Anthony by Gabbi Grey (Spotlight and excerpt) ADULT title

 

Anthony

Single Dads of Gaynor Beach

Adult title

by

Gabbi Grey

 

Anthony

 

During my seven years as a social worker in Gaynor Beach, California, delivering orphaned twins to their unsuspecting father is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. These babies lost their mother and they need a loving parent, but is adorable Scott Wexler up to that challenge? Transferring custody is one thing—walking away is something entirely different, especially with the stress of Christmas bearing down on Scott too.

 

Scott

 

After escaping a miserable childhood, I’ve made a fresh start in California. I’m in charge at the Gaynor Beach Public Library, I love helping people, and I'm feeling like an actual functional human being. Then social worker Anthony Rodrigues shows up on my doorstep with twins I fathered through a sperm donation, and suddenly I'm responsible for two tiny lives. Accepting help from the gorgeous social worker is a no brainer—admitting I want him to stay is going to take a lot more courage.

 

This 74k word gay romance is a slow burn, mid-angst, instalove with a geeky librarian, a by-the-book social worker, adorable twin-toddler terrors, and a beleaguered cat named Crumpy.

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Exclusive excerpt

When I walked into the living room, the sound of Scott’s short shallow breaths hit me first. I hustled over to him. Distress washed over me, and my heart sank. His extreme pallor starkly contrasted with the two points of color high on his cheeks.

I approached carefully, ensuring I was in his line of sight.

Could he even see me?

Positioning myself between him and the car seats was a risk, but I didn’t see that I had any other choice.

He’d wrapped his arms around his waist. How could he breathe with that tight grip?

The cat, who’d been conspicuously absent since the babies arrived, now sat beside Scott and headbutted his arm.

Scott didn’t react.

“Hey.” I used my soothing social-worker voice.

Still no change.

“I’m going to touch you.”

Nothing.

Touching without express permission was always risky, but sometimes the situation dictated drastic action.

I placed my hand on his knee.

His gaze shot to mine. Unfocused green eyes settled on me.

Progress.

“Hey, can you take a deep breath for me?” I inhaled noisily and deeply, all the while holding his gaze. Then I exhaled in a long stream of breath.

I inhaled again.

He followed suit.

I exhaled.

He did the same.

We continued like that for a long time. If I wasn’t able to calm him enough this way, then I might’ve had to go looking for a paper bag—something few people had these days. Worse-case scenario would be to call an ambulance. I didn’t want that. And, from what little I knew about Scott, he wouldn’t want that either.

I squeezed his knee. “I think your cat is trying to get your attention.” Giving him something concrete to focus on would help.

He glanced over at the cream-colored cat with weird stripes on its face.

“Crumpet.” He winced. “Well, Crumpy.” He petted the creature who instantly purred. “He’s been with me since my days in LA. He was a stray I took in. I think, honestly, that he chose me.” He eyed me. “But he’s not great with strangers.”

“Do you think he’ll be okay with the babies?”

Scott’s eyebrows shot up. “I, uh, I don’t know. He’d better be. I mean, I don’t think I could re-home him.”

“Well, we’re not at that stage yet. Just keep an eye on him, and we’ll see how things go.”

 

 

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Bio

 

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

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Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) GRR

 

 

Winter of the Owl
by

Iris Foxglove

Seasons of the Loki, Book 1

Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Tropes: Suddenly married! Stuck in a cabin/snowed in a cabin, only one bed, fish out of water, opposites attract.
Content: Grief, discussions of past emotional abuse, attempted murder, on-page kink re: use of gags, bondage, d/s.
Heat: 4 out of 5

 

BLURB

Sava has the best house in all of Lukos. He built it himself, dreaming of the day when he and Milan, the man he loved, could live there and brave the harsh winters of Lukos together—only to be devastated when Milan was found dead in the spring. Fraught with grief, Sava resigns himself to spending his winters alone.

Then a stranger appears on his doorstep, and everything changes.

Victor is a scholar from Gerakia, a land known for its long summers and vibrant history, and he has never been more unprepared in his life. Abandoned on the inhospitable island of Lukos after a disastrous relationship, Victor has to adapt quickly to survive. It helps, of course, that he’s taken in by Sava, who has the biggest heart of any man Victor has ever known. Victor and Sava start to make a home together, growing close as snow falls outside, but the true danger of a Lukos winter is closer than they suspect...

 

 

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My review:

 

4.25 stars

 

Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove is the first book in the ‘Seasons of the Lukoi’ series, and features aspiring scholar Victor, whose anticipated expedition to learn more about the mysterious Lukoi changes his life. Bereaved Sava Snow-Walker never expects to meet a person who focuses so much on studying as Victor, but while helping the alluring newcomer survive the harsh winter, he discovers that there are more dangers than he ever anticipated.

 

This adult gay fantasy romance provides a mesmerizing glimpse of a society carved out of necessity. The vivid imagery and harsh surroundings contrast beautifully with the gradual awakening of a naïve and submissive young man with a thirst for knowledge. I loved that dominant Sava was so patient, and I enjoyed watching Victor forging a bond with and impacting the resourceful man even as he continuously thirsts for more and more knowledge. The shifting perspectives of the societies formed are mirrored by other developments in the story, and although some things are pretty strongly foreshadowed, the tale still kept me turning the pages rapidly. I hope that some of the magical elements will be featured more prominently in the next book and anxiously look forward to learning even more about the Lukoi.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turnabout by Laurel Greer (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) ADULT title

 

Turnabout

ADULT title

by

Laurel Greer

(Vino and Veritas series)

 

 

 

"Auden and Carter are the swoony heroes I didn't know I needed in my life! Turnabout is spectacular, and everyone should read it." USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen

 

I don’t have time for an unplanned visit home to help out in my father’s struggling letterpress shop. My stint in Vermont will have to be short, for a couple of reasons: 

One, I’m a busy executive trying to climb the corporate ladder.

Two, my ex is still my dad’s right-hand man in the shop. And I am not over him.

Nothing has changed at the Burlington shop. Auden still has his infuriatingly sexy Scottish accent. He’s still hot, and still stubborn. Between operating the antique press with his shirtsleeves rolled up, and moonlighting at Burlington’s hottest inclusive wine bar, he pushes every one of my attraction buttons.

My falling-in-love-again buttons, too. Except I’m his polar opposite. I love change, and taking chances. Everything he avoids in life. 

So why am I trying to convince him to reach for more than we’ve ever dreamed of—the possibility of forever?

Turnabout is a second-chance romance with interfering family, groveling, and a large helping of artisan stationery geekery.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

He lifts a dark eyebrow. “I said, I want to work with someone willing to wallow with paper and design. Tease out the one-of-a-kind magic.”

His voice is quiet, soothing. It demands I take a deep breath and get out of my feelings.

“I’ve been reminded of how much of an art it is,” I say. “And that I can get by, but you—you have a gift.”

Rosy splotches bloom on his cheeks. “You know what you’re doing, too.”

“I don’t have the rhythm of it like you do. The innate… mastery, I guess. The relationship.”

Auden tilts his head and looks out the front window.

“What?” I ask. “He’s not coming back.”

“I know, but hearing the words rhythm and mastery and relationship when it comes to using a press... I'm looking for locusts, frogs, horsemen—any sign of the apocalypse.”

“Fuck off,” I mutter.

Rhythm, mastery.

When he repeats the words like that, I’m not thinking of cast iron machines—I’m thinking about sex.

I can’t believe he didn’t call me on how filthy that sounded.

He’s biting his lip, still a little pink in the face.

Okay, maybe he’s thinking it, at least.

“I could show you,” he says.

Meeting his gaze is like swimming in a lake, when you dive down, down on a bright day, and you have the dark depths below, and the streams of light from above, and it blends around you like you’re wearing a crown of green water and sunlight.

Holy fuck. He’s too much sometimes.

“Come here.” He crooks a finger for me to meet him at the Chandler and Price.

Definitely too much.

I join him anyway.

He takes my left hand and places it on the small shelf on the front of the press where we’d normally collect the cards during a run. The wood is smooth. And it would feel exactly like palming a flat piece of wood always does, except his big hand covers mine.

“Artisanry demands that relationship.” His voice is insanely low, but he’s only inches from me, so I don’t miss a syllable.

“I’m not an—”

“You have the artistic talent. You just need a little patience.” He puts his other hand on my right hip and positions me square to the press. He taps his toe against my heel, a silent command to put my foot on the treadle.

“We’re missing some parts.” Paper. Ink. The frame. Everything that actually turns into a product.

“We’re not making anything.” He’s at an angle to me. If he leaned forward three inches, his dick would be pressed into my hip. His left hand is still holding mine to the shelf. The other is a heavy weight just below my waist.

“I don’t understand,” I say.

“Just watch it, Carter.” He sounds amused. “You want to know every quirk. And not to try to learn when you’re rushing through eight jobs at once. When you have time to go easy.”

“Really.”

“Really,” he says. “Grip the wood with your other hand, too.”

“Grip the wood? You’re fucking with me.”

“A little.” I can’t see his face from where he is behind me, but I hear his smirk.

A little? A lot. I grab hold of the shelf anyway.

“Just work the treadle,” he says.

I press my toe into the pedal, making the flywheel whir.

“And listen,” he says. “Watch.”

I do that, too.

I’ve been so damn busy since I got here—paper in, paper out, paper in, paper out—I haven’t actually watched anything I’ve done.

The rollers, mesmerizing as they glide over the circular, iron platen.

“What color’s the ink?” Auden’s hand tightens on my hip. His breath tickles the side of my neck.

There is no ink.

“Green,” I say. I can’t get that sunlit lake off my mind.

(I don’t want to. Ever.)

My tie… Why am I wearing something meant to restrict my airflow? I want to loosen it, but Auden told me to keep my hands on the shelf, so I’m keeping my hands on the goddamn shelf.

“Hear anything in the flywheel?” he says.

Just the whir and clicks and whuffs it normally makes. “Should I be?”

“Nothing unusual, but the more you know the sounds of it, the more you know exactly when to feed the paper.” He taps the top of my hand once. Twice. Again. Matching it up to some sensory memory that’s so ingrained in him, he probably dreams in that rhythm.

Anchored by his touch, I’m the one who leans in the three inches. My shoulder, touching his chest. His breath, much more than a tickle. A caress.

“It’s a pulse,” he murmurs, so gruff, the consonants and vowels mix together. His fingers brush the hollow above my shirt collar. My knees wobble.

“A pulse.” I tilt my head to the side, exposing my neck.

“Aye.” Bending his head, his lips land on the same sensitive spot.

My head’s turning faster than the flywheel.

“Auden.”

“See? You know the rhythm.”

Oh god, I don’t know anything right now.

 

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My review:

3.75 stars

 

 

Turnabout by Laurel Greer is part of the ‘Vino and Veritas’ series and centers around Carter Prescott, who’s a success in his professional life, but has never felt appreciated by his father. Ironically, his father’s emergency request for help at his artisan printing shop forces Carter to not only evaluate his career choices but also to deal with his painful past with his ex, Auden Macarthur. Each man has to learn how to establish priorities and determine what is truly important in his life.

 

This adult contemporary gay romance provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of printing and evokes the joy and fascination of fine writing materials and the care that goes into producing custom stationery. I could practically smell the expensive cardstock and visualize the brilliant inks and fancy pens even as I watched the give and take of not only the main couple but other connected folks and their relationships.

 

The story is told in alternating first person points of view so that one can see how the relationship imploded from both viewpoints, and how their fractured relationship needs to be realigned. Each of these guys come from a dysfunctional family, and it is lovely to watch them navigate around their challenges and remember why they formed a connection in the first place. I had trouble warming to each man at first, but I was relieved to see that they were capable of maturing. I enjoyed the story (and who can resist a Scot in a kilt?), and now I need to go shopping for some pretty stationery and fancy pens, lol.

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

If Only for Today by Gabbi Grey (Release Day blitz)

If Only for Today

Deerbourne Inn series

by

Gabbi Grey

 

 

Blurb:

 

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he's missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He's photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he's been living.

Something in Xander's gruff demeanor calls to Jared's caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared's kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

 

 

Tagline: 

 

He came looking for solitude. He might leave after finding love.

 

 

Exclusive Excerpt

 

Jared sat in the corner most distant from the wary canine and held himself still. He had all the time in the world and infinite patience. This was Lady’s choice, of course, but his heart was already gone. The pain was palpable, but so was the love. This huge dog, who had to be close to a hundred pounds, was gently cradling a little black-and-white kitten. Jared didn’t know much about animals, but he guessed the little one was about eight weeks old.

The kitten poked his nose out from under Lady’s paw and sniffed the air. Upon spotting Jared, he squirmed. Lady tightened her grip.

“I won’t hurt him, I promise.” Jared kept his voice low and steady. “I’d like to meet Marshmallow.”

Upon hearing his name, the little one’s ears perked.

Did he already know his name? Man, Jared knew so little about animals. He’d been educated on how to care for an elderly curmudgeonly cat with kidney failure. A tiny kitten and a heartbroken dog? Not in his wheelhouse. But he was a quick study. If this was meant to be, he’d read all the books he could. He’d scan blog posts and websites. He’d ask questions. He was good at that.

With a burst of energy, Marshmallow squeezed under Lady’s paw and scampered over. He was unsteady on his feet, but adorable all the same. He barrelled into Jared’s lap and started crawling up his shirt. Tiny claws dug into his skin before he could blink.

“Okay, little fella, slow down.” He managed to extricate himself from the kitten’s grasp, holding him away.

“You can cuddle him, if you want. Or just ease him away and say no.”

Well, cuddling sounded much better than putting the kitten back on the floor. Jared carefully twisted the wriggling body into a secure hold and tucked him in the crook of his arm. Claws came out, but as soon as Jared rubbed the tiny belly, the loudest purr he’d ever heard erupted. Even Mephistopheles—who was easily twenty times the size of this pint—had never made that much noise.

“He’s loud.”

“That he is.” Dana laughed. “He’s also available for adoption.”

Xander snickered.

Slowly Lady rose, stretching out each limb, never breaking eye contact with Jared.

Hold steady.

She approached, each large paw touching the concrete floor with grace. Finally within reaching distance, she sniffed Jared’s knee. Then his thigh. And his chest. She nudged Marshmallow and licked the top of the head. The kitten purred louder. Still holding Jared’s gaze, Lady lay down, placing her head on Jared’s thigh.

In that moment everything became crystal clear.

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

 

 

Links:

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Note from ELF: I had the pleasure of reading an early version of this story and thought it was a wonderful romance! The above excerpt is one of my favorite scenes and reminded me of the love I shared with my own fur-baby, who I still miss even though she went over the Rainbow Bridge many years ago.