Becoming Kerry by Lynn Kelling Blog Tour

Kerry Sanderson’s life is falling apart. He’s crushing himself to fit into the boxes others have put him in: dutiful son, good boyfriend, real man. But even the small rebellions he’s fought for himself—moving into a sketchy part of town and becoming an exotic dancer—aren’t giving him the freedom he needs. Ewyn Garrity, a security guard at the gay club where Kerry dances, has found himself in protecting others. Everyone thinks he’s straight, but Ewyn doesn’t fit into simple boxes, either. When he meets Kerry, he makes a not completely innocent offer of company after work.

Ewyn and Kerry hit it off, each finding something he desperately needs in the other. But when Kerry is forced to confront the pain and self-doubt that keep him crushed in his boxes, he’s afraid that no one, not even Ewyn, will be able to love who he is when he finally, truly becomes Kerry.

Contains disturbing content.
Check the ForbiddenFiction story page for content labels.

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Fantastic Fiction Publishing

Character Interview with Ewyn and his mum, Erin

Ewyn: Oh, Jesus, woman, why are you here?

Erin: Is that any way to greet your mother! And in an interview, no less. Lynn, I’m so sorry for my son’s manners, or lack of them anyway.

Ewyn: *head in hands* Oh, this is going to be terrible. Mum, please don’t say anything.

Erin: Don’t say anything, he says. And how likely is that? Just as likely as you growing some manners, I think.

Ewyn: I have manners! I just live in fear of the words that come out of your mouth.

Erin: Lynn, how are you doing today? Can I get you anything to eat? Some pastries, maybe?

Ewyn: Mum, don’t go offering the interviewer food in the middle of the interview. We don’t even have pastries!

Lynn: Well, let’s introduce you both for everyone, to start with. We have Erin and Ewyn Garrity joining us today, and thank you both for stopping by. Erin, how would you describe your son?

Ewyn: Oh no…

Erin: At the moment, I’d describe him as a large pain in my you-know-what. But he’s a good boy, really.

Ewyn: I’m not a boy. I’m a twenty-nine-year-old man.

Erin: He’s also a little high-strung, as you can tell. Likes things as he likes them. Very particular that way. He just cares too much, really. Good at chasing dreams but needs some work coping with the hard truths of reality.

Lynn: Ewyn, do you think you have trouble coping?

Ewyn: I wouldn’t put it that way.

Lynn: How would you put it?

Ewyn: Well, there’s a lot that happens in life that seems just senseless and cruel. What I do is stand up to that and try to prevent what I can. I’ve seen far too many people hurt. Good people. For no goddamned reason at all.

*Erin puts her hand on Ewyn’s back, and their eyes briefly meet*

Lynn: And that’s why you chose a career in security?

Ewyn: Absolutely. I’m hired for private jobs and I also work a few shifts at the club, Blaze.

Lynn: How does all of this affect your personal life?

Ewyn: I guess you could say I’ve had trouble finding a good match. My last few girlfriends left me without much warning, even though the relationships themselves lasted fairly long.

Erin: *speaking behind a hand* I wasn’t surprised those didn’t work out.

Ewyn: Mum…

Lynn: Why not, Erin?

Erin: Sometimes what Ewyn thinks he needs and what he wants doesn’t always go so hand in hand. I’ve been telling him for years, he needs to find himself a good man and—

Ewyn: Mum…

Erin: Or at least someone who he wants, instead of someone he just thinks he needs.

Lynn: And Ewyn, how would you respond to that? Is it true you’ve thought you needed a woman in your life rather than a man?

Ewyn: I’m bisexual. Never had a relationship with a man, or anything beyond a fling. I personally think Mum’s a little hung up on the idea of me being with a man because of everything with my brother Darcy, but that’s a story for another day. My opinion on that matter is that what I’m looking for in a partner has nothing to do with their parts, and everything to do with what’s in their heart.

Erin: Now there’s the boy I raised. I knew he’d show up sooner or later.

Lynn: So, Erin, I suppose you don’t have any problem with Ewyn working at a gay club like Blaze, surrounded by scantily clad men?

Erin: Oh, I love Blaze! The bartender is a close, personal friend of mine.

Ewyn: Mum, you need to stop going to gay clubs!

Ewyn: I’d like to see you try and stop me. One of these days I’m going to find someone simply breathtaking and I’ll push them gently in your direction. It’s for your own good, you know.

Ewyn: Now do you see, Lynn, what I have to put up with?

Erin: Oh, you love it. Don’t even try to pretend otherwise.

Ewyn: Yeah, well, same goes for you. *kisses Erin on the cheek*

Lynn: Thank you both so much for stopping by.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is a sensitive portrayal of a young person coming to accept their fluid gender identity and sexual preferences. It is also a romance between two people who don’t fit in prescribed boxes, but meet each other’s needs and make each other happy.

Kerry is a fascinating character. I came to care for them, but I didn’t always understand or like their motivations and decisions. I warmed to Ewyn more easily but he feels almost too perfect at times and I felt that his needs and emotions were often pushed aside as he focused on caring for Kerry. Kerry is a bit of a mess at times. Readers don’t learn about the events and relationships that have contributed to Kerry’s fragile emotional state until quite late in the story and I think I might have had more empathy for them if I’d known more at the start.

There are a couple of very sexy scenes in this story, but the sexual relationship between Kerry and Ewyn is eclipsed by the angst, grit, and string of traumatic situations, reflections and recollections in this story. Ultimately, this is a long and very complicated book. I found the angst and grit overwhelming at times. There are several complex subplots woven through this story. There was so much going on that, for me, parts of this story dragged. I wonder if this could have been recrafted into two or three more coherent stories or edited for a single, more streamlined, story.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
What an absolutely fabulous book. I devoured it from start to finish – and definitely plan on reading it again soon.

I will not divulge anything that happens – but can tell you this... it is incredibly moving, sad, yet happy, full of love, family, acceptance, and disgust, and very, very sensual. The writing is beautiful, flowing smoothly on the page and you will find the pull to read just one more chapter irresistible.

Whilst this is most definitely Kerry's story, it is also Ewyn's – and all the richer for the combination of the experiences of these two men and what life can hold, even through the darkness. I would also like to say that Ewyn's mum is a winner.

Ms. Kelling, thank you so much for writing such a special book.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
Becoming Kerry is an angst filled, emotional ride. I absolutely loved this book.

After a break up, Kerry realizes the life he was living, something is missing. Life has a way of putting you into a box. You're either this or that, you can do this or that. Kerry doesn't fit into any of the "boxes." This story reveals Kerry's truth slowly in such an emotional way. It really is an amazing read.

This is a new-to-me author and I will definitely be looking for more.

 Lynn Kelling began writing in order to tell stories that weren’t afraid of the dark, didn’t hold anything back and always strived to be memorable, forging lasting attachments between character and reader. Her inspiration comes from taking a closer look at behaviors and ideas lurking at the fringes of life – basically anything that people may hesitate to speak of in mixed company, but everyone wonders about anyway. Her work is driven by the taboo in order to expose the humanity within it. Lynn is an artist, designer and lover of any form of creative self-expression that comes from a place of honesty and emotion, whether it’s body art or opera. She has had multiple novels published, has written over 50 works of erotic fiction of varying lengths, and always has several novels in progress.

Connect with Lynn

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Becoming Kerry by Lynn Kelling to read and review for this tour.

This Is Our Song by Samantha Chase Blog Tour

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Samantha Chase crafts a tender, hopeful family-centered romance

She knows him by reputation

Riley Shaughnessy knew that to stand out in his large family, he'd have to go big. Making a name for himself as a musician wasn't easy, but he followed his dreams to rock-star success. But the relentless expectations of fans is not helping the slump he's in now. So of course the person who attracts him is the woman who is not impressed by fame.

Which gives Riley Shaughnessy a lot to prove

Entertainment reporter Savannah Daly is completely unfazed by pretty-boy rock stars. She's just here to get her interview and write her story. But spending an entire month with the Shaughnessys is going to show Savannah a side of Riley she never could have guessed.

Book 4
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A Word from Samantha Chase

I’m one of those people who can multi-task. To a point. I do like almost complete silence while I write with the exception of my Sounds of the Ocean soundtrack playing. I can have twenty tabs open online and be on social media while I’m writing, but please don’t make me listen to anything! But amazingly enough, on most of my books I do end up with a playlist that helps me get the job done.

I just don’t listen to it while I’m writing.

I turn to it when I’m blocked – when I’m stuck in a scene and need to get hyper-focused on my characters. This is Our Song was kind of easy to have a playlist to because Riley is a musician. There were songs that I felt like I could imagine him singing or that the lyrics really applied to him.

So what was on my list and why? Here’s just one of the songs that was on my This is Our Song playlist!

Sea of Love by The Honeydrippers

This is really a love-at-first-sight kind of song and that’s not really how Riley and Savannah felt. Not really. Okay, maybe just a little. This is just another song that I could see Riley singing – I mean if Robert Plant can do it, so can Riley! I believe in him! And he would totally be serenading Savannah over candlelight while he did it.

Favorite Line:  Do you remember when we met?
That's the day I knew you were my pet
I wanna tell you how much I love you

I was lucky with This is Our Song because of Riley’s career. Some books it will just be a single (as in one) song that is on my playlist to help me over the humps. And sometimes I’ll have to listen to that song like five times in a row to get me in the proper mindset to write what I need to write.

Happy listening and I hope you enjoy This is Our Song!!

He didn’t just beat her in the best of three.

Oh, no. That would have been too easy.

No, Savannah—who realized too late that she was a very sore loser—kept egging him on until he finally put the paddle down after beating her in twelve games. Twelve! Why did she have to keep taunting him? Even while they were playing she couldn’t make herself ask him anything important. They talked about useless stuff—favorite bands, favorite foods—hell, at one point she’d even asked him his favorite color.

She hung her head low in defeat and put her paddle on the table. Riley had excused himself and went to get them each a drink. She prayed it was vodka. Something to make her forget this humiliation.

His prize at the end of the first three games was that she’d stay and have dinner with him.

After the next three she’d stay for a movie.

She really thought she was going to beat him in the third round. Unfortunately, it had been her biggest loss, and he’d simply chuckled and said he’d have to think about his reward. And he’d repeated that after the fourth and final win.

Riley cleared his throat when he walked back into the room and handed her a glass of ice water. They drank in silence for a few minutes. “That was fun,” he finally said, and Savannah realized he wasn’t being obnoxious and he wasn’t gloating. He genuinely looked like he’d had a good time.

And despite all the losing, Savannah would have to agree. It was fun.

“How do you feel about salmon for dinner?”

“It’s one of my favorites,” she said and was relieved he wasn’t gloating.

“It’s kind of early yet. Maybe we can watch a movie first?”

That was a reasonable request, and she agreed. Together they picked out a classic Neil Simon movie from 1967, Barefoot in the Park. “Ooo…Robert Redford.” She sighed. “Another favorite.”

Tucked away in a corner was one of the biggest flat-screen TVs Savannah had ever seen. Riley noticed her stunned look. “It’s one hundred ten inches. They don’t come any bigger than this right now. The picture’s great too.”

Two oversized recliners were centered in front of the screen and they each sat down. Riley started the movie and within minutes Savannah was more relaxed and they were both laughing along with the story.

She kicked her sandals off and tucked her feet up on the chair beside her. Next she pulled the clip out of her hair so she could relax her head against the back of the comfortable chair. Looking to her right, she saw Riley was watching her. His expression was intense and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what was wrong. “Is everything okay?”

He didn’t answer right away.

“Riley?”

“I still have to decide what I get for winning those last two rounds,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.

Savannah nodded, hypnotized by the way his eyes had gone so dark.

“I’m going to combine them into one request,” he said, and it sounded more like a warning than a statement.

“Okay.” Her own voice was almost a breathy whisper.

Leaning closer, Riley’s eyes zeroed in on her lips before meeting her eyes. “Savannah?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to kiss you. Twice.”

“Oh.”

His hand snaked out and around her nape and slowly drew her closer to him. And then his lips touched hers and Savannah’s brain simply stopped functioning.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I'm not huge on books staring singers and rock stars, so I would have passed on this story if it wasn't part of a series I already love. Passing would have had me missing out on a wonderful story.

Savannah is a reporter and she is pulled off a prime assignment to interview Riley, who is taking a break from his band to make a solo album. Savannah is no fan of Riley's, but once they meet they really click. Riley comes up with the idea of taking Savannah to meet and interview his family, hoping they can run interference and help keep him from acting on his feelings.

I loved hanging out with this couple, they were fun. The night they spend at Riley's house in his games room is my idea of a perfect date. It was also great to spend more time with the Shaughnessy clan. The changes to Ian, the patriarch, has the family a little uncomfortable and it is quite amusing. I was particularly thrilled with the time we got to spend with Owen and I can't wait until he gets his own book.

If you are after a traditional romance that is funny, sexy but with no descriptive scenes, and will melt your heart, I'd recommend This is Our Song.

Also Available in The Shaughnessy Brothers Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Made for Us Blog Tour.

Book 2
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Love Walks In Blog Tour.

Book 3
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For reviews & more info, check out our Always My Girl post.

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Teaching creative writing to students from elementary through high school motivated Samantha to take that step as well. Since then, she has become a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Connect with Samantha

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of This Is Our Song (The Shaughnessy Brothers #4) by Samantha Chase to read and review for this tour.

Enjoy the Dance by Heidi Cullinan Blog Tour

Dance with your heart, and love will follow.

Kindergarten teacher Spenser Harris has carved a quiet, stable future out of his tumultuous past, but his world turns upside down the night a homeless teen appears on his doorstep—a boy whose story mirrors the one Spenser has worked so hard to overcome. The decision to shelter Duon is easy. What’s tricky is juggling the network of caregivers in Duon’s life, especially Tomás Jimenez.

Tomás wouldn’t have hesitated to take Duon in, but his plate is already full working three jobs to support his family. Though Spenser’s carefully constructed walls are clearly designed to keep the world at bay, Tomás pushes past Spenser’s defenses, determined to ensure the man is worthy of his charge. As the two of them grow closer, Tomás dares to dream of a life beyond his responsibilities, and Spenser begins to believe he might finally find a home of his own after all.

But Spenser and Tomás’s world is poised to crash around their ears. Duon’s grandmother isn’t sure she wants him to be raised by a gay man and challenges Spenser’s custody. Tomás’s undocumented parents could be deported at any time, and all the while the state of Minnesota votes on a constitutional amendment against marriage equality and the US Supreme Court debates whether or not Spenser and Tomás get a happily ever after. All they can do is hold tight to their love, hope for a better future…and remind each other to enjoy the dance.

Book 2
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Fast Facts – Foster Care in the US Part One

In Enjoy the Dance, the two main characters develop a relationship while taking care of a youth in crisis, and one of the possibilities for that youth is that he be placed in foster care. A lot of people know foster care exists, but beyond that things get hazy. You learn a little about foster care in the novel, but I wanted to give additional detail and some sources where you could find out even more. Part one of this series is here, and you can find part two at Books for Fun.

• There are approximately 415,000 children in foster care in the US. In 2014, over 650,000 children spent time in foster care.
• Not all children in foster care are waiting for adoption. The goal of foster care is, as often as possible, family reunification.
• On average, children remain in state care for nearly two years and seven percent of children in foster care remain there for five or more years.
• The average age of kids in care is 9.
• In 2014, more than half of children entering the US foster care system were young people of color.
• 14% of foster care children live in group homes, not family settings.
• In 2014 more than 60,000 children were waiting for adoption.
• In 2014 more than 22,000 young people aged out of foster care without permanent families, meaning they will be statistically more likely than the general population to experience homelessness, be unemployed, or incarcerated as adults.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is another wonderful story from Heidi Cullinan. Gentler than some of her books and definitely less raunchy than most, this is a very tender, sweet romance.

A former foster kid inadvertently turned foster carer, Spenser is an inspiring kindergarten teacher and a wonderfully gentle man. Tomás, his neighbour across the hall, is a worthy partner. He works three jobs to support his parents and his sister’s children, leaving very little time for himself.

I’m a foster carer myself and I read this book during an especially difficult week. Spenser’s experiences as a carer were familiar and completely believable. Spenser’s desperate early research, his fear of doing the wrong thing, and his delicate joy when fostering fledgling attachments were beautifully and realistically written. Duon might be a little too good to be true, but this story captures a carer’s fears and joys very honestly.

Even though there is very little sex in this story, the chemistry between Tomás and Spenser is fantastic. I loved the cautious, slow burn relationship and I loved the quiet, tender romance between these two.

The supporting characters in this book are brilliantly crafted – I loved Tomás’ family and I loved the families the two men created for themselves.

A tiny part of me wonders if this book needed to have such a clear political agenda. I share Heidi Cullinan’s political beliefs and I donate to and campaign for many of the same causes, but at times this book became more political commentary than love story. Reading this as a Canadian living in Europe, it was hard for me to believe how current the American fight for LGBT equality is. In that sense, this story is an important reminder to all of us to value our hard won freedoms.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M Romance
Triggers: DHS system (foster care)

This was a fairly feel good story. There was a lot going on, but I think that it all fit well within the story.

Spenser is kind of existing – he's not really living. While he's technically not out at work, he is out in life. What that really means is that he goes to work, loves what he does and is not willing to let the school he works for bully him in to being someone he isn't. However, I think that's exactly what he's doing. He's allowing the school's "rules" mandate how he acts at school.

With the political climate at an all-time high for the LGBT community, Spenser needs to pick his battles. When a scared kiddo comes and plops on his doorstep, Spenser can't help but want to help. Duon is a kiddo who is scared, angry, and is looking to his friend, Tomás, to help him in his desperate time. Who he finds is Spenser.

I really liked how Spenser was able to comfort Duon while he was in his state of crisis. You got to see a part of him that he hid from everyone else. You learn that Spenser's past is similar to Duon’s and that Spenser feels a sense of loyalty to him.

Tomás is working his tail off to support his family. He has a passion, but because of his family's situation, he has to take on far more than he should, and, in the process, put his dreams on hold. But, he has found a way to work in his passion too and with the help of friends, friends who own the studio where Tomás works, Tomás can help kids find their passion. Duon is one of those kids, and he and Tomás find a connection through dance that allows them to speak a language all their own.

The relationship that develops between Spenser and Tomás gives each character the boost in their self-esteem. Despite the fact that neither was really looking for a relationship – they found one in each other. Whether they are willing to work with their budding relationship – circumstances make it so that they learn to lean on each other, work together, and love Duon together.

Within this story, you get to see two family structures – they are different and yet, they both contain so much love that melding them is easy. The families want to support each other and grow, and while it might not be the traditional family structure, it works for them.

I like the resolution for Spenser – there was a lot up in the air for his life and he was able to resolve his feelings and family situation. Then Tomás' family was resolved in a great way too. I like how it wasn't all the sister's fault – that would have been too easy.

Overall, this was a sweet story.


Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I was late to the Heidi Cullinan party, so the first time I read Dance with Me, it was the revised edition almost a year ago to the day. Having fallen in love with Laurie and Ed, hoping that they would make an appearance in Enjoy the Dance, and because I enjoy Cullinan’s writing immensely, I jumped at the chance to read this book. Now that I’ve finished it, my only complaint is that it’s over. Just as book one left me wanting more Ed and Laurie, book two has left me wanting more Spenser, Tomás, and Duon. Yes, the family that Spenser manages to create for himself, first with Duon, then later with Tomás and Tomás’s family, is a beautiful one that I wasn’t ready to leave.

The beginning of Enjoy the Dance sucked me in immediately. At first, I didn’t realize who Duon was until I looked him up in book one. Truth be told, it didn’t matter that I’d already met him because it was Spenser’s immediate reaction to Duon’s presence, his willingness to help out someone he didn’t know, that hooked me and made my heart swell for both Spenser and Duon – and that was before I even learned why Spenser was driven to help Duon. Once Spenser offers Duon a place for the night with the intention of providing him a home long-term should Duon feel comfortable with it, explaining to Duon exactly why he’s willing to do this for someone he doesn’t know, I was gone for Spenser and I knew Tomás didn’t have a chance in Hades of resisting him. And I was right; however, I underestimated just how thin Tomás was stretched in his efforts to keep his parents in America, his nieces and nephews safe, and a roof over all their heads. Although not in the same way that it was for Ed and Laurie, dance helped bring Spenser and Tomás together. Watching Spenser strive to give Duon a safe place to call home and continued dance lessons was great, and it was made even better when Spenser was willing to sacrifice a bit of his own pride and face his own fears by agreeing to dance as well.

Novels like this are why I love reading romance. Cullinan is able to craft a tale that contains many obstacles along the way, including some that seem insurmountable, and in the end, she is able to pen a resolution that is perfect for the characters involved. In this case, it wasn’t just Spenser and Tomás who got a happy ending, but Duon, Tomás’s family, and those close to them. I loved the final chapter, how it showed how big Spenser’s family had grown, how large of a network of friends he now had, how bridges were being mended even as discriminatory laws went down in flames. The backyard celebration was a perfect way to end Enjoy the Dance – with everyone dancing with joy and love. It is my understanding that the author has another book planned to give Duon his chance to find love and I, for one, cannot wait to revisit this group of friends and witness Duon’s dance.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, and if you have not yet read Dance with Me, then you really should, it was beautiful. Some of the characters feature here, and we get to see how Ed and Laurie are now.

Spenser is a good man, one who has been done many wrongs, and who would do anything to prevent that repeating itself if he can. He is also struggling with the political issues at work. When Duon is the potential beneficiary of his permanent care and attention, he gets to spend more time with Tomás. As they juggle a myriad of problems, mostly relating to Tomás's family, and the politics surrounding gay marriage in Minnesota, they also find each other. Dancing remains an escape and a medium of expression, but in a different way than for Ed and Laurie.

This is a really heartwarming romance, with two men who are fighting for family, for rights, and ultimately, for each other.

Also Available in the Dancing Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Dance With Me post.

Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn't writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching television with her family. Find out more about Heidi on her website.

Connect with Heidi

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Enjoy the Dance (Dancing #2) by Heidi Cullinan to read and review for this tour.

Adulting 101 by Lisa Henry

The struggle is real.

Nick Stahlnecker is eighteen and not ready to grow up yet. He has a summer job, a case of existential panic, and a hopeless crush on the unattainable Jai Hazenbrook. Except how do you know that your coworker’s unattainable unless you ask to blow him in the porta-potty?

That’s probably not what Dad meant when he said Nick should act more like an adult.

Twenty-five-year-old Jai is back in his hometown of Franklin, Ohio, just long enough to earn the money to get the hell out again. His long-term goal of seeing more of the world is worth the short-term pain of living in his mother’s basement, but only barely.

Meeting Nick doesn’t fit in with Jai’s plans at all, but, as Jai soon learns, you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to have the adventure of a lifetime.

This is not a summer romance. This is a summer friendship-with-benefits. It’s got pizza with disgusting toppings, Netflix and chill, and accidental exhibitionism. That’s all. There are no feelings here. None. Shut up.

Buy Links

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Riptide Publishing

Note to Readers

We debated whether or not to publish the post for Adulting 101 on our Young Adult blog. While we strive to provide reading recommendations that are appropriate for most young adult readers 12 and older and keeping the blog free of adult content in order to achieve this, there are times when we discover a book that walks that fine line between young adult and new adult.

Adulting 101 is one such book – we consider it neither truly young adult, nor truly new adult, but rather a coming of age story. It is because of this that we ultimately decided to share it on our YA blog, despite the sexual content. We feel the challenges that Nick faces will resonate with older teens as they are expected to begin making the choices for their future, especially for those in their junior and senior years of high school. Because of sexual content, we recommend Adulting 101 for teens 16 and older, but strongly encourage parents of mature younger teens to read the book to assess for themselves if it’s appropriate for your child. We feel that there is much in Nick’s and Jai’s story that teens will relate to irrespective of the characters’ sexual orientation – issues the supersede sexuality and are common to most young adults as they transition from high school to… and that’s the crux of the issue, deciding what you want to do with your life when you’re expected to begin Adulting.

And parents, we think many of you could probably benefit from reading Adulting 101 as well. It’s not always easy to remember what it was like when we faced that transition ourselves, and Lisa Henry has done an impressive job of reminding us of the pressure and feelings we experienced through this wonderfully awkward coming of age tale.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Adulting 101 is hilarious! 18-year-old Nick is completely believable and it was great to read such a realistic character – he has no idea what he wants to do with this life and only enrolled in college because that is what is expected.

The story is a snapshot of the months of Nick's life between high school and college, but it isn't just Nick's story, it is Jai's as well. Jai is 25 years old and comes home every summer to work and earn enough money to travel all over the world. His life starts to change after Nick offers to blow him in the port-a-loo at work.

Nick and Jai form a friends with benefits arrangement that grows over the summer. I love the way this story depicts the life of young adults, some who don't know what they want, others that do, but everyone living their lives, having fun, making mistakes, and learning. This is such an uplifting story that shows there is more than one way to happiness.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Let me preface this review by stating I was warned prior to starting by Wicked Read's mistress, worried I may struggle in the beginning of Adulting 101, for the simple fact I'm one of the most serious people you'll meet (stick up the bum), and also the hardest to please (recommendation-wise). But she said it was geeky awkwardness, and I told her the book and I would get along just fine. Geek: check. Awkward: check. So with slight trepidation, I dived in.

From word-one, I spent the entirety of the novel with my palm covering my face. See, I was reading it in the presence of others, and I blush as easily and as red as Nick does. My face was emoting, and I'm happy the sound of the TV was covering my random outbursts of laughter. The book is not over the top, but if you get Nick, you'll find it awkwardly endearing and hilarious if you have an ounce of Nick's personality in you.

Adulting 101 is without a doubt a coming-of-age story. Nick is set to go to college in the fall, all by himself. His mother is nesting by getting him packed and making sure he has all the necessary supplies. His father is distancing himself because he doesn't know his son. Nick is leaving behind his codependent BFF, Devon, and embarking on a future he chose at random because he thought it what he was supposed to do.

But is it the right path for Nick? Yeah, that's what he'd like to know too.

Nick's dad forces him to get a job answering phones for a contractor, and Nick falls in love with the stapler and the hot guy doing all the manual labor. Jai.

Port-a-Potty: I sat with my hands over my face, shaking my head left and right, and laughing while reading that. Nick reminded me of me at that age, to tell the truth. Daughter of a contractor who had no idea what she wanted to do with her life (I chose the wrong path because I felt it was the right thing to do, FYI. Took until my 30s to escape and find the right path for me), but I had the joy of doing the manual labor instead of the cushy desk job, because my dad got sick of me sitting on my butt all summer long. Nick and I bonded in that moment, and I was taken for a train wreck of a journey for the rest of the novel.

Train wreck, our Nick. I seriously couldn't look away, finding it the most hilarious and precious thing ever. For realz.

Jai is worldly, both in the sense that he is 25 to Nick's newly minted 18, and has been to over 40 countries in his quest to run away. Jai's family is hilarious and warm and inviting in the opposite of the way Nick's family behaves. I liked the balance. Not that there was anything wrong with Nick's family – they were learning how to shift into being the parents of an adult child and didn't know how to stop parenting.

That moment when Nick comes home to find his mother going through his closet to pack his clothing... I just about lost my S**T. Been there, done that, same feeling of betrayal, invasion, and powerlessness – the need to lash out to get them out of your territory. Yeah, Nick and I *crosses fingers*.

The novel itself was at a swift pace, with supportive, loving side characters who were a blast to read and enjoy. Nick and Jai were total opposites, and I enjoyed their banterific dialogue and inner monologues. It felt real and fresh, and I didn't want it to end.

Me *points at self* stick up the bum girl that I am, who doesn't 5 star books often, actually put this gem on her favorites shelf. I did.

Lisa Henry, are you going to write another awkward boy working at the pizza parlor for next summer? That would freakin' rock!

Recommended for those who love a novel straddling the fine line between Young Adult and New Adult, with some lusty awkwardness and sexy time, realistic humor that makes you laugh at yourself, and takes you back to a time when you struggled with your place in the world. Heck, I'm 38 and still have no clue.

Footnote: So I got to the end of the book and continued on to find out what else Lisa Henry has published. The very last book had my jaw hitting the floor. For serious. Another book which I've reviewed. A very, very DARK book. An anthology where I gave 4&5 stars depending on the short story. A disturbingly dark book not for everyone but felt yet again tailor-made for me. Bravo *claps* on writing two amazing books on the opposite of the spectrum. Wow. My mind immediately veered to Nick being sucked into the Stealing Innocents universe and I had a mini-panic attack. *pets Nick's hair*

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.

Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn't know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she's too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.

She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.

She shares her house with too many cats, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.

Connect with Lisa

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Adulting 101 by Lisa Henry to read and review.

Desire After Dark by Marie Force

Tobias “Slim” Jackson has the perfect life as a pilot on Gansett Island in the summer and in Florida in the winter. He’s happiest when he’s in the air, or at least that was the case before last summer when he met Erin Barton, Gansett Island’s newest lighthouse keeper. Now he can’t seem to find his usual enthusiasm for flying, winter in the sunny South or anything that doesn’t include her.

Erin has been stuck on pause since she lost her twin brother. She’ll tell you herself that her life has been a hot mess since Toby died. After dropping out of law school, she’s flitted from one pointless job to another, existing rather than truly living. Then she comes to Gansett Island to take over as the new lighthouse keeper and meets Slim, who happens to share her beloved brother’s first name. That small coincidence is enough to convince Erin that she needs to spend more time with the dashing pilot—except for the fact that he’s spending the winter more than a thousand miles from her.

Now Slim’s come home to Gansett for the holidays and to hopefully pick up where he left off with Erin. He’s got twelve days before he’s due back in Florida to finish out the remainder of his winter obligations. A lot can happen in twelve days, but will it be enough to convince Erin that it’s time to start truly living again? Read Slim and Erin’s story and catch up with the rest of the Gansett Island cast in Desire After Dark!

Book 15
Buy Links

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On 50 Books and 50 Years: Things I Know for Sure
Marie Force

This week marks a major milestone in my publishing career. Desire After Dark is my 50^th book, and it releases 17 days before my 50^th birthday. To those who would ask, I didn’t plan that. Like many things in this life, it just sort of worked out that way. I wish I could say I’d written a book a year, but in fact most of them have been written in the last five frantic years that have gone by like a flash.

I thought this 50-50 combination platter was a good time to reflect on what I’ve learned writing 50 books and living for a half century. (God, it sounds DREADFUL when I put it that way!) So in no particular order, here’s what I know for sure halfway through my life. Note to my kids: I intend to stick around for the entire second 50, so batten down the hatches.

1. I’m acutely and painfully aware that too many of my high school classmates didn’t live to be 50, so I’m thankful for every day I’ve spent on the right side of the ground. I’m not planning on indulging in a middle-age funk or crisis or anything like that because being 50 certainly beats the alternative.

2. I’ve accepted that my arms are never going to look like Michelle Obama’s guns. I’m learning to live with that and letting them out to see the world more often than I used to, taking comfort in the fact that they are still smaller than my thighs. I’ve also learned that eating salt and vinegar potato chips makes me happy, so I will continue to eat them in my second 50 years. This is nonnegotiable as is my relentless war against all forms of chin hair.

3. My mom had a magnet on her fridge declaring that FIFTY IS PRIME TIME. I believe that. This time next year, my youngest will graduate from high school and next fall he will head off to college, leaving his parents with now two empty bedrooms and hearts full of memories. In my fifties, I’ll be able to do just about anything I want any time I want. If that’s not PRIME TIME, I don’t know what is.

4. That said, being a mother has been the greatest thrill ride of my life. There is, simply, nothing better in my world than my two wonderful kids, who are both better people than I could ever hope to be. No matter what they do or don’t do or achieve, all I care about is that they are healthy and happy and productive. The rest is up to them, and I can’t wait to see what they get done while I sit in my tub and eat bon bons, knowing I was never a perfect mother, but I always tried to be a fun mom and I did my very best for them always.

5. Family is everything. Parents, siblings, cousins, close family, extended family—if you got lucky in the family department like I did, then you know what I mean. They know you better than anyone and don’t let you get away with anything, which is actually a good thing—until they tell people you look like Nick Nolte’s mug shot in the morning with photographic evidence to prove their point. I’m grateful for the brother who has traveled all but one year of this journey with me as well as our posse of cousins who made us feel like we had a huge family when it was only the two of us.

6. I honestly believe the outcome of your entire life can be determined by who you are born to. I was born to two of the best, and they are as much responsible for the life I have today as I am.

7. Friends who stick with you through bad times—and good—are worth holding on to. Everyone is there for the bad times. The ones who show up during the especially good times, who share in your joy selflessly and without reservation, are the people you want on your journey with you. I have been enormously blessed in the friend department.

8. I also got lucky in the husband department. We don’t always see eye to eye (what fun would that be?), but I always know I can count on him and so do our kids. He gives me Valentine’s Day cards that say things like “I’m still not sick of you,” which is the perfect sort of card for the nonromantic romance author. And his family is rather awesome, too.

9. I’m grateful every day for the series of fortunate events that led to my career as an author. If you had told me at 40 that THIS would be 50, I probably would’ve laughed myself senseless at your delusions of grandeur on my behalf. However… Here I am with 50 titles to my name, 5 million books sold, 22 times on the New York Times list, my closest friends and family members working with me, a new house that Mac McCarthy bought for my family and a life that five years after it happened still feels like a dream in progress. For that I thank the readers who’ve taken my books to heart and me along with them. You have made all of this happen, and I never lose sight of that fact. I’ve also learned that never allowing myself to be entirely satisfied with where I am at the moment can lead to new challenges that broaden and expand my sense of the possible.

10. I have learned that I can do just about everything right, be the best possible friend/family member/colleague/author (fill in your own blank) I know how to be, and it won’t be enough for some people. What I know at 50 is that I’ll never make everyone happy. I’ve learned to be okay with that and to know FOR SURE that if I can make myself and those who matter most to me a little happy every day, then I’m doing something right. And that is more than enough for me.

Here’s to the next 50 books and the next 50 years. As Sam Holland would say, bring it on.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is one of a long series, with many families intertwined in marriage and relationships. I have read a number of them, but I must admit not all. Sometimes I recognise that I may miss some nuance, but there are plenty of reminders of who is with who, and why! – so no real need to worry.

Although this book concentrates on Erin and Slim, we in fact get lots of loose ends tied up and plenty of fun and family times, as well as some hot and steamy snippets of couples at play. Erin has been hiding away for a long time, and needed someone very special to break through some heavily reinforced barriers – it is such a pleasure watching Slim do exactly that – and even she is rooting for him to succeed! All of the books in the series are different, each character brings their own issues to the island, and each solution is different – except in that the love of someone special can make all the difference. This is a great reminder of that – and of how life is for the living...

Thank you Ms. Force for another winning book in the series.

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of 50 contemporary romance novels, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold more than 2.3 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold more than 1.2 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Green Mountain Series as well as the new erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. Marie has sold more than 5 million books worldwide.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Connect with Marie

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Desire After Dark (The McCarthys of Gansett Island #15) by Marie Force to read and review.