Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Regaining Trust by Nell Iris Release Blitz

Regaining Trust by Nell Iris Release Blitz

When workaholic Lawrence Weller walks in on the aftermath of his fiancé Frankie cheating on him, his world shatters. Frankie’s the love of his life, the only person he’s ever trusted, and the betrayal leaves him devastated.

Franklin Ennis makes a huge mistake he regrets deeply before it’s even over. He pleads for a second chance, willing to do whatever it takes to save their relationship.

A love that deep doesn’t just stop, so Lawrence agrees to try. But mistakes don’t happen in a vacuum. Are they both willing to own up to their part? Will their love be enough to repair what was crushed? Can trust once broken be rebuilt?

 

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Regaining Trust by Nell Iris

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
JMS Books

 
 
Excerpt



You never told me you were lonely,” I say.

“I did!” His protest is loud and takes some of the defeat from his body. “I’ve told you a thousand times. How I miss you when you’re always working late and wish we could do more stuff together.”

I knit my eyebrows together, trying to think back and remember. He’s right. He always hugs me tightly and tells me how much he’ll miss me when he knows I’ll work late. Or how he wishes we could do something together, even if it’s only watching a show while cuddling on the couch.

“I thought that was your way of showing me how you feel about me. You being sweet and caring. Not once did I think it meant ‘I’m so fucking lonely I’ll suck someone else’s dick.’ Was it even your first time?” The question is a pained scream, hurting my throat, my head, my soul. I don’t like yelling, so I take a deep breath and start counting to ten in my head to calm down, but I’m interrupted before even reaching three.

“Of course, it was the first time,” he roars. “I’m not a cheater.”

His words are a thundercrack in an otherwise dead silent apartment, and I rear back, scramble off the couch, and turn to leave.

“No. Please.” He’s pleading now, voice cracked and bleeding out on the floor. “Please don’t leave me, Lawrence. I’ll do anything. I love you so much, don’t leave me.”

I’m frozen on the spot. Undecided. The hurt, overly-dramatic part of me wants to storm off in a huff, throw some stuff in a bag, and retreat somewhere to lick my wounds, and rage and scream and curse the treachery, while wailing out my broken heart. But the other, more rational part of me won’t let me move, the part that still remembers how much I love him, still remembers his loving kisses, his devotion. His passion.

So I sink back down on the couch. Rub my palms over my face and swallow. “I don’t know what to do here, Frankie. I’m hurt and betrayed, but at the same time I just can’t turn off my feelings for you. But how can I be with you if I can’t trust you?”

“You can trust me. You can.” He’s so sincere, so heartfelt, leaning forward – hands twitching so he shoves them between his knees – begging, willing me to believe him. And I want to. I really do.

“How?”

“I’ve never done anything like this before, never kissed anyone, hardly ever looked at anyone like that. It was ahuge mistake and I regret it. So, so much. I know I can’t prove it, but I was going to tell you. That’s what I was worried about when you walked in. How I would tell you. How you’d react. If you’d hate me.”

I must look skeptical because he hurries to continue. “I know. It’s easy to say when there’s no way of proving intent. But I’m not a liar. You know I’m not.”

“Do I?” I push out the question around the lump in my throat.

He slides to his knees on the floor in front of me, sits back on his heels, and tries to catch my gaze. I give in to his silent pleas and meet his eyes.

“You know me, Lawrence. You know you do. You know what kind of person I am. I’m only human and make mistakes like everyone. This one was huge and more stupid than most, I know that. I’m not perfect, but I’m not a liar. I’m not disloyal. And I own my mistakes.” His face is open. He blinks away tears, but his gaze never falters. His hands rest on his knees, palms open and turned up, and everything about him invites me to see the honesty in his heart.

And maybe I can see it. The slight tremble of his hand and the pulse fluttering visibly in his neck betrays his anxiousness, but he doesn’t move. Doesn’t squirm or fidget, doesn’t look away from me. Nothing indicates that he’s lying.

There’s no way he’s that skilled a liar. He’s always been open and honest and prone to blurting his emotions as soon as he experiences them. That thought deflates me and I fall back against the couch.

“Yeah, I know. I believe you.” And I do. At least my head knows. I’m not sure about my heart. Or my gut, rather.

His eyes well up and a tremble racks his body, but it’s the sight of his wobbly chin that finally cracks me. I hold out my hand, unable to not touch him anymore. “Come here.”

 

 

Is their love strong enough to survive a betrayal? To mend broken hearts?

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Angela☆☆☆☆☆
First thing’s first. If infidelity is a hard limit for you, this is so not the book for you. The whole premise of Regaining Trust is whether or not Lawrence and Frankie can salvage their relationship after Law walks in on Frankie after he’s cheated. Is the old adage, ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater,’ true? Or can they learn from their mistakes, learn to trust one another again, and come out stronger on the other side?

I feel like I need to disclose the fact that I’m asexual and that’s because it directly impacts my thoughts on sex and cheating. For me, sex is merely a bodily function that needs to be addressed from time to time and doesn’t require an emotional connection to my partner – it absolutely can, and has, but it’s not necessary. So for me, cheating in a relationship would be more of an emotional betrayal than a physical one and it’s what made Regaining Trust a fascinating read for me because I had to wait with Law to hear Frankie’s confessions and learn how events unfolded to determine whether Frankie’s betrayal was emotional or physical, from my point of view, and how Law would ultimately respond to it.

As I read the book, I made notes of things that stood out to me and I wrote the rest of this paragraph about midway through the story and had no idea just how right I was. My biggest sticking point in Frankie’s cheating – and the reason I felt he was deserving of a second chance – was how the circumstances unfolded that led to the actual cheating. I do not absolve Frankie of his responsibility, but as we learn about the events of that night, it felt more and more like Frankie’s supposed best friend took advantage of a situation to not only put the players in place, but actively encouraged Frankie to cheat. This is not the behavior of a good friend, much less a best friend. All of my besties throughout my lifetime would have stepped in to stop me from making such a huge mistake, not cheered me on to do it. With what I learned about the kind of person Frankie is over the course of the novel, I don’t think he would have gone out and actively looked to cheat on Law. So while he ultimately made the decision to cheat, I don’t think it would have happened had his alleged best friend not set the events in motion.

As I said, I found Regaining Trust to be a fascinating read, especially as we got to see the aftermath of the cheating from both Law and Frankie’s points of view. And though I didn’t go into it in my review, I found Law’s reactions to the cheating just as intriguing, especially how his childhood experiences affected his responses. This was a great look at human nature, which appeals to my degree in psychology and is why I gave it five stars. While I won’t tell you how the events played out, I will tell you that in all of my reading of Nell Iris’ books, I’ve yet to encounter one that didn’t end in a happy ending. What Law and Frankie’s happy ending looks like, well you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out, but I for one was quite pleased with it.

 
 
Author Bio



Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along at the top of her voice but she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, bullet journals, poetry, wine, coffee-flavored kisses, and fika (a Swedish cultural thing involving coffee and pastry!)

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a bisexual Swedish woman married to the love of her life, a proud mama of a grown daughter, and is approaching 50 faster than she’d like. She lives in the south of Sweden where she spends her days thinking up stories about people falling in love. After dreaming about being a writer for most of her life, she finally was in a place where she could pursue her dream and released her first book in 2017.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, short over long, and quirky characters over alpha males.

Connect with Nell

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

 
 
Giveaway


 

 

“Why are you so thoughtful? Even now?” “I love you. I don’t just stop loving you, no matter what.”

 

Hosted by


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Regaining Trust by Nell Iris to read and review for this tour.

Clean Approach by Patricia Logan Blog Tour

Clean Approach by Patricia Logan Blog Tour

Damon Thorne, former CIA operative, is now living with Jude Chenoweth, his new boyfriend. The sexy graphic designer is handsome as hell and Damon can’t get enough of him. Unfortunately, his life as a “cleaner” always seems to get in the way. At least Jude is at his side these days, helping out on an odd job here or there.

Jude finds his new life with Damon thrilling. If it’s not rescuing a teen from child traffickers, it’s stealing adult toys from a notorious sex club. While Jude struggles to stay out of the limelight, Damon battles with his own demons, trying to reconcile a heartbreaking past.

A mandatory trip to New York turns into a weekend on the Harlem blues scene and a party with New York high society, ending in near disaster. To top it all off, a deliberate poisoning, a pissed off “force of nature” in stilettos, and a half-blind money launderer confirm there’s trouble brewing and only the beginning of their problems.

When an old acquaintance turns up with a tale of betrayal and a warning of imminent danger, Jude and Damon go on the offense. Fortunately for the two men, they unexpectedly have a team of warriors at their backs.

Join Jude and Damon for one thrill ride after another in the sequel to Clean Up on Aisle Mine.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the A Spy Like Me series!
For book one, Clean up on Aisle Mine, click HERE.

 

 

Clean Approach by Patricia Logan

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 
 
Excerpt



“You are much more than work! You always were, Jude,” Damon insisted, dropping his hands from Jude’s arms and deliberately stepping around him to walk over to his coat where it lay on the bed. “I love you. I’ve told you that but I don’t know what I have to do to prove it to you,” he said as he straightened and began pulling on the coat. “My past doesn’t matter. I’ve told you that a thousand times. Do I ask you about all the men you’ve fucked?”

He had a point. Jude couldn’t very well argue the point when it had more than a little truth in it. Jude hadn’t fucked every guy he met but he’d had a revolving door in his bedroom for years before meeting Damon. In fact, he hadn’t kept anyone around before.

“You’re right,” Jude said, sighing. “I’m a total asshole.” Jude walked over to him and took him by both cheeks as he stared at him. “I’m a total dick tonight. I’m really trying not to make excuses but I think I was more upset about your disappearance than I wanted to admit. Sometimes I think I’ve missed so much of your life and I can never claim that part of you even though you always tell me that it was your past. Please forgive me. I’m not one to throw stones.”

“Me either.” Damon shrugged and leaned down to kiss Jude. The kiss wasn’t full of the usual warmth Jude had come to expect. It ended way too soon but he went with it anyway. When Damon turned away and grabbed his room key off the table before turning back, Jude felt like the whiskey in his stomach was going to come back up.

“Come on. We’re super late already,” Damon said flatly.

“Okay,” Jude said, resisting the urge to reach up and run his fingers through his hair and pull all the strands out of their tie. Instead, he followed Damon out of the suite and let the door slam behind them, wondering what the hell had just happened.

 

 

Damon smirked at him. “Technically, I’m not a firefighter though I wanted to be when I was five.” “Clean Approach I wanted to be Wonder Women when I was five,” Jude said.

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I think that you definitely need to have read them in order to understand the underlying plot. Damon is on a job looking after Jude, errant son of a senator. They are attracted to each other and acting on it – in fact, they are now living together by choice, and even doing some of Damon's crazy jobs as a team. It is a lot of fun watching these two men falling for each other and enjoying life for the first time in a long while.

I love Jude's mum; her financial independence gives her the power that most wives of senators do not have, and what's more, she uses her wealth for good. Her enthusiasm for the men's relationship is important.

As an aside to the Jude situation, Damon is also facing trouble – the missing microdot from book one is still causing trouble. As that part of the story unfolds, the drama ratchets up a lot, but it is very engaging and a little tense... to say the least. I am pleased to say that I guessed who the baddie was, but the twists and turns were clever and worked really well.

A very enjoyable story, I recommend it to you.

 
 
Author Bio



International bestselling author Patricia Logan resides in Los Angeles, California. The author of several #1 bestselling erotic romances in English, Italian, French, and Spanish lives in a small house with a large family. When she’s not writing her next thriller romance, she’s watching her grandchildren grow up way too soon, and raising kids who make her proud every day. One of her favorite tasks is coaxing nose kisses from cats who insist on flopping on her keyboard while she tries to type. She counts herself lucky to be surrounded by people who love her and give her stories to tell every day.

Connect with Patricia

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Walking the Streets with Patricia Logan Facebook Group

 
 
Giveaway


 

 

He lifted one hand and traced a finger down Jude’s spine from the nape of his neck to his ass crack. “You’re gonna put a tattoo here for me,” he growled.

 
 

Hosted by


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Clean Approach (A Spy Like Me #2) by Patricia Logan to read and review for this tour.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

No Love Lost by Lexi Blake Release Blitz

No Love Lost by Lexi Blake Release Blitz

When Ezra Fain joined the ranks of the CIA, the last thing on his mind was romance. After meeting Kim Soloman, it was difficult to think of anything else. A tragic mistake drove them apart, leaving him shattered and unable to forgive the woman he loved. But when his greatest enemy threatens her life, Ezra leaps into action, prepared to do anything to try to save her.

Solo accepted long ago that she won’t get over Ezra. She’s worked for years to get back into his life, looking for any way to reignite the love they once shared. Unfortunately, nothing seems to penetrate the wall he has built between them. When she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, she believes she’s on her own.

Racing across the globe, Ezra and Solo find themselves together again, caught in the crosshairs of the agency they sacrificed so much to serve. Days on the run soon turn to steamy nights, but Levi Green isn’t about to let them find their happily ever after. And when the smoke clears, the men and women of McKay-Taggart will never be the same again.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the
Masters & Mercenaries The Forgotten series.
For book one, Lost Hearts, click HERE.
For book two, Lost and Found, click HERE.
For book three, Lost in You, click HERE.
For book four, Long Lost, click HERE.

 

 

No Love Lost by Lexi Blake

Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

 

 

Reviews

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


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

Ezra (Beck) is one hard man. He knows love, he knows loss, and he knows revenge. While he hasn't been the most understanding person, what he's had to live through has given him a chip on his shoulder so large, it's a wonder he can stand up straight.

Kim (Solo) is an amazing operative who never thought her life would turn out the way it has. On the run, accused of horrible things, in love with someone who only hates her, and to make it all wrapped with a shiny bow, she has more secrets than anyone around.

These two fight like cats and dogs, but know that they had something at one time.

You'll cheer for Solo, rage against Ezra, want to kill Levi Green AGAIN – man, this guy! These characters are all so well developed, and the story will twist and turn in ways that you can't imagine. I loved every second of it, even the seconds that made me cry with heartbreak.

I can't say enough about this book and hope that you've read the previous ones because you'll need all of the background to understand the complexities in this one. Read at your own risk of needing something to throw, Kleenex, and some chocolate. Amazing is all I can really say.


Mary☆☆☆☆☆
Ezra is at it again, trying to save Solo from Levi Green. It has been seven years since he has seen her, but the love he feels for her is even stronger now. He has changed since the last time they saw each other; he has been through therapy, he is calmer now. He wants to try again with her.

She has kept several secrets from him for seven years, can they move past them and make a future together? Will Levi come back for her because he believes she is his? Can they stop Levi for good this time?

I love this series, it is filled with suspense, intrigue, a rogue CIA agent who has a God complex and wants to control his own army through mind control. McKay-Taggert has the Lost Boys, who are the results of another doctor who thought she was God and she kept wiping their memories but they are slowly gaining them back.

So if you love suspenseful military stories with a love story twisted in it, then this series is for you. I highly recommend it and I hope you love it too.

 

 

Author Bio



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 
 

Hosted by


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of No Love Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #5; Masters & Mercenaries #21) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann Blog Tour

Out of Love. I could love the monster or leave the man.

Conspiracies. Corruption. Serial killers.

You name it—I'm fascinated by it. My mom always blamed my overly curious and highly suspicious mind on my dad.

My incredibly overbearing dad.

Mr. No One Is Good Enough For My Daughter has been terrifying my dates since I turned fifteen.

College is my chance to be free from his control and date any guy I want.

I'm absolutely certain he would hate Slade Wylder—almost as certain as I am that I do too.

Since when have I shied away from trouble?

Slade fascinates me. He lives in a house I'm certain is haunted. His dog is trained as well as any guard I've ever seen. Rumor on campus is that he deals drugs. It would explain a lot.

But it doesn't explain why he saves me from my darkest moment.

It doesn't explain why I can't stop thinking about him.

And the explanation I finally discover is far more dangerous than any rumor.

 

 

Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Excerpt



After their kissy-huggy greeting ended, they walked toward the house with Jericho in tow. I waited for him to glance back at me. He saw me. There was no way he passed me a few seconds earlier on the street and didn’t see me. Yet, he made no attempt to acknowledge me.

Until…

My boy Jerry stopped abruptly and turned like he caught whiff of my scent. All the warm fuzzies filled my chest. A dog gave me more feels than any man had given me in a long time. Maybe ever.

Jericho liked me. Hell, maybe he loved me.

He protected me.

He smiled when he saw me—tongue out, tail in a low wag. I continued my way up the sidewalk, feigning surprise when he trotted toward me in spite of Slade barking his own command.

“Hey, Jerry.” I squatted down to give him double the love Miss Sophisticated gave him… and I had a treat in my pocket because part of me anticipated—hoped for—a chance encounter. “Oh, buddy… I love you too.” I closed my eyes and turned my face side to side while he showered me with kisses.

Slade cleared his throat.

I opened my eyes—noticing his friend must have gone inside. “Sorry.” I stood, sliding a treat into Jericho’s mouth along the way. “I know it’s hard for you to know he likes me more.” On a shrug, I bit my lips together to keep my shit-eating grin under control.

“Inside,” he said to Jericho while looking at me.

Jericho turned and headed to the back door.

“If you have a job to do… Jerry can hang with me tonight. I’m alone this evening.”

“Jericho. And he doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“Maybe I do.”

His brow tensed a fraction, contemplation settling into a slight frown for a few seconds, before he whistled and Jericho came running. “Send him home when your friends get back.”

Why was the only word that sat on the tip of my idle tongue? Why protect me?

“What are you going to do?” Okay, apparently “why” wasn’t the only word on the tip of my tongue after all. Six other words were in line first.

“Does it matter?”

Letting my gaze settle over his shoulder to the firehouse and images of Miss Sophisticated waiting for him, I lifted a single shoulder. “No. Just curious. Is she your girlfriend?”

“Does it matter?”

“I hate you.” I rolled my eyes. “Worst communication skills ever.”

“Good. Hate me. I prefer it.”

I recoiled. I didn’t really hate anyone. It wasn’t my personality to be hateful, vengeful, or hold grudges. Why did Slade Wylder want me to hate him? It was a joke. I hated his lack of sharing information.

“If you’re selling her some shit that will ruin her life, may I suggest you rethink that? Not cool, Wylder.”

“Noted.”

Tipping my chin up, I gave him several tiny nods. “Okay then. I’ll take Jerry to my house and spoil him. Maybe he comes back to you… maybe he doesn’t.”

Slade let his gaze slide down my body, a slow and easy trip. He didn’t do that when we met. Somewhere along the way, he decided it was okay. I wasn’t sure what reaction he desired from me.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe he did it out of pure selfish desire.

“I’m only allowing this because I love Jerry.”

Curious eyes met mine, slightly squinted.

I smirked. “Stripping me with those eyes of yours.”

Moments…

I collected moments in my mind, my heart, my soul, like Aubrey collected rare coins—my mom dying, my dad spending a few years thoroughly drunk. Mostly bad moments—permanent scars.

That moment I tucked into my memory forever as one of the first truly great moments.

Wylder…

The corners of his mouth quirked into pure sin. If Satan was hot as fuck, his name would have been Slade Wylder, and I would have been in a whole helluva lot of trouble.

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Erica☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

First things first, how does Out of Love connect to the Jack & Jill series?
Livy is Jackson and Ryn's daughter, acting like a perfect combination of her parents.

Secondly, should you read Jack & Jill first? Yes, because this story is one large spoiler, making it impossible to go back and read the series, because not only do you know the outcome of who ends up with whom, but also tragic scenarios along the way.

Livy is an overprotected daughter, fighting for her independence. What do you expect for the daughter of Jackson, right? She can barely take a breath without her father or aunt determining if she's breathing deeply enough.

This independent woman is striving to become a lawyer, her ultimate goal to enter politics. She doesn't party like the rest of her college classmates. Livy is into surfing and bad boys.

In walks in Slade, with his German Shepard, Jericho... and that's all I can tell you about him.

Out of Love was read in one sitting, cover to cover, as I had to know what happened next. Having been far too long since I read Jack & Jill, I struggled to place Livy in the family. But where it helped me is that I had forgotten the details that would have turned to clues in the mystery. Maybe if I reread, I still would have been taken by surprise. Slade was not in Livy's life for the reason I expected him to be, and I was giddy because I had no idea what was going on, thrilled to be surprised.

Why not 5 Stars?

The connection between Livy and Slade. It just wasn't there for me. Toward the end, I was invested. But where it suffered was due to Slade's lack of communication with Livy. While I fully understand why Slade didn't communicate, this took away the much-needed conversations for the reader to see Slade and Livy bonding, for the reader to understand them both together. Causing the story to not have much of an emotional gut-punch.

The only non-verbal character that made an impact on everyone around him was Jerry, aka Jericho. A simple growl told an entire story. The dog was the star of the novel.

Highly recommended to fans of the author and those who wish to continue on with the Jack & Jill series. I have a strong craving to binge a reread, as well as crossing my fingers we haven't heard from the last of this set of characters. One in particular, we need to know how his future played out.

 

 

Author Bio

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author a with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Jewel’s Jonesies Facebook Group

 

 

“I’m trying really hard to be…” his lips twisted “…amicable and persuasive.”


 

Hosted by


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann to read and review for this tour.

Feinted Love by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

Feinted Love by Elle Keaton Blog Tour


A gambit for love, a half-baked revenge plot; one hot Seattle summer…

Arnie


One minute I’m minding my own business enjoying the sunshine, next I’m wearing my iced coffee.

I’m going to teach Tobias Barrington a thing or two; first: you don’t always get what you want. I have no idea what the second is, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Falling in love with Tobias is not on the list.

Tobias

I've never forgotten Arnie Ferguson, or the night we had together. When I find him again, I want to get to know him—as more than a friend.

I may come from a wealthy family; but I know better than most that money can’t buy happiness. But brash, socially awkward Arnie Ferguson makes me think happiness is possible when you let your heart choose.

Feinted Love is a first person, dual POV, following Arnie Ferguson and Tobias Barrington as they do their best to awkwardly fall in love. No cliff hanger, HEA guaranteed. Heat level, 3+.

 

 

Feinted Love by Elle Keaton

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Excerpt



Arnie

Tobias Barrington is so damn handsome. If I could’ve dreamed up a man just for myself, Tobias would’ve been my special order; he is everything I crave, and he has extra toppings. Thick black hair that curls up at the ends as it grows longer, pale skin—this close I can see a faded scar at one corner of his luscious lips. And blue eyes, the kind that are almost green but not quite, eyes I could lose myself in.

Tobias’s eyebrows draw together. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod, stepping back and out of his grasp. “Yeah, sorry, I just got off work.” I gesture behind myself. “I was in the pit today, uh, washing dishes; it was really hot in there.” Anything to get Tobias to ignore my awkward daydreaming. Although telling him I’ve been washing dishes at my just-over-minimum-wage job doesn’t make me feel much better.

“Oh, I bet, it’s hot today.” Tobias smiles.

If I’d thought I was in dangerous territory a minute ago, now my internal alarm bells are clanging so loudly I’m pretty sure I can actually hear them. Tobias’s smile is brilliant.

“Can I buy you a drink? I bet you’re dehydrated. And I kind of owe you one,” he says quietly.

Tobias has a dimple in one cheek. Fuck.

“A drink?” I echo. What does he owe me a drink for?

Tobias’s smile widens further. I don’t know what to do. The dimple is distracting me.

“Yeeesss, a drink, a liquid, something to hydrate you.” He chuckles. “The Madison Pub’s patio is open. So is the Blue’s. You could probably use a little time outdoors; you said it was hot in there today.”

Someone bumps into me as they move around the two of us to enter the coffee shop. I have the dual realization that we’re blocking the door and that no way should I have a drink with Tobias. Except I want to.

Why am I thinking about passing up this opportunity? I can have one drink. It’s probably a really bad idea—I’m not prepared—but I’m going to do it anyway. After all, he said he owed it to me.

“Um, I have to get up early,” I babble.

Really, Arnie? Get up early? This is why I hardly ever got into trouble when I was a kid: I learned early on that I could not lie.

Tobias checks his watch, a silver Rolex with an indigo face. “It’s only three thirty. But if you can’t, that’s okay. Maybe another time?”

Is it my imagination that Tobias seems disappointed?

“I, um, have an appointment,” I fib. “I can’t stay for long. And I stink,” I blurt out. An appointment? All I could think of was an appointment? “An interview, I mean.” I hope, anyway, someday to have an interview.

Tobias had started to turn away, but at my words he turns back. “We can sit on the patio, and you smell fine to me.”

I look around for Charley Hunter. The last few times I’ve seen Tobias he’s been with that absolute tool of a friend, or whatever he is.

“Where’s your friend?” I ask. “The skinny blond with the terrible sense of humor?”

Tobias chuckles again. I nearly die. Still, I manage to scowl and narrow my eyes.

“I’ll have a drink with you, but not if he’s going to show up.” I look around as if Charley might be hiding behind Tobias or maybe in the shrubbery.

“Charley has an event tonight. He’s busy getting ready.”

“Is he planning his own funeral? That’s an event I’d attend.”

“If you come have a drink with me, I’ll tell you.”

How could I resist?

 

 

Getting even doesn't mean falling in love.


 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Veronica☆☆☆☆
Arnie and Tobias are from two different worlds. Tobias comes from a wealthy family and is working for his father’s successful real estate business. Arnie isn’t using his college degree, is working at a coffee shop, and living in a tiny apartment with his best mate, Duff.

Arnie bumps into Tobias and decides his life went awry when he first met Tobias seven years ago. He decides he needs to get some sort of revenge to even the scales. Initially I found this whole get even scheme cringeworthy, but it quickly becomes a source of entertainment as it is apparent that Arnie’s hair-brained scheme won’t work. Then we meet Tobias and he is a lovely guy who is a bit quiet and shy, hates his job, and just wants to write screenplays and date Arnie.

Arnie is intelligent, awkward, and delightful. I felt like his brain is always on and it was thoroughly entertaining seeing life from his point of view. Tobias’ calmer personality works well with Arnie and it was so enjoyable being with the two of them as they fell in love. It is also pretty hot on occasion.

Feinted Love is what you would call a feel-good romance and I found it totally charming. I loved it. Four stars from me.

 

 

Author Bio

 

 

Elle hails from the northwest corner of the US known for, rain, rain, and more rain. She pens the Accidental Roots series, the Never Too Late series, and the soon be published Hamarsson and Dempsey series, all set here in the Pacific Northwest. All Elle's books feature hot mm romance with the guarantee of an HEA. The men start out broken, and maybe they end up that way too, but they always find the other half of their hearts..

Elle loves both cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Connect with Elle

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
The Highway to Elle Facebook Group

 

 

Giveaway


 

“Hey back.” I can’t help but smile. It’s like my face is in love with his face.


 

Hosted by


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Feinted Love (Crimes of the Heart #1) by Elle Keaton to read and review for this tour.

Friday, September 25, 2020

The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter

Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil, where villains may be heroes and heroes may be villains… it all depends on who you ask. The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter.


Once Upon a Time meets Game of Thrones in book two of New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter’s magical, romantic dark fantasy series, in which the fairy tales we know and love are prophecies of the future. Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil, where villains may be heroes and heroes may be villains… it all depends on who you ask.

Ashleigh Ansklelisa may be called the Glass Princess due to her weak heart, but Saxon, king of the Avian, knows she is more dangerous than broken glass, in this Cinderella retelling that sweeps readers into the magical land of Enchantia, filled with treacherous enemies, unexpected allies, forbidden love, and dangerous magic! Can destined lovers find their way to each other, or will evil win the day? Everything changes at the stroke of midnight as one determined princess fights for her legacy, her love, and the crown that is her destiny.

 

 

The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Inkyard Press—Harlequin

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Shelby☆☆☆☆☆
The Glass Queen is the second book in the series The Forest of Good and Evil and can be read as a standalone with no issues. This was my first book in the fairy tale retelling series by Gena Showalter, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to grab The Evil Queen (book #1).

I was expecting a paranormally themed Cinderella. I didn't have high expectations as many Cinderella retellings have been disappointing, but this was an awesome departure from the norm! The Little Cinder Girl can be linked to anyone in the world of Enchantia. A world where trolls, shape shifters, witches & warlocks, dragons, mages, and everything in between lives. Magic is the norm, and oracles are sought after. As such, each kingdom has its own royal family and it just so happens that Ashleigh's father is the King of The Provence of Fleur. One would think this would make her a powerful princess; unfortunately, that title holds no power to the sickly, weak girl. A father who hates her, no friend outside of her mother, how is this girl supposed to survive?

Prince Saxon Skylair of the Avian Mountains hasn't had an easy life; exiled from his home at an early age, he was taken in by friends to make a life. Knowing his place in the family, he needs to prove himself to take his rightful place.

These are just simple summaries of the main characters, and in no way truly convey all that is going on. Enemies to the core, only one knows why. I loved the twists and turns, the constant questioning of the prophecies. I loved the way everything came together; I even loved the cheesiness as I am expecting it from a young adult novel. Above all, I want to read about the next retelling as I liked these characters!

 

 

Author Bio

 

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs.

Connect with Gena

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Gena Showalter’s Legions Facebook Group

 

 


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) by Gena Showalter to read and review.