Invitation To The Blues by Roan Parrish - Review and Release Day Blitz!

Invitation to the Blues (Small Change #2)

Publisher: Monster Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): March 28^th, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): About 81,000 words

Subgenre: Contemporary romance

Content warning: depression, suicide, thoughts of worthlessness, food issues

Links:

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2GdIBgN

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2EnDP3V

Ibooks: https://apple.co/2BFfDaM

Barnes & noble: http://bit.ly/2C9aiJP

Angus & robinson: http://bit.ly/2Cudrzz

Book blurb:

Eight months ago Jude Lucen fled his partner, his career, and a hospital in Boston after a suicide attempt. Now back in Philadelphia, he feels like a complete failure. Piano has always been his passion and his only escape. Without it, he has nothing. Well, nothing except a pathetic crush on the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen.

Faron Locklear came to Philly looking for a fresh start and has thrown himself into tattooing at Small Change. He’s only met Jude a few times, but something about the red-haired man with the haunted eyes calls to him. Faron is blown away by Jude’s talent. What he isn’t expecting is the electricity he feels the first time they kiss—and the way Jude’s needs in bed speak directly to his own deepest desires.

Jude and Faron fall fast and hard, but Jude has spent a lifetime learning that he can’t be what the people he loves need. So when the opportunity arises to renew his career in Boston, he thinks he has to choose: music, or Faron? Only by taking a huge risk—and finally believing he’s worthy of love just as he is—can he have the chance for both.

The Small Change series is set in the Middle of Somewhere universe and features crossover characters from that series. Each book can be read on its own.

Content warning: This book contains explicit discussion of depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, and feelings of worthlessness.

Review:

* * * * *

After reading Small Change I absolutely knew that Jude’s story was going to be difficult for me to read.  In the end I was surprisingly incorrect.  Don’t get me wrong.  It’s not all rainbows and unicorns.  Quite the contrary.  Jude suffers from severe depression.  End stop.  There is no magic dick in this story.  There is no magic cure at all.  Because that doesn’t exist in real life.  But that’s what makes this story extra special and extra beautiful.  

Watching Jude struggle with his self-worth and starting all over again in the cutthroat world of classical music was heartbreaking but never uncomfortable.  It just….was.  He is who he is and his struggles will always be there.  Somedays they will be better, other days they will be worse, but they will always be there.

I said there is no magic dick but it sure helps to have someone in your corner.  Jude has a lot of people who love him and support him 100%.  His brother, Chris.  Ginger.  His parents.  But Faron is the one that understands him.  The one that lets him be Jude.   Who hears what Jude needs and then makes it happen.  THAT is what makes Faron magic. 

 I hate saying sex scenes are hot when I review a book.  Simply because everyone has different ideas of what they think is hot.  But Roan Parrish writes erotic scenes like no one else.  I noticed this in Small Change as well.   Her books show readers just how diverse pleasure can be.  It’s truly beautiful.

This review is a bit choppy but I’m still recovering from all the emotions after reading this one.   It was beautiful and I can’t recommend it enough.   Guaranteed that it will be on the re-read list in the near future.

Nat


Excerpt:

“Hold this,” Faron murmured into my hair, and handed me the sketchbook. I held it so he could draw with his right hand as his left continued to explore my torso. He sketched our feet, his elegant and high-arched, and mine, bony and slender; his dark, mine pale. And all the while, his fingers sketched other shapes against my skin. He dipped into my navel and ran along my ribs, sending shivers down my spine. When he skimmed a fingertip over my nipple I gasped and tensed against him.

He traced my nipple until it was a hard peak, then squeezed it, and my hips jerked, making the sketchbook jump in my hand. Faron’s breath went rough and he nuzzled into my hair.

My heart was pounding and I knew he could feel it. I squirmed to try and take my shirt off, but I couldn’t quite get it. Faron stripped it off of me and ran sure fingers along my ribs. Then he traced the blue veins visible beneath my skin from my heart to where they disappeared under my waistband.

With my oversized shirt out of the way, the bulge of my erection in my jeans was obvious.

I drew my knee up, resting it against the back of the couch. He slid a hand up the inside of my thigh so slowly I held my breath, but he didn’t touch my hard cock and I shuddered with arousal.

“Jude,” Faron breathed, and I let the sketchbook fall between us as I went for the button on my jeans. I felt like I was made of pounding heart, flushed skin, raging need, and it felt like nothing I’d ever experienced. It didn’t even feel like sex; it felt like desire. It felt like what I knew sex was supposed to feel like but rarely had for me.

Enter to win 2 e-copies of any back catalog book by Roan Parrish:

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About Roan Parrish:

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

Connect with Roan:

website |  newsletter  | twitter | facebook | goodreads |  instagram | pinterest

The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish - Blog Tour

About The Remaking of Corbin Wale

Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.

Available now from Riptide Publishing!

About the 2017 Holiday Charity Collection

20% of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

Each year, Riptide Publishing releases a holiday collection in support of an LGBTQ charity. Twenty percent of the proceeds from this year’s collection will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

The Russian LGBT network was founded in April 2006. It is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. They unite and develop regional initiatives, advocacy groups (at both national and international levels), and provide social and legal services.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: https://lgbtnet.org/en.

This collection would not be possible without the talent and generosity of its authors, who have brought us the following holiday stories:

• Cecilia Tan, Watch Point
• Roan Parrish, The Remaking of Corbin Wale
• Katie Porter, Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Buy all three in the collection and save!f

About Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

She is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.

Connect with Roan:

Website Newsletter FB group Twitter Instagram Bookbub Amazon Goodreads

Review

Otherworldly.

Intense.

Magical.

Consuming.

That’s all I’m capable of right now because I’m having a hard time putting my feelings about this book into coherent sentences. 

Otherworldly…Corbin is so fey-like in both looks and demeanor that there is no other way to describe him.  He’s eerily beautiful.  And his complete oneness with nature is mesmerizing.  He made me want to disappear into the woods and never come back.

Intense…Alex’s instant attraction to Corbin (but not instant love which made this book even more beautiful) is like a punch in the gut. And Corbin’s single minded attention to Alex was overwhelming and had me holding my breath more than once.  Particularly since Corbin’s attention isn’t easily.

Magical…Just that.  Magical.  If I say more I’ll give away too much.

Consuming….Alex and Corbin’s attraction and growing love is full of so much energy that there is no middle ground.  Neither one of these men do anything halfway.

I’m still reeling from this amazing holiday book.  The way the celebration of Chanukah helps Corbin realize the possibilities in life was absolutely beautiful.  And the (I think) promise of a future story featuring two secondary characters in the book has me hopeful.  Hopefully I’ll have time to emotionally recover from The Remaking of Corbin Whale before my next holiday read.

Seriously, though.  Buy this book.  What an excellent and beautiful addition to your holiday romance collection.

Nat

Wheel's Up by Annabeth Albert Release Blitz, Review, and Giveaway

Happy Release Day Annabeth!

Today we are celebrating men in uniform!  Annabeth's Out of Uniform Series showcases men in uniform falling in love and acting ridiculous.  We've got an excerpt, review, and don't forget to scroll ot the bottom for the giveaway!

                                    Title: Wheels Up

Series: Out of Uniform  #4

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 6th, 2017

Subgenre: M/M Contemporary Military Romance

Links: Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo

Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren’t listening to rules and regulations…

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he’s his SEAL team’s new XO—and a man with a secret. Or seven. He's kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction—they're taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.

Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn't always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He'll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.

But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they're just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team's newest member, they're in for the shock of a lifetime…and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good. 

With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together.

Review:  

The Out of Uniform Series is fantastic - lots of wonderful, hot men in uniform falling in love and getting in their own way.  In this installment we have Dustin (brother to Dylan and best friend of Apollo, of At Attention fame and my favorite couple of the Out of Uniform universe!) and Wes.  In a weird twist of fate, Dustin's sext-buddy turns out to be the new subordinate on his SEAL Team.  A relationship with Wes could lead to a court marshal.  And this is what kills me about this book, He. Does. It. Anyway.  

Predictably, the boys who think they are oh so smooth and sneaky - aren't.  Conflict ensues.  But, since this is a romance novel, our heroes work things out.  What I loved about Wheel's Up is that our heroes actually take a practical and rational approach to resolving their issues and protecting themselves instead of something irrational and unbelievable.  All that, and we get to see Dylan and Apollo again!  

Excerpt:

“So?” Wes prompted after she’d left again. “You don’t want me to hook you up with someone, even hypothetically, but what would you like tonight? Burger and watch the game? Or…”

“Or?” Dustin sounded more curious than off-put, which was good.

“Or…and I’m just throwing this out there…I’ve got a hotel room close to here. We could go hang there after we eat. Just talk. And stuff.”

“Define stuff.” Dustin fiddled with his paper napkin, but he hadn’t said no. And he was cautious, which was a good thing, smart. Another trait all the marines Wes knew had—they were wary, always ready for the next threat.

“Talk. Like how we usually do on Saturday nights.” Wes raised his eyebrows and nodded, telegraphing that he knew perfectly well how those nights usually ended, both of them drenched in sweat and spunk, yawning goodnight into the phone.

Dustin hissed in a breath. “And you’d be good with that? Just our usual?”

“Oh trust me—” taking a risk, Wes leaned across the table, putting his lips against Dustin’s ear “—there’s nothing usual about what I want to do to you. And absolutely nothing boring about a live-action version of our regular game.”

He sat back down in time to watch Dustin’s eyes light up at the mention of game. Yeah, Wes knew how to get him going. And the equal measure of trepidation and anticipation in his eyes made Wes’s pulse speed up. He wanted this, far more than he was willing to let on.

“I…” Dustin glanced around again. “I’m not…”

“Shh. You don’t have to give me an answer yet. We can enjoy our food. And the game. Hopefully UVA loses spectacularly so I can gloat about that when I call home tomorrow, and my dad will be in a better mood.”

“Okay.” Dustin sighed, and Wes knew he wasn’t imagining the relief on his features. Darn it. “How’s your sister doing?”

Wes had told Dustin a little about Sam’s heart condition on a night a few months back when he was feeling particularly down. Dustin remembering how close he was to Sam made warmth spread through his chest. “She’s good. Always got to be on the lookout for infection though. Hopefully this year’s cold and flu season isn’t too rough. She made me a new playlist today. I’ll forward you the link.”

“More of that alternative-country?” Dustin made a face. They might share a taste in movies and TV, but in music they differed, almost comically so.

“Yup. Be glad you’re not riding back with me.” His insides gave a little twinge at the reminder that all he had with Dustin was this one night. And that’s why he needs to say yes. If all they had was tonight, then Wes was going to make it one they both remembered for a long, long time.

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.  The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ  romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.

Connect with Annabeth: Twitter | Facebook  | Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram | Website

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Bad Boy's Bard by E.J. Russell

***

From Riptide Publishing:

As far as rock star Gareth Kendrick, the last true bard in Faerie, is concerned, the only good Unseelie is . . . well . . . there’s no such thing. Two centuries ago, an Unseelie lord abducted Gareth’s human lover, Niall, and Gareth has neither forgotten nor forgiven.

Niall O’Tierney, half-human son of the Unseelie King, had never lost a wager until the day he swore to rid the Seelie court of its bard. That bet cost him everything: his freedom, his family—and his heart. When he’s suddenly face-to-face with Gareth at the ceremony to join the Seelie and Unseelie realms, Niall does the only thing inhumanly possible: he fakes amnesia. Not his finest hour, perhaps, but he never revealed his Unseelie heritage, and to tell the truth now would be to risk Gareth’s revulsion—far harder to bear than two hundred years of imprisonment.

Then a new threat to Gareth’s life arises, and he and Niall stage a mad escape into the Outer World, only to discover the fate of all fae resting on their shoulders. But before they can save the realm, they have to tackle something really tough: mending their own broken relationship.

Source: An electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.  

The Bad:  

Bard is my least favorite book of this series.  Because I think Gareth is the least likeable of the Kendrick brothers.  He's a sanctimonous, racist, prick.  He's a complete ass to his brothers, his Queen, and his brothers' significant others.  Really, he's an ass to everyone.  Granted, he has spent the last two hundred years mourning the loss of his lover and blaming himself for Niall's kidnapping and what he imagines happened to Niall after being kidnapped (rape and torture being chief among them), but he really channels those feelings all the wrong ways.  Even once he learns Niall is alive, he's still a jerk to Bryce and David.  

The Good:

Bard brings everything from Cutie and the Beast and The Druid Next Door and stitches them all together to weave a great story that, in the end, has little to do with Gareth and Niall.  The Seelie Queen and the Unseelie King agree to marry and perform a unification spell to unite all of fairy, and save them all.  During the ceremony, Gareth sees Niall for the first time and believing Niall to be human, takes off to get him out of fairy before the ceremony kills Niall.  Only Niall is not human, he's an Unseelie Prince.  When he sees someone threaten Gareth, he agrees to run away with the Bard, pretending not to remember who Gareth is and their history.  

Leaving fairy before the ceremony completes has consequences neither man stopped to consider - they really are very short-sighted and selfish beings.  Unfortunately, their actions may destroy all of fairy, which would in turn destroy the human world.  With Alun and Mal trapped in fairy, Bryce and David are freaked and more than a little pissed at Gareth for causing the problems.  As they all try to figure out how to move forward, Niall's secrets come out.  And then all hell breaks loose.  In the end, they must all work together to save the world and stop those who seek to control it.  

The Bottom Line:

I'll say it again, this series is a sweet, sexy, supernatural thrill ride.  Gareth and Niall are my least favorite of the couples, but David and Bryce play large roles in the story, so it helped me get over that.  I don't feel like Gareth ever really redeems himself, but that's just me.  If you like supernatural adventures, you will love the Fae Out of Water Series.  

~ Shel

The Druid Next Door by E.J. Russell

***1/2

From Riptide:

Professor Bryce MacLeod has devoted his entire life to environmentalism. But how effective can he be in saving the planet when he can’t even get his surly neighbor to separate his recycling?

Former Queen’s Enforcer Mal Kendrick doesn’t think his life could get any worse: he’s been exiled from Faerie with a cursed and useless right hand. When he’s not dodging random fae assassins in the Outer World, he’s going toe-to-toe with his tree-hugging neighbor. And when he discovers that the tree hugger is really a druid, he’s certain the gods have it in for him—after all, there’s always a catch with druids. Then he’s magically shackled to the man and expected to instruct him in Supernatural 101.

All right, now things couldn’t possibly get worse.

Until a mysterious stranger offers a drunken Mal the chance to gain back all he’s lost—for a price. After Mal accepts, he discovers the real catch: an ancient secret that will change his and Bryce’s life forever.

Ah, what the hells. Odds are they won’t survive the week anyway.

Source:  An electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.  

The Bad:  

I don't love Mal and Bryce as much as I loved David and Alun from Book 1, Cutie and the Beast.  I mean, I like Mal and Bryce, but I LOVE David and Alun.  Especially David.  

The Good:

David, Alun, and Gareth all make appearances in Druid.  This makes me so very happy!  

I'm a big paranormal fan, so I love the supernatural elements to this series.  A world where the fae, shifters, druids, etc. all exist and are just as messed up as the rest of us.  

Someone recently asked me for recommendations on a sweet read and this and Cutie were among the first books to come to mind.  This entire series should come with a sweetness warning.  And while the stories are sweet, there are also elements of prejudice and racism faced by the couples.  In Druid, Bryce has no idea he's a powerful Druid until Mal tells him and sics David and his grandmother on him.  But fae hate druids.  And many fae won't take kindly to a fae dating a druid.  More importantly there's an old legend that a druid can make a fae a slave through mind control.  

Mal as a middle child, Mal has always felt invisible and just picking up the scraps from his older brother, who is the Queen's enforcer (a job Mal took over when Alun was banished), and his younger brother, who is the last true bard.  Mal likes how Bryce makes him feel special and let's him relinquish control.  Bryce is horrified that he sometimes feels tempted to control Mal, but knows he never actually would, especially as his feelings grow deeper.

So Mal and Bryce are trying to figure out who they are separately, and together, all while Mal ropes Bryce into helping him complete quests in order to end his curse.  What they get in to is much bigger than Mal's curse and could be deadly to, not just them, but all of the fae.    

Bottom Line:  Read this series.  Start with Cutie and the Beast.  Next is The Druid Next Door.  And then Bad Boy's Bard.  You won't be sorry.  It's sweet romance, paranormal fun, and throw in some mystery to complete the recipe for a thorougly enjoyable read!  

~ Shel  

House of Cards by Garrett Leigh

****

Calum Hardy’s life has unravelled. Reeling from the betrayal of a man he once loved, he boards a train heading south, with no real idea where he’s going except a world away from London.

Brix Lusmoore can hardly believe his eyes when he spots one of his oldest friends outside Truro station. He hasn’t seen Calum since he fled the capital himself four years ago, harbouring a life-changing secret. But despite the years of silence, their old bond remains, warm and true—and layered with simmering heat they’ve never forgotten.

Calum takes refuge with Brix and a job at his Porthkennack tattoo shop. Bit by bit, he rebuilds his life, but both men carry the ghosts of the past, and it will take more than a rekindled friendship and the magic of the Cornish coast to chase them away.

Source:  An advance electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Bad:

The book ended.  

The Good:

Porthennack is whack.  Seriously, this is one messed up town and I totally want to go there.  The people are just... crazy, in all the best ways.  Brix's family.  Oh my god.  Just.  Yeah, hilarious.  Brix himself is awesome.  He's sensitive, intelligent, funny...  He rescues chickens and protects his crazy criminal relatives, and takes in broken friends.  Which is fitting because Brix's pretty broken himself.  

Calum is definitely lost and broken and escaping a terrible relationship.  Once he starts getting back to himself he's also sweet and funny.  He finds himself falling for Brix, but Brix keeps a distance between them and he doesn't trust himself anyway.  

When these two finally take the leap to be together it's beautiful  They find love and hope for the future neither really thought was possible.  House of Cards is my first Garrett Leigh book, but it definitely won't be my last.  

~ Shel

Five Dares by Eli Easton

****

Andy Tyler has been the class daredevil since middle school. Over the years, he’s convinced his best friend, Jake Masterson, to perform some dangerous-looking stunts with him. But the dare they attempt on the night of their college graduation goes sideways. The firecrackers explode too soon and both of them end up with badly burned palms.

But hey, nothing gets the “terrible duo” down for long, and they recuperate in style at Andy’s family cottage in Nantucket. As the weeks go by, both Andy and Jake grow frustrated over the inability to use their hands for all sorts of daily activities—including getting off. So Andy begins a new series of dares that don’t just cross the friendship line, they obliterate it.

But what might be mere sexual relief to Andy is serious business to Jake, who only recently got over years of secret pining for his straight best friend. Inevitably, the burns heal, summer ends, and hearts are broken. To fix things, Andy will have to face the greatest dare of all.


Source:  An advance electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.  

Five Dates is a story of BFFs that are graduating from college and trying to figure out the rest of their lives.  Andy is the daredevil and Jake, his sidekick.  Andy convinces Jake to do a stunt at their graduation party with fireworks that leaves them both with terrible burns on their hands.  They spend their last summer recupperating and falling in love, but Andy feels like he has to live up to his father's expectations and Jake knows he has to move on.

Andy is an idiot who has always been in love with Jake, but didn't realize it was love he was feeling.  Jake's always known he was in love with Andy, but Andy's straight, so he swallowed his feelings.  

Five Dares is sweet, sappy, and funny.  I really love this book.  It's in my top two Eli Easton books (with Mr. Miggles.  If you haven't read Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles, go get it now!).  I hope you love these guys as much as I did.  Five Dares is now on my comfort read list - it's just that lovely.

~ Shel

Scorpio Hates Virgo by Anyta Sunday Release Day Blitz, Giveaway, and Review

This year is all about healing the heart, Scorpio. It’s time to leave negative attitudes and stoic facades at the door and let others see the real, more vulnerable you.

Percy Freedman is not grieving. Absolutely not, take that back at once. No, he’s entirely sure that selling his dead aunt’s home and leaving the neighbors he’s known for years is the sane thing to do. Who in their right mind would keep the house that smells like all the hugs he’ll never have again?

Nobody, that’s who.

Well, except his cul-de-sac neighbors. They all seem to think some paint and new furniture will clean the emotional slate. They all want him to stay.

Even his old nemesis, Callaghan Glover.

Especially his old nemesis, Callaghan Glover.

Lured into a game of Sherlock Gnomes, Percy finds himself hanging out with his neighbors more than might be considered healthy. Along with juggling new and surprising verbal grenades from Cal, and his burgeoning friendship with Gnomber9, Percy is starting to wonder if selling might have been the grief talking after all . . .

That’s right, Scorpio. With a little patience, heartbreak might be a thing of the past . . .

“Scorpio Hates Virgo” contains sarcasm, sexual content, a slightly sappy HEA, and an unhealthy obsession with dinosaurs.

It can be read as a standalone.

Excerpt:

Cal rocked up to his Jeep all business-casual, in form-fitting jeans, polished leather shoes and matching brown satchel, and a dark jacket that covered a beige T-shirt.

“You got a meeting or something?” Percy asked, slipping his sunglasses on.

Cal opened the passenger door and looked at him over the roof. “No.”

Sunlight did very striking things to Cal’s hair. Made it look positively copper. Not as red as his cheeks were getting, though.

A cheerful cry startled Percy and he ripped his gaze away from Cal. Crystal was waving at them from her opened kitchen window.

“Good morning,” she called.

After another restless night, he could hardly call it good, but . . . “Morning.”

She leaned further out the window, her dressing gown gaping a little too much down the front. “Are you out for the day?”

“A couple of hours. Taking Callaghan here to work, then nipping past the Home Depot.” To get the home ready to market, he needed to spruce up the place. Paint the living room and bathroom, put in a new vanity, replace the door handles of the kitchen cupboards, change the faucets and showerhead and put in a new toilet seat.

“You at the Home Depot?” Cal murmured. “Sure you’d even know what to buy?”

Percy gestured for him to get in the car. “High time I get you to work.”

As he slipped into the driver’s seat, Crystal called out after them. “Good to see water and earth spending time together!”

Over his sunglasses that had slipped down his nose, Percy looked at Cal. “See, this is why we’ll always be nemeses.”

Cal hitched his brow, and Percy turned the ignition and peeled out from the curb.

“Together we’re mud.”

Review:

Scorpio is book 2 in the Signs of Love Series.  I loved the first book, Leo Loves Ares, so I had high expectations for Scorpio.  I wasn't disappointed.  Cal and Percy are sarcastic idiots and I love them.  The only place you will find two more clueless men are in Leo Loves Ares and luckily you get to see Theo and Jamie in Scorpio being their idiot selves, so all is right in the world.

This series is definitely slllooooowww burn, but the sarcasm and wit before you get there keeps you incredibly entertained.  The geeky movie, book, and dinosaur references were amazing.  I have so much love for the geekiness!  

I thoroughly enjoyed these boys blustering about and trying to find their way.  The cul-de-sac crew are hilarious supporting characters, but it's really Cal and Percy that make this book such a delight to read.  I couldn't put Scorpio down (which was bad when I was reading it during lunch at work...) and it was over too soon.  I can't wait to see what's next in the Signs of Love series.  I hope you love it as much as I do!  

Author Bio:

Slow burn romance that quickens the heart.

Anyta is a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. She loves to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of her favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

Anyta writes a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy. Her books have been translated into German, Italian and French.

Member of Romance Writers of America.

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