Release day Review & Giveaway with Sandrine Gasq-Dion {Savage Love, Assassin/Shifter series book #23}

Six years ago, Chaz Savage was on top of the world: Beloved NFL star, filthy rich, great friends -- and a man he was close to falling in love with. Lev Chirkoff was smart, funny, sexy and freaking adorable. Then, one night he was gone with no explanation. Chaz is devastated, left wondering what happened to the only man who ever had his heart. Eventually, hurt turns to anger and then to rage. If he EVER sees that man again....

Lev Chirkoff has an impossible job forced on him by the mob boss his father works for. It involves a professional athlete he has worshiped since the first time he saw him, and the very thought of it sickens Lev. He meets Chaz and they seem to be made for each other. Soon, his only plan is falling in love. When a traumatic night forces Lev out of Chaz's life, he disappears. But Chaz Savage never leaves his heart.

Six years later, Lev returns to Seattle, makes new friends and finds a purpose in life. A Halloween party puts him in Chaz's orbit again, and unsportsmanlike conduct doesn't begin to cover the big man's reaction. With the mob after Chaz, Lev is assigned to protect him as they go into hiding. But Chaz Savage isn't about to make it easy for the man who devastated him. Once old feelings stir, he finally has a chance to discover the truth of Lev's betrayal. Lev falls even more deeply for the man who is so much more than just a football star -- but surely his secret will only cost him Chaz's love forever.

They say it takes a village, but in this case it's a reservation -- and as Chaz and Lev come to an uneasy peace, they discover that the people around them are more than willing to give their lives for the safety of their family.

Chaz Savage had it all, a successful NFL career and budding relationship with one sexy little Russian, Lev Chirkoff. The closeted football player starts to turn heads turning up everywhere with Lev, but he assures everyone they are just good friends. But that was then, and this is now, now Chaz is a firefighter and one of the few humans that are privy to the true heritage of the Skullblasters unit. But he still loves Lev, misses him, thinks about that man every damn day.

Six years ago, Lev Chirkoff made a deal with the devil that cost him the man he loved. Now back in Seattle as the newest recruit for the elite Skullblasters unit of Assassin’s and Shifter’s, Lev is brought face to face with that man. And it’s anything but a warm welcome.  Chaz knows about the team, about the wolves, his best friend was saved by one, and fell in love with one before becoming one. So he can’t wrap his brain around Lev thinking he would not love him because he’s a shifter. But Chaz doesn’t know the whole story, and Lev fears losing him all over again once he tells Chaz the truth.

Lev has lost everyone and everything in his life that mattered and subsequently secluded himself in Siberia while he learned to control his wolf. He knows that returning to Seattle will open old wounds, but he didn’t expect the wash of emotions when he sees Chaz for the first time in six years. Chaz is angry, no volatile is a better term, but there is still love in the depths of those sad angry eyes. Lev as well reacts to Chaz invading his space immediately. He still wants this man more than anything.

There is a lot to resolve, but it doesn’t take either man long to realize that they still love each other. That they never stopped loving each other. They will have to share everything, even the painful truths, and deal with them to get beyond their own hurt and face the oncoming threat now seems intent on getting Chaz as well as the teams young charges, the Olympians. Lev just got him back, he refuses to lose Chaz again, but sometimes fate has other plans.

Classic Sandrine! Colorfull storylines, witty dialogue, passionate love and a group of men and shifters that will protect each other and their own with such ferocity that it’s downright frightening. As each of these new books progress, there is a sister story for the Twelve Olympians series, but everything always ties in together. And we are starting to see more and more characters within each story as the threat from Petey and the Rogues grows closer. I love how Sandrine focus’ on the current pairing, but always manages to make sure we stay in contact with favorites and give us a juicy morsel of some fun pairings to come.

This is a must read series, still my favorite M/M series, I love how the author manages to continually bring us something fresh twenty something books in. You MUST start at the beginning, seriously, you must. Each new installment is just one piece of a very large puzzle that you have to have an outline for first, then add the pieces as they fit. Another success for Sandrine Gasq-Dion and the Skullblasters! 

Sandrine (Sandy) Was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by "Old School" French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn't until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research.She's been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She's traveled the world, but has finally returned to Arizona.

There is now an Assassin/Shifter website!! Many thanks to the talented Jenn Watts for all her hard work! 

For Sandy's other works, please visit her Amazon bookshelf. And be sure to find her on facebook for up to date info on the Assassin/Shifter series, the Twelve Olympians series, the Men of Manhattan series and any other stories she has in the works! 

Q&A with Author Sandrine Gasq-Dion

~ Tell us where you were born, and where you call home now. 

I was born in Inglewood, California but moved to Tucson Arizona around the age of five (I think) lol. I’ve spent over twenty years in the military life, so home as been everywhere. Right now, I’m back home in Arizona where I plan to stay!

~ What made you decide to become a M/M writer?  

I spent a lot of time watching soap operas as a kid. My Grandmother would come visit us from France and I would watch Days of our lives with her. Since they were at least 6 months behind, I kept watching when she went back home. I ended up watching As The World Turns and fell in love with Luke and Reid. The way they were written was done exceptionally well and from that point on, I wanted to write two men in love.

~ What advice would you give other up and coming authors in the genre? 

First, have thick skin. You’ve put your baby out there for the whole world to see, but unfortunately, not all of us like the same books. So get ready for some harsh reviews.  Second? Edit, Edit, Edit!!!

~ What has been the best comment about one of your books/characters that you’ve received? 

I’ve had younger men telling me that I helped them through a tough time about coming out. That the characters gave them strength they didn’t know they had. Those are the best messages I get!

~ What has been the worst comment about one of your books/characters that you’ve received? Hmm, I’d have to say that my books sound like a middle school writer. LMAO I can be serious and write profound works, but I choose not too. Life is way too short to be so damn serious!

~ You have a LOT of men floating around in your head, if you had to choose a favorite character, who would it be and why?  

Riley Flynn-Esposito. I loved writing him, his playfulness, his naiveté everything about Riley is genuine. He was one of the first characters I fell in love with!

~ Anyone that is a fan of you and your books knows you are good friends with your cover model for Nikolai Markov. What can you share about Jordan? His personality, how you two work together, how you met?  

I met Jordan on Randy Blue. I was scrolling through all the webcam models and stopped on him. The tattoos caught my eye first and I ended up talking to him for hours that night. He’s got Nik’s personality down to a science and he really LOVES acting that part. If I ever make a movie, he will be cast as Nikolai. He’s so easy going and laid back that he constantly surprises people. In Tampa, people were shocked that he would pose with them, sign books and t-shirts for them.

~ How much time do you put into research for your characters? Their backstories, the shifters, the vampires and now we have Fae and Valkeries. How do you keep it fresh twenty something books in? 

My mind is constantly in motion. I’m surprised I sleep at night. I spend a few hours doing research and most of the time I’m talking with either my editor or my beta reader about stuff I come up with. It truly amazes me that I can still find something new 20 something books in!

~ To end today, what’s next for our Skullblasters, Shifters and Olympians? 

Strange Addiction is up in November. That’s Brock Holloway and the wolverine shifter Zack Duran. I’m also working on Ryder and Dane’s book, that cover will be revealed later. Gabriel’s Fall will most likely release in December, that features the angel From Second Time Around. And for those of you that have been asking, I will start work on Mitch and Locke’s book soon!!

First I have to say thank you so much Sandy for stopping by today and answering my questions. I don't know about everyone else, but I love the little insights into your writing and your characters. Until next time... 

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