fiction

Excerpt Reveal: SO THIS IS WAR by Meghan Quinn

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From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new coach’s daughter, workplace, forbidden standalone sports romance featuring the hockey men you can’t get enough of. This steamy, roommates-to-lovers romantic comedy will bring all the laughs while burning up the pages at the same time.

Releasing June 25th in all formats, check out the tropes and excerpt below and pre-order your copy today!

https://mybook.to/SoThisIsWar

🏒 Hockey
🏅 Coach’s Daughter
📝 Boss/Assistant
🏠 Roomies-to-Lovers
🔟 Age Gap
🔥 They Fight Fire with Fire
🛏 Forced Proximity
🚫 Forbidden
💙 He Falls First

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About SO THIS IS WAR (Coming 6/25/2024):

Did I think I was going to fall for my coach’s daughter?

The answer would be no. 

I’m still unclear on how I got into this predicament in the first place. A year ago, I was a man with one thought on his mind, the redhead I met at a hotel bar. Twelve months later, I found her. 

Unfortunately for me, she not only happens to be my very off-limits coach’s daughter, but also . . . my new assistant and roommate. 

I don’t even need an assistant, but Coach Wood doesn’t take no for an answer. Add in him writing up tasks for his daughter, Wylie, to complete for me? Well, it’s his own form of sweet torture. We are talking tasks that I would never ask her to do. 

Tasks that make her despise me. 

Hate me. 

That make her utter four words that cause a shiver to crawl up my spine . . . Posey, this is war. 

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://mybook.to/SoThisIsWar

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Read the Prologue Here!

 

**LEVI**

“I want him off my fucking team. Now!”

My testicles shrivel into dust as Coach Wood screams at Andie Lintour, the general manager for the Vancouver Agitators.

Spittle flies off his lip.

Eyebrows are slanted like knives, ready to strike.

And the veins in his neck protrude, making me question if it will be his hands that choke me or the scary, pulsing veins.

“Will, we can’t—”

“He was fucking my daughter! We can do whatever the hell I say.”

Did you wince? Because I did.

I know what you’re thinking. Posey, you’re about to lose your life at the hands of your fuming, spitting, hulking-out coach. And your assessment of the situation is a fair and accurate one.

Because yes, I’ve never felt closer to death than at this moment right now.

To bring you up to speed, yes, I was fucking his daughter.

Yes, it was in the locker room.

Yes, it was out in the open where anyone could walk in.

Was it stupid? Absolutely.

Have I lost my mind? One hundred percent.

Do I have any defense? Not one.

Nope, this was pure stupidity. This was a move by a desperate man brought to his knees.

A weak man.

A man with no morals.

A man infatuated with a woman he can’t control himself around.

“I understand the circumstances,” Andie says in her calming voice, “but we can’t get rid of a player because he was having relations with your daughter. Posey is one of the best defensemen in the entire league.” If I wasn’t so terrified, I’d puff my chest. “He’s under a no-trade clause. Even if we wanted to get rid of him, we couldn’t.”

I’m not sure if I should be grateful for that clause because, at the moment, it wouldn’t hurt to at least escape the darkness of death clouding Coach Wood’s expression.

“Then he’s benched,” Wood says as he looks me in the eyes, nostrils flaring. “Did you hear that, you bologna-loving motherfucker? You’re benched.”

I swallow deeply as I dig my fingertips into the armrests of my chair. Not sure why he had to drag the bologna into this, but I don’t bother asking as the vein in his bald head looks like it’s maxed out on stress. “I, uh, yes, I heard you the first time,” I say, causing him to grow angrier.

“Once again, Will, I don’t believe we can do that. We pay him a lot of money—”

“We do.” Will paces his office, and every time he goes near me, my ass clenches in anticipation of a ninja knife hand right to my trachea. “We pay him plenty of money, so why don’t we just put him on the injured list, say he has a sore toe, and then he can figure out with his agent what he’s doing for next year because he sure as fuck won’t be playing on my ice.”

Now, is Coach Wood being a touch extreme? Some might say yes without any context because who really wants to bench their starting defenseman? It’s not the smartest move as a coach, but the man has a good reason.

And sure, I shouldn’t be taking his side. I should be defending myself and the ability to have sexual relations with anyone I damn well please, but here’s the thing . . . the situation runs a little deeper than what you see on the surface.

It’s more complicated.

I didn’t just fuck some random girl on an arbitrary day in our locker room.

The coach’s daughter was riding me, completely naked, in the middle of the locker room after he struck a deal with me to hire his daughter as my assistant to teach her a lesson.

And before you even ask, no, the lesson was not on the science of how the penis meets the vagina.

It was a tough lesson about life.

So yeah, this really is on me.

**Raises hand** Yup, I take the blame.

Guilty.

The only question is, how the hell am I going to get around this? From the way he spoke so cruelly of my precious bologna, I don’t think offering him a daily sandwich—made by yours truly—is going to mend the severed ties we’ve created.

Nope, this will take a monumental, epic proposal of apologies, especially if I want to stay on this team. Which I do. My boys are here. My life is here.

She’s here . . .

Which means I need a plan.

But I swore I wouldn’t get them involved.

I said over and over again that I wouldn’t use their idiotic advice or poorly constructed ideas, but I think desperate times call for desperate measures.

It’s time to call on the Frozen Fellas.

 

 meghan2 (1)

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Cover Reveal: Creek by Nora Phoenix & E.M. Lindsey

Creek, the first in the Honorably Discharged series by Nora Phoenix & E.M. Lindsey is coming June 28th! Check out this stunning cover for this MM romance!

Preorder & Join the Events Today!

Cover Design: Ozark Witch Cover Design

Photographer: Golden Czermak/FuriousFotog

Model: Andrew James

Blurb:

Accepting my career in the Army is over after losing my leg is hard.

But the obnoxious, good looking, glass-half-full surfer in my physical therapy sessions is worse.

And god help him if he doesn’t stop trying to give me advice.

Living in a home with three of my closest veteran buddies is a challenge as we all have our crosses to bear and wounds to heal from, but mine only seem to be getting deeper with every step forward I take. I already have to adjust to a new life as a civilian. I don’t need a sexuality crisis to go with it.

But Heath is making me question everything I thought I knew about myself. And while that should terrify me, somehow, he’s helping me feel braver than I ever have before.

About the Authors:

Nora Phoenix:

Nora Phoenix is a USA Today bestselling author of MM/gay romance. She writes in various subgenres of gay romance and is known for writing engrossing stories that offer an escape from reality, with unique characters, plenty of heat, a captivating story, and all the feels. A dash of kink is optional. She’s a lifelong and incurable book addict, an eternal optimist, and an unapologetic feminist.

Author Links: https://noraphoenix.com/links/

E.M. Lindsey:

E.M. Lindsey is a non-binary, MM Romance author who lives on the East Coast of the United States.

Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/lindseysliaison

https://www.facebook.com/emlindseyauthor

https://www.instagram.com/emlindseyauthor

https://reamstories.com/emlindseyauthor

amazon.com/author/emlindsey



Release Blitz: I SAID RUN by Britney King

Title: I SAID RUN
Author: Britney King
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release Date: March 21, 2024

𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵-𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘯, 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘪𝘭.

Meet Eve, a wealthy heiress seeking the simplicity of a tranquil life in a country town, savoring the bliss of newlywed joy. But the idyllic beginning takes a dark twist when she is caught in the sinister web of a stranger named Jenkins.
Trapped in his home, surrounded by eerie reminders of Jenkins’s late wife, taxidermied deer heads bear silent witness as Eve and others become pawns in a chilling game of control and twisted desire.
As Jenkins’s tangled mind unravels, Eve’s ray of hope emerges in Mira, a fellow captive. Together, they forge a bond in the face of relentless terror—an alliance that might be their ticket to survival.
Yet, as they plot their daring escape, Eve’s mind becomes a battleground of manipulation, deception, and shocking revelations. Jenkins’s motives are more complex than she imagined, and she must navigate carefully to outsmart the mind of a psychopath.
𝘐 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘙𝘶𝘯 is a spine-tingling psychological thriller delving into the darkest corners of the human mind. With relentless suspense, twisted characters, and thought-provoking themes, this gripping novel will keep you guessing until the final, shocking revelation. Brace yourself for a psychological rollercoaster that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned.


Britney King lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, children, a dog named Gatsby, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a peach tree.

When she’s not wrangling the things mentioned above, she writes psychological, domestic and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.

Without a doubt, she thinks connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. You can find Britney online here:

HOSTED BY:

Blog Tour, 5 Star Review & Giveaway: The Duke’s Cowboy by Andrew Grey

Title: The Duke’s Cowboy
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Cowboy Nobility Book 1
Genre:  M/M
Contemporary Romance/Holiday Romance
Release Date: Mar 5, 2024
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
George Lester, the Duke of Northumberland, flees familial
expectations in Britain for the promise of freedom of San Francisco, looking
for the chance to be himself. But before he even gets close, a blizzard forces
him off the road, and he finds himself freezing half to death in a small town
with no motel… with a litter of puppies to look after.
Luckily for George, he also finds Alan.
As the heir to his family’s ranch, Alan Justice knows the
burden of being the oldest son. He doesn’t have time to show George, the
stranger his brother dragged home, what it takes to be a cowboy. But that very
night, George surprises him by helping a mare in distress through a difficult
birth. Maybe the duke is made of sterner stuff than Alan thought.
George and Alan keep surprising each other, and every day
they grow a little closer. But when George’s responsibilities call him home,
Alan finds he’s the one who has something to prove—that he can handle what it
means to be the duke’s cowboy.

Jenn Review

5 Stars

This book just made me happy! I really loved George and Alan, along with Alan’s family and their story just got me right in the feels and I loved it! This was a quick, easy read but it was packed with emotion, really great characters and a storyline I was invested in right from the start.

George is the Duke of Northumberland, not a role he really wanted or thought he’d have but after his father and brothers’ passing, it’s now his. He doesn’t know what he plans to do in that role and is spending some time in the US to try and find himself. On his travels he finds himself stuck in small town during a blizzard where he also finds a dog and her puppies abandoned in the snow. Knowing he can’t leave them behind he puts them in his truck and stops by a store to get them some food. The young clerk takes pity on George and the dogs and offers them a room to help get them out of the blizzard. And so he meets Alan and his family and everything changes.

Alan is a rancher, working hard to keep his family’s ranch going to support his mother and brother and the last thing he needs is some mystery man in his house. But, quickly he learns that George is useful and willing to help while they are all snowed in together and the two develop and fast and easy friendship that turns into more just as fast. But even though their time is limited and they know it, it doesn’t keep real, deep feelings from developing.

For such a short read there really is a lot to this story! Alan and George couldn’t have led more different lives, but they find that they have quite a lot in common and really do work well together. They definitely have great chemistry and a great connection and I just felt like they were a perfect match. My heart hurt as they sorted through their feelings and the reality that George would be leaving, I was just rooting so hard for them. They both really have to figure out what they want from life and it’s not an easy decision but I really loved how they figured it out. It felt perfect for them and I loved seeing how it all came together. It felt like both of these men finally got to truly shine. I really did love this book, the characters and even the animals. It was fun and touching and absolutely heartwarming!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved
to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then, he has lived
throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from
the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a
large corporation.
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and
leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)
He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and
the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in
beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Author
Links
 
Facebook
Group
All the Way with Andrew Grey
Twitter
@andrewgreybooks
For Other Works by
Andrew Grey
(Please Be Sure to
Stop by His
Website to See All of
His Work)

Cover Reveal: The Player by Felice Stevens


 The Player, an enemies to lovers MM romance by Felice Stevens is coming March 11th! Check out this sizzling cover!



Cover Designer: Reese Dante


Blurb:


Friday night lights hide more than they reveal…

 

When retired NFL superstar Keller Williams returns to his small town to coach his old high school football team, he’s surprised how much he enjoys being out of the limelight and on the field with the kids. Even more surprising is his immediate attraction to the father of one of his players—single dad Niall Harper.


Problem number one: Niall Harper isn’t gay.

Problem number two: Keller isn’t out to the world.

Problem number three: Niall hates his guts. And Keller has no idea why.

 

High school librarian Niall Harper has always done the right thing. Except be true to himself. Divorced and raising his teenaged son, Niall is dismayed to discover the new football coach is none other than his long-ago Friday night fantasy and nemesis. Not that it matters—Keller doesn’t remember him. It’s nothing new; Niall has always been easy to forget. Now Keller wants to be friends. And more. Niall can’t deny the annoying man makes him laugh and feel things he’d only dreamed possible. But would a player like Keller be satisfied with a regular guy like him?

 

Being together is more than complicated, but they are willing to take the risk. Niall reveals he’s dating his son’s coach, and Keller comes out to the team, his fans, the press, and small-town gossips. Neither is prepared for the fallout, but that doesn’t stop them. It’s time to throw the Hail Mary pass of a lifetime and win the game of forever. And they’re ready. 



About the Author:

Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.

Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.

Felice is the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, and the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.


Author Links:

Newsletter: https://tiny.one/Felicenewsletter

BookBub: https://geni.us/FeliceBB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicestevens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felice.stevens.1


Cover Reveal: I SAID RUN by Britney King

Title: I SAID RUN
Author: Britney King
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release Date: March 21, 2024

𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵-𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘯, 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘪𝘭.
Meet Eve, a wealthy heiress seeking the simplicity of a tranquil life in a country town, savoring the bliss of newlywed joy. But the idyllic beginning takes a dark twist when she is caught in the sinister web of a stranger named Jenkins.
Trapped in his home, surrounded by eerie reminders of Jenkins’s late wife, taxidermied deer heads bear silent witness as Eve and others become pawns in a chilling game of control and twisted desire.
As Jenkins’s tangled mind unravels, Eve’s ray of hope emerges in Mira, a fellow captive. Together, they forge a bond in the face of relentless terror—an alliance that might be their ticket to survival.
Yet, as they plot their daring escape, Eve’s mind becomes a battleground of manipulation, deception, and shocking revelations. Jenkins’s motives are more complex than she imagined, and she must navigate carefully to outsmart the mind of a psychopath.
𝘐 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘙𝘶𝘯 is a spine-tingling psychological thriller delving into the darkest corners of the human mind. With relentless suspense, twisted characters, and thought-provoking themes, this gripping novel will keep you guessing until the final, shocking revelation. Brace yourself for a psychological rollercoaster that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned.


CLICK HERE TO BUY DIRECT & SAVE!

Britney King lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, children, a dog named Gatsby, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a peach tree.

When she’s not wrangling the things mentioned above, she writes psychological, domestic and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.

Without a doubt, she thinks connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. You can find Britney online here:

HOSTED BY:

Cover Reveal: The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely

THE ALMOST ROMANTIC BY LAUREN BLAKELY

Release date: March 14th

Series: How to Date – Book 3 standalone

Tropes: Fake Fiancé / Single Dad / My Wife / Marriage of Convenience / Found Family / Possessive Hero / Confident Outgoing Heroine

Cover Designer: Qamber Designs Media https://www.qamberdesignsmedia.com/

Get ready for an epic fake engagement-turned-into-marriage of convenience romance!

Introducing the cover reveal of The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely!

Brace yourselves for a tale of a fake engagement turned marriage of convenience, unexpected love, and a dash of corporate rivalry. Will our heroine fall for her pretend hubby, or will she walk away from this marriage of convenience? Stay tuned for the release in all formats and free to read in Kindle Unlimited on March 14th!

Preorder TODAY!

Amazon https://blkly.pub/TARAmazon

Website: https://laurenblakely.com/thealmostromantic

Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83171077-the-almost-romantic

  Blurb:

The best way to save my little shop? Marry my fake fiancé for real… When a sexy single dad walks into my shop and buys every box of chocolate just to ask me out, I say yes. By the end of a smoldering night, I’m saying oh yes. And in the morning I’m saying yes, yes, yes to an idea that can save both our businesses so long as Gage and I pretend to be engaged and wildly in love. But since my messy life is riding on this new venture, we agree that our one night was our only night.

Except, all our fake kisses quickly melt my resolve. Gage says he has no room in his life for romance, but he touches me like he can’t get enough. Tells me he can’t resist me. And gets down on one knee in the most romantic fake proposal ever.

But when my vindictive corporate rival threatens to expose the lie of us, my protective fiancé steps up and declares I’m his wife.

Looks like I just walked into a marriage of convenience.

At the end of the year, I’ll walk out of it…as long as I don’t fall for my husband.  

About Lauren Blakely

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Connect w/Lauren

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

Book Blast & Review: The Hot Mess Prince by Emily Spady

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: The Hot Mess Prince

Author and Publisher: Emily Spady

Cover Artist: Morganically Sourced

Release Date: October 13, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: royals, prince/assistant, opposites attract, romantic comedy

Themes: redemption, self-acceptance, family

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 57 795 words/ 205 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

A sweet, snarky m/m romance with kittens, cheese festivals, royal gossip, and a guaranteed HEA.

Blurb

Neel Batra is good–no, great–at his job. A consummate professional despite all the chaos of managing one of the most notorious party boy royals in Europe, he never lets Prince Thibault get under his skin. Well, almost never. And he certainly doesn’t entertain any thoughts or feelings that are less than professional. Especially after an image rehab campaign sees Neel and the prince working in closer conditions than ever.

Prince Thibault d’Archimbault may be a disaster, but even he knows certain things–and people–are off limits. Even if he can’t help noticing his assistant’s pretty eyes, and how fun it is to annoy him. Can he practice self-control for once in his life and stay out of Neel Batra’s way, even while they work together on cleaning up Thibault’s reputation? Or will things get distinctly … messy?

Jenn Review

4 Stars

This was a fun and charming story, I’ve been in a bit of royal mood lately so I was definitely excited about this book and I did really enjoy Thibault and Neel. They are a great combination – high strung personal assistant meets charming, party-boy wild child prince, but there really is a lot more to both of these men and behind the drama they find a real connection.

Neel is used to cleaning up Prince Thibault’s messes both behind the scenes and to the public and there have been many. He works very hard to be successful and has always made a point to keep his personal life just that – personal. But there’s something about Thibault that gets to him, makes him feels and that’s dangerous for him, especially as the two start spending more time together and he starts to see a different side to the prince. Thibault comes across as very shallow and vain, living his life one party to the next, but behind his party boy façade is a man dealing with a lot of loneliness and abandonment issues. It’s easy for him to be the flippant wild child than to admit how he really feels. When the Queen demands that he clean up his image he comes up with a plan to show his interest in his community and plans events visiting local businesses and exploring the area. Those plans include having Neel right by his side.

 I really liked these two together, their connection feels very deep and genuine and despite their differences they bring out the best in each other. They are very easy to root for! But, even though they’re definitely growing feelings for each other, Neel is determined to keep whatever is happening between them a secret, he’s not out and has no plans on changing that. I really felt for him because it’s easy to see how much these two care about each other. Of course, life doesn’t work that way though and their secrets are exposed and it will test everything both men are feeling.

There was a lot I liked about this book, especially the building of the relationship between Neel and Thibault. I loved seeing them both soften and open up to each other, I felt like it was healing to them both. I struggled a bit with the drama side and the separation that seemed to go on too long a bit for me and then the reunion, while it made my heart happy felt rushed. But, overall, I really enjoyed their story and loved seeing them getting the love and happiness they both deserved.

Excerpt

“I don’t have a car.” Three years working for the prince, and the man knew nothing about him. Typical. “I rode my bicycle.”

“Of course you did. Doing your duty, right? Protecting the environment and all that.” Thibault had a smug little smile on his face, like Neel had completely failed to surprise him. “Doesn’t it ever get tiring?”

“What gets tiring is lack of sleep. Which is why I’m leaving now,” Neel said, making no move to get up.

“Stay here for a bit. Have a drink with me. I’ll get Viola to drive you home if you’re worried about biking under the influence.”

“Absolutely not. You shouldn’t be out here, either.” Neel pointed a finger at him across the hot tub. “We’re starting your twelve-step plan or whatever it is tomorrow and you need your sleep, too. More than I do. You’ll be the one in the photos, and we can’t have you looking all gray and hungover.”

Thibault shrugged. His chest was flushed from the heat, his hair curling into his eyes. “Honestly? I couldn’t sleep either. I’m… I’m trying to take this seriously, Batra. Whether you believe me or not. And it’s making me nervous.” He poured a refill into the glass and held it out. “Come on. One drink. Just stay and… talk to me. Until I feel sleepy.”

The glass was sweaty with condensation as Neel took it from his hand. “I’m only drinking this so that you won’t,” he warned, and finished it in one gulp, before he could have any foolish thoughts about how Thibault’s mouth had been on the glass, his pink, pouty, irritating mouth–

“You, er,” said Thibault.

“We’ve all been to university, your highness,” Neel said archly.

“Yes, but you probably weren’t shooting 100-year Ankenbrandian pear brandy.”

Neel shrugged, feeling the red bloom of alcohol in his stomach, the tension beginning to seep out of his shoulders, his neck. “So, I’m to tell you a bedtime story now, is that it? Don’t recall it being part of my job description. But who knows what my job is at this point.”

Thibault took a swig from the bottle, then refilled Neel’s glass. “I guess I was just hoping that you had some plan for tomorrow. You’re so good at plans.”

Neel really ought to sip this one slowly, but he was enjoying how the over-excited clock in his head had finally started to tick down, and the stars were bright overhead and the mountains gleamed in the distance and Prince Thibault was glistening across from him like some male siren that had just emerged from the Aegean sea, and it was time, wasn’t it, that Neel told him exactly what he thought about all of this nonsense?

You are the one who came up with all of this. There is no plan. You’re petting kittens, for fucksake.”

“Right, but, what should I wear?”

Neel waved his hand in the air dismissively. “Something casual but expensive that shows off your chest. Do you really need me to tell you all this? Just pet the kittens and look cute. Why did you choose all of these things if you don’t even want to do them?”

Thibault ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I knew I needed to tell grandmother something. And they are things I wanted to do. Most of them. Some I chose because I knew they’d annoy you.”

“I thought so. Pour me another drink.”

“You sure you’re going to be all right? The water’s really hot, and you’ve had like four shots. I’m a heavy pourer.”

“You owe me, Thibault.”

The prince slid across the hot tub, and Neel flinched at the sudden hand on his forehead. “Hm, yeah, I don’t think so,” Thibault murmured. “You’re really warm.”

“Don’t pretend you care,” Neel said, holding himself as still as possible so he wouldn’t melt. “Don’t pretend to be responsible.”

“I’m not,” Thibault said. “But you are, and you’re going to be hating yourself if you’re too hungover to get a perfectly adorable picture of me and those cats tomorrow. C’mon, Batra, let’s get you up.” He hoisted Neel onto his feet. “Out we go. We’ve got a date with some baby kittens.”

“‘Baby kittens’ is redundant,” Neel said, and fainted.

About the Author

Emily Spady lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with her husband and cat. This is her first novel.

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Emergency: Kiss of Fire by Andrew Grey

Title: Emergency: Kiss of Fire
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Carlisle Emergency Book 1
Genre:  M/M Contemporary Romance/Holiday Romance
Release Date: Dec 14, 2023
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
The last person emergency responder Cade Elmhurst expects is to meet at an accident scene is his old high school crush. Cade always regretted keeping his feelings to himself. That Selby remembers Cade is a bigger surprise. He even seems to share Cade’s long-buried feelings and flirts with him on the ride to the hospital, but that may just be the concussion talking.
Selby Winston hasn’t had much luck in life. His conservative farm family turned their backs on him, and he’s been making his way alone ever since. Meeting Cade again is a spot of warmth in his otherwise cold life. He’s as nice as Selby remembers, even offering a ride home from the hospital and help dealing with his wrecked car. On top of that, the heat between them means Cade might return Selby’s long-simmering attraction.
Everything changes in an instant when Selby’s family home burns to the ground, leaving his father hospitalized and his four siblings in need of a place to live. Once again, Selby figures he’ll find himself standing alone, but to his surprise, Cade stands with him. Their budding relationship is going to have to withstand four younger kids in a small apartment, social workers with differing opinions, and his father’s closed-minded stubbornness to make the most of their second chance.
Book Links
Jenn Review

4 Stars

This may be a quick read but there is a lot going on for Cade and Selby! Andrew Grey really packs in a lot without drawing out a story. I really enjoyed this book and especially loved seeing Selby find the love and family he deserves!

Cade is a paramedic who ends up reuniting with Selby, someone he knows from high school, when he responds to an accident Selby is involved in. He remembers him, especially the soft spot he had for him and helps him out when he discovers that the accident left him with a concussion and no one around to help him. Selby hasn’t had it easy, after coming out his father kicked him out and he’s been estranged from his whole family since then. He works hard to get by and provide for himself but he’s lonely and misses his family. He’s intrigued by seeing Cade again and the fact that he seems interested in him and is willing to help him, but his bad luck continues and the next day there’s a devastating fire at his family’s farm that changes everything. Selby finds himself taking care of his four younger brothers and sisters, dealing with a father in the hospital and little hope for his budding romance with Cade.

Again, this is a quick read but a lot happens and it’s really packed with a lot of emotion! I felt very much invested right from the start and was rooting for Selby and Cade along with Selby’s family! There’s a lot of trauma that this family is dealing with and I loved how Cade was by Selby’s side every step of the way. There’s no unnecessary drama there, just pure genuine love and support. It’s really a story about love, healing and the family we create around us. Sometimes the family we are given aren’t the best, we even see that with Cade and his family, but when you find the ones that become your family and do matter you build that and make that what is important. Overall, I really enjoyed this read and was very happy with how it all came together, it felt like a very fitting end and left me with a smile!

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Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a
mother who loved to read them. Since then, he has lived throughout the country and traveled
throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and
works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s
hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink
(particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends,
and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic
Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
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