Cherry Bomb by Samantha Kane

Their spark could be too hot to handle…or bring a dying town back to life.

Officially, Turnstiles CEO Brian Curland is in Mercury to set up a new data center. Unofficially, he’s using this trip to re-evaluate his life, because for a man who has everything, he’s feeling pretty empty.

He could buy any car he wants. But no, he had to rent a piece-of-crap Chevy—which is now broken down on the side of the road. When he’s rescued by a sexy local, Brian does what he always does. Go for what he wants, even if it’s just temporary.

Evan Michaels stops to help because that’s what good guys do. He grew up in Mercury, eventually becoming minister of the local Unitarian church. Though everyone knows him, being gay and being in a gay relationship are two different things. He wants Brian, but their affair has to be secret or he can’t play.

When Evan unleashes his long-suppressed sexuality, Brian is more than up to handling the heat. Yet even though they fall hard for each other, it might take the whole town to convince them it’s a forever kind of love.

Warning: Contains an inexperienced minister, gay comic-book role play, dirty dancing in antebellum mansions, and some very naughty fireworks. Protective gear recommended.

Book 2
Buy Links

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Samhain  Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This book starts off fast and keeps on going. I loved it, lots of hot sex, lots of feelings and lots of mushy feelings! If you read the first book in the series you already know Evan, town minister. Brian is in Mercury to start up a data center and bring life back to the small town. These two meet and hit it off immediately. I mean IMMEDIATELY. I love the chemistry between these two and I loved how each one tried to stay true to themselves and what they wanted. In the end Brian had to do some hard thinking but he finally got his head out of his butt. With the help of some good friends and even an ex-fling, these two finally get what they both want and deserve. I can’t wait to read the next book, they seem to get better each time.

Characters: Well written
Sex: Oh yeah!
Religious: One character is a minister
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed Cherry Pie, so was delighted when I received this second book in the series to read. And I was not disappointed. Whilst it is not as amazing as Cherry Pie, it is still a lovely read, with a great ending. I also have great hope for future books – Mercury is certainly rising!

I liked both the lead characters for their honesty and their self-awareness, or lack thereof. Their single-mindedness to succeed in their field, and not to allow personal emotions deflect them...until, of course, they fall for each other and just cannot see a solution, nor an exit point. I love stories where the world weary and the earnest meet – and it was not so dissimilar with Jack and Connor, and yet it was totally different. It was good to catch up with them, and the other interesting folk who live in Mercury. I liked that there is a story about a town as well as a romance in the plot – and as it moves forward, we get a picture of this place – and its level of tolerance too. The explanation of how the town came about was a subtle reflection of now, and the level of acceptance that the people of the town have for the men.

Ms. Kane, I look forward to the next book in the series – hopefully we have the same man in mind!

Also Available in the Mercury Rising Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Samhain  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Cherry Pie post.

Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children, two boys and one girl. With a master’s degree in American history, she spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full-time writer and mom.

Connect with Samantha

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cherry Bomb (Mercury Rising #2) by Samantha Kane to read and review.

Cherry Pie by Samantha Kane

You can go home again—if you can get a foot in the door.

A year after packing and moving from L.A. to Mercury, North Carolina, John Ford still hasn’t adjusted to the heat. Or to life without his long-time partner. As he fixes up the old house he bought, the quiet becomes his only companion, and he’s content with that—until a deep-voiced stranger plants himself under a tree across the street.

Eight years ago, Connor Meecham left someone behind in that house—himself. Now he’s back to find the man he used to be, before drugs and prison sent his life careening off the tracks. But it’s not his mother’s face peering through the window any more. It’s a man who seems as lost as Conn himself.

When John learns what the house—and the dying town—mean to Conn, he finds himself opening the door to his heart. Just a crack. But it’s enough to get mixed up in a world of emotions as complicated as the recipe for the perfect cherry pie. Where one misstep can turn something sweet and juicy into one hot mess.

This book has been previously published.

Warning: Contains a guitar-wielding, brooding Southern boy and a reclusive millionaire with a weakness for cherry pie and hot coffee. Excessive porch sittin’ and lemonade included.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Samhain  Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a real feel good story, with some very poignant elements. It gives us some deep insights into the lives of two men, and how the past shapes their present. It gives us a view of a sleepy town and its politics, its needs and its characters. It gives us a love story that develops and merges two injured souls into a calm, delicious and intense relationship. It gives us hope for more, as it is clearly book one of a series.

Thank you Ms. Kane, for a delightful read.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This was a sweet love story between John and Connor. They each have things in their pasts that they need to deal with and together they do that. I loved the small town aspect and how everyone would come over, that made it seems like a true small town book. The relationship was a slow burn but worth the wait. I can't wait to read the next book and hope we still see John and Connor in later books.

Also Available in the Mercury Rising Series

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Samhain  Publishing

Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children, two boys and one girl. With a master’s degree in American history, she spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full-time writer and mom.

Connect with Samantha

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cherry Pie (Mercury Rising #1) by Samantha Kane to read and review.