Starting from Scratch by Jay Northcote Blog Tour

Starting over isn't easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.

Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He's starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he'll have to disclose his secret.

Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants--in the short term at least. Ben's guarded at first, and Sid's not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben's defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.

It doesn't matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He's attracted to the whole person, and isn't worried about what is--or isn't--in Ben's pants. They're good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben's insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he's committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?

Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.

Book 5
Buy Links

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~ Available on KindleUnlimited ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
To be honest, I was slightly apprehensive about reading this installment of the Housemates series. I've struggled with transgender storylines in the past, as they usually were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Either just riding on the surface – failing to elicit true human emotion, sometimes vapid or way off base – or informational to the point the story is lost.

Jay Northcote wrote a beautiful transgender story, featuring the perfect mix of emotion and reality, with flawless fluidity of information, without coming off as preachy or textbook. It was a true look inside the mind of a FtM transgender male, with layers of emotion that had me thinking and empathizing.

Ben made a few New Year's resolutions, no longer wanting his fear to hold him back in the friendship and romance department. In walks Sid – and as they say, the rest is just history. The couple had an instant connection, attraction, and a need to get to know one another on a deeper level. The romance was sweet, realistic, and the sex was not only hot, but informational.

With all my raving – because I doubt I'll read another transgender book that delved so deeply and accurately into the complex facets as Starting from Scratch did – why am I only giving a 4-star rating?

Truthfully, I just needed a bit more in the plot department to keep me fully engaged. While I was empathizing and fascinated with the complexity of Ben's character, I needed a bit more than scenes of romantic interludes. While it was a comfort not to have a bunch of miscommunication and unnecessary strife causing me to stress out, I needed a kick of something. What? I have no idea. Just something. Faster pacing, I guess. The book wasn't written just for me, obviously, but that's the reason for the four stars instead of five.

I look forward to whatever Jay Northcote publishes next. I highly recommend this title for anyone interested in transgender romance, especially those like me who were put off a bit by the lack of authenticity in other transgender books or those who have never read a single book with this type of storyline. Most importantly, for those who are transgender – a book that accurately represents the struggles, emotion, and fears.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
Finally – a genuinely sexy and fun trans romance. I’m a huge fan of the series, but after reading too many terrible attempts at trans romance recently, I was a bit wary of this one. I shouldn’t have been. This is another wonderful addition to the series.

Ben’s New Year’s resolution is to become more sociable and less shy with new people. He hasn’t had a sexual partner for nearly three years and he knows he needs to be braver. I loved his awkward, tentative confidence with his new body.

Sid was introduced to us in earlier books as Jude’s ex-boyfriend. Here he is a slightly reformed party boy who finds himself shocked by how hard and how quickly he falls for Ben. If Ben is shy and awkward, Sid has confidence for them both. I love the way he puts Ben at ease and patiently waits for Ben to grow comfortable with him. As with each of the books in this series, the magic in this book is the combination of powerful sexual chemistry and a genuine friendship between two characters who feel incredibly real.

This is fun, playful, and very steamy. The characters are believably new adult and their lives will be immediately familiar to anyone who ever lived a student life. I love that Ben’s gender identity doesn’t dominate this story. He is a guy who falls for another guy. He’s a guy who lives with a bunch of other guys. Once a little initial awkwardness is quickly dispelled, we’re back to the raunchy sex we expect from this series. And Jay Northcote writes sex like no one else can.

This series continues to be a wonderful guilty pleasure. I love the housemates and I love catching up with couples from earlier books in each new story. This is the first time I’ve read an ‘easy’ trans romance – one where a trans characters is sexy, interesting, and easily accepted. I really loved it and once again, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is only the second book in the series that I have read and I am kicking myself for not reading the other books yet. There wasn't one bad thing about this book. I was hooked from the beginning and loved every minute of it. I can't recall ever reading a book dealing with a transgender person, not sure why, I guess I either never looked or came across one before now. I loved Ben and Sid and how they took it kind of slow, but not snail slow. I loved how Sid accepted Ben because he liked him, not for what he had in his pants. Great story and even better characters. Absolutely loved this book!

Also Available in the Housemates Series

Book 4
Buy Links

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~ Available on KindleUnlimited ~

For review & more info, check out our stop on the Watching and Wanting Blog Tour.

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

Connect with Jay

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Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Starting from Scratch (Housemates #5) by Jay Northcote to read and review for this tour.

Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter

When Zachary Hall leaves Utah for a job in Washington, it’s finally his chance to live as a gay man and maybe find someone special. In a bar he meets Thomas Scarborough, a man who seems perfect in and out of the bedroom. But Thomas never dates. He never even sleeps with the same man twice. Despite their instant connection, he can offer Zachary only his friendship, and Zachary is looking for more.

Thomas is tempted to break his own rules, but years before, he became the victim of a stalker who nearly destroyed his life. Even though his stalker died, Thomas obsessively keeps others at a distance. Despite his fascination with Zachary, he is unable to lower his barriers. Frustrated, Zachary accepts he will never have what he wants with Thomas and soon finds it with another man.

But young gay men in Washington, DC, are being murdered, and the victims all have a connection to Thomas. Once again someone is watching Thomas’s every move. Can it be a coincidence? When the depraved killer turns his attention toward Zachary, Thomas must face the demons of his past—or lose his chance to open his heart to Zachary forever.

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Zachary and Thomas have a typical beginning. They met at a bar. Zachary is newly out in public with his self-worth tied to his parents, who are deeply homophobic. Now that Zachary is out of their clutches, he can really start being himself. On a dare, he goes to Mata Hari and finds himself befriended by Joe, Randy, and Terry. What he doesn't realize is that they are also walking towards Thomas – a man who Zachary had been staring at since he was so beautiful.

Thomas is complicated. He's scared, lonely, and angry. A few years back, he was stalked and his family essentially threw him out because his "status" was inconveniencing their business. So, he picked up, moved, and found a new life. He has great friends and a job he likes. But he's lonely. He only allows himself to have one-night stands because of his history – the stalker really threw him for a loop, especially since it was someone who he knew due to his family connections.

Randy is a protective friend of Thomas'. I really enjoyed his character and thought that he brought great perspective to the case, Thomas' life, and loved his bar. I hope that he gets a story somewhere along the way.

Then you have Rumson... What a twisted, sick creature. He was crazy to his core and the fact that he was able to stalk for so long – whew! Kind of a mind blower! I won't say too much because it gives it away, but I will say that I wish we had seen more of the "after." People needed to be put in the spotlight and I wish we could have gotten to see that.

Overall, this was a great story with a twisted, crazy bad guy.

ROBERT WINTER is a recovering lawyer who likes writing about hot men in love much more than drafting a legal brief. He left behind the (allegedly) glamorous world of an international law firm to sit in his home office and dream up ways to torment his characters until they realize they are perfect for each other.

Robert divides his time between Washington, DC, and Provincetown, MA. He splits his attention between Andy, his partner of fifteen years, and Ling the Adventure Cat, who likes to fly in airplanes and explore the backyard jungle as long as the temperature and humidity are just right.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter to read and review.

Sand Trap by L.M. Somerton

Exposing secrets can be lethal.

Crow has had his eye on baby-faced Shelton since the young man became part of the Wyverns, but Crow is a committed Dom and unsure that Shelton is ready, or willing, to become his submissive. Getting trapped together during a dust storm provides an opportunity to find out.

When the dust settles, the winds have scoured the desert and uncovered a shallow grave full of bodies. Smuggling people across the border is big business and Crow knows that the traffickers will not want their gruesome secret revealed to the authorities.

When Shelton is taken and used as collateral, Crow and the Wyverns have to decide just how far they are prepared to go to serve justice and save Shelton’s life.

Book 4
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I have not read any other books in this series. I don’t think I missed out on anything; I could follow along, but I am curious and will go back and check them out. This was a short book about Crowe and Shelton. Shelton has liked Crowe for a while, but doesn't think Crowe notices him. When Crowe says they are going on a camping trip, Shelton is over the moon. The best day of Shelton’s life turns into the worse. This was a short but fast read with a happily ever after.

Also Available in The Wyverns Series

Book 3
Buy Links

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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Rattrap post.

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Sand Trap (The Wyverns #4) by L.M. Somerton to read and review.

Bombshell by CD Reiss

From New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss, a standalone romance about a nanny, a Hollywood star, and a love they never expected.

Hollywood bad boy Brad Sinclair always gets his way, whether it’s the role he wants or the bikini-clad model he has to have. But when a bombshell gets dropped in his lap in the form of a dimpled five-year-old from a forgotten relationship, he knows his life is about to change forever.

Cara DuMont isn’t exactly thrilled when she gets assigned to be the nanny for the latest box-office king. She has one rule: no celebrity fathers, especially single ones with devilish good looks and rock-hard abs.

But as soon as Cara meets Brad and his adorable little girl, she knows she’s in for a world of trouble. Because there’s something about the way Brad looks at her that makes her believe that some rules are meant to be broken…

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

Blakely is an amazing friend. Despite some questionable choices early on, which you can chalk up to learning experiences with a douche bag, Blakely never lets Cara down.

Cara is a nanny – she loves her job, but understands the politics of it too. Even though Cara is very professional, she's also not afraid to tell parents how bad they mess up – in a professional manner. But she's also amazing at keeping secrets.

Nicole is the daughter that Brad never knew about, but is in his life now, due to her mother's death. While he's still trying to figure out how to become a dad, Cara saves the day during a messy situation. While Cara has vowed not to work in the industry, she's pulled in by Brad and his daughter for a temporary contract.

Despite their best intentions, temporary doesn't really work. With the spotlight comes people always taking your photo and those photos are bound to be released. Let's just say that there is drama. I did think that this story was somewhat drawn out, but in the end, it goes where it needs to.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
There were a lot of aspects of this book and most of them were well developed and written. Bombshell is actually Alex's unknown daughter, who was dropped in his life after her mother was killed in a car accident. Alex's PA and former girlfriend, Paula, has nicknamed her Bombshell and treats her as if she is contagious – but only when Alex is not looking.

Cara is a nanny, a well sought after one, who can usually have her pick of assignments. What she doesn't want is to be a part of a celebrity household, she has no desire to be a part of that world. That is, until a little girl named Nicole, crying in a bathroom, steals a part of her heart.

This is a story told from alternating view points and I'm interested to see who is the subject of the next book.


Rachael – ☆☆☆☆☆
Another awesome book by CD Reiss. I really enjoyed the story of Brad and Cara. Watching Brad learn how to be a father and figuring out just what is important to him was really fun. I loved the ball-busting, tow-the-line Cara as well.

I love that we get to see that everyone is not perfect, both normal people and celebrities. Things don't always go as planned and mistakes made in the past follow us for a long time.

Cara falls for Nicole, the little girl that is unceremoniously thrown into Brad's fast-paced, party filled life. Cara didn't want the job, but when she is demanded by both daughter and father, she gives it a go, hoping she can leave her friend behind with the job after a short time. Too bad she falls hard for the little girl as well as the father.

I absolutely loved every part of this book and the unique way we got to see how being famous isn't so easy and how much it affects someone's life as well as anyone who comes in contact with them.

Way to go Ms. Reiss. Another great read.


Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
I adore author CD Reiss. I've read everything she puts out, so when this came up for review I jumped at the chance. This is a new series, first book. I really like the premise. It's Hollywood Nannies and their high-profile bosses and Hollywood elite people.

I loved Brad Sinclair's character. He's the new, hot star in the scene, rose up from nothing. Good old boy from Arkansas makes it big. He finds out he has a daughter, Nicole, when her mother dies in a tragic accident. Little Nicole lands in his life like a bombshell. What does Brad Sinclair know about raising a kid? He's the Hollywood play and party boy! While trying to find a new nanny job, Cara is at the office with her agent and is helping her friend and fellow nanny try to clean up a mess poor little Nicole had in the bathroom. Cara seems to be the only person Nicole will stop crying for and Brad decides he needs her in his new father life, NOW! Cara doesn't work for single daddies, too much can go wrong! Just look at what happened to her friend, Blakely, she's on the cover of every trash mag in town as a homewrecker. Cara has lived a life by her nanny code, don’t get involved and be the utmost professional, but Brad really tests every last reserve Cara has.

I loved the chemistry and the against everything odds moments these two came up against. Cara is a great leading character, trying to fight her feelings and, of course, failing. I loved Brad's southern boy charm and Cara's worldly demeanor and how much they clashed and came together. Very much enjoyed this story! looking forward to #2!

CD Reiss shot up the USA Today bestseller list with sizzling works like Hardball and Shuttergirl, but she still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God, but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t answer, she’s at the well hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, Reiss moved to Hollywood to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from the University of Southern California. Unfortunately, her screenwriting went nowhere, but it did give her enough confidence to write novels.

Today she’s adoringly referred to as the “Shakespeare of Smut,” which she thinks is flattering, but it hasn’t gotten her out of chopping a single piece of wood.

Connect with CD

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bombshell (Hollywood A-List #1) by CD Reiss to read and review.

Risky Behavior by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.

It’s day one of Darren Corliss’s career as a detective, and not only has he been assigned a notoriously difficult partner, but the guy might also be a pill-popping dirty cop. Internal Affairs needs proof, and Darren gets to be their eyes and ears whether he wants to or not.

Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn’t play by the rules, and he doesn’t play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.

As Darren gains Andreas’s hard-won trust, they both realize there’s more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas’s unorthodox—and borderline unethical—methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he’s falling for, he has to wonder—is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn’t dirty?

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
What a fantastic detective story! I am currently completely hooked on the BBC’s Line of Duty right now and this story of corrupt cops and Internal Affairs investigations offers the same thrills as we watch powerful characters abuse their power for personal gain. I loved the moral ambiguity that shadows each of the characters as Darren and Andreas’ investigations are thwarted and the attacks become personal.

The pairing of these two detectives is brilliant. Andreas is an experienced cop and a miserable, jaded loner with complicated secrets. We know from the first scene that he’s not exactly squeaky clean, but we don’t fully know the extent of his guilt or innocence until the very end. In contrast, Darren is an ambitious young detective whose stepdad happens to be the retired chief of police. And he is tasked with supervising Andreas for Internal Affairs. Even as they reluctantly agree to work together, it takes a long time for trust to build between these two.

The pacing of this story works really well. The investigation is slow. Hints and clues are as likely to be misleading as they are to be helpful and as a reader, I found it difficult to trust anyone in this book. I loved the slow untangling of fact from misconception and I loved the tangled webs of corruption that are revealed by the investigation.

This is very different to anything else I’ve read by either of these authors and I really loved it.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Brand new detective Darren is partnered with experienced but unpopular detective Andreas, who is suspected of being dirty cop and a drug addict.

Darren has IA pressuring him to provide dirt on Andreas, but Darren just wants to do his job and be a good partner. Andreas doesn't always follow the rules and we see this fairly early on as Darren has to decide quick smart if he is going to cover for his partner or hang him out to dry.

Andreas made me nervous. His rule breaking worried me. I didn't trust him and I kept expecting him to push things too far and it had me on edge. But there are other things ramping up the tension. Their investigation into drug trafficking in the city implicates police, judges, and the mayor, and people connected to the case are turning up dead. There is also plenty of sexual tension, which adds and extra dimension to the partnership.

Risky Behavior is cop drama heavy with a good amount of love story woven through. The action and tension are perfectly paced and there were times it felt like my heart was racing a mile a minute. Risky Behavior is a great crime solving/romance novel and I look forward to reading more of this series and spending more time with Darren and Andreas.


Angie – ☆☆☆
This book missed the mark for me. Way too wordy, too much build up, and then the case was wrapped up too fast. I wanted more Darren and Andreas and there wasn't enough of that. There was so much hush hush about what was wrong with Andreas and then when it came out what it was, nothing else was really said about it. No action happened between the main characters until after the 50% mark and by that time, I just wanted the book to end.

L.A. Witt

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn't lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don't tell Lauren. And definitely don't tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut...

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Cari Z.

Cari Z is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She likes edged weapons, prefers books to television shows, and goes weak at the knees for interesting men and exciting explosions (but not at exactly the same time—that would be so messy).

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Risky Behavior (Bad Behavior #1) by L.A. Witt & Cari Z. to read and review.

Adding It Up by Chris Owen & Tory Temple

Dogs, a young daughter, and shift work make for an unpredictable and never boring life for new couple Deuce and Trey. Trey is keeping his ex-wife out of their hair, but Deuce is determined to forge a truce between them all. Trey is vehemently opposed to a friendship between Deuce and Holly—she’s the last person Trey wants more interaction with. Deuce persists, however, and tensions between them could spell the end of their relationship.

They’ll have to find a way to make it all add up again—or lose everything.

2nd Edition
First Edition of Adding it Up--By the Numbers II published by Torquere Press, 2013.

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/M Family *one character does identify as confused*

This is the first book that I've read in the series. I never felt that I was missing anything though, so I don't think it's necessary to read book one.

Trey and Deuce have been in a relationship for a while. They seem happy, but there is this underlying tension throughout the story. While they don't have amazing chemistry – they seem almost like roommates throughout this story.

Trey has a past and with that past comes along a daughter, Lacey. She's sweet and funny, loves Deuce and her parents.

Then you have Holly. She was hard for me to like throughout this story. She was immature, petty, and unable to get past her past with Trey. If anything, it would be him who would be upset that she was being such an unruly person. It's not like Trey married her for her money.

Overall, this story seemed to be more about those dang dogs. We see the main characters have some communication issues, but overall, this was just a ho-hum story about learning to communicate.

Chris Owen

CHRIS OWEN lives and writes in eastern Canada. She went to a bunch of schools, learned a lot of things, and now makes stuff up because not to do so is unthinkable. She’s fond of fountain pens, notebooks and day planners, and Steampunk fashions. Lately she’s been watching a lot of documentaries. Chris has a fondness for wool and for summer ales. The two work well together.

Chris is inspired by the day to day minutia of life and finds beauty in the way words go together. She likes texture and richness of experience. She is not shy. Her favorite vegetable is cauliflower.

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Tory Temple

TORY TEMPLE lives and works in southern California where she happens to spend a lot of time around firefighters. It makes for excellent storytelling, so Tory definitely uses that to her advantage! She is guardian to three pit bulls who only attack with kisses, two snobby cats, as well as other assorted friends from the animal kingdom. (Husband included.) Her fondest wish is to be a stay-at-home dog mom. You can tempt her with promises of cheese and/or Mexican food. On Saturday nights, she is usually watching Netflix and thinking about how to get the newest firemen in her head to hook up. Tory loves reader e-mails and looks forward to hearing from anyone who wants to drop her a line.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Adding It Up (By the Numbers #2) by Chris Owen & Tory Temple to read and review.

Catering to His Desires by Rose C. Carole

Mya believed she didn’t deserve love. Jake thought he could never love again. Then a threat to Mya’s life galvanizes Jake’s protective instincts—and opens his heart.

Mya has finally escaped the slums she grew up in and made a life for herself as a chef in the Catered Affairs kitchen, but she has never been able to shed the feelings of inadequacy that were beaten into her by her alcoholic father. So she stays in the shadows, the quintessential voyeur at the Playground, the BDSM club she belongs to.

Jake is attracted to Mya’s beauty when he spies her across the dungeon at the Playground. But he’s only looking for a play partner for the evening. Ever since he lost his wife in a car crash, he hasn’t been able to commit to anyone again.

After a disastrous evening at the club, where Jake pushes Mya out of her comfort zone, it looks like Mya and Jake will not even be friends. But dangerous circumstances push them back together, and Mya must rely on Jake to keep her safe. When a stupid mistake puts her in terrible jeopardy, will Jake be able to come to her rescue in time?

Reader Advisory: This book contains descriptions of domestic abuse, violence and death. Kidnapping and captivity, and resultant trauma post kidnapping and captivity. References to alcoholism and abusive parenting. One scene of anal play/double penetration.

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Totally Bound

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
Mya is a chef at her friends’ catering company. She and her friends also frequent the local BDSM club where Jake is a member. Mya is mostly just an observer while her other chef friends are more active members. Mya is happy to just watch... well, happy enough, she guesses. Jake sees Mya lingering in the background and decides he'd like to see if he can draw her out a little more. She looks like a good distraction. Jake doesn't do long term subs… he's a one-and-done since the loss of his wife in a tragic accident many years ago. Mya finds the dom in Jake really soothes her submissive side and lulls her into a scene that leaves her breathless but also unsure.

The two characters are written well and there's a good amount of drama infused into the story, but I felt it dragged on a bit. The end went into a pretty good amount of "play," but then ended with Jake getting very bossy that sort of went over being a dom and it turned me off a tad. Still a good read all in all, solid four stars. Not sure that any of the side characters were interesting enough in this book to pique my interest in reading the next installment. Maybe needed a bit more background and side story.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F BDSM
Triggers: Abuse

I did not read the previous book in this series, but never felt that it was necessary.

Hmmm, where to start with this? I didn't think this was very well thought out. Jake and Mya seemed to be a good match, but they just never really clicked for me.

Their "big misunderstanding" at the beginning seemed minimal to me, compared to what could have been. I just never really got around to seeing them as a solid Dom/sub pairing.

While there was some play for them, this story was more about trust and learning that you can trust yourself and someone else again. However, the story was underdeveloped and the characters seemed one dimensional.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite BDSM story.

Also Available in the Kitchen Confessions Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Totally  Bound

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Catering to His Needs Blog Tour.

Rose has been an avid reader all her life and pursued that obsession into the publishing business, where she worked in both production and editorial for books and magazines. When her son went off to college, she decided to fulfill another passion and went to culinary school, thinking she would write a cookbook but loving the cooking so much she became a caterer. But her love for books is ever-present and she finally decided it was time to follow her own creative muse and write the kinds of books she enjoys reading. She hopes her readers enjoy them as well.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Catering to His Desires (Kitchen Confessions #2) by Rose C. Carole to read and review.