Blog Tour Review & #Giveaway ~ Snow Balls ~ Tara Lain (@taralain @VivianaIzzo @dreamspinners) #2017NewRelease

Snow Balls by Tara Lain
Balls to the Wall #6
Release Date: December 6, 2017
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy as part of the blog tour. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N 

Synopsis
Is it always wrong to pretend to be Mr. Right?

JJ LaRousse looks like a quarterback but acts like a queen. He's trying to be proud of who he is - until a robbery at the famous Laguna Winter Fantasy brings JJ face-to-face with tough cop Ryan Star. JJ hears Ryan likes manly men, so he drops his voice an octave, colors his pink hair, and tries to pass as a football fan.

Ryan Star may be tough, but he keeps his sexuality to himself at work. He learned in New York that being a gay cop can be deadly. His attraction to JJ threatens his secret, but he's finding it hard to back away from a guy who's so totally his type. Then, during a ski trip and a confrontation with JJ's biggest nemesis, all the facades come crashing down. In the aftermath, can Ryan love JJ for who he really is? More importantly, can JJ?

Yet again, Lain delivers a fell good story about finding yourself and embracing all you discover!

We've all done it. Pretended to like or dislike something hoping to increase our odds of getting someone's approval or catch their eye. However, even if you earn that approval or catch that eye, eventually things fall apart because we can only pretend for so long, right? That's exactly what happened with JJ and Ryan.

JJ LaRousse is 6' 4" of lean muscle, sparkling wit, and fluttering hands. He's seriously a sweetheart and he's worked hard to accept who he is. But upon learning hunky Ryan Star prefers "manly" men, JJ sets about pretending to be just that.

Ryan Star is a recent transplant to Laguna via NYC. He works hard and is good at his job but he experienced a situation at work in New York that has him less that willing to live out in his new job. Meeting JJ, this tall, delicious guy who looks like he could be a football player makes him want a relationship. They'll just have to keep things on the down-low.

Lain deftly combines humor, character development, action, and a relevant social message and creates an engaging story. From page one, I could feel the tension in JJ's body when he got wound up and his hands started fluttering. I delighted in watching JJ and Ryan fall for one another. And even though JJ was projecting a false image of himself, he was still himself at the most elemental levels. I also though it ironic that Ryan balked at finding out JJ didn't like football and beer because he was living closeted and that in and of itself is a for of pretending to be something you're not, right?

At any rate, I was entertained by their story, rooting for them all the way, and cheering in the end.

a Rafflecopter giveaway;

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in gay romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 40. Her best­-selling novels have Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, Best Romantic Suspense, and more. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog near the sea in California she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads

BLACKMAIL-Ch 15 of Consequences by M. Jane Colette #audiobook #excerpt #listentothis #ConAudioTour

BLACKMAIL-Ch 15 of Consequences by M. Jane Colette 

#audiobook #excerpt #listentothis #ConAudioTour

Welcome to Stop 15 of the Consequences AudioBook BlogTour
BLACKMAIL
from CONSEQUENCES (of defensive adultery)
an EROTIC tragedy with a HAPPY ending
by M. Jane Colette
performed by Elisa Kae

18+ ADVISORY: Consequences is intended for an adult (18+) audience. It deals with mature subject matter, and contains explicit language and sexual content. Listener and reader discretion is advised.

The tour is bringing romance readers and listeners the opportunity to listen to all 48 full, unabridged chapters of Consequences well in advance of the audiobook’s Christmas release.

Plus, there are fabulous prizes at every stop, and 48 chances throughout the tour to enter to win a COMPLETE set of M. Jane Colette’s paperbacks!

Today, we bring you Chapter 15: BLACKMAIL. 

Click here to listen: 
https://mjanecolette.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/15-blackmail.mp3

New to the tour? A synopsis and directions to the first stop, as well as a gateway to the text version of the chapter, follow!

WHAT’S THIS BOOK ABOUT?

An affair. HEARTBREAK. Consequences.  ABSOLUTION, redemption, and LOVE… in the most unexpected places–a steamy second chance romance unlike any you’ve ever experienced… featuring an ALPHA lover-confessor you haven’t DARED dream about.

Elizabeth did not plan to break up his marriage when she had an affair with her law school professor. But she did. Fifteen years later, she’s still coming to terms with the consequences of her youthful infatuation: a stepdaughter who hates her, an ex-wife who will never forgive the betrayal,  a sister-in-law who’s determined to make Elizabeth her confidante. Compelled to reveal the “tragedy of her life” to a nameless lover, Elizabeth finds herself forced to reconsider her definition of love, commitment, and responsibility—a process that finally releases her from the shackles of her past mistakes and shows her the way to her own happily-ever-after.

A NOTE ABOUT STRUCTURE: The story unfolds over the course of one night, as the narrator Elizabeth relates the “tragedy of her life” to her current lover as they, to quote a reviewer “do lover things.” The story Elizabeth tells spans 15 years. The scenes between Elizabeth and her lover are pure dialogue, and interrupt the “story proper.” There is no “he said/I said” in the dialogue between Elizabeth and her lover… a challenge the narrator solved masterfully, but which may give the first-time listener pause. To increase your enjoyment of the story, an opportunity to read, as well as listen to, the chapter, is provided.

PREFER TO READ? We’re on it. Here is a passworded-protected link to the written version of this chapter for tour participants’ eyes only. Your password is bookwormbrandee, and your gateway is here: CHAPTER 15: BLACKMAIL.

Enjoyed what you heard/read? The tour continues on Thurs Oct 12 with Chapter 16 // MAGIC CARPET RIDE hosted by SOUTHERN BRED & READ BOOK BLOG.

FIRST STOP: If this blog is your first stop on the tour, you might want to head back to stop number one, hosted by Tome Tender Blog: The Photograph, or to the Tour Home Page, and start from the beginning. There are chances to win prizes at every stop!

****TODAY: WIN $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD + MORE!

ENTER ON RAFFLECOPTER****

CONTEST LIVE UNTIL 12:00 am Nov 29, 2017

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GRAND PRIZE TREASURE HUNT ENTRY, PART 15: For a chance to win one of two COMPLETE HARD COPY SETS of M. Jane Colette’s novels, send an email to TellMe@mjanecolette.com, and:

1. put  #ConAudioTour Day 15 in the subject heading,
2. ask to be added to her Rough Draft Confessions newsletter (or tell Jane you’re already on her mailing list, and it’s awesome, when’s the next love letter coming?) and,
3. answer the question: “How does Elizabeth define success?”

Hint: The answer’s contained in today’s chapter.

(The small print: Each tour stop offers you one opportunity to enter the GRAND PRIZE TREASURE HUNT DRAW, for a total of 48 entries if you complete the tour. The books that comprise the GRAND PRIZE are the novels Tell Me, Cherry Pie Cure, and Consequences, and the non-fiction collection of essays Rough Draft Confessions, including its controversially titled, available-only-in-Canada, beta reader / limited edition predecessor.) 

CAN’T WAIT? BUY THE E-BOOK NOW:

in ALL FORMATS for any DEVICE at ALL RETAILERS

including  iBooks  Kobo  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Google Play  Inside Romance

Softcovers at all the usual places, including Chapters  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Book Depository  Powell’s Books and your favourite retailer

AUDIOBOOK COMING CHRISTMAS 2017

sign up for M. Jane Colette’s Rough Draft Confessions to get advance notice of its release

REMEMBER: The story continues on Thurs Oct 12 wit Chapter 16 // MAGIC CARPET RIDE hosted by SOUTHERN BRED & READ BOOK BLOG.

M. Jane Colette writes tragedy for people who like to laugh, comedy for the melancholy, and erotica for women and men who like their fantasies real. She believes rules and hearts were made to be broken; ditto the constraints of genres.

Connect with her on Twitter / GoodReads / FaceBook / Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter, Rough Draft Confessions, to stay in the loop on her WIPs, new releases, and fab multi-media, multi-author projects. You can also email her at TellMe@mjanecolette.com.

For more information about the tour & its other hosts, visit mjanecolette.com/ConAudioTour or check out the schedule below.

CONSEQUENCES AUDIOBOOK BLOG TOUR
#ConAudioTour #SteamyListen #ListenToThis
visit mjanecolette.com/ConAudioTour for daily link updates

Mon Sept 25  Chapter 1 THE PHOTOGRAPH hosted by TOME TENDER BOOK BLOG // Tues Sept 26 Chapter 2 PINK PANTIES hosted by KIM KNIGHT // Wed Sept 27  Chapter 3  HARD TO OPEN hosted by WICKED COOL FLIGHT // Thurs Sept 28  Chapter 4  ENTER THE ADULTERER hosted by MISHA ELLIOTT // Sat Sept 30 Chapter 5 THE WOMAN IN RED hosted by ALYSSA LINN PALMER //Sun Oct 1 Chapter 6  THE WHORE WHO WORE TURQUOISE hosted by DIRTY BAD BLOGGERS //Mon Oct 2 Chapter 7  CARELESS hosted by ELIZA DAVID // Tues Oct 3 Chapter 8  REVENGE SEX hosted by CAMERON ALLIE EROTICA // Wed Oct 4  Chapter 9  RENAMING DESTINY hosted by SO…WHATCHA READING? // Thurs Oct 5  Chapter 10  DREAMING OF SILENCE hosted by THE READING CAT // Sat Oct 7 Chapter 11  BABY OIL hosted by JENNA HOWARD // Sun Oct 8 Chapter 12 SPERM DONOR hosted by AMAZEBALLS BOOK ADDICTS  // Mon Oct 9 Chapter 13 ALWAYS THE WOMAN’S FAULT co-hosted by Teri Hicks & Co’s READING OUT LOUD + SJs BOOK BLOG // Tues Oct 10 Chapter 14 CUNT IN A BOARDROOM hosted by TL CLARK // Wed Oct 11   Chapter 15  BLACKMAIL hosted by BOOKWORM BRANDEE // Thurs Oct 12  Chapter 16  MAGIC CARPET RIDE hosted by SOUTHERN BRED & READ BOOK BLOG // Sat Oct 14  Chapter 17  CONDOMS IN A SUITCASE hosted by AMANDA SIEGRIST  // Sun Oct 15  Chapter 18  COMING OUT hosted by MICHELE FOGAL // Mon Oct 16  Chapter 19  PRETTY BOY hosted by REAL TASTY PAGES // Tues Oct 17  Chapter 20  PROMISCUOUS POLYAMORY hosted by LOVES GREAT READS BLOG // Wed Oct 18  Chapter 21  EDUCATING PHILISTINES hosted by RAMPA PA GROUP // Thurs Oct 19  Chapter 22  FUCKING ARTISTS hosted by JENN’S BOOK OBSESSION // Sat Oct 21  Chapter 23  GUILT IN A TEA CUP hosted by SULTRY SIRENS // Sun Oct 22  Chapter 24  LABELS hosted by TORY RICHARDS  // Mon Oct 23 Chapter 25  COERCION hosted by ROXANA NASTASE // Tues Oct 24 Chapter 26  UNGRATEFUL hosted by CASEY’S CORNER // Wed Oct 25  Chapter 27  DUPLICATE hosted by A DREAMER’S BOOK BLOG // Fri Oct 27 Chapter 28  SECRETS IN A VELVET BAG hosted by LOVE INDIE ROMANCE // Sat Oct 28  Chapter 29  BITTERSWEET COFFEE hosted by THE GENRE MINX BOOK REVIEWS // Sun Oct 29 Chapter 30  WORDS ON THE SCREEN hosted by DEELYLAH MULLIN // Mon Oct 30 Chapter 31  ADDICTIONS hosted by ANGELICA DAWSON // Wed Nov 1 Chapter 32  ENABLER hosted by 2 CHICKS & A BOOK // Thurs Nov 2 Chapter 33  FOOLISH COUGAR hosted by A RISQUÉ BOOK AFFAIR BOOK BLOG  // Fri Nov 3 Chapter 34  NO MORE hosted by KATE FOREST // Sun Nov 5  Chapter 35  CRASH hosted by MISS J MONROE // Mon Nov 6 Chapter 36  SUFFERING FOR ART hosted by T&A BOOK BLOG // Nov 7  Chapter 37  PLAYING CUPID hosted by MISCHA ELIOT // Wed Nov 8 Chapter 38  EMASCULATION hosted by PHOEBE ALEXANDER // Thurs Nov 9 Chapter 39  RITUAL hosted by ROMANCE NOVEL GIVEAWAYS // Sun Nov 12 Chapter 40  MUSE hosted by SIP READ LOVE // Mon Nov 13  41  CHRISTMAS DAY hosted by DIRTY GIRL ROMANCE // Tues Nov 14  Chapter 42 CAST-OFFS hosted by JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC // Wed Nov 15 Chapter 43  VIOLATION hosted by BOOK SNIFFERS ANONYMOUS // Thurs Nov 16 Chapter 44  AGAIN WITH THE CONFESSION hosted by WOPSY WOO BOOK BLOG// Sat Nov 18 Chapter 45  FETTERED, FREE hosted by CARRIE AUSTIN REVIEWS // Sun Nov 19  Chapter 46 ABSOLUTION hosted by READS2LOVE // Mon Nov 20 Chapter 47 THRESHOLD hosted by STEPHANIE’S BOOK REPORTS //FINALE: Tues Nov 21 Chapter 48   AN UNSATISFACTORY ENDING hosted by (UN)CONVENTIONAL BOOK VIEWS // Wed Nov 22  Full Recap on mjanecolette.com + Cyber Champagne Celebration of the Tour’s Success! // Thurs Nov 30 – GRAND PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED on mjanecolette.com 

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ FAST Balls ~ Tara Lain (@taralain @viviannaizzo @dreamspinners) #2017NewRelease #COYER

Fire Balls by Tara Lain
Balls to the Wall #5
Release Date: July 12, 2017
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy as part of the blog tour. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N 

Synopsis
Can two men with skewed self-images see their true reflections in each other’s eyes?

Jerry Wallender—firefighter, surfer, and occasional nude model—knows he’s no rocket scientist. So why does he keep choosing intellectual guys who make him feel dumber? He worked his buns off to overcome his reading disability and pass the firefighter’s test, and he loves everything about the job.

Well, except for Mick Cassidy, the big, blond, hunky homophobe who harasses Jerry for being gay. But Jerry is smart enough to realize it’s not hate driving Mick, but the pain of a very unhappy upbringing.

Mick Cassidy, Firefighter Assist and Search Team, fights fires, but he can’t fight his attraction to the kindest, most generous—and sexiest—guy he’s ever met. Does that make him gay? If it does, he just might get himself killed by his gay-hating preacher father—and take Jerry down with him.

FAST Balls was a satisfying read as Lain not only gave me Jerry's story - a character I met at the beginning of this series and have come to love - but she also conveyed it in a way that dealt with societal prejudice, discrimination, and ignorance. That's something I'e come to expect from her and something she does well.

When I saw Jerry was getting his own story, I was excited. Jerry is such a good guy - a good friend, fun-loving, and kind. He's a surfer but he's deeper than that having dealt with the struggle of returning to school (he's dyslexic) and becoming a firefighter. He's a character I've come to adore and one who doesn't see all that he is.

Mick Cassidy is not the guy I would have chosen to for a love interest for Jerry. He's also a firefighter - at the same station as Jerry - but he's proven to be callous in his homophobia in the past. However, after learning of Mick's upbringing and how he's lived his life, not to mention his confusion over his own feelings about what he's been taught and lived...well, I softened toward him. Quite a bit actually, especially seeing how he views himself.

Jerry and Mick have gotten to know each other while working together and while that happened off-page, I still felt their feelings toward one another were genuine. They connect because of certain situations and I liked how they were there for one another. I also liked how they helped each other see themselves through each other's eyes.

Overall, FAST Balls was fulfilling for me in that Jerry got his story. I got to spend time with the other guys from the series - even if it was only a little - and the way Lain incorporated bigotry was handled well. I'm excited for the next installment!

Giveaway

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in gay romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 40. Her best­-selling novels have Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, Best Romantic Suspense, and more. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog near the sea in California she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads