Professional Distance (Thorne & Dash book 1) by @Silvia_Violet | Tam's Audiobook Review & #giveaway #mmromance

Professional Distance

Thorne and Dash book 1

Thornwell Shipton is wealthy, uptight, closeted, and an incurable workaholic. A tragic love affair left him terrified of relationships, so he tells himself sex is better scheduled and paid for.

Riley Dashwood is young, easy-going, and comfortable in his own skin. He’s a passionate baker and an aspiring chef, working as an escort to save up for culinary school.

They’re clearly made for each other.

When Thorne hires Dash, it’s lust at first sight. After a few scorching nights together, both men start to wonder if what’s between them is more than physical, but their age gap and resistance to romance make them afraid to change their professional relationship to a personal one. Dash pushes Thorne to admit he wants things he’s denied himself for years. Kinky things. Soft, caring things. Things that force him to open his heart, not just his body. To move forward, one or the other must take a risk and ask for what he really wants.

Buy links: Amazon Audio | Audible

"A May/December romance, with a naughty twist."

Overall

Performance

Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. It's very well written and conveyed.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the relationship between Thorne and Dash developed slowly over time.

Which scene was your favorite?

Shout out to Say Anything, the movie with John Cusack. Can't say more, you'll just have to listen.

If you could rename Professional Distance, what would you call it?

I hate this question. The title the Author gave the book is perfect, why mess with perfection?

Any additional comments?

Oh but I seriously enjoyed this book. Violet wove an amazing story for Thorne and Dash and Boudreaux does a fantastic job of bringing these characters, the Author's words to life. Early on you realize that Thorne has this unnatural need to be in control of everything, except in the bedroom. He allows himself one night a week to acquiesce that control and allow someone else to tell him what to do, to help him release all the pent up anxiety and stress. That's where Dash comes into play, pun intended. What starts out as a strictly business relationship slowly evolves into so much more. Dash pulls Thorne out of himself, shows him how to unwind and live. 

Boudreaux is an auto buy for me much like his alter-ego, Tremblay. I don't think there is a character he can't bring to life. He also has this uncanny ability to convey the characters emotions in a way that you can feel what they are feeling while listening. Of course, he's only as good as the story which is where the Author comes in. Violet wrote such a great story, a May/December romance with a twist. Definitely a must listen! I cannot wait for the rest of the Thorne and Dash books to be available on Audio.

Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter: 

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Outfielders by Robert P. Rowe | Cat's Release day Review & #giveaway #mmromance @Dreamspinners

The Outfielders

By Robert P. Rowe

Sometimes love can come out of left field.

Tony was waiting until he went away to college to come out to his parents and start his new gay life. Unfortunately, at twenty-four, it doesn’t look like college is going to happen after all. Stuck in a dead-end job in a small town and still living at home, with all the arrested development that entails, he finds escape in playing for the company baseball team and lusting after his straight outfielder crush, Alex. But Tony’s best friend, Jennifer, thinks she’s found a plan in the pages of gay romance novels. All Tony has to do is convince Alex he’s gay for you… or for Tony. It’s easy—just find some excuse to be alone in bed together and let nature take its course. What could possibly go wrong?

You can’t get to first base if you don’t take a chance and step up to the plate.

Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon 

Cat gives this one 5 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index (Sweet & Sexy!)

Tony has had a thing for Alex since Alex moved to Groverville in his junior year. They now both work in the big box store called Markdowns that has practically wiped out the town. Tony's best friend Jennifer is pushing Tony to make a move to get Alex's attention. Tony is sure you can't turn a straight man gay, but Jenifer thinks he can. She gives him a book ironically called Outfielders to boost Tony along.

This story is fun and cute in so many ways. First of all the way Robert P Rowe wrote the story it is like Tony is talking straight to us. Second is how he coincides the book we are reading t=with Outfielders as Tony reads it. (pure genius). All of the characters are so fun, charming, and different. The storyline is cute and fast paced with some interesting twists. I highly recommend this story if you like closeted men, Gay for you, Coming out, over, New adult, and all over, fun sweet and sexy romance.

Robert P. Rowe has spent his entire career as a storyteller making an incredible leap from Disneyland ride operator to show-designer and art director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Immersive storytelling presents a distinctive challenge unlike that of live theater, film, radio, or print media. Although he currently freelances, his work can be found around the world, primarily in Disney and Universal Studios parks. The theme park industry is a very cyclical business where it’s either feast or famine. For Rowe his active imagination can’t seem to take any time off. When he’s not designing fantastic worlds he’s writing about the characters who live there. Additionally his outside interests include all aspects of architecture with a specific fascination for the theatrical design of homes from mid-century movies and television. He has a keen enthusiasm for mid-century science fiction.

Author Website: http://www.robertprowe.com/

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?

One Pulse - An Anthology from Dreamspinner Press - Cat Reviews 15 of the stories @Dreamspinners #PrayForPulse

One Pulse

an Anthology from Dreamspinner Press

Benefiting the Orlando Pulse victims fund

Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.

To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.

Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | ARe 

A not from Cat;  I read 15 of the stories included in this anthology and for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed them all. There is a little of something for everyone  no matter what you like to read. It I s also for a very good cause, so go grab your copy now!

A single Night- John Keys  5 Meows

This story is about Logan and Devon. They experience a tragic loss three years ago when Devon lost a leg and Devon’s sister lost her fiancé. It’s a sweet angsty story of loss and moving on. This is a sweet story tough it had  no real plot just the three of them dealing with the tragedy still and some sex. It was a good story.

Adios  - Mickey B Ashling  4 meows  4 Purrs

Joaquin Gallegos was a lawyer for the cartel. He pushed out his son for being gay and in a relationship with an older actor, Ricky.  Joaquin is now deceased and has 72 hours to make peace so he can move on.   He left his son a journal on his laptop and can only hope His son can believe what he reads and forgive him even if it is too late.

M.A. Church—Chasing Tyme 4 Meows

It’s Alex and Dayton’s anniversary and Dayton has a big surprise for Alex. It also pushes some of Alex’s insecurities. I love M. A. Church and have to admit I was hoping for shifters, but this is a sweet, very hot story of two men building trust and love.

George Seaton—Cucurrucucú  5 Meows

Don’t even ask me to try to pronounce this title!

Harley is a young college man working his summers teaching poor ethnic children to swim. He meets David a very young man with a glass eye that changes his life. George Seaton writes some very poignant stories. This one didn’t disappoint. I’d love to see this in a full book.  It’s a bit sad so be sure to have a box of tissue handy.

Bree Cariad—Everyday Miracles 5 Meows (personal favorite!)

Reverend Jonathan Neiland has been trying to get a LGBT shelter up for four years. The City Council keeps finding hoops for him to jump. He has now been through them all. The house is ready, inspected and he has over 30 kids living in tents on the grounds to keep them safe. Now all he needs is a miracle to get it passed through the council.

When he meets Court Brecker, though he doesn’t quite understand the life of Gay people and is conflicted, he sees children in need of a place off the streets, and decides to help. But can he sway at least two more members? This was a beautiful, charming story and while not a romance, showed lots of love and that we should give up on miracles. I would have loved a romance and this in a full book. I would have loved to see more of Jonathan and Court!

Ellis Carrington—For the First Time- 4 Meows

Gary and Wyatt are preparing to go away to college. They have been friends forever and have planned on sharing a room until Gary decides he feels too much for Wyatt and can’t bear to see him bringing in girls for sex. Without telling Wyatt he has changes his plans and gets an apartment over his uncle’s shop. Wyatt had plans of his own and it didn’t include losing Gary. This is a really sweet story of two young men, a friends to lovers story and a big misunderstanding. I loved it!

John Amory—Happy Pride- 3 Meows

New Hope is gearing up for their first Pride Parade after gay marriage equality was past. The main character and his husband are at a drag show. The descriptions of the drag show and hostess are awesome. It felt like I was there watching. I liked the love expressed between the characters. My main issue was there was t a real story. We are watching the show, preparing for tomorrow’s parade and then it ends. I would have liked more story.

John Goode—Let Them Eat Cake  5  Meows

Matt and Tyler are getting married.  They thought their small town was coming around. The minister they wanted had agreed to marry them then it all falls apart. The flower shop refuses them.., The minister could lose his job…and everything goes haywire will they be able to have the wedding they always dreamed of? Let them eat cake is a fun, sweet romantic story, I would love to have this in a novella or novel!

Elizabeth Noble—Magicicada  5 Meows

Russ was born with a fascination for cicadas.  His dad has a photo album with pictures of them both as he grows up with each brood. It's as if they sing for him when he is happy and get quieter as he is sad.  As he gets older he draws them as little wizards with magic wands and when he gets older makes the game he always dreamt of. But life isn't always easy and perfect. Magicicada is a beautiful story of life as a young boy grows to be a man. It shows the ups and downs of life. I absolutely loved the writing style, the characters, and the story. 

There are lots of great stories in this anthology and I highly recommend this one!

Troy Storm—One Big Happy… Bunch 4 Meows 4 purrs

Jason hires a helper in his florist shop. He is immediately attracted to Remmy but he doesn’t want to hurt his partner of many years Manny. Having a sort of open marriage, Manny agrees to let Jason  act on his attraction to Remmy, but Remmy had started seeing someone and wanted to bring him in as well so all four of them began having a group thing.

This is a story of a different relationship and shows us that no matter how many people involved it’s love that counts. It is a hot, story.

Dev Bentham—Perfection   5 Meows

Kevin has been through a friendly divorce and lives in a small town working with his father. He gets his daughter in the summer and enrolls her in a summer program. He has had a fantasy about the Ty since he met him. the man seems perfect. His wife meddles when they are at a meeting to coordinate the town’s first Pride. Things go well with Kevin and Ty until Kevin finds out  that Ty isn’t as perfect as he seems. This is a very heartfelt story.  I nearly cried for poor Ty and wanted to beat the snot out of Kevin. I came around though and I loved this story.

Laura Lascarso—Pull  2 Meows

Hiroku is a bit nervous when Berlin invites him to his house to shoot. Berlin had saved him from some bullies that were Berlin’s friends. Okay, this one, I had some issues with. The first the story picked up after the blurb, so it was like it was from a book or another story. I was a bit lost. I also can’t see Hiroku going to Berlin’s house after his friends attacked him.

Having said that the story was ok once you got into what was going on.

Emery C. Walters—Ranch Dressing 3 meows

This was another story the blurb gave me one idea but it was another story entirely. I was expecting a transgender story or something on that line. The story was kinda funny. I did like the banter between the two men.

Sera Kane—The Stag's Bane 4 Meows

Again this one you really needed to read the blurb.  I did love the paranormal aspect and it was very hot and sexy. You have to like paranormal to understand some of it, it’s very otherworldly.  I thought it was pretty good.

Vicktor Alexander—The Wooing of the Marqués de Sierra de Outes 2.5 Meows

This story has a prologue that is essential. It explains the world this is  set in and how things work there since it is from a series. I am glad the author did that.  However I was still very confused at the usage of male and female. The story was just okay for me, if you could understand the terms and keep your head straight. I think this is for the other world fans. 

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?

Interborough (Five Boroughs Book 4) by Santino Hassell Virtual tour | Spotlight, Excerpt & #giveaway @Riptidebooks @SantinoHassell

The Raymond Rodriguez from a few years ago wouldn’t recognize the guy he is today. He’s left his slacker ways far behind him and is now juggling two jobs and school. But the balancing act doesn’t allow much time for the man he loves.

David is doing his best to be supportive, but problems at work and his own insecurity leave him frustrated—in more ways than the obvious—whenever he goes to bed before Raymond gets home. The heat and affection between them is still there, but they barely have the time or energy to enjoy it. And it doesn’t help that Raymond is still hiding David from his colleagues.

The stress mounts so high that a vacation in paradise is filled with turmoil instead of harmony, and culminates on their return to the five boroughs with broken promises and heartache. They have to figure out how to stop allowing their differences to overshadow their love. It’s the only way they’ll make it to forever.

Interborough is available from RiptidePublishing & Amazon!

Excerpt...

Raymond

I’d been waiting to watch the UFC featherweight championship for weeks, but now my attention was fixed only on David instead of the fight. His hair shone gold in the sunshine streaming through the window, a halo above his big round eyes, upturned nose, and intensely fuckable mouth.

Who had given him a popsicle? What were these people trying to do to me?

I blamed Stephanie. My Queens crew of longtime friends had finally managed to shit-talk me into driving over from Brooklyn for their Saturday night UFC ritual. In the past, we’d done it at the old Rodriguez house, but after the death of my mom, and after Michael and I had opted to rent it rather than live in it, they’d changed the location to Stephanie’s apartment, the next largest space.

Which meant she was definitely the popsicle culprit. As if I needed another reason to perv on my boyfriend’s full pouty lips. Even after dating for almost a year and a half, I was still caught on a regular basis by how gorgeous he was.

“How long are the preliminary fights?” David asked. “I’m only here to see Nate Diaz.”

“Prelims are like two hours,” Sharky said, nodding at the huge television screen. “But the fights have been good so far.”

“It’s hard to care when I don’t know any of these guys.” David licked the tip of the popsicle. “I’m terrible about sports stuff.”

“Don’t you watch with Ray?”

“Um. We used to sometimes, but now he’s never home.” David’s eyes flicked to me guiltily, as if he was admitting a dark secret instead of making a factual statement. One of his eyebrows rose, and I knew he had realized I was in lust mode—staring him down and biting my lower lip. Mad obvious.

“Oh ho!” Chris appeared in the archway leading from the kitchen with a spatula in his hand. “So, Ray hasn’t just been too busy for his old friends? I figured he thought he was too good for us now that he’s Mr. Joe College with two jobs!”

“I am,” I said without looking away from David’s growing smirk. “I’m so good that I’m working a dead-end office job, right before jetting off to my community college evening classes with a bunch of eighteen-year-olds, before going to sweat it out on the docks all night.”

“Ain’t nothing wrong with community college, bruh.” Chris swung the spatula and sent droplets of grease flying. “I did it.”

Stephanie sat up from where she was curled on the couch next to Sharky. “Ay, puñeta! If you got oil on my couch, I swear—”

“Then make your own pastelillos, asshole!” Despite the defiant words, Chris ducked back into the kitchen. Tonya’s laugh rang out even though I couldn’t see her. They’d taken over dinner duty since Sharky and I would just order a billion wings and pizza if it were up to us. They’d all mutually refused to allow David to help since he was a guest.

“You guys are all so cute.” David resumed licking his popsicle without looking away from me. “It’s obvious you’ve been friends forever.”

“Mm-hmm.” Stephanie curled into Sharky’s side again. He seemed to be pretending she wasn’t cuddling him, and was staring intently at the TV. “Aren’t you glad you used Raymond to get in with us?”

“So glad. That plan was genius.”

“I know, right?” She grinned at him. “Maybe if you guys come over more, we’ll make you a probationary member of our squad. I’ll have to think of some hazing rituals first. Handball tournaments until dawn and chancletas with socks in public.”

Sharky scoffed, and David burst out laughing.

With them joking, it was easy to tell myself that I should refocus on the fight and stop fantasizing about what I’d do to David later, but it was hard. He was right. I was barely around these days, which meant our quality time was down to a minimum. Part of the reason why I said no to constant invitations to see my Queens crew was because I tried to savor every moment I had with David, especially because those moments were few and far between.

To read this excerpt in its entirety, or to learn more about the Author and/or series, visit Riptide Publishing.

Read books 1, 2 and 3... 

                         

Santino was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed grunge kid, then a transient twentysomething, and eventually transformed into a guy who spends his days and nights writing romance with an edge.

Santino is a dedicated gamer, a former fanfic writer, an ASoIaF mega nerd, a Grindr enthusiast, but most of all he is a writer of LGBT fiction that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

Connect with Santino:

• Website: www.santinohassell.com
• Blog: santinohassell.com/blog
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/santinohassellbooks
• Twitter: twitter.com/SantinoHassell
• Tumblr: thatdudesantino.tumblr.com/
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/santinohassell/
• Instagram: instagram.com/santinohassell
• Google+: plus.google.com/u/0/+SantinoHassell/
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/santino_hassell

Riptide Giveaway ... 

To celebrate the release of Interborough, one lucky winner will receive $25 in Riptide Publishing credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 29, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

TTC Giveaway ...

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?

Outfielders by Robert P. Rowe | Guest Post & #giveaway #mmromance @Dreamspinners

The Outfielders

By Robert P. Rowe

Sometimes love can come out of left field.

Tony was waiting until he went away to college to come out to his parents and start his new gay life. Unfortunately, at twenty-four, it doesn’t look like college is going to happen after all. Stuck in a dead-end job in a small town and still living at home, with all the arrested development that entails, he finds escape in playing for the company baseball team and lusting after his straight outfielder crush, Alex. But Tony’s best friend, Jennifer, thinks she’s found a plan in the pages of gay romance novels. All Tony has to do is convince Alex he’s gay for you… or for Tony. It’s easy—just find some excuse to be alone in bed together and let nature take its course. What could possibly go wrong?

You can’t get to first base if you don’t take a chance and step up to the plate.

Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon 

Robert P. Rowe has spent his entire career as a storyteller making an incredible leap from Disneyland ride operator to show-designer and art director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Immersive storytelling presents a distinctive challenge unlike that of live theater, film, radio, or print media. Although he currently freelances, his work can be found around the world, primarily in Disney and Universal Studios parks. The theme park industry is a very cyclical business where it’s either feast or famine. For Rowe his active imagination can’t seem to take any time off. When he’s not designing fantastic worlds he’s writing about the characters who live there. Additionally his outside interests include all aspects of architecture with a specific fascination for the theatrical design of homes from mid-century movies and television. He has a keen enthusiasm for mid-century science fiction.

Author Website: http://www.robertprowe.com/

Guest post and a tasty snack with Robert P Rowe

Hi. I’m Robert P. Rowe and I’ve just finished my latest novel for Dreamspinner Press entitled: The Outfielders. Unlike my first novel, Second-Story Man, this book is intentionally light.

People often ask me where I get the ideas for my stories. In this case I was looking for characters that would be average all-American guys. Well, what’s more all-American than baseball? And it doesn’t hurt that baseball players happen to be hot.

Speaking of average, I also like characters that lead average lives and face the same struggles as the rest of us. One of the major struggles in a bad economy is the fact that too many adult children can’t afford to move out on their own, or go away to college. This generation finds themselves still living with parents and too often still acting like children. The struggle becomes one of truly growing up and facing the challenges of the world. But as I mentioned, this story is light. The struggles remain a backdrop to the real challenges of romance.

After I wrote The Outfielders I knew that someone would catch me if I messed up on any of the baseball rules or jargon. It’s not like I’ve never played the game, but there are all sorts of nuances that can’t be overlooked when you’re writing a book—and one can’t expect the editors to find sports related errors. I needed another kind of editor to help me out. I sent excerpts from the book off to a young sports writer. I was pleased to learn that most of the ball field scenes I’d written were accurate but he added words and phrases that gave the story the right kind of color. “Down the middle,” “popup,” and “tricky offspeed pitching” are not terms that come up in my everyday vocabulary. My favorite added word was “bobbled.”

I’m considering writing a few more stories centered in the fictional town of Groverville. In The Outfielders readers are introduced to an interesting cast of characters. It would be a shame if we never had a chance to learn more about them.

But those are just a few of the books I’m planning. My various story interests are more endless than my time. I’ve just started a new job that has me pretty busy art directing theme park attractions. Still, I’m determined to find some time to tell a few more tales.

In The Outfielders my main character, Tony, is not the brightest. He’s been hiding his secret crush, and the fact that he’s gay, for years. He hides another secret too. He really likes to bake cookies. With that in mind I’ve included one of Tony’s favorite recipes here. There’s no better way to curl up with a good book than to have a batch of fresh baked cookies nearby. Enjoy.

Shortstop’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 package chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cream sugars, butter and peanut butter together.

2. Add egg and mix thoroughly.

3. Store in dry ingredients.

4. Add chocolate chips.

5. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheet.

6. Use a buttered and floured fork to flatten cookies with an X pattern.

7. Bake 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?