Monday, February 29, 2016

Release Blitz - Is This Desire by R. Paone

Title: Is This Desire?
Series: Only If Series #2
Author: R. Paone
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Released: February 29, 2016

He said, "Never stop."
I said, "Never will."
Devastated by the realization of Mitch’s misgivings, Robert has cast himself aside unable to process his current reality. Exposed to a love that is debilitating but also rewarding, he must now face the consequences of secrets, addiction, and desire if he is to continue forward with his heart and disregard his doubts.
Sooner or later, Mitch reappears in Robert’s life unable to break away from what he feels deep within as he questions the bond between them both. It is a domineering bond that could break at any moment by the forces meaning to keep them apart no matter what. 
“Is This Desire?” documents the continuing story of a flourishing love as it grows at an increasing speed. As Robert faces Mitch’s demons, Mitch himself must reclaim his independence and sanity if they are ever to be together.


Where did the love go? 
Where did my common sense go? 
I wasn’t too sure, remember it was just a few months ago that everything fucked up. Sometimes things fuck up and you roll with the punches. I’m sure someone said that somewhere.
I didn’t know where my mind was headed right now at the particular moment. It was distracted by all this stimuli hitting me at every direction. I was paying attention because it took me a solid second to realize my phone had been buzzing for the last several. At first I thought it was one of those phantom texts you find yourself reaching for throughout the day finding that no one actually texted you. On this occasion I was wrong as I reached deep into my pocket feeling another text buzz. I thought it could have been anyone, wishing that these last few hours were not just a few random occurrences. One after another. I wanted the text to be from anyone else besides Mitch.
Except this time I was not right. It was in fact from Mitch. His text message was only two lines:
I need to see you.
Come over now, please.
Even though it was only a text message, I began to imagine the words coming out of his mouth, the tone of his voice. Almost like he was a couple inches in front of me or something, holding my hands and pleading with me to come to him. Grace him with my presence. It wasn’t only just the text that distracted me and upsetter my stomach only more, it was the way he wrote the message. The simplicity of the text, the punctuation for some reason drove me crazy like there was desperation looming. He wasn’t asking me to just come over, he was stating that I come. It was punctuated with a period. Full sentence, stop.
There was no room for interpreting, no more time to read into these things.
Was he in trouble? Was he going to hurt himself, I thought.
Even though I only had begun to experience a small amount of his faults, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that Mitch probably had a drinking problem. I knew that he liked going out and drinking at a party or whatever it may be as long as there was some booze around. It could just be some sort of self-medicating and that part scared me to death. I knew bad decisions could be made but there was no way I would question the severity of something like that. There would be no taking chances because my paranoia made me worried, seeing his texts messages as a cry for help that something was wrong. I began to imagine him sitting there alone in his apartment, a shell of his former self. There was a part of hime in my memory that delivered moments of closeness and warmth. These only drove the knife of worry deeper into my heart that made it ache and long for him. I closed my eyes again seeing him grabbing one of my hands, squeezing them hard to the point where all of the veins would pulse forcing the blood to rush to all of my digits. I opened back up my phone and decided to text him back.
Are you home? 
He responded almost immediately. Yes.
I wrote back even faster than before. I’m on my way. Don’t go anywhere.
I locked the phone screen and saw my life flash before my eyes ad if there was an oracle speaking to me about my future. Was my conscience already well aware of what was going to take place? I was in a position as usual that I didn’t want to force back into hiding nor fight. I wanted to see Mitch as much as I wanted to see why he requested that I come over “now.” Nothing frightened me more than the previous thoughts of him alone overcome with desperation. Ignoring what has been blooming between us didn’t do me any justice, the ideal of the love between us changed me. I saw a semblance of a new day in the future even though I pictured a hard road of recovery ahead. There was the Robert of yesterday, someone totally different and a little jaded before meeting Mitch. All past preconceived notions about me were out the window, I did want love. I wanted it here in this very room. Now my level of concern was heightened for Mitch in these precise moments. I needed to get out of here. He needed me now.
My feet took flight. 
***
Anguish has seized me.
Fear flooded my thoughts. Irrational thoughts I couldn’t control out of fear of my love for him.
A longing took hold. I looked to my heart for all the answers.I looked out in front of the me, the sidewalks and streets were empty. The wind moved in loud gushes as it pasted my ears threatening to sweep me up. I wasn’t sure how long I had been running but I was flying through the side streets trying to avoid the red lights that would slow me down. Slowing me down and keeping me from him. I held onto my phone for dear life as my heaving breath became jagged as the speed of my moving picked up. The hunger for food I felt was gone, I did not want to eat. I only wanted to be given the chance to comfort. In my haste I had dropped the small plastic bag of snacks I had picked up at the corner store. I didn’t give a shit thinking that maybe someone who was drunk enough would see inside and realize the food was untouched and still good to eat. 
There was a frost in the air that made my skin on my arms tighten and prickle underneath my hoodie. It was still too cold to be wearing what I had on but again there were other intentions to tend it. The subtle urge of thinking the worst was momentary picturing my lover in the most delicate but dangerous of positions. Was I prepared to deal with Mitch again if he was shit faced all over again? What sort of state of mind would he be in? Was this something that could be controlled and defeated? I would have to be able to endure all of it. I would suffer this bullshit in order to warm what shivers of dread that was hanging over me lately. Dread that created and harbored loneliness. Mitch stoked this feeling of adulation and devotion in me that was addictive. There it was between us. He took the right steps in contacting me, pulling me towards the inevitable reunion of one another. We had become more than just friends for he was not what I first thought of him. Now he is calling out to me again in light of the betrayal of my sudden devotion to him in the beginning.
“I’m coming, Mitch. I’ll be there before you know it.” I spoke to myself. No one else heard me for I was the only one listening.





R. Paone is the author of LGBT fiction, coming of age, and contemporary romance including the ongoing “ONLY IF…” Series. Writing is his passion as his stories stem from real life experiences and real moments of love. A writer for the last fifteen years, he started working on his first full length novel in June, 2014. That novel slowly transformed into “Love is Found,” Part One in the “ONLY IF…” Series. He currently resides in New York City. When he isn’t writing, you can find him getting lost in bookstores, a movie theater, or jamming out to music of the 90’s.
 

    
 
 
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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Happy Release Day Elise Faber! Blocked is LIVE!

Series: Gold Hockey novels (book 1)
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Sports Romance
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing


This is her shot.

Brit has the chance to make history by being the first female goalie to play for an NHL team, the San Francisco Gold. So, when she is introduced to Stefan, the Gold’s captain, she is determinedly not interested.

Stefan is sexy, charming, and has a publicly documented list of conquests a mile long. Brit is unwilling to risk mixing business with pleasure, even when that business is wrapped up in a six-foot-plus, gorgeously muscled package.

When management pushes Brit and Stefan together in an effort to gain good press for the beleaguered team, Brit finds that her carefully calculated disinterest doesn’t mask her body’s desires. The more she falls for Stefan, the more she risks her career.

Will she be able to have it all—a starting position and the heart of the captain? Or will she lose everything?
B&N | iBooks | Kobo


I absolutely love a good hockey romance and Blocked was very thing I love in a good book and more.

What's great about this book is its about a Female hockey player - who's been called up to the big leagues.

Brit has always dreamed of playing for the NHL - but it's not without its sacrifices and it's nightmares. It's hard to fit into the boys club, especially when you're looking over your shoulder all the time. But now that she has her chance to shine, she's going to try with all her might to fit in and be accepted.

Stefan is the team captain and the golden boy of the club. He's known in the public eye as being a man whore - when really he's the furthest thing from it. Always taking care of his mom and trying to keep the club on track takes up a majority of his time. He doesn't have time for dating. But when Brit joins the club they have an instant connection - something he's never felt with anyone else.

As the two players start to connect - the team's board takes notice and blackmails Brit into seducing the captain to drum up some publicity for the fledgling team. The only thing is Brit really likes Stefan... a lot. But she has others to protect besides herself.

As things escalate between the two - so does the drama surrounding their personal lives too.

This was a fun, flirty, sexy read. The chemistry between Stefan and Brit was through the roof. I had a hard time stepping away from the book and took it everywhere with me.

Elise's writing is fresh and fun. I loved every minute of this book!

“I don’t really do the matching lingerie thing,” she said.
“Wh-what?”
With a sigh and an eye roll, she walked over to him. “I’m not super girlie.”
“Like fuck you’re not.” He was practically sitting on his hands, so he didn’t grab her.
Her lips curved up, and she stopped less than six inches from him. Close enough that her delicate feminine scent coated the air between them.
“You know, I’ve never felt so powerfully sexy before,” she said, stroking a single finger down his shirt, pressing the column of buttons lightly into his skin and setting him on fire, “but hearing your voice go all growly… Damn, I kind of like the way you make me feel, Barie.”
Sweet baby Jesus, she was a menace.
“Me too,” he agreed, even though Brit was making his balls turn permanently blue.
And apparently, she had no plans to stop because she plunked herself down in his lap, leaned close, and pressed her mouth to his.
There wasn’t any preamble. This was hunger, plain and simple.








Aside from writing bestselling romances, Elise’s passions are chocolate, Star Wars, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team — the Sharks! — are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise is the mom to two exuberant boys and is thoroughly addicted to Dancing With the Stars. Connect with her on facebook (facebook.com/elisefaberauthor), twitter (@faberelise), instagram (@elisefaber) orhttp://www.elisefaber.com

Enter to win one of 2 signed paperbacks of Blocked!



Friday, February 26, 2016

Never Say Love by Carly Phillips and Lauren Hawkeye

A new and exciting series from 
New York Times bestselling authors
Carly Phillips and Lauren Hawkeye


Bound by a vow with his friends, hotel tycoon Nathan Archer refuses to settle down and tie the knot. His only commitment is to bachelorhood. Granted, that contract was made when he was 15 years old… and in a treehouse. Still, a promise is a promise. And Nate takes his promises seriously.

But when cute little Eleanor Marshall walks back into his life, this blast from the past is no longer the timid little girl he used to know. When Ellie propositions him for a night of sizzling, unattached sex, Nate can't refuse. Besides, it's only one night. And Nate is never going to settle down.

Never say never…

AMAZON | iBOOKS | KOBO | B&N


Carly Phillips
After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. 

Lauren Hawkeye
New York Time and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Hawkeye never imagined that she'd wind up telling stories for a living… though when she looks back, it's easy to see that she's the only one who is surprised. Always "the kid who read all the time", Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she'd finished a book… and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.
Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, two young sons, pit bull and two idiot cats, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting, reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

Find Carly Phillips and Lauren Hawkeye Online

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Cardeno C Audio Book Tour


Cardeno Multi Audio tour - header

Jesse's Diner AudiobookJesse's Diner: Hope, Book 2

    • Written by: Cardeno C.
    • Narrated by: Paul Morey
    • Length: 2 hrs and 49 mins 
    • Unabridged Audiobook


LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.
Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, 22-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend's father and mentor's widower and therefore off-limits.
Despite some challenges, 39-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He's extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life with. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another; all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

 US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

 

The Half of Us AudiobookThe Half of Us: Family Collection

    • Written by: Cardeno C.
    • Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
    • Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins 
    • Unabridged Audiobook



LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it's a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.
Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn't dimmed Abe Green's optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present - one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.
For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

 

Something in the Way He Needs AudiobookSomething in the Way He Needs: Family Collection

  • Written by: Cardeno C.
  • Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
  • Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins 
  • Unabridged Audiobook


LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Controlled Asher didn't expect to fall for free-spirited Daniel, but they'll find what they desperately need in one another.
Police captain Asher Penaz's staunch professionalism bleeds into his home life, down to his neatly pressed attire and Spartan apartment. He enjoys being in charge and in control, so his sudden and powerful attraction to the lighthearted, free-spirited Daniel Tover throws him for a loop. In his entire life, Daniel has never gotten what he needs, so he moves to the next place, the next job, the next attempt to find something worth staying for, always landing at the top of his game, but never feeling like he belongs.
The chemistry between Asher and Daniel sizzles, but with all that fire comes the risk of getting burned. As both men struggle to learn themselves while getting to know each other, the lines of desire and control blur. If Daniel and Asher can walk through the flames together, they might find what they desperately need.

US / UK / iTunes

ebook links

Where He Ends & I Begin AudiobookWhere He Ends & I Begin: Home Collection, Book 3

  • Written by: Cardeno C.
  • Narrated by: Alexander Collins
  • Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
  • Series: Home, Book 3
  • Unabridged Audiobook

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Aggressive, physical, and brave, Jake Owens is a small town football hero turned big city cop who passes his time with meaningless encounters believing he can't have who he really wants: Nate Richardson, his best friend since before forever. Thoughtful, quiet, and kind, Nate is a brilliant doctor who has always known who he is and has never been able to shake his crush on loyal, courageous, straight Jake.
After a passionate night together, Nate realizes Jake isn't as straight as he assumed, but he worries that what they shared was a fluke, a result of too much closeness for too long. For Jake, the question isn't how they ended up in bed together because he has always known that Nate holds his heart; it's how he'll convince Nate that he wants and needs to stay there.

US / UK 

ebook links

My life is crazy. My life is spent 50% in a car or on the go...maybe even more. So I love to listen to audio books. They have come a long way from years past and more and more titles are now available, making my life as an avid reader a little simpiler.

I was able to listen to When He Ends & I Begin and really enjoyed the book. Most of my audio books that I listen to are re-reads of books that I had previously enjoyed but this title was a new to me title and so I went in knowing nothing about the book. I am a big fan of Cardeno C and so I knew that the story line would be great and I wasn't disappointed. 

What I loved about this audio book: The guy who read it was great. He told the story in a way that it didn't sound as if he was reading the book, but rather living it. Which makes for a great audio book.

What I didn't love about this audio book: Although the actor was great, he played both of the guys in the book. So he changed the tone of his voice for each character - but at times it was still hard to determine who was talking.

All and all, this was a great experience and I would definitely buy more audio books from Cardeno C. 

 

Cardeno C - Logo
Cardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever- after sunset.
Cardeno's Home, Family, and Mates series have received awards from Love Romances and More Golden Roses, Rainbow Awards, the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and various reviewers. But even more special to CC are heartfelt reactions from readers, like, "You bring joy and love and make it part of the every day."

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