Review: Heat Stroke by Tessa Bailey

March 17, 2019 by · Leave a Comment

HEAT STROKE
Genre: Contemporary, MM Romance
Series: Beach Kingdom #2
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date:  March 16, 2019

Marcus “Diesel” O’Shaughnessy is a brash, oversized CrossFit enthusiast with a naked lady tattooed on his rippling forearm. Jamie Prince is a private school teacher with an extremely low tolerance for bullshit. The two men have zero in common. Well, except for three things.

They’re both moonlighting as lifeguards for the summer.
No matter how hard they try, they cannot stay away from each other.
And both of them have secrets they’re determined to keep.

But what happens in the shadows of the Long Beach boardwalk can only remain hidden for so long, before the July sunshine reveals the hot, unrelenting connection they never expected, forcing Marcus and Jamie to decide if they’re simply caught up in a temporary heat stroke or if they’ve found something worth rescuing…

AMAZON

Christ, he loved when Jamie ordered him around…

I will never, and I mean ever, get enough of Tessa Bailey’s brand of sexy. The woman can write a romance with sizzling chemistry, witty banter, humor and her signature dirty talk like no one’s business. And I’m currently on cloud 9 after finishing this book. I thought I loved Mouth to Mouth, but man oh man, I wasn’t prepared for the level of obsession I was about to get with this one. GAH!

Heat Stroke brings us the straight laced Prince brother who moonlights as a lifeguard in his family’s business when he’s not teaching at a private school. Jamie is reserved and private, and the exact opposite of resident loud mouth, Marcus “Diesel” O’Shaughnessy. They are polar opposites in every possible way. Jamie is studious and smart, where Marcus struggled with everything school related. Jamie is reserved, where Marcus is as in your face as they get. Jamie is straight laced, where Marcus is the gym hopping muscle guy who is constantly underestimated.

Marcus O’Shaughnessy wasn’t scared of anything. He was six foot four and he could probably bench press a medium-sized gorilla.

But most importantly, Jamie is gay, and Marcus is…confused.

First of all, while this is a standalone, there are some things that carry over from the first book. The main thing is the dynamic between the brothers and the events that led to his younger brother’s arrest and what inevitably changed everything for Jamie. The relationship between Jamie and Marcus all happens on the pages of this book. What I’m saying is, I highly recommend you read the first book for a truly enjoyable experience.

As for this book? I loved it, y’all. I loved that Marcus was essentially a big ole’ sweetheart that just needs someone to believe in him. And I loved that straight laced Jamie is the exact opposite in the bedroom. The man is BOSSY. Raaarrrrrr!

But beyond the obvious sexiness of the book, I adored Marcus and Jamie’s road to HEA. I loved watching Marcus come to understand his feelings for Jamie and what it means. I loved watching him come to terms with who he is and I loved the way he handles it all. But most of all, I loved seeing just how much this mountain of a man cares for Jamie. He’s an adorably bumbling goof at times, but he also has a heard of gold. And while he may be a loud mouth, he’s not all talk. Marcus was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. I couldn’t get enough of him.

I devoured this book in one delicious sitting and couldn’t put it down for even a second. I’m in love with the Prince brothers, and I’m already itching to get my hands on Andrew’s story.

Heat Stroke was everything I’ve come to expect from the queen of dirty talk, and so much more. It was emotional, humorous, and totally and completely addicting. I absolutely adored it!

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Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway: Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne

August 13, 2017 by · 1 Comment

Barrel Proof
Series: Agents Irish and Whiskey #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense, MM
Author: Layla Reyne
Release Date: August 7, 2017
This book features: Book 3/Trilogy Conclusion. Angst, Action, Romance, HEA

FBI agents Aidan “Irish” Talley and Jameson “Whiskey” Walker can’t get a moment’s peace. Their hunt for the terrorist Renaud seems to be nearing an end, until a fire allows him to slip through their fingers—and puts Jamie’s life in danger. When Jamie is nearly killed, Aidan learns how many forms loss can take.

Aidan says I love you just moments before learning that Jamie’s been keeping a devastating secret about Aidan’s late husband. How quickly trust and love can go up in flames. When Aidan requests a solo undercover assignment, Jamie hopes Aidan will find a way to forgive him.

But the explosions are far from over. Aidan’s cover lands him in the heart of the terrorist’s conspiracy, and Jamie will have to put his life, his career and his freedom on the line to save the man who has become his entire world. Partners, always is a promise he intends to keep.

“A heart-pounding, romantic conclusion to the Agents Irish and Whiskey series.”

 

AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO | AUDIOBOOK

 

Aidan snatched his hands away. “Why didn’t you tell me?”“She ordered me not to.”

“Wrong answer.” He rocketed out of the chair, snatched a tumbler off the table by the door and hurled it at the opposite wall, glass shattering.

“Aidan, please, stop.” Jamie used a bedpost to haul himself to standing, swaying. He moved toward his partner, putting as little weight as possible on the braced leg, the pain excruciating but not as unbearable as the thought of losing Aidan. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

Aidan grabbed another glass and heaved again, keeping him back. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to break your heart until I knew the whole story.”

“Too late, baby.” He spat the cherished endearment, full of spite and hatred.

The verbal punch landed right where he intended, robbing Jamie of breath. “Irish, please,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”

Aidan shot forward, forcing Jamie back to seated. “I trusted you, with my back and my heart, and you lied to me for months.”

“I’m sorry, I thought I was protecting you.” Jamie reached for him, and Aidan batted his hand away.

“Wrong! We protect each other. Keeping critical information from me about our case, about Gabe and Tom, about my family, is not protection. It’s lying. And me not knowing the full story means I can’t protect them or you.” His shrill voice pained Jamie’s ears.

“Baby, please.”

“Renaud came after my husband, he came after my partner, he came after me. Fuck, Jamie, he keeps coming after me, and now he’s coming after you too. And my brother and my best friend. Maybe even my goddaughter. You didn’t think I needed to know that? I could lose them. I could lose you! I told you what would happen if I loved and lost you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jamie stood and reached for Aidan’s arm again.

Aidan wrestled him off, shoving his chest two-handed and sending him splaying back on the bed. “I can’t, Whiskey.” Chest heaving, his harsh breaths and harsher words came out a strangled blow. “I can’t do this.”

 Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs.

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Prizes: (2) HUGE Agents Irish & Whiskey Gift Packs including: 1 Kindle Fire Tablet, 1 Agents Irish & Whiskey mug, and surprise swag! (Ships to US/Canada only; international winners will receive Amazon Gift Card: $35)

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review: Tease by Ella Frank

May 12, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

TEASE
Series: Temptation #4
Genre: Contemporary, MM Romance
Author: Ella Frank
Release Date: May 9, 2017

Tease – verb: to tantalize especially by arousing desire or curiosity often without intending to satisfy it….unless your name is Tate Morrison.

It’s been four years since Logan Mitchell walked into Tate’s life and irrevocably changed it. Four years since the sexy as sin lawyer dared him to try, and four years since Tate won his love.

Now, as they approach the next chapter of their lives Logan is determined they won’t end up like many of their friends. Settled. Domestic. Boring. However, that’s easier said than done. With busy careers and working odd hours, finding time for one another is becoming increasingly difficult.

But that sh*t isn’t going to fly with Logan or Tate.

The two of them are determined to compromise to get what it is they want, and what they want is each other.

Tease is the sexy, tantalizing continuation of the two men who stole your heart…and popped your cherry.

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

AMAZON

Four years ago I met a man

who forever changed my life.

He dared me to try.

I dared him to love.

And while that’s where our story began, it’s certainly not where it ended.

-Tate Morrison

Excerpt:

“Hello, counselor. How’d the big case go today?”Tate had been eyeing the clock all afternoon waiting to hear the outcome of the Berivax trial, and while he was happy it was finally going to be over, he also hoped all of Logan’s hard work had paid off.

“When was the last time we had sex?” Logan’s question was so blunt and unexpected it had Tate stumbling over his response for a second, and when he didn’t answer, Logan continued, “You don’t know, do you?”

The side of Tate’s mouth twitched at Logan’s disgusted tone. “Well, to be fair, you caught me off guard. I had to think for a minute.”

“And now that you’ve had time to think?”

“Umm…”

“Oh my God. You can’t remember,” Logan said, and Tate couldn’t stop his laugh then. “That’s fucking shameful.”

“We’ve just been—”

“Don’t say it—”

“—busy.” Tate headed over to the door that separated the bar from the tiny foyer and stairwell that went up to their loft, shut it behind himself, and took a seat on one of the steps. “Well, we have been. This case of yours has taken up most of your time, and with the bar hours we just got…busy.”

“Yeah? Well, that shit needs to stop. Right now.”

Tate leaned his shoulder against the wall and shut his eyes, picturing Logan with his jet-black hair, those piercing blue eyes, and that full, sensual mouth. Tate had barely had time to say goodbye to him this morning, and no matter how much he was laughing it off, Logan was right—this not seeing one another was bullshit. They needed to sit down and work something out, now that Logan’s schedule would be returning to something more manageable.

“Agreed,” Tate said. “Something needs to change.”

“Good. How about we discuss it at dinner?”

Tate winced. “I’m here until one.”

“Can’t you beg Amelia to stay and come meet me?” Logan asked, and if he hadn’t sounded quite so desperate, Tate might not have caved.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“What am I going to get if I come to you?”

Logan’s voice lowered to a tone that never failed to make Tate hard. “Me. All night. And maybe again in the morning. I’m in a giving kind of mood.”

Tate swallowed and stretched his legs out in front of himself, suddenly needing a little more room in his jeans. “All night, huh? It’s been a while since that happened.”

“It has. So come find me and I’ll rectify that little issue you’re having with remembering our weekend away at the cabin. That was the last time my cock was inside you.”

“Jesus, Logan.” Tate pressed a palm to his erection, recalling the weekend trip they’d made around three weeks ago. Or maybe it was four. Shit, okay. They did need to work something out if he was having trouble remembering that. “Let me get things settled here and I’ll be at your office in”—he checked his watch—“an hour? Hour and a half?”

“Perfect,” Logan said. “I’ll be waiting.”

 

I love you so damn much. I can’t believe there was ever a time when I didn’t.”

Mother.
Effing.
Swoon.

This couple! I can’t even form words right now. I fell hard for both these men Try and I haven’t looked back. I loved being a part of their journey and couldn’t get enough of them. But I also have a confession to make. When I find out they’ll be getting more books? I wasn’t so excited. Now now, before you start throwing tomatoes, allow me to explain. See, I’m what you’d call an ADD reader. I’ll be reading along just fine and then…
SQUIRREL!

Yeah. That. Basically what I’m trying to say is that I’m not a reader that enjoys trilogies or long standing series about the same couple because I find myself getting bored or losing my steam and enthusiasm about the characters after a while. If I feel like they got their HFN or HEA, I’m good with it. I want to move on to something else. And since we got a satisfying HEA for Tate and Logan in Trust, I moved on. I was terrified that we’d get some drama thrown into the mix that will totally kill their HEA for me in this book, but you know what? I couldn’t be more wrong and I’ll gladly eat a slice of crow as I write this review.

Tease takes place four years after Trust. Logan and Tate are as happy together as they were but life is always getting in the middle. Between both of their successful careers, they find they don’t have as much time for each other and Logan is determined to fix that.

You’re always here when I need you the most.”
Logan let his hand fall away so he could take hold of Tate’s, and once their fingers were entwined, he brought them to his lips, kissed them, and said, “Where else would I be? You’re where my heart is. So that’s where I stay.”

Have you found yourself wondering about a few of the loose ends after Trust? I know I have. I wanted more from Tate’s family and to truly get some closure on that side. I love the route that Ella Frank chose to take in this book in getting the reader just that. It isn’t perfectly wrapped in a bow for you but it’s real, and it was touching, and I absolutely loved it.

As for the rest? I loved catching up with my boys. They’re just as sizzling together as they were in the last books, only they’re more swoony now because there’s nothing taking away from their love for each other.

So why not a higher rating? While I loved getting to catch up with the boys and the rest of the gang; Rachel, Cole, and a surprising appearance from someone else (who I’m hoping will be getting a book), it just wasn’t enough to keep me glued to the pages. I found myself skimming some of the sex scenes, as hot as they were, hoping for a little more meat to the story (no pun intended). The story began to get overshadowed a bit by the (crazy hot) sex scenes, and while I’m actually ashamed of myself for complaining about this, I can’t help the way I feel. I appreciated that there was no crazy drama or conflict to take away from anything. It was simply a look into one of my favorite couples and what happens after the HEA. It gave the reader a chance to catch up with the boys and to see where their lives are now four years later. This book was very appropriately titled, because it’s exactly what it was. A tease. A tease of a peek into Tate and Logan’s life and what’s to come.

Start the Series Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Try (Temptation #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Take (Temptation #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Trust (Temptation #3)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

 

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR. You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

Connect with Ella:

Newsletter | Bookbub | Facebook | FB Street Team | Instagram | Email | Website
Twitter – @EllaFrank2012

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