Author Archives: thebloggergirls

Book Review: How to Heal a Life by Sloan Parker

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: How to Heal a Life
Author: Sloan Parker
Series: The Haven #2
Heroes: Seth Fisher/Raymond Vargas
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: N/A
Publisher: October 24, 2017
Release Date: Sloan Parker Press
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Seth Fisher has been to hell and back, but he has no intention of letting the torment of his past destroy his future. He thinks he’s doing good. He’s working again, talking, laughing, living. But everyone else still sees him as broken.

Except for one man. Raymond Vargas.

If only Seth could leave his apartment alone without a panic attack, then he could prove to everyone he’s going to be okay. And he could tell the one man who has never let him down that he wants him.

Raymond Vargas has spent the past two years trying to make up for what happened to six young men who were tortured at the hands of a member of his club. He’d do anything to keep them safe, to help them heal and move on, to help them forget they ever set foot inside the Haven.

If only he hadn’t fallen in love with one of them.

If only Seth wasn’t still in danger.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn

Thanks for joining Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn on the OFF THE ICE blog tour. In the Hat Trick series, love and hockey collide—and create enough heat to melt the ice. Join the players as they chase both the Stanley Cup and their own personal happily ever afters.

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About Off the Ice

Tristan Holt is nothing if not pragmatic. Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire—if an injury doesn’t force him to hang up his skates first. His backup plan? Finishing his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.

Sebastian is on the bottom rung of the Sociology Department at Georgia State. He has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least not until summer classes end. After that, everything is fair game.

But Sebastian lives loud and proud, and Tristan is terrified of being the first out player in the NHL. Neither of them can afford to risk their hearts when they can’t imagine a happily ever after. The problem is, unlike hockey, when it comes to love, there are no rules.

Available at: Riptide Publishing and Amazon

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Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2016, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Off the Ice
Authors: Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn
Series: Hat Trick #1
Heroes: Tristan Holt/Sebastian Cruz
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 283 pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: October 30, 2017
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf:  Goodreads

Blurb: Tristan Holt is nothing if not pragmatic. Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire—if an injury doesn’t force him to hang up his skates first. His backup plan? Finishing his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.

Sebastian is on the bottom rung of the Sociology Department at Georgia State. He has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least not until summer classes end. After that, everything is fair game.

But Sebastian lives loud and proud, and Tristan is terrified of being the first out player in the NHL. Neither of them can afford to risk their hearts when they can’t imagine a happily ever after. The problem is, unlike hockey, when it comes to love, there are no rules.

Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2017, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger L.M. Brown: Technology – The Bane of Our Lives + Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Technology – The Bane of Our Lives

by L.M. Brown

Technology is great, when it’s working properly, but when it goes wrong it can be a frustrating nightmare.  We’ve all been there.  An operating system update that stops our favourite program working correctly, a frozen screen when you haven’t yet saved that amazing scene you just wrote, or even worse the Blue Screen of Death that appears in a flash and signals that your computer has some serious problem that, if you’re like me, you have no clue how to fix.

Technology today does things that most people couldn’t even imagine thirty or so years ago.  So imagine what it might be able to do in another hundred years.

That is part of the concept behind Holographic Havoc.  The story is set in the near future where inventions are becoming more and more complex and are able to do even more than they do now.  I set the story 2102, though considering how quickly our technology evolves, it may be that the invention that the story revolves around is something that is not only around, but already obsolete by the time that year arrives.  Not that I am going to be around to see it any event.

So, what is this invention I am talking about?   

Well, it is a holographic personal assistant that is designed to help the user in all aspects of their life. Whether it is organising meetings, booking a restaurant, doing your shopping, or maintaining a good relationship with the mother-in-law, this fictional invention is there to help.

Amazing right?  

But what about when that piece of technology decides to go wrong?   After all, the more complicated the program, the more likely it is to have bugs that are designed to drive a person completely insane.

I hope you enjoy reading about what happens when Hayden’s holographic assistant develops an unexpected bug.  

Feel free to share your own techie horror stories here – we all have them and it sure is nice to know we are not alone when we’re screaming at our computers to just work!

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About Holographic Havoc

Hayden Knight’s job is simple. All he has to do is sell his father’s latest invention to Tate South, the Acquisitions Manager of the biggest supplier of the best in cutting-edge technology. The virtual assistant is designed to help the user in all aspects of their life, but Hayden views the holographic helper as nothing but a nuisance. Keeping his annoyance to himself is relatively easy until a major technical glitch causes Tate to see and hear Hayden’s assistant.

Hayden and Tate are thrown together while they try to figure out what has happened, and the chemistry between them is electric. Hayden soon finds that convincing Tate that he needs a Holo-Assistant isn’t as important to him as persuading him he needs Hayden in his life.

The attraction is mutual and the sparks fly. If only they could get rid of their holographic third wheel.

Available at: Amazon

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An Exclusive Excerpt from Holographic Havoc

After picking up Hayden’s car, a self-driving sporty model that was as comfortable as it was sleek, they settled in for the journey, with Randy hovering in the back seat.

“What sort of information can the assistant access about individuals? About me?”

“Anything that’s public knowledge.”

“Care to demonstrate?”

“Randy, please tell me everything you know about Tate.”

“Tate South, aged twenty seven, date of birth 6th May 2075. Owner of ED Electronics and Head of Acquisitions.”

“What about personal stuff?” Tate interrupted.

“Personal?” Hayden asked.

“My name, age, job, and stuff like that is all public record. What else can it find out?”

“Randy, personal profile of Tate please.”

“Tate South, single, currently ranked as number ninety in the top one hundred most eligible bachelors in England. Sexual orientation—gay. Sexual health status—clean. Last long term relationship was between February 2097 and October 2100. Infrequent user of gay hook-up app—” Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Author Q&A with HJ Perry + Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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The temptation you wish you could resist?

The rest of my family love what we Brits call crisps and Americans call chips. When they are there in the house. I can’t help myself, I’ll eat them all. And yet, I don’t like them that much. They are not something I’d seek out to buy. My “bad” food snack of choice would be something more chocolate or cake based. Let’s call it chocolate cake.

Whilst on the subject, I also love chips. Real British chips that are thick cut chunks of potato double fried and served with ketchup, brown sauce, or something spicy like curry sauce.

The film you can watch time and time again?

Terminator 2. The Sarah Connor character is awesome and it was such a groundbreaking film in its time.

The person who influenced you the most?

Perhaps my father. We share a love of SF films. His big influence has been by example. Like him I rarely gossip about people. If I have negative thoughts about people, I try to keep them to myself, mostly. I’m not perfect. Over my life I learned consideration for others is a good things to aim for because there are often many sides to an argument and you can’t judge other people’s behaviour because you do not know the full reasons behind their action. I definitely put these values down to my father’s influence.

My mother exists in stark contrast. She is positively brimming with judgement an opinions that she wants to share.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity?

Mathematics.

The poem that touches your soul?

I pretty much avoid poetry. But sometimes it is thrust upon us.

The two epic poems by Homer have touched my life probably more than any other poetry. I have print editions of The Odyssey and The Iliad on my bookshelves and I’ve listened to audiobooks of them.

I’ve visited Greece to see the ancient sites and I have a massive tattoo featuring Greek Gods.  

The event that altered the course of your life?

Having children. Of course, I knew children would change my life, but I didn’t realise just how much.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever?

Various first moments with my first child.

I’ll never forget find out my second child was not one but two. I was expecting twins. I don’t know whether happy is quite the word I’d use, though. Continue reading

Categories: Author Q&A, Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Gummy Bears & Grenades by Charlie Cochet

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Gummy Bears & Grenades
Author: Charlie Cochet
Series: THIRDS #9.5
Heroes: Dex/Sloane
Genre: MM Paranormal
Length: 102 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 4, 2017
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley can’t wait to marry his fiancé, Team Leader Sloane Brodie, but first he’s looking forward to celebrating his bachelor party—which he intends to be a shenanigans-free evening of getting his groove on with family and friends.

Of course events don’t work out as planned, but for Dex that’s nothing new. One thing is for sure, dodging drug dealers and hired thugs amid booze, dancing—and even a bear costume—will guarantee it’s a night Dex will never forget. Now he just needs to survive all the fun.

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Enjoy this bonus story from the THIRDS universe. These events occur between Darkest Hour Before Dawn and Tried & True in the series timeline. While reading this story would enhance your experience of the THIRDS series, it is not necessary to read before Tried & True.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2017, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Horny by Anne Tenino

Reviewed by Morgan

Title: Horny
Author: Anne Tenino
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Heroes: Ryan Caufield/Leander
Genre: MM Paranormal
Length: 3 Hours, 29 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: September 20, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ryan Caulfield is a devout avoider of risk, so it comes as a surprise when he agrees to help a group of supernatural law enforcers catch Zeus (the god voted Least Likely to Keep It in His Pants). But how could he say no? He’s nothing if not law-abiding, even if it’s a legal code from another plane of existence. Besides, it all seems harmless enough . . . at least until the half-naked and all-hot immortal with wings and horns shows up.

In his century as an investigator for the Olympic pantheon, Leander of the eroté has solved a lot of cases and slept with a lot of humans. But on this investigation, it looks like he won’t be doing either. His assigned task is bogus, and the most alluring mortal he’s ever met is determined to avoid hooking up.

But the pull Leander feels toward Ryan the bartender won’t let him turn his attention away for long. Soon, he finds himself interested in much more than his usual dalliances with mortals. Now if only he can convince Ryan he’s worth the risk.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Safe and Sound by Caitlin Ricci

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Safe and Sound
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Heroes: Mason/Oliver
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 84 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 18, 2017
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Twenty-one-year-old Mason has to get out of his mother’s house, where her boyfriend subjects him to unwanted advances—and won’t take no for an answer. Since she didn’t believe Mason when he told her about his uncle’s sexual abuse, Mason knows he’s on his own, and it’s up to him to raise the money he needs. He thinks he’s in luck when he takes a modeling job.

Oliver is a photographer, and getting guys and sex has always been easy for him. His current open relationship is no exception: more friendship and fun than anything. But when Oliver meets Mason, he can see the younger man is fragile and desperately in need of help. Before anything can develop between them, Mason needs to free himself of his terrible living situation and start on the road to healing. Oliver wants to stand beside him as he does. What surprises him is the discovery that he might need Mason as much as Mason needs him.
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Categories: 2 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Character Interview with Anthony & Walter from In Over Our Heads by CJane Elliott + Giveaway!

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Character Interview with Anthony & Walter from In Over Our Heads

Hi, everyone! I’m thrilled to be here at The Blogger Girls celebrating In Over Our Heads, my new release. In Over Our Heads is a second chance romance for Anthony and Walter—two guys who seem total opposites but truly complete each other.

I thought it would be fun to ask the guys some questions today.

What is your biggest fear?

Anthony: Besides a bad hair day? Okay, I’ll get serious. Total destruction of the world because of the baby-man currently in the White House. That was too serious – I really can’t go there without screaming. So, here’s one: I do fear anything bad happening to Walter. Now that we’re finally together I intend to be with him until we’re ol and toothless and dozing off in our twin Barcaloungers.

Walter: Not being who I want to be for Anthony.

Anthony: I thought we talked about that and you were giving that up!

Walter: It’s still there, though. But now it motivates me. Nothing bad’s going to happen to me and I’m going to spend my life making sure you don’t regret being with me.

Anthony: Aww. You’re the sweetest.

What is your most prized possession?

Anthony: That’s easy! The conch shell that Walter found when he first moved to Key West. He kept it as a sign that he was doing the right thing in totally reinventing his life—his Life 2.0, as he calls it. And then, when we were apart again, he sent it to me with a note that he was working on Life 3.0—his new life with me. Soooo romantic!

Walter: I’d have to say the sketch Anthony made of me and Melissa, a little girl we know. It was in the Daily Grind, our local coffee shop, during the time Anthony was here for his vacation and we’d run into each other again after 12 years. I’ve always loved Anthony’s talent as an artist.

Anthony: Now you’re making me blush.

What do you enjoy doing on your day off?

Anthony: Now that I’m a fulltime artist living in Key West, I feel like every day is a day off! On a typical day I paint, go for a walk or a bike ride with Walter, and then we take out the boat for snorkeling and watching the sunset. I have the best life ever.

Walter: What Anthony said. Only instead of painting I check in at the bar and the dive shop I own to make sure things are running smoothly. I also enjoy cooking so I usually go to the market to see what’s fresh. And Anthony didn’t mention Boston—we spend quite a bit of time there with Anthony’s foundation for disadvantaged and LGBT kids.

Anthony: That’s right! We basically have two lives—here and Boston. Boston is usually pretty busy and sometimes intense, with the work we’re doing for the kids, so I’m always glad to get back to Key West. I love chilling on our deck and watching the stars. You’ll have to let Walter tell you about the stars some day.

Walter: Like I told Anthony, it’s something most people learned in 7th grade—

Anthony: —but the way you tell it is so poetic! It makes me want to swoon and jump your bones at the same time!

Walter: Um. I guess we’re done with this interview, right? Anthony and I have… things to do.

Anthony: Very naughty things! See you all later!

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About In Over Our Heads

Anthony Vallen is the life of any party. Full of energy and fun, Anthony adores romance and enjoys playing matchmaker for his friends while dancing the night away with a series of Mr. Right Nows. But he’s given up on his own happy ending. A bad breakup years ago made him a secret cynic about love… until he runs into Walter Elkins—the boy who broke his teenaged heart—on a scuba-diving vacation in Key West. Suddenly, Anthony’s reasons for shunning romance no longer hold much water. Being with Walter again forces Anthony to get serious—about himself, his worth, and his heart’s desires.

Brilliant and self-contained, scientist Walter Elkins prefers deep thoughts to other people. He’s a good boss and a model citizen, but Walter doesn’t let anyone get close. After a tragedy drove him out of his science career, Walter landed in Key West and became owner of a dive shop and a bar. Things are fine until Anthony Vallen—the only person who ever penetrated his defenses—shows up, and Walter’s calm, controlled life capsizes. He and Anthony have a second chance for love, but Walter must confront the old fears that threaten to torpedo their happiness.

Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon

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An Excerpt from In Over Our Heads

The door burst open, and Sophia sailed in with my morning cappuccino. She was humming under her breath and had that telltale postsex glow about her. I tried not to hate her too much.

“What’re you doing in here with me, doll? Don’t you have a sexy dive instructor to entertain?”

“She had to leave early.” Sophia handed me the mug. “She’s taking her group out on the ocean dive too, and she had to go to Back Bay to get the boat ready.”

I took a restorative sip of cappuccino. “Ahh. Well, I hope you didn’t tire her out too much last night. Or vice versa.” I winked at her, even though I didn’t feel very winky.

“Guilty on both our parts, I’m afraid.” Sophia smirked, then perched on the side of my bed. “Can we talk more about what’s going on with you and Walter?”

“Going on?” I blinked and buried my nose in the cup. “I mean, I told you guys last night. What more do you need to know?”

“Whatever it’ll take to help you and him figure yourselves out, because second chances like this don’t come around often.”

“God, not you too. You and Jonny need to start a group for incurable romantics.”

She straightened, her dark eyes snapping with intensity. “Caro! You’re the one who talks about destiny. This is your destiny!” Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Character Interviews, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Release Day Blitz: Angels and Man-Beasts by T.L. West + Exclusive Excerpts & Giveaway!

Angels and Man-Beasts

by T.L. West

Zachary is an ordinary young gay man. He works for his father, has a crush on his straight roommate, and likes to procrastinate.

While visiting his aunt’s old cabin, he finds a wounded man, and the door to safety is forever closed. At first, Zachary doesn’t know what to make of the handsome stranger dressed as a knight, but he feels a connection with him.

Zachary’s life is turned upside down as his eyes are opened to the supernatural world. Not only must he survive dangerous man-beasts, but he is also forced to make sense of what it means to fall for an angel, and involve himself in a war between the Gods.

Available at: NineStar Press & Amazon

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Exclusive Excerpt from Angels and Man-Beasts

Monday morning

Zachary tried to finish his assignment on his laptop as he sat on his bed. He was just not in the mood, even though he knew it was an important part of the project his dad was working on.

It had been his mother’s idea for him to work in the family business after his graduation. According to his parents, it would give Zachary much-needed experience before he was ready to start applying for a job in other companies. At first Zachary had declined, but due to his parent’s constant nagging, he’d had no choice but to accept.

He had been working for his dad for a few months now. It wasn’t a bad job. He could check for errors in software from the comfort of his apartment.

Zachary’s mind immediately went to his roommate, Christopher. He’d already been living in the two-bedroom apartment when Zachary had moved in. Christopher was six feet tall, had piercing blue eyes, wavy brown hair, and loved to work out. He was also very smart. He worked at a nearby laboratory as a chemist. He was also perfect boyfriend material as far as Zachary was concerned.

“But he’s straight,” sighed Zachary as he looked at the lines of code on his laptop screen.

He brushed his black hair away from his forehead. Zachary had never been one of those gay men who would try to hit on a straight man. It just wasn’t his style, or perhaps he didn’t have enough confidence to initiate such an interaction. He wasn’t sure. He had a nice friendship with Christopher, and he didn’t want to risk losing that over some weird fantasy. He wouldn’t be able to look at himself if Christopher rejected his advances. Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Book Review, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment