Starting New by S.C. Wynne

Life hasn’t been good to Francis Murphy. He’s survived twenty-one years of homelessness by hooking and taking handouts where he can find them. When the local shelter is vandalized, he’s forced to seek food at the Grace and Light Church, where he runs into the pastor’s son, Randy.

Randy Wright believes the best in others. He's immediately drawn to Francis, even though Francis is hardened and wary. When Francis is attacked by one of his johns, Randy and his family take him in and offer him temporary work. Randy always thought he was straight, but something about Francis has him yearning for more than just friendship, and realizing he might be bisexual.

Francis is attracted to Randy too, and Randy and his parents say they’ve always believed in gay rights. But talk is cheap. What are the odds that these Christian parents will remain open-minded when it's their own son in a relationship with another man?

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Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
S.C. Wynne is a new-to-me author.

I wasn't sure whether or not I would enjoy Starting New after reading the blurb, finding books with a religious bent to be hit or miss. But within half a page of Francis' narration, I was hooked. I even found myself laughing, when ordinarily anything meant to pull a chuckle from me, I find over the top. But there was a witty snarkiness to Francis that endeared him to me. I understood why he thought as he did, even if I didn't agree with it.

Then there is Randy, who learned how even the best of us are able to be hypocritical, along with his giving and caring family. How you can accept a lifestyle or mentality, but face a different reality when it enters your family. I thought this angle of the storyline was perfect for showing both sides of the equation.

Francis and Randy played off one another well, a push-pull banter, will-they-won't-they tension that absolutely addicts me time and time again. In this, Francis was being the responsible party, and I respected the author for showing how Randy was lost in what he wanted, not caring about consequences because he knew his family would stay by his side unconditionally.

As for the religious aspects, in this genre, they're usually the villain of the tale, when most of us know true, giving religious individuals who are here to serve, no matter what. In this book, Randy's family is the hope Francis needed, without asking him to accept their god or ask for anything in return.

Added to the mix, a stray dog named Francis, and you have the equation to melt my frozen heart. I truly enjoyed every page of the story, reading it ravenously.

Recommended to fans of MM contemporary romance, moderate heat level with a few lusty scenes, but great tension and buildup.

S.C. Wynne started writing m/m in 2013 and did look back once. She wanted to say that because it seems everyone’s bio says they never looked back and, well, S.C. Wynne is all about the joke. She loves writing m/m, and her characters are usually a little jaded, funny, and ultimately redeemed through love.

S.C. loves red wine, margaritas, and Seven and Sevens. Yes, apparently she is incredibly thirsty. She loves the rain and should really live in Seattle, but instead has landed in sunny, sunny, unbelievably sunny California. Writing is the best profession she could have chosen because she's a little bit of a control freak. To sit in her pajamas all day and pound the keys of her laptop, controlling the every thought and emotion of the characters she invents, is a dream come true.

Connect with S.C.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Starting New by S.C. Wynne to read and review.

Assassins Love People Too by S.C. Wynne

Dillon Carter's boyfriend, Marc Francis, is a paid assassin. That little fact makes having a normal relationship very complicated. Especially when there are people out there in the big bad spy world who hate Marc so much the last thing they want is him to end up happy.

Obsessive enemies, ex-lovers and poisoned espresso do nothing to make Marc and Dillon's trip to Italy relaxing. In fact, they'll be lucky if they survive at all.

Book 2
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Loose  Id

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Mark and Dillon are on the move, trying to avoid Mark's enemies and stay alive. This leads them to staying with Ronin, a colleague of Mark's as well as his former lover. Mark and Ronin decide to take the fight to the bad guys.

For a short story this had a good helping of angst. Mark's inability to share his feelings allows Dillon's insecurities to fester and the addition of Ronin into the mix doesn't help. This story also has some good action and moves at a fast pace. I really enjoyed Assassins Love People Too and the epilogue left me eager for more.

Also Available in the Assassins in Love Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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Loose  Id

For reviews & more info, check out our Assassins Are People Too post.

I never know what to say about myself, so writing an About Me section or bio is challenging. I love red wine and I’m obsessed with coffee. I haven’t won any awards for writing although I did win one for reading once. I’m not a world traveler…yet. The books I write are light and romantic with a healthy dollop of humor and just a dash of angst.

I’m not curing cancer, but I do think reading stories that make us happy can’t help but improve our lives. I fall in love with every character I write, and I hope my readers will too.

Connect with S.C.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Assassins Love People Too (Assassins in Love #2) by S.C. Wynne to read and review.

Assassins Are People Too by S.C. Wynne

Marc Francis is a paid assassin. Other than that, he's a pretty normal guy, like how he's got a little thing for the blond guy in 39D. Just a normal guy with a normal crush, until one of Marc's enemies tries to get the drop on him in the elevator, and then it's the blond cutie to the rescue: Dillon Carter, from 39D, sacrifices his potted plant to save him.

Instantly, Marc and Dillon develop a strong sexual connection. As the months go by, while they steal time together, it develops into something more. But Marc doesn’t really do relationships, and Dillon worries Marc will never be able to love him back the way he needs.

Also, when you’re a paid assassin, not everybody is rooting for your happy ever after.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Loose  Id

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆
Marc is an assassin who is closed off and has never been in a meaningful relationship. Dillon is your average guy, decent, honest with regular day job. When they come together, Marc knows he shouldn't see Dillon again because it would put Dillon's life in danger, but he can't stay away. They have great chemistry. In the case of this couple, opposites attract.

I enjoyed Assassins Are People Too. This story is easy reading, with sex, romance, and life and death situations but nothing requiring too much thought. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I never know what to say about myself, so writing an About Me section or bio is challenging. I love red wine and I’m obsessed with coffee. I haven’t won any awards for writing although I did win one for reading once. I’m not a world traveler…yet. The books I write are light and romantic with a healthy dollop of humor and just a dash of angst.

I’m not curing cancer, but I do think reading stories that make us happy can’t help but improve our lives. I fall in love with every character I write, and I hope my readers will too.

Connect with S.C.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Assassins Are People Too (Assassins in Love #1) by S.C. Wynne to read and review.

Secrets from the Edge by S.C. Wynne

Keith Williams is twenty-two and struggling to feel normal again. Once a rising super star in the competitive world of snowboarding, he’s only now healing from a horrible crash that almost wrecked his body and ripped his confidence from him.

Jesse Royce is a reporter embedded on a snowboarding documentary that Keith has agreed to be a part of. The two of them have always had a sexual attraction that’s hard to ignore. But Keith’s loss of nerve isn't the only secret he’s keeping, and while it’s tempting to give into his desire for Jesse, it might end up being career suicide.

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Loose Id

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆
Secrets from the Edge was a bit of a surprise for me. Not entirely what I expected from a Loose ID title. Keith was at the top of Snow Boarding until a tragic accident took him out of the game for several years. He returns for a documentary being created by his friend and mentor, trying to overcome insecurities while reconnecting with the friends he's always held at arm's length, while keeping his deep secret buried. But the only problem is, an old flame – a journalist – is along for the ride, reigniting passions & digging for secrets.

Solid writing, fast-pacing, accurate emotions, and a mild mystery surrounding the secret. The reason I was surprised with this title, after reading many Loose ID titles, they aren't necessarily plot-driven. However, the small plot Secrets from the Edge had to offer was the driver of the story, with sexual tension and romance as the vehicle. The steamy scenes (I believe 2 1/2) were very mild, short (a page or two), non-explicit, and later in the story. Almost an after-thought. Which I was good with, because I read for the journey the story takes me on and believe the climax is the dessert, not the meal.

There was a slight mystery as to who released Keith's deep secret from his past, and I was disappointed this wasn't explored more. The secret is released, everything is great, and it's tied up with a tidy bow. But I wanted to know the who, how, why, where, and when of this thread that drove the storyline.

Overall, I enjoyed Secrets from the Edge & I would read more by this author.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 STARS
Secrets from the Edge had me very intrigued. I was interested in the characters, the plot, the mild suspense of it all and then it was just neatly tied up and done. I guess I just expected more, more drama, more back story from Keith's past, more...something.

Don't get me wrong the story was well written. The characters had depth, the athletic aspect was right on. Getting toward the end I kept looking at my percentage thinking, how is this ever going to get tied up in this small amount left? It did though. I guess after everything I just wanted more. The issues with Lance were over quickly, the big secret was revealed and everyone just accepted it and boom ending.

Up until that ending the story was believable and intriguing. I loved the suspense the secret created. I would have loved to keep going with the characters if only to dig a little deeper.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a good read, with an interesting storyline and some quite intense examination of what it feels like for a seriously injured athlete to come back to a dangerous sport. The added issue of a journalist being there to witness the return, and also that he is a one-time conquest who never quite left Keith's imagination works well. The side characters are well described and I felt the camaraderie. Yet competitive jesting between the boarders was well done.

Overall this was a treat, with a strong story and a spicy side dish of romance.

I never know what to say about myself, so writing an About Me section or bio is challenging. I love red wine and I’m obsessed with coffee. I haven’t won any awards for writing although I did win one for reading once. I’m not a world traveler…yet. The books I write are light and romantic with a healthy dollop of humor and just a dash of angst.

I’m not curing cancer, but I do think reading stories that make us happy can’t help but improve our lives. I fall in love with every character I write, and I hope my readers will too.

Connect with S.C.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Secrets from the Edge by S.C. Wynne to read and review.

Wicked Reads Reviews – Falling into Love by S.C. Wynne

Chris Lambrough is having a run of bad luck. He's lost his job and his boyfriend and is feeling depressed. His best friend Jenny tells him about an ad she's noticed where The Muddy Mountain Ski Resort is looking for waiters. Chris has restaurant experience and since his New Year’s Resolution is to learn to ski it seems like a nice opportunity to jump start his life.

Trevor Brown is a ski instructor at the resort. He befriends Chris right away and the have undeniable chemistry. But Trevor has guilt over the death of his lover, Lane two years earlier. Can the two of them learn to trust each other and move forward and forget the past?

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca  ~  Loose Id

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆
Falling into Love is an enjoyable, quick to read, m/m romance. I like our hero Chris. Unlucky in love (usually because he is dating not so great guys) he is a laid back and easy to understand character. The chemistry between Chris and sexy ski instructor Trevor was natural, as was the conflict that arises.

Falling into Love was a good read and I hope the author considers writing stories for Mason or Jenny.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I was impressed by how much story got packed into a short read. There was enough detail and dialogue to give background and potential for a future. The idea of basing the story around a New Year's resolution was fun, and ensured that the plot worked. The leads weren't damaged by their pasts, just wary, so the excesses of angst were avoided. Jenny was a fun character and I hope we get her story too (hint, hint Ms. Wynne).

I never know what to say about myself, so writing an About Me section or bio is challenging. I love red wine and I’m obsessed with coffee. I haven’t won any awards for writing although I did win one for reading once. I’m not a world traveler…yet. The books I write are light and romantic with a healthy dollop of humor and just a dash of angst.

I’m not curing cancer, but I do think reading stories that make us happy can’t help but improve our lives. I fall in love with every character I write, and I hope my readers will too. – Loose Id bio

Connect with S.C.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  tsū  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Falling into Love by S.C. Wynne to read and review.