Loverman by BD Roca Blog Tour

Once, they were enemies. Maybe they still are. But now that they’re lovers, the stakes are life and death.

For Kemp Lansey, his one-time stepbrother, Charles Durant, should be off limits.

He walked out of Charles’ life eight years ago. Kemp had secrets to keep—terrible secrets that weren't his own to spill—secrets that made Charles dangerous to be around.

But Charles has pushed back into Kemp’s life, into his bed. This time Kemp can’t fight their red-hot chemistry.

Kemp tells himself it’s just convenience. Kemp’s the high-profile lead singer in a band, but Charles isn’t interested in Kemp’s reflected fame and glory. And Charles, heir to a massive fortune, knows that Kemp isn’t in it for his millions. What binds them together are the dark, unbreakable bonds formed years back, when they were living in the luxurious Durant beachfront compound. The place where it all began. The place where it should have ended.

Keeping it just physical should be simple. Easy. But what happens when the ghosts of the past start crowding in? What happens when a series of bloody, violent break-ins makes it clear Charles has deadly secrets of his own?

Secrets that will either drive Kemp away, or bind them together, forever. Because, maybe, it’s more than just sex.

Can either of them risk it all to find out?

Loverman is an all-the-feels, steamy, fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster of a book featuring two guys crazy for each other even if they can’t say it, sexy banter, found family, a huge HEA, a hot hot hot private photoshoot, a vineyard, dark family secrets, billions, trust funds, bad guys, #RockstarsWhoCook and an epilogue with diamonds. Pretty, pretty diamonds.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

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

 

 

No, no point in arguing the issue right now. Not when they hadn’t seen each other in almost a fortnight and the goddamn craving in Kemp’s bones for skin against skin was clawing at every nerve ending. He felt the knot of his brows and glanced around the room for the one item Charles was never separated from. Sure enough, Charles’ camera bag was sitting on the coffee table by the sofa. He went over and picked it up, swung it by the strap.

As he’d expected, Charles’ wide gaze shot to him. “Kemp—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t break it.” Kemp strolled over to him, a slink in every barefoot step. He held the bag out, suspended from his fingers. “I want you to do your thing, Chaz. Snap a few shots. Immortalise me.”

Charles looked amused, an eyebrow lifting. “Immortalise you?”

Kemp gave him a lascivious wink. “Those shots of me from your show are still going to be around when I’m a hundred. Thank Christ.” He laughed. “I like the idea of being able to look back at them and think, hey, I was passable once. That’s immortality.”

Charles’ eyes darkened. “You’re more than passable.”

Kemp shook his head, gaze sliding over Charles’ face, the bared, leanly muscular broad golden shoulders and chest, Charles wearing nothing more now than the fresh khaki chinos he’d changed into after the drive and a hot shower before dinner. “You’re the gorgeous one, Chaz. You look like a bloody billboard model. I’ll bet you’ve dealt with a lot of people telling you that you’re on the wrong side of the camera.”

That beautifully cut, sexy mouth tightened. “Early on, perhaps. But people can be idiots.”

Typical Charles. Just occasionally the autocrat slipped through. Kemp burst out laughing, but his fingers still went to the knot at his hip and he loosened the towel, letting it slip to the floor. Charles’ suddenly fierce blue gaze slid over his damp, naked body as Kemp crawled over the mattress, settling back against the brass bars of the bedhead and winding his arms up around them before gripping the cool metal bars with his fingers.

[. . .]

Charles shifted on the bed as if those chinos had grown too tight, and Kemp felt his smile grow evil.

“I want photographic evidence, Charles. However you want me, whichever way you want me,” he drawled, incapable of keeping the rough, hot edge out of his voice. “One rule only—these images are only for us. You and me. No gallery, no show. Ever. So go as dark and filthy as you want. When I posed for you at the video shoot that day, we both knew those images would probably be public, and sure as fuck, they were. But these, for us alone… no limits. Just go for it.”

“Dear god—” It was a hoarse whisper.

“You won’t get many offers like this. And I trust you. I know you’ll keep the images private.”

The powerful line of Charles’ throat moved as he swallowed. “Yes. I would.”

Kemp licked his suddenly dry lips. Fucking hell, this was turning him on so bloody hard—way harder than some crazy spur-of-the-moment suggestion should.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

Unconventionally, this book starts as dark erotica, but slowly evolves into a story with as much heart as it has heat. It’s the story of a rock star and a billionaire who are both deeply scarred by events in their shared history.

This is about as dark and gritty as erotica or romance gets. And I’m still not sure if the book can actually be considered a romance. The book opens with a naked Kemp posed over rotting meat, covered in maggots while Charles photographs him. And honestly? The story only gets more twisted and graphic from there.

I have to admit that I almost didn’t make it past the first fifty pages. Thankfully, the writing is excellent, and I was quickly hooked on the complicated characters, the dark family secrets, and the impossibly messy and insanely kinky relationship between Charles and Kemp. Without spoilers, it is difficult to explore the actual plot. I can say that the storyline has been carefully crafted and the book almost pushes into psychological thriller territory at times. This is a sexy, disturbing read and it’s not quite like anything I’ve read before.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up for the drama!

This is the first in a new series, and I am very curious as to whether the next book will be linked closely to this one. I would certainly like to meet up with these people again.

A salutary reminder that horrible things happen behind the house of the wealthy, even if outwardly all looks wonderful. Certainly the events of a time when Kemp and his sister's mother was married to Charles's billionaire father, have blighted their lives ever since. As we get to learn about that time, about how Kemp and Charles have recently connected, and how it should mean nothing, but clearly means a lot, there is no doubt a complicated situation about to unravel.

I enjoyed the mixture of media between music and art – and the linking of roles from photography, videography, and rock music. The rarefied world of people living in that environment makes it easy to believe that such craziness could exist. One rule for us, none at all for the rich!

I have to admit that I did not find the smoothest of reads, but I was very curious of how it was going to play out, and definitely the blurb about secrets had me very intrigued!

 

 

 

BD ROCA grew up in Brisbane, Australia and still misses the scent of frangipani and living in funky old Queensland houses. When not writing, she enjoys yoga, and the occasional glass of pinot, although not in combination.

Connect with BD

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Loverman (Sydney Stories #1) by BD Roca to read and review for this tour.

Dusk by Aleatha Romig Blog Tour

“When your whole world is shaken from all the risks we have taken, dance with me. Dance with me into the colors of dusk.” ~ Ben Harper.

I’ve served my country, a man, and a cause. I’ve given my whole being while at the same time finding its true meaning. There was no way for me to know the day I met the men who were to become my best friends that they would introduce me to the love of my life.

Fiery red hair and hypnotizing emerald eyes caught my attention.
Creamy, soft skin, a stark contrast to mine, seduced my body.
Strength, devotion, and determination stole my heart.

I am Reid Murray, and I’ll kill without regret to once again dance in the dusk with my wife. This war has only begun. I won’t rest until it’s done.

From New York Times bestselling author comes a brand-new dark romance, Dusk, set in the dangerous world of Sparrow Webs. You do not need to read Web of Sin, Tangled Web, or Web of Desire to get caught up in this new and intriguing saga, Dangerous Web.

Dusk is book one of the Dangerous Web trilogy that continues in Dark and concludes in Dawn.
Have you been Aleatha’d?

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Aleatha Romig has done it again. This story started with a bang and ended with a WTF is going on? We are back in the Sparrow world with Lorna and Reid's story. The only question I have after reading this first book of the Dangerous Web series is, who took Lorna and what do they really want?

I will not give anything away, I hate when spoilers are given and it ruins the story. So, I will just tell you to be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of emotion because when you step on at chapter one, it begins. I love how the story is filled with suspense and keeps you on the edge of your seat. So hold on tight and keep your hands inside and enjoy the ride. Book two is coming and I know that author Aleatha Romig will give us even more of an emotional turmoil story.


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

This is a new series by Aleatha and it sucks you right in, just like her other books do.

This is Reid and Lorna's book and you get to see their beginning and their current situation. Everyone is searching for the missing women and nobody is sleeping. With the women missing and the men trying to figure out where their leak or misstep is, the Order is the only group that comes to mind when they piece everything together.

With a mind that can't remember, kidnappers who give nothing away, and pasts that will creep into the present, as the reader, you'll be cursing Aleatha for not having all of the books lined up, ready to go. This won't leave you disappointed, but may leave you breathless after you have held your breath the entire book!

I knew I shouldn't have started this book right when it came in, but I just couldn't help myself. Despite having a newborn and not getting enough sleep as it is, I sacrificed even more sleep for this book. Once you get started, you're not going to want to put it down.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
Another series based in the Web of Sin world, by Aleatha Romig – Yes, Please!

Lorna and Reid have been in each and every book since the beginning, but this can be read as a standalone; although reading the previous Web books all build up to this. I can't be the only one that's been patiently [impatiently] waiting for this couple's story.

As per usual with any Aleatha Romig books, this story grabbed me from page one and hasn't let go. Not your typical romance, instead this is a story of an existing couple with glimpses to their past and how they got to this point. While these scenes are sweet and relatively tame, the rest of the book is a dark, twisted journey. The suspense is expertly built, and I know I will never figure this one out. This doesn't mean I will stop trying, it just means that book two needs to come out sooner rather than later!

 

 

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, Consequences, in August of 2011. Consequences became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series Tales from the Dark Side, Insidious, in the fall of 2014. These standalone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of Betrayal, the first of her five novel Infidelity series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books Into the Light and Away from the Dark were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with Plus One, followed by the sweet stand-alone, One Night.

Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Connect with Aleatha

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dusk (Dangerous Web #1) by Aleatha Romig to read and review for this tour. Mary received her copy via the author’s ARC team.

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando

New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando brings you Fast & Fury: A sexy new series fully loaded with intense emotions and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

After losing her job, saying goodbye to a lifelong dream and having an all-around cruddy year, Bronte Pierce needs a break. A job at Fast & Fury might be just the thing to reset her life, even though she knows nothing about custom motorcycles. But taking a job isn’t the same as keeping it, and her fresh start quickly turns into a fresh nightmare.

Starting with her boss. Crow is hardheaded, stubborn and brutally honest. He may be easy on the eyes, but he runs with an MC and he’s anything but friendly to Bronte. She suspects he has a softer side—just not for her.

Her whole life, Bronte has known that the only person she can truly count on to save the day is herself. But when a single murder turns into a conspiracy and the threat to her life is more than she can handle alone, it’s Crow who comes through—and her newfound family might just become her greatest strength.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press (Harlequin)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Bronte Pierce is having the worst year of her life. She has lost her job, saying goodbye to a lifelong dream, and might have to move back in with her dad if she doesn't find a job soon. While visiting her dad, her uncle tells her about a job at a local motorcycle shop needing someone to answer phones and do paperwork. Although she knows nothing about motorcycles, she is a fast learner and needs a job.

When she meets her new boss, Crow is not what she was thinking her boss would be. He is stubborn, hard-headed, honest, and gorgeous.

Crow wasn't looking for Bronte to walk through the door, she pushes all his buttons and he just wants to strip her bare and have his way with her. But he has to keep his distance, so he will pile the work on her and see what she is made of.

There is someone after Bronte, and Crow is there to protect her, but can he save the day? Who is after her and why? Will Crow give in to his feelings for Bronte? Is there a chance for a relationship? Can they have a future together?

I really liked this story; with the suspense aspect I was trying to figure out who was after Bronte and it never crossed my mind. I didn't realize this was a new series and I am so glad it has some of the characters from the Knights of Fury series in it too. If you are looking for a really good story with romance, suspense, laughter, tears, and a happily ever after, then this one is for you. I can't wait for the next one.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, but it follows straight on from Knights of Fury, so you might want to step back and read those first – or if you enjoy this, do go back afterwards. I really enjoyed the return to this fabulous MC and was very happy to catch up with how things are progressing.

In this installment we meet Bronte, who gets a job in the custom bike shop owned by the Knights. She is immediately attracted to Crow, but he behaves in a very odd, distant manner. Amusingly, this is because he does not want to acknowledge his interest in her – and certainly doesn't want to follow his friends Saint, Temper, and Renegade and fall in love!!

The twist in this story is that Bronte's family is not exactly what she thought it was – and this leads to a tragedy and danger which she would never have envisaged. I have to say I thought she dealt with the whole revelation far better than I would have done. I think I would have been much less relaxed as things progress, but I am a bit of a wuss. I chose to suspend disbelief and go with it a few times, where I wasn't sure that everything really fitted together, because I was happy that she gets to sort out her feelings and move on into her new future. She does just get on with her life and seek out the truth as she can find it. She also makes her feelings clear to Crow and it is definitely great fun watching them enjoy each other's company. It is particularly amusing given Crow's resistance.

A good start to a new series. I look forward to finding out what will happen next!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
What do you do when your whole world collapses around you? You turn to your family. But what happens when your family turns out to be something you don't recognize?

Bronte's fixation on the abnormal cells hiding in her cervix has been her sole fixation for months. Will they or won't they come back? Now, out of a job, she reluctantly accepts her uncle's helping hand in getting a job at a local motorcycle shop.

Crow's hiring of Bronte is not something he really wanted to do, but family is family and you do favors for family. Not sure how the businesslike Bronte is going to fit in his shop, he nevertheless leaves her to figure it out.

Just as Bronte's life begins to turn itself around, the ground beneath her dissolves and she's floundering once again. Crow knows that there is more than meets the eye to the recent upheaval in Bronte's life, he's more than willing to be her shoulder to lean on.

This series is a spin-off of the previous series by this author and can be read as a standalone – and while not necessary, I feel that reading the first series will give you insights into the characters you might not otherwise have.

 

 

CHANTAL FERNANDO is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, the Cursed Raven Motorcycle Club series, and the Maybe series, along with several other novels. She lives in Western Australia, where she is working on her next book.

Connect with Chantal

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Facebook Group: Chantal's Clubhouse

 

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Custom Built (Fast & Fury #1) by Chantal Fernando to read and review.

Cupcakes & Christmas by RJ Scott Blog Tour

The story of long nights in a wintry mountain hotel, a baking show with secrets, a snowman called Jeremy, and finding the greatest love of all.

After winning season four of ratings hit the World’s Best Baking Show, Brody Thomas had become a sought-after cake maker to the stars. Happily married, he dreamed of a bright future, but his perfect life imploded when he discovered that his husband had done nothing but lie to him. A year later, Brody is mid-divorce, and his life has been turned upside down, so being part of the WBBS charity event is excellent timing. He’s sure it will give him time away from home and space to get his head straight, only he never expected to meet the man of his dreams in a snowy Alberta.

Winning season one of WBBS gave Justin Mallory a chance to outrun the demons of a childhood lost in the foster system. He’s a social media influencer, with millions of followers, and works every hour to make money that equals security for the rest of his life. His marketing team signs him up for the WBBS Christmas charity show, but he’s convinced he’ll fall at the first hurdle. Only, after a few days in the competition, his worry isn’t that he’ll be the first to leave, it’s that he’ll lose his heart to a rival baker, Brody.

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo  ~  Smashwords

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This was a very welcome early Christmas treat and I highly recommend it to you. A group of winning bakers from previous series of a bake-off show in the USA are pitched against each other in a Christmas special. Already this was shaping up to be a must read – I love thinking about what the machinations behind the scenes might be when we watch these shows. The cattiness, the disasters, the requirements for putting on a popular TV show. And then here we get a chance at romance... two unexplored mutual crushes which were never expected to see the light of day may just implode, or may give two winning bakers a chance of real love.

Justin, who won season one, has an influencer lifestyle, employing a team to ensure that he capitalises on his 'brand' and fills his bank account, turns out to be someone who has a deep need to ensure he has a stable future. He has avoided later winners as he is not entirely sure that he should have won and suffers from imposter syndrome – something his 'team' have fostered for some unaccountable reason, well other than gaining control. That bit made me very angry on his behalf! He cannot believe he is going to meet his crush Brody – Brody whose boyfriend proposed at the final show where he won. Little does he know that Brody has been destroyed by his husband's behaviour and is about to finalise the divorce. Brody is at his lowest, and the show seemed like a good chance to get away from home for a while and lick his wounds.

I loved how these two men fought their way through the artificial world they were living in and made the effort to get a real chance at a happy future. I loved the backstage shenanigans and the final result... I am sure you will too!

 

 

RJ SCOTT is a  USA Today bestselling author of over 140 romance and suspense novels. From bodyguards to hockey stars, princes to millionaires, cowboys to military heroes to every-day heroes, she believes that love is love and every man deserves a happy ending

Connect with RJ

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RJ Scott’s Facebook Group

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cupcakes & Christmas by RJ Scott to read and review for this tour.

My Ticket Out by J.N. Marton Release Blitz

A senior basketball player. A mysterious new girl. A secret romance…

Charlie Baker wants out. She wants out of her small, southern hometown of BluHaven and she has her sights set on a basketball scholarship to a college as far away as her dreams can take her. Everything is going according to plan until she moves to town.

Aspen Sullivan is breathtaking. She is beautiful, smart, talented… She evokes feelings in Charlie that she hadn’t thought possible. When their friendship blossoms into something more, Charlie discovers a new truth about herself. But with Aspen’s mysterious past, they must keep their relationship a secret.

Will their love be strong enough to endure the trials of deceiving those closest to them?
Do they have what it takes to escape the constraints of the south and the closet together?

My Ticket Out is a Young Adult, LGBT story about love, and self-discovery. If you enjoy stories that include romance, heartbreak, and embracing who you are, then you will definitely love this book by author J.N. Marton.

 

 

Buy Links

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

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is an emotionally charged read, full of impossibly heightened adolescent angst. It is the story of Charlie, a small town basketball star in her last year of high school. The book follows Charlie as she grows into herself, prepares for the future, and falls in love for the first time.

It is impossible not to fall hard for Charlie. Certain that she doesn’t belong in her small town, she devotes herself to her basketball – her ticket out. I love Charlie’s intense friendship with her friend and rival Riley, and I love her complicated relationship with her brother. Charlie’s background is complicated and her relationship with her grandparents is fragile. Charlie is a fighter, she’s a survivor, and she’s pretty fabulous.

I’m not entirely sure why this book is marketed as a romance. It is definitely a coming of age story and it is definitely a young adult, not a new adult read, but I’d argue that the focus of this book is the growth we see in Charlie herself over the school year. Without spoilers, there is a romance element to the book but it is a difficult, fractured romance for most of the book and the storyline doesn’t use a conventional romance novel structure.

My initial reaction to the dramatic storyline around Charlie’s coming out experience was disbelief – but sadly I’ve seen enough American news in 2020 to understand that small town America is quite possibly as hostile to LGBT teens as Charlie’s story suggests. However, I do feel like the book gets unnecessarily preachy in places – especially at the end where resolutions feel too easy and a bit trite. I’m not sure deep hurts can be healed quickly with pretty apologies. Charlie, Riley, and Matthew feel like complicated, fully developed characters. I didn’t quite know how to feel about Aspen in various parts of the story – but all of the other characters feel a little bit too simplistic. Either goodies or baddies, there isn’t much room for multifaceted humans in this book.

I recognise that as a teacher in my 40s, I’m definitely not the target audience for this book. I think the angst, the emotional turmoil, and the intense romantic scenes will resonate better with teen readers than they did with me. It’s all a little too much for me but it did make me smile – and cry.


Shannan – ☆☆☆
My Ticket Out is a young adult angsty story.

Charlie is a senior in high school. She doesn't feel she belongs in her hometown. She has hopes to get a basketball scholarship to be her ticket out. When Aspen is a new student, Charlie immediately notices how beautiful she is. Together they form a friendship that grows into something more.

The pace was very slow for me in the beginning, it did seem to move better the further I got into the read. I didn't feel as though I connected with the characters as much as I wanted to. As a young adult read, this is a very high-angst book, but with teenagers that is pretty realistic. The ending seemed a bit too easy for me, with a few apologies it was wrapped up in a bow. I did like that it touched on very realistic issues affecting LGBTQ teens.

 

 

J.N. Marton graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor’s degree in education. Along with educating the future of our nation, she enjoys taking her daily morning run, reading any book she can get her hands on, and binge watching the latest shows on Netflix. Marton happily lives with her wife, Hollis, and their Lab/Basset Hound mix, Sam.

Connect with J.N.

Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Goodreads

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of My Ticket Out by J.N. Marton to read and review for this tour.

Starting From Somewhere by Lane Hayes Release Blitz

The guitarist and the geek…

Bobby J

What can I say? I’m a man of many tastes. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go for it. And I like the adorable geek from the bar. A lot. He’s smart and sassy… and he doesn’t seem to know or care that I’m in a hot up-and-coming band. However, I just found out he’s the new intern at Scratch Records. Uh-oh, this could get tricky.

Cody

Confession… I’ve flubbed my mission. My quest is to research cool things and interesting people before I start my job as aerospace analyst—not fall for a rock star. My internship won’t last long if I can’t control this infatuation. Bobby J might look like a bear, but he’s fun and sweet and…oh boy, I think I’m in over my head. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, you’ve got to start somewhere.

Starting From Somewhere is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll and a little nerdiness! Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Starting From series!
For book one, Starting From Zero, click HERE.
For book two, Starting From Scratch, click HERE.
For book three, Starting From Here, click HERE.

 

 

Book 4
Buy Links

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

 

 

Cody nodded as he pulled out his cell and typed a few notes. “Got it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Give me one shot before I go.” I motioned for him to start talking.

“A flirting shot. Okay.” He licked his lips nervously, then shook his head. “I can’t. Everything I’m thinking is… rude.”

I barked a quick laugh. “You have my complete and undivided attention. Bring it on.”

“Um… your jeans look tight. I can’t wait for you to stand up so I can see your ass. But I’d love to see your ass out of them too.”

I bit back a grin. “Okay. That was direct and kinda hot, but do not under any circumstances try that with anyone else on planet Earth.”

“Too much?”

“A tad.” I squeezed his shoulder as I stood. “Keep practicing. It was nice to meet you, Cody.”

“You too. I’ll walk out with you. I’ve done enough research tonight.”

I nodded, then led the way to the exit, holding the door open for him. I stepped outside and gazed up at the fast-moving clouds drifting over the half-moon before turning toward my new acquaintance. Cody pulled his keys from his pocket and smiled.

“Where’d you park?” I asked.

“Over there.” He gestured at the black Mini Cooper at the far end of the lot mostly hidden in shadows.

My chivalrous side kicked in out of the blue. “I’ll walk you to your car. I’m heading that way.”

Cody beamed at me. “Thank you. Are you working early tomorrow?”

“No, why you do ask?”

“I’m making polite conversation. No flirtation whatsoever. Although I was mulling over our earlier discussion and realized you’re guilty of double standards.”

“How so?”

“Earlier you said… and I quote, ‘I’d do you.’ You added something about doing ‘it’ over a bar, a table, etcetera. Ring any bells?” He pointed his key fob at his car and gave a satisfied nod when it beeped on cue.

I squinted warily. “Yeah, but—”

“When I told you I wanted to see your posterior in your Levi’s, I was somehow out of line. The logic confuses me. Why should you be able to say what you’re thinking, and I can’t?” He came to a stop at the driver’s side of his car and crossed his arms, silently issuing a challenge of some kind.

“Now that you mention it, I suppose that does seem unfair.” I scratched my beard thoughtfully, then turned around to show off my denim-clad ass. “Ta-da! I present my posterior.”

Cody snickered. “Very nice.”

“Glad you approve.” I pivoted to face him and fumbled with my belt. “I guess I could show you the whole kit and caboodle… or caboose.”

“No, no. Let’s not ask for trouble.”

I raised my hands in surrender. “If you say so.”

“I do. Kiss me instead.”

“Excuse me?”

He pursed his lips, looking uncomfortable as hell. To his credit, he didn’t back down. “You heard me.”

The husky note in his voice zipped through my veins like a secret elixir. The sudden onslaught of need and desire was a powerful combo. I stepped closer, wedging myself between him and the Prius parked next to his car. I was at least four inches taller than Cody and much bigger. I could squish him like a bug. I wouldn’t. I wasn’t that kind of guy, but he didn’t know that. He should be careful around men like me.

“Why?”

“Because I might never meet anyone like you again. If I do, I might not be confident, brave, or sincere enough to tell him what I want. I feel like this might be a chance I should take. I understand if you say no. I’m not your type. I get it. I’m not sure why you talked to me at all tonight. Or why—”

I curled my fingers around the back of his neck and sealed my lips to his.

So what happened to my gentlemanly resolve to not corrupt a nerdy, adorable dude barking up the wrong tree for some sexy action? I had no fucking clue.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series – and it is such a good series that I definitely recommend that you read them in order! That said, you could read this one first and go back and get the rest of the goodness later, if you so wished. It was fun to catch up with the gang and see how Scratch records is developing. I love how every story has been utterly unique – this one is inspired.

These two men are really fun, and we know immediately that Cody is a little out of his depth in the environment. He is a mega-geek about to work in space research, but first he wants to tick some more normal things off his life between college and work bucket list. He meets Bobby J in the bar next to the Scratch office, just before starting an internship there. The attraction is obvious, although it seems incredibly unwise to get involved.

Bobby J may be an incredibly talented guitar player, but he was also a massive overachiever academically too – and he recognised a fellow geek in Cody and realises how he has been playing down that part of his life. I loved this moment of awareness which led to the men being gloriously good friends, as well as Bobby J realising how much he feels for Cody. I loved the unconventional romantic route which they took – in fact, I read this book from cover to cover nonstop... good thing I had a day off work!

Thank you, Lane Hayes, for a really good addition to the series, and a really lovely romance.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Starting From Somewhere is the fourth installment in the Starting From series. I read this as a standalone without issue. I have not read any other books in this series. After reading this one, I intend to go back and start from the beginning.

Starting From Somewhere is Cody and Bobby J's story.

Cody is a self-described geek or nerd. He just graduated and has an internship for the summer until his job at NASA starts. He is a very analytical guy. He likes numbers and research. Not wanting to waste what's left of his twenties, he makes a list and wants to complete it before he starts his job. While preforming "research" at a dive bar, his plan is to get a drink, sit in the shadows, and just watch, what he doesn't expect is the hot guitarist for the band Jealousy, Bobby J. Cody doesn't know what to think when Bobby J flirts with him and definitely doesn't know what to do when the two end up making out.

Bobby J wasn't expecting to have such an attraction to Cody but something about Cody pulls Bobby J in. What surprises him most is walking into the record label and finding Cody there. Just when Bobby J thought he wasn't going to see him again, there he is working at the label. Can he make this work with the sexy nerd? Is it even something Cody wants?

I was instantly invested in this one. Without reading any of the other books, I was going in blind but didn't have any issues even with mention of past characters. I loved that Cody and Bobby J are geeks at heart and connect in ways they wouldn't and haven't with other people. Fun read.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Starting From Somewhere is the fourth installment in the Starting From series, easily read as a standalone with little to no confusion.

Bobby J has finally gotten his time in the romance spotlight, discovering a nerdy, awkward fella at their favorite seedy hangout, just when he was about to call it a night. An instant flare of connection sparks Bobby J to seek out and discover Cody's secrets.

As an intellectual, Cody could easily fallback on his educational pursuits while life goes on by, but he and his friends are pushing themselves on the wild side. Not only is Cody meeting hotties at seedy dive bars, he's going to be interning at a up and coming record label, knowing full well the guy he met at the bar was none other than Bobby J.

An instant connection, the quirky, awkward geek and the seasoned flirt hit it right off the bat, their interactions as easy as breathing. Light and flirty, Starting From Somewhere is a quick novella, read in a single sitting. Filled with the warm and fuzzies, not much angst to speak of, and a much lighter vibe than previous instalments.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of a rock star who falls for a young scientist he meets in a bar. It’s a sweet, simple, and fairly predictable story.

Cody is the perfect science geek. Even after finishing grad school, he is young and inexperienced. Sexy geeks are a current romance trend and Cody is pretty much a paint by number sexy geek. He’s insecure, socially awkward, and desperate for new sexual experiences. Bobby J is a fairly cliché romance rock star. He looks like a bad boy bear, but Cody brings out his inner science geek. With enough background detail to add a little angst but not quite enough story to make him come alive, Bobby J manages to blur into so many other rock stars I’ve read in this genre. Both Bobby J and Cody feel like easily recognisable stock characters. They’re both hot and likeable but neither feels like a fully developed leading man.

The structure and pacing of this book don’t quite work. The book covers a couple of months over a single summer but much of the summer is skimmed over and important moments between Cody and Bobby J are recounted rather than shown. The result is a romance that I feel like I observed from a distance. I don’t feel like I ever got close enough to Bobby J and Cody’s experience to fully invest in their relationship.

And seriously, the whole Bobby J thing annoyed me. How arrogant does a guy have to be to introduce himself in a bar using his ridiculous stage name? And who happily calls their serious boyfriend by his stage name? Bobby J is supposed to be a 33-year-old rocker, not a 16-year-old K Pop star. It just doesn’t work for me.

 

 

LANE HAYES loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate, and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Starting from Somewhere (Starting from #4) by Lane Hayes to read and review for this tour.