. “I believe those were my exact words.”

His gaze flicked down to the squirming dog, then back up. “Do I even want to ask why?”

I shrugged and pulled on some gloves. “The anal glands are two little sacs on either side of the rectum. Normally they get expressed every time the dog poops. Helps mark his territory.”

“Oh. My. God.” Tai rolled his eyes dramatically. “I think I dated a guy like that once.”

Ivy snorted while I grappled with an influx of images involving Tai with another guy and that whole territorial marking thing. I snapped the second glove on my wrist like an elastic band, hoping the pain might shock some sense into me.

It didn’t.

Tai got his freak under control and tucked Charles firmly back against his stomach. It was the first time I’d ever been jealous of the mutt.

“I know I’m going to regret asking this,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “But what happens when things don’t get expressed, on the whole anal-gland front? And I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Welcome to my world.” Ivy appeared from the supply room.

I caught Tai’s eye and waggled my eyebrows. He was hella fun to tease. “I’m so glad you asked that question. If they don’t get expressed naturally, not helped by poor diet and excess weight, then the glands can block and get smelly and painful. They can even form an abscess that can burst onto the skin.”

Tai’s mouth dropped open in horror. “Holy crap. And also—another date of mine.”

I gave a strangled laugh and realized I hadn’t had so much fun at work since . . . well yeah, it had been a while.

“Damn, that’s disgusting. The poor thing.” Tai lifted Charles to smooch him safely around the back of his ears. “We need to talk about your diet young man,” he cooed to the dog who, miracle of miracles, appeared to calm. “Fiber is the key, plus plenty of water and attention to timing. Clean, screened, and fit for a queen.” He glanced up with a wicked grin. “Right, Mr. Vet?”

Ivy coughed loudly, while every semi-functioning neuron in my body focused on only one thing that shall not be mentioned.

“I, yeah . . . I guess,” I managed to croak. “Although maybe not the screening thing, not for dogs.”

Tai lifted Charles to eyeball him. “Safety first.”

Ivy joined us at the table. “Okay, you two. Let’s get this done so I can spritz the room. Keep a firm grip,” she told Tai.

His eyes widened. “This is going to smell worse than I thought, isn’t it?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Think fishy.”

Tai got a tight hold on the wriggling dog. “Huh? Not my first guess. Okay, I’m ready. I have to say, it feels a little like an initiation.”

I flashed him an encouraging smile. “You’ll be fine. Now hold that tail up.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew, and sure enough—

He snorted. “Not the first time I’ve been told that.”

I shook my head, gently squeezed, and . . .

“Whoa.” He gave a long blink and jerked his head around and out of the way. “Ewww, Charles. That’s some nasty shit right there.”

I grinned from ear to ear, pretty much as I had from the minute Tai had walked into my clinic. I was so fucked.

Jared (Boyfriend for Hire #4) by R.J. Scott & Meredith Russell

 

Amazon Link 
Goodreads Link

Jared’s world is turned upside down after Luka hands over his pocket money to hire him as a friend for his lonely, widowed dad.

Jared is good at his job, but his soft heart means that he often finds himself in the weirdest of situations. A kind-of-threesome, a disappearing swan, and a destroyed hotel room are just the tip of the iceberg, but he is a popular boyfriend-for-hire and always in demand. He dreams of working as a family psychologist one day, and as his work with Bryant & Waites is funding his studies, the last thing he wants is to lose his job. At a make-or-break meeting, Jared vows to focus on being strictly professional. Still, almost immediately, he meets Luka sitting on the office steps with pocket money in hand and with a sadness that melts Jared’s resolve. Luka explains that his mom passed away some years ago, and his hardworking father needs a friend. Jared has no intention of taking Luka’s pocket money, but he wants to make Luka smile again, and if being hired as a friend for Luka’s widowed dad is what it takes, then he’s all in.

Being a single dad to eleven-year-old Luka is the best thing in Nate’s world, but add running a bar with long hours, and his work-life balance is screwed. There’s certainly no time for relationships, and even though Luka worries about his dad’s love life daily, romance is the last thing on Nate’s agenda. Owning Rhea’s Bar and keeping his head above water is second only to his love for Luka. His entire world consists of his son and the bar until Jared stumbles into his life. Even though Nate won’t admit it, he’s lonely, and Jared is the first friend he’s made in a very long time. Could their friendship become something more? 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Jared is the fourth book in the Boyfriend for Hire series. This RJ Scott and Meredith Russell gem is easily enjoyed as a standalone. And oh, how I adore every moment of it.

This story pulled me in immediately, with the adorable Luka trying to hire a boyfriend for his father. 

First, I have to say that I absolute love every moment with Luka. He's cute, he's funny, and he's so damn innocent. 

As for his father, Nate is a man devoted to raising his son. He's still grieving his wife a little and has no thoughts of moving on. 

Until he meets Jared. 

I love these guys together. Their meet cute is sweet. The differences between them is fabulous, and I enjoy the age gap. But it's the natural connection that develops that makes everything so special. And the heat between them is sizzling. 

Jared is a tender tale of taking chances and allowing love back into your life. The authors delight in this beautiful story of second love. I love every single moment of this gem! Definitely check it out the next time you're in the mood for a feel good romance. 

One Shot by Grant C Holland

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Drew Thompson is a widowed single father. Ashe Huntsman is an HIV+ banker. They stumble upon each other, both clad in speedos, at a beefcake photo shoot and attraction at first sight erupts. Soon, they are both unpacking their personal baggage, revealing themselves piece by piece, like peeling back the layers of an onion. Can a budding romance survive the skeletons in their closets and the meddling of concerned relatives over the custody of Drew’s child?

One Shot is a 53,000-word standalone gay romance with hurt/comfort, second chance, and family themes. It has a guaranteed happy ending.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

One Shot is a wonderful romance by Grant C Holland. There is plenty of depth to these men and their story, as they deal with some heavy subjects, including grief and having HIV.

Drew and Ashe meet at a photo shoot, where their bodies are fully on display, and the attraction is all too real. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly, but both men have some secrets, fears, and doubts. 

Drew's a trainer for an NBA team, thus we get some delightful sports moments. He's a single father to an adorable son, Carter, raising him by himself after the death of his wife. I adore Carter and all his moments in the story. I always enjoy kids in my stories, so this is a big plus for me. 

Drew's emotional baggage is heavy, as he's gay but was in an essentially loveless marriage to a women. His is one of those stories where the grief is real, but also a blessing. It's sad, but well explained. 

Ashe, meanwhile is a banker whose past is messy. After years of being promiscuous, he got sick and discovered he's HIV positive. His journey is very explored, with plenty of care.

There's a lot going on in this story. Drew's dealing with starting to date, and his son's reaction to it. Drew has some issues with his former in laws to deal it. And he also has to deal with his sexuality, as he's always been gay, but "fell" into being a father and married to a woman. 

I appreciate the way Ashe's HIV status is handled, both the diagnosis, the illness itself, and his learning to cope with it. As well, I like the way he struggles with telling people his status. And I appreciate that despite the safety of being with an HIV person being addressed, it also addresses the first reactions and the natural fear involved.

Theirs is a tale with pain and regret. I appreciate everything about this story. The overall theme is written with knowledge and care. The author delivers a thoughtful, heartfelt tale of loving someone who has HIV. We get to follow along as they meet, make confessions, and fall in love. I also love the way Drew deals with his son.

One of my favorite parts of the story is their sex lives. I adore the way Drew approaches sex with the HIV positive Ashe. The bondage is a great touch. 

It's a tale of taking chances. And it's a tale where honesty is more important than ever, and both men are mature and thoughtful.  

Written in alternating first person pov, both men are well developed and their storyline is intriguing. Although the writing focuses on actions and events, there's a good amount of emotion as well.

One Shot is truly a sweet tale. Grant Hollands impresses in this multi-layered romance. And it's a must read for anyone looking for a book with an HIV positive character.