Published in 2018

Book Review: Finders Keepers by N.R. Walker

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Finders Keepers
Author: N.R. Walker
Heroes: Griffin/Dane
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 218 Pages
Publisher: N.R. Walker
Release Date: February 2, 2018
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Needing a change of scene, Griffin Burke moves from Brisbane to Coolum Beach to start a new job. The beautiful white sand, aqua-coloured ocean, blue skies, and summer breezes are everything he longs for. What he finds is a mud-covered dog, lost and hungry, with a nametag and a phone number.

Dane Hughes is stuck in Surfers Paradise at a week-long work conference when he gets a phone call from his distraught mother. His dog, his fur baby, Wicket, has run away. Unable to leave and feeling helpless and miserable, he gets a text from a guy. “I think I found your dog…”

Griffin and Dane start talking, and Griffin agrees to look after Wicket until Dane can collect him. With a few days left before his new job starts, Griffin takes Wicket on some coastal adventures and sends Dane photos of their fun, and so the start of something new and kind of wonderful begins.

Griffin might have moved to Coolum in search of a new life, but what he finds is so much more. What he gets to keep just might take some four-legged help.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Power Play by Cara Dee

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Power Play
Author: Cara Dee
Heroes: Abel/Madigan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 276 Pages
Publisher: Cara Dee
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: I was my own worst enemy. For as much as I depended on order and a structured life to easier manage my bipolar disorder, fire was irresistible and indisputably my favorite toy to play with. On the ice, it turned me into a hotheaded hockey player. In the bedroom, my attitude was my last defense, a front I wanted to see tumbling down. But lately, all I got was burned.

Love sucked. Correction: it sucked when you were in love with your parents’ closest friend and he didn’t feel the same. I admitted my feelings for Madigan Monroe over a year ago, and I was still waiting for a response. Now my balance was gone. My anxiety was all over the place, my fits of rage had just earned me a suspension from the team, I questioned myself at every turn, and being home for two weeks was gonna make it impossible to avoid Madigan.

I used to be his Abel, his sweetheart, his trouble. It’d been the two of us against the world since I was a kid. I’d even discovered we had kink in common! On paper, I was seemingly perfect for him. Maybe that was why his nonverbal rejection hurt so much. Or maybe it was because, recently, he seemed hell-bent on us “being friends” again.

Whatever. I was a loser, and I couldn’t resist him for crap.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Audio Review: Blood Fury by J.R. Ward

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Blood Fury
Author: J.R. Ward
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3
Heroes: Peyton/Novo and Saxton/Ruhn
Genre: MF/MM Paranormal
Length: 13 Hours, 10 Minutes
Publisher: Random House Audio
Release Date: January 9, 2018
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, M/F, Published in 2018, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Author Q&A: L.A. Witt + Giveaway!

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Please welcome L.A. Witt to The Blogger Girls! For readers who haven’t read Anchor Point, tell them a little about it. Can Going Overboard be read as a standalone or would you recommend readers start at the beginning of the series?

Anchor Point is an 8-book series set in a fictional Oregon town – Anchor Point – which is home to NAS Adams, a naval air station. The stories are loosely tied together by the setting and by characters who appear in multiple books, but each book can absolutely be read as a standalone.

Tell us a little about the characters, what are they like? How do they differ from the other characters in Anchor Point?

Chris and Dalton are in their mid-30s, a couple of Navy coxswains who are trying like hell to hold onto their careers. They both need to get promoted this year, or else they’re done. They’re also best friends, and though Dalton is out and proud, Chris is closeted, even from Dalton (well, for now).

Most of the other couples in Anchor Point have either been May-December or 40+. These guys are a little younger (well, older than Brent and Sean, the Mays of their respective May-December relationships), and they’ve got an established friendship. Their relationship is a little smoother sailing too; the story’s conflict largely revolves around their careers and an attempt cover up an accident that nearly killed Dalton, and their relationship being used against them. So it’s a bit less angsty in that respect than the other books (though not completely angst-free, don’t worry!).

What’s your favorite scene of the series so far?

Oh man. One scene? I’m a sucker for Black Moments and reconciliation scenes anyway, so for this series, (and without giving any spoilers) I’d have to say the Black Moment in Chief’s Mess and the reconciliation scene in Once Burned. Also the hot wing challenge in Rank & File. Just because. And the first kiss in Going Overboard. And….SEE?? I can’t pick ONE!!

You’re writing in quite a few series right now, is it hard keeping them all separate or do you find yourself mixing characters/storylines sometimes?

Not really. My characters/worlds stay pretty separate in my head. To me it’s kind of like following multiple TV shows—I can keep all the characters/plots etc., from Lucifer and Chicago PD from blurring together. Same goes for my own characters and stories. It does make my dreams a little weird, though…

How do you decide what book to write next?

Whatever is on a deadline takes priority, but if there’s a plot bunny refusing to be ignored, it’ll get bumped to the top of the list too, which means I’m usually working on at least two books simultaneously.

And add to that, what else do you have coming out soon and what are you currently working on? 

The next two Anchor Point books are coming soon – Once Burned in April and Wash Out in May. After that, my Cruising trilogy – Adrift, Ashore, and Afloat – will be out this summer. That one is kind of a fluffy contemporary trilogy about two dudes who meet on vacation. There are also some co-writes in the works, but no dates for those yet. Stay tuned!

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Categories: Author Q&A, Book Promo, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , | 15 Comments

Book Review: Going Overboard by L.A. Witt

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Going Overboard
Author: L.A. Witt
Series: Anchor Point #5
Heroes: Dalton/Chris
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 259 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: February 5, 2018
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Second-class petty officers Dalton Taylor and Chris Ingram have been best friends since coxswain’s school. Now they’re stationed together in the harbor patrol unit of NAS Adams. They’re content as friends, but secretly, they both ache for more. Neither makes a move, though; while Dalton is out and proud, Chris is closeted—even from his best friend.

Then another coxswain’s negligence nearly drowns Dalton. After a taste of how easily they could lose each other, neither man can keep his feelings hidden anymore, and it turns out love and sex come easy when you’re falling for your best friend.

Things aren’t just heating up between the friends-turned-lovers, though. The Navy is investigating the accident, and the harbor patrol chief isn’t going to let his star coxswain go down for dereliction of duty, even if saving him means throwing Dalton under the bus.

As the threats and gaslighting pile up, Chris and Dalton need each other more than ever—as shipmates, friends, and lovers. But if their chief prevails, the only way they can save their careers is to let each other go.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Seth & Casey by R.J. Scott

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Seth & Casey
Author: R.J. Scott
Heroes: Seth Wild/Casey McGuire
Genre: M Contemporary
Length: 100 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: February 7, 2018
Available at:  Amazon and Smashwords
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Seth Wild is a fire fighter who has lost everything. Nearly dying in a fire, he is scared and angry and chases away the only good thing in his life—school teacher Casey McGuire.

When a sudden and violent snow storm hits their town he receives a message Casey and ten kids are trapped in an education centre center with no way out. There is no one else who can help, he’s the last fire fighter in town with his bum leg and his icy heart.

He doesn’t hesitate. He always promised he would be Casey’s hero, but will he ever again be Casey’s love?

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cover Reveal: Out Of The Ocean by Lynn Michaels

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Out of the Ocean

by Lynn Michaels

Blurb:

Cal Bigsby spent his life working the fishing boats and ignoring who he really is and what he needs to be happy.

Prescott ‘Scott’ Vandenburton is being primed to take over Daddy’s company, but he craves a life of his own. His only escape is sailing his yacht.

When a freak storm hits, both are forced to think about life from a whole new perspective.

Shipwrecked, fighting for their lives, and finding unexpected love.

Out of the Ocean is scheduled to be released on March 15, 2018!

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And the moment you’ve been waiting for! The Out of the Ocean cover reveal… Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Cover Reveals, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: An Actor’s Guide to Romance by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead

Guest Reviewed by Emilie

Title: An Actor’s Guide to Romance
Author: Catherine Curzon and Eleanor Harkstead
Heroes: Adam Fisher & Thomas Fox
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 51 pages
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: January 23, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When long-time theatrical enemies are cast as lovers, their late-night rehearsal brings a whole new meaning to method acting.

For twenty years, Adam Fisher and Thomas Fox have been the best of enemies. From their first meeting at drama school to shared stages, shared bills and a competition to amass the most illustrious awards, they have been the names on every theatregoers’ lips. Separately they can sell out an entire run in an hour, so when they’re cast as lovers in London’s hottest new play, the tickets are gone in minutes.

But for rakish Adam and gentlemanly Thomas, the small matter of their first on-stage kiss is causing a headache for everyone. Over a bottle of wine on one rainy night in the city, these two acting legends will do whatever it takes to banish their first-night nerves. After all, as everyone knows, the show must go on!
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Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger Shira Anthony: Writing the Perfect(ly Flawed) Romantic Hero + Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Writing the Perfect(ly Flawed) Romantic Hero

by Shira Anthony

Thank you, Blogger Girls, for hosting the first stop on the Swann’s Revenge Book Tour! I’m so happy to share my latest entry in the Dreamspun Desires line of romance-forward, tropey love stories from Dreamspinner Press. Be sure to read to the bottom of the post about how to enter to win a cool unisex leather heart bracelet to celebrate the book tour and read an excerpt from the story.

No matter how you look at it, there’s no denying that romances are all about the characters. It’s about falling in love as you read. Dreamspun Desires, like any great category romances along the lines of a Harlequin, are full of wonderful tropes: the arranged marriage, the secret baby, mistaken identify, or, as in the case of Swann’s Revenge, the ugly-duckling.

But characters, too, have their tropes. The damaged hero with the heart of gold. The once-burned, now closed-off man who doesn’t think he’s ready to love again. The playboy who hide his loneliness. You get the picture. Each of these characters, and the million variations on them, are what live and breathe at the heart of every romance.

So what’s the common denominator here? They all have flaws, just like real human beings. A story about a perfect relationship with no challenges is boring. The same is true for our MCs. Perfect isn’t fun, and it isn’t realistic, so we don’t buy in to the characters or root for them when life, and love, present them with challenges.

Swann’s Revenge is the love story of two very different men, Graham (our ugly-duckling-turned-hotter-than-hell-swan) and Dan, the former high school star quarterback. Both have flaws, although the story is mostly about how Graham comes to terms with his past. Dan is easy to love. He’s sweet, he’s figured out who he is, and he’s confident without being overbearing. Graham, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult to love. But Dan sees the heart hiding behind Graham’s carefully built walls, and he doesn’t give up easily.

Who’s my favorite of the two? Graham. In a heartbeat. And not because he’s drop-dead gorgeous. It’s because I absolutely love a flawed hero who hides his heart. I’ve written more than a few of them over the years, my favorite of which is David Somers, the conductor from the Blue Notes Series, who’s heart begins to thaw when he hears the beautiful music coming from Alex Bishop’s violin. Sure, Alex is easier to love, just as Dan is in Swann’s Revenge, but I personally adore seeing love do its healing work.

Not to say that Dan doesn’t have his own issues (spoilery, so I won’t talk about them here), but watching Graham Swann blossom into a truly happy man is what Swann’s Revenge is all about.

Happy reading, and don’t forget to comment on this post to be entered to win the cool unisex “Follow your heart” bracelet I’m giving away at the end of the tour! -Shira Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , | 6 Comments

Book Review: Swann’s Revenge by Shira Anthony

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Swann’s Revenge
Author: Shira Anthony
Series: Dreamspun Desires
Heroes: Graham & Dan
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Can a swan make peace with his ugly duckling past?

Chubby geek Jimmy Zebulon’s heart broke the day his high school crush, Danny Parker, looked on as his teammates tormented Jimmy. Fifteen years later, Jimmy is long gone, and from his ashes has risen Graham Swann, a movie-star-handsome law firm owner. Graham thinks Jimmy and his past are long forgotten—until attorney Dan Parker shows up for his first day of work.

Getting injured playing college ball was the best thing that ever happened to Dan. It turned his future in a better direction and allowed him to emerge from the closet that trapped him.

Graham wants to believe his childhood dream can come true, but he can’t bring himself to tell Dan who he really is—and their pasts might ruin any chance for a happily ever after…. Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment