Tag Archives: new adult

Release Blitz: Out In The Surf by Lane Hayes

Out In The Surf | Lane Hayes

Out in College #10

Out in the Surf Banner

Release Date: March 21st, 2023

Universal Link: mybook.to/Out-in-the-Surf

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59995005-out-in-the-surf

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Length: 41,000

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Blurb

The hockey player, the surfer, and a lesson neither can forget…

Luca-

I love the beach, and I’m a good athlete. Learning how to surf should be a breeze, right?

Wrong.

In a twist, hockey is nothing like surfing. That’s okay—I just need a diversion to round out my new life in So Cal while I figure out what comes next. As long as I keep my head above water, this could be fun.

Bonus…my instructor is hot.

Cal-

Teaching newbies to surf is easy money. Usually. My newest student is a wild card who seems to think his jock status should make him a natural at everything he tries, and I can see why. Luca is…special. He’s dynamic, energetic, and fun. It’s hard not to like him. But I like him a little too much.

This could be trouble.

Out in the Surf is a low-angst MM romance, bisexual-awakening story. When the teacher becomes the student, it may be time to come out in the surf.

Out In The Surf Teaser 1

Excerpt

I held out my hand, smirking when he stared at it suspiciously.

“Thanks.”

He pressed his palm against mine, shook my hand, and released it. No big deal, right?

Wrong.

My fingers tingled and my heart rate soared to the stratosphere. I played it cool, though. I hooked my thumbs in my belt loops, casually glanced up at the street sign before asking, “So…when do you want to schedule your next lesson?”

Luca barked a laugh. “I’m not doing that again. That was single-handedly the most traumatic thing that’s happened to me since I moved to Cali. A clear sign I should stay closer to shore and away from surfboards.”

“No, no, no. You’ve got that wrong,” I cajoled. “It’s like I tried to tell you…you’ve got to get back on that horse. Or surfboard. Don’t let fear win.”

“I’m not afraid of surfing. It’s more a matter of returning to the scene of the crime.”

“What crime?”

“The kissing crime!” He threw his hands in the air and paced a few feet away.

I pursed my lips to keep my smile in check when he came to a stop in front of me. “Are you going to do it again?”

Luca shrugged. “I didn’t intend to do it the first time around. But what if I accidentally stick my tongue down your throat? Don’t look at me like that. It could happen.”

“I’m willing to take a chance.” I chuckled. “How about Monday?”

He screwed his features into wide-eyed disbelief. “Really?”

“Really.”

“I can’t. School started last week and I can’t be late…yet.”

“Wise choice.” I stepped away from the crosswalk to lean against the building’s façade. “Okay, if you have any open mornings, we’ll make it work. Otherwise, I’ll make time for you on the weekend. Early.”

Luca furrowed his brow. “If I hypothetically agreed, what is ‘early’ to you?”

“Seven a.m.”

“Fuck that.” He snorted with a laugh. “I need my beauty sleep.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to assure him that he didn’t, but that was a strange sentiment coming from another guy. Wasn’t it?

“Early bird gets the worm and all that,” I singsonged.

“Hmph. I’ll think about it…someday.”

“Sounds fair. Gimme your phone number.” I handed over my cell and let him add his contact info. “I’m free tomorrow morning…just sayin’.”

I was teasing. I was more interested in coaxing an incredulous reaction than anything. And Luca didn’t disappoint. He put his hands on his hips and shook his head in mock consternation.

“You’re nuts. Certifiable. I wouldn’t want to hang out with hungover me if I were you.”

“I’ve seen you barf. Does it get worse?”

He opened his mouth and closed it. “Wow, I really was a mess that day.

“You weren’t that bad,” I chided playfully.

“Liar,” Luca scoffed. “All right. Call me or text me. We’ll have a redo and next time, I promise not to kiss you.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did,” I replied, unthinking.

We both froze.

I wasn’t sure who was more surprised. My jaw unhinged while he cocked his head and really looked at me for the first time that night, his eyes roaming my face as if searching for clues.

“So kissing might be okay,” he hummed, narrowing his eyes.

I felt his gaze like a physical touch. It had never occurred to me to wonder how another man saw me, but I had to admit, the flash of naked desire in his expression did something for me.

This was a new one. Luca was gay, or maybe bi. Either way, he was plainly interested in me…and I didn’t hate it. In fact, my jeans hugged my crotch a little too tightly, which meant my body appreciated his interest and maybe shared it. And that was pretty…gay.

Was I okay with that?

About The Author

Lane Hayes

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters.

Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.

Social Media

Website: https://lane-hayes.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaneHayes3

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/LaneHayes

Instagram: https://instagram.com/Lanehayes3

BookBub: http://bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes

Out in College series pic

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive an eBook or an audiobook of their choice

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Release Blitz: The Wolf and the Wallflower by Devin Harnois

The Wolf and the Wallflower | Devin Harnois

Wolves of the Ton #1

TheWolfandtheWallflower-Banner

Release Date: February 22nd, 2023

Publisher: October Night Publishing

Cover Design: Kanaxa

Length: 73,000 words

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Add to Goodreads

READ MY REVIEW

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Blurb

Lord Jasper Thorne is the most eligible bachelor of the season, but he chafes against the expectation to marry a suitable lady and forge a strong alliance for his pack. Acting polite and proper at balls makes him want to take his wolf form and flee into the woods. Then he meets shy wallflower Ambrose and suddenly social events are much more tolerable.

Ambrose Linfield is hopelessly smitten the moment he meets handsome, charming Jasper. They discuss books they aren’t supposed to be reading, chat with each other at balls when Jasper should be dancing with ladies, even shift together under the full moon.

When Ambrose takes a bold chance and Jasper discovers the truth of his own feelings, everything changes. Secret kisses and stolen moments consume them, but the end of the season draws closer. Soon Jasper will have to do his duty, unless both of them are willing to defy their parents, their packs, and all of society.

Excerpt

“Lord Thorne—” Ambrose managed before the man cut him off.

“Jasper, please.”

“Jasper.” And oh mercy, that name felt so good on his tongue, like the finest wine or decadent chocolate. Ambrose paused, struggling to remember what he was going to say. “You’re the son of a duke, his heir. I’m third in line to a minor baron. I’m barely qualified to even attend noble events, I’m in my fourth season, and everyone generally avoids me as best they can.”

Lord Thorne blinked, opened his mouth, started to say something, closed it. Then he tried again. “Are you saying we can’t be friends?”

That sounded rather bleak, and it brought back painful memories from childhood. “I’m saying we’re… mismatched.”

“Well, I don’t think so. I like you. If you don’t want to be friends, then just say so. But if you’re trying to, I don’t know, warn me off for the sake of my reputation or something”—Lord Thorne chuckled—“I think my reputation can handle it.”

Ambrose desperately wished he hadn’t stood up because his legs had gone weak. He sat back down, hoping it looked like acquiescence and not a necessary move to keep from falling over.

Lord Thorne watched him with a curious and slightly worried expression. “Truly, if you’d rather not, if you think it might draw too much attention to you… I’d be greatly disappointed, but I would understand.”

The fact that his most pressing concern was Ambrose’s comfort nearly stole his breath. He hadn’t even known Lord Thorne for a full day, and yet this man had more consideration for him than members of his own family. Lord Thorne was watching him expectantly, and Ambrose struggled to find something to say. “I would be honored to have you consider me a friend.”

Lord Thorne smiled warmly. “I already do. Can I call you Ambrose then?”

To hear his given name on Lord Thorne’s lips nearly undid him. It was said plainly enough, a request any friend might make to another when they wished to be more familiar, and yet it felt like a caress. Say it again, Ambrose thought, his heart pounding. “I… I would… I… yes,” he finally managed.

Lord Thorne—Ambrose couldn’t bring himself to think of him as Jasper—studied him for a moment. Then his expression eased. “Well, why don’t we go get those drinks? Then we can talk more about the subtext in Vogel’s operas.”

About The Author

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Devin Harnois writes YA and Romance of the fantastical sort. Most of his books involve magic, monsters, and hope. Somehow they keep getting more queer. When he isn’t writing he spends too much time on Discord and plays a lot of Dragon Age.

In second grade he wrote his first story, a romance about two mice falling in love. He still has the original draft.

Social Media

Website: devinharnois.com

Twitter: @devinharnois

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinharnoisauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/devin-harnois

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4090299.Devin_Harnois

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A solid opener to this alternative Regency shifter romance

TheWolfandtheWallflower_Digital_HighResThe Wolf and the Wallflower by Devin Harnois

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This MM shifter take on the whole Bridgerton Regency historical romance is quite a sweet story but I have to admit that it didn’t grip me quite as much as I had hoped.

That’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with the storytelling. Devin weaves a really good historical alternative romance in which the men of the Ton are paraded and shown off in the same way as young women used to be in the Regency period.

The setting is fictional, no London escapades, but it’s a thinly disguised version of the usual fare of the period I’d expect, there are men’s clubs, a great reading library, parks, social gatherings etc.

Both Ambrose and Jasper are sweethearts, they compliment each other well and their difference in status isn’t played into a huge amount. Jasper is the son of a Duke (ruler of a wolf territory and pack) while Ambrose is the grandson of a minor Baron without their own lands.

The female characters in this were a very pleasant surprise in the main, strong women with character who didn’t kowtow to societal pressures in the main, although adhering to pack hierarchy and I very much loved Louisa, Jasper’s childhood friend.

As for the romance itself, the conclusion does involve a little bit of suspend disbelief but overall I liked the slow build up to Jasper realising the feelings he had for Ambrose were more than just friendship.

The first time they have penetrative sex was excellently done, with all the nervous tension of two young men who didn’t really know what they were doing. It was incredibly sweet and very emotionally connected.

Overall this was a good, solid introduction to this new series and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming next.

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

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