Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Sin & Saint by J.M. Dabney - Blog Tour with Review, Excerpt and Giveaway



SIN & SAINT
EXECUTIONERS BOOK 4
J.M. DABNEY
M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 12.26.17


COVER DESIGN: Winterheart Design

BLURB

Eric and Ellison Gant better known as Sin and Saint were opposite sides of the same coin. They epitomized the nicknames given to them by their friends in the band Executioners. One thing Sin and Saint did well was fight and being inseparable means they had a lot of disagreements, but one thing they agreed on was Sheriff Camden Pelter was theirs. The older, stoic man didn’t agree, yet they were determined to change his mind.

Camden Pelter had the daunting job of turning the Powers Sheriff Department around. The residents of the Georgia town didn’t have much faith or respect in the Deputies serving them. That’s where he came in and he was determined to do his job. That was easier said than done with two annoying brothers Sin and Saint who dogged his every step. No way in hell was he getting mixed up in the chaos that were the Gant Twins. Now if only if he could get them to listen and realize they didn’t have a chance of changing his mind.




EXCERPT

Saint didn’t want to get off the bike. Camden smelled like leather, sweat, and spicy cologne, but it could be the man’s leather jacket that was wrapped tightly around him. He’d dreamed of being that close to Camden for almost three years since he’d seen him the first time. Camden was dressed in tactical gear. Looking badass and sexy, commanding. He’d wanted to crawl into the man’s lap and never get up.
When he’d mounted behind Camden, he’d tried to keep as much distance as possible between them, but Camden moved him closer. His brother saw something he wanted, and he went for it, except when it came to Camden. Sin was as terrified as him but played a good game. They’d never wanted the same person before. They always talked about it, and when it happened, they would be the one for them.
They hadn’t anticipated, well, Sin hadn’t anticipated their one putting up such a fight. He wasn’t like Sin. He wasn’t confident or outgoing, he wanted someone who would love and take care of him—someone to make decisions. Sin joked about his Daddy issues. He knew Sin didn’t mean anything by it, but it hurt.
Camden had told him what to do—that he would eat. That he would sit beside him. He’d gotten hard at the commanding, gruff voice.
His chest hurt as Camden slowed to a stop. The man helped him off, and he stood beside the bike as Camden removed the helmet. He started to remove the jacket.
“No, keep it, I’ll get it next time.”
“Next time?”
“You stop by.”
“Okay.” He started to back away, but Camden’s huge hand wrapped around the back of his neck.
He found himself plastered to Camden’s side. He twisted his hands in Camden’s uniform shirt. Tilting his chin, he waited for the kiss. He wanted those firm, full mouth on his. Calloused fingertips pinched his chin, and the hand on his neck kneaded the muscles.
Another kiss landed on his forehead like before they’d left. Camden pulled back, and he looked into the man’s gorgeous green eyes. He was so close he could see the yellow flecks around the pupils.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Lips brushed his left cheek, then the right, and Camden moved lower until the man’s mouth hovered over his.
“No—”
A hard tug at his hair stopped him.
“I said you’re beautiful, Ellison.”
“Thank you.”
He lowered his gaze then jerked it back up when Camden retreated.
“I’ll wait here until you’re inside.”



4.5 out of 5 stars 


Sin & Saint is the fourth book in the Executioners series, which is a spin-off series to both the Twirled World Ink and Brawlers series. While you could possibly read them as stand alones, I personally don't recommend it because the characters from the other books make multiple appearances through all the books. 

So this is a little bit of a different type of romance since it involves twin brothers who are attracted to the same man. There is NO twincest in this story, so don't get squicked out when you read that...it's a poly romance with no taboo anything to this story. I'll admit I was really curious how this author was going to handle Sin & Saint and whoever their potential mate or mates might have been. There's no hiding that they're extremely close siblings, and depend on each other for support and strength. They are also a major handful of wickedly sexy, snarktastic young men who need someone who can handle their quirks and vulnerabilities.  Of course that means they need someone, in this case, the same someone to be their rock but still allow them to spread their wings. 

They want that with the sexy new sheriff, Camden Pelter, who happens to be Scary's cousin. Camden at first wants nothing to do with the twins, or so he thinks, mostly because of his own issues but also the age difference. The boys try their damnedest to break down Cam's walls and they finally do...and when they do well let's just say sparks fly off the page. Cam is a great foil for these two because he treats them as individuals, wants to develop individual relationships with each, but also knows their bond means everything to Eric and Ellison. He really does see each of the twins as they are meant to be seen.. and that's honestly one of the best parts of this story for this reader. 

Is this a perfectly written book? No.. as with most self published books there are errors here and there.. did they yank me out of the flow of the story.. NOPE.. not at all. The story was just want was needed for these characters, and for this reader, while not perfect still a really good, really enjoyable story. Any why I say not a perfect story.. I felt like Sin stole a little more of the page time over Saint, so I felt like there was more to know about Saint that we may not have necessarily gotten to seen on page. Again it's not a major issue and most likely won't bother other readers. 

Of course if you've read this author before you know her characters are a little rough around the edges and that's what makes their stories enjoyable. They're flawed, pissy, inked, and bearded men who find the perfect for them matches.  I happen to enjoy this author's books enough that she's on my autobuy list. I highly recommend this book for fans of the author  and encourage others who haven't read the series to start with the Twirled World Ink books and work your way through to this one. 

  



J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. She lives with a constant diverse cast of characters in her head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. she lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure she does them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and she makes sure her characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more she wants from telling her stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Author Pagewww.facebook.com/J.M.DabneyAuthor/
Publisher Facebook Pagewww.facebook.com/Hostilewhisperspress/

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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Undercover Star by Jackie Keswick - Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 41,000 words

Cover Design: Emma Griffin

Blurb

It sounds like the stupidest idea in the history of stupid ideas. Detective Inspector Josh Ingram wants to find a deadly medieval locket and through it, a murderer. So why does his boss decide to team him up with Matisse Vervein, a pop idol many consider just a pretty face... and expect the two of them to hunt down an art thief?

Marissa Godwin, Matisse's no-nonsense manager, isn't stupid. Neither is her brother-in-law, Detective Superintendent Tim Montgomery. Each is looking out for a lonely man on the verge of quitting what he does best, and both believe that their charges would make a great team.

The attraction sizzling between Josh and Matisse is hard to miss, but there's plenty of resentment, too. Focussed on pushing Josh and Matisse towards each other, Marissa and Tim haven't imagined the kind of trouble a music star and a detective can find when they ditch their prejudices and accept that the attraction between them is mutual. Or how far each is prepared to go to prove it to the other.

A feel-good, action adventure romance set in England and Scotland, featuring a reluctant pop star who's not out, a detective trying his hand at being a bodyguard, plenty of adventure, and a happy ending.


4.5 out of 5 stars

Undercover Star is a new contemporary m/m romance featuring a pop star and a detective on the hunt for his partner's killer. 

I'll admit that I'm a rather huge fangirl of this author from her first book in the Power of Zero series. So when I heard that she was writing a new story featuring a singer/musician I was pretty damn excited. That's  one of my favorite types of characters in any contemporary book. 

Undercover Star did not disappoint, in fact I had a hard time putting this book down for you know those important things such as work, sleep, and food. This story drew me in from the first page and really did not want to let go. 

It features what I've come to see as the author's style of characters, strong but distinctly flawed by either previous life trauma or not being true to themselves. Which Matisse embodies the latter in spades. Matisse, one of the leads, is a very talented pop singer who's living in the closet so he won't upset his fans. He's also hiding who he really wants to be/do in the music industry. And that is one of the spots in the story that lowered my rating. The author never allowed Matisse to say or show what kind of music it was that he really wanted to do. 

I did thoroughly enjoy the dynamic between Matisse and Josh as they discovered that first impressions really can be impossibly wrong. Josh's teasing Matisse by calling him Rock Star and then him realizing that he's not JUST a pretty face but a very intelligent and talented individual who is multi-faceted. Matisse realizing that Josh wasn't just hired muscle wrapped in a sexy body. That Josh was driven and dedicated to finding who killed his former detective partner. And the book does leave a part of this story open ended so I'm hoping that this isn't just a standalone and that the author will end up writing a continuation. That part of the story really needs to be closed along with giving us a further glimpse into Matisse and Josh's life after the end of this story. 

This is a well written, well paced story featuring detailed characters who exhibit both personal and emotional growth throughout the storyline. I highly recommend this story as a one to devour over your holiday time off, or a long weekend. Trust me you'll want some time carved out to read this in one go because it will suck you in! 

 I look forward to whatever comes next from Jackie Keswick.. if it's a continuation to this story, a new Power of Zero book, or a new standalone. She's definitely one of my go-to authors for a dependable good read. 




November 22 - Urban Smoothie Read

November 24 - OptimuMM

November 27 - Ebook Addicts, Making It Happen

November 29 - Zipper Rippers, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Valerie Ullmer, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews

December 1 - Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, Bayou Book Junkie



Author Bio

Jackie Keswick was born behind the Iron Curtain with itchy feet, a bent for rocks and a recurring dream of stepping off a bus in the middle of nowhere to go home. She's worked in a hospital and as the only girl with 52 men on an oil rig, spent a winter in Moscow and a summer in Iceland and finally settled in the country of her dreams with her dream team: a husband, a cat, a tandem, a hammer and a laptop.

Jackie loves stories about unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who don't follow the rules when those rules are stupid. She has a thing for green eyes, blogs about English history and food, and is a great believer in making up soundtracks for everything, including her characters and the cat.

And she still hasn't found the place where the bus stops.

For questions and comments, not restricted to green eyes, bus stops or recipes for traditional English food, you can find Jackie Keswick in all the usual places:

Website
Twitter
FB
Newsletter


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Saturday, July 22, 2017

Hunter by JM Dabney - Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 160 pages

Cover Design: Winterheart Design

Brawlers Series

Crave (Book #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK
Psycho (Book #2) Amazon US | Amazon UK
Bull (Book #3) Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

WELCOME TO BRAWLERS BAR…

If there was a way to destroy his life, Hunter Black could do it. He was a catastrophe waiting to happen. Survival was his only priority and having to leave his old life behind meant a job of the legal variety. He’d found one as a bartender at Brawlers Bar and a safe place in a huge house with the rest of the bar crew who quickly became the family he’d never had. The one thing

Hunter didn’t need was his old life tracking him down.

Deputy Wren Gramble hated his job and his weekend assignment of staking out a bar in the middle of nowhere waiting for drunks. Although he’d heard the homophobic and racist jokes going around about the crew and customers, he kept his head down and stuck to his job and nothing else. He despised being driven back into the closet, but he’d reached the end of the line, and he didn’t know what he’d do if he earned another transfer.

Linus Trenton was considered the normal one in his family and according to the weird ones that meant he should be punished daily. He never came out one way or another, if he found someone attractive, he was attracted. His life was complicated enough having a crush on the sweet and awkward Hunter, but now he had to throw Wren into the mix. Linus didn’t have time for dating or romance, most of the time he didn’t even think about having a sex life. Although, Wren and Hunter were ruining his calm.

Hunter was in lust with the handsome deputy the minute the man pulled him over, but a man like that wouldn’t give him the time of day. His friend, Linus, was another matter altogether. Hunter wanted both. His bosses made it work with their man, why couldn’t he? Could Hunter prove he wasn’t as much of a screw up as he appeared or would he have to call in backup to claim his men?


4.5 out of 5 stars

Hunter is the fourth book in the Brawlers series. I would recommend reading the series in order, starting with the Twirled World Ink series and moving into this one. Many of the characters are featured in the previous books and there are continuing storylines. Not only that..the stories are all good reads with interesting characters. 

I have to say that Hunter is my favorite of the Brawlers so far. He's a very relateable character, and will be for many readers. He's a bit clumsy, and has some self-esteem issues thanks to his past. This all just makes him a very endearing character. He's one that you want to have a happy ending and find someone that boosts him up and makes him realize that he is worth it. Enter into the picture Wren, one of of the newest deputies in their town. 

Wren happens to be 'assigned' to watch the Brawler's bar  on a regular basis and he's definitely noticed Hunter. Finally one day he encounters the Brawler's crew out for breakfast after he gets off his shift and ends up sitting next to Hunter. They strike up a conversation and things go on from there. Mostly.. there is a huge attraction on both their parts but there's another thing, well person to consider. Linus, who's wanted Hunter for ages but never wanted to lose Hunter's friendship by asking him out and things not working. Wren however notices the attraction between the two men and after an emergency with Linus, Wren tosses out an idea that would involve all three men. 

This definitely doesn't feel like most menage or poly stories that I've read previously. They didn't just dive right in and everything worked perfectly. They had to actively work to make things work, which I really liked since that is more organic to a developing relationship of any kind. I also just truly enjoyed the storytelling in this one. I'd just recently discovered this author earlier this year and have literally devoured all of their books. With each successful book the author has consistently gotten better, the stories, the characters, and the world around them feel way more natural. The interconnected worlds with the series is one of the other things that I absolutely love. You get to see those characters you enjoyed previous living their futures with the person they had an HEA with in their book. 

I'll totally admit it... sexy, bearded men covered in ink is totally one of my favorite kind of men to see and read about. Their partners are mostly the direct opposite of them but they all work as couples, and as each other's family, as well. I consider this series a new favorite, and the author has quickly become an autobuy for me. So yes, I look forward to each new book that they publish and each new character they create. 

I'd highly recommend not only this book but both series, soon to be  3 series with The Executioners. I can't say enough about how much you'll enjoy the stories, the guys antics, and even the secondary characters with huge personalities. Definitely pick up this book and the rest of the series. You won't be disappointed. 




July 19 - Nerdy Dirty & Flirty

July 21 - Love Bites & Silk Ties, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews

July 24 - Au Boudoir Ecarlate, MM Good Book Reviews

July 26 - Sexy Erotic Xciting, Books That Are A Must Read, Making It Happen, BooksLaidBareBoys, Nessa's Book Reviews

Author Bio

J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. She lives with a constant diverse cast of characters in her head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. she lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure she does them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and she makes sure her characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more she wants from telling her stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.


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Monday, May 29, 2017

Accidental Roots Series by Elle Keaton - Series Review Tour with Review of No Pressure and Giveaway




Storm Season (Accidental Roots #1): Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 308 Pages

Blurb

They say you can’t go home again, Adam Klay doesn’t intend to until the death of his father, a famous artist, forces his return to Skagit, Washington. Cleaning up his father’s chaotic life was never on Adam’s bucket list. Worse, Adam finds himself inexplicably drawn to the elusive, terminally-clumsy, gorgeous, Micah Ryan. No way is he getting involved with someone from his hometown, he’s always insisted the best view of Skagit was in his rearview mirror.

Micah Ryan has been coasting on auto-pilot since his family was killed in a car accident a decade earlier. He runs a web business and has an irritable cat. He hardly leaves his house, unless it is for his afternoon espresso. His world tips upside down when Adam Klay rolls into town. For the first time in years, he feels alive. Unfortunately, Micah’s return to the living has been noticed and is not appreciated.

Someone has a secret. Someone is exploiting the vulnerable youth population in Skagit. Teenagers are disappearing, young women turning up dead, the dirty secrets of Skagit are surfacing.


No Pressure (Accidental Roots #2): Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 224 Pages

Blurb

Home is where the heart is, right? Except when it's not. Not when you're afraid for your life.

Joey James has given up on finding his 'Prince Charming'. There is no such thing, he needs to be realistic about his chances of a lasting relationship. A chance encounter with a former school mate at the local grocery store changes everything-maybe. Before Joey can decide what to do about it, he is swept into a terrifying scheme. Forced into helping a dangerous stranger in exchange for his family's safety, Joey begins a perilous journey into the criminal underbelly of Skagit. He will do whatever is needed to protect his family.

Buck Swanfeldt had a secret crush on Joey James in high school. Social anxiety and a two-year age difference made it impossible for him to approach Joey then. Life since high school has been challenging. And lonely. Eight years later, fate brings them together and Buck decides to act. He utterly fails. He would have left it at that, except fate seems to be intent on pushing Joey in his direction, and clearly Joey needs someone at his back.

Dark, sordid secrets hiding in Skagit are bubbling to the surface, danger lurks in unexpected places. Buck has never been anyone's hero but something about Joey has him throwing caution to the wind. Together the two men take on a dangerous force greater than themselves. But sometimes our worst enemy is ourselves.




4 out of 5 stars


No Pressure is the second book in the Accidental Roots series. It would be best to read these books in order as the plot is continued from the previous book. I'll admit that I didn't read the first book but I also didn't feel lost while reading No Pressure. 

Joey James and Buck Swanfeldt grew up in the same town and were a few years apart in high school. Joey left their small town to get his nursing degree in Seattle but came home when his dad's dementia progressed. Buck stayed in Skagit and took over his dad's garage after he passed away. While they have their small town in common Joey and Buck are very different. Joey is an outgoing, slightly flirty nurse who isn't quite sure that he wants the heteronormative lifestyle as a gay man. Buck, on the other hand, is slightly shy, and until he saw Joey James in the grocery store, he didn't think he would ever find someone who would make him want more in his life. Buck totally takes that chance when he sees Joey in the grocery store but because he's not sure of himself he lets it go. 

Eventually things work to get Joey and Buck interested in each other and then finally dating. Along the way though, Joey gets blackmailed into helping a dangerous man's associate who's very ill. As he gets pulled further and further into his man's goings on, Joey turns more and more to Buck as someone he wants in his life. Things eventually come to a head with Joey, which almost ends with him being seriously hurt. Luckily it all works out and both Buck and Joey are safe and unharmed. 

Obviously there is more to the plot than that, but telling too much of it would give away a large portion of the plot. This is a story that needs to be read and experienced as you read it, not by reading a review. So, yes, Joey and Buck have some very sweet times and a few seriously sexy times in the story and there are even a few points that may have you reaching for the tissues. Overall this was a decent story with really good characters, good secondary characters, a solid plot that was well-paced, and enough relationship storyline to make this a complete romantic suspense book. 

You're going to have a tough time deciding who you like more between Joey and Buck. They're both really lovable, well-developed characters that you want all the happy endings to happen for them. While I didn't get a chance to read the first book in the series, I enjoyed this one enough that I will definitely read that one, and hope that the author has more planned for this series. 

This is definitely a book, and a series, that you should add to your summer reading list. 




May 23 - Dirty Books Obsession, Bike Book Reviews, Booklove

May 25 - The Geekery Book Review, Keysmash, MM Good Book Reviews

May 27 - Dog-Eared Daydreams, Jim's Reading Room, Padme's Library, Reading Is My Satisfaction

May 29 - Sarandipity, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews

May 31 - Bayou Book Junkie, Urban Smoothie Read, Diverse Reader, BooksLaidBareBoys, Abbey's 1-Click Book Blog

Author Bio

Author, photographer, rare Pacific Northwest Native, Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west. Less than two hours northwest lie the majestic San Juan Islands. To the northeast is the Methow Valley and the scrub deserts of Eastern Washington. Geography ripe with material.

A graduate of Western Washington University, Elle has a BS in biology which taught her to be tenacious. The closest she has come to biology since then is having two kids. Like an experiment or something. She’s lived in four states (none of which were gaseous), London England, and Hong Kong; always knows what time it is, and has no problem finding parking even in the most difficult places. Cannot balance a checking account.

Elle's series Accidental Roots, mostly set in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington, will make its debut spring of 2017. Storm Season is tender, sometimes irreverent, full of nosy neighbors and help when the hero didn’t think he needed it. Writing has always been a passion but not something she was able to take seriously until recently. Now her head is full of ideas and not enough time in each day.



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Thursday, May 11, 2017

A Worthy Man by Jaime Reese - Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway


Title: A Worthy Man
Series: The Men of Halfway House #5
Author: Jaime Reese
Genre: M/M Romance
Release: May 2, 2017
Photographer: Eric McKinney of 6:12 Photography









A story of two men and the boundless love that forever changed them. 

Vannguard Shaw has spent the last ten years serving a life sentence and adjusting to the ache of solitude. He accepts his fate, a sacrifice for the only man he ever loved and the one person who saw beyond his rough edges.
Drayton grew up with a trust fund and pre-planned future, but an unexpected encounter one night forces him to abandon everything and start from scratch. He is now a self-made man and developer of one of the most sought after electric exotic automobiles in the world with a fortune greater than that of his birthright. Yet, he’d surrender it all—again—for the only man who’s still ever-present in his heart.
After a decade and entirely too much distance between them, Vann is suddenly released back into a world that has been nothing but cruel. Drayton never lost hope they would once again reunite and pick up where they left off, but Vann’s stubborn nature and repeated encounters with a heartbreaking world prove to be a challenge.
Vann needs to tap into his fighting spirit’s reservoir of strength and hope life doesn’t punish him for taking a chance. Only then will he realize his own value and feel worthy enough to finally have Drayton’s heart. And their chance at forever. ---

* Although part of a series, this full-length novel can be read as a stand-alone. *Word count: 124K





“Emotionally, beautiful and inspiring” - Amanda L Amazon Reviewer 
“A great addition to this series. One of the most romantic books I've read this year.” - Bayou Book Junkie 
“Overall...Their story is beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, sexy, and moving.” - Two Book Pushers










“C’mon,” Drayton said, tugging Vann by the hand. After breakfast and a countertop quickie, they had immediately returned to the bedroom and had been hibernating there since. He had no objection to spending all day in bed, but he had a surprise for Vann and couldn’t stand waiting any longer. “I want to show you the rest of the house.”
“But I like the bedroom.”
Drayton chuckled, pulling him up with more force. “We can come back after.”
“Fine,” Vann grumbled, finally sitting up on the bed with a dramatic pout.
“You’re cute when you don’t get your way.”
“Cute enough to stay in bed?” He waggled his eyebrows and petted the bed. “It’s really soft.”
Drayton leaned in and gave Vann a chaste kiss, jerking back quickly to avoid his grasp.

Vann’s laughter filled the room. “Damn. You’re still super-fast.” He reluctantly stood and stretched his arms over his head.

Drayton’s lips parted, enjoying the flex of muscles.

“Like what you see?” Vann asked, delivering a cocky grin as he seductively licked his lower lip. “Let’s get back in bed—”
Drayton threw his head back and laughed. “You’re still persistent as hell. C’mon. I want to show you something.”

“I want to show you something too.”

“This is important.” Drayton crossed his arms. “We can skim the other rooms but there’s one that’s special. It’s…yours.”

Vann sobered. “You’ve given me enough to cover every event for the rest of my life and then some. I don’t want—”
“It’s also for me. I’ll watch you while you use the room.”

“Hmm.” Vann pursed his lips. “Okay, you’ve got my attention.”
After a little more bargaining, Drayton finally lured Vann out of the bedroom and down the hallway. He opened the door to his office and stepped inside. “This is the room I’m usually in when I’m here.”
“Not anymore.”
He chuckled as they exited the office. They walked down the hall to the room he’d had converted into a gym.
“Damn, this is nice.” Vann checked the different weight options and looked at each of the machines.
“You’ve got everything here for all types of routines. And if you don’t like the view, you’ve got a TV.”
“The view’s beautiful.”

“Whatever we need to change out or add, we’ve still got space. I do a lot of thinking while I’m on the treadmill, so we’re not getting rid of that.”

Vann chuckled. “Okay.” He walked over to Drayton and leaned in for a slow kiss.
“Mmm. What was that for?”
“Is this the room I’ll use while you watch me? I promise I’ll make you sweat too.” 


5 out of 5 stars


A Worthy Man is the fifth book in The Men of Halfway House series. While this is part of the series, it could easily be read as a standalone. A few of the characters from the previous books make appearances, but unlike the previous books they don't feature as prominently. So you won't lose any of the storyline not having read the previous books. 

I think this has become my favorite book of this series. Now I loved the previous books and the characters, but there was something about both Dray and Vann that pulled me deep into this story from the first page. That feeling never went away through the entire book, and for this reader/reviewer there aren't many books that can carry that feeling from start to finish. 

Dray and Vann met as teenagers in high school, both from very different backgrounds but finding  common ground because they didn't fit in. Vann became Dray's protector almost from day one, and Dray became Vann's support system along with his biggest cheerleader. Over time their feelings changed and deepened beyond friendship to much more. One night changed the course of their lives  and they were physically separated for more than a decade. But Dray never gave up that they would be reunited eventually. While Vann didn't either it was much more difficult for him to believe they'd be together again. Ultimately fate and luck change the course of their lives yet again, and they are reunited. 

A Worthy Man is told both in present time and in flashbacks to Vann and Dray's teen years. The flashbacks fit in well with the flow of the story and don't idly drop you into and out of scenes as they transition. These two men are the perfect example of a love story, including first love and even a second chance at love. Even though they never break up, they are truly granted a second chance at their love story. I absolutely loved the way this author wrote Vann and Dray. They felt very real and acted very realistically. They were both strong, solid characters on their own but together they were a force to be reckoned with. 

I honestly want to fan girl over this story because, for this reviewer, it was pretty damn perfect just on the character side alone. The flow of the story, the storyline, and all the secondary characters added into that mix and made it a highly readable, and even re-readable book. 

I'm not sure how the author is going to top this story with the next book in the series. I do hope that she plans on giving a story to Ben, who was a secondary character who became friends with Vann. I highly recommend this book for fans of this author, and anyone looking for a story that will hook you from the first page. 












Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.





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