Face The Music by K.M. Neuhold

Amazon

BLURB

When I left the love of my life asleep in my bed ten years ago without a backward glance, I never thought I’d get another chance.

I thought there was only one thing I needed to make me happy. I was so sure becoming a rock star would heal the dark corners inside me. But every time I walk onto the stage, with a roaring crowd screaming my name, all I can think about is the boy I left behind. All I want to do is rewind and make a different choice. I’ve sang a hundred songs about love and loss, and Jace has been at the center of it all.

The last place I ever expected to run into him again is the cabin in the woods where we first fell in love. I’d do anything for a second chance, but will he ever trust me again?

***Face the Music is the first book in the Replay series. Each book in the series will focus on a different band member getting a second chance at love. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. This book contains descriptions of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and sexy times.

REVIEW

Wow!  I can't explain how much I love this book.  Face The Music is just a fantastic romance, and I am anxiously waiting for the next in this new Replay series by K.M. Neuhold!

Lincoln grows up dreaming of becoming a rock star.  And he works hard to achieve this dream.  He just doesn't realize how much he will regret this choice. It never offers him the happiest he was hoping to find. Instead, he finds himself barely living and wishing that he wasn't.  

Jace is the man Lincoln leaves behind. Their love is strong and is supposed to last forever. Instead, Lincoln leaves him without a word and he has not seen him in 10 years. In that time, Jace marries a woman for whom he never felt any real passion. Not in the way that he does for Lincoln.

When the two innocently run into each other again, Lincoln knows that this is his second chance. He isn't going to let Jace go, ever again. As much as Jace knows that he still loves Lincoln, he can't trust him right away. Lincoln will have to work hard to earn his trust again.

This story is filled with so much - regret, self-harm, sacrifices, taking chances and intense romance.

Lincoln and Jace complete each other. Both need the other in order to truly live. The road for them to be together is not going to be an easy one though. They need to deal with Lincoln's self-harming and his depression. And Jace needs to decide if he can deal with the fame that follows Lincoln. They also have to deal with the fact that Jace lives in Seattle, while Lincoln tours the world.

I cannot praise Face the Music enough! The love between both men is just beautiful. The issues that they have to deal with are handled with such honesty and raw emotion. While reading this, you will cry, you will smile and you will be heart-broken. It is not an easy read, but I could not put it down.  

I am so happy to have found a new MM Rock series. I don't know when the next book will be out, but I cannot wait to read it.  

For fellow lovers of MM Rock series, I will say that this is up there with my favs - The Rock Gods by Ann Lister, The Rock Series by Sandrine Gasp-Dion, and The Souls of the Knight by Nicola Haken. If you loved those series, do not miss out on this Replay series by KM Neuhold. 

The Colors Between Us by Kate Hawthorne

Amazon

Wow. The Color Between Us grabbed my interest on page one and never let it go. Every single second of this book is just amazing.

Be warned. This is not your normal romance. This involves a deeply broken man and it is not an easy read.

Roland is a famous painter, but he is broken. He can't paint and he is spiraling out of control. He spends his days drinking vodka and doing not much else.

Donny is annoyed by Roland when they meet. He is pissed at him for the way he is living his life. And he is attracted to Roland. Absolutely attracted to him. But he makes it his passion to dominate Roland and help him heal.

Roland is so damn stubborn, as well an extremely complicated.  And Donny is far more patient than almost anyone would ever be. But, together, they just might be able to help Roland live again, and to help Donny find his true artistic talent. And love. If they work hard enough for it.

One thing that is tough for me is Donny's desire to try to help and stay. It is hard to understand exactly why he would do so. It is obviously essential to the story, but it is hard for me to relate to why he would do so.

Honestly, The Colors Between Us is a remarkable book. The author does a fantastic and realistic job of painting depression and how it can affect one's relationships, work and life. It is not an easy read, but it is a great read. The difficult times in this book are at the true heart of this story. Thus, despite being tough to read, it is a fantastic journey and well worth doing do. And, along the way you will experience great passion, great sadness and a larger than life love story.

My Favorite Sin by Lina Langley

Amazon

REVIEW:

If you love romance and like Choose Your Own Adventures books, read My Favorite Sin!  

Alex has always planned on becoming a priest. He knows he wants to help people and this is how he has always planned on doing so. But when receives his acceptance letter for seminary school, he starts to have doubts.

And this is where you can start choosing what path Alex takes.

He needs help and advice and he has to decide how to turn to for that help.

He can turn to his best friend, Cyrus, his mentor, Lawrence, or his roommate, Montgomery. 

Alex needs to make a decision.  And along the way, YOU get to make the choices for him.

My Favorite Sin is a great, little story.  You get to make decisions along the way.  And, no matter what you choose, Alex will end up happy and you will have fun along the way.

Enjoy!

Scar by Baylin Crow

Amazon

Blurb:

A closed-off bartender. An outgoing college athlete. Sparks fly...but will anyone win this battle of wills?BEARD: Oh, I want him. But it's too risky.

My past isn't pretty. After a disastrous incident nearly destroyed me, I rose from the ashes to reclaim my life. I may not be happy, but I'm comfortable. And I'll never let anyone get close enough to hurt me again. But then six feet of pure temptation walks through the doors of my bar...repeatedly...for a year. I've done a good job of ignoring the sexy college soccer player, until the night his teammates leave him stranded and intoxicated, forcing me to offer him shelter. Now I can't shake the persistent man.

SOCCER: I play to win. But he's more than a game.

As a forward, it's my job to score points. Too bad I haven't been able to do that with the local green-eyed bartender. I haven't been subtle about my attraction, and Beard's interest shines through his gruff exterior...whether he chooses to admit it or not. When my well-meaning teammates intervene, using questionable tactics, and leave me at Beard's mercy, it's time to make my move.

When past hurts threaten to destroy their chance at happiness, is it time for Soccer to push forward to reach his ultimate goal...or has he made a play destined for mutual heartbreak?

This is a standalone novella.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

REVIEW:

I loved Scar!   What a wonderful story.  This is the second book by Baylin Crow, and if future books are as good as this, I will be thrilled!

Beard is working at his bar and hates when the college soccer team goes in.  Why?  Because of the hot player he calls Soccer. Beard is definitely attracted to him, but just can't take the risk.

Soccer cannot stop wanting Beard. When he teammates set him up to be left with Beard, Beard has no choice but to take care of him for the night. And they start talking more. Soccer can tell that Beard is attracted to him too. He just needs to break down his walls.

I love Beard. He is just such a great character. He moved to town to live with his grandfather after he was attacked for being gay. When his grandfather died, he left his bar to Beard. Beard is a hard-working, loving guy, who is unfortunately, scared to open himself up to love or taking the risk of being outed again. He is simply existing instead of living. 

And Soccer. I love Soccer. Just such an adorable guy. He has great friends, and is a great friend. He is caring, understanding, and won't take no for an answer. He falls in love with Beard and it's that love that brings Beard back to living.

Scar is a slow burn love story. And it is so well written. It has a broken character who finds true love despite his flaws. Watching Beard overcome his past and finally risking his heart again is beautiful. They are a very hot and passionate couple. It is also a story of creating your own family when your family cannot accept you as you are. Honestly, Beard's parents are just awful, despicable people.

One of my favorite things about Scar is that Baylin Crow uses the nicknames throughout the whole book. And, when their real names are mentioned at the end, it actually comes as a surprise. It is difficult to think of them as anything other than Beard and Soccer.

 Scar had me captured from the first chapter.  It is one that I just couldn't put down. I am thrilled to have discovered Baylin Crow and can't wait to see what she writes next!

Teaching Trust by Brittany Cournoyer

Amazon

Blurb:

Sebastian ~
I screwed up and ruined a perfectly good relationship with my ex, Anthony. But my epic screw-up helped him find the happiness he deserved, and that left me truly alone. So my life became the gym I own, and doing the drive-of-shame home after my countless hook-ups. I cut out trying to have any type of relationship, because my heart just wasn’t in it. That is until Tyler walks into my gym, and I can’t get those sad, brown eyes out of my mind. Little do I know, the man who shot me down twice is going to become my best friend.
Tyler ~

Middlebury was supposed to be a fresh start for me. A place where I could begin a new life, a life away from… him. It was to be my breath of fresh air. But it’s hard to breathe when I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. When my personal trainer leaves town for family issues, Sebastian, the man who tried to buy me a drink twice, is the one I’m stuck with training me. Soon, he becomes a whole lot more, but as much as I want to, I’m scared to let my guard down... and let him in.

Sebastian and Tyler each have their own internal battles. But when an unlikely friendship forms out of one personal training session, it’s a different kind of battle they’re forced to face. Instead of hiding their own secrets and lies, they have to decide whether to trust each other and let their friendship blossom into something more. Can they learn to trust each other enough to stop fighting the attraction? Or will their own trust issues stand in the way?

Trigger Warning: While this book is intended for adults—with adult situations—one of the main character’s backstory includes an abusive relationship.

REVIEW:

Teaching Trust is the second book in the Forever in Middlebury series by Brittany Cournover.  And, just like the first book, I Loved it!

Sebastian, who was a bad guy in the first book, is happy for his ex, Anthony, but is sad to be alone. No family. No real friends. He knows that by losing Anthony, he lost a friend and a great guy who put up with all of his bullshit. I love Sebastian's realization that his time with Anthony was not based on love and that they could never have lasted forever.  

Tyler has moved to Middlebury to make a fresh start.  He is hiding here from his former lover, Roland. Their relationship was toxic and abusive. Tyler was stripped of all his friends, lost his love of painting, and started suffering from horrific panic attacks. And he was physically abused as well. Roland ended up controlling every aspect of Tyler's life. 

When they meet, Sebastian hits on Tyler. And Tyler turns him down. On two separate occasions.  This never happens to Sebastian. Then Sebastian ends up being the trainer at the gym Tyler joins. Tyler joins the gym to try to build confidence in himself, as well as to get stronger and to stop living his life in fear. But he is definitely intimidated by Sebastian.  And Sebastian, well, he wants to push Tyler during their first session together just because Tyler has been rejecting him.  

When Sebastian realizes that he pushed Tyler too far in the workout, he offers to go to Tyler's apartment to help him recover quicker. While there, he confesses that he really wants to be Tyler's friend. He knows that Tyler could use a friend and he knows that he, himself, is very lonely and could definitely use a friend. Tyler hesitates as he is afraid of being stuck in a controlling relationship again.  

During a bad snowstorm, Sebastian is stuck at Tyler's apartment for a few days. It obviously is tough on Tyler having Sebastian there, in his space, all the time. Being stuck in the small apartment becomes stifling to both men. But they definitely start getting to know each other better during this time.  Unfortunately, a kiss from Sebastian turns things sour. Tyler accuses him of forcing himself on Tyler. And thus begins the turning point in their relationship. Sebastian lays it all out for Tyler. "'I have never fought so hard to be friends with someone before...You don't want this as much as I do. And that's a shame because I think we could've been great friends.'" Sebastian leaves the ball in Tyler's court, telling him "'Call me when you decide you want a friend.'"

My heart breaks for Tyler. He is living his life in fear of Roland finding him. He doesn't think he can open himself up to have a friend. He doesn't think he has the time or that it's fair to be with someone when he comes with so much baggage. He begins to realize though that Sebastian is nothing like Roland and that he doesn't need to be scared of him. 

From here, their relationship starts to grow. They still have to face the fact that Roland is searching for Tyler. And facing this isn't easy. Standing up to Roland is something Tyler needs to do though. And he does a great job of doing so.

I absolutely love the way that Brittany Cournover redeems Sebastian in this story. He never wanted to hurt his ex, Anthony. We learn that he purposely sabotaged his former relationship with Anthony. He has suffered from losing his ex-fiancé, Grant, years ago and he just doesn't feel right moving on. He feels like investing his heart in someone else would be cheating on Grant. Learning this and understanding why Sebastian treated Anthony the way he did, just fully redeems him in my eyes. Even better is when Tyler forces Sebastian to explain all of this to Anthony, who had no idea. This is just a very touching moment.

One of my favorite moments in the story is when Tyler tells Sebastian to wear Grant's ring. As in, the ring that Sebastian had used to propose to Grant. It is such a quick and easy acceptance by Tyler. And it leads to the wonderful proposal by Sebastian later.  "'I wear Grant's ring on my right hand because he was my first love, but I want to wear yours on my left because you're my last.'" 

Teaching Trust is seriously a wonderful book.  It has so much to it - second chance at love, redemption, escaping an abusive relationship, facing your past, learning to love and trust again.  Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I highly recommend it.  And I am excited to see what the next book in the series brings!  

Teaching Tenderness by Brittany Cournoyer

Amazon

Blurb:

Marcus ~

Being a single parent was hard, and something I’d never imagined I’d be. So when my ex-wife abandoned not only me, but our son, my world was on its axis, and I was forced to raise my son Jackson by myself. Unfortunately, trying to balance that fine line as both mother and father, as well as work full-time, was something I failed at… miserably. My world centered on my child and my job. A personal life was non-existent. Until one last-minute decision to pick my child up from school, I realized two things: I didn’t know my son at all, and his male teacher had the most stunning blue eyes I’d ever seen.

Anthony ~
My student, Jackson Anderson, had a secret. One that I was determined to figure out. It was one of the many reasons I became a teacher in the first place. To watch the light flash in their eyes as they finally grasped what I taught them had to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. And even though I probably shouldn’t admit it, Jackson had burrowed his way into my heart to become my favorite student. How could I stop myself from offering to tutor the little dude so he could pass my class? Considering I’d been single since my douchebag ex cheated on me, I couldn’t help but notice just how sexy Jackson’s father, Marcus was. Too bad he was straight.

A friendship blossoms between the two men and leaves Marcus questioning whether he was so straight after all. And thanks to Anthony, Marcus begins to mend his relationship with his son. Obstacles seem to hit them at every turn, but maybe sometimes love will find a way…

***Teaching Tenderness is book one of the Forever in Middlebury series. While each book could be read as a stand-alone, it is recommended that they be read in order. Each book will revisit characters from the previous ones in the series. It is a contemporary romance between two men with explicit language and graphic sex scenes intended for adults only***

REVIEW:

Teaching Tenderness is the first book I have read by Brittany Cournover.   What a pleasant surprise!  I will definitely be checking out more of her work. 

Marcus is currently a single dad, as his ex-wife left a few years ago.  Marcus loves his son, Jackson, more than anything, but he struggles with juggling his career and having time for Jackson.  He is heart-broken when he realizes how little time he has invested in his son's life recently.  

Anthony is currently Jackson's teacher, and he wants to figure out why Jackson is struggling so much.  He starts tutoring Jackson, to help him with his schoolwork.  Doing so, he gets to know Marcus and, of course, is attracted to him.  His introduction into their lives is wonderful.  He helps Jackson with his reading, and Marcus really enjoys hanging out with him.  

Marcus was like so many guys out there.  Working all the time, losing track of time, and struggling with keeping his kid as his top priority.  He isn't unlikeable, he is just losing track of what is important in life.  Anthony helps him with that.  Anthony is a teacher who really wants to help his students.   He is a good guy who is still suffering after his ex cheated on him.   Anthony believes in fidelity and would love to find someone to spend his life with.   

The two men start spending a lot of time together and Marcus realizes that he might not be so straight after all.   He does figure out thought that he isn't attracted to other guys.  He is attracted to Anthony because he is Anthony.  He knows that it won't be easy for him to be with a guy but he really wants to give them a try.  He is willing to take the risk despite knowing how tough it would be if things don't work out, since Anthony will still be Jackson's teacher. 

Jackson is such a sweet kid.  He is totally likeable, gentle kid.  But he struggles, with school and with thinking he did something wrong for his mom to have left him.   This part of the story was handled so well. Both issues are brought up at different points in the story and are a huge theme in this story. And, in today's society, both are a common issues. I, myself, have a son who is dyslexic.  And  I know many single parents.  I love that Brittany Cournover handles both issues with tact.  Brittany definitely is informative about both issues and handles them in a very realistic manner.

Overall, I really enjoyed Teaching Tenderness.  I was invested in it from the very start and couldn't put it down.   There is light angst and just a whole lot of navigating a new relationship.  I highly recommend it.

And now I will be starting Book 2 in the series, Teaching Trust, which was just released yesterday.

Salvation by Alison Hendricks

Amazon

I have read all of Alison's sports books, but this was the first time I read a non-sports book of hers.
Because of that, I was not sure what to expect going into it.

I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed it, despite the different types of characters / storyline.
That's just a good author, I guess.

In Salvation, Avery and Warren end up meeting when they go off in search of a missing boy.
These two never expected to find love during the search.

Both men have experienced a life that has not been very kind to them.
Warren is a man with a wounded heart, who lives alone in the mountains.
Avery is a journalist who is determined to find the missing boy.  No one else seems to care, but he won't give up hope.
When he gets a tip and heads off to instigate it, he meets Warren.
Warren thinks that Avery is crazy, but still go off and helps him look.
Avery sees how lonely and broken Warren is and really wants to help him out too.
He wants to give him a second chance.
Warren is hesitant to let Avery in due to the heartbreaks of his past.  He knows that once the search is over, Avery will be gone and he'll be alone again.

As I said before, I really did enjoy this book.
I liked the characters.
I liked their backgrounds and the journey they had taken to get to this point in their lives.
Warren and Avery have a good chemistry and their relationship is sweet, despite the troubles.
And towards the end, I was blown away by how nice, understanding, and compassionate Warren is.
I also loved Ian, the missing boy, and his boyfriend.
I was hooked from the very beginning and was completely engrossed in the mystery and the developments of the relationship.

I am so glad I tried this book and I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!