Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Fool of Main Beach ~ Tara Lain (@taralain @VivianaIzzo @dreamspinners) #2017NewRelease

Fool of Main Beach by Tara Lain
Love in Laguna #5
Release Date: August 21, 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: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N 

Synopsis
The unlikeliest of lovers. The sweetest of loves.

Merle Justice wants to reach for the stars, but it's tough to get respect when playing a teenybopper vampire on TV. Then he meets a famous director anxious to give him all he thinks he wants - and maybe a bit more. Everything's looking up until a life-threatening encounter with some homophobes on Main Beach puts Merle face-to-face with a Sasquatch-sized hero in a pink puffer coat.

Tom Henry defies description. As unsophisticated and simple as an angel, he walks through life content with who he is and asking for very little except to care for his sister, Lily, and the dogs he loves. Then he meets Merle, the embodiment of dreams he barely knows he has. Merle knows the people who hold his future in their hands might love Tom - but they'll never understand Merle and Tom together. Tom knows it too. With lives far apart, who's really the fool of Main Beach?

Tara Lain's Love in Laguna series is a favorite of mine. Lain always delivers a meaty story along with a touching romance. And all the characters thus far are friends (or become friends) so I always get to check-in with them. Fool of Main Beach delivers on all counts and then some. Here are some highlights from all the goody-goodness:

• Merle
  He's an actor and a really good guy. He's handsome and charming but also down-to-earth, which means he isn't so fond of all the Hollywood hoopla. His family, while completely accepting of his sexuality, isn't so accepting of his career choice seeing as they're more of the intellectual type. This affects Merle's self-esteem as he wants to be taken seriously and he wants their respect. When he's given the chance at those things, he has to decide whether he wants others' respect or to be able to respect himself.
• Tom
  Oh my gosh did I adore this man! He's described once as guileless and that's a fair description. He's really smart but has some learning disabilities. He also is open and honest, not understanding social cues or following social etiquette when offering his opinions. Tom's hardworking and loyal to a fault, taking care of his family despite them kicking him out at 15 because of his sexuality. 
• Character Development
  Both Merle and Tom grow over the course of the story. Tom learns to stand up to his parents and speak up for himself. But Merle does the most growing, learning that he deserves happiness in life whether others approve or respect his choices or not.
• Social Commentary
  This is an element I love in Lain's stories - religion and sexuality, bigotry, homophobia...I admire that she weaves it into her stories (without brow-beating) because it's a reality.
• Tom (yes, again)
  I was a bit worried over how Tom would be handled. As I said, he's guileless, but considered "simple" by some of the characters and he's anything but simple. His character had to be handled "just right" in my opinion to make the story work and Lain handled him with aplomb.
• Dogs
  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the dogs. Tom volunteers at an animal shelter and is particularly fond of dogs. As a dog lover myself, I felt a strong affinity for Tom because of his love and care for these animals and Lain did a nice job giving the dogs their own personalities.

In the end, this might have moved into the top spot as my favorite in this series so far!

**Love in Laguna Series**

Knight of Ocean Avenue

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Knave of Broken Hearts

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Prince of the Playhouse

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

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

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Fire Balls ~ Tara Lain (@taralain, @VivianaIzzo, @dreamspinners)

Fire Balls by Tara Lain
Balls to the Wall #2
Release Date: February 8, 2017
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy as part of the blog tour. I voluntarily reviewed it.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N 

Synopsis
Renowned artist Rodney Mansfield stands five foot six, has pink hair, six earrings, a black belt in karate—and a desperate yearning for firefighter Hunter Fallon. But Rod, the Runtback of Notre Dame, knows he’ll never land the beautiful “straight gay” guy, so Rod musters his altruism and helps his more masculine friend Jerry attract Hunter. As if a broken heart wasn’t enough, Rod saves Hunter from a firehouse homophobe—humiliating Hunter in front of his dad!

Hunter lives a dream life—his father’s dream. While he’d like to teach literature in college, read poetry in the sun, and find a strong guy to top him, he fights fires for his dad. Hunter hates flamboyant guys like Rodney. So why can’t he resist him? Maybe it’s time to admit this is one flame he has no desire to put out.

Fire Balls was another quick and sweet read in this series!

Having met Rodney in Volley Balls, I was eager for this talented artist and matchmaker to find his own match. And the match Rod has his eye on is one hot firefighter. Unfortunately, Rod's friend, Jerry, having no inkling of Rod's crush, sets his eyes on Hunter as well. Rod, being the selfless man he is, hands Hunter to Jerry on a platter, even coaching Jerry on dating conversation. Besides, Rod is a small, "all-fairy" sort of gay man who Hunter wouldn't never have any interest in. Right?

I quite enjoyed Fire Balls. We got to spend some quality time with both Rod and Hunter and I liked getting to know them. Rod really is talented and selfless. He also has some self-esteem issues with his physical appearance. Hunter is also smart and selfless - living his life for his dad's ideals rather than his own. These two together were a match - especially intellectually.

I did wish, however, that I'd gotten to spend more time with them as a couple. Although I feel like I got to know them individually, as a couple things happened pretty quickly and the "L" word is bandied about early on - too quickly, in my opinion. If there'd been more time spent watching their feelings bloom, the relationship would have more depth for me.

Fire Balls was a fun read though despite my issue with the fast pace of the relationship development. I thoroughly delighted in Rod and Hunter finding their match in each other. And I'm excited to meet the next couple in this series.

a Rafflecopter giveaway;

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. 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 in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where 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

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Volley Balls ~ Tara Lain (@taralain, @VivianaIzzo, @dreamspinners)

Volley Balls by Tara Lain
Balls to the Wall #1
Release Date: January 11, 2017
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy as part of the blog tour. I voluntarily reviewed it.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N 

Synopsis
A double dose of alpha male might be better than one.

Despite just getting out of an abusive relationship with an asshole alpha, David Underwood's wandering glance lands on two hot members of the Australian volleyball team on Laguna Beach and gets him harassed again. Still, when the delicious Gareth Marshall proves his interest by coming out to his team, David succumbs to his attraction. But Gareth's volleyball partner, Edge, who's equally hot, makes the lovers' lives miserable.

For Gareth, a lifetime of hiding his orientation--and his attraction--from his best friend, Edge, as well as everyone else around him, adds up to hurt and frustration. David's the first man to ever compete with Edge for Gareth's passion. But Edge has secrets of his own, and David's ex-lover will never be happy without David under his fist. With everything stacked against him, can a gay Laguna man find happiness with an alpha male--or two?

Although I had a few reservations, I quite enjoyed this first book in the Balls to the Wall series. Not only did I get to meet new characters to fall for, Lain also took on the topic prejudice.

When we first meet David, he's being yelled out, taunted with slurs, by one of two hot volleyball players. It shakes him up, of course. It turns out David is a successful guy, owning his own art gallery. But he's also recently out of an abusive relationship and has no real interest in a new one.

Then he meets Gareth - the other half of the volleyball duo he was ogling...the one not yelling slurs. Gareth's been raised in a country and in an environment that ridicules gays. Which is problematic since he is gay.

Edge, Gareth's volleyball partner, is one of the worst offenders in the bigotry department. He and Gareth have been best mates since they were young. And his attitude and behavior are really upsetting since Gareth wants to come out and is attracted to Edge.

All the characters were engaging and I liked the story. I liked watching David help Gareth deal with the fallout over revealing his sexual orientation. I enjoyed seeing how attentive and serious Gareth was over David. Edge had to grow on me but I could see what he was hiding from everyone, including himself. However, I didn't feel like there was enough time spent with the characters, seeing all the dynamics, the relationship(s) grow, so that kept me from forming the deep connection with them that I would have liked. Also, the chain reaction of events that happened once David and Gareth became a couple occurred really fast. Not that I didn't feel the connection between them - it was just lightning quick. I had to wonder at the reality of it all - whether or not Gareth would have come out so quickly or whether David would enter into any sort of relationship with someone who'd harassed him after what he'd suffered with his ex.

Overall though, I enjoyed the story and am eager to continue the series. Lain's writing makes for easy reading and I always like her take on topics such as prejudice. I hope to not only get to know side characters better but continue getting to know David, Gareth, and Edge as well.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. 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 in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where 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

Blog Tour Review ~ Lord of a Thousand Steps ~ Tara Lain (@taralain)

I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain. The Love in Laguna series continues to heat up and get better and better! I have a review and a giveaway for y'all today. 

***

Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain
Love in Laguna #4
Release Date: August 31, 2016
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy, as part of the tour, in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.

Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.

When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.

I adored Ian Carney when I met him in Knave of Broken Hearts, book #2 in this series. So I was thrilled beyond measure to get his story and for him to get his HEA. Lain didn't disappoint! I couldn't have asked for a better story for Ian.

Ian has been living with his brother, Jim, since he was 18 and their father kicked him out because he came out. Ian is wise beyond his years but he wants a family and the unconditional love he didn't get from his family. The desire for that enabled me to see his vulnerable side. He's smart and a gifted architecture student. And even though he's been in a relationship for 3 years - one he thought was going to last - he finds himself attracted to his boss, Braden Lord.

Braden Lord - my goodness! He came with so much baggage. He's only recently come out and is currently enduring a nasty divorce. Yes, that's right. He's spent the last 15 years trying to convince himself he wasn't really gay. He has little experience, obviously, in gay relationships. And to complicate things even more, he has 2 children. But does that have to mean complications?

I loved Ian and Braden together! They fit perfectly despite the age difference and baggage on both sides. And I adored Braden's kids. Mireille was adorably precocious, so grown-up in her mannerisms and speech. Jo-Jo was mature but also acted like a boy of 14. I appreciate when an author incorporates kids in a story line in a way that adds depth and Lain delivered BIG. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Anderson, Ian's cat. He has few lines in the dialog *wink* but played an integral role in the story.

One thing I admire about this series is Lain's inclusion of people who both accept and judge homosexuality. It's realistic and genuine and adds to the story overall. Seeing characters on both sides of the fence and how the affected Ian and Braden enriched their story. Getting to be present as Ian and Braden figure out how they fit in each other's lives, watching the kids be accepting and seeing them all build a happy life together while weathering some bumps in the road was a heartwarming experience. And like I said, I couldn't have asked for better for Ian. But both he and Braden deserved it!

**Love in Laguna Series**

Knight of Ocean Avenue

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Knave of Broken Hearts

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Prince of the Playhouse

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. 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 in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where 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

Blog Tour Review & #Giveaway ~ Prince of the Playhouse ~ Tara Lain (@TaraLain)

I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Tara Lain's Prince of the Playhouse. This is the third book in her Love in Laguna series and I've loved them all, but this one just might be my favorite so far! Today I have my review for you as well as a giveaway! Enjoy!


Prince of the Playhouse by Tara Lain
Love in Laguna #3
Release Date: April 4, 2016
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC, as part of the tour, in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
Driven by his desire to become a successful fashion designer and concerned with hiding his questionablepast, Ru Maitland lets his obsession with action movie star Gray Anson on the big screen replace his social life. Then obsession and reality collide when Ru is asked to design fashion costumes for a special performance of Hamlet at the Playhouse in Laguna starring none other than Gray Anson. Gray turns out to be a compelling mix of shy and brash and, despite a high profile engagement to a female socialite, the signals Gray sends Ru have his libido doing the salsa.

Gray Anson has what most people only dream of—great wealth, huge fame, a job he loves. For that, he’s given up any semblance of privacy and the right to say no to the thousands of people who depend on him and the millions who love him. He sees everything he’s ever wanted just outside the bubble of his life, but how can he make the compromises needed to embrace it? When Ru’s shady past crashes into Gray’s paparazzi-haunted present, both men have to learn that sometimes the only acceptable compromise is the truth.

Prince of the Playhouse may be my favorite of this series so far! I've always been fond of Ru and getting to know his backstory was enlightening. Watching him get his man...exciting! Those two things mixed with a hunky action-movie hero, some suspense, and Shakespeare made for an excellent read!

I first met Ru in Knight of Ocean Avenue. His creativity was apparent as was his love and loyalty towards his friends. But we didn't get a deeper understanding until now - where it's obvious Ru's habit of keeping most people at arm's length is intentional. With what I learned, I realized Ru is smart, strong, and incredibly lucky. The life he's leading is somewhat charmed and he works hard, very hard, not only in crafting his life but also in keeping his past at bay.

Gray Anson made it big his first time off the block, so to speak. Now, the biggest action star in Hollywood, he has everything money can buy. But he wants more. He wants to test himself, t be taken seriously as an actor...and he wants love. However, due to his action hero status, Gray lives in the closet. Little did he know his decision to play the lead role in Laguna's little production of Hamlet would give him everything he's desiring. Gray is such a lovable guy. He's famous yet vulnerable. And the misery he felt at being forced to live his real private life in secret was palpable. My heart hurt for him.

Watching Ru and Gray get to know one another, seeing their attraction grow into something more as hey worked on Hamlet was fascinating. I'm a nerdy Shakespeare fan, so having Hamlet as the backdrop, having Ru explain different scenes and the meaning behind them and Hamlet's lines - well, that really appealed to me and increased my enjoyment. That Ru kept his secret from Gray for so long broke my heart. But it also showed me his insecure and vulnerable side as well. I understood Ru's indecision over his relationship with Gray just as I understood Gray's indecision over making possibly career-changing decisions.

Another pleasure in Prince of the Playhouse was meeting some new secondary characters who were delightful. I certainly hope to see more of Merle but I also quite liked Gray's bodyguard, Chris, and Gray's mom! I also enjoyed getting to see more of Shaz.

Prince of the Playhouse had so much goodness and depth and - well, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really look forward to Ms. Lain's next offering in this series.

**Love in Laguna Series**

Knight of Ocean Avenue

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Knave of Broken Hearts

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Audible

Prince of the Playhouse

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. 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 in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where 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