A cozy mystery with a tongue-tied nerd of a history professor tempted by a gorgeous graduate student and millions of dollars if he can solve one of history's greatest mysteries -- who was Shakespeare really?
by
Tara Lain
Blurb:
Dr. Llewellyn Lewis leads a double life, as both an awkward but distinguished history professor and the more flamboyant Ramon Rondell, infamous writer of sensational historical theories. It's Ramon who first sets eyes on a gorgeous young man dancing in a club, but Llewellyn who meets teaching assistant Blaise Arthur formally at an event held for wealthy socialite Anne de Vere, descendant of Edward de Vere, seventeenth Earl of Oxford-who some believe was the real Shakespeare. Anne wants Llewellyn to prove that claim, even though many have tried and failed. And she's willing to offer a hefty donation to the university if he succeeds.
It also means a chance for Llewellyn to get to know Blaise much better.
Not everyone thinks Llewellyn should take the case-or the money. Between feuding siblings, rival patrons, jealous colleagues, and greedy administrators, almost anyone could be trying to thwart his work... and one of them is willing to kill to do it.
When Anne de Vere turns up dead, the police believe Blaise is the murderer. Only the shy, stuttering professor who has won his heart can prove otherwise...
Available for purchase at
Excerpt
Goose bumps on top of goose bumps.
Tingles
traveled out along his nerves from the soothing touch of Blaise’s hand until
the hairs on his arm weren’t the only things standing up. Why did Blaise just
turn his whole existence upside down? When Blaise was around, Llewellyn wanted
things it was stupid for him to want. Things that only happened to the special,
lucky guys. Forever things.
In
spite of himself, he sighed and slowly lowered his head to Blaise’s shoulder.
Blaise
dropped his cheek against Llewellyn’s hair. For minutes they just sat like
that, their beer bottles dripping on the coffee table. Weirdly, it was the most
peaceful moment Llewellyn had experienced in… at least days. Since that fateful
night when he’d first seen Blaise dancing.
Gently,
Blaise slipped a hand under Llewellyn’s chin and turned his head toward him.
Almost like he was stealing his breath, he moved his lips ever so slowly toward
Llewellyn’s, pausing a half inch away. Llewellyn’s lips quivered, the scent of
the beer they’d both drunk filling his head. Dear God, could he climax just
from the anticipation of kissing Blaise?
Finally,
finally their lips touched. Softer than Marie’s fur.
And
bam! Blaise grabbed Llewellyn’s head
and devoured his mouth like a five-course banquet menu.
The
silly analogy used in novels, that people went up in flames—not silly anymore.
Llewellyn’s nervous system overloaded before Blaise’s tongue had even explored
the deeper recesses in his mouth. He heard himself moaning and whimpering.
Embarrassing, but he couldn’t stop.
His
brain knew there was something off about Blaise. Some truth that needed
exploring. He didn’t care. He wanted to delude himself all the way to the
bedroom. He’d trade his greed to know the answers for a night in Blaise’s arms.
About the Author
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and more. Readers often call her books “sweet,” even with all that hawt sex, because Tara believes in love and her books deliver on happily-ever-after. In addition to writing dozens and dozens of romance novels, Tara also owns an advertising and public relations firm. Her love of creating book titles comes from years of manifesting ad headlines for everything from analytical instruments to semiconductors. She does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. Together with her soulmate husband and her soulmate Dog, she recently realized a vision to live where there were a lot more trees and a lot fewer cars by moving to Ashland, Oregon. She hasn’t stopped smiling since.
You can find Tara at Lain
*****************************
My review:
4 out of 5 stars
The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean by Tara Lain is an
adult m/m cozy mystery that features Dr. Llewellyn Lewis, who gets caught up in
a very lucrative research proposition. His alter-ego only gets a brief cameo
but definitely is enchanted by the man who turns out to be a new teaching
assistant at Llewellyn’s university. The prospect of proving someone else wrote
the works attributed to Shakespeare is sweetened with a significant financial
incentive, but the search may prove deadly.
I always look forward to devouring a new story by this
talented author because I like her characters and their ability to overcome
their obstacles and find someone who embraces them for who they are. I enjoyed
watching the personable professor work his way through the minefield of his job
and personal preferences. I would have liked a little more of Rondell’s
personality to be displayed and I’m not quite sure I like or forgive Blaise yet
but hopefully he will continue to redeem himself. There were great twists to the
mystery and I enjoyed Llewellyn’s self-deprecation and humility that mask his
incisive mind and skill. I look forward to meeting more of this author’s
“beautiful boys” and watching them solve more mysteries.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
