Well, it’s been a while but it’s time to pick some giveaway winners!
The winner of a $10 Gift Certificate to Loose Id hosted by Jet Mykles is… Continue reading
Posts Tagged With: The Blogger Girls
Book Review: Hesitant Heart by Morticia Knight
Reviewed by Heather C
Title: Hesitant Heart
Author: Morticia Knight
Series: The Hampton Road Club #1
Heroes: Sam/Aaron
Genre: MM Historical Romance
Length: 174 Pages
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: November 7, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Sam is a naïve young man who arrives in Hollywood to escape his brutal father. When the older, sophisticated Aaron rescues him, Sam discovers what it means to fully surrender himself to another.
Eighteen year-old Sam Cunningham is used to living with lots of secrets. He’s had to hide his true nature his entire life or else incur the wrath of his strict and abusive father. When he’s faced with a horrible ultimatum, he flees to Hollywood where he hopes he can escape the fate his father has planned for him.
Aaron Rubenstein is a wealthy and sophisticated man who loses himself in painting portraits of bound men to help stave off his loneliness and despair. Unable to find a lasting connection with anyone, he’s had to resort to paying lovers not only for their affections, but to be allowed to indulge in his darker passions. Aaron’s only respite is his nights at the Hampton Road sadomasochism club where he’s a respected Dominant.
Naïve and inexperienced in the ways men can please one another, Sam takes a job at a bathhouse where he first glimpses a beautiful older man. Aaron notices the sweet towel boy watching him with interest every time he patronizes the Temple of Eros bathhouse. A traumatic incident for the innocent towel boy triggers Aaron’s protective tendencies and he’s compelled to rescue the gentle Sam from the clutches of the Temple’s manager.
They embark on a journey together that teaches them both things about themselves that they never knew. As their bond deepens and Sam is trained for his first night at the Hampton Road Club, an unknown danger lurks. Will Sam’s father find him and destroy both men’s chance for true happiness together? Or will Aaron protect his boy and keep him for always?
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Book Review: Heat by Tory Temple
Reviewed by Susan65
Title: Heat
Author: Tory Temple
Series: Firefighters #1
Heroes: Chance/Tucker
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 114 Pages
Publisher: Torquere Press
Release Date: December 1, 2005
Available at: Torquere Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Chance thinks he’s got a pretty good life. He loves his job as a fireman, he’s got an ocean view, and he has a great bunch of friends. He figured there’s not much reason to change until he meets Tucker, a paramedic who works his shift. Tucker might even be worth breaking the don’t ask, don’t tell policy at work, might just be worth coming out for. Trouble threatens to tear the two apart, though, when Chance is injured, which takes a toll on all of his relationships, most importantly the one he had developed with Tucker. In fact, it shatters everything they’ve worked so hard for. Can Chance and Tucker rebuild their lives, coming back together to be better than ever?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published Before 2010, Susan65's Reviews
Tags: Alpha Males, Contemporary, Family Drama, Firemen, Heat, Hurt/Comfort, Illness/injury, M/M, Paramedics, Public activity, Series - Firefighters, tattoos, The Blogger Girls, Torquere Press, Tory Temple
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Honorary Blogger: Renae Kaye Interviews Cardeno C.!
Renae Kaye Interviews Cardeno C.!
Thanks so much to the Blogger Girls for having me here. I have a habit of sharing release dates with the amazing Renae Kaye and we’re at it again (almost) right now. My book, Blue Mountain, releases today and Renae’s next book, Safe in His Arms, releases November 28th so we thought it’d be fun for Renae to interview me about Blue Mountain. “How is that connected?” you ask. I have no idea, but it gave the two of us a chance to chat, which is always welcome.
*****
Renae: Hi, Cardeno! Thanks for allowing me to interview you. I was so excited to see you have a new book out. Oooh – and a wolf pack one?
CC: Yes! I love shifter stories so I wanted to write another shifter collection. This one is novellas – each freestanding. The first one is called Blue Mountain.
Renae: The cover is gorgeous. Tell me – who does the covers for you, and how much input do you have into the design?
CC: Best question ever right out of the gate! This cover is really special to me because the artist is Jay Aheer, a reader. I have a Facebook Group, which is just a fun place for me to connect with readers and for readers to connect with each other. The group is pretty new so I’ve been getting to know people and Jay is one of those people. She is a cover artist and she shared some of her work. I immediately loved it, so when it was time for a cover for Blue Mountain, I went to Jay. It was a real joy for me to have someone with her talent, who also happens to be a reader, design the cover. (You can find information about Jay’s covers here.)
Renae: For those who don’t read shifter novels, what exactly is an Omega?
CC: In this particular universe, an Omega is a wolf whose nature is more submissive, calm, and sensitive than most wolves. They help a pack by binding members together and they derive great satisfaction from bringing happiness to other shifters.
Renae: Mitch sounds like a great Alpha wolf – patient and caring, but fierce when he needs to be. Is that what being an Alpha is all about?
CC: An Alpha’s primary function is to protect the pack. They keep everyone safe and help the pack prosper. Most shifters have predestined mates, who they put first in all things. But because Alphas have to focus on their pack, they’re granted mates only if they’re strong enough to both lead their packs well and cherish their mates as they were meant to be cherished. Mitch is a unique Alpha in that he has a twin brother who is also an Alpha. They have very different personalities that meld well to help the pack.
Renae: Which sort of character is your favourite? The Alpha? The underdog?
CC: I like both types of characters. It’s fun to write a tough guy Alpha whose strength is obvious, but it’s also wonderful to write about the underdog, whose strength shows in different ways.
Renae: I love opposites attract type of stuff. Is this what this is about? Does it have a HEA? (Prays Cardeno says yes).
CC: Yes, exactly! In this book, I got to write an Alpha who is so huge, strong, and powerful that even the people he dedicates his life to protecting fear him. And I got to write his mate — a submissive, small, beaten down Omega who has more strength than anyone the Alpha has ever known, himself included. (And don’t worry, there’s a HEA. Those are the only kinds of books I write.)
Renae: So this is the start of a new series? How many books do you anticipate being in the series?
CC: I think of my groupings as collections rather than series because each book is freestanding. For the Pack collection, I have a shifter universe with a set of rules and each book will live in that universe, but they’ll be independent. I have several books roughly sketched out. The next one will be called Red River.
Renae: Thanks again for the interview, and I am SO much looking forward to this.
CC: And I am beyond excited about Safe in His Arms. I love your books and this one sounds especially romantic. (And for anyone who hasn’t ordered it yet, you can get Safe in His Arms here.
About Blue Mountain
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.
A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Don’t forget to check out JustJen and Nikyta’s review of Blue Mountain to see what they thought of it!
About Cardeno C.
Cardeno C. – CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few “awwws” into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
You can find Cardeno at these sites: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Page & Blog.
Categories: Author Q&A, Book Promo, LGBT, Published in 2014
Tags: Blue Mountain, Cardeno C., Series - Pack, The Blogger Girls
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Book Review: Blue Mountain by Cardeno C.
Reviewed by JustJen and Nikyta
Title: Blue Mountain
Author: Cardeno C.
Series: Pack #1
Heroes: Simon Moorehead/Mitch Grant
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 110 Pages
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC
Release Date: November 21, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.
A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014
Tags: Alpha/Omega, Blue Mountain, Bonded, captured, Cardeno C., cute, emotionally damaged, Ginger-lovin, grieving, M/M, mates, paranormal, Self-Published, series, Series - Pack, Shifters, sweet, The Blogger Girls, The Romance Authors LLC, Werewolves, wolf shifters
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Book Review: The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott
Guest Reviewed by Ami
Title: The Devil in Denim
Author: Melanie Scott
Series: New York Saints #1
Heroine/Hero: Maggie Jameson/Alex Winters
Genre: MF Contemporary Romance
Length: 342 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Available at: St. Martin’s Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Life Just Threw Her A Curveball.
As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium—glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.
Will Love Be A Home Run?
Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field—and get the Saints back in the game—Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…
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Book Review: Forever Hold His Peace by Rebecca Cohen
Reviewed by Heather C
Title: Forever Hold His Peace
Author: Rebecca Cohen
Series: The Crofton Chronicles #3
Heroes: Sebastian Hewel/Anthony Redbourn (Lord Crofton)
Genre: MM Historical Romance
Length: 200 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 16, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Sebastian Hewel has never been happier. But his life playing the role of his twin sister Bronwyn, the wife of Anthony Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, is about to change. Rumors abound that Bronwyn is using witchcraft to enthrall her husband, and false evidence has been found. Practicing witchcraft is a crime that could have Bronwyn brought in for questioning by the sheriff, and that would reveal Sebastian and Anthony’s secret.
Together they must decide whether it is time to lay Bronwyn to rest. Anthony intends to ensure that whoever implicated Bronwyn pays for the treacherous deed. Whatever happens, Sebastian and Anthony must prepare to face an unknown future together.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014
Tags: crossdressing, Dreamspinner Press, Elizabethan Era, Established couple, established lovers, female impersonator, Forever Hold His Peace, HEA, Historical, M/M, M/M Historical Romance, Rebecca Cohen, Series - The Crofton Chronicles, The Blogger Girls
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Honorary Blogger Hayley B. James: Inspiration from the Emerald City + Excerpt & Giveaway!
Inspiration from the Emerald City
by Hayley B. James
Thanks for having me! Today I want to discuss the setting of Undercover Addiction which happens to be one of my favorite cities—Seattle, Washington.
I have many friends in the great state of Washington, and I take advantage of their hospitality to visit at least once a year. The overcast weather is perfect for this desert gal that sees over 300 days of sunshine a year. I really enjoy Washington and I also think researching crime statistics is fun, so when I realized Seattle (and the surrounding area) has a bit of a human trafficking problem, I started playing around with using it for Undercover Addiction. When I first started planning a “sequel” I wanted to move the boys from Las Vegas, but I wasn’t sure where. Chicago was researched (it was mentioned in Sins once or twice), but Seattle worked much better for the plot I had outlined and for my research capabilities. And I might also be biased because I seriously love Washington.
Pike Place Market is a location Connor and Riley visit more than once, and Riley lives in the Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue luxury condominium building across from the Market. I’ve been to the tourist attraction a few times and it is quite crowded. The crowds work in Connor’s favor in the novel, but gave me claustrophobia. The condominium was one of a few I researched for Riley’s home. Another I discovered was used in 50 Shades of something, and I wanted to avoid anything related to that. The chosen condo has a better location for plot reasons and I’m a bit more familiar with the area. Plus, the idea of walls made of windows while Riley and Connor enjoy private moments was too hot to pass up.
Have you visited Seattle or Washington State? Does anyone else enjoy visiting it as much as me? I’m returning in December so leave any suggestions for touristy stops you might have. Leave a comment here or tweet me.
About Undercover Addiction
Working Vice for the Seattle PD, Connor Bishop’s favorite part of the job is going undercover. His current assignment is to get close to Riley Drapeau, a human trafficker backed into a corner by the FBI and turned informant. Connor needs to milk him for information on his organization, but while doing so, sees an entirely different Riley than he expected.
Caught off balance, Connor relies heavily on Lucas, his outside man and only link to the real world, but he gets sucked in by Riley and his attempt to clear his name and prove his partners fabricated evidence to frame him.
Up to his eyeballs in the dark world of trafficking, Connor finds it easier to believe Riley than what the FBI is saying, especially when a leak is uncovered within the Bureau. The choices Connor has to make become even more difficult when Lucas admits he has feelings for him and promises a safe life far from harm. But Connor can’t deny the only man he wants to be with is Riley. Which forces him to decide if his addiction to the dangerous side of life can include loving a criminal.
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Don’t forget to check out Susan65’s review of Undercover Addiction to see what she thought of it!!
An Excerpt from Undercover Addiction
Connor pushed Riley’s hand away, relieved when Riley allowed it. “I want to work with Evan and the FBI, but I don’t know if I can rely on you to not get me killed.”
“I don’t think you need to rely on anyone to survive.” Riley smiled gently, and Connor was almost fooled by the sweet expression. “You’ll be as safe as you want to be.”
Connor scoffed. “Don’t talk to me with riddles.”
Riley stepped forward, forcing Connor to move backward. Riley put a hand on Connor’s hip to prevent him escaping further. “If I wanted you dead, you would be dead,” he whispered against Connor’s neck.
A shiver from the soft touch of his breath rolled down Connor’s back. Connor opened his mouth to reply, but he couldn’t find his voice. Not with Riley so close, and not with Riley’s lips ghosting across his neck.
“I hope to see more of you, Connor.” Riley pressed his mouth against Connor’s pulse point.
Connor held strong against a wave of pleasure crashing into him. He reminded himself of the type of monster Riley was, but his skin prickled with desire anyway. Riley pulled back and whispered, “Tell me I’ll see you again.”
Connor swallowed hard. He realized he had wrapped his fingers around the front of Riley’s suit. He loosened his grip on the fabric. “You’ll see me again,” he said without emotion.
Riley touched his cheek. “I want you.”
Connor fought against the rising desire. Riley not only sold human bodies, but he broke their souls apart to force compliancy. Connor had seen it happen. He knew what type of evil Riley had to be. Sleeping with a stranger from a bar, ignorant to his true self, was forgivable, but falling victim to Riley’s burning touch was not.
“No.” Connor turned his head to escape Riley’s fingers lightly sweeping his jawline. “You need to leave.”
Riley took Connor’s jaw in his hand and Connor locked his gaze with Riley’s. The display of power gave Connor a jolt of adrenaline. He liked dancing with danger. Knowing Riley could kill him in that moment and leave undetected was a type of excitement Connor hated himself for enjoying.
About Hayley B. James
Hayley B. James is a lifelong resident of New Mexico with no plans to pack up and leave just yet. Writing is her part-time job and full-time hobby. She works in a small office during the day and lives in her written worlds at night.
When she isn’t writing, Hayley is reading m/m romance, mystery, real-life crime, fantasy, and yaoi novels, and can be found cruising Tumblr and webcomics. She may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with police officers. It’s still up for debate.
Find out more about Hayley on her Blog, Twitter, Facebook or email her at hayley.b.james@gmail.com.
Leave a comment to this post and get a chance to be the lucky winner of a marvelous goodie pack!!
The Goodie pack includes – A paperback copy of Undercover Addiction, Seattle-themed Mug, WA-made truffles and a magnet!
Hayley B. James will be touring through different blogs – the tour schedule is mentioned below. Follow this blog tour and leave your thoughts to her posts in order to increase your chances of winning!
Contest Deadline Date: 23rd November, 2014
Tour Schedule:
17th Nov. – Andrew Q. Gordon’s “The Land of Make Believe”
18th Nov. – GGR-Reviews & MM Good Book Reviews
19th Nov. – Prism Book Alliance
20th Nov. – The Blogger Girls & Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
21st Nov. – Love Bytes Reviews
22nd Nov.- The Novel Approach
Book Review: Dare in the Dungeon by S.M. Johnson
Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Dare in the Dungeon
Author: S.M. Johnson
Series: Dungeon #4
Heroes: Dare/Zach/Thomas
Genre: MM Contemporary BDSM
Length: 238 Pages
Publisher: S.M. Johnson
Release Date: September 12, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: “I dare you to leap…”
Kneeling for Thomas is like skirting the edge of a fatal fall, and Dare wonders what he’s gotten himself into. Why can’t he just be happy with Zach, the perfect gay boyfriend? Yeah, Zach forced him out of the closet, and that was uncomfortable, but that’s nothing compared to what Thomas expects from him. Subbing for Roman was cookies and milk and kindergarten naptime compared to this. He wants to trust Thomas and stop pretending, but how much pain and humiliation can one Ivy League kid handle before he comes apart?
Meanwhile, in Minnesota… Jeff continues to write hot, hot, hot D/s erotica while battling emotional trauma from the accident. It’s easier to keep Jason as a buffer between himself and Roman than to face his fear of being tied up. He’s tired of being broken, but how can he be fixed when he can’t stay in bondage for more than fourteen minutes?
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Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne
Guest Reviewed by Ami
Title: Snow Angel Cove
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: Haven Point #1
Heroine/Hero: Eliza Hayward/Aidan Caine
Genre: MF Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 Pages
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Available at: Harlequin HQN, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Nothing short of a miracle can restore Eliza Hayward’s Christmas cheer. The job she pinned her dreams on has gone up in smoke—literally—and now she’s stuck in an unfamiliar, if breathtaking, small town. Precariously close to being destitute, Eliza needs a helping hand…for her sick young daughter’s sake as well as her own. But she’s not expecting her holiday hero to almost run her down with his car!
Rescuing Eliza is pure instinct for tech genius Aidan Caine. At first, putting the renovation of his lakeside guest lodge in Eliza’s hands assuages his guilt—until he sees how quickly he could fall for her. Having focused solely on his business for years, he never knew that what his life was missing was Eliza and her little girl. But is he willing to risk hoping for a yuletide romance that could lead to forever?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, M/F, Published in 2014
Tags: Contemporary, Guest Reviewer - Ami, Harlequin HQN, Holiday - Christmas, MF, no sex, RaeAnne Thayne, romance, Series - Haven Point, Single Mother, Small Town Romance, Snow Angel Cove, The Blogger Girls
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