Amy's Romance Reviews

Thursday, April 8, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY - Finding His Boy by KD Ryan

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Finding His Boy (An MM Age Gap Daddy Romance)

Author: K. D. Ryan

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: K. D. Ryan

Release Date: March 25, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Age Gap, Slow Burn, Daddy Kink

Themes: Self-confidence, Trust, Exploring Sexuality

Heat Rating: 5 flames

Length: 96 000 words

It is the first book in the series - Safe Harbor #1

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Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS

A lonely Daddy. An innocent boy. A twenty-year age gap. Whatever happens next is in Daddy’s hands.

Finding his way in life all on his own hadn’t been easy for eighteen-year-old Elliot Hedrick, but he’d managed to hold it all together so far.

Even though it was just by the skin of his teeth.

Between his warehouse job and pursuing a career as a professional ballet dancer, he’d been working sixteen-hour days and was still barely making ends meet.

He was fraying at the seams. And he was so damn lonely.

There was nobody for him to lean on, nobody to come to his rescue when things fell apart—it was all up to him to achieve his dreams.

Then suddenly Grant Weston charged into Elliot’s life, his knight in shining armor—literally and figuratively—and despite their twenty-year age gap, Grant couldn’t seem to leave the boy alone. Even though Grant knew he should.

There were too many obstacles between them—and not just their ages. Grant had secrets of his own, ghosts from his past that made him hold back from taking what he really wanted from Elliot.

And what Grant wanted was to make Elliot his boy.

To have a true partner.

But Grant was afraid to trust himself—afraid that history would repeat itself and leave him with a broken heart yet again.

Is age really just a number, or will the years between them end their relationship before it can even start?

Finding His Boy is the first book in a duet taking place in the Safe Harbor universe but can be read as a stand-alone and has an HFN ending. This book is a 90+K word slow burn, steamy romance that features a Daddy/boy relationship between two consenting adult men. No age play. Dual POV. There are explicit descriptions of sexual acts, so this book is intened for a mature audience (18+).

Trigger Warning: On-page physical assault (not between MCs), mention of sexual assault.

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Grant knew he should pull back, he should close the door—that would be the smart thing to do. He should be respectful of Elliot’s privacy.

Because if he crossed this line, there would be no going back—all of his noble rationalizing about not taking advantage of Elliot’s vulnerability would be out the window.

But fuck, the boy was incredibly gorgeous—the planes of his slim muscular body highlighted in a soft blue glow from the moon, his face a study in shadow and light. He looked so young, so vulnerable, and so ripe for the taking. Exposed, ready for Grant to sink his teeth into the pale expanse of flesh on display, to mark Elliot as his.

If Grant stepped further into the room now—and he wanted to, oh he’d never wanted anything so badly in his life, he could taste the wanting like metal on his tongue—where would that choice bring them?

Because the boy had no clue what Grant wanted to do to him.

He couldn’t know how Grant wanted to use him. To flay him wide open with word and action and touch, and pick apart the soft tender insides of him, to leave him wanting and vulnerable and his. To deliver the safety and comfort and pleasure that his boy craved and that only he—Grant—could give.

Grant’s own possession.

His boy.

Those words—his boy—they acted like a bucket of cold water—a wave of uncertainty and apprehension to temporarily subdue his lust. Was this just history repeating itself? Would Elliot realize a year down the line that Grant couldn’t give him what he wanted, and Grant would be left high and dry once again?

Could Grant risk his heart like that again? The thought of sharing that experience with someone, only for his heart to be trampled, handled carelessly, and discarded…

He should leave now, back out and pretend he’d never been here. Just leave and act like nothing had changed the next day. Leave this beautiful boy whole and innocent and let someone else break him in gently, softly, like he deserved. Someone he could grow with, change with, learn with.

Fuck, he was a coward.

But then.

But then Elliot opened his eyes. And he parted his lips. And he kept on pumping his hand up and down as he locked his eyes with Grant’s, his heated gaze burning with open desire.

Desire for Grant.

And Grant knew he couldn’t walk away.

Just a dreamer fueled by coffee who’s been writing about love that comes in all forms since she got her first word processor. Passionate bibliophile and lover of science, caretaker of humans and friend to dogs.

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Hit the Brakes (Food Truck Warriors Book 2) by Beth Bolden

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Hit the Brakes (Food Truck Warriors #2)

Author: Beth Bolden

Cover Artist: AngstyG Book Cover and Media Design

Release Date: April 8, 2021

Genre: Contemporary gay romance

Trope/s: Fake boyfriend, former high school crush, bisexual awakening, professional athlete

Themes: Coming out, accepting help, building trust

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 88 000 words

It’s the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Can they fake it til Tate makes it?

Tate Ward is in a bind. His food truck hasn’t been the runaway success he’d always dreamt it would be. When he tries to join a new food truck collective to gain a larger following, his sales aren’t even high enough to win a spot. What he needs is a high profile endorsement—and he knows just the guy.

Tate hasn’t seen Chase Riley since high school. It’s been ten long years of watching from a distance as Chase conquers football fields and fan’s hearts.

Tate never wanted Chase to know that he had the world’s stupidest crush on him, because he always believed Chase was straight.

But desperate times call for desperate measures . . .

When Chase offers a tempting plan that could fulfill all his dreams, Tate knows he can’t say no. All he has to do is pretend that his very real feelings are actually fake.

But faking it with Chase, while leading to wild success and even wilder nights, is everything that Tate feared it would be. All it’s done is leave him wanting the impossible: Chase’s heart.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Hit the Brakes is a great sports romance by Beth Bolden. Add in that it's the second book in the Food Truck Warriors series, and you can't go wrong. It's easily read as a standalone, but features plenty of men who you'll recognize from her other books.

Chase and Tate went to high school together. They were never super close and a long time has passed since they last talked.

Chase is now a famous NFL football player, while Tate is trying to make his food truck work.

Everything about these two is wonderful. I love that Chase can't forget about the only guy he ever crushed on. I love the high school flirting. And I adore their reunion.

The way things develop for these two is unique and entertaining. It's definitely nothing I predicted. They have to deal with insecurities and doubts, yet not quite as you'd expect. And the obstacles all fit in well.

If you are in the mood for a second chance romance between two men who flirted but never even kissed, you'll love this book.

Their story has a fake boyfriend aspect to it, which of course leads to them dating for real.

God, I just adore both men, their backgrounds, and their journeys. They're both lovable, yet flawed. Both have their own insecurities to deal with. And both have their share of personal growth to achieve. I love it all.

Hit the Brakes is a delightful sports romance. Beth Bolden combines plenty of sweet moments with a hard fought win for love.

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A few minutes later, Tate re-emerged from the shiny silver truck, carrying a paper plate in one hand and a bottle of water in the other.

He headed in Chase’s direction, and without saying a word, sat down opposite him and slid the plate across the table.

“Rachel’s heating up the mac and cheese. It’ll be out in a second.”

“No soup?” Chase wondered.

“We’re out.” Tate shrugged. “Busy day. Shouldn’t have come at the end of lunch hour.”

“I had a meeting,” Chase said. One he probably could’ve canceled, but he also knew what would happen if he’d shown up when there was a crowd here. It’d have become a circus, and he wouldn’t have gotten a moment alone to talk to Tate.

The grilled cheese was perfectly browned and crispy, glistening at the edges with butter and melted cheese. It looked just as good as Chase remembered, and when he bit into it . . . bliss.

He chewed and swallowed. Wished he had about a thousand other bites. “This is even better than I remember it,” Chase said.

Tate drummed his fingers against the worn wooden grain of the tabletop impatiently. “It’s been ten years. I was a kid. I’ve refined the recipe since then.”

“I don’t suppose you’d tell me your secret ingredient,” Chase wondered.

Tell me all your secrets. Please.

“Secret ingredient? Time? Patience?” Tate seemed annoyed he was here, and maybe it was his fear of being found out but, deep down, Chase was worried it was something else. Maybe it had only been Chase who’d been so affected by their classes together twice a week. He hadn’t wanted to believe that was true, because he knew flirting and Tate had undeniably flirted with him. Had always responded, even when Chase hadn’t really known what they were doing.

Honestly, he still didn’t know what they’d been doing.

Chase finished one triangular half with three more big bites. “Well, I thought about this sandwich a lot,” he said.

I thought about you.

Tate looked incredulous. “I made you one grilled cheese sandwich, in high school, and you’ve been thinking about it ever since? For ten years?”

It sounded ridiculous when Tate put it like that. “Well, it was a good sandwich,” Chase retorted. “And so is this one.”

“Does this mean you’re not going to sue us?”

Chase groaned. “I never planned on suing you. I just wanted . . .” What had he wanted? He hadn’t let himself contemplate exactly what it was that he wanted from Tate, hadn’t given himself the chance, but now, even with Tate seemingly annoyed, that indescribable tension hummed between them.

He’d wanted to know that he hadn’t misremembered or imagined it after all. He’d wanted to know if it had been real.

“No? You just came here to intimidate me?”

“Oh for God’s sake,” Chase said. “I’m not here to sue you or intimidate you or any of that crap. Is it so hard to believe I just wanted to see you again? See how you’re doing?”

Tate stared at him. Those gray eyes—usually so warm but opaque now—had always unnerved him. Before, in the best possible ways. But now? Chase didn’t know what to think.

“You really aren’t here to demand I stop talking about you?”

Chase shrugged. “You posted that you make my favorite sandwich in LA. Technically, it was true. You did, just ten years ago. And now I’ve confirmed, officially, that you still do.”

Tate tugged off his beanie and ran his hand through his hair, the auburn strands of it shining in the mid-afternoon California sunshine. “I’m sorry, it’s just hard for me to believe that you’re not pissed.”

“I could pretend to be pissed off if it’d make you feel better,” Chase offered.

Tate chuckled. “No, no, that’s okay. I’m . . . I guess I’m just surprised. I’d have thought you’d hate people who use your name.”

“Most people, yeah,” Chase admitted, biting into the second half of his sandwich. “But you’re not most people. Never have been.”

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A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.

Author Links

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Whole In His Arms (Wildwood Mates #3) by Skye R. Richmond

Amazon Link - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

Phoenix couldn’t be happier. He’s finally found his mate, and they’re planning their forever. The only thing that’s missing is the truth about his past.

Orphaned at a young age, Nix has always had questions. When the opportunity comes along to finally find out the truth, he’ll stop at nothing to get those answers. Even if that means putting himself in danger and leaving his newly pregnant mate behind.

River is determined to be supportive of his mate but having to say goodbye to his mate when he only just found him sends the young omega through a whirlwind of emotions. He doesn’t want to lose his mate, but he refuses to stand in Nix’s way.

With the support of family and friends, River tries to hold on long enough for Phoenix to come back home… to him and their baby.

Will Nix be able to find the answers he’s longed for before it’s too late? Or will he find his siblings only to have them taken away?

My Rating - 3 Stars!

Whole in His Arms is a decent omegaverse romance by Skye R Richmond. The third book in the Wildwood Mates series, it's not really a romance.

Nix and River's tale is not what I was expecting. They're already an established couple when this story starts.

Instead of their developing relationship, this is the story of Nix trying to find his family, and saving omegas from danger. For most of the story, Nix and River are apart, with the reader seeing how much they miss and support each other.

So, again, not a romance. More of an adventure story.

I do enjoy the issues going on with Nix and River, as they are apart while River is pregnant. And I enjoy the way everything resolves itself as far as the omegas are concerned.

Whole in His Arms is a nice adventure story by Skye R Richmond. If you're looking for a true romance, this is not that. I spent most of the story thinking something was missing.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Out of Harm's Way (Balls and Brawn #1) by Rebecca James

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

I’m coming after you, baby boy. You’re going to pay for what you did.

The terrifying text message from Mick Water's abuser, recently escaped from prison, sends him spiraling into panic. His life is just getting back on track, and now he's constantly looking over his shoulder and barely able to sleep at night. When his friends arrange for a bodyguard for him, Mick feels a confusing combination of relief at having protection, dismay at the sheer size of his new bodyguard, and arousal due to Mick's attraction to big men. His ex was a big man, and Mick paid dearly for that attraction.

Oxford Bradley enjoys his job with Foster Security, which includes a mixed bag of high-stakes cases--some of them dangerous--and dull babysitting-type situations. When he isn't working, he prefers a serene life devoid of drama and, let’s face it, a somewhat vanilla sex life. Assigned to protect a terrified man from his abusive ex, Ox is horrified at his body’s reaction to not only Mick himself, but also Mick’s admission to a Daddy kink--he’s never had an unprofessional relationship with a client and he isn’t starting now.

As Mick warms up to Ox and the two men get to know one another, the attraction between them grows. Ox refuses to break his professional code, but what about when the danger's over? Living in different states, they can't possibly have more than a one-off, and the temptation to explore with this intriguing man is undeniable.

Will one night send Ox running back to his comfortable vanilla lifestyle, or will Mick help him find a new favorite flavor? And what happens when an opportunity presents itself for Ox to see Mick again?

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Out of Harm's Way is first book in the Balls and Brawn series. This Rebecca James tale is a great mix of bodyguard romance, danger, and sex.

Oz is hired to protect Mick after his ex escapes from prison. Oz is bisexual and can't deny his attraction to his subject. It's does take them a little while though, as they aren't going to allow Oz to eff up his assignment.

I felt bad for Mick immediately. The reader can feel his fear from the start, with plenty of fearful moments to follow.

The attraction and friendship that develops is sweet. And I love the long distance issues and how they play into the storyline.

Their story includes some steamy scenes, including dirty talk, lingerie, and some public sex. The risky sex is a delightful scene. But damn, I love Mick in a skirt.

The Daddy kink aspect of this story is very light. Yes, their sex life includes some Daddy moments, but it's few and far between.

The suspense and danger is riveting, with some twists and turns thrown in to keep things intriguing.

One of my favorite parts of the story involves Ox's parents. I don't want to give anything away, but it's both sad and satisfying.

Out of Harm's Way is a great read by Rebecca James. The combination of danger and action, with sex and romance, is all well done.

BOOK TOUR, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Dead Sea by Mia Kerick

Book Tour!

Dead Sea
by: Mia Kerick

Dead Sea

(Story Ballads Book #2)
by: Mia Kerick
Genre: YA Coming of Age Gay Romance
Release Date: March 3

Kyle is a swaggering bully; Lenny strives to be invisible.

Kyle has been left alone in the world; Lenny is the world’s biggest loner.

When Kyle saves Lenny from drowning, their lives will never be the same.

After a brutal encounter with school bullies, Lenny swims out into the ocean, determined to let the current whisk him away. Next thing he knows the meanest kid in town is pulling him from the waves, promising to be his Dead Sea, and to never let him sink.

All Kyle wants is to get out of beach cleanup, is that too much to ask? So he goes for a swim, only to come upon the most epic “nobody” in the senior class drowning in a riptide. Lenny’s haunted gaze grips him, and Kyle makes the impulsive decision to save his life or die trying. And through this ordeal, Kyle and Lenny are transformed.

Kyle’s heroic act sets him on the straight and narrow, and he opens his heart to the young man he dragged from the ocean. Lenny changes too but is still unable to reveal the truth of his pain. While drowning in a sea of secrets, the reformed bully and wary victim fall in love. But staying afloat in the Dead Sea is not as simple as it seems.

Goodreads

Buy Link:

Amazon: (Kindle Unlimited or $2.99)

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$20 Amazon Gift Card (International)

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Dead Sea is a stunning read by Mia Kerick. The second book in the Story Ballads series, it's easily read as a standalone.

This is a deep and heavy young adult story.

Kyle and Lenny are two teens. Total opposites. And both barely holding on; both struggling with who they are.

Their lives collide and dramatically change forever one day at the beach when Kyle saves Lenny from a riptide.

The two have nothing in common. Kyle's the popular boy at school, one of the crowd who bullies Lenny. And Lenny's the recluse who never talks at school. Ever. They are two boys who hide, one behind his clothes, the other behind his attitude.

But damn, there are so many layers behind what they show the world. Kyle's mother is toxic and abusive, never appreciating or praising him. Dear lord, the way she talks to him is horrific.

And poor Lenny. He hides behind his silence at school. He knows he's different and he's completely confused by who he really is. Lenny just doesn't fit in. He struggles to figure out where his desires fit in. His love of wearing costumes and dressing up leaves him confused and embarrassed. So to the world he chooses to try to be invisible. His family issues are complicated as well.

They are two broken young men whose worlds collide. Two broken young men who end up saving each other. And it's beautiful.

Despite not knowing one another, Kyle chooses to save Lenny and feels compelled to keep protecting him.

What follows is a tale of two boys who help each other embrace who they are, encouraging and inspiring each other. Two boys who give each other a reason to live.

This is a story with family and mother issues galore. There's homophobia, bullying, attempted suicide, and depression.

As far as favorite quotes, there are way too many to list. The author seriously had me stunned with some of the impressive quotes. Basically, she reminds us to find the people who nurture and support us. She reminds us that life will always throw us obstacles and complications but encourages us to survive our current obstacle and face the future. It's wonderfully poignant. Especially in our current environment.

Dead Sea is a heavy and powerful coming of age story. Mia Kerick once again gifts her readers with a stellar young adult romance that is complex and multi-layered. I am thrilled to have read about these two young men and their journey.

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Award-winning gay romance author, wife, and mother of four, Mia Kerick, knows that a satisfying romance novel is riddled with challenges. For true love to prevail, the leading men are going to have to put in some effort. But the HEA is oh, so rewarding.

From Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester to Brokeback Mountain’s Ennis and Jack to Twilight’s Edward, Mia has a great affinity for the tortured hero in literature. Her contemporary gay romance focuses on such tropes as coming of age, hurt/comfort, and forbidden love. She firmly believes that sometimes you have to break his heart to save him. In Kerick’s books, the course of true love truly never does run smooth.

Mia’s books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine. They have won a 2019 IPPY GOLD award for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction, GOLD award for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction, a 2018 YA GOLD MOONBEAM Children’s Book Award, a YA Readers’ Favorite Award, several Gold Rainbow Awards in YA and adult categories, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, a YA Indie Fab Award, a First Place Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a First Place Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award, and more.

Mia cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.