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AUDIO REVIEW: Promises Part 1 by A.E. Via
The Bounty Hunters: Promises Part 1 – A.E. Via
Duke Morgan owns and operates one of the largest bail bond companies in Atlanta. Not only does he bond criminals out of jail, he and his notorious group of bounty hunters will also track them down and ensure they show up for court.
Roman ‘Quick’ Webb is Duke’s business partner and best friend. Both men are in their forties and have given up on the happily ever after with the ranch-style home, and white picket fence. They’d both tried it and failed miserably. But they have their friendship and they have the business.
When Quick’s son, Vaughan Webb returns – after seven years – from studying abroad with his law degree in hand, he’s back to claim what he’s always wanted…his fathers’ best friend… Duke Morgan. Vaughan has always claimed to be a classic gentleman with an old soul. He didn’t party and screw up in school like his buddies. He was focused and dedicated to becoming the man worthy of Duke’s love.
It’s a complex and messy situation as Duke and Quick figure out how to still be best friends when one of them is sleeping with his friend’s one and only son. But when Duke is hurt on the job, all the unimportant trivialities fall to the wayside and Vaughan and Quick put their heads together to save Duke.
Part I of the Promises story is about Duke and Vaughan. Part II will be about Quick and his realization that it’s not too late for any of them to find love.
You got to hand it to Vaughan. He really knew how to woo a man.
The lawyer fell in love with his father’s bestfriend, Duke when he was 16 and since then, he embarked on a single-minded pursuit of the bounty hunter. But before he can make his move, he had to grow up and make Duke see him as a man.
I love Vaughan’s determination and devotion! He literally gave a piece of himself to the one he loves just so they could be together. He’s my favorite character here.
Duke was this big bad bounty hunting boss. Is really a big, needy softie. Nothing against him. He’s alright, I suppose.
Quick is Duke’s bestfriend and Vaughan’s father. He has long since accepted his son’s crush and is very supportive of his son and his bestfriend’s romance. He has some potential romance of his own with a handsome doctor if only he admits the attraction to himself before it’s too late.
I loved the first parts. It was more dramatic especially when Duke was injured and he only had weeks or months to live unless he undergoes an operation. This is where Vaughan went above and beyond the usual love declarations and made a sacrifice without telling Duke. He swore the doctor and his father to secrecy knowing Duke would refuse if he knew.
There is little conflict between the characters, apart from initial reactions. I wouldn’t mind it if the story revolved around Duke’s job and his recovery. However, as with most of A.E. Via‘s works, it is very romance-centric. Which means a lot of cheesy lines and couple downtime that I usually skip to make the story go faster. The plot is thin and the latter part where Duke and his friends went after the man who injured him seemed like rushed attempt to wrap up a loose thread.
Aiden Snow, who narrated Via‘s Nothing Special series, also did the reading for The Bounty Hunters. He is one of the reasons I stuck with the author’s works. He voices alpha males to perfection. Nothing Special has a big cast and I had no problems distinguishing the voices of the characters. Same with The Bounty Hunters. The voices were very apt for each character and emoted well. I recommend getting The Bounty Hunters in audio because Snow is eargasm!
All in all, this is a book you go for if you want steamy, entertaining stories about alpha males getting in touch with their emotions. Suspension of disbelief may be necessary but the author certainly knew how to hook her readers because I’m eagerly awaiting Quick and Doc’s story.
P.S.
A.E. Via books here.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible for providing the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: For Your Love
Artist: Josh Record
Album: Pillars -
New Release Blitz: Saving Sean by Con Riley (Giveaway)
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BLOG TOUR: A Fluid State by Rob Browatzke
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New Release Blitz: The Road Between by Patrick Benjamin (Excerpt)
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REVIEW: Unbreakable by Colette Davison
Heaven and Hell Club: Unbreakable – Colette Davison
Mac’s life isn’t perfect, but he likes it the way it is: safe and predictable.
Mac works in a struggling pole dancing club at night, and a gym during the day. He’s tired and cash strapped, but content, until a confident twink walks into the club and turns his life upside down. It’s hard to resist when Russel asks him to be his fake boyfriend for one night, in return for double his normal take-home pay.
One date turns into more, as Mac helps Russel get an exclusive that will secure him the job he’s always wanted. But the rich playboy who holds Russel’s career in his hands isn’t going to give him the scoop so easily.
As Mac and Russel spend more time together, the lines between fake and real begin to get blurred, but can their relationship become strong enough to be unbreakable in the face of adversity?
Unbreakable is a fake boyfriend MM romance, with a buff pole dancer who swears like a trooper, a twink who likes to take charge, some spanking, light bondage, and a happy ever after. It’s a prequel story to Broken, but can be read as a standalone romance.
I love myself some fake boyfriend story and Mac and Russel did it for me.
Unbreakable is the prequel to the Heaven and Hell series by Colette Davison. She’s a new to me author and this is my first book from her. She certainly didn’t disappoint.
Before the club was Heaven and Hell, it was called Horns, a pole dancing club barely making a profit. Mac, Michael and his boyfriend, Edward were dancers at the club. Michael and Edward were already making plans to buy the club and they were trying to convince their best friend Mac to invest. Mac lacked the funds and the courage, choosing instead to play it safe. However his days as a dancer might be numbered. He’s not getting any younger.
Russel works at a fashion magazine as a layout artist itching for a chance to be a proper journalist. One day he was given that chance. He is going to cover a party hosted by a famous gay celebrity. The catch is that, it’s for couples only.
This is where Russel propositioned Mac to be his boyfriend for the night after seeing him dance.
The story featured an opposites attract trope with a bit of My Fair Lady thrown in for good measure. It also broke stereotypes regarding the dynamics between couples with size differences. Mac is buff, gruff and butch while Russel is lithe, femme and sassy. Mac likes to let others handle things in the bedroom while Russel likes to take charge.
Russel is the type who knew what he wanted and he was quick to grab it. Mac doesn’t hesitate to give Russel anything he wants. He also remained loyal and stood up for him when the sleazoid celebrity was trying to break them apart. And that was even before they were real boyfriends. Definitely a keeper.
I loved watching their relationship evolve. At first they seemed like the worst possible match but as they slowly learn things about each other, they discover they fit perfectly. I loved the interaction between the two men. I loved the trust and respect that developed and how they embraced each other’s vulnerabilities. The chemistry was palpable even from the beginning. The banters were amusing. They were a lot of fun together.
One thing that stood out for me is that the author gave Russel scars. Not the cutesy it-makes-me-looks-like-a-badass scar but honest to goodness small pox scars. As a person with bad skin, I appreciate that.
Unbreakable is a great prequel. It also stands perfectly well as a standalone. It’s a great blend of fluff, angst and humor with likable characters, great execution and engaging writing. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful ending. I also enjoyed meeting Michael and Edward and I am looking forward to reading Michael’s book.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Quiet
Artist: Lights
Album: The Listening -
AUDIO BLITZ: Promises by A.E. Via (Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Stick to the Script by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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REVIEW: Is It Over Yet? by L.A. Witt
Is It Over Yet? – L.A. Witt
Rhys Powell and Derek Scott are divorcing. Mistakes have been made, lines have been crossed, and there’s no going back. Both men are exhausted and ready to move on.
But their daughter is getting married soon. In the name of not putting a damper on her wedding, Derek and Rhys agree to keep the divorce on the down-low and show up as the happy couple everyone still believes they are.
And between a roller coaster of a road trip and the love and joy surrounding the wedding… Derek and Rhys just might remember why they fell for each other in the first place.
Are they only kidding themselves? Or can a rekindled spark really light the way to forgiveness?
Most romance novels I’ve read go out of their way to avoid cheating. I automatically DNF a book when there’s cheating involving the main couple. So a story that revolved around the issue of cheating and divorce? I don’t think so.
But this is L.A. Witt we’re talking about here and she specializes in making her MCs go through rings of fire before giving them their HEAs. This is as tough a hurdle as it can get. Despite myself, I was really intrigued. How is she going to convincingly pull off a happy ending for a premise like this?
Is It Over yet? is about two married men about to split up but hesitated to tell their daughter because they don’t want to ruin her upcoming wedding. The cheating part is off-page and happened months before the story started. I appreciated that the author spared us the details. We only know that this happened when Rhys was at a low point and their marriage was on a rocky patch at that time.
My knee-jerk reaction to this was to hate the cheater. I was even prepared to do so. But I couldn’t hate Rhys. He didn’t justify his actions. Derek didn’t catch him or even suspected. He confessed voluntarily. Since then, he was beating himself up for his mistake. It was very significantly pointed out that he was sorry for what he did, not because he was caught. I knew his heartfelt apologies were sincere.
Derek was hurt and angry as to be expected but it was pretty obvious that they still love each other. The ‘romance’ here is certainly different. The USTs have a different vibe from what I’m used to. Not exactly love/hate because I didn’t feel they hated each other. So how do you describe that thing where you want nothing more than to separate from your cheating husband because if not you will end up killing each other but you still find him attractive as fuck?
The story is a journey to forgiveness. Witt takes us on this very bumpy, highly emotional road trip complete with a playlist and drunken motel sex. I liked both MCs and I was rooting hard for them. They didn’t make it easy for themselves though. They tried truces after truces but always end up at each other’s throats.
How they finally reach their destination, that of forgiveness and a new beginning, was satisfying and more importantly, convincingly done. I liked that the epilogue was a realistic portrayal of lessons learned and making it work.
Cheating is still a hard line for me but Is It Over Yet? did a great job making me not only read a book about a broken relationship but also making me enjoy the story. It made me sympathized with the characters. I felt each heightened emotion. I was cheering when they finally danced at the wedding. I have no doubts Rhys and Derek will eventually have their HEA.
I wouldn’t say I recommend this because this might not be everyone’s cup of tea but do give it a try if you are looking for a second chance romance where the head wants to go but the heart wants to stay.
P.S.
L.A. Witt books here
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Everything Else Has Gone Wrong
Artist: Bombay Bicycle Club
Album: Everything Else Has Gone Wrong -
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Wounded Martyr by Courtney Maguire (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Rialto by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott (Excerpt & Giveaway)
