Monday, October 31, 2016

Dirty by Belle Aurora Is Now Available & Reviewed


My marriage seemed perfect from the outside looking in.
People envied me. They wanted my life, wanted to be me.

Mrs. Alejandra Gambino.
Wife of Dino Gambino. Daughter of Eduardo Castillo.
Respected. Loved. Mob royalty.

They had no idea of the horrors that lurked behind closed doors.
They didn't know I was at the lowest point a person could reach.

Enter Julius Carter.
Aloof, handsome, blue-eyed Julius Carter.

He saved me.
I screwed him over.

Now everybody was after me. My life was forfeit.
It was only a matter of time. I was a dead woman walking.

The question was, who would get to me first?

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Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie☆☆☆☆
WOW… this book drew me in from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down. It was told in different points of view. I don’t want to give anything away, but holy crap… worth the wait… not what I was expecting, but still very good. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings us.

Characters: Well written
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: Dark
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Also Available in the Raw Family Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Raw post.



Belle Aurora is twenty seven years old and was born in the land down under.

At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown's Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.

Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.

Humorous romance novels.

Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.

Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February 2013 Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love.

With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.

Friend-Zoned is the first in the Friend-Zoned series. Keep an eye out for this cheeky author.


Connect with Belle

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dirty (Raw Family #2) by Belle Aurora to read and review for this tour.

Friday, October 28, 2016

The Secrets in My Scowl by A.E. Via Blog Tour


Sparks ignite and tempers flare when a sexy, optimistic wedding planner moves his business in across the hall from a jilted, divorce lawyer’s practice.

“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!”
Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.”

From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner.

Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door.

Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.

Author’s Note: This story ends in an HEA and does not end on a cliffhanger.

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A Word from the Author

Hello Friends!

Thank you for coming over to take a look at my new contemporary romance, The Secrets in My Scowl, releasing today! Reviews are flooding in and I couldn’t be happier with the responses. It was fun stepping away from the chaos and commotion I love my alphas to cause in my usual cop and military action novels and settle into a good ole’ fashion wooing the brash man that’s all attitude and bravado. However, I can’t fully stay away from alphas. Jacob – my scornful attorney – is big, angry and definitely a take charge man. He’s been very unlucky in love, and it’ll take a unique but strong man to break through the concrete barrier that surrounds his heart. So I hope you’ll enjoy reading his story. I want to thank Wicked Reads for hosting me again on their site, it’s always a pleasure.




Jacob and his client walked through the small waiting area and into his conference room to wait. He’d called the meeting after his private detective came through with the images that now made their case a slam-dunk. He didn’t make small talk with his client. They weren’t friends. Actually, none of his clients were. He did his job, collected his fee, then cut them lose. He looked out the window of his first floor office. He didn’t have a large practice with multiple partners. He worked alone. He’d tried working in a firm right after he graduated five years ago, but his cutthroat work ethic, his attitude and standoff persona didn’t go over well with the staff. He had more complaints than any other attorney about persistent rudeness and unbecoming conduct. He’d told the senior partners repeatedly that he wasn’t there to be friendly, he was there to make him, and them, money.

“We’re a family here, Jacob.”

“But you’re not my family,” Jacob replied coldly. His face in the scowl he consistently wore. “I have no family.”

“We can be, if you lighten up.”

“I don’t need a damn family, John. I need a place to practice law. That’s it. I make you a lot of money, do I not? I have the highest win record amongst your senior staff, amongst your entire staff… do I not?”

“That’s not the point, Jacob, even the judges and clerks are complaining about your attitude. It reflects badly on the firm and gives us a negative reputation, and no matter how many cases you win, our reputation is worth more to us than money.”


That same day, Jacob cleaned out his desk and began looking for office space to open his own practice. They’d probably thrown a celebration party after he left. It wasn’t long before he became well recognized in Domestic Relations court. He may not be the richest divorce attorney, but he was the most infamous and he’d never lost a case. He went to extremes to win and get his clients the maximum possible settlement, even if it meant showcasing a little underhandedness, but he stopped just short of breaking the law.

The door easing open jolted him out of his thoughts. His client stood up next to him, but Jacob didn’t bother to receive the other attorney or his client so formally. He was familiar with the opposing counsel and it was no secret Jacob didn’t show much respect to others in his field. It was dog eat dog in his area of practice. His client’s soon-to-be ex-wife took her seat in front of his client and eyed him with an evil glare. “You are not getting a single dime of my money, Kevin. I told you that.” She was almost thirty-five years older than his client, claiming they’d fallen in love at first sight. Jacob rolled his eyes. There was definitely no love there. She’d bought him, and his client damn sure didn’t love her. She placed one wrinkled hand over her expensive pearls and clutched her Minkoff bag with the other.

“Mr. Snowden. I hope you have a good reason for calling this meeting. Our court date is in three days. I don’t see what could’ve happened in that short a—”

Jacob tossed the pictures across the solid oak table, waiting for the attorney to pick them up and look through each one. “The infidelity clause in the pre-nup is now applied. Your client, it appears, was having an affair.”

All my client’s asking for is five hundred thousand, that’s three hundred thousand less than stipulated in the pre-nup… or you can take your chances in court and we’ll go for the full amount, plus attorney costs. Or would you rather risk the chance of some sordid publicity when these pictures hit the local paper?”

Opposing counsel leaned over and spoke in the woman’s ear and Jacob waited impatiently. He tapped his pen on the table while the woman shot daggers from her eyes. After a few more stern whispers, she snapped an irritated “Fine, then” and stood up, lifting her silk scarf over her long silver hair. She stuck her nose in the air and looked down at him. “It’s customary to stand when a lady enters and leaves the room, Mr. Snowden.”

Jacob cut his dark eyes to her. “If and when I’m in the presence of a lady, I’ll be sure to do that.”

“I can imagine you are one lonely man, Mr. Snowden. Anyone as mean and deceptive as you are must surely be hated by all.” Mrs. Zabinsky looked at Jacob’s client, who was still sitting, stunned, his mouth sealed shut. “You fool. You know I didn’t cheat on you. But it’s fine, it’s over now. I really loved you, boy, but rest assured, I will find love again.”

Jacob barked a laugh that held no humor. “Next time, might I suggest you try loving a grown man, although I doubt you’ll find love there, either.”

Mrs. Zabinsky had just lost five hundred thousand dollars but she looked at Jacob like he was the one deserving of pity. Didn’t matter. He was used to that look. He just focused on the law, like always. “I’ll have my paralegal draft the agreement. Once your client signs it, I’ll forward the order to the judge.”

The pissed attorney yanked up his briefcase. “Those pictures were bogus, Jacob. You know that.”

“It’s not about what I know, Gill. It’s about what I can prove in court.”

“All dogs don’t go to heaven, Jacob.”

“Nope, you’re right. But I’ll happily go to hell with the five hundred thousand-dollar settlement I secured despite an iron-clad pre-nup.”




Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed the book. My heart broke for Jacob and everything he went through. I instantly loved Wylde, how could you not really? There were only a few things that I didn’t like, it seemed to take forever for Jacob and Wylde to get together, I wanted to see more of them together. We saw so much of Jacob’s journey before that, at times I just wanted to get to the good parts (meaning the mushy love stuff). Then I kept expecting Jacob’s first love to pop back up at some point too. The timeline was kind of messed up as well, past, present, five years later, then the epilogue was the future, that was all a little messy. However, I really liked the story, I think Wylde was perfect for Jacob and I am glad he made him get rid of some of those “scowl” lines.

Characters: Well written and loveable
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Not sure
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Sarah☆☆☆☆
This is a very different story from AE Via. It is a simple love story between two very ordinary men who forge an unlikely romance. There is no violence, there are no explosions, and there is very little humour in this story. Instead, we get a raw, sweet, and emotional love story between two older and quite jaded men.

The first part of the book tells Jacob’s past. Jacob isn’t a warm character and he really isn’t easy to like. For me, this was a little too slow and more than a little too dark. I struggled with the timeline of his life. Either there were inconsistencies or I just wasn’t following it too well. Even at the end of the book, I wasn’t convinced this long introduction added anything to the central romance.

The premise of a wedding planner falling for the divorce attorney next door is brilliant. The story definitely picks up when Jacob and Wylde meet. If Jacob is a miserable, Scrooge-like character, Wylde is an effervescent breath of fresh air. I loved him and I loved the clash of personalities, the flaring tempers, the dramatic encounters. Together, Jacob and Wylde are wonderful. Their chemistry is exquisite and their dialogue had me genuinely laughing out loud.

If Jacob is a modern day Scrooge, his story has hints of Dickensian moralising. I enjoyed watching his character transform as he learned to trust and care again. Wylde reforms slightly – but he was already more functional than Jacob when we first meet him.

I really enjoyed this by the end. If I’d known I wasn’t going to miss much, I’d probably have skipped the story of Jacob’s formative years and jumped straight into the romance – but the end is more than worth a little hard slog at the start.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book, that said it started somewhat slowly, and certainly made a good job of not making us like Jacob all that much, or rather seeing him fall into a scowling and lonely place. Possibly most sadly, I think most readers will be able to think of someone rather like him.

Wylde is a wonderful character and he just exudes positivity and happiness. Watching his magic work on Jacob is like seeing a caterpillar first become a resistant chrysalis, before finally emerging as a butterfly. Once they get truly close, it is a really hot and sexy relationship. There is some great humour too, and the writing smoothes out and the pace is great.

Matching a wedding planner with a divorce lawyer is a crazy idea, but it works so, so well. I recommend this to you; it will brighten up your day.




A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children. Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors.

Go to A.E. Via’s official website for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Connect with A.E.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Secrets in My Scowl by A.E. Via to read and review for this tour.

Death and Her Devotion by Kendra Elliot


In the first Rogue Vows novella, Zane and Stevie are about to get an unexpected wedding present…and it’s a deadly one.

It should be the happiest weekend of Officer Stevie Taylor’s life. She’s finally going to marry Police Chief Zane Duncan and live happily ever after in Solitude, Oregon. But all wedding plans grind to a halt when a dead body is found at a nearby campground. A vacationing A-list TV actor has been murdered…and all hell is about to break loose.

When it comes to a celebrity murder, everyone has a motive—and everyone wants a piece of the action. As news media and paparazzi swarm their sleepy town, Stevie and Zane must dig deep to untangle a web of lies, dirty little secrets, and betrayals—and uncover the killer. But the closer they get to the truth, the deadlier their investigation becomes. And if they don’t act quickly, ’Til death do us part may come sooner than they thought.

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Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆
Although this is the first book in the series – it is not the first time we have met these characters, which I rather liked. It is perfectly good as a story in its own right too.

This is a quick read with a good murder mystery and the playing out of a lovely, if somewhat altered wedding. Zane and Stevie are impatient to get married, especially as Stevie's Mum insists she moves in with her until the wedding... As they get caught up in a celebrity murder, and all the crazy that comes with it, we are definitely along for the ride. As each character is introduced into the mix, we get a really good insight into the town, the locals, and the visitors. And as we fall in with Stevie, we get to know just how deep the feelings are between her and Zane, which are heartwarming amongst all the celebrity hype.

Good read, and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.



Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kendra Elliot has always been a voracious reader, cutting her teeth on classic female sleuths like Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Laura Ingalls before proceeding to devour the works of Stephen King, Diana Gabaldon, and Nora Roberts. Now a finalist for the Golden Heart, Daphne du Maurier, and Linda Howard awards, Elliot shares her love of suspense in her Bone Secrets series. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and still lives in the Pacific Northwest, with her husband and three daughters.

Connect with Kendra

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https://www.netgalley.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1) by Kendra Elliot to read and review.

Love Comes Home by Andrew Grey in Senses Vol. 1


Howard Justinian has always had to fight for his freedom. Because he was born blind, everyone is always trying to shelter him, but he’s determined to live his life on his own terms.

When an argument with his boyfriend over that hard-won self-reliance leaves Howard stranded by the side of the road, assistance arrives in the form of Gordy Jarrett. Gordy is a missionary’s son, so helping others is second nature—and he does it in such an unassuming manner that Howard can’t say no.

Life is barely back on track when Howard receives shocking news: his sister died, leaving him her daughter to care for. Howard now faces his greatest challenge yet: for Sophia’s safety, he’ll need to accept help, but will he learn to accept it from Gordy, the one man who will not curb his independence?

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Book 3
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Dreamspinner Press


Also Available in Senses Vol. 1

Books 1 – 3
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Dreamspinner Press



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is the third book in the series. I enjoyed these characters a lot, but I have to say that Davey was my favorite in the story.

Tom is used to getting what he wants. He's successful and has great friends. When he happens on Greg and Davey, he sees the world through their eyes and immediately begins to worm his way in to their lives. I love how dedicated Tom was to his friends, who had become his family.

Greg is a single dad, who's ex-wife is somewhat annoying. I understand why she was important in the story, but I really just wanted to smack her. Greg is doing his best, but his son Davey is having a difficult time – he's going blind due to a rare genetic disorder. When Greg's friends pitch in to help, Greg is somewhat reluctant – he seems to think that he needs to do everything himself. I like that his family – his friends – show him that it does indeed take a village to raise kids.

Davey is my favorite character in this book. I like that he is a kid who knows what he wants, who he wants to be with, and that he's grounded enough to not allow last ditch efforts to sway his ideals. I also like that he's full of compassion – he shows his mom compassion when she comes barreling back in to his life – but he also knows that his dad has been the true parent and he's unwilling to just drop the fact that his mom abandoned them.

Greg and Tom's relationship was slow to start – however, their friendship grew and with each beep ball session, Tom's love for Greg and Davey increased. This was a slow buildup and I liked that all of the previous characters were involved. I think that it strengthened the story and made it seem much more complete.


Also Available in the Senses Series

Book 1
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Dreamspinner  Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Love Comes Silently post.


Book 2
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Dreamspinner Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Love Comes in Darkness post.


Book 6
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Dreamspinner Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Love Comes to Light post.



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 now writes full time.

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.

Connect with Andrew

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http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Love Comes Home (Senses #3) by Andrew Grey in Senses Vol. 1 to read and review.

Safe in His Arms by Renae Kaye Audiobook Review


In the late-night quiet of the caravan park shower room, Lon Taylor washes away the filth of the Western Australian mines. He’s not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn’t turn him down.

Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon’s not sure he’s ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves.

But perhaps Lon can risk opening his heart again and hoping for a brighter future. Casey has some pretty big skeletons in his past to deal with. And Lon wonders what Casey will do when he finds out how badly Lon failed at protecting the ones he loved eight years ago.

Length: 7 hrs, 6 mins
Narrator: Randy Fuller

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Amazon Audiobook  ~  Audible  ~  Dreamspinner Press



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela☆☆☆☆☆
I adored Safe in His Arms. Although it’s not the first of Kaye’s books I’ve enjoyed, I didn’t realize that she was the same author who wrote The Blinding Light, at least not until I started writing my review. But now that I know, I can’t say that I’m surprised that I enjoyed Safe in His Arms. I found the author’s writing to be fluid, moving the story along with just the right amount of information provided, while withholding key pieces of info so that they could be dropped like little bombs in the relationship in a realistic manner – by that I mean that neither Casey nor Taylor are very secure in what they are to one another, so they’re both hesitant to unload all their baggage for the other to see because they’re afraid of sending the other man running.

While the book starts off with a bang (or should I say a blow?), Casey’s need to feel safe and protected quickly propels what could have been a one-night-stand into just a bit more. Casey is needy without being clingy, or maybe I should say smothering. Despite the abuse Casey suffered as a teen at the hands of his father, he is drawn to large men, men big enough to protect him, bears – and while this physical type could also do him harm, he trusts his instincts when it comes to Lon, feeling quite literally, safe in his arms. As for Lon, he tends to avoid twinks because they often want him to be their “daddy” while spanking and dominating them, none of which appeals to Lon. Contrary to his intimidating appearance, Lon is a nurturer and something in Casey calls to him, making him overlook Casey’s twink appearance and their age difference to give him a chance – a decision that benefits both men more than either would have ever anticipated. Casey’s need to feel safe and protected complements Lon’s natural caregiver and protector instincts wonderfully and their sexual chemistry is intense, especially once Lon accompanies Casey to one of his therapy sessions and Casey’s therapist is able to give Lon the reassurance and guidance he needed. In addition to the ghosts from both Lon and Casey’s pasts that they must deal with, Mother Nature decides to make an appearance, adding a realistic element that had me worried (even as I knew I really didn’t need to worry). I don’t want to say that the ending was rushed because it wasn’t, I think it was more that I wasn’t ready for Lon and Casey’s story to be over, which left me feeling as though the events in the final couple of chapters progressed too quickly.

Safe in His Arms is the first audiobook I’ve listened to that was narrated by Randy Fuller and I found his narrative performance to be very enjoyable. Fuller did a nice job of creating different voices for the various characters and conveying their emotions to the listener. I’ve found that for me, when a narrator can make me forget I’m listening to a book and leaves me feeling as though I’m listening to a movie, play, or similar performance, I’m both impressed and entertained. Granted, the book being narrated has to lend itself to the format and I’ve already had experiences when I enjoyed the audiobook more than I would have enjoyed reading the ebook. That doesn’t apply here because Safe in His Arms is a strong, well-written story, and Fuller’s performance enhanced the experience immensely, leaving me anxious to begin Safe in His Heart.



RENAE KAYE is a lover and hoarder of books who thinks libraries are devilish places because they make you give the books back. She consumed her first adult romance book at the tender age of thirteen and hasn’t stopped since. After years—and thousands of stories!—of not having book characters do what she wants, she decided she would write her own novel and found the characters still didn’t do what she wanted. It hasn’t stopped her, though. She believes that maybe one day the world will create a perfect couple—and it will be the most boring story ever. So until then, she is stuck with quirky, snarky, and imperfect characters who just want their story told.

Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia, and writes in five-minute snatches between the demands of two kids, a forbearing husband, too many pets, too much housework, and her beloved veggie garden. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything.

Her first novel, Loving Jay, was voted the Best Book Debut 2014 by the member’s choice awards in the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.

Connect with Renae

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https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Safe in His Arms (Safe #1) by Renae Kaye, narrated by Randy Fuller to listen to and review.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Swap by Devon Rhodes


When layoffs hit Jim LaRue’s company, his first concern isn’t for his own job, it’s for his friend and coworker, Tommy Graves. Tommy’s going through a bitter divorce, and he’s closing on a new home. Losing his job would mean losing the house—and the fresh start he desperately needs. Jim can’t let that happen to the man he’s secretly in love with, so he proposes a swap: his job for Tommy’s.

Now out of work, Jim reluctantly agrees to help Tommy remodel. He needs the income, but he can’t stand being a charity case—especially not when things between them start heading in a direction he hardly dared hope for. The strain drives a wedge between them, and a confrontation might spell the end of their relationship.

First Edition published by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure, 2010.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆
4 Angsty Stars.

Whew, what a deliciously angsty novella. Recently finding Devon Rhodes' books, I'm a fan of the author's writing style. Added to the fact that Rhodes packs so much into so few pages, giving an entire story without falling into instant gratification.

As a reader who doesn't have a ton of time on my hands, I want small bursts of entertainment. The Swap was exactly what I needed today.

Jim is a selfless, caring man who did something amazing for his friend, Jimmy. Jimmy is enthusiastic and friendly, deserving all the happiness he can find. Tension. Fear. Emotion. Heat. Without giving the storyline away, a selfless act draws the men together in a sweet yet lovely way, with a healthy dose of steamy between-the-sheets action.

Recommended to those who love a complete MM story but don't have a weekend to dedicate to the journey.



DEVON RHODES started reading and writing at a young age and never looked back. After a creatively sapping career in the business world, she gratefully took some time off to be at home. At thirty-nine and holding, Devon finally figured out the best way to channel her midlife crisis was to morph from mild-mannered stay-at-home mom to erotic romance writer. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two girls, who are (mostly) understanding of all the time she spends on her laptop, aka the black hole.

Connect with Devon

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https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Swap by Devon Rhodes to read and review.

Bottom of the Ninth by Jami Davenport Blog Tour


This long-awaited story of the third Wolfe brother introduces the Seattle Skookums baseball team.

Zeke Wolfe, the man who's written off his entire family, rescues a young woman and three children on a stormy Seattle night. Before he knows it, he has an instant family and a fake fiancé he's certain he doesn't want.

Paisley Madison dreams of having a real home for herself and her sister's children. When a handsome baseball player drops into her life, she knows a gift when she sees one and hires herself as his assistant.

As their business arrangement turns into something much more personal, Paisley and Zeke's pasts threaten to destroy their precarious hold on a future together. Can they conquer their demons and find love, or will they run from their pasts and abandon their future together.

While all books in this series can be read as standalones, you'll most likely enjoy reading the other books in the Game On in Seattle sports romance series
.

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Book 6
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Seattle.

He’d been traded to fucking Seattle.

Zeke Wolfe still couldn’t believe it, even though he’d made a few trips to the rainy city since the deed had been done, and he’d been wearing the Seattle blue and green during spring training.

Hell, he hadn’t come to terms with his new reality even as the Boeing 737 banked a steep turn to land at Sea-Tac Airport. He caught glimpses of Puget Sound and the Space Needle through the dark, oppressive clouds hanging over everything, including his life as of late.

Why did God hate him so much that he’d done this to him?

Truthfully, he probably didn’t hate Zeke. More likely, God didn’t know he existed. The big guy hadn’t been there for Zeke any more than his brothers had. At least he’d had his sister—until he didn’t have her anymore, either.

Zeke disembarked, hating the place that was his new home. It was bad enough he’d been yanked from sunny California to this dark, dreary place where the sun never shone and mold grew in every crack and crevice, but even worse, his brothers both lived here and played for Seattle’s professional hockey and football teams. Maybe God did hate him after all and was laughing his ass off at this latest cruel twist of fate.

Turning on his phone, he frowned as message notifications blipped across the screen. Them again. Why couldn’t they just leave him the hell alone? He’d just changed his number a month ago. Now he’d have to change it again.

Despite being irritated, Zeke put on his happy face in case anyone with a trigger finger on their cell camera happened to recognize him. Grabbing his bag from the baggage carousel, he found his recently purchased silver Jaguar F-PACE SUV, parked exactly where Al, his agent, promised it would be. The bastard was thorough. He’d give him that.

Relaxing into the plush leather seat, Zeke allowed himself a moment of forced calmness, then he pulled onto the wet streets. He listened to the GPS as he navigated to the house his agent had also bought for him in a quiet Seattle neighborhood of older but upscale homes. Al promised the house boasted views, views, and more views. Zeke didn’t give a shit about views right now, but he’d kill for something more substantial than airplane food, along with a blissful night’s sleep.

He stopped at a takeout place and grabbed a couple pizzas, before continuing his journey. The aroma of pepperoni and melted cheese merged with the new-car smell. His stomach growled, and he pressed harder on the accelerator.

Cutting the corner as he turned onto a side street, Zeke hit a deep mud puddle, hydroplaning and throwing water in all directions, including his windshield.

Shit. He couldn’t see a damn thing.

Slowing, he noticed a bedraggled woman standing on the sidewalk completely drenched—thanks to him. The hood of her ancient car was up, and she held the hands of two equally bedraggled and drenched little kids while a third stood nearby.

Well, crap.

Judging by their piece-of-shit car piled high with crap, they were probably homeless. He fully intended to drive on by. They weren’t his problem. At the last minute, he made the mistake of glancing in their direction. His gaze connected with the pleading, soulful brown eyes of the woman. She was young, but not too young; probably his age, yet way too young to have children this old unless she’d had them when she was just a kid herself.

Despite her miserable state, she was beautiful, with long blond hair and a cute figure. She looked like the girl next door, sweet and kind and needy.

Zeke so did not do needy.

Well, not too much. At least, not to the point he couldn’t extricate himself without some messy drama to go along with the neediness.

With a sigh, Zeke glanced at the time and pulled over. Pizza and sleep would have to wait a little longer because of his damn pesky conscience.






Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆
4.5 hot and steamy sporting stars

This is the sixth in the series – and I would absolutely recommend that you read them all and in order... however, this could be read as a standalone, but you would miss some of the ongoing plot-lines and relationships. What I found to be really special, and requires a talented author to achieve, is that although I did not have time to reread the previous books, there were strong reminders of previous events that just prompted me enough, without repeating everything. It was really fascinating to see another side of the Wolfe brothers' story.

Zeke and Paisley (along with Sophie, Sadie, and Brandon) are the stars of this story. Their unexpected meeting and subsequent employer/employee relationship show us that Zeke's claims about being heartless are somewhat overstated, and that Paisley is all about getting the best for her charges, and will not let this opportunity pass. Her behaviour could grate on the reader, but actually she is a good person and selflessness is the ethos by which she lives, so it is easy to forgive her. Watching the children unfreeze is very precious, yet not overdone. All in all, I just enjoyed every page. There were some really moving moments, some dramatic ones, and some very hot and steamy ones. There was plenty of sport time, plenty of development for other team members, and we got to see the Maxwell sisters and their men too.

Highly recommended – a really good addition to the series. Looking forward to what happens next!


Veronica☆☆☆☆
Paisley is strong, resourceful, and raising her sister's three kids. It was easy to love Paisley and her optimistic outlook on life, and she is just what Zeke needs in his life.

Zeke's unhappy childhood means he doesn't get close to anyone. From the outside, he appears to have it all. Great career, money, good looks, and as far as the world knows, two brothers he loves. But Zeke is not close with his brothers, or many people at all. It is all for show. Zeke is lonely, but too afraid to let anyone close.

Zeke stole my heart. He makes me sad and I desperately wanted him to be happy, and I think that made the ending of this story that much sweeter. Great story.


Lee'Anne☆☆☆☆☆
Baseball is my favorite sport so I’ve been anxiously awaiting Zeke’s story, and I was not disappointed – loved it!

Zeke Wolfe is the youngest Wolfe brother and the one who got stuck alone with his evil father when his brothers left home to begin their careers. Zeke wants absolutely nothing to do with his brothers, and when the things that happened from his childhood are revealed, it’s no surprise he wanted nothing to do with the brothers. When Zeke is traded to the town where both his brothers currently reside and then his manager decides they need numerous photo opps things get really tense. Paisley Madison has custody of her believed-to-be-dead sister’s three young children, and when she gets to Seattle she’s penniless. Then Zeke finds her, and though he doesn’t want to, he moves the little family into his new home and Paisley has no plans to leave.

I love the originality in this story and the detail the author gives is fantastic – I’m an “old house” fanatic and I felt like I was in Zeke’s home with the details painted by Jami Davenport. This was a fantastically written, fast paced story that I didn’t want to come to an end. I can’t wait for Jami Davenport’s next book!




Also Available in the Game On In Seattle Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Skating on Thin Ice Blog Tour.


Book 2
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Crashing the Net Blog Tour.


Book 2.5
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Book 3
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Book 4
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Blindsided Blog Tour.


Book 5
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Bodychecking Blog Tour.




USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary and sports romances, including her two new indie endeavors: the Game On in Seattle Series and the Madrona Island Series. Jami's new releases consistently rank in the top fifty on the sports romance and sports genre lists on Amazon, and she has hit the Amazon top hundred authors list in both contemporary romance and genre fiction multiple times. Jami ranked Number Seven on Kobo's Top Ten Most Completed Authors, an honor bestowed on the year's "most engaging" authors based on an average page completion rate by their readers.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bottom of the Ninth (Game On In Seattle #6) by Jami Davenport to read and review for this tour.