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What an irrepressible joy Charles Heppel has been!

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Mirrigold

This book is a wonderful rounding out of the story which began back in Charles when Con first introduced us to the amazing Glynn Harber and the people who live and work around there.

Charles was an irrepressible spirit, a man who did the best he could at living with the hurdles his disabilities brought him and with an unfettered joy that spread happiness in his wake.

Unfortunately, as the book opens, Charles’ happiness is becoming a bit tarnished by the horrible experiences he keeps having on the interviews for Hugo’s potential new Parish. Charles is worrying he’s holding His Holy Hotness back and that maybe it might be best if he stays out of the way.

Of course, Hugo’s faith is more than just a nebulous thing and he knows there is no way he’s going anywhere without Charles, or to somewhere which won’t welcome his husband-to-be with as much grace as they’re offering him.

When the new Bishop (our lovely one having now retired) sends Hugo off on another mission and Charles is left behind, it looks like things are taking a downward turn. However, what it turns out to be is the first step on a journey of healing for many people.

We get to see more of the delightful Heligan, there’s surprise guest appearances from some of the series’ most favourite characters and – which make me laugh like a drain – Charles gets a pre-wedding honeymoon on his very own Love Island (Kara-Enys being Cornish for the very same!)

This is a beautifully romantic end to what has been a quite outstanding Learning to Love series from Con and perhaps a little hint at what might be coming up next.

Disclaimer: I alpha read this for Con as she was writing it, then beta read it once it was drafted. All thoughts and opinions however would have been the same had I never laid eyes on it earlier. It’s a truly beautiful book.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

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Reviews: LGBTQ+

RJ delivers an emotionally satisfying romance which hit all my favourite tropes

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Mirrigold

W02 Summer Drifter jpg Summer Drifter by R.J. Scott

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Ooh that was well worth the wait!

I love it when RJ writes cowboys, especially when they come along with a big dose of hurt/comfort and wounded souls like this one does.

Both Levi and Quinn have serious issues over bad parenting, abandonment and feelings of worthiness, but they couldn’t be more different if they tried.

It was great to be back at the Lennox Ranch and see that Micah and Daniel are still going strong, Rachel and Scott are happy and that life is traveling in the right direction for them all after the events of Winter Cowboy.

This story had lots of my favourite tropes as well as the opposites attract theme, Levi is a rough and tough guy, but he’s hiding a need to be on his knees for someone who’ll let him give up control.

Quinn might look like he’d be blown over by a strong wind but he has a core of steel and the gymnastic flexibility and self-defence awareness to look after not only himself but to be everything Levi needs.

The secrets Quinn is hiding form the majority of the tension points in the narrative, there’s a bit of “toing and froing” between the two men but it never becomes onerous.

It’s medium steamy with a fair amount of UST and the one full on smexy scene we get is powerfully emotive, as Quinn edges Levi into giving in to his desire to submit. It’s hot 😉

But overall, this is an emotional romance, feelings of guilt warring with a need to belong, fears of giving in to change and ultimately, hope and longing for a happy ending. The Epilogue is a wonderful drawing of a close to this part of their lives and a solid step into that future.

Now, I’m wondering if Chris will be next and whether Connor might be on the cards for him or if Sheriff Neil is going to win out there?!

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

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Reviews: LGBTQ+

Release Blitz: Hearts Ablaze by A.D. Ellis

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Mirrigold

Hearts Ablaze | A.D. Ellis

Forged In The City #1

BANNER1 - Hearts Ablaze

Release Date: April 10th, 2020

Length: 63,000

Buy Links:

Amazon | QueeRomance Ink

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52621206-hearts-ablaze

COVER - Hearts Ablaze

Blurb

Chase Steele and Xander Copperfield are down on their luck, as similar as they are different, and ready for a love they didn’t even realize they’d been waiting on their whole lives.

With two gorgeous “tough guys” discovering and exploring their true selves, Hearts Ablaze is a steamy, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, bisexual awakening romance.

Forged in the City

Love will find you whether you’re ready for it or not.

Join the men of the Forged in the City series as they navigate the twists and turns of falling in love when it’s least expected. This series contains steamy, MM age-gap, opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers romance tropes.

Series Link

MEME3 - Hearts Ablaze

Excerpt

As I quietly opened the door, I was overcome with nervous anticipation. Sage and Bode were nice, they invited me to stay, there was no reason to feel like I was intruding or needed to sneak around.

Yet, I found myself just outside of the kitchen eavesdropping on Sage and Bode. I hadn’t meant to slink in the shadows and listen to their conversation, I just wasn’t exactly sure where I wanted to be and their words caught my attention. Before I knew what was happening, I was spying like a damn spying spier.

“Think about it. It’s like fate. Remember when you didn’t want me to move in here? You did everything you could to convince the guys to pick someone else. But you ended up with me and it turned out to be fabulous.” Sage’s words were low and persuasive. “Ginny finds her long-lost nephew, he discovers his aunt and a sister he never knew, and it looked very much like he and Xan are totally hitting it off.”

“Babe, he’s a complete stranger.” Bode’s words were gruff.

“Ginny had his records checked. You checked his records—even had Mark check them which I’m still not okay with. We could run a complete check for employment.” Sage paused and I heard the soft noises of a gentle kiss.

Bode groaned.

I was a total perv hiding in the shadows and getting turned on knowing Sage and Bode were kissing.

“We need an employee. We have an extra room.” Sage was laying it on thick. “We could help bring two siblings together and maybe even strike a love connection.”

Bode began to speak, but I missed what he said because I nearly shit myself as Rosie gripped my hand and basically screamed, “Whatcha doin? Why you hidin?”

Sage and Bode stuck their heads out of the kitchen and I prayed to melt into a puddle right there. Rosie shrugged when she realized it wasn’t a game and went back to playing with Oliver.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to listen in.” My words poured from me like the pathetic excuse they were. “Really, I came for coffee, heard Sage and didn’t want to interrupt. By the time I realized you were talking about me, it was too late and I was frozen.” I ran a hand over my face, my cheeks on fire. “Shit, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Sage assured and waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Coffee?”

Since I wasn’t lucky enough to die on the spot, I nodded and entered the kitchen. “Yes, please.”

“Well, what would you think?” Bode leaned against the counter.

“About?” I stammered.

Sage beamed at Bode. It was clear Sage had won. Something told me Sage often won when it came to winning over Bode.

“Sage is right. We do need an employee at The Lizard. We lost quite a few people to college graduation or busy school schedules.” Bode shrugged. “We planned on inviting you to be around as much as possible to build a relationship with Rosie. If you’d be willing to have a complete background check, the position and room are yours.”

I stared at him for years. Decades even.

“What’s wrong with him? Did I break him?” Bode scowled and spoke out of the corner of his mouth to Sage.

Sage chuckled and moved closer to me. He pushed my jaw up. “Close your mouth, sweetie.” He stepped between me and Bode. “Chase, would you like a job at The Salty Lizard? It’s not glamorous or exciting.” He frowned. “Actually, it can be kinda exciting sometimes. And it’s always fun. Great people.” He dipped his head to catch my eyes. “Chase? Job? You want it?”

I nodded and tried to work my sandpapery thick tongue. “Yes, yes, of course, I want it.” I tried to breathe, but my lungs seemed to be faltering.

“We have a room here. You’d pay rent, but it’s a decent price. We’d set some ground rules. You’d have to be okay living with kids.” Sage spoke slowly as if trying to explain quantum physics to me. “Would you like the room?”

“I, um, I just can’t. I mean, yes, of course I’d want the room, but I can’t ask you guys to give me a job, give me a room, and let me hang with my sister. It’s too much.” I moved to the right and leaned against the sink.

“Want to talk about the rent and salary? Make a decision from there?” Sage patted my arm.

I nodded mutely.

Sage went to check on the kids and set them up with crayons and coloring books along with Kidz Bop on a tablet.

About The Author

A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana as an instructional coach/teacher in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing school-aged children, and wondering how she and her husband of almost two decades have managed to not drive each other insane. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.

She loves chocolate, wine with friends, pizza, crocheting and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework, much to the chagrin of her husband. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.

Social Media

Author Website: https://www.adellisauthor.com

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Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/A.D.-Ellis/e/B00K0YJ8CW