New Release Book Review: Destructive Relations by Hayden Hall

Destructive Relations by Hayden Hall

Parrish Turner has always been my ultimate fantasy. He was my gay awakening, my sweetest torture, and my forbidden fruit ever since my father remarried and merged our families.

And he never even noticed me. The most I got from him was a passing growl. And it was enough to make me wild with desire. Until he left.

Now, five years after I’d last seen him, we’re back in the same house. Even worse, we’re in tight quarters, forced to share the same bed. Luckily, it’s only for a couple of weeks.

But that is long enough for my will to cave in. Especially now that I’ve got nothing else to lose and Parrish is starting to tease me in ways I can’t interpret. Either he’s trying to bully me for fun, or he’s flirting. With him, the two are never far apart.

He blurs the line between right and wrong. And I can’t resist the temptation that could only ever end in the destruction of whatever family we have left.

Destructive Relations is the first novel in the Destined to Fail series. You can expect forced proximity (only one bed), two young men who hate each other, forbidden love, heart, heat, humour, and a happily ever after. Make sure to use the Look Inside feature to read the content warnings. All books in this series are complete standalones.

Review

I really enjoyed Destructive Relations Destined to Fail #1), Hayden Hall showed me in Rescued (The Sanctuary book 1) just how great he is at writing a book that tugged at my heartstrings and he managed to do the same in this book.

My heart broke for Parrish and the way his mother and stepfather treated him from the very start and they only proved how awful they were when he returned for his sister’s wedding. I was pleased he’d made a life for himself elsewhere but sad due to the baggage he carried.
Every time the parents opened their mouths I wanted to slap them, their behaviour was just awful and I will never understand parents who are like this towards their children.

That baggage included his animosity towards his younger stepbrother Levi and it took him a while to realise it wasn’t Levi’s fault, that everything that happened was on their parents.

Poor Levi having to live with them and put up with their expectations, Parrish coming home turned out to be the best thing for both of them in many ways.

The animosity between Parrish and Levi and the sexual tension between them built up until it exploded with a massive and very hot Bang. The author does a great job making the bedroom scenes very hot and steamy while enabling us to see the changes in their connection as time went on.

I don’t personally understand the ‘tabooness’ around step-siblings, just because parents get married doesn’t mean the kids are going to think of each other as siblings and it doesn’t make them related other than by marriage. I was glad that Parrish and Levi got past the stepbrother issue and followed their feelings.

I loved seeing how Parrish started to heal through his relationship with Levi and I loved how they had each other’s backs as time went on. There were a few angsty places where I held my breath hoping things would turn out ok, but overall it was low angst, just how I like my books.

There are some nasty characters in this book, actually more than there are nice ones, thankfully they mostly get what’s coming to them.

A great read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Live on Amazon 9th March

Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Illegal Motion By Rheland Richmond & Emerson Beckett

The Package Deal Series, Book 4

Callum Kennedy

I should have known behind that deep sexy southern drawl, and beautiful face lived the world’s biggest asshole.

I’ve tried my damnedest to put him behind me. But it was hard to do when I saw his face every night in my dreams and couldn’t forget how he worked my body over.

It was okay. I had my work as a vet, my equine rescue to manage, and my friends. I’d forget him or work myself to death trying.

Except there’s one problem.

Turns out he’s the new free-agent running back who just signed a one-year deal with the Portland Pirates. The infamous Declan Miller has turned my world upside down and reinserted his unforgettable self back into my life for the next year.

Declan’s the last person I want help from, but it looks like I don’t have a choice.

Declan Miller

When I walked into Alejandro’s Bar that night in late July, I never expected to meet someone my first night in town.

But the sexy guy with wavy dark blond hair and hazel-green eyes sitting alone at the bar caught my attention immediately. Or maybe it was the way he was sniffing his own shirt.

After a night of the best sex of my life, I knew I had to push him away. I wasn’t doing relationships anymore, and this gorgeous, funny man had the power to break me.

But when I find out my unforgettable hookup is part of my new friend group, Dr. Callum Kennedy wants nothing to do with me until he has no choice but to let me help.

Illegal Motion is an MM sports romance and the fourth book in The Package Deal Series about the hot single dads of the Portland Pirates football team.

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Review

I have been waiting for Declan and Callum’s story and am so pleased they got their HEA.

I liked Callum a lot, Declan took me a bit longer to warm to as he acted like a bit of a tool at times but knowing the connection these two had I could only go in hoping they could sort out all their issues and miscommunications and make a go at starting a real relationship.

I loved how Declan was with his daughter and it was nice to see how he was willing to fight for custody of her, especially when he found out how neglected she was by her mother, a very selfish person who definitely didn’t deserve her daughter.

I enjoyed catching up with the guys from the previous books and seeing them all still happy and in love. Next up is Cooper and Greg’s story and I’m sure they will get their HEA.

Excerpt

Before fully processing Jackson’s words, I heard that voice that sent shivers down my spine. Was I hallucinating? I looked at the beer in my hand and read the label. Nope, no hard liquor.

“Who’s from Kentucky?” The southern drawl drew me in like flies to honey and caused my spine to stiffen. There was no fucking way he could be here.

Jackson glanced at him. “I was talking about you, asshole. Come and meet my friend. He’s the vet I told you about with the horses.”

The scent of apples and vanilla hit me before I looked up into those deep brown eyes. My pulse sped up as I tried to calm my frazzled nerves. I just might fucking pass out.

Or punch the smug fucker.

Jackson was oblivious to my near stroke. I only had a split second to figure out how to play this moment, and I was sure it was probably the wrong way.

But the look on his face was priceless. His eyes widened as he took me in. I’d never been happier that I’d started working out at the gym. Maybe he was going to be the one to pass out.

“Declan, this is Dr. Callum Kennedy. Callum, this is our new running back, Declan Miller.”

I know Jackson was expecting the standard greeting among strangers. And I wasn’t going to give this asshole the satisfaction of knowing he’d affected me so deeply with his brush-off.

So I steeled my spine, stood straight up, and met his eyes. I held out my hand to shake his. I tried to be my regular cordial self, but I failed quickly.

I sighed. “So, you’re the new running back.”

Declan looked at my hand and brought his to mine to shake. I would have sworn there was an electrical storm from the electricity arcing through my body.

“And you’re the vet I’ve heard so much about.”

Our eyes stayed locked on each other as I withdrew my hand from his. I watched his face as he sifted through the memories of that night. His eyes dilated, and the sexy bastard gave me the same grin he had that night at Alejandro’s. I would have been fine to play it as if we’d never met before. I could ignore him.

But I frowned as the fucker let his eyes roam all over my body before he sucked in his bottom lip as he smiled at me. I would bet my truck that if I looked down, his cock would be hard as steel.

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About the Authors

Rheland Richmond:

For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.

Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

Connect with Rheland:

Emerson Beckett:

Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.

The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond.

Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference, Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, and three more upcoming books in the series. She will release her first solo novel in late spring 2023.

Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.

Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

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Book Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Suddenly, Last Summer By Michael Robert

TREY BARNES

I professed my love for Jordy when I was seventeen. He was leaving for his last year of medical school after working another summer at my family’s Banks Lake resort in the Pacific Northwest.

Desperate for him to know how I felt even though he was my older brother’s best friend, and fearing that he wouldn’t return after that summer, I decided to take the plunge and admit my feelings while I had the chance.

As the adult in the situation, Jordy wisely chose to discount my confession as simply a teenage crush. But my last spoken words to him were that I’d wait patiently for him.

And I always kept my promises.

JORDY HALL

I’d been away from my small hometown for nearly five years. Life and a stressful medical residency had kept me busy, but I finally returned to fulfill my best-man duties for my best friend’s upcoming wedding.

His younger brother, Trey, was a sweet, sensitive kid when I left years ago. The shy, lean teenager who’d tearfully professed his love for me my last summer there had grown into a sexy, confident man. I was intrigued by what I saw, though I probably should have walked away again.

Had he actually waited for me to return? Did I hope he had? He was nine years my junior and my best friend’s little brother. But he could be so much more.

After five long years, it was suddenly last summer.

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Prologue: Jordy

Five years ago

“Where is he?” I asked, setting the final packed box on the counter.

“Probably down at the dock,” Mrs. Barnes answered. Her back was to me as she finished with the dinner dishes.

“You think he’ll come up to say goodbye before I have to leave?” I couldn’t see him but knew he was most likely securing the resort’s watercraft for the night.

She wiped her hands on a dish towel, tossed it on the counter, and joined me at the sliding glass door overlooking the lake. We watched her youngest son while he busied himself at the dock. “He’s hurting, Jordy.”

I let out a small laugh but not because I was being insensitive. “Just like every other summer, isn’t it?” I asked.

“It seems worse this summer,” she said. “Since you and Brock started college, he hates the coming of September. I guess it’s too quiet for him with just Mom and Dad around.” Mrs. Barnes took a long breath in before sighing deeply. “Imagine how he’s going to feel when you graduate medical school this year and he finds out you won’t be able to help us out any longer?”

“I’ll be back,” I defended. “Are you saying you don’t need my help next summer?”

“You’ll be starting your residency after this year, son. I expect you’ll have to move to wherever that is next summer.”

“Let’s hope that happens, Mrs. B” I turned to face her, expecting a hug. “I haven’t received a hospital matching letter yet,” I added. “It’s competitive trying to get my first choice, so hopefully I’ll know where that is in a few months.”

“You are the single brightest kid I know, Jordy. Don’t be so modest,” she said, wiping something off of my shirt and fussing like mothers tend to do.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnes had been my surrogate parents ever since the accident, and I missed mine terribly.

“You better not let Brock hear you say that,” I said.

She giggled. “Even Brock knows that.” She glanced back toward the lake. “Can you check on him before you leave, son? I think he’s twice as upset today’s the day you’re leaving. You’d think he’d be missing his actual brother more than you.”

“I’ll head down after I load that final box.” I headed for the back door and the driveway before remembering an important rule. “Oops!” I turned back and found her scowling at me. “You know I wouldn’t leave without one of your hugs, Mrs. B.”

“As I thought,” she said, arms open wide for me.

We embraced and she kissed my cheek as a diversion while stuffing her hand in my shirt pocket.

“A little something for your trip.”

I knew better than to fight her about what I knew was additional money. I didn’t need money but she didn’t know that. “You guys already paid me out for the summer, ma’am.”

“Don’t ma’am me, mister!” She dragged her finger across her throat like she planned to slit mine.

“I love you,” I whispered and went in for another hug.

“I love you too, Jordy. Now please go say bye to Trey before you leave.”

It’d been another amazing summer on Banks Lake. My best friend, Brock, and his family owned a resort on the shores of the manmade body of water. This was possibly my last summer working at the general store/gas station/boat rental/RV park resort. Brock had already headed back to California. He was finishing law school and had relocated away from our shared apartment in Palo Alto. He’d also started a new part-time job and they needed him early. I’d stayed back and helped the Barnes’ finish up the summer. After Labor day, things slowed down in this ‘barely there’ town in Eastern Washington, so they’d manage fine without the extra help once I left.

It was strangely quiet as I walked downhill to the dock, trying my best to dodge the evening sprinklers. The bulk of the last tourists of the season was gone. Two motorhomes and a couple of tents were all that were left in the park area designated for campers. The cabins along the shore had no guests in them while a couple of the larger resort houses were still occupied.

I spotted Trey at the end of the main dock where all the rental watercrafts sat idle after a busy summer. He was in one of the larger pontoon boats, sitting under the canopy out of the late afternoon sun. It was still hot here in September and I knew he’d had a long day cleaning and securing the watercraft. His back was to me and he only noticed he had an intruder to his thoughts when I stepped off the floating dock and onto the boat, causing it to rock gently. He turned toward me and then looked away quickly.

“What?” I asked. “Not talking to me anymore?”

There was no response as he held his gaze across the water, avoiding mine. Trey was Brock’s younger brother. A terrific young man and very loving, but he wore his heart on his sleeve. Nothing like his older brother who was arrogant, sure of himself, and warm to few people. I was one of the people he was warm to, so we got along fine. Brock and I had been best friends since elementary school and inseparable ever since. College and post-graduate years were hurting that closeness, but the best friends tag still stuck.

Once away from Electric City and attending college at Stanford, I’d come out. It wasn’t a surprise to Brock as he’d known since sophomore year. He was straight but always said if he wasn’t, I’d be his guy on that front. Oddly, even though he was hot, I never saw him that way. Just not my type. Brock was too short, too dark, and too brooding.

The summer had been good for Trey. He was his usual end-of-summer, golden-skinned, self, with a mop of sun-bleached blond hair. He was smooth, lean, and possessed a naturally athletic build that had really come on the past two summers as he approached eighteen. We’d just celebrated his seventeenth over the fourth of July.

“I’m talking to you, kiddo,” I said a bit louder.

“I’m not a kid,” he whined, sounding exactly like one.

I moved to his side and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m heading out,” I said. “Just wanted to make sure to say goodbye to my best little buddy.”

He swatted my hand from his neck. “Brock’s your best friend,” he stated, still avoiding eye contact.

I sat beside him on the wide boat seat and slid into him, forcing him over so I could invade his space and be close. I stared at the side of his angelic face while he continued to ignore me. Trey was a beautiful young man and had a heart of gold. Sometimes people easily dole out the expected compliments when describing attractive people, but Trey had earned his in spades. The kid was blessed in the looks department but had no clue. He was heartbreakingly attractive. But, he was still a kid and he was also my best friend’s younger brother, so I kept my heart’s opinions about him to myself. My feelings were curious concerning the attraction I felt toward him. He was a kid. I was an adult. Those were the facts and I’d decided to stick to them.

“Yeah, he is my best buddy, but I like you a lot too,” I answered, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the tops of my thighs, turning to see if he was looking at me.

Thirty seconds went by before he turned to me. He was tearing up.

“Hey now, buddy. What’s all this?” I put an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in tight. “I’ll be back. I promise I will.”

“No you won’t,” he mumbled, wiping at his eyes, clearly embarrassed about the tears. “Mom already told me you’re not going to be able to help us out next summer.”

“I might not become a doctor if I don’t work harder, so it’s not for sure, Trey. Besides, I’d never forget about you.”

“You’ll be the best doctor and you know it. You always get everything you want. Heck, even Brock says you’re the smartest guy he knows.” He hiccupped as he fought the full-on cry he was desperately trying to avoid. “Then you’ll just go off and I’ll never hear from you,” he said quietly, trying to shrug out of my hug.

I held him tighter so he couldn’t.

“Shit, even Brock doesn’t come around much anymore and now you’ll go away forever too.”

“That’s just not true, Trey. Come on. Why are you acting like this?” I moved my hand from his shoulder and held the back of his head, mussing with his sun-drenched hair. “We had a great summer didn’t we?” I asked. “I had a blast working and hanging out with you again.” His head slumped forward and I attempted to steer his neck my way trying to get him to look at me. He wouldn’t budge. “You don’t really believe I won’t be back, do you?” I asked.

He was silent.

“Look at me,” I said, nudging his side.

Trey turned toward me and had heavier tears streaming down his face. “You . . . you . . . you don’t get it, do you?” he asked.

“Get what?”

He shuffled his feet and tugged at threads hanging from his tattered jean shorts. “I love you, Jordy.”

“I know that, kiddo. I love you too.”

“Not like that,” he protested. “I love you, love you.

Enter the Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Suddenly, Last Summer, Michael is giving away an e-copy of the release.

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About the Author

Michael Robert is an author residing in Seattle, Washington. The Crow Flies Free is his debut novel. Michael enjoys traveling and he aspires to visit the locations of his upcoming novels so as to provide vivid and accurate descriptions of them. He enjoys tennis, road trips and fast cars. Please look for his future projects, the next story coming soon.

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Release Blitz & Review: Prince of Lies by Lucy Lennox

BLURB

Rowe Prince is a lying liar who windmills into my life in full colour, claiming to be Sterling Chase, a quirky, eccentric billionaire… and founder of the company I created.

Two can play at the lying game, though, and I’m not about to let some burrito-delivering, floppy-haired virgin from Indiana best me at a game I was born to play.

So I do him one better and pretend to be Sterling Chase’s new assistant. I’ll teach him a lesson that will hopefully wind us both up in bed… with nothing but the truth between us.

But it turns out his shameless lies are enchanting… unintentionally hilarious… and make it all too easy to forget the truth…

Until I learn that this cutie’s intent is to defraud the company I’ve spent years building. I have to choose: risk the company or say goodbye to the man I’m falling for. A guy who just might be…

The Prince of Lies

Genre: MM Romance

Tropes: Billionaire/Mistaken Identity

Review

This was a sweet and amusing read.

Full of heart and humour what starts out as a ruse to get into a charity event so Rowe can talk to someone about his idea turns into a twisty, sweet, crazy, fun journey into love and having his dreams come true.

I really liked the two MC’s Rowe and Bash, you couldn’t get two people from such different backgrounds who essentially want the same thing; to make a difference to people’s lives.

I loved how Rowe dug himself deeper and deeper into his outrageous lies every time he opened his mouth and I loved Bash’s reaction to those outrageous comments, I swear I couldn’t stop grinning at times.

The guys behind Stirling Chase, a start-up company, have managed to remain anonymous since it’s inception, but when Rowe (fake Stirling Chase) brings his idea to the attention of the group, it opens a can of worms no one was expecting and none of what is uncovered is good and could be detrimental to the company and their anonymity. I liked how the guys handled things and how they did the right and moral thing despite any fallout that could have occurred.

Bash and his friends were right characters and I really hope we get to know them better in future books because they would make for some fun and interesting times if the interaction they have in Prince of Lies is any indication.

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Lucy Lennox is a USA Today bestselling author and winner of the A.C. Katt Gay Debut Novel Award.

After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day. She writes gay romance with heart, humour, and heat!

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway: The Husband Hoax by Saxon James

THE HUSBAND HOAX – Accidental Love #1 by Saxon James

Synopsis

Christian

Being invited to my cousin’s wedding really shouldn’t be such a big deal except, oh yeah, I haven’t seen my family for a decade.

My parents turned their backs on me and I’ve done everything since to become successful and show them what they lost. Only, it’s kinda hard to be a success when you’re a walking trainwreck.

So I’m going to fake it. Hire a guy with an online presence so impressive they’ll be desperate to welcome me back into the elitist fold, and roll into the wedding with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life.

The plan’s a knockout.

Until my fake date cancels minutes before the ceremony.

Émile

One letter from my dearly departed grandfather, and suddenly I’m on a husband hunt.

He’s reworked his entire will so I’m set to inherit far more than I’m entitled to, and all because he’s asked me to use that money for “good”.

In order to get that inheritance, though, there’s one stipulation: marriage.

Even with his request, I’m tempted to stick to my original plan of getting as far from my wretched family as possible, and letting them fight it out.

But then I run into a tall drink of scattered mess outside of a wedding who’s in desperate need of a date, and the pieces click into place.

I help him, he helps me.

Marriage, money, then go our separate ways.

Easy.

Now all I have to do is stop myself from actually falling for the guy.

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Photo: Michelle Lancaster

Model: Dylan and Simba

Genre: M/M Romance
Trope: Fake relationship, friends with benefits to lovers, found family

Review

I absolutely enjoyed The Husband Hoax so much, I read ’til god knows what time because I didn’t want to put it down.

Emile and Christian were both characters I instantly fell in love with and I loved the way from the first meeting they just seemed to click.

They both have pretty horrible families, with only one or two family members who are worth keeping around. Emile’s family, especially his grandmother, are the worst kind of snobs and the way they behaved towards Christian was unforgivable.

I loved how they are both all in helping and supporting each other even when things are supposed to be ‘fake’, and that they fall in love without even realising it right from the start. There is plenty of humour and heart in this story, with a few misunderstandings or lack of communication thrown in, but it is low angst and has a wonderful HEA.

Christian’s ‘found family’, his five roommates and Aunt Agatha their neighbour, were the best kind of family and Emile’s sister Elle was great too. I’m looking forward to seeing who amongst them gets their Accidental Love story next.

To read an excerpt go here.

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About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway: Back to Center by Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood

BACK TO CENTER: Mohegan U Hockey #2

by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Synopsis

Eckie

There are ways to get ahead in college hockey, but having a meltdown, trying to get rid of your coach, and stalking his boyfriend isn’t one of them. Is it really a surprise that I wound up in a hospital facing my demons instead of getting ready to play for the pros and taking care of my baby? I needed the world’s biggest redo, but the probability of a second chance was about the same as…

Jack Rogan walking through the door. But there he was! Jack was one of my coaches, and I was pretty sure he was straight. His easy laugh and sympathetic ear put a smile on my face. He made me believe I could turn my life around. But as much as I liked him, I knew I had to put my fantasies aside. With obligations to meet and amends to make, I didn’t have time to obsess about a guy who was out of my reach.

So why did I say yes when he offered me a place to stay while I got on my feet?

Jack

I was done with relationships. A fractured heart had made sure my walls were high, and my shields were strong. There wasn’t a man I couldn’t resist—until Eckie.

After driving everyone away in an avalanche of self-destruction, he was getting much needed help, and I wondered if I should go see him. A single visit turned into the best part of every day, and I was hooked. When I was with Eckie, the world made sense again. There were only two years separating us, but since I was one of his coaches, spending time together was dangerous. If we kept it up, who knew what I might do?

Maybe something brilliant, like asking him to stay with me when he left the hospital. I knew it was risky, and I told myself I was only being a friend. But the truth was, I liked feeling things again.

Eckie was seeking redemption; Jack was trying to do the right thing. Neither planned on anything beyond friendship. Will following their hearts leave them worse than before, or will they find what they’ve needed all along?

Back to Center is a story of redemption and the unexpected love a man finds in a friend he never knew he’d have. It also includes exciting hockey, a coach/player dynamic, great communication, unquenchable longing giving way to irrepressible heat, an adorable baby, and a perfect HEA.

Content warnings for depression and physical/emotional abuse by parents. The abuse happened in the past, but knowing about it may be difficult for some.

Cover Design: Cate Ashwood Designs

Photo: CJC Photography

Model: Aaron Anderson

Genre: M/M Sports Romance
Trope: Friends to lovers, coach/player, single dad, unexpected love, redemption, depression, physical/emotional abuse by parents, HEA

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Review

I am so glad Eckie got to have his redemption story after the way his story arc went in Cracks in the Ice. He was definitely the ‘bad guy’ towards his coach Benny and his ex Cole as well as his team members, and his behaviour became more and more erratic and out of control.

I liked seeing him get the help he needed and that the assistant coach Jack had decided to be a friend for him when he really needed one. Finding out more about Eckie’s background, especially his relationship with his parents, put a very different spin on his behaviour and his mental health and I felt a lot of empathy towards him.

I enjoyed seeing the friendship between Eckie and Jack grow into something more and loved that Jack was able to see something worthwhile in Eckie and convey what he saw to him until he believed it. I think that without Jack’s support and encouragement, Eckie wouldn’t have been able to be as strong as he was and make all the positive changes he needed to make in order to regain his scholarship and his place on the team.

I loved seeing how he was with his son, and I liked that his ex-wife was able to see what a good father he was and didn’t keep him from seeing him as so many mothers tend to do when a relationship breaks down.

While Eckie had to prove himself to everyone and some of his teammates were less supportive than others at the start, it was good to see how far he came and how seriously he wanted to make those changes.

I found the incident involving his parents and cousin’s a bit over-the-top, but I realise that there are crazy zealots out there who will go to any lengths to get what they want, and in America it seems even more so. My heart was stuck in my throat at times while this was going on.

I really loved Jack and Eckie as a couple and I’m sure we’ll see more snippets of them in future books.

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CRACKS IN THE ICE

Mohegan U Hockey #1

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About the Authors

Ryan Taylor met his husband and co-author, Joshua Harwood, in law school. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC, and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh love to travel. In addition, Ryan also enjoys swimming, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. They began writing to celebrate the romance they were so lucky to find with each other, and the sharing soon developed into a passion for telling stories about love between out and proud men.

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Audio Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway:On a Midnight ClearBy Lily Morton

It can safely be said that Lord Barnaby Greenwood is not having the best of Christmases.

He’s penniless, up to his eyeballs in debt, and about to lose his estate. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that when a local property developer offers a lot of money to buy King’s Wood from him, Barnaby is very tempted. But his father had always impressed on him that the green wood was sacred and must be protected at all costs, so he finds himself saying no.

He knows this will result in the loss of his home, but duty comes before everything. However, that fateful decision leads instead to a magical Christmas for Barnaby, complete with an old god who grants him a favour, and a beautiful statue that comes to life.

Cosmo is perfect for him. He’s funny and kind and completely enraptured with Barnaby, and for the first time in his life, Barnaby falls in love. But how can this lead to anything but heartache, when on the last stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Cosmo will go back to being a statue and take Barnaby’s heart with him?

From best-selling author, Lily Morton comes a truly magical romantic comedy.

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Excerpt

I stare at the builder who is sitting opposite me. His florid face glows in the light, and even as I watch, he runs his handkerchief over his forehead, mopping up the sheen of sweat. Then he folds his arms and directs a belligerent glare at me.

“Listen, Lord Greenwood. I have the utmost respect for you, but the time’s come to stop playing silly games.”

I wonder idly why people always say they have respect for you and then go on to prove the direct opposite but put a polite smile on my face as he carries on with his tirade.

“I want King’s Wood, and I mean to have it.”

I spread my hands and lean back in my chair at my desk. The leather creaks warningly, but like so much about my house, it just squeaks through. “Then we have a problem, Mr Thompson, because I own that wood, and I have no intention of selling it to you. You want to bulldoze it and build housing on the land.”

He glowers. “So? Is there something wrong with building new houses for people who need them?”

“Not at all,” I say mildly. “Only the people you build them for don’t need them, per se, as they are all rather rich. You build mansions and not social housing. Roughly translated, they’ll be clogging up the country lanes with their huge cars, speeding everywhere, and being appallingly rude to the local people as if the simple act of possessing three cars and holidaying in the Maldives automatically puts them out of the reach of politeness.”

He scoffs. “It’s not exactly your business.”

I wrinkle my nose. “It sort of is, Mr Thompson. That wood has been in my family’s possession for hundreds of years. It directly abuts my gardens. My father entrusted it to me with a solemn undertaking to keep it safe. Do you know anything about King’s Wood?” He shakes his head crossly, but I continue. “Druids worshipped there. There is still a circle of ancient stones in the centre about which we know very little.”

“Druids,” he says in a tone of disgust. “Are they those funny folks who run around in their nighties?”

“I’m so glad you could sum up our ancient pagan history in just a few words.”

He blows his nose belligerently. “I don’t hold with any of that London nonsense.”

I blink. “Well, it’s actually local business. King’s Wood is sacred land.”

“Bloody ridiculous. It’s prime building land, Lord Greenwood, and I want it.”

“Well, as my old nanny used to say, we can’t always get what we want.” I pause. “It was either her or Mick Jagger.” I smile politely at him. “I feel we are at an impasse.”

A smile crosses his face that instantly makes me nervous. “Well, we’ll see about that.”

“What do you mean by that, Mr Thompson?”

He shrugs, standing up and pulling on his coat. “It means that Mr Watson and I play golf together.”

“You play golf with my bank manager? I’m unsure why that was said in such a threatening manner unless he cheats or steals your balls.” Despite my flippancy, anxiousness stirs in me, and by his smug smile, he knows it.

“Him and me, we’ve had some very interesting chats.”

I sigh. “Spit it out, Mr Thompson. I think we’re finally coming to the point after months of these chats of ours.”

“Mr Watson says that you’re in danger of losing all this.”

He waves his hand to encompass the room, and anger boils inside me at his careless gesture.

“Oh really?” I say silkily.

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Review

On a Midnight Clear was a mixed bag for me, there were parts I really enjoyed and others I struggled with. The narrator plays a big role in my enjoyment of a book, I’ve listened to a lot of audiobooks narrated by Joel Leslie and some I have loved and others not so much, this one was a not so much and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I had read it rather than listened to it because I didn’t get on with how he narrated the characters.

That being said, the story was sweet and full of magic. I enjoyed the mythology behind the story and liked the idea that the statues come alive every night for an hour and get to mingle with each other.

Cosmo was very sweet and enthusiastic about everything around him which was what Barnaby needed, a little magic in his life and a new way of looking at things. I wish I had Cosmo’s ability to use magic to fix everything and help people’s moods. Barnaby was a little sad to begin with, especially how isolated he was from the villagers and how they behaved towards him because they thought he was rich and didn’t care about the village, being he’d lived there all his life I was surprised he didn’t have more friends and had no one to share his problems with within the community. But at least through magic, he had his beloved statue come to life and change his world.

A no angst, sweet Christmas novella with a happy ever after.

About Lily

Lily is a bestselling gay romance author. She writes love stories filled with heat and humour.

She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.

Lily has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – Chocolate Baileys.

Series Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Lakeview University:Holiday Try-Mester Series

Try Me By Shane K. Morton

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 1

Thomas Elder
When I took the position as vocal professor at Lakeview Unversity – I knew I was giving up my performing career. I loved being onstage, but I craved security, and not being broke – so I walked away from singing and into the not-so-fabulous world of being a college professor. I had finally settled in and was excited about my second year of teaching when a jock with an attitude walked into my vocal studio. The thoughts running through my head were not the kind of thoughts that a professor should have. I don’t know whether I should fail him or kiss him! But the real question that’s haunting me – why can’t I get him out of my mind? It’s like he has some kind of power over me. I hope it’s not… No! It can’t be!

Darren Peterson
My friends think I’m crazy to switch my major to music. But they don’t understand that music is as much a part of me as being Lakeview’s star soccer player. I’m not going pro, and the last thing I want to do is be a coach. I like making music. I’ve been a DJ since high school and making my own mixes gives me a high unlike anything else. Except… My vocal teacher. He’s a total geek! He likes opera, and old classic books and film. I bet he’s never even seen a superhero movie. But I can’t stop wondering what my hands would feel like against his skin. I’m nowhere near ready to settle down, but the smell of him makes me question everything.

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Try Again By Abigail Kade

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 2

Can an unexpected miracle bring two very different men the answer to their heartfelt Christmas wishes?

Middle aged college professor, Preston Page, has always wanted a family. After his first relationship resulted in bitter disappointment and betrayal, he put that to the side, however, and disappeared into his career. There was time, right? Maybe not. He’s just found out he’s in early manopause, and kids are a dream he’ll never realize now. Spiraling, Preston’s tight hold on his world unravels.

Cue an uncharacteristic drunk hook-up in an alley with a sexy young stranger. Preston’s received a miracle, but he’s about to get another huge surprise. He might not only get a baby. Could he be getting a husband too?

Career University student, Joe Langford, just changed his major for the tenth time. He’s not interested in Journalism. He wasn’t interested in Physics or any of the other majors either. The truth is as long as he’s in school, his family trust will pay all his bills, and his parents won’t push him to get married to the guy they’ve arranged for him. There’s nothing more Joe wants than to have a family, not a career, but he’s not letting them choose his future for him. When Preston tells him about his unexpected situation, he doesn’t realize it, but Joe is going to do everything in his power to make this miracle work for both of them. Despite what his family thinks, he’s going to propose. They can do this together, make a family of their own, if Preston will agree to take a chance.

Will Joe be able to convince Preston to try again for their own happily ever after?

Includes an older man who’s in shock but happy, a younger dude who’s stoked to have a purpose finally, and a rich family that says hell no! Get ready for love, romance, and enough holiday sweetness to cause cavities.

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Try Not To…By Drea Roman

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 3

Jaime Westingbrooke’s fall semester starts off so well.

Of course, it would go off the rails immediately.

As soon as he received his new graduate teaching assistant assignment– Dr. Robert Staff. Hot, grumbly, and, so satisfying to. . . Jaime tries not to go down that road.

Nevermind the enormous crush on the man Jaime has been nursing since his freshman year.

Try not to fall in lust…

Try not to fall in love…

Try not to fall pregnant…

Oops, Jaime does all three.

Prof. Robert Staff is failing at all of his rules for life this semester, as soon as his new graduate assistant walks into his office on one sunny afternoon. Robert will try not to find himself suddenly attracted to his new assistant, who used to be a scrawny student but has had a summer glow-up. He cannot help but want to … do all sorts of things a professor should not want to try with his graduate students. It’s gonna be a long, hot semester. Hot under the collar that is. And maybe some other places too.

Try Not To. . . is book three of the Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Semester series. It features age gap, hurt/comfort, professor/student, and surprise baby themes.

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Exclusive from TRY ME- Lakeview University Holiday Try-Mester (Shane K Morton)

“Come in.” I stood from behind my desk and walked around to greet him. Everyone deserved a… And my foot caught the corner of my desk, and the floor rushed towards me – but then it stopped. Two strong hands caught me and held me aloft – my glasses slid off my face and fell to the ground.

Well, that’s about as embarrassing as it can get.

“You ok?” He was a baritone. A nice deep voice that resonated within his chest.

He helped me back up, and I finally got my feet underneath me when the world spun. He was absolutely fucking gorgeous, and my mouth went completely dry as I stared at him with a dumb awestruck look on my face. Dark brown eyes with the thickest eyelashes in the world stared back at me as if he were worried I might stroke out at any moment.

I was making a great impression. I wanted to say something, but my throat had closed, and I felt like I needed to gasp for air. Jesus! That curly blonde hair was fucking beautiful. Women across the world were envious of this… Giant muscle-bound he-man with a dark tan. He smirked, and his teeth seemed to bling as the light hit them. Great… I had to stare at this for an hour twice a week?

Maybe I was having a stroke in front of the most beautiful man in the world – and I had to be his teacher… What the actual fuck was happening. I gasped as air finally filled my lungs.

“Do I need to get someone?” He looked worried.

I held up my hand. “No… Sorry, I’m fine… I… uh… Just embarrassed, is all.” I completely lied. I wasn’t embarrassed – I was mortified and wanted to crawl underneath my desk and hide from this soccer stud who probably had a million followers on Instagram.

“No need to be embarrassed. I play soccer and fall down all the time. I’m your…”

“Darren. I mean, not my Darren… uh… but my new student, Darren. Yes.”

“And you are?” He grinned slyly. He had to know the kind of power he had over people. He had to know how hot he was, and I tried to get my jaw to move so I could speak. I glanced away.

“Sorry.” I cleared my throat and looked back at him. He was blurry. Maybe I… Oh! Glasses.

I bent forward to pick them up and collided once again with him. Our foreheads slammed together, and I winced as I stood back up.

“Sorry.” He grinned and held out my glasses to me. “I have a hard head. Sorry.”

I rubbed my temple as I took the glasses from his hand. “Looks like you have a hard everything.” I frowned and wished I could take the words back.

His grin lit up his face.

“I mean, you’re very muscular, not that… Wow!” I frowned. “I guess I’ve made the best first impression I’ve ever had.”

“Maybe the most memorable.” His brown eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Maybe we should start again?”

He chuckled as he turned and walked out my door, and closed it behind him. My stomach swirled as if someone had put a hook in me and was pulling hard. If I puked in front of him, I would have to quit teaching forever. He knocked, and I had to stop myself from grinning. He was being very cute and had handled my… incident with grace and kindness. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

“Come in.”

He opened the door with the widest and prettiest smile I had ever seen and stuck out his hand. “Hi. I’m your new student Darren Petersen.”

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New Release Book Review: Cosmic Spells and Vampire Lairs by Mia Monroe

I am thoroughly enjoying the Coven of Eaton Falls series and Cosmic Spells and Vampire Lairs pairs up another witch and vampire as well as answering some questions and raising more about the war being waged by the ‘Beautiful One’ against the magical community of Eaton Falls.

The witch Callisto has the gift of divination and has been paired up with the vampire Pietro who has a dark past. Both are drawn to each other but Callisto doesn’t believe Pietro is his fated mate and Pietro wishes he was. I really liked Callisto and Pietro who seem to complement each other well, as Callisto says “You’re the earth to my sky. You’ll keep us grounded while I make sure we never lose the joy of wonder.” So romantic. I liked how these two communicated and how open Callisto was to accepting ‘the change’ when it came to following his heart and his future. The relationship between Callisto and Pietro was really sweet and I could feel how much they cared about each other.

There are a few more discoveries and a trip to New Orleans to try and find their friend Prince who didn’t fare too well in the previous book when he encountered the ‘Beautiful One’ and to hopefully find out some more information from the other coven’s there. But more information also leads to more questions and more potential danger.

I am really enjoying uncovering the mystery behind the ‘Beautiful One’ alongside getting to know the other witches and vampires of Eaton Falls. I am looking forward to uncovering more in A Traitor Shows His Hand which is due out in March, I’m also hoping this will be Willem’s turn to find his love or loves.

Links to my reviews for the series

Never Trust a Guy with Fangs (Book 1)

The Witch’s Power Play (Book 2)

Vampires Make Bad Roommates (Book 3)

New Release Book Review: Breaking the Rules by Brigham Vaughn

Despite having a couple of the books from this series on my kindle, this is the first one I have read, of course, it would be the last in the series, but now I want to go back and read about all the characters I have just met in Breaking the Rules (book 5 Rules of the Game).

I really enjoyed Breaking the Rules, Trevor and Wade were great Mcs, with great chemistry these two go from being agent and client who don’t like each other and think they know who the other is to something much more as they discover the other is very different to the person they thought. Trevor starts to show who he truly is as his relationship with Wade changes. Wade brings something out in Trevor he didn’t expect and as he helps Trevor see who he could be they break the rules and start something more.

There are many important topics winding through this novel as the guys fight to uncover the truth about the abhorrent behaviour of one of their teammates, the culture of covering up athletes’ bad often illegal behaviours is brought to attention as well as the culture of athletes abusing women and thinking that it is okay to behave that way. That the team decides that they are not going to stand for this type of behaviour from one of their teammates brings about good and bad reactions from the public, showing just how ingrained some ideas are in our society.

Wade’s son was a great character and played a role in both Wade and Trevor discovering what they really wanted.

Sometimes life throws things at you that make you take a stand and change your journey, Wade and Trevor learn they need to fight for the important things and make changes to get the future they want.

This book stands alone well, but it would have been nice to have followed the other teammates’ stories, something I will rectify in the future.

Thanks to Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews for a digital copy in return for an honest review.