Extraordinary Things by Beth Bolden Release Blitz

Leo and Caleb have been through hell—addiction, destruction, and even a five year separation—but they’ve come through on the other side with their love stronger than ever.

Caleb knows he’s earned Leo’s forgiveness. He wants to believe he deserves it, but just when Leo needs him more than ever, a voice in his head insists that maybe he doesn't. It’s so loud, he can't block it out. So loud, he’d do anything to silence it.

Including risking everything he and Leo, and the rest of Star Shadow, have built together.

Extraordinary Things is a continuation of Leo and Caleb's love story from Terrible Things. It should not be read as a standalone.

Book 4
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“If you don't want to buy another house, you just need to tell me,” Leo said, and then wiggled out of Caleb's grasp, walking over to their big oversized walk-in closet. “Then I'll tell the realtor,” he said, his voice muffled. “But I feel stupid going to look at all these great places, when you end up hating all of them.”

“I don't hate them,” Caleb said quietly. That was true. He didn't hate them. There wasn't even anything really wrong with them, but there was this voice that kept telling him it was a mistake to move. A mistake to buy a new house, even though they had enough cash they could buy ten houses. “I just like this one.”

“I do too.” Leo walked out of the closet, wearing only a pair of skintight briefs, leaving nothing to the imagination and sending Caleb's pulse through the stratosphere. His voice and expression had softened, and Caleb thought if he kissed Leo, he wouldn't push him away. Not now. “I just wouldn't mind having some additional space.”

“Maybe,” Caleb said, clearing his throat as he began to unbutton his own shirt, “maybe we could look into an addition.”

Leo gave him a soft, chiding look, like he could see right through Caleb, straight into him, into all those ugly places that he tried to hide, and tried to hide from. “Maybe,” he said. Even though they both knew perfectly well that there was no extra room on their small, beachfront lot for an addition. If they wanted a bigger house, they would need to buy one. But for right now, Leo seemed to have let the problem go, and so Caleb decided that now when they had so much to celebrate, what was the point of continuing to argue about it? They'd figure it out—someday, anyway, Caleb reasoned.

“Hey,” Caleb said, shucking his shirt and reaching for Leo again, his hands sliding up his soft curves, reveling in the way his skin felt against his hands. “Hey, let's go to bed.”

Leo gave him a sly, lopsided smile, reaching up and intertwining his fingers through his curls, pulling Caleb down so their lips were nearly touching. “And what do you think I was trying to do, this whole damn time?”

“Torture me?”

“Maybe just a little,” Leo acknowledged, raising himself up so their eyes were nearly level. That deep, endless blue was something that Caleb had gotten lost in for the first time at the age of sixteen, and he'd never ever gotten over it—and the truth was, he never ever wanted to. Leo was as much a part of him as his red hair or his too-big hands or his mediocre ability to play the bass. Even when they'd been separated, and it had been years since he'd seen Leo, there'd always been a part of him yearning to be with him again, to feel that hot wild blue gaze wash over him, calming and exciting him, somehow all at the same time.

“I love you,” Caleb said, even though the words didn't feel like enough to possibly explain the feelings surging through him. Love and lust and tenderness and winding through all of that, a golden thread of abject gratitude.

Leo was the toughest person Caleb knew—the most relentless, and possibly the least forgiving person on the planet. So if he'd forgiven Caleb, and they'd moved on, that must mean Caleb deserved that forgiveness.

“You look,” Leo said thoughtfully, tapping a finger on Caleb's bottom lip, “you look like you're not thinking of what you should be thinking about.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars of redemption and recovery

This is the fourth book in the series, and most definitely needs the context of the earlier books to be fully appreciated. Having said that, a lot of the book involves Caleb revisiting events in the past, which could be useful if it was a while since you read the earlier stories, but at times I found superfluous.

It may just have been my mood when I read this, but I realised that I really had been happy with things as they were at the end of Hazardous Things... although even in Hazardous Things it was clear that Leo and Caleb still had some issues. Usually I am sad when I have to imagine what happened after the happily ever after, but here, my illusions of happiness were well and truly shattered. So I realised that maybe using my imagination is perhaps a better option!

I did love when we get the band together and see how their lives have moved forward, but seeing the pain caused by Caleb's insecurities and his acceptance of the changes in his life, the love that Leo most definitely has for him... it was tough. It may be due to the current climate, or some hang up of mine, but in a way, this time it was hard work getting to the end of the story through all the angst. One day I will read all four in a go and possibly feel quite differently about the contribution this one makes to the whole.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
I’ve really enjoyed the Star Shadow stories but I’m not entirely sure this fourth book really adds anything to the series. Leo and Caleb enjoyed their happily ever after in the first story and we’ve had glimpses of their developing relationship in the second and third book. I like them happy and I didn’t love revisiting them as their relationship starts to crack.

I have two real issues with this book. The first is that I didn’t love all the scenes that retell scenes from the first book from Caleb’s perspective. I don’t think it added anything new and I kept wanting to get on with the current story. Probably a third or even half of the book replays moments from earlier in Caleb and Leo’s lives – and none of the replays are new. My second issue is that the conflict between Caleb and Leo in this book seems contrived. After the first few chapters, I wasn’t really sure why they weren’t getting on and why they weren’t sharing a bed. I feel like the author needed conflict to base the book around but as a reader, all I knew was that Leo was upset, then Caleb was upset – and I’m still not sure why.

I enjoyed the Vegas wedding and the interactions between the band members. Honestly, the parts of the book I liked most involved the other band members – not the overblown angst between Leo and Caleb. Ultimately, I don’t think this book was necessary. It doesn’t really add to the series – if anything, it detracts from the satisfying happily ever after in Leo and Caleb’s first book.

Also Available in the Star Shadow Series

Book 3
Buy Links

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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Hazardous Things Release Blitz.

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. 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 seventeen novels and six novellas.

Connect with Beth

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

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Extraordinary Things (Star Shadow #4) by Beth Bolden to read and review for this tour.

Hazardous Things by Beth Bolden Release Blitz

Felix Humphries can’t even remember the first time he crushed on Star Shadow’s drummer, Max McCloud.

It’s been an embarrassingly long time, but he’s still never acted on his feelings. One, because Max is his older brother’s best friend. Two, because Max is also his friend. Three, Max is technically his boss. And four, worst of all, Max is straight.

But when Max unexpectedly needs a caretaker for a few weeks, Felix can’t leave his friend in the lurch. He’s all ready to suffer through being so close but not close enough, when the unexpected happens.

Max isn’t straight after all, and what Max wants is Felix—but only in his bed, not in his heart.

Hazardous Things is the third book in the Star Shadow series and should not be read as a standalone.

Book 3
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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

When Felix came back into Max’s room, the nurse in tow, Max was still awake. He was staring out the window, a harmless drugged smile on his face.

“He’s gonna sleep for a while,” the nurse said, “at least when you get him back home.”

“I’m assuming he’s better off sleeping than being coherent and in pain,” Felix said quietly.

“Oh yeah,” the nurse said. “There’s prescriptions for the pain. And it’ll be significant. Make sure he takes them. If he doesn’t, it’s going to be real uncomfortable for both of you.”

“That won’t be a problem. I’m staying with him,” Felix said. After all, once he committed to something, he committed to it.

“I see you’re awake again,” the nurse said, going over to Max’s side. “How you feel about taking off?”

“Home,” Max repeated firmly.

“That’s right,” the nurse said, and after donning a pair of gloves, began to work on getting the IV out of Max’s arm.

Felix wasn’t exactly squeamish—he’d better not be, anyway, considering that the nurse had already gone over Max’s care instructions and he would definitely be the one changing the surgical dressing and making sure it stayed clean—but it was hard to watch when it was Max. When it was someone he cared about as much as he did Max.

Especially when Felix saw Max flinch.

“Hey,” Felix said, reaching for Max’s other hand and tangling those long, calloused fingers with his own. There’d been a point when he’d have cut off his other hand just to hold hands with the man in front of him, but he couldn’t think about that now. Now, he needed to distract Max from the IV being removed.

“Heeeeey,” Max said, and that was definitely not what Felix had expected. Was that... a leer?

“Hi yourself,” Felix said, squeezing Max’s hand.

Max raised their joined hands and brushed them against Felix’s forehead. “Pretty,” he said. “So pretty.”

Felix ordered himself not to blush, but it was useless. He glanced up, and the nurse was looking at them. “Your brother, huh?” she asked, amusement in her voice.

He squirmed. “My brother’s best friend,” he finally confessed. He’d been worried that they wouldn’t let him stay in the waiting room during the surgery or wouldn’t let him in to see Max in recovery if he wasn’t a family member, so he’d fudged the truth a little.

“Ah, that kind of brother,” the nurse said, her voice knowing.

Even though Felix wanted to explain it couldn’t ever be like that, because Max wouldn’t ever be interested in him that way, he didn’t, because it was already humiliating enough that his crush was visible from space.

When this ordeal was over, the only person on earth who didn’t know was going to be Max himself—and Felix would do just about anything to keep it that way.

“I’m just about done here,” she continued. “Just keep him distracted for a moment longer.”

Max’s hazel eyes were speckled with green in this light, unfocused and utterly focused on Felix all at the same time.

“Hey, it’s gonna be alright,” Felix said, his voice so much more tender than he’d intended. If he looked up, he might see quiet amusement on the nurse’s face, but he didn’t look, because he was finding it tough to look away from Max.

“Alright?” Max repeated, but he didn’t sound certain. At least not certain enough for Felix’s peace of mind. Even if this was hard—even if it felt impossible—to be there for Max over the next few weeks, he knew deep down in his bones that it was the right thing to do. Max was alone and understandably, justifiably scared—and even if there was never anything more than friendship between them, Felix wanted to be the one who reassured him.

“It’s going to be more than alright,” Felix promised. Promised himself that he would do whatever it took to make this vow come true.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series and would be best read in order. Star Shadow is finally off tour and in fact, taking a break... not that these men all understand what a break really means. For Felix, the band's manager/PA, it means going with his brother, Leo, and Caleb, to relax, but to ensure that they keep talking to each other. For Max, things are a little more complicated as he needs ACL surgery. Suddenly Felix is going to have to forgo his trip to Fiji, and spend time with his long-time crush and the best friend he has been trying to avoid to save his heart... because he can't let Max down, even if it is going to be a tough few weeks.

Poor Felix is always doing the right thing by everyone and yet, is always in the shadows. He has had to watch his long-time crush have the odd fling – always with women – and accept that he needs to protect himself. Now he is going to have to be very close and personal as he helps him shower, dress, etc. after surgery. But somehow Max gets into his head that maybe they should explore having a hookup... it is everything Felix ever wanted, and yet seems like it will be just an experiment for Max – can he survive that?

As we see the two of them come to terms with a new reality, and the amusement that any of their friends has at them finally working out their place in each other's lives, we hope that they can get it right. Though not in the cards immediately, but with everyone intent on making them see the obvious, there is definitely hope – and in the meantime, they do some pretty passionate experimenting!

Troubling times expected in the next installment it would seem, but I will really enjoying seeing a happier Felix and Max!


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

Max is Star Shadow’s drummer, and Felix is the band’s PA and Leo’s younger brother. Max and Felix have been best friends for years, but Felix has always hidden his true feelings for his straight best friend.

This is a gentle and predictable read. Readers have observed the complicated relationship between Max and Felix since the first book, so the relationship isn’t surprising. There aren’t any complex dramas in the story – Felix helps Max recover after routine knee surgery. Max is a little bit stubborn and Felix is a fabulous nurse. The sexual tension between the two men builds beautifully – and I almost bought into the gay-for-you storyline.

Like the first two books, this is a sexy, steamy read with some fun rock star details. I don’t love the poor communication that provides the conflict in this book – Max and Felix are supposed to be best friends and their inability to communicate undermines their supposed closeness. But this is an easy, entertaining romance with very likeable characters.

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. 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 seventeen novels and six novellas.

Connect with Beth

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hazardous Things (Star Shadow #3) by Beth Bolden to read and review for this tour.