Blog Tour: The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

Title: The Art of Hero Worship

Author: Mia Kerick

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: October 29, 2018

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 51500

Genre: Contemporary, contemporary, bisexual, new adult, college, self-discovery, crime/school shooting, PTSD/disability, grieving/depression, family drama, violence, stalking

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Synopsis

College junior Liam Norcross is a hero. He willingly, even eagerly, risks his life to save a stranger as a murderous, deranged shooter moves methodically through the darkened theater on the Batcheldor College campus, randomly killing innocent men, women, and children.

The stranger he saves is college freshman Jason Tripp. Jase loses everything in the shooting: his girlfriend, who dies on the floor beside him, and his grip on emotional security. He struggles to regain a sense of safety in the world, finally leaving college to seek refuge in his hometown.

An inexplicable bond forms between the two men in the chaos and horror of the theater, and Liam fights to bring Jase back to the world he ran away from. When Jase returns to school, they’re drawn together as soulmates, and soon Liam and Jase fall into a turbulent romantic relationship. However, the rocky path to love cannot be smoothed until Jase rescues his hero in return by delving into his shady past and solving the mystery of Liam’s compulsion to be everybody’s savior.

Book Review: Sugar Cookies and Mistletoe by Kay Doherty

Preston believed he would never find his mate. When he finally does, he’s in for a surprise. His mate, Dylan, is a rare omega wolf-shifter, but he’s still a child himself. Due to the unusual circumstances, the families agree to keep Preston and Dylan separated, only allowing monitored emails to be exchanged between them. Six years later, Dylan returns to the wolf-shifter town of Barton, and Preston. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for Dylan to meet the Callahan Pack, reunite with his mate, and figure out exactly what his omega status means for his future with Preston.

I don't read shifter books very often, but the synopsis of this book caught my attention. I was intrigued by a wolf-shifter finding his mate, but having to wait because that person is still a child. I ended up really liking this novella. Preston and Dylan are very likable characters and I rooted for their happiness. Due to the short length of the book, we, unfortunately, are pushed through the mates' years of separation. I would have loved to have seen what both Dylan and Preston had to endure during the six years that they were apart. We receive little clues after they're reunited, but it would have been great to actually see those moments fleshed out in detail. All in all, this is a sweet, quick read that will bring a smile to your face.

I received a copy of this book from the author, via IndiGo Marketing & Design, and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Links

Ninestar Press | Amazon

~ M

White as Marble by underthespellofmalec

White as Marble by underthespellofmalec

When Alec moves to a new town, he is immediately intrigued by and drawn to a mysterious group of kids at school. They're from the same family: all beautiful and all very intimidating. He tries to keep his distance, but can't deny the pull he feels towards one particular member of the family.

Twilight and Shadowhunters? It's actually quite good, so please hear me out. lol Placing Alec and Magnus into the world of Twilight might make some people gag, but I think it turned out pretty well. Alec is great as the shy and slightly awkward new boy at school, while Magnus is perfect as the elusive and deadly handsome vampire, and I think you'll enjoy how the author distributed certain powers amongst the Shadowhunters cast. Even if you're not too crazy about Twilight, definitely give this story a try. It's really cute.

~ M

Book Review: Blind Date by Kay Doherty

Dekker Callan is content with his life though he knows something is missing. Wanting the kind of love his friends share with their partners, Dekker is talked into taking part in a modeling and dating show as part of a fundraiser. He immediately falls in love with the anonymous, sexy voice on the other side of the wall, but fate has a surprise in store–his mystery man isn’t single.

Slade Gannon wasn’t supposed to take part in the dating show. That spot was for his roommate, Phil, who becomes ill and asks Slade to take his place. Slade has just recently gone through a breakup with his cheating boyfriend, George. Shocked and pleased when he wins the interest of handsome Dekker Callan, before he can go on the obligatory blind date, his ex asks for a second chance. Believing Dekker can’t possibly be as good on the inside as he looks on the outside, Slade agrees.

Dekker and Slade hit it off immediately, drawn to each other despite Slade being involved with someone else. They finally get their opportunity to be together when Slade finds out his boyfriend is still cheating, but just as they seem to discover the happiness they’ve been waiting for, George throws them one last hurdle—and this one may prove to be insurmountable.

This was an interesting read for me. Dekker is a very likable character, but the underlying storyline and what happens between the two MCs left a somewhat bad taste in my mouth. Had Slade not already been in a relationship, everything would have been cool, but the George situation, even though he wasn't the best guy in the world, made it difficult for me to root for the MCs.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

~ M

Book Review: Us Again by Nell Iris

When Alex gets a call in the middle of the night telling him his ex-boyfriend is in the hospital, he only hesitates for a second before rushing to Sammy’s side. But the Sammy in the hospital bed is fragile and not the same man who told Alex to leave seven months ago.

Alex wants to help Sammy get better and is desperate to find out what went wrong between them. Maybe he’ll even get a second chance with the man he hasn’t been able to get over.

But will Sammy let Alex back into his life?

This is a very emotional and visceral short story. We are immediately thrown into the turmoil that Alex and Sammy are experiencing after their sudden break up and Sammy's admittance into the hospital. My heart broke for Alex as he tried to be there for his former love, even when he was unsure about the entire situation. The reason for the break up didn't quite measure up to the build up in my opinion, but I commend Nell Iris for writing such a heart wrenching story in under 10,000 words.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

~ M

Blog Tour: Fling by Baylin Crow

Pre-Order: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Release Date: October 15

Length: 275 pages

Cover Design: Baylin Crow

Blurb

Our time together has an expiration date.

HAYDEN: I don't remember a time when I didn't love him.
The only guy I've ever wanted sees me as nothing more than the kid next door and his younger sister's best friend. But when Dean comes home after college graduation, things are different. I've grown up, and the way his golden-brown gaze scorches a path over my body tells me he's noticed. When he makes me an offer I should refuse, I'm caught between my feelings for him and logic screaming that this idea is doomed to end in heartbreak.

DEAN: I'm not interested in anything serious but I need to have him.
I plan on spending a few months at home relaxing before beginning my dream internship. What I don't count on is my little sister's best friend sending me for a loop. He should be off-limits, but the pull I feel toward him is too strong to ignore. When I come up with a solution to spend the summer together in secret, I'm sure I have it all figured out. I just need to work him out of my system.

It's supposed to be free of complications...a fling. By the end of summer, it's anything but simple.

Blog Tour: Oceans Apart by J.K. Hogan

Title: Oceans Apart

Author: J.K. Hogan

Publisher: Euphoria Press

Release Date: October 1, 2018

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 85K words

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, (gay) virgin, first time, coming out

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Synopsis

Bored of with his mundane life, Leo Takahashi heads to the East Coast to find a new adventure. A series of unfortunate circumstances leave him in a potentially disastrous predicament: a gay man stranded in a backwater town of coastal North Carolina.

Sellars Hodge is a farmer from a long line of farmers who has never left his family’s land. He’s never even seen the ocean despite living less than ninety miles from the coast. In fact, he’s never done or seen anything interesting—he’s never even had a date.

When a stranded motorist stays at his house, Sellers gets a glimpse of everything he can never have. Though fear of his father’s reaction keeps him silent, Sellars’ two deepest secrets won’t stay hidden. The more time he spends with Leo, the less satisfied he is with the hand he’s been dealt and the choices he never had.

Leo wants to set up a quiet, independent life on the coast, but he feels pulled toward Sellars. He hates the idea of leaving such a vibrant, gentle giant behind to waste away on that farm.

Storms, both figurative and literal, brew in their lives, and they can only hope those storms clear the path to self-discovery and, most of all, love.

Even If We Can't Find Heaven by katychan666

Even If We Can't Find Heaven by katychan666

Magnus recently got out of a very toxic relationship that totally broke him. He's pushed his friends away and has never felt more alone. When he haphazardly wishes on star to take away the heavy burden of loneliness after a drunken evening in the loft, he awakens to a surprise (and miracle) he couldn't have imagined in a million years. 

This is one of those adorable stories that just make you feel good from the inside out. There are some intense, angsty moments, but the fluff between Magnus and Alec is so adorable your heart will surely melt. Please give this sweet story a try! You won't be disappointed.

~ M

photo credit: Freeform