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Pride and Modern Prejudice Audiobook by AJ Michaels Narrated by Rusty Topsfield

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6785

BlurbPrideandModernPrejudiceAUDMED

What happens when Jane Austen’s immortal characters are thrust into 21st century Pennsylvania, with an all-male twist?

Liam Bennet has always been a good judge of character, but when William Darcy is thrown into his social circle, everything spins out of control. Darcy is proud, cold, arrogant—and strangely captivating. When Liam’s brother and Darcy’s business partner start seeing each other, Liam cannot avoid this enigmatic businessman. But does he want to?

As Liam struggles to find his identity in college and acknowledge his feelings, he must deal with the fortunes of his four brothers, his gossiping mother, and the possibility of a large inheritance that could save his family from financial ruin. Emotions come to a boil when George Wickham, a world-weary musician, stumbles into town and ignites a feud with Darcy. He threatens to expose a long-hidden past, and Liam must decide for himself who William Darcy really is and what he really wants.

Review

I was skeptical of this when I saw the original ebook listing but it got good reviews so when given the opportunity to take a listen to the audiobook I thought I’d give it a try.  In general, re-makes are not my thing and though I loved Pride and Prejudice the blurb felt too close to a direct translation for my comfort.

So I gave it a try, but in the end I found I wasn’t interested enough to keep going.  I was just overwhelmed by the dry, stilted manner in which the story proceeds. It worked for Jane Austen – in 1813, but it didn’t work for me in modern times.  It felt too “busy” and not “juicy” enough if that makes any sense at all.

I won’t rate it because I didn’t finish it.

Rusty Topsfield was a fine narrator. He tried to give voices to the different characters but didn’t do enough to make me stay with the story, definitely not his fault.

DNF

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Demon of Mine by Rayna Vause

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6778

DemonOfMineBlurb

Climbing the corporate ladder can be hell….

As a Collections Demon, Zavier grants his “clients” one wish in exchange for their souls. His job sucks, but once you make a deal with Corporate South, they own you. The trouble is, Zavier’s not a very good Collections Demon, with his tendencies to spurn authority and find loopholes to help deserving clients out of their contracts. He’s under scrutiny from the head of his department, who would quite literally like to see him burn. He just needs to close a simple deal to get upper management off his back. Instead, he meets Ryan.

Ryan is desperately searching for a way to save his dying sister. He doesn’t believe in magic and demons, but he’s out of options. Zavier’s not what he expects in a demon, and even more unexpected is the strong sense of familiarity—very intimate familiarity.

While trying to free Ryan from his contract, Zavier discovers secrets unscrupulous even by South standards. Exposing them could cost Zavier everything, but it might be Ryan’s only hope.

Review
(Warning, spoilers.)

Ryan’s sister is dying of cancer – in a desperate move he makes a deal with a demon for his soul in exchange for her health. Zavier is the demon called on to make the deal, only Zavier and Ryan have a history.

Together they realize that all is not how it seems and that even in “hell” mistakes can be made. With some help from a friend in high places, they find a way to beat the system and try for a second chance at a lifetime together.

**

I see that I might be in the minority here, and I really wanted to like this book, but I didn’t.

The pluses: I liked the characters: Ryan is funny but nicely stubborn and not always in a good way. Zavier is impetuous but has a heart full of love. Adrian is appropriately mysterious and sexy and I hope he gets his own book next. Maggie is sweet and supportive. Serena and Mr. Simon are good at being bad.

The minuses: There were so many plot holes I couldn’t keep track. There seemed to be no “rules” in this alternate reality where hell is like a corporation that deals in souls but still makes people work every day in a remarkably “earth” like environment. I didn’t get it. How is it selling your soul to be granted an eternal life with an apartment and a job and restaurants and… ? It didn’t make sense.

Then there’s the “clerical error” thing… huh? How is that not monitored and fixed and isn’t there some sort of checks and balances going on? If not a heaven/God, then what do the angels do? Why in the world would that even happen and since it did how do you explain Ryan and his “deal” the first time around? Who is keeping track and promoting people? Surely there is some “higher being or thing” keeping track of this stuff. Why wouldn’t they catch all these mistakes and misdeeds? I just didn’t understand the corporation analogy.

I also didn’t get Jason’s role at all. If he’s such a good friend why in the hell would he recommend Ryan sell his soul in the first place? And once he realized that he had wouldn’t he be overcome with guilt? And how is he allowed to “know” all about demons now?

Then there’s the bickering between the two lovers about which Ryan is the real guy… come on, really? There isn’t enough to fight against, we have to fight over an earlier incarnation?

To me this story needed someone sitting down and simply pointing out plot inconsistencies. It bugged me so much that I was completely thrown from the story over and over to the point that I didn’t really care about Ryan and Zavier making it because the whole thing was so implausible to begin with (even given a total acceptance of demons and souls and angels and magic etcetera).

So, I will be a voice of dissention, but I cannot recommend this but give it 2 of 5 hearts for the attempt, the cover and the original idea.

2

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Take Your Pick by Missy Welsh Tour with Interview and Giveaway

RC

Today, I’m very lucky to be interviewing Missy Welsh author of Take Your Pick.

Hi, Missy. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hello! Thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m not too complicated, I am addicted to carbs, and I need an app on my phone to yell at me so I work through my to-do list. Sometimes I’m pink and frilly, but mostly I’m denim and bare feet. I’ve worked in membership management, IT, customer service, and marketing, but it’s writing fiction that I truly love.

Take Your Pick is about Peter Kim and his 5 housemates exploring their sexualities in the name of ultimate friendship. See, Pete’s in love with all of them and it’s become a secret he can’t contain any longer. After he’s found out, he’s both thrilled and wary about his housemates’ decision to spend a day with him doing whatever he wants, including sex. Pete’s going to learn a lot about each of them as well as himself by the end of this story.

Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book.

It’s about 6 college age guys who live together and, well, all of them end up having sex with Pete throughout the course of the story. Yup, Pete’s a very busy guy! (I’m so laughing at myself right now…) I’ve never written a book with so much sex in it. At the same time, though, it actually turned out to be a love story.

How did you come up with the title of your book?

The inspiration for the book is a photograph of five, bare-chested guys lined up in a row. My first thought was that they looked like they were waiting for someone to take their pick of them. Eventually, I decided that they would’ve asked Pete to do that.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special?

Pete has a lot of love in him for his housemates. I think he could’ve been just fine living the rest of his life without any of his best friends ever knowing he was sexually attracted to them as well. He might’ve gotten to know guys in college and been able to shift his attraction to other men and been very happy. But since I’m in charge of this story world, they do find Pete out and make him a wonderful offer instead. I think Pete is special because he’s able to jump on that offer and live in the moment, come what may.

What do you think makes a good story?

Emotionally involving the reader. I’m hoping Take Your Pick will not only, uh, stimulate readers, but maybe make some hearts clench, a few eyes tear up, and get a giggle or three going. That makes a book a success.

What does your family think of your writing?

I was honestly worried about telling any of them what I wrote when I was first published, but only because LGBT anything had never been something we’d discussed. They laughed at Jack from Will and Grace, muttered about how Ellen didn’t have to come out, and swore they didn’t know anyone gay. Nowadays, they still laugh at Jack, they respect Ellen, and they know and like a lot of gay people. I think I’ll go so far as to say that, by writing these books and being honest with my family about what I’m doing, I’ve opened their minds and hearts to being more understanding and compassionate toward LGBT people and equality for everyone.

Excerpt:
I watched them pile into the behemoth Devon’s mom had loaned for tonight’s trip up to Cleveland. They all looked good in their club clothes. Nothing flashy or too tight, but I’d spread some fashion sense around and they’d believed me every time. Not a single girl would be able to resist my boys.
Of course, there would be plenty of boys who’d be unable to resist them either.
Just like me.
I waved as they drove off, equal parts relieved and lonely. I didn’t want to let them go without me, but I had been wound way too tight lately. I had on one other piece of clothing—the tightest pair of briefs I owned—just to help mask the boner I kept springing every time I’d been near them for the past three days.
Something had to give, and it was going to happen in a gush of orgasmic heat all over my fist.

Buy the book:
Amazon—http://amzn.to/1Jup0Tg
All Romance eBooks—http://bit.ly/1JupqJv

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Meet Missy Welsh:
Missy Welsh stares into space a lot, has conversations with cats, takes notes while people-watching, records conversations (not the ones with cats), named her laptop Norbert and her phone Pushkin, has backups of her backups’ backups, faints at the sight of a misused semi-colon, and will often ask socially unacceptable questions of strangers.
Basically, she’s a writer.

Where to find Missy Welsh:
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/175mi7V
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1EiCGVk
Missy Welsh Book News (email list), http://bit.ly/1coHgOY
All Romance eBooks Author Page, http://bit.ly/1VanTjS
Amazon Author Page, http://amzn.to/P6ilxR

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/175mtjK
Publisher: Missy Welsh
Cover Artist: Thorny Sterling
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Candy Man Audiobook by Amy Lane Narrated by Philip Alces

Dreamspinner Presents:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Candy-Man-Audiobook/B014WARB1O

candy audioBlurb

Adam Macias has been thrown a few curve balls in his life, but losing his VA grant because his car broke down and he missed a class was the one that struck him out. One relative away from homelessness, he’s taking the bus to Sacramento, where his cousin has offered a house-sitting job and a new start. He has one goal, and that’s to get his life back on track. Friends, pets, lovers? Need not apply.

Finn Stewart takes one look at Adam as he’s applying to Candy Heaven and decides he’s much too fascinating to leave alone. Finn is bright and shiny—and has never been hurt. Adam is wary of his attention from the very beginning—Finn is dangerous to every sort of peace Adam is forging, and Adam may just be too damaged to let him in at all.

But Finn is tenacious, and Adam’s new boss, Darrin, doesn’t take bullshit for an answer. Adam is going to have to ask himself which is harder—letting Finn in or living without him? With the holidays approaching it seems like an easy question, but Adam knows from experience that life is seldom simple, and the world seldom cooperates with hope, faith, or the plans of cats and men.

Review

(From previously on site)

Adam is having a rough life. His mother and grandmother treated him like pond scum growing up, so he joined the military to prove he was “worthy”. He fell in love with one of his fellow soldiers, only to be left high and dry when his lover didn’t want to come out of the closet. He returned to the states to go back to school, but lost his grant when his car died and he could no longer attend classes. With his last gasp, he heads up to his cousin’s apartment for 6 months of free rent to try to get his life in order.

With what feels like divine intervention, Adam stumbles into Candy Heaven following the Help Wanted sign and is immediately set to work. His boss also plays the role of his fairy godfather and matchmaker by hooking him up with Finn, the sandwich delivery guy.

Finn is young, idealistic, freshly single, and unstoppable. He sees the darkness in Adam and knows he can bring in the light. By pairing his cheery disposition with offerings of free food, he slowly breaks through the walls surrounding Adam’s heart.

Adam, who fully believes he isn’t worthy of someone like Finn, does what he can to stave off the romance, but when he really needs help, Finn is there and it’s Finn who helps him see that he does have value and most importantly – hope.

**
This is one of Amy’s relatively “low angst” stories. Of course she will make you cry (for me it was at least twice) but most of the story is full of “awwww”. I was reminded of her story Christmas Kitsch in that Oliver – little Oliver – was the force of nature – blowing in and taking charge. In The Candy Man – that’s Finn. He won’t take no for an answer and he’s fearless.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters and I really hope Joni gets her girl one day and that we get to read more about Rico’s romance. (Fingers crossed!). The vaguely paranormal part of the story left me with a new respect for Pixie Stix, as well!

Amy can describe a scene so thoroughly that I could picture Adam’s drawings, Finn’s hair, Gonzo’s fight against the medicine – everything. Adam’s sketch book journal was a particularly wonderful vehicle for showing both us and Finn the inside workings of his brain and past and I thought it was a tremendously clever tool.

I am thankful for this sweet story with little angst she has given us to brighten up our holiday season.

Audio

Philip Alces is growing on me I admit. I really enjoyed listening to this and thought he did a great job with Finn and Adam – especially the emotional times. I think he’s growing more comfortable with that aspect of his narration and it shows.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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My Hero Audiobook by Max Vox Narrated by Jared Bradford

Max Vos Presents:  http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/My-Hero-Audiobook/B0147LP8RC

my heroBlurb

This is a gay male romance with explicit sexual situations between men.
When he was 16 years old, Rich Miller saved a young man from drowning at his local pool. Little did he know that years later, as a senior in college and Olympic diving hopeful, Rich would meet up once again with Johnny Milloway, now a big football player – and when Rich says big, he really means “bear”. The shy jock remembers his saviour, and the two men become friends.
Johnny isn’t put off by the fact that Rich is gay. In fact, the more time he spends with Rich, the more curious he becomes. Johnny wants to know all kinds of things – what it’s like to kiss a guy, for instance. Only it doesn’t stop there…
Rich finds it difficult to believe that this relationship can go anywhere. Johnny is straight, and Rich isn’t prepared to deal with the heartache he knows will come his way in the future. He has enough on his plate as it is – the worlds are just around the corner. His father would rather watch a football game than spend time watching his son dive. What he doesn’t count on is Johnny, who can be very determined. And having Johnny in his life proves to be a catalyst for some pretty earth-shattering changes.

Review

Rich, out and proud diver, rescued Johnny, straight football hero, once when they were kids – hence the name, My Hero. They meet again later in life, at college and become friends.

Johnny has a heart of gold and makes sure that everyone in his life treats Rich with respect. He doesn’t care that he’s gay and makes no bones about it with his friends. (This is especially important in the South, where the story takes place. Where football reins supreme.)

Over time, their friendship develops into something more sexual. Little forays into physicality that eventually lead to the them dating seriously.

Johnny, as you’d expect, has a bit of a hard time accepting that he might be gay (or bisexual) and the couple almost splits for good. But… with some fairly big leaps… Johnny repairs his relationship with Rich AND Rich repairs his relationship with his dad AND Rich ends up going to Worlds for a diving championship AND there is very little fall out surrounding the big gay reveal.

**

In general, you do have to take this story with a grain of salt. It’s a romance, first and foremost, and some things that happen are a little to “easy” to be believed, but touching nonetheless.

I loved the chemistry between Johnny and Rich, because though Johnny is the bigger guy, Rich has all the experience, so it’s a nice twist.

The boys are downright raunchy at times and very age-appropriate (ie sex on the brain all the time, food sex, marathon sex, sex on the dive platform… you get the idea!) but it’s all really fun.

The angst and drama aside, the bulk of this story is a fairly light-hearted, GFY/OFY sort of exploration of the self and though we get a very good HFN/possible HEA, you do have to use your imagination and hope to see them as a long term couple.

Audio

Jared Bradford is a new narrator for me. He does a fair job of trying to give everyone a unique voice and his attempts to make a southern girl voice are admirable if not entirely believable. I think that the audiobook was a good addition to the overall experience and if it wasn’t my favorite narration experience, it was definitely worth the listen.

4 of 5 hearts

4

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My Hero by Max Vos Audible Edition Tour

 

Max Vos Tour Banner

When he was 16 years old, Rich Miller saved a young man from drowning at his local pool. Little did he know that years later, as a senior in college and Olympic diving hopeful, Rich would meet up once again with Johnny Milloway, now a big football player – and when Rich says big, he really means “bear”. The shy jock remembers his saviour, and the two men become friends.

Johnny isn’t put off by the fact that Rich is gay. In fact, the more time he spends with Rich, the more curious he becomes. Johnny wants to know all kinds of things – what it’s like to kiss a guy, for instance. Only it doesn’t stop there…
Rich finds it difficult to believe that this relationship can go anywhere. Johnny is straight, and Rich isn’t prepared to deal with the heartache he knows will come his way in the future. He has enough on his plate as it is – the worlds are just around the corner. His father would rather watch a football game than spend time watching his son dive. What he doesn’t count on is Johnny, who can be very determined. And having Johnny in his life proves to be a catalyst for some pretty earth-shattering changes.
©2014 Max Vos, Inc.; (P)2015 Max Vos, Inc.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Audible

My Hero is also available on Itunes.

Trailer 

About the Author:

Max Vos is a classically trained chef with over 30 years of food service experience. After retiring in 2011, Max found himself with time on his hands and was urged to turn his talents to writing. ‘Cooking English’, a short story, was his first published work, and has four other short stories currently in publication with Ravenous Romance. His first novel, My Hero was a number one best seller on Amazon. He continues to challenge himself with varying topics, from Marine Vampires to taboo subjects. The one thing you will always be guaranteed to find in his writing is hard, gritty, man-on-man sex.

Max loves hearing from readers. You can keep up with him by reading his weekly blog posts on his own blog page: http://www.maxvos.com/

or his Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/max.vos.393?fref=ts

Email him at: [email protected]

GIVEAWAY

Max is giving away
An audio code for a copy of My Hero
3 Ecopies of My Hero
2 Ecopies of a Backlist Title ( winner’s choice)

Rafflecopter Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d51793e098/?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Narrator’s Bio

Jared Bradford has been a nation-wide gay nightlife icon, actor, go-go dancer, singer, model, classically-trained pianist, yogi, and educator in physics and mathematics. He is originally from Louisiana, but now lives very happily in New York City with his partner of three and half years, Seth Fornea, and adorable Chihuahua, Miley. As a debut narrator and producer, Jared is proud to present his performance of My Hero as his first introduction to the audiobook world.

Jared has always had a strong interest in music and the theater and has starred in several productions of plays and musicals including Hay Fever, Old Wicked Songs, The Exonerated, Godspell, and A Grand Night for Singing. He also recently portrayed Chandler in the daytime web series La Fleur de Mai. Now, he is delighted to be able to bring his interests in music recording and acting together to produce quality audiobooks.

Like most, Jared loves to enjoy life, and always tries to find the FUN in everything. If you have the chance to see him twerking it on a box somewhere around the world, don’t be shy and come say hi!

Connect with Jared online at:

https://www.facebook.com/jbradford.inc?fref=ts

http://www.soundcloud.com/Jared-Bradford

 

http://[email protected]

heart dani elle 4

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Truth & Tenderness (Faith, Love & Devotion Book 6) Audiobook by Tere Michaels Narrated by Ron Herczig

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Truth-Tenderness-Audiobook/B01436DYKO

truth tenderness audioBlurb

Newly promoted police captain Evan Cerelli takes command of his own precinct as Matt Haight’s security business begins to expand at a rapid rate. Both of their careers require more and more of their time—away from home and each other. When his most famous clients, Daisy and Bennett Ames, suffer a traumatic breakup, Matt is drawn into a dangerous and dramatic situation. With attentions diverted, Evan and Matt’s tight-knit home life begins to unravel.

As Griffin Drake’s movie nears final edit, his thoughts turn toward building a home with his new fiancé, Jim Shea—and maybe even starting a family. Before he can think of a new family, Jim is caught up in his past. The possibility of putting Tripp Ingersoll in jail once and for all beckons, and Jim wants the closure that has long eluded him. As a new lead spurs him on, Jim begins to lose sight of the future by chasing an old ghost.

Both couples struggle to remember that “happily ever after” requires hard work, trust, and tender, open hearts.

Review
Book Review found here:
https://kimichanexperience.com/truth-tenderness-faith-love-devotion-book-6-by-tere-michaels/

Audio

Ron Herczig is SUCH an improvement over the narrator from the previous books in this series. I am in FULL APPROVAL of this change. I had a bad experience with this narrator before, but I was so very pleasantly surprised with this narration. Ron did an excellent job with the guys’ chemistry (all four!) and did a nice job of trying to keep the voices somewhat unique. Nothing over the top, but enough to give us an idea of who was who. His growly voice fits Evan and Matt so perfectly and I really love how he handles their banter (and their fights…). I loved his interpretation of Casper – so snarky! I really appreciated the change and enjoyed listening to this very much. All in all I highly recommend this narration!

4.25 of 5 hearts

4.5

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Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City: Book Three) by Anne Barwell

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6464

FamilyandreflectionBlurb

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Flint—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Flint for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

Review

This is book three in the series and can be read alone, but really should be read in order in the series.

We’ve met Declan before – Forge’s longtime vampire lover. He’s a very old vampire, a thief, and a man of mystery.

Then there’s Lucas, the werewolf that doesn’t quite fit in with his pack but who has formed his own pack with his friends, the vampires – even though werewolves and vampires don’t mix!

Declan has been out of town for these last 10 years and when he returns he finds himself immediately drawn to Lucas. Lucas is equally attracted and both think the other might be “the one” but neither thinks the other feels anything but friendship.

When they finally admit they have feelings for one another their chemistry is explosive. They realize they are mates, despite the astronomical odds of such a pairing.

In the meantime – of course – there is another mystery to be solved (this time Declan is the accused) and a werewolf plague as well and a trickster is involved.

We get to see a bit of Blair and Forge, Simon and Ben and meet a new human PhD student, Ange.

**

Just as with books one and two the mystery and the life in Flint plays an important (central, really) role. Lucas and Declan’s romance is almost too easy and though it is interesting, there isn’t a lot of angst in their relationship.

Most of the drama is surrounding the mystery to be solved.

I think that this series is very well written. Both authors have given us terrifically well rounded MCs, well designed and clever mysteries and world building that is very thorough and interesting.

If you like a lot of mystery with your romance, some interesting twists on the werewolf/vampire mythos, and a little bit a dry humor – this is the series for you.

I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to the audio version as they have all been excellent.

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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A Hard Day’s Night Tour by Mia Kerick with Excerpt and Giveaway

RCPages or Words: 21,500 words

 

Excerpt:
“Fin and I have managed to get locked into what I will refer to as a repetitive pattern of affable behavior, and, in my opinion, it’s working out splendidly. We are the dearest of friends.”
Scratch that. Starting over.
And since I know it’s well past time for some brutally honest self-talk, I sit up in my bed, and by the warm glow of my Yellow Submarine nightlight, study my frayed picture of John Lennon. To complete the visual, it’s the photo from Mom’s retro record set, The White Album, that I pinned to the wall beside my bed and have worshipped regularly since I was in the seventh grade. Behind those round wire glasses, the man’s piercing eyes don’t lie—John was a brutally honest sort, often to his detriment. After all, back in 1966 didn’t he assert that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ? Now, that is certainly calling it exactly as he sees it.
Not that I necessarily agree with the sentiment, I respect that kind of direct- ness in a person.
I owe him this much.
Out of respect for John, I revise and reissue my previous assertion.
“The Finster and I are stuck in a rut of pleasant compatibility… an unusually
deep rut, at that.”
This attempt at telling-it-like-it-is is definitely an improvement, but it’s still
not right on the money, and I’m nothing, if not specific.
I prop up my pillow and lean hard against the creaky antique headboard (call it like you see it, Lennon—the headboard is just plain old), with the certain knowledge that I’ve completely outgrown this flimsy, twin size bed of my childhood.
So maybe it’s more like this….
“Fin and I each have one leg semi-submerged in a muddy ditch, and we’re in it well past our knees. This is the kind of murky and dark, seemingly bottomless, pit that will suck the rubber boot right off your foot with a single, hollow, slurping sound, and then belch with satisfaction.” For the third time I speak aloud in an effort to make my declaration official. “It appears that the two of us are gonna be stuck here in this mucky BFF-swampland for the long haul— bootless and slowly sinking into the sludge—unless, of course, I act decisively and with haste. And with great vigor—because, to accomplish the task I have in mind, I’m most likely going to have to shift into full-hyper-dunk-mode, possibly coupled with the drama-queen-approach. Neither of which poses a problem for me, other than that they require an excessive expenditure of energy.”
That was most definitely a mouthful, but an accurate mouthful.
And all I need is one day. Just one gay day.
Thankfully, ever proud of the open-mindedness he hides so well from his ultra-conservative family, Fin has granted me my greatest wish. On Saturday, March 21st, Beaumont Finley Danforth II (IMHO this BFD is a Big Fucking Deal) is mine for the day to do with as I please. I sincerely hope that a single day is sufficient to help Fin figure out what I already know.
Um, Lennon…maybe now is not the right time to start suffering with a debilitating bout of self-doubt.
Confidence is of key importance in this endeavor.
No, I do not have any worries, and yes, I do have twenty-four feminine-side-ex- ploring, team-switching, relationship-igniting hours to make my homeboy see the rainbow-hued light. Starting bright and early tomorrow morning.
On that note, I’ll get started with my beauty sleep. I sure hope I’m gonna need it.
I wiggle down so I’m flat on my back with my feet sticking six inches over the end of the bed, pull the covers up to my chin, and listen to my mental arrangement of “Imagine” until I fall asleep.

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Buy the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Days-Night-Mia-Kerick-ebook/dp/B013O1V2OE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/mobile/details.html?pid=1870086

https://gumroad.com/l/AAVuw
About the author:
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty-two years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young people and their relationships, and she believes that physical intimacy has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press, and CreateSpace for providing her with alternate places to stash her stories.
Mia is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights, especially marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaKerick
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=mia+kerick
Publisher: Cool Dudes Publishing
Cover Artist: Louis C. Harris

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What No One Else Can Hear? By Brynn Stein

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6685

WhatNoOneElseCanHearBlurb

Young Stevie Liston is diagnosed with autism, but is really an overwhelmed empath who mentally called out for help. Jesse McKinnon heard him in a dream from clear across the country, and that dream sent him on a six-year search to find Stevie. Once they meet, they think everything will work out and Jesse will help Stevie cope.

Stevie does improve immensely, but a disgruntled coworker of Jesse’s conspires with Stevie’s estranged but politically powerful father to keep Stevie and Jesse apart with trumped-up legal charges claiming Jesse sexually abused the boy. Jesse must watch helplessly as Stevie loses all the advances he’s made.

If it wasn’t for his growing relationship with his coworker Drew Ferguson, Jesse knows he wouldn’t have the strength to fight for his rights and Stevie’s future. Drew just might be the real thing, but with the very real possibility of serving jail time for a crime he didn’t commit, Jesse’s hopes for a future with Drew might be doomed.

Review

Jesse has been finding 10 year old Stevie lost in the woods for the last six years – in his dreams. He finally finds him in the real world in a home for special needs children. Stevie is both autistic and an empath and Jesse has been able to reach through to him in a way nobody else has, ever.

Together, Jesse and Stevie work to help make Stevie’s world livable by creating mental barriers to all the emotion that bombards Stevie at every moment.

As though that weren’t tough enough… Chuck, an attendant in the children’s home, has it out for both Stevie and Jesse. Stevie’s long lost father is suddenly back in the picture and making waves that could separate Stevie and Jesse. Someone wants to cause trouble and nearly kills Stevie in a fire. Suddenly, Jesse is facing a law suit for child endangerment and worse!

Oh, and Jesse and Drew are friends who become lovers.

**

I find myself having a hard time reviewing this book for several reasons. I try very hard to be as constructive in my criticism as possible and to allow for all sorts of tastes and interests to create a wide variety of styles and tastes.

First and foremost, this is only very, very loosely a romance. Jesse and Drew do become lovers and later partners but that occupies less than 10% of the story’s breadth. That in and of itself brings the book down in my estimation ONLY because I thought I was reading a romance and that is really not the main point of this story.

Though the story about Jesse and Stevie finding one another and connecting is a beautiful one – it is not a romance. I did love this part of the story. The vaguely supernatural elements driving Jesse to find Stevie was intriguing and the way Jesse could reach Stevie and help him navigate his challenges was wonderful and very touching. For this I’m willing to give the story some credence because the writing about this was wonderful and the relationship Jesse and Stevie formed was amazing.

What made me give this story such a poor rating was the absolutely ludicrous plot line surrounding Stevie’s biological father and his cohort. I never understood how someone as foul as Chuck would have ever gotten nor retained a job working with challenged children. Nope. Never. He was a douche-nozzle extraordinaire and no way would anyone allow him near a kid – ever. Then there’s the dad. Why did he even buy into Chuck’s line of BS? What could he possibly gain by ruining Jesse? How would that help his campaign? And who in their right mind would believe Jesse was ever doing anything to hurt Stevie? That entire plot just didn’t make any sense and it brought this lovely story about love and learning and disability to that of a second-rate soap opera.

While the writing was fine and the characters (for the most part) were engaging and the storyline between Jesse and Stevie was awesome – I could not let go of my disbelief in the rest of the story – and that overshadowed my enjoyment of this story. Add to it that the “romance” was barely a thing at all and I was thoroughly disappointed with this book.

If you ignore the romance aspect and are willing to take the rest of the story with a giant grain of salt then the lovely story of a relationship that we see develop between two empathic individuals is a good one.

2 of 5 hearts

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