Monday, October 31, 2022

The Bond by Xavier Axelson Spotlight

Blog Tour. The Bond by Xavier Axelson. October 7 - 25 & 31.

Four men are about to discover things are definitely not what they seem... including themselves.

Declan Makavoy, small town farmer and single father, finds out it isn’t just his thumb that’s green. Ivan Soresceau, a local reporter, who always plays with fire in life and love, is about to discover what it means to be burned. Chester Silberglocke, the ailing but sage chiropractor, finds his death is only the beginning of an atmospheric afterlife. And Vinny Pirelli, the local swimming champ, may make waves in the pool but has no idea he is the last piece in a dangerous and life-changing puzzle.

Seduction and unearthly occurrences are only the beginning in what proves to be a race against time as Declan, Ivan, Chester, and Vinny are pitted against a dark force and face unthinkable horrors as they rely on their friendship to destroy an evil beyond imagination.

The Bond is the first book in the Elemental series. It is not a standalone.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

The Bond by Xavier Axelson

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Kobo  ~  Smashwords
JMS Books

 

 

Excerpt



The wind carried the unpleasant smell of decay. In the heat of summer, the odor is nectar sweet, but in autumn, decay is unexpected. In the summer, it could be tomatoes left too long on the vine, fresh roadkill or sewage wafting up from the dank sidewalk grates. Autumn chilled the stench, offered it bite and acid. The hair on my neck stood on end. I dug my hands deeper into my pockets.

Coming out of the tree-lined path leading to the fields reminded me of emerging from a dream. Overwrought and graphic, like an illustration in a bad comic, the scene unfolded block-by-block, piece-by-piece. The fields were barren, except where remains of gourds and pumpkins jutted from the earth like fevered skulls, things emerging to the cold dreary light. The distant pine trees lined the border of my property like sentries sent from a general to contain the scene. Beyond the trees, the forest appeared a black mass; empty and full at the same time. Perhaps Adam’s body—or Adam himself—waited, hidden in the woods.

They hadn’t found a body.

Hadn’t found…

A new but not unfamiliar wave of pain welled within my chest so I thought I’d burst. Adam was dead. Dead… How could he be…?

Chester turned toward me, his eyes wide. He pointed.

Antonia sat, facing him. She’d been playing house or school with her gourd-squash students. Her singsong contrasted with the fouled air, unnerving me.

Behind her, centered in the field, something either unaware or unconcerned with our presence was consuming the remaining pumpkins.

Some thing.

“Declan,” Chester breathed, “stay still.”

The stench coming from the field hit like a ton of putrid bricks.

“Get her.” I heaved, trying to breathe through the stink. “I have to get her.”

Chester restrained me with more strength than I thought he possessed. “She must stay still.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

Just then a huge crow dove and we watched as the creature reached with a massive clawed paw, grabbed the bird and crushed it. It then stuffed the bird into its mouth and made horrific bone-sucking sounds of pleasure.

Antonia smiled and called, “Daddy, have you seen the goblin?”

 

 

Author Bio

XAVIER AXELSON is a writer and columnist living in Los Angeles. Axelson’s work has been featured in various erotic and horror anthologies including Best Gay Erotica 2016 Volume 2, Best Gay Erotica 2015.

Longer written works include The Incident, Dutch’s Boy, The Birches, Earthly Concerns, Velvet, and Lily.

Connect with Xavier Axelson

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway


 

Hosted by

Gay Book Promotions.

Friday, October 28, 2022

Bully for Sale by Leta Blake Blog Tour

Release Tour. Leta Blake’s Bully for Sale.

Heat can be sold, but love is earned.

Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him.

Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life.

A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch.

Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves.

The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love.

While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully.

Bully for Sale is a standalone m/m romance set in the Heat for Sale universe featuring forced proximity, first times, bully romance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers.

Content warnings: bullying, sexual assault (not between the heroes), heat, knotting, pregnancy, intense birth, familial coercion.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Heat for Sale series!
For book one, Heat for Sale, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Bully for Sale by Leta Blake

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Excerpt



The front porch was small, but there was a rocking chair on it, so Ned led Ezer toward it, the shade of the covering casting off the warmth of the pale, winter sun, but letting the cool sea breeze sail through. Ezer sighed as he collapsed in the chair, his overheated skin still flushed from their last coupling.

Ned took a seat at Ezer’s feet, daring to rest his head against Ezer’s knee, as they gazed out across the sandy dunes toward the splashing water, and the soft blue sky sped away into the distance, merging with the horizon.

Fingers entered Ned’s hair, soft and timid, carding through it. Ezer said, “You keep telling me you want me to understand.”

“I do.”

“Then I think you should start talking now,” Ezer said after a few sweet moments had passed. “The heat will be back, I know. This is just a reprieve. But we have some time, and I want to hear you out.”

“What should I tell you about first?” Ned asked, not wanting Ezer to disappear into silence again. “I’ll tell you anything.”

Ezer laughed under his breath. “You know what’s crazy? I believe you would.” He touched Ned’s hair again, before pulling his hand away, tucking it beneath his arm and looking out toward the ocean. “When did you decide you liked me? Was it when you and your pals were harassing me on the first day of school?”

“No.” Ned was, relieved to confess this truth. He’d lived with it on his own for so long. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

“No.”

“I do.”

Ezer rolled his eyes. “Don’t even pretend you—”

“I’m not pretending,” Ned said fervently. “I saw you on the first day of school, and my heart…” Smiling, Ned clutched his chest to demonstrate. “Just like that, I fell in love with you.”

Ezer frowned. “That’s not what I want to hear. I don’t believe in it for one thing. For another, it just makes the rest worse.”

“I’ve told you I’m sorry.”

“No,” Ezer said, diverting his attention to the sea. “For now, through this heat, I’d rather pretend nothing about our lives existed before we came to this house. That I didn’t exist. This is my life now, so I should get used to it.”

Ned chewed on his lower lip. This house wasn’t Ezer’s entire life. It couldn’t be. This was just an interlude. He had to make Ezer understand, so they could move forward together with love.

If only Ezer would go ahead and fall in love with him already.

 

 

He liked how Ezer fought back like a kitten with sharp claws—going for the eyes and soft bits.


 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Angie☆☆☆☆
This book has a lot of triggers so read with care. This book made me feel all kinds of things – hate, sadness, empathy, and eventually, hope and happiness. Ezer and Ned have a history that wasn't so pleasant. I don't want to go into things and spoil anything, but Ned was a complete jerkface to Ezer. Ezer had such a rough life you can't help feeling for him. Ned didn't agree with all that happened to Ezer and harbored secret feelings for Ezer. When these two are thrown together, it started off rocky. It was a slow burn that eventually got the reader to not hate Ned anymore and to root for Ezer and his happiness. This book put me through the ringer but was worth it.


Erica☆☆☆
Bully for Sale is the second installment in the Heat for Sale series. While it could easily be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Heat for Sale prior, as the cast of characters are familial connections, where the previous protagonists make many cameos on the pages – their presence impacting the overall plot.

Ned and Ezer were both abused by their parental units, groomed to act in the manner in which they are behaving. Ned to always put his father first, no matter if it causes destruction to his own future. Ezer to champion for his omega parent, because he too is an omega, even if that parent isn't worthy of the devotion. This abuse leads to behaviors that are hard to swallow on both their parts.

During Heat for Sale, Heath downgraded his nephew as his heir by breeding an omega and having a son to call his own. Heath's nephew, Ned, was his previous heir, seeing the boy as more son than his layabout brother's son.

Ned is in a precarious position, forced to befriend his father's business partners' sons. While Ned is trying to be a better person, trying to make his uncle proud, he also has to think of his father's wellbeing – something his father never lets him forget. Befriending these two sadistic, teenage alphas is the only thing keeping his father out of the poorhouse and away from emptying Ned's trust fund, which would destroy Ned's future. There is only one major issue with this – his so-called friends have targeted the small omega with the hypnotic eyes.

Emotionally driven, easily manipulated by familial connections, Ned is a romantic, believing in love at first sight. While I wouldn't classify Ned as a coward, because he's not taking the path of least resistance. He's on a destructive, painful path, putting a father first that only ever thinks of himself. In the end, his emotions and drive to do right causes him to unknowingly do wrong.

Ezer (going to be honest, I'm not a fan of this name, as my mind continually kept trying to input Ezra for Ezer and it would yank me from the story). Ezer is an omega, born in the middle of a large family of omegas. To Ezer's knowledge, his father kicked out his omega parent for never producing an alpha child, then found a young replacement. Said father sees omegas as nothing but either money pits or opportunities, believing they should forever be barefoot and pregnant to be happy.

Ezer is filled with rage, to the point he never truly thinks clearly. Ezer will never take the path of least resistance, even if that's the path that is right to take or the path that he truly wants to take.

Spiteful, with good reason, highly intelligent, but this belligerence causes him to make mistakes, which make him look emotionally and intellectually stunted. Ezer isn't easy to love, let alone like, even when the reader is rooting for him. Even hormones cannot be blamed for his attitude. While this reader understood the outrage and is equally outraged for him and behalf of other omegas, there wasn't anything else to like about Ezer personality wise.

Ezer used to do math equations – that's it. His entire personality is rage, belligerence, and the drive to be opposing. If Ned says he likes TV shows, then Ezer can't stand TV, and so on. I'm surprised he actually answered with an ice cream flavor instead of saying he loathed it because Ned liked it.

A string of miscommunications and badly behaving parental units leads to the union of Ned and Ezer. Ned is patient, kind, submissive, comforting, understanding, and neverendingly calm and supportive. He's also young, younger than Ezer, yet Ezer assumes Ned should know everything and take care of everything.

Ned didn't get anything out of the contract – the parents did – except for Ezer, believing Ezer was where he wanted to be after signing the contract. Ezer got away from his father, from a fate much worse. I understand Ezer's rage, but it's directed at the wrong party. Ezer's fate was in peril – while Ned isn't his hero, shouldn't require thanks, he shouldn't also be the person vilified either.

I'm not sure why the butler didn't just hire security at the house, knowing everything there was to know about the pair of kids thrust into this situation by their awful parents. They needed a parental unit to take care of them. Heath was otherwise distracted. But Ned cannot know what he hasn't been taught, and it was wrong of Ezer to assume he should just do everything and know everything. Ezer demanding perfection from Ned while all he required of himself was to exist.

While pregnant, Ezer has no plans to take care of anything for himself or the house, nor does he support Ned in any way. I get that some of this was the world building, but Ezer showed no interest for the future either. Nothing was good enough, perpetually waited on like a prince, Ezer couldn't even get himself a drink or put his dishes in the sink.

It was odd, in a world where omegas are to be the caretakers, homemakers, and babymakers. Ezer did nothing but be miserable, most of the misery earned, but it showed he was spoiled and did absolutely nothing as he grew up, entitled and privileged. While the alpha was the one doing the housework, cooking, and caretaking, when that would have never been taught to him growing up. This just didn't compute.

Ned was wrong in the past, he's tried to make amends, even if Ezer is only hearing what he wants to hear. Ezer is borderline abusive in his manner toward Ned, even after admitting Ned was doing what he thought was right, what he thought Ezer wanted. Ned is not a mind-reader where the contract was concerned.

Does Ezer have the right to be angry? Yes. It just felt as if that rage wasn't directed at the correct parties. Ezer should have hated the system, the parents, the bullies. He should have seen Ned as a partner in this hellscape who had no options either. Instead, all he ever did was blame Ned. Everything was Ned's fault. Yet Ezer played into their hands time and time again. This intelligent, stubborn boy would get angry, the anger causing him to do exactly what they wanted instead of thinking of a work-around, even in the end of the novel when he returned to his father's home. Why did he do that? If Ned is at fault for everything, and Heath is so powerful, why not ask them to stop this versus being hysterical and playing into his father's hands. This was frustrating to read and made me dislike Ezer. The omega was a classical damsel in distress acting too stupid to live for the sake of some manufactured drama.

It just felt to me that Ned got the short end of the stick, as Ezer was just as narcissistic as the rest of the cast. Ezer's da was not a good person, and Ezer was now making excuses to justify abusive behaviors.

Ned is so besotted, he would give Ezer anything on the planet. Ezer isn't going to go to school, he wants to work but isn't. He has someone else taking care of the house and eventually the kids. I'm not sure what Ezer plans in life but to be purposefully miserable. Only the epilogue saved Ezer from appearing to be as awful as the parents, but the reader never saw the journey to his character growth. No matter Ned's horrific origins in the novel, at least he grows over the course of the pages.

As a feminist, the omega rights portions deeply resonated with me, enraged me, and gutted me. However, I found it ridiculous that every parent was a piece of shit. Every single one of them. Ned's dad was a layabout. Ezer's father was cruel and insane. His omega parent was not even remotely redeemable, especially shacking up with a married man with kids, said married man was also utterly worthless. The whole lot of them were awful.

Then add in the "bullies" and their never-shown fathers. How many villains can a novel support?

So while I appreciated the omega rights issues, I didn't appreciate how most of the cast was written as the villains to highlight how amazing and awesome Heath is as an alpha and a person.

Ned's journey into manhood was a good read. Ned and Ezer's relationship left a lot to be desired with the fact that Ezer never allowed Ned to truly speak to him, never allowed a true bond to take place. No matter how many times Ezer tested or punished Ned, there was never true closure.

Am I glad I read Bully for Sale? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes. Did I think there was some missteps in the plot? Also, yes.

 

 

Author Bio


Leta Blake. Author. Human. Working hard to become stellar at life.

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, LETA BLAKE’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

Connect with Leta Blake

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Leta’s Lovelies  ~  Patreon

 

 

Giveaway


 

 

Ned had never imagined the mindless rapture of it all. Ned simply hadn’t known. Now he did. And he could never give this up.

 

Hosted by

Gay Romance Reviews Tours & Promo.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bully for Sale (Heat for Sale #2) by Leta Blake to read and review.

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Rhett Redeemed by Chantal Fernando

Life is about choices. Rhett has a history of making bad ones.

New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando brings the sexy second installment to the Knights and Dragons series, where the line between good and bad decisions gets blurry…

Life is about choices. He had a history of making bad ones.

Ready for a New Start

United with her newly discovered half sister, Constance Wilder finally has a family. She should be happy, but she’s not. Instead, she’s even lonelier, which is why a one-night stand with a sexy biker is just what she needs. A few hours of wild sex won’t just bring her pleasure—it will help her forget.

A Series of Bad Choices

Rhett did what was necessary to step into his role as leader of the Wind Dragons MC, which included cutting ties with the woman he loved. He wouldn’t change it, but that doesn’t make it easier. Thankfully, the beautiful woman across the bar is a welcome distraction. He never expected her to light a spark inside him, leaving him wanting more.

Destined for Disaster

Constance falls hard for Rhett. Not only is she pretty sure he’s her soul mate, but he’s the one person she has connected to in a long time. But when it is revealed that Rhett is her sister’s ex, Constance is faced with losing her newly found family, making happily-ever-after seem damn near impossible.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Knights & Dragons MC #2 series!
For book one, Decker’s Dilemma, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Rhett Redeemed by Chantal Fernando

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Carina Press (HQN)

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Mary☆☆☆☆
This is Rhett and Con's story, and it was sometimes a little slow to me – as if it was all they had to worry about was Cara's feelings. Yes, Con had just recently found her sister, and Cara and Rhett were no longer in a long-term relationship. Cara has moved on, now it is time for Rhett to move on whether Cara is happy for them or not. Both Rhett and Con took too much time to get Cara's approval before moving on with their relationship.

I found that I liked Con and Rhett most of the time, but there were times I wanted to slap them both upside the head. There was a little bit of suspense as Con and Rhett navigated their new relationship. I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to Atlas' story coming next.


Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
This book is about betrayal in all its forms. Whether it's intentional – to give someone the life they really want – or not, sleeping your newfound sister's ex, the hurt is the same.

Rhett's good intentions backfired in a big way, even if Cara (his ex) now has the life she wanted and deserved. Now, his family and friends all look at him differently and while he doesn't blame them, it causes more hurt than losing Cara ever did.

Constance "Con" Wild is having a rough time. After her father died, she found out that she had a half-sister she was never told about. Finding her sister has finally given her the sense of family she never had growing up.

Rhett and Con have instant chemistry and after a wild one-night stand, Con is riding high. A new job, a new feeling of self-worth, Con feels that there is nothing she can't do. And when she happens to run into Rhett again, why not explore the chemistry between them.

Romance is never as simple as it should be and things come to a head when Cara finds out at a family function that Rhett is dating her sister, Con's world implodes. The family she always wanted is gone and there's no one to blame but herself.

This book had a lot of emotional ups and downs and lots and lots of drama. I think the ending was a bit rushed and would like to see how Con's and Rhett's relationship evolves over time.

 

 

Author Bio


Chantal Fernando. New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.

CHANTAL FERNANDO is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, the Cursed Raven Motorcycle Club series, and the Maybe series, along with several other novels. She lives in Western Australia, where she is working on her next book.

Connect with Chantal Fernando

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Chantal's Clubhouse

 
 

ARC provided by

Carina Press.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rhett Redeemed (Knights & Dragons MC #2) by Chantal Fernando to read and review.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Playing for Keeps by Beth Bolden

Playing for Keeps by Beth Bolden

Sebastian Howard is the best damn cornerback in the NFL.

Or at least he was.

Age and injuries have taken a toll, and while most people have written him off, Sebastian isn’t ready to acknowledge that at only thirty-two, he’s already in the twilight of his career.

He signs with the Miami Piranhas intending to prove everyone wrong.

Only to realize that the head coach’s son, out-and-proud Beau Dawson, doesn’t believe he can.

Beau is infuriating but brilliant, and when he offers to help him on the field, Sebastian wants to say yes, but there’s one thing stopping him: the unexpected, inconvenient, and all-consuming crush he doesn’t want to have on Beau.

But Beau isn’t interested in playing it safe, with football or with anything else, and soon they’re embroiled in a hot—and secret—affair that would finish Sebastian’s career if Coach Dawson found out.

As Sebastian falls harder for Beau, he begins to realize that actually the worst thing in the world isn’t getting benched, but losing the man he loves.

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the Miami Piranhas series!
For book two, Playing the Player, click HERE.
For book three, Playing by the Rules, click HERE.

 

 

Playing for Keeps by Beth Bolden

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Shannan☆☆☆☆
Playing for Keeps is the first book in the Miami Piranhas series.

Sebastian Howard is the best cornerback in the NFL until, well, he isn't anymore. He knew he lost a step. He knew it was slower than he had been. What he hoped would happen was that he'd work his butt off and no one would notice. But someone did, Beau Dawson, the head coach’s son. Beau is a genius and sees the game better than anyone else. When he recommends that instead of Sebastian trying to kill himself on the field fighting for every inch, to try moving to the safety position. Sebastian is admittedly against it until Beau shows him with his help, he'll be the best safety in the NFL.

The sexual tension between these two is immediate. Beau wants to do what's right by Sebastian if he can get Sebastian to trust him. I loved watching these characters open up to each other and realize what was between them.

This is a new-to-me author and so far, I am loving the football side of the story just as much as the romance. I can't wait to read more!

 

 

Author Bio


Fun, Flirty & Fluffy Romance. Beth Bolden

A lifelong Pacific Northwester, BETH BOLDEN has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.


Connect with Beth Bolden

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Beth’s Boldest

 
 

ARC Provided by

Gay Book Promotions.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Playing for Keeps (Miami Piranhas #1) by Beth Bolden to read and review.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

A cold case isn’t the only thing heating up in this small town.

When a cold case in Texas leads to a sinister string of disappearances, a newcomer to the small town helps a detective piece together the clues in this new romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she’s perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.

All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker—with her designer jeans and shiny car—who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Ava’s discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Berkley (PRH)

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is a really good romantic mystery, set in a small town in an unforgiving desert, where some really strange things are going on. Whilst Ava and Grant are obviously the leads in this book, the inclusion of Huck the crazy Lab, who is also a search and rescue dog, inherited by Ava from her dad, is absolutely essential.

The set-up of the antagonistic sheriff, the lack of respect for the voluntary work done by Ava to help find missing people, and the whole small town vibe definitely got the tension ramped up from the start. I am a bit of a wuz, it has to be admitted, but I did spend quite a lot of time waiting for something terrible to happen!

I was entranced by the setting; the descriptions of the desert landscape, with ravines and caves, and hiding places – barren, wild, and unforgiving, and yet beautiful in its wildness. It was easy to imagine the fear of losing someone out there, and of the need for a dog to help find them. And easy to imagine how there were parallels with the issues holding Ava and Grant back from the romance they both clearly are interested in pursuing. Ava, in particular, is hiding in plain sight from an unpleasant previous relationship with another lawman, so wants to avoid similar entanglements.

Full of twists and turns and little bursts of humour to lighten what is a pretty dark drama. Be warned, difficult to put down, keep a snack to hand for extended reading!


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery Romance

This was a great story. The main characters, Ava, Grant, and, of course, the dog, Huck, are really well developed. You get to see their working side and their personal side equally, and both create complex characters that are easy to relate to.

Ava is working as a lawyer in a tiny town. She's decided she's done with big corporate law. But with the arrival of her new law firm, she is also one of the locally trained SAR workers, along with her dog, Huck. Huck is a great add to the characters since even though it's a dog, you can see the easy demeanor and ease that all of the other characters feel around him.

Grant is working back home. A place he didn't think he would come back to. But now that he's here, he wants the people of his town to be safe and for people coming from out of town to feel safe too. But with an elected official above him who does the bare minimum, it will take all of Grant's knowledge to figure out what's happening around their tiny town.

You will not be disappointed in this book. The scenery is described in a way that you feel like you're standing right next to the characters and the story has several twists and turns, both mysterious and personal for the characters. It's a quick read, but really well done.

 

 

Author Bio

LAURA GRIFFIN is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Connect with Laura Griffin

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 
 

ARC provided by

Berkley.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin to read and review.

Monday, October 24, 2022

No Wrong Moves by Becca Seymour Release Blitz

Release Blitz. Becca Seymour’s No Wrong Moves.

Pining for your best friend sucks ass—and not the good kind of sucking. But I can’t back away, and I definitely can’t let go. Eddie Phelps is too damn important to me. He has my heart and soul. Well, he and his daughter, a ten-year-old who one day will run the world.

It’s not like I can even blame Eddie for mixed signals or anything. He’s done everything right. He always does. Honestly, that’s part of his problem.

But I won’t put pressure on him. That means it’s down to Eddie to see how freakin’ awesome a catch I am. I just have no idea how exactly I’ll get him to do that.

Sure, I’m a professional basketball player. But once upon a time, so was he. It’s going to take something huge to get him to see beyond my age *cough immaturity cough*. But since Eddie isn’t one for making wrong moves, I’m not sure a grand gesture will work.

That leads me back to pining, and hoping somehow, someway, he’ll see me as more than a joker. More than his best friend—even though I’m a kick-ass one. Maybe someday, he’ll know I’m exactly the person he needs to make the move on.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Zone Defense series!
For book one, No Take Backs, click HERE.
For book two, No More Secrets, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

No Wrong Moves by Becca Seymour

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Excerpt



I bobbed my head. Eddie, and sometimes Lottie when my games didn't clash with school, made regular trips to see me play. Every single time, I was overwhelmed he made the effort, all but pinching myself knowing he valued my friendship as much as I did his.

“I booked us in at the hotel restaurant. I hope that's okay.” His gaze flicked to his daughter, and I glanced at her still in my arms. Her head was against my shoulder. While her eyes were open, I figured she'd be exhausted. Not that she'd ever admit as much to either of us.

“Sounds good. The perfect place to spend time with this crazy kid.”

Eddie's smile was soft, and when my gaze traveled to his face, I realized it was directed at me rather than Lottie.

I held his stare for a beat before glancing away, too terrified he'd see longing in my eyes. The last thing I wanted was him to feel awkward. And the thought of not spending time with either of them wasn't worth the risk.

“You want me to drive?” Eddie asked as we stepped into the secure parking lot. My relieved smile was instant, as was the flutter in my stomach. He knew I always had a mini adrenaline crash post game, where I was overcome with tiredness until I got a decent meal.

“That'd be great, thanks.” I passed him the key to my SUV, which I may have upgraded to last year with Lottie in mind.

We got settled in the car, and Eddie started the engine. “With this traffic, it'll take us at least forty-five minutes. Why don't you rest? You know I've got you.”

Our gazes caught, a whisper of a smile tilting his lips. I closed my eyes, aware he spoke the truth. The only trouble was, I wish he had me in every way possible.

 

 

It’s like having my own personal cheerleader. The guys are gonna be so jealous when I tell them Eddie Phelps waves his pom-poms for me.

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series – and an absolute winner in my opinion.

One of those stories where everyone around the two guys knows exactly how things will work out once one of them gets over the mental block which stands in the way. In this instance, Eddie needs to get over the age difference, the fact that he has a daughter, and that his career in the NBA is over, and whilst Pearce's is in full flight, he still would rather spend time with them than out on the town.

As the confusion clears and Eddie rights the situation so that they can enjoy the chemistry between them, and the feelings they have for each other, they get acceptance and joy from almost everyone around them.

Lovely, funny, engaging, and smoothly written, I devoured this in a day and am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

 

Hope. The motherfucker had made hope surge to life. Well, that, and my dick.

 

Author Bio



BECCA SEYMOUR lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.


Connect with Becca Seymour

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: RoMMance with Becca & Louisa

 

 

Giveaway


 

 

Pearce Malcolm was the most important man in my life.

 

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Gay Romance Reviews Tours & Promo.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of No Wrong Moves (Zone Defense #3) by Becca Seymour to read and review.