RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW : 717 miles by Sophia Soames

Title: 717 miles

Author: Sophia Soames

Publisher: Self published

Cover Artist: Miriam Latu

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Length: 104 969 words/ 371 pages

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Trope/s: New adult

Themes: Coming of age, Au pair (Manny), Travel, Family, Airline Industry,

London, UK, Oslo, Norway, School. Enemies to lovers. Bisexuality. Gay. Out and Proud.

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Deals with serious bullying.

For US readers, this story is set in the UK where the age of consent is 16.

The MC’s are 17 and 19. Mature content.

It is a standalone story.

Rating : 4/5 Stars

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The calculated flying distance from Oslo to London is equal to 717 miles which is equal to 1153 km. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Oslo and London is 1732.79 km. If you ride your car with an average speed of 112 kilometres/hour (70 miles/h), travel time will be 15 hours 28 minutes.

Adam Vik Solheim should not be in London. He’s not supposed to be anywhere near the British capital, because Adam Vik Solheim, age 19, is supposed to be on a beach in Bali. He is supposed to be on the first stop on an Asian backpacking trip of a lifetime. That was the plan. That is where he is supposed to be. Not here. Alone in a weird house in a strange city, being paid to look after some troubled 17-year-old.

Felix Haugland has to survive the final 3 weeks of school. Make it through 21 more days of hell. Then he is going to hide out in his room for the rest of the summer until he can figure out how to get his life back on track. Find a school far far away, where he can start over and not make mistakes. He doesn't need a flipping babysitter. He just doesn't. His life is messed up enough as it is.

I have learned my lesson. I don’t get close. I don’t talk too much. I don’t tell people about feelings. That is fucked up.

What a sweet story about two broken young men and their journey to find true love….

The story come with a very promising good start and strong emotional feels because of what Felix been through with the bullying. The traumas, the anxiety and fears are portraying in good writing that could cringed you at some level.

Then come Adam, a Norwegian Au-pairs Felix's mother ask to accompanying his son while she’s go around the world working as an airlines attendant.

At first, Felix refused to have a manny (slash bodyguard) to look after his needs since he will be eighteen soon. Felix didn’t trust easily and he’d learned it hard way. But Adam had gave him a warm and comfort feeling that had long gone since the bullies started. Slowly and so smoothly, their relationship start to grow and change. Adam’s patient and understanding had help Felix to feels safe and alive again. Adam presence had brought positivity to Felix, encourage him to be brave and stand on his own feet again and claimed back his life. There’s an ups and downs in their relationship, they even argued in many things. Both Adam and Felix need to short a lots of things before they finally walk on same pace. And along with that their relationship become more and more stronger. They might be still young, but their connection are strong enough…

This book come with very interesting blurb and a very artistic cover that sold me instantly. The bonding and relationship development of the MC's and the writing are another things that made this book completely hard to put down. 

And all those cuddling scenes? It was the best moment I have during the reading….very sweet, comforting and warmed my heart…

His lips brushing briefly against my forehead. Then his head comes to a rest on top of mine. I am held in his embrace like a baby. Like an awkward child being comforted against his will. He strokes my back, just letting his fingers dance over my skin. Breathing softly, his chest rising and falling against my awkwardly bent arms. I can’t go anywhere. I don’t want to go anywhere. I just give up and let go. I am warm. Held tight. Safe. 

“I’ve got you.” He whispers.

Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over tv-shows, has fallen in and out of love with more pop stars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un)glamourous real-life job.

Her long suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The Au Pair just sighs.

She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in Scandinavia.

Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever and she hopes it may long continue.

Miriam Latu is a Norway based artist, specializing in hand drawn pencil portraits. She works with old-school pen and paper, and more of her work can be found on Instagram.

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Giveaway

Little Harbour, my first novel, will be FREE on all Amazon platforms from April 30 until May 4.

Go grab it if you haven’t already read it!

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RELEASE BLITZ SCHEDULE

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

ARC REVIEW : Mud & Lace (Rainbow Place #4) by Jay Northcote

Title: Mud & Lace

Author: Jay Northcote

Series : Rainbow Place #4

Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)

Length: 60,000 words approx

Genre: contemporary m/m romance, bisexual, gender fluidity

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Release Date: Thursday 25th April 2019
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Buy link :
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Universal Link

When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.

Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.

Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.

When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.

Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.

I’ve been waiting and totally curious about Lady Gogo and Wicksy story and I have huge feeling that I will completely enjoying this story.

We all know that Wicksy couldn’t take his eyes of from Lady Gogo charming performance at Rainbow Place, even when he clearly know that there’s a man behind all the make up but he can’t stop the curiosity that grew in him. When he brave himself to flirt with her and got a good response from her, they soon fall into an ‘agreement'.

At first both Charlie and Wicksy only playing' to satisfied their own wicked/kinky fantasy. But then Wicksy realize that he started to falling for the man behind Lady Gogo's femme looks...

Simon clearly didn’t want people to know he was hooking up with a guy, and Charlie didn’t want his friends to know he was fucking a straight guy— and God forbid they found out he was dressing as a woman to do it.

But both Charlie and Simon need to find what they really want and dealing with what they feel then facing all the consequences, obstacles and dilemmas that following their act before finally found their HEA.

The way the author picturing the dilemmas, self conflicts and Charlie’s gender fluidity are very understandable and easy to follow without sounds too cheesy. I love how both Charlie and Simon learned to accept what actually happen to them even at some part Simon selfish act had disappointed and hurt Charlie quite bad, but again I completely understand why he did all that, because everything need a process and Simon/Wicksy must clear his head if he didn’t want to lose Charlie forever...

Overall, I think the story is way much better that the last book before this and I really enjoying reading Lady Gogo and Wicksy story.

Mud & Lace definitely become my another fave book from this series!

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as Audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

www.jaynorthcote.com

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ARC REVIEW : Snow of the White Hills by Wendy Rathbone

Title : Snow of the White Hills

Author : Wendy Rathbone

Genre(s) : gay romance, fairytale retelling

Release Date : April 19th 2019

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

A Gay Fairytale. 

Once upon a time an imprisoned prince was rescued by seven beautiful men.

For two years, Prince Snow has been locked away in the palace tower. On the night Queen Serena decides to do away with him for good, seven beautiful men with equally tragic pasts appear out of nowhere to rescue him.

Starved for affection, hurt, and in fear for his life, Snow is shown attention and care he has never known. The seven men teach him what real loyalty and love can be.

Doc, their leader, will heal him.

Sleepy, the most devoted, offers to become his love until the end of days.

All yearn to fight to gain Snow his rightful throne.

But Snow cannot justify his new friends putting their lives on the line for him. His heart will break forever if anything happens to Sleepy. Maybe it would be better for all if he just left…

You will love Prince Snow, but you will fall in love with Sleepy!

M/M romance, non-magical fantasy, abduction, imprisonment, rescue, hurt/comfort, and a sweet love story with a happy ending!

As a fairytale lovers I must admit that I’m SOLD to the blurb instantly.

Reading gay version retelling about a very well-known classic fairytale always excited and intrigued me, and picturing Prince Snow surrounded by seven beautiful men instead of seven dwarfs added more curiosity in me.

I love how the author trying to mix the already well-known plot from the original story and smoothly change and adjust it to fit with the gay romance genre the author trying to offer us in this story. And it made this book feels so intriguing and really hard to put down.

The journey Prince Snow been through since being held captive by his stepmother at the cold lonely tower, the abuse he must endure for two years, the nearly dead experience on the huntsman hand and being rescued by seven men that later show him the attention and care he has never known and also teach him what real loyalty and love can be are blended very well in the author’s good writing. I like the little twist at nearly end of the book about Doc, it added the element of surprise to the already interesting story. The story itself had successfully warmed my heart and put so many smiles in my face while I’m reading it.

The most lovely scene from this book that leave deep impression in me is the cuddling scenes between Snow and Sleepy. It made me crave a cuddling with someone too. I never get so jealous with the characters activities in a book, but Snow and Sleepy had made me jealous for no logic reason!

Snow of the White Hills is my kinda fairytale and if you’re a fairytale lovers like me, I would gladly recommended this book for you!
So, give this book a try and meet the beautiful prince with platinum white hair and his seven protectors.

Snow smiled. “Through fate and pain and suffering I found you. The best of the best. And I would go through it all again to keep you. I am strong now. Because of you. I’m just a man, yes. But a man in love with you. It makes me feel real for the first time. And all I really want is you. To be together. The rest is like a dream, but you’re my reality. You are Benjamin, the man who has made me whole. You’re mine, Sleepy. First and foremost.”

REVIEW : Broken by Colette Davison

Title : Broken

Author : Colette Davison

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
with angst, may/december

Release Date : March 5th 2019

Rating : 4.5/5 Stars

Rule #1: Keep running.

Jag’s rules have kept him safe and free since he escaped conversion therapy, but that was before he walked into Heaven and Hell. A no-strings fling with the club owner, Michael, turns into so much more as Jag finds himself breaking one rule after another.

Michael hasn’t been able to commit to anyone since his partner died, until Jag walks into his club. Falling in lust with the elfin young dancer is easy, and his heart is quick to follow.

Michael gives Jag a reason to stay, but fear rules Jag’s heart more than love. Despite his deepening feelings for Michael, Jag knows he can’t stay. Can he?

**Contains adult themes, content, and language.**

Rule number one: keep moving.
Rule number two: tell no one.
Rule number three: no freebies; he’d pay his way.
Rule number four: don’t get attached to anyone. 
Rule number five: set boundaries.

For four years Jag had survived by sticking to the rules he made to keep him safe.

Another thing he learned after escaping from the hell he’d been through is ‘trust no one’ and he’d learned that the hard way, when a ‘friend’ had betrayed him in exchange for money…

On his run, Jag wanted to be able to have a home and a job and not have to constantly look over his shoulder. He wanted someone he could love and hold on to. Someone he could trust. He wanted to feel safe and live without fear.

Then he meet Michael…

Jag saw desire in the way Michael look at him on the first day they met when he came to Heaven and Hell to become one of the dancer at the club owned by Michael. At first, Jag only want to ‘use’ Michael for his own pleasures by seducing the older guy for some meaningless sex before he move again for another run. But then he realize that he started to growing fond of Michael….

For a few minutes at least, he needed to be in someone’s arms. He needed to be held and comforted. He wanted to feel the man’s arms around him and forget how awful things were, how lonely he was, how empty and meaningless his life had become…

Michael made him feel worthy and wanted for more than just sex. He made him feel loved…

Jag then started lowering his guards, breaking one rule after another and risked himself for another danger that shadowing his path…

But could he trust Michael after what he’d been through in the past? Will Michael’s unconditional love could make him stop from running? Will he be brave enough to anchored his life to Michael heart? Or could this already broken soul worth Michael love?

Because for once…
Just for once he want to be free…
Because he really want to stay…

“You’re not broken.” Jag’s eyes filled with sadness, his lips, moist and glistening from Michael’s kisses, downturned. “Yes, I am. But I think you’re putting me back together again, bit by bit.” 

Michael shook his head. “No. I’m helping you put yourself back together.” 

“You make me happy. You make me feel worthy.”

I must admit I’m sold to the blurb instantly and have the feeling that this book will gonna be something, but I didn’t expect that the story will be THIS GOOD. I thought it would be another cliché story about a young pool dancer who fall for the club owner that twice his age mix with some hot smexy sex scenes. But when I’m digging more deeper to the story I found out that the story is far from cliché.

The way the author picturing Jag’s mysteriousness, anxiety and paranoia are enough to intrigued me and made me engaged to the story since the very first page. How the author woven the interactions by mix the emotional connections between the two main characters with the fragile feels both MC have and all the baggage from their past had made this story succeed playing the reader emotions until the very last page.

Broken come with the raw emotions that will broke your heart but at the same time will also warm your heart….

Recommended!

ARC REVIEW : The Mystery of Brackenwell Hall by Gillian St. Kevern

Title : The Mystery of Brackenwell Hall

Author : Gillian St. Kevern

Series : Read by Candlelight Book 2

Genre(s) : A Gothic Paranormal Romance,
historical gay romance, time travel with magic touch

Release Date : April 6th 2019

My rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy link : 
Amazon US 
Amazon UK

Stephen Mereweather, a young invalid, doubts that gloomy Brackenwell Hall can cure him. What chance does country air, no matter how fresh, have against a disease that has baffled the greatest medical mind in London—his own father? Resigned to a long recovery, Stephen encounters instead a cheeky trespasser who takes Stephen’s bad mood as an invitation to be even more obnoxiously cheerful. It’s enough to make anyone reach for the nearest bottle of laudanum...

But Charlie’s inflated self-regard is not the only inexplicable occurrence at Brackenwell. Stephen’s family is plagued by a series of disappearances and deaths. If Stephen wants to avoid a premature death, he’ll need Charlie’s help... But Charlie may prove an even bigger mystery.

“Life is a gift, not an accident— and it’s too precious to be treated so carelessly! It is our duty to make the most of what time is allotted us, to the betterment of others.”

🍷🍷🍷

The previous book from this series ‘only’ got 4 stars from me due to ‘it way to short and I want more' reason, but this one?

This book worth my very RARE FIVE SOLID STARS and that made Gillian St. Kevern become my new fave author!!!!

I just knew that I must sticking my nose closer to this author for the next book in this series since The Secretary and The Ghost successfully captivated me and I have this strong feeling that there will be more and more interesting ‘historical gothic paranormal' story following this series.

When I saw the blurb for the first time, again I just knew without any doubt that this book will gonna be another hit!

At first, I thought that this book will bring the same ‘formula’ with the ghostly theme the previous book carried, but surprisingly I was wrong….Well, not just wrong but completely WRONG!

I was preparing myself for another ghost story and waiting with high anticipation for the ghost to show up almost the entire reading and started guessing who is actually ‘the REAL ghost' in here and keep guessing how this story will gonna end when the twist hit me!

Disappointed? Hell nooooo!!!

On the contrary, it excited me even more!

And this make me feels like as if I got a second jackpot from this author after what she made me feel with the first book!!

The story itself was very consuming right from the first page, and the way the author playing with the reader heart by raising the curiosity with all the mysteries that surrounded the Brackenwell Hall and its ancient roman bath had added the tensions to the whole story and successfully made this book really hard to put down.

All the characters in this book also come with their own uniqueness and thick with the mysterious aura that made it equally perfect with their role and I must say that include the one that take part as bad person in this book!

The emotional progress the author trying to build was constantly growing as we dive to each chapters and ended it with a perfect climax. And that what makes this book worth my five stars because it satisfied me in all aspects.

Well, actually it’s kinda hard for me to reviewing this book without spilling any spoiler, so I tried not to spoils too much details about this book. I just want to assure you that this book really worth your time. So I’ll gladly recommended this book to ALL of you who love historical gothic paranormal story with time travel touch in it.

There’s also Pip and Lord Cross from the previous book that took huge part in this story and that what makes this book feels more interesting.

Now I can’t wait for the next story from this series. And I really can’t wait!!!

Recommended!

ARC REVIEW : The Line of Succession 2: Acts of Treason by Harry F. Rey

Title : The Line of Succession 2: Acts of Treason

Author : Harry F. Rey

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance

Release Date : April 4th 2019

Rating : 3.5/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

Four months have passed since the birthday party where Princess Katyn came into James’ life and gave the country hope of a royal wedding. Andrew is now a journalist, but he’s still up to his old tricks, spinning stories of the impending engagement of James and Katyn. Fortunately, the public are lapping up the fairytale royal romance. In reality, James and Andrew’s relationship is struggling to survive the weight of their separation, always one bad headline away from disaster.

The expected engagement has cornered James, and he’s acting out in ever more dangerous ways. The Queen has made it crystal clear she wants a wedding and an heir, and will stop at nothing to achieve it…not even murder.

As Princess Alexandra ramps up her feminist plan to forever shift the line of succession, she tasks her husband Faisal with roping in Andrew to her schemes by promising him a normal life with James. Only, it comes with a high price…treason.

Meanwhile, Lizzie pursues her own, far deadlier agenda. She’s finished holding onto secrets, and these particular secrets are the kind which, if they ever got out, could blow the entire line of succession wide open.

Oh wow!!!! I didn’t expect the second installment of this series would be this intense!!!

Well, after long break from the previous book I must admit that I’m a bit lost when I started this book. I need to digging back through my memories about what had happened at the previous book, all the characters and trying to figure out (AGAIN!!!!) about who’s who before I can immerse quite well into the story.

The story still offering the same formula because this is a continuity from the previous book, still a bit confusing at some part with the multiple POV with rapid change from one characters to another and fast time changing between the past and present that happen in one chapter. You need to keep focused while reading this book so you didn’t miss anything or any hints or clues about what will happen next.

But that didn’t hold me back from enjoying this book because the story still full of intrigues, conspiracies, betrayals, murders and there’s more and MORE secrets, scandals and lies would be revealed in this book and anxious you at some levels.

The story again stop abruptly at some serious scenes and leave you in emotional cliffy end. It could annoying you or else…..raise deeper curiosity in you…

There’s one thing I felt a bit annoying (or kinda stupid?) when I read this book…

How could be the future king of England seems didn’t care to practice a safe sex and let himself being fuck by strangers without any protection? And I think it ridiculous!!

Last but not least….
Will I continue reading this series?
Oh hell abso-fucking-lutely YESSSS!!!!

ARC REVIEW : Leo (Beckford Brothers #1) by Candice Blake

Title : Leo

Author : Candice Blake

Series : Beckford Brothers book 1

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, may/December, gay for you

Release Date : April 2nd 2019

Rating : 4/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

LEO:

I’m cocky with a capital C and I own it. I have big dreams and nothing’s going to stop me from achieving everything I set my mind to.

I'm about to start my sophomore year and I desperately need a place to live. One morning, I stumble across a 'Room For Rent' sign on someone's front lawn. An older man with blond hair and kind green eyes opens the door. His name is Graves and I find out he's a professor at my school.

I move into the beautiful Victorian home with Graves. At first, I want nothing to do with this forty-five-year-old professor since he's my landlord. But when I find out he needs my help, that's when everything changes...

I'm straight. Full stop.

But Graves...oh man, Graves. Why does he make me feel the things that I do when I'm with him?


GRAVES:

Since my divorce five years ago, my dating life has been terrible.

When Leo moves in, I have no idea how to get to this tall and rugged business student to open up to me. But I do see how good he is with women. How does this blue-eyed nineteen-year-old student know so much more than me when it comes to dating?

Leo becomes my sort of dating coach. At first, it's about helping me find someone. But what if that person is there all along?

I've been straight my whole life. But the chemistry between me and Leo is undeniable.

I am hesitant to explore this...thing with Leo. Word spreads fast on campus, and if anyone finds out, I could lose everything…


Warning: Leo contains explicit sexual content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

The Beckford Brothers series focuses on four brothers who go on their own journeys to find love. Each novel in the Beckford Brothers series can be read on its own or as part of the series. 

Graves moaned softly as he kissed me, and I pulled back to look into his eyes.  

“Are you gay?” I asked.  

He shook his head. “No...are you?”  

I shook my head too. “Why are you kissing me, then?” I asked.  

“Because you kissed me first.” 

“That’s a lame excuse.” 

“Why are you kissing me?” he asked back. 

“Because it feels right.”

🍷🍷🍷

I was the tenant. He was the landlord.
He was a professor. I was a student.
He was married to a woman before.
And I’ve slept with countless women in my life who’s older than me.
We both straight or that what we thought before...

My landlord is a good man, he has such a beautiful eyes but I can see that loneliness in it. I was the kind of person to believe that if I helped others, good things would come my way. And I want to help him, help him to win this women heart that he met through the dating application, I want his date plan with this woman to succeed. So I decided to be his dating guru. That because I’ve always liked seeing people fall in love.
But one thing I didn’t expect is…it seems I’m the one who slowly falls for him…

The questions is, is he feels it too?

☕☕☕

I think this is a great start to a new series. I love the characters and the plot. The fact that both MCs was completely straight at the beginning and with huge age difference had intrigued me even more.

The good chemistry between the two main characters is another thing that made this book really hard to put down. How they start to realize the growing attraction between them and the way they start to exploring the new side of their sexuality feels so innocent and sexy at the same time.

But with that huge age difference that lies between them, both Graves and Leo really really need to make all the new things that happen in their life works before they finally found their HEA.

Leo is definitely a very interesting story, a page turner and completely sweet. The way the author wrote it made this book feels so special and enjoyable enough to follow.

Another thing that I love from this book is Leo's father and their cute little puppy, Slate that succeed stole the spotlight.

The author said that this is the first book from Beckford Brothers series. And Leo has another 3 brothers, so I assume each book will tell us more about them. And I really can’t wait to read King’s story!