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Release Blitz: Headstrong by Eden Finley

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Headstrong | Eden Finley

Vino & Veritas #3

banner Headstrong+Final

Release Date: March 22nd, 2021

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Universal Link: https://geni.us/AmazonHeadstrong

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/34H76l7

Vino & Veritas Series Page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/

READ MY REVIEW

Headstrong+Final

Blurb

A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? 

When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that broke my heart.

But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away.

Agreeing to be his wingman should’ve been simple. Watching him flirt with other guys made things complicated.

Whit challenges me in every aspect of my life, from my hatred of hockey to the new questions I’m asking myself. Like why a straight man suddenly can’t stop thinking about kissing another guy.

I think the answer lies somewhere on Whit’s lips…

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Excerpt

A steady stream of drink orders keeps me busy for a solid half hour, but that doesn’t stop me from noticing Whit moving around the room to flirt with guys. Ultimately, from what I can see, he strikes out and wanders back to me during a lull.

He sits at a stool and bangs his head on the countertop.

A laugh bubbles out of me. “I don’t know how hygienic that is.”

Whit’s lips turn down. “You work here.”

“Exactly.”

“Eww.” Whit wipes his forehead. “Is being gay always this hard?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“I have to admit, this isn’t exactly what I was expecting.”

I lean my hip against the bar. “What were you expecting?”

“I dunno? For guys to see how hot I am and ask to blow me in the bathroom or something?”

A full-blown laugh falls from my lips this time. I have to admit, the dude is funny even if he’s not trying to be.

“So glad my misery is entertaining to you.”

“Sorry.”

“Where are all the easy men who want all the gay sex and no strings or names?”

I purse my lips. “Maybe it’s like that in big cities? The scene is low-key here. I mean, all bars by nature have that hookup culture, but if you’re looking for boys in booty shorts and orgies, you’re definitely in the wrong place. When Harrison opened V and V, he wanted to create a safe and queer-friendly environment that everyone could enjoy.”

“Is everything about gay people in mainstream media wrong?”

“Probably.”

He pushes his empty closer to me. “Can I get another cider?”

“Sure.” I switch them out.

The night isn’t super busy, but the work is steady. I leave him again to serve others but keep stealing glances at him. It’s confusing. Objectively speaking, he’s a good-looking guy. His intriguing eye color is a draw in itself, along with his dimples when he smiles. His suit doesn’t make him look like your typical college hockey player. It’s a mystery why he’s striking out.

Jake reappears at Whit’s side, and Whit’s face lights up. Then Whit’s mouth moves a hundred miles a minute, and Jake’s eyes gloss over.

I can’t hear what Whit’s saying, but I think I’ve found the reason why he’s not having any luck.

Jake turns his head toward me and mouths, “Help.”

Super-bartender to the rescue. Not all heroes wear capes. I give Jake a new drink. “Whit here’s too young for you.”

Jake gives me a grateful look and moves away quickly.

“Oh, age isn’t a big deal to me,” Whit calls after him.

If possible, Jake moves faster.

Whit slumps.

“You don’t want to date that guy anyway. He’s in here all the time trying to score.”

“Aww, that sounds perfect for what I need.”

I cock my head.

“I can’t be a virgin when I graduate in the spring. That’s sad. I mean, ideally, I won’t be a virgin by my next birthday which is in seven weeks, but I’m willing to be flexible.”

Oh dear.

“This has been your opening line to guys tonight, I’m guessing?”

“Well … I told myself not to talk, but then, I don’t know, isn’t that something you should disclose? It feels like something you should tell someone. Because, they have to be, like, gentle and shit, and it’s not like gay sex is something you jump into, right?”

“Again, I wouldn’t know. But has anyone ever told you that you talk a little too much and maybe say things you don’t need to put out there right away?”

“Really?”

“Well, we’ve only met twice, and oversharing and boundary crossing seems to be a common theme.”

Whit groans. “I’m fucking this up.”

“You really aren’t. You’re just coming on a little strong. You’re hot—I mean, I’m guessing. Everyone keeps staring at you and checking you out. It’s your mouth that’s holding you back.”

“So I just have to fill my mouth with something other than words.”

His words make my straight cock twitch a little. Ah, blowjobs. Oh, how I’ve missed thee. I point at him. “That. Right there. Lead with that.”

Whit glares at me, and I have to say his tough face is kind of laughable.

“Or every time you feel yourself rambling, take a drink,” I suggest.

Whit’s head falls to the bar again. “I’ll die of alcohol poisoning.”

It’s not my fault a laugh escapes. Seriously, I can’t tell if this guy is entertaining or plain sad.

He lifts his head. “You should be my wingman.”

I should do what now? “As tempting as that is, I kinda have a job to do already.”

“Yeah, but that’s why you’ll be good at it. You know people, and you’ve seen things.”

“I’m straight, remember? I know nothing about gay hookups. I’d tell you to go on dates and make them feel special before trying to get them into bed.”

“Is it against gay law to go on dates and make each other feel special?”

I throw up my hands. “I don’t know. Which is exactly why I shouldn’t be your wingman.”

“Worth a shot.” Whit finishes off his cider. He stands, and I think he’s going to go back to mingling, but he takes his coat off his chair and puts it on. “Thanks for the drinks.”

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About The Author

Eden Finley

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.

Social Media

Website: https://edenfinley.com/

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2owAsgY

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2GMjfag

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2t1KqM4

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouFzya

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2HQnyCv

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2xb5ylX

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2EV9Roi

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouhBDq

Headstrong+LIVE

Loved this grumpy one falling for the sunshine one romance

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Headstrong+FinalHeadstrong by Eden Finley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this, it’s essentially the grumpy one falling for the sunshine one with a sports romance twist coupled with a bisexual awakening narrative and it absolutely worked for me.

Rainn was set to be an NHL superstar until a second injury proved career ending shortly after leaving college. Now, a few years later, he’s working at V&V and has pushed all thoughts of his future into the deepest corners of his mind.

That is until he finds himself getting tangled up in a friendship with newly out baby gay virgin college student Whit, who’s studying hard so he can graduate and help with diversification at his family farm while playing ice hockey on the side.

Reading this book was a delight, it’s funny, has moments of introspection but also lots of celebration too and I felt wholly committed to seeing Rainn go through a dawning awareness that he was attracted to Whit.

The way their relationship’s physical development was tackled too really made sense to me, they explored together, there wasn’t any straight on into full blown penetrative sex, it was a slow build up of intimacy and experimentation. This made it all the more emotionally connected and very charged!

Tensions also arose organically too, there isn’t a dramady moment just chucked in to give them a falling out crisis. What occurs makes perfect sense and, thankfully, there’s no sulking, just a very quick realisation they need to talk and sort things out.

Everything about it just worked for me and the Epilogue and Bonus Chapter (which you can get once the book is live via an email sign up) were fabulous!

#ARC kindly received from the publishers Hearts Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Five more Covers in the Vino & Veritas World of True North

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Vino & Veritas | Various Authors

World of True North

3

Undercover by Eliot Grayson

Release Date: March 29th, 2021

Pre-Order: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2LTpTTY

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

4_V&V_Grayson_ebook_FINAL

Blurb

Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already…

Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.

Tall, dark, and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats.

When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to…

Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?

Aftermath | L.A. Witt

Release Date: March 29th, 2021

Pre-Order: https://geni.us/AmazonAftermath

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2LZajWM

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

5_V&V_Witt_ebook_FINAL

Blurb

Brent Weyland was the life of the party until an injury ended his hockey career. Now he’s retreated alone to a lakefront house, trying to make sense of a life and body that don’t feel like his anymore.

Jon Norquist was happily married right up until he wasn’t. Now a single father in his forties, he’s trying to figure out what comes next. In the meantime, he pours his heartache and regret into the lyrics he sings for the wine bar crowd a couple of nights a week.

When a friend coaxes Brent out for a night of wine and music, he puts Brent and Jon on a collision course. Their chemistry is instantaneous. Jon gives Brent’s battered body a much-needed remedial lesson in pleasure. And Brent gives Jon a reason to smile again.

Multiple reasons, actually. Neither man wants anything serious, but love has a habit of showing up whether it’s welcome or not. No matter how hard they try, the two can’t help having feelings for each other, even as life continues to throw them curveballs.

But they’ve both got baggage to unpack and hurt to move past, and if they can’t leave their pasts in the past, they might just miss out on an amazing future.

Book Lover | J.E. Birk

Release Date: March 29th, 2021

Pre-Order: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2M0GgOE

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

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Blurb

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down…not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything–or anyone–too closely, and that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection and soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending…

Flipcup | Kim Hartfield

Release Date: April 5th, 2021

Pre-Order: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3inwD8w

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

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Blurb

After being rejected one too many times, Chelsea makes a bold vow: No more men. Her friends doubt a boy-crazy party girl can handle not dating for a year, but that only makes Chelsea more determined.

Tara has made a vow, too. After growing up in foster care and suppressing herself to please others, she’s going to live her truth. When she sees a beautiful woman, she’ll make her attraction known.

Chelsea appreciates Tara’s flirtatious compliments, not to mention her androgynous beauty. There’s a loophole in Chelsea’s vow, and it’s more tempting every day. Could swearing off men lead Chelsea to the perfect woman?

Hideaway | Rachel Lacey

Release Date: April 5th, 2021

Pre-Order: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2XOsNMt

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

#_V&V_Lacey_ebook_FINAL

Blurb

One woman’s hiding place is another woman’s home.

After becoming an inadvertent viral sensation—and losing her job and her girlfriend as a result – Phoebe Shaw retreats to Vermont. Renovating her late grandmother’s cabin into a vacation rental seems like the perfect way to lie low for a while. But the last person she expects to encounter on the property is the woman whose kiss was her teenage sexual awakening…

and whom she’s never quite forgotten.

Taylor Donovan has been hiking on the trails behind the Shaw family’s cabin her whole life. As children, Taylor and Phoebe were best friends before sharing a secret summer romance when they were sixteen, which left Taylor brokenhearted when Phoebe fled at the end of the summer.

Now the property has become Taylor’s home away from home, and she wants nothing more than to convince the Shaws to sell it to her. But Phoebe’s return puts a crimp in those plans – and brings back old feelings she thought she’d overcome.

Of all the things Phoebe regrets, leaving Taylor is at the top of the list, but Taylor is determined to protect her heart. Yet the pull between them is stronger than ever. This time around, will love stay hidden…

or finally see the light of day?

heartseyespress

Discover the World of True North

Find out more about the expanded World of True North and the four lines of books which will feature titles from all your favourite authors working in both mainstream and LGBTQ+ romance.

https://hearteyespress.com/wotn

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