Tag Archives: seriously steamy

Cara Dee’s storytelling just works for me and this book is an absolute delight

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The Job by Cara Dee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fab, fab, fab!

***

This Camassia Cove sort of spin off focuses on two of Darius Quinn’s cousins Boone and Casey, and oh boy, are they trouble!

I’m not going into this plotline, it fits in between books three (published) and four (not out yet) of the Auctioned series and is loosely tied to what happens there.

However, you don’t need to read that series, although you really should, as they are superb, to understand and enjoy this one.

Firstly, I’m absolutely in love with Ace, the adorable and mature beyond her years kid who Boone and Case have ended up raising after her mum died.

Her quick wit and willingness to join her dads on some of their slightly dodgy scouting missions is hilarious.

The relationship between the two men is complex, emotional, steaming hot and powerfully satisfying, even as it barrels through jealousy and plain old-fashioned sulking.

It was cool to see behind the scenes for some of what happened in the Auctioned series and I loved catching up with Darius and Gray.

This whole book was an absolute delight from start to finish, it’s surprisingly drama free and not really angsty, just a great read.

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

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Devil’s Hour doesn’t disappoint

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Devils Hour CoverDevil’s Hour by Aimee Nicole Walker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my lordy don’t read this one in public or listen to the audio with your headphones off because Aimee Nicole kicks it off with explosively hot chemistry-filled sex!

In Devil’s Hour we get inside Royce’s head and I’ve been looking forward to it and wasn’t disappointed at all.

He really is a complex character, filled with internal doubts, guilts and probably some kind of trauma-related anxiety over Marcus’ suicide.

Speaking of, Royce’s former partner and best friend’s death is still playing a part in the narrative, and with this novel, we see more and more how all the various threads are being gently woven together into a tight plot which keeps the tensions rolling throughout.

I did guess the bad guy as soon as he arrived on the scene but, for me anyways, I don’t think it actually was obvious, I think I was just looking hard for the odd little clue and something just tipped me off.

The relationship development is delicious. Having been shot in the last book, Royce is now fully on board with Sawyer and there’s some serious sparks flying throughout, as well as some awwww moments.

Chuck in a mad cult, arson attacks and the mayor’s behaviour being exposed, and you have another wonderful Locke and Key adventure.

Given what happens at the end of this one, I’m really hoping there isn’t a long way for book three!

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Seriously good sports romance focuses the spotlight on Rugby Union

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crossing-the-touchline.jpgCrossing the Touchline by Jay Hogan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full review tomorrow, but that was good, like seriously good, speaking as a huge Rugby League fan and follower of Rugby Union.

Right.

Ian Roberts, Gareth Thomas, Keegan Hirst, Sam Stanley, Nigel Owens, Louisa Wall, Phaidra Knight, Jillion Potter, Jen Kish, Mark Bingham (although he never played top game).

Ten names, ten different stories, all rugby league or rugby union players (and one referee).

In Crossing The Touchline Jay Hogan puts the spotlight on possibly the biggest sporting team in the world – the New Zealand All Blacks (hush up Manchester United fans 😉 ) and gives the reader an insight into the pressures of not conforming to the norm when it comes to sexuality.

Both Reuben and Cameron are wonderful creations, they’re fully rounded out characters, they live, they love, they hurt, they deal with tensions that the vast majority of people will never have to think about.

This is a love story, make no bones about that, but it’s also so much more. It’s about the pressures put on our top sportsmen and women to conform, it’s about the mental health issues of having to hide who you are and who you love, it’s about dickhead families, it’s about sporting organisations that put their money where their mouths (and sponsorship deals) are.

I totally believe in this New Zealand All Black side, management and all, having the back of a gay out player, they’re one of the loudest shouting sides in the world when it comes to equality.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a…

The struggles both Reuben and Cam go through never overshadow the romance though. Jay has pitched this book absolutely perfectly (and I don’t just say that as a full flag carrying supporter of both codes of rugby football!)
They are scorching hot together, their relationship relies as much on friendship and support as it does with what happens between the sheets.

There were times I was screaming at what was going on (not going to spoiler it, but be aware of potential triggers for a parental unit that should never have been graced with offspring), the careful and considered treatment of a character who falls on the Autistic Spectrum is also encouraging and brings another layer of tension to the narrative which is wholly believable.

Everything about this book spoke to me. It’s quite radically different than the first book in the series (which is now with Dreamspinner and will be re-published later this year for those wondering) but it’s no less a story.

I loved it. It’s not an easy read, it’s a long book but it never felt like a trial, I didn’t want to put it down because I had to see how they reached their Happy and the Epilogue is beyond awesome.

I’d love there to be no stigma about being a gay sportsman or woman, sadly I know we’re a long way off that, but the more books like this give people hope, the sooner we might reach that goal.

#ARC kindly received from the author via the publishers Dreamspinner Press in return for an honest and unbiased review

Pre-order your copy at Dreamspinner Press here: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/crossing-the-touchline-by-jay-hogan-10402-b

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