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Never Hollowed By The Stare
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  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • FAVORITE BOOK COVERS
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
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  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Couple Next Door (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 16, 2020 / No Comments
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    RELEASE BLITZ: A Matcha Made in Hell by F.A. Ray (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    RELEASE BLITZ: Draw by V.L. Locey (Giveaway)

    September 16, 2020 / No Comments
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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Breaking News by Ella Frank

    September 15, 2020 / 4 Comments
    53341950. sy475

    Prime Time: Breaking New – Ella Frank

    Breaking News is the continuation of Xander and Sean’s story and should only be read after book one, Inside Affair.

    Xander

    Sean Bailey, the older brother of my lifelong best friend, has always been a surly, temperamental pain in my ass. But sometime during the last few weeks, I’ve gone and fallen head over heels for him.

    Gruff and charming, charismatic in his own way, I’ve found myself looking past my preconceptions and discovered a whole new side to Detective Dick—a side I could fall in love with.

    But life isn’t always easy—it can change course in the blink of an eye. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. I know this because last night I experienced both sides.

    I went to Sean for help in guarding my body; what I didn’t expect was for him to steal my heart. 


    Like many readers, I was excited to delve into this Prime Time sequel as we were left with one heck of a cliffhanger in Inside Affair. Like some of them, I expected more. This review echos their reactions.

    Breaking News picks up right after that momentous awards ceremony where the stalker finally decided to make his move.

    While I am ecstatic that Xander and Sean lost none of their magical chemistry, there was really nothing earth-shaking happening in the story. Not that that I was bored, more like the story was ‘just there’ and wasn’t really grabbing me.

    I felt it would have done the overall presentation a whole lot of good if the entire series was one book instead of chopping it to 3 volumes. Cliffhangers are Ella Frank‘s thing and which, I believe does work wonders if executed properly. However, Breaking News felt like we were dropped smack in the middle of a story that was just there to set up the next big event.

    On the upside, Xander and Sean took their relationship to a higher level. Sean really stepped up his game here! And boy did he ace it. Not only risking his life to save Xander but also making sure he was emotionally okay too after the trauma.

    Xander was okay for the most part, but had panic attacks triggered by unexpected noises. Sean takes him to his secret getaway to recuperate and woos him with an outdoor spa and a sky full of stars. It was all very romantic until sophisticated, city boy Xander was jumped on by a teeny tiny frog. All hell broke loose…

    So yeah, romance-wise, things are pretty spectacular. Xander and Sean still has one of my favorite gay-for-you stories out there. The way they sync together was almost flawless. I loved the way they continue to discover new things about each other. It’s amazing how a person they knew their whole life could surprise them in so many ways. The book really did a great job highlighting that.

    Overall, I got that middle book feels mixed in with a wonderful relationship development. This ends with another cliffhanger but one I already expected so it wasn’t that shocking.

    I love this series, most especially the characters so I am looking forward to the third book. Xander and Sean went from fake to real to intense and now they just need to let the rest of the world know. The rest of the world a.k.a. Bailey a.k.a. Sean’s lil bro a.k.a. Xander’s bestfriend a.k.a. ex. If only it’s that easy…

    “Thank you for showing me the real you. I had no idea what I was missing.”

    “And what was that?”

    “Someone truly magnificent.”

    P.S.

    The books end in cliffhangers so Prime Time is best experienced as a binge read. Find out where it all started and check out my review of Inside Affair, book one of Prime Time, here.

    Rating:
    3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it

    Soundtrack: I’ll Maybe Let You
    Artist: The Irrepressibles
    Album: Mirror Mirror


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get your copy of Prime Time. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Sorcerer’s Guardian (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 15, 2020 / No Comments
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    BLOG TOUR: Promise Me by A.G. Meiers (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 28, 2020
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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Everything Changes by Melanie Hansen (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 14, 2020 / No Comments
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    November 3, 2023

    MUSIC MONDAY: Ashes to Ashes + Last Cup of Sorrow by Faith No More

    September 28, 2020

    RELEASE TOUR: The Moves We Make by C.D. Rachels (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 13, 2022
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    BLOG TOUR: Sin Bin Series by Dahlia Donovan (Giveaway)

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Married To The Mobster by Leighton Greene

    September 11, 2020 / 8 Comments
    53058763. sy475

    Morelli Family: Married To The Mobster – Leighton Greene

    The Mob sent him to kill me, but he owed me a debt…

    Years ago I saved his life, and we spent one hot night together before he disappeared. Now this bad boy’s all grown up, and living a dangerous life. But when his Family decides to send a message to my father, it’s my life on the line.

    Only he can’t bring himself to do it when he realizes who I am.

    He bargains for my life.

    He argues to keep me as a hostage instead of killing me.

    He even agrees to marry me, but not for love.

    Marrying me is the only way he can repay the debt he owes me.

    He tells me he’ll keep me alive only as long as his Boss allows it.

    What he doesn’t know is that I’ve loved him since the first moment I laid eyes on him. I’ll take him any way I can get him. Sleeping with the enemy never felt so good…

    But is there someone else who wants me dead?


    New-to-me author Leighton Greene delivers a highly enjoyable mafia-themed story about a sassy Irish mobster’s son who knew his shit and a flawed but ambitious Italian mobster who tried his hardest not to feel.

    Married to the Mobster opens with a meet cute that soon turned bloody. Finch spots Luca at the dance floor. The attraction was instant and mutual. Luca was later attacked outside the club. Finch found him, patched him up, spent the night with him then (reluctantly) went their separate ways.

    Fast forward 5 years later and their second meet cute also involved violence. Finch has a hit on him. He was abducted by the Morelli and Luca pleads for his life. Mob boss Tino grants pardon on the condition Luca marries Finch.

    These first parts is where the story really shines. The meetings played out wonderfully and I loved how the connection between Finch and Luca took root and grew into something inevitable.

    I love Finch! He’s a fascinating combination of a spoiled billionare’s son and a streetsmart survivor. He has quite a mouth on him but he’s got a good heart and sees a person’s true worth .

    Luca might be more difficult to like. In some ways, he’s your typical confident alpha male / tough bastard. As the story progressed, it becomes apparent that he lacks knowledge when it comes to the finer things in life because he grew up poor. He also lacks a certain kind of sophistication needed to move in higher circles. But all he ever wants is to keep Finch safe and give him everything he needs. So clearly, he knows his priorities.

    Married to the Mobster is, first and foremost, a romance so the mafia politics side of the story wasn’t as strongly delivered as I would have liked. Most of it was the looming threat on Finch’s life. It did provide some unexpected twists later on.

    My favorite part was Finch’s unwavering efforts to bring out the best in Luca. He truly believed in his man. Also, even if he is selfless, he knew when to put his foot down when he had enough of his husband’s hot and cold treatment.

    There was also a potentially intriguing part at the beginning when Finch had a death wish. It would have been nice if this was explored but it just fizzled out when he got involved with Luca.

    Sadly, the second part of the story lost some of its luster. Luca was being bullheaded in keeping his distance. All to stay in business and keep his husband alive. Finch was doing all he could to convince Luca that working together is going to do them both a world of good. The back and forth did dragged bit but it was something they had to go through while Luca struggled with his feelings and responsibilities.

    Well, Luca tried his damnedest to deny there are real feelings between them but Finch knew his man well. Knew that the husband who keeps him at arms length is a snuggle slut. Knew that the man who wears cheap polyester suits he claims are Armanis deserves the real thing. Knew the mobster who doesn’t know the proper silverware to use is going to rule New York City one day. Finch even told him so their first night together. And he is going to make it happened.

    P.S.

    I can’t wait when he does!

    The story ends in HFN and continues in Beloved by the Boss.

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Toi Et Moi
    Artist: Paradis
    Album: Recto Verso


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get your copy of Morelli Family. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

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    RELEASE BLITZ + BLOG TOUR: Soothe Me, Daddy by Elouise East (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    COVER REVEAL: Turning Tide by Bryce Winters (Giveaway)

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Forbidden Need by Lee Colgin (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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