Bet on Love by A.F. Zoelle (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) GRR ADULT title

 

Bet On Love 

ADULT title

by 

A. F. Zoelle

RHYS HUNTINGTON

I went to Las Vegas to marry my fiancée but ended up married to my best man instead. Considering I’m straight, I never imagined I would wake up in bed with a husband. We obviously need to get an annulment to undo our mistake. The only problem is, it turns out my feelings for my best friend Luci aren't quite as platonic as I thought.

What are the odds that my bad idea ends up being the best thing to ever happen to us?

LUCIEN "LUCI" ST. AMOUR

After Rhys and I secretly shared our first kiss as teenagers, I spent years suppressing my confusing feelings for him. But now that he’s my husband, it exposes the truth about the depths of my love for my best friend.

Could I really be lucky enough that he feels the same way about me?  

Bet on Love is the first book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novella features a friends to lovers second chance romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Goodreads | BookBub
 

Excerpt:

Chapter 2: Rhys Huntington

I got flustered by the sight of the sheets dipping low on Luci’s hips, his dark hair falling in front of his handsome face. It was a rare treat for me to see him without his glasses on, but it really wasn’t the right time to appreciate that my best friend was attractive.

When he rubbed his eyes, my stomach lurched at the sight of Olivia's wedding ring of two alternating rows of round and baguette diamonds on his ring finger. He had always hated how feminine his long, slim fingers were, and being nearly the same size as Olivia’s annoyed him almost as much as she resented it. I secretly thought his hands were beautifully elegant like a pianist’s, but the presence of my fiancée’s ring set off my rising panic. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

His bleary gaze focused on me with an effort. “Wait, why are you naked?”

“Why are you naked?” Another surge of foreboding flooded through me as a memory of Luci's hands running down my bare spine to cup my ass flickered in my mind. “Lucien, what the fuck did we do last night?” I had progressed to freaking out, because I only used his full name when I was scared or serious.

Eyebrows drawing together in thought, he answered in a questioning tone, “We were celebrating your marriage?”

I was unprepared for being blindsided by remembering kissing Luci at the altar. To stop everything from spinning out, I pressed my palm my forehead to steady myself. “Please tell me we didn’t do what I think we did.”

His blue eyes were full of confusion as he looked at my wedding band, then lifted his hand to see he was wearing Olivia’s. He squinted at it before fumbling for his glasses on the nightstand. After a long look, his voice trembled when he said, “I don’t think I can.”

Amazon

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About A. F.:

A lifelong storyteller, writing has always been A.F. Zoelle’s greatest passion. When she’s not writing about gorgeous men being sexy and in love, she enjoys procrastinating on her studies and numerous side hustles to indulge in Japanese musical theatre. She looks forward to renouncing her nomadic scholarly life someday soon so she can have Ragdoll cats to come home to instead of just dust bunnies.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please follow her on Twitter. You can also follow her on Facebook or sign up below for her newsletter announcements about her latest releases and get access to monthly previews of upcoming books, deleted scenes, and works in progress.

Connect with A.F.:

  Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram  

Website  

Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

To celebrate A. F. Zoelle's release, we are giving away 3 eBooks copies of Bet On Love!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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My review:
 
 

3.5 stars

Bet on Love by A.F. Zoelle is the first story in the ‘Good Bad Idea’ series and features prospective groom Rhys Huntington and his BFF and best man, Lucien (Luci) St. Amour. A drunken celebration? of the upcoming nuptials results in them attending a Vegas-style wedding…their own!

This gay romance novella is a light fluffy story with two men who have danced around their attraction to each other until the very last minute. It is somewhat of a “gay for you” story on the part of Rhys, who has gone so far as to get engaged to a woman who seems to be very opposite in personality to his best friend Luci.

I liked the elements of Vegas and the VIP wedding package, and the heat that sizzles between the two main characters once they are finally honest with each other, but I wish I had a better understanding of these men and their backgrounds. The secondary characters are also very two-dimensional and somewhat stereotypical, so it’s hard for me to understand how Rhys even got engaged to the unpleasant woman he jilts, and his other two groomsmen don’t seem to be very likeable either. I also thought the final conflict was a little contrived, and the fallout doesn’t bode well for a stable deepening relationship, especially considering the way communication—both in and out of the bedroom—seems a bit weak. Thankfully, this is a romance, and there is a sweet and satisfying ending.

I think this is a quick sexy story that introduces a new series celebrating love and persistence, and it will be enjoyed by anyone needing a reminder of the importance of valuing those who remain true to us.

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

Forgotten (Heaven and Hell Club, Book 2) by Colette Davison (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) ADULT title GBP updated

Forgotten

Heaven and Hell Club Book 2

ADULT title

by

 Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: March 25, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort, disabled MC, small age-gap, one-night stand to lovers

Themes: Being true to yourself, trusting in others

Heat Rating: 3-4 flames

Length: 75 000 words

Add on Goodreads

This is the second book in a series. 

It can be read as a standalone, but does work better if read after Broken.

 

Can he build a future, when he’s forgotten his past?

Blurb

Jared has fought hard to achieve something close to ‘normal’. Needing to get away from his well-meaning but suffocating family, he follows a message he wrote on a scrap of paper to a new city, hoping to find a missing piece of his past.

When Kyrone, a cocky pole dancer at the Heaven and Hell Club, saunters into the tattoo parlour Jared works in, his life is turned upside down again. A passionate one night stand turns into something unexpected for both men. But life is never simple as they work out if they can have a future beyond what has been forgotten.

Forgotten is an MM romance with hurt/comfort, a small age gap, and two men who need to learn to be true to themselves. It is the second book in the Heaven and Hell Club series and, whilst it can be read as a standalone, works better if read after Broken.



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Excerpt

“I tell you what,” Kyrone said. “I’ll jump into the shower and then nip to the corner shop to get us something more substantial and healthier for breakfast. You can take a shower while I’m gone. How does that sound?”

Jared glanced at the pile of their clothes on the floor. He didn’t much fancy putting on dirty, slept-in clothes straight after a shower.

“I need to put some laundry on,” Kyrone said. “So I’ll throw your clothes in too.”

“What am I meant to wear in the meantime?”

“Nothing?” Kyrone asked hopefully. “I don’t mind if you wander around my flat naked.”

Jared laughed and shook his head.

“I’ve got a top you can wear.” Kyrone pursed his lips. “I’m pretty sure my underwear and jeans will swamp you, though.”

“Probably,” Jared agreed.

Kyrone extricated himself from beneath Jared and moved to an oversized chest of drawers. He rummaged through the drawers for a couple of minutes, giving Jared an unobstructed view of the man’s lean back and taut arse. With a small cheer, Kyrone pulled out a huge round-neck jumper with wide stripes in two contrasting shades of grey. It looked too big for Kyrone, let alone Jared.

Kyrone threw it across to him. “That should cover you up.”

“It still feels like you’re trying to hold me hostage for the afternoon,” Jared said in a teasing tone. “I can’t exactly go home, wearing nothing but an oversized jumper.”

Kyrone knelt on the bed, leaning forward onto his hands, his face close to Jared’s. “Do you want to go home?” he asked in a soft, low tone that made Jared shiver.

“No.”

“Then I don’t see a problem, do you?”

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

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About the Author 

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: @colettedavison

Mailing List | Newsletter Sign-Up

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

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Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

 

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

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My review:

4 out of 5 stars

Forgotten by Colette Davison is the second book in the ‘Heaven and Hell Club’ series and features Kyrone, an exotic dancer and stripper, and Jared, an apprentice tattoo artist. The instant attraction between them is undeniable, but neither has figured out what his dream for the future is, since the past burdens each so heavily. Maybe together they will find a way to reach for freedom.

This contemporary gay romance is connected to the first in the series, “Broken,” but I was able to read it as a stand-alone story without any problem. Given the author’s note at the end of this story, I suspect the first book is much more angst-ridden and painful, and not quite what I’m ready for right now.

I enjoyed watching the connection flourish between the confident (dare I say cocky?) Kyrone, who is comfortable in his skin and the somewhat self-effacing Jared, whose background is gradually revealed. Once I learned about his handicap, I kept wincing at what I imagined might be revealed to be the cause, so I was apprehensive through some of the story and oddly relieved when the origin was revealed. Although subsequent revelations were still a bit dismaying, I still breathed a sigh of relief as the story unfolded.

I love stories that make me invested in the characters even as I learn a bit about other cultures and locales. Getting a chance to armchair travel while rooting for folks to get their happy for now ending is a nice bonus. I particularly like the message of learning to be comfortable in your own skin and living one’s life for oneself, rather than to fulfill someone else’s expectations. Richard Bach’s story used to be a favorite of mine as well, and I’m going to have to look for my copy, lol. Enough backstory is provided that I will eventually read the first book when I’m prepared to have my tissues in hand and learn the other side of the revelations from this book.

I will definitely be looking for other works by this author and I hope to see more of this couple’s journey in the future.

A copy of this title was provided for review

Changes Going On by Kaje Harper (Release day spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) ADULT title

I'm so excited to share a guest post by Kaje Harper. I was first introduced to her talents when I read Nor Iron Bars a Cage and had to read it again immediately, I was so fascinated by the story. Fortunately, I discovered there were many other titles by this amazing and generous author in a variety of genres, and I found multiple series that I have read over and over. I enjoyed the first book in this current series and was delighted to get a chance to visit the yummy trio again in this newly released book. (And, what a great picture above to represent Will, Casey, and Scott!)


Here's Kaje...

Hi folks, and thanks, ELF, for the invitation to post here. I'm Kaje Harper, and today is the release day for my newest book— my M/M/M mystery story Changes Going On which is the sequel to Changes Coming Down.

In the first book, we meet retired Marine and county sheriff Casey Barlow, as he tries to solve a murder that hits close to home for one of his two boyfriends. Will Rice is the foreman on a successful Kansas ranch, but losing the old couple who owned the spread is like losing his parents. He turns to Casey, trusting him to figure out what happened, and to Scott Edison, the third in their trio. Scott is a hockey player about to be called up to the NHL, if his rehabbed knee holds together. He tries to be there for his two men in this difficult time, but he doesn't dare come out now, when the career he's worked so hard for is almost within reach.

Book one follows this deeply-closeted trio, as events and pressures threaten to split their closet at the seams. Can Casey figure out who killed the ranch owners? Can Will keep going when his world has been smashed and his job at the ranch seems about to disappear? Can Scott spend time supporting the two men he loves, and not lose his shot at the NHL? Changes Coming Down follows the men to the end of the mystery, and an HFN.

In the new book 2, Changes Going On, we see these three guys in the aftermath of the events of book 1. Diving right back in, we find out how the world is going to treat three men in love, as they fight for their HEA. 

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Changes Going On 

(Changes Book 2 )

ADULT title

by

Kaje Harper

Genre: M/M/M poly contemporary/mystery

Length: 120,000 words

Publisher: self-pubbed

Content warnings: mention of drugs, mention of violent death, mention of teen suicide, some on-page physical violence

Blurb:

Three men, one summer of media, mentorship, and murder.

There's a reason Scott Edison came out as gay and poly on national TV— now no one can try to push him back into the closet. But as his men and his hockey team deal with the fallout from fans and paparazzi, moving forward isn't as easy as he'd hoped.

Will Rice was looking forward to a quiet summer, sharing the work with his guys and giving Scott a refuge from the spotlight. He's hired a couple of young ranch hands, and finally feels ready to give back some of the mentoring that turned his life around decades ago. But good fences won't be enough to keep trouble off the ranch.

Casey Barlow left the Sheriff's Department on his own terms, out and proud. But when the new sheriff is murdered— and Casey's one of the few with a watertight alibi— he's asked to investigate, and he can't resist. He's determined to solve the murder, and still take care of his men on the home front. Then one murder becomes two…

It's a summer of risks and challenges, and working together is the only way they'll make it through.

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Excerpt from Changes Going On, Chapter 2 (***contains a spoiler for book 1 - Changes Coming Down***)

Scott's interview that he did, coming out on TV sports show InTheZone with Randy Metz, aired the next morning. Rafters media director Shana Vail, whom Scotty had blindsided with his unauthorized reveal, insisted that Scott, Casey, and Will come watch the show in the Las Vegas hotel room of Rafters GM Paul Desrosier, so they'll know what they're up against as Scott comes out…

Rafters GM Desrosier took the remote from Rafters media director Shana Vail and muted the TV, still staring at it.

After a second, Vail blew out a breath. “Sorry. I’m happy for you guys. Congratulations. Now let’s make as many fans as possible happy for you too. First thing will be to sign you to a new contract.”

“Really?” Scott said, “I thought by doing this in the off-season—”

“What? That we’d wait and see how it went? We can hardly express our confidence and pride while making the Calder finalist wait for a contract.” She glanced at Desrosier. “In fact, a multi-year contract right now would send the ideal signal.”

The GM grunted. “Look, kid, you know we were going to come to you with a good offer after that season you played. We’re still going to do that, but you’d damned well better not let this stuff distract you. We expect you to play up to your potential. Right?”

Scott stammered, “Th-thank you, sir.” Casey thought he looked caught between thrilled and pissed off, but he closed his mouth on whatever else he might’ve wanted to say.

“Have your agent call me in about an hour,” Desrosier told him. “We’ll get it worked out.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Desrosier jerked his thumb toward the bedroom. “I’m going to be in there, talking to the owners. You listen to Ms. Vail and do what she tells you, and maybe we’ll get through this mess all right.” He stalked out of the room, closing the door behind him with a thump.

“Mess,” Casey murmured.

“He’s not homophobic,” Vail said. “Your boyfriend dumped a publicity crisis in his lap before breakfast. He’s not pleased.”

“I know I should’ve discussed it first,” Scott said. “But I was afraid the team might say no, or I’d lose my nerve.”

“Well, it’s done. On to practical matters. Scott, I’ve assigned one of my team to handle your personal social media for a while.”

“Huh? That’s not what personal means.”

“Someone has to read all the comments, because I promise you won’t want to. They can steer you to the ones that deserve a real response, ones from gay teens for example. They’ll report anything that looks like an actual threat. They’ll screen the physical letters that come in. They’ll handle requests for your time. I’m betting it’ll be a full-time job for the first month or more.”

“Oh. Sure.” Scott seemed to deflate.

“For what it’s worth, I think you were smart to do this in the off-season. Emotions run higher when the season’s underway. There should be time to take the edge off before play starts up again in the fall.”

“I hope so.”

“I’m going to get you signed up to do some TV interviews. I have a list of gay-friendly hosts. At least one of the interview spots should be all three of you.”

“We have a ranch to run,” Will said.

“Get your soon-to-be-millionaire boyfriend to hire someone to help out. The fans need to see the three of you looking wholesome, so they’re not imagining some kind of orgy with leather and whips.”

People who like leather and whips can be wholesome. Casey was kind of fond of leather himself, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut. “We’ll let you lead the way, but Scott gets veto power.”

“All three of us get veto power.” Scott turned a dark glare on him. “It’s all our lives involved.”

Vail shrugged. “Whatever. You work it out. My job is to make you come out smelling like roses, with the team looking like a champion of equality, while not offending too many fans. I’m going to use every tool I have to do that.” She turned to Casey. “What kind of security does your ranch have? The team might chip in for upgrades, maybe a bodyguard. I guarantee you’re going to have paparazzi coming around, looking for a nude photo or an emotional outburst or a scandal.”

“Um.” Casey realized he hadn’t put enough thought into that since Scott had surprised them with his decision. “We have some security, mostly at the main house.” He’d call his friend Max, first thing, about upgrades.

“Can you trust your workers to keep their tempers cool and their mouths shut?”

“I trust them to support us. I don’t promise they couldn’t be provoked into taking a swing at someone.” Don could be a hothead, and they had a couple of new summer hands.

“And that’s going to be a problem,” Vail pointed out. “Every tabloid is going to be trying for a reaction, for an exclusive angle. They’re going to bait you, and snoop, and drive you up the wall. It’s important that you suck it up, no matter how awful they are. One shove, one punch, especially caught on camera, and they own you. To a lesser extent, that’s true for anyone who works for you too.”

“We’ll warn them again,” Casey promised. Will had given the hands a basic heads-up an hour ago. “No need for a bodyguard, since I’ll be with Scott. And the ranch is private property, so we can get anyone who’s snooping arrested for trespassing. I’ll get more purple paint out on the perimeter.”

“Purple paint?” Vail frowned. “Is that a gay thing?”

“It means the same as ‘No Trespassing’ signs, at least in Kansas… but I guess paparazzi won’t know that either. Shit. I’ll tell the hands to paint up signs.”

“Sorry,” Scott began.

“Not your fault, Scotty. And if this means we get you home for the summer? I’d paint a thousand signs with my own hands.”

“You should invest in security cameras, too,” Vail said. “Best defense against someone claiming you attacked them is to show them making physical contact with you first.”

“You really think someone’s gonna get punched?” Will asked.

“I sure as hell hope not. But the gutter press loves to incite people and exploit that. It pays to stay ahead of them.”

“Shit.” Scott ran a hand over his head, his eyes bleak.

Vail touched his arm with the first compassionate look Casey had seen from her. “Don’t let it get you down. I’m pissed about having to scramble to make this happen, but it’s a real good thing you’re doing. I mean that. An important thing, for hockey in general and for all those young kids.”

“I appreciate that.”

“When the dust settles a bit, we’ll arrange for you to talk to some youth sports organizations and LGBT groups, in Portland and maybe other cities. Promote equality in sports. Are you up for that?”

“I guess,” Scott said.

Casey saw their relaxed summer together going up in smoke, but how could he argue?

“Now, call your agent.” She waved Scott toward the couch. “I’m going to line up a TV interview or two. You boys should sit down, have a soda, and try to relax. You’re in this for the long haul.” She picked up her phone and stepped out onto the balcony.

Scott wandered back to the seating area and dropped onto the couch. Will sat beside him, and Casey took the other side. “Shove over, hockey moose. You’re squishing me.”

Scott gave him a limp attempt at a smirk and slid closer to Will. When Scott turned his phone on, the cascade of chimes made them all wince. “Agent first,” Scott said, clearly using the excuse not to read his dozens of texts. It was a quick call. Even without speaker, Casey could tell Fraser on the other end was pissed about being blindsided, and pretty cold, but cheered up by the news of a forthcoming Rafters contract offer. He hung up promising to be in touch. Scott stared down at the phone, then tapped his text icon.

“Mom sent one.” He opened it to read ~Proud of you son. Mom & Dad. His sigh was deep enough to be heard.

“Did you think they wouldn’t be?” Casey murmured.

“I might be throwing away everything we worked for. Dad worked two jobs to pay for my gear and camps, to get me to the NHL, and the minute I had it made, I did this.”

“Seems like they’re okay with it. With us.”

“Seems like.” Scott typed ~Thanks. Love you both. “At least if they are upset, they’re not letting it show.”

The remaining two dozen texts were all positive, coming from teammates, old and new, and staff from Scott’s teams. The gist was pretty much ~Congratulations. We’ve got your back. To which he responded with generic thanks. He paused over one, muttering, “Pretty sure this dude is gay,” but kept his reply the same.

There was one from Nita at the ranch, sent after Will had contacted her, that said ~Congratulations. You still have to shovel shit when you get back

Scott’s eyes brightened and he sent ~Sounds pretty good right now

More texts pinged as he was working, increasingly from unknown numbers, many clearly journalists. He deleted those unread, continuing doggedly through the ones in his contacts until Casey nudged him. “I think you got the important ones. Take a break.”

Scott leaned back in the couch. “And thirty-six voicemails. Shit.” He squeezed his eye shut. “I hoped this might not be a such big deal.”

“Really?” Will said.

“Well, in my dreams. I can’t wait to get back to the ranch, saddle Misty up, and ride somewhere out of cell phone range.”

“That’s what you can’t wait for? We’re rejected for your horse?” Casey murmured.

“With the two of you alongside. And a convenient haystack.”

“No one stacks hay anymore,” Will said. “And sex in loose hay is no fun. The chaff gets everywhere.”

Scott bumped his shoulder. “Right. Rain on my daydreams.” But he opened his eyes and looked less drawn.

“We’ll be back there soon,” Casey promised. “Right now, we have a hotel room with a bed and room service. A hell of a lot better than a haystack.”

“Fuck, yeah.” Scott turned and kissed him fast, then gave Will the same simple kiss. “Thanks for sticking with me.”

“No place else I’d rather be,” Casey said truthfully…

~*~*~

Smashwords link
Amazon link


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Author bio:

Kaje Harper Bio

I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), although mostly for my own entertainment. I write M/M romance, often with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi, paranormal… I also have Young Adult short stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.) 

It was my husband who finally convinced me that after all the years of writing just for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally and indie published, including Amazon bestseller The Rebuilding Year and Rainbow Award Best Mystery-Thriller Tracefinder: Contact. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page.

I'm always pleased to have readers find me online at:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads Author page

Changes Coming Down is on sale right now! (please check price before purchasing)

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GIVEAWAY

3 entries will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive an ebook copy of Changes Going On. If you haven't read book 1, feel free to skip the excerpt if you wish, and in your comment, let me know you'd like to win both books instead. 

Giveaway ends Midnight EST March 27th.   (note from ELF, this is the first time I've tried to use the Rafflecopter...so please DO leave a comment in case we have to randomly select the winners that way!)



a Rafflecopter giveaway



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My review:

4.5 stars

Changes Going On by Kaje Harper is the sequel to  Changes Coming Down, starting immediately after pro-hockey player Scott Edison has revealed to the public that he is in a romantic relationship with lovers Casey Barlow and Will Rice. In addition to the fallout over Scott being the first openly gay player in the league, there are other challenges facing the triad, including a couple of deaths that former sheriff Casey begins investigating. So much for having a quiet summer on their ranch.

This adult contemporary m/m/m story featuring a trio of charismatic men picks up immediately after the first story yet could be read as a stand-alone tale. I love that one is immediately invested in these three very distinct individuals who find a way to support each other and those in need despite the challenges they face.

There are multiple threads that are woven together in a captivating story that is both a mystery and a romance. The sadly pervasive occurrences of opposition to same-sex love, let alone a polyamory relationship, is explored. Not only are the men dealing with reactions in their respective professions, they are also interacting with young people who are facing their own opposition to living their lives the way they want.

In addition to the vivid depiction of their coping with paparazzi and hostility as well as the more welcome acceptance and love they encounter, there is an engaging mystery that unfolds as the story progresses. With this author’s usual finesse, intriguing secondary characters are presented and depicted with enough depth that I was worrying about them almost as much as the main characters. I love that the warm fuzzy moments outweigh the painful and distasteful episodes, and I was fascinated yet appalled to see how good intentions could be quickly twisted.

There are always wonderful lessons to be learned in these stories, including the strength that results from knowing you have people who are willing to let you be you. I love these guys and hope there will be other stories that continue to chronicle their lives, giving glimpses of ranch life, hockey, and police work. This was a wonderful escape in these troubling times, and as always, I anxiously await even more stories by one of my favorite authors in this genre.

A copy of this title was provided for review

Restart in Bristol by Sedona Hutton (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Restart in Bristol

by 
Sedona Hutton

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love?

Veterinarian Holly Nicholson longs to put down roots. And with a growing practice and pending nuptials to a handsome doctor, her dream future is finally within reach. But when her NASCAR racing high-school steady rolls into town, Holly’s heart takes an off-track excursion.

Curtis “CC” Clark burned out from life in the fast lane. Switching gears, he moves to a small town in search of some cosmic signpost to reveal his destiny and crosses paths with the only girl he’s ever loved. But he’s worried fate sent him into the pits when he finds out she’s engaged.

Between working at the same animal shelter and her engagement crumbling, Holly can feel old desires stirring. But before they can pick up speed, CC gets his big chance for a high-profile comeback. And returning to the road may mean giving up his beloved forever.

Can CC and Holly find common ground and take their love across the finish line?

Restart in Bristol is the third standalone novel in the Racing Hearts in Serenity contemporary romance series. If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and a touch of new age spirituality, then you’ll adore Sedona Hutton’s fun, sexy romance.

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EXCERPT

Holly rolled to her side, plucked a daisy, and pulled off the first white petal. “He loves me,” she said in a sing-song tone. “He loves me not.” She slid to his side as she tossed the next petal over her shoulder. As she continued, he mentally counted ahead of her and was pleased that the game ended in his favor.

But she put the daisy down when there were three petals left and picked up her glass. What the hell?

“Hey,” he protested, narrowing his eyes. “You didn’t finish.”

She shrugged. “It’s all fun and games.”

He didn’t know why it mattered so much, but it did. Even though he knew it was silly, he couldn’t let it go.

“You can’t stop in the middle.” He took her glass and put it on the ground.

She gave him a playful nudge. “Who are you—the game cop?”

He caught her wrist and rolled on top of her. “Maybe I am,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Maybe it matters.”

She pushed him off her and reversed their positions so she was on top. “I’ll give you something that matters.”

He liked where this was going. Grinning, he lifted his palms. “I’m at your beck and call.”

She let out a low laugh. The soft, sexy sound reverberated through his insides, making him feel playful and nostalgic, and with Holly stretched on top of him, a little randy, too.

“Whatever I want?” she asked, her breath hot against his cheek.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Author Sedona Hutton finds inspiration in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and curly-coated retriever. In addition to writing, she’s a Reiki Master and a certified Chopra Center Meditation instructor. She enjoys reading, yoga, gardening, and experiencing the great outdoors on boats, motorcycles, and Jeeps. Sedona pens a “Peace, Love, & Joy” blog on her website. Visit her at www.SedonaHutton.com, on Twitter & Instagram @SedonaHutton, and Facebook @SedonaHuttonAuthor.  

Sedona’s novel, Cloud Whispers, was a Finalist in the 2018 Readers’ Favorite Contest, an Official Selection in the 2018 Summer eBook Awards for New Apple Literary, Shortlisted for the Books Go Social Best Indie Book of 2018, and a Bronze winner in the 2019 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Nora’s Promise was awarded the Bronze medal in the 2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance category and was a Finalist in the 2019 NIEA contest. The Perfect Lap was the 2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist.

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Amazon author page

Goodreads author page

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My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

Restart in Bristol by Sedona Hutton is part of the ‘A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance’ series. Curtis (C.C.) Bristol has lost his position as a NASCAR truck driver and is in Serenity evaluating his life. His childhood sweetheart, Holly Nicholson, has achieved her dream of becoming a large-animal veterinarian and is engaged to another man, while his future is uncertain. All of Curtis’ friends have found their loves and are content, but when he visualizes his goals, they seem impossible to achieve. The Law of Attraction just isn’t going to work for him…or is it?

This contemporary romance has nice elements, including a glimpse behind the scenes of the NASCAR racing world, and a heartwarming view of the synergy achieved by rescuing animals and allowing them to heal and in return helping humans to heal. I like the dual threads of Holly and her cousin Skye working their way through relationship troubles and finding men to love, although it was a little disconcerting to have the extra points of view thrown in occasionally.

The author did a nice job of evoking the excitement of race days and I was particularly entertained to get a glimpse of a venue that I actually had the pleasure of visiting once.

There are nice cameos of the stars of the previous books in the series and it was lovely to see the progression of their relationships.

I felt that the story dragged in places and seemed a bit repetitive, especially since the past seems to repeat itself as the main relationship blows hot and cold. Holly frustrated me by being wishy-washy, which seems at odds with the determination one would need to become a veterinarian. Her inability to communicate with many of the pivotal people in her life and the unexpected (to her) revelations that take place seem a little forced at times, but fortunately this is a romance and she (finally) gets her happy ever after.

There are lots of inspirational elements in the story and I love the supportive interactions from friends and family. This is a group of folks who would be great to have in one’s corner and I think that those who are racing fans or who like second chance romances should enjoy this story.

A copy was provided for review