Why I Love Waiters (A Why I Love novel) by TA Chase | Cat's Review, Author Guest Post, Excerpt & #giveaway @Dreamspinners @TaChase

2nd Edition

A Why I Love.... Novel

As a member of a covert military unit, John Davidson isn’t scared of much. Yet one look into Heath Kane’s dark blue eyes and he knows a different kind of fear for the first time. John can’t be gay, at least not out and proud in his unit, even with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repealed. He’s never been interested enough in any man to risk the fallout.

Heath’s hometown wasn’t the best place for a gay kid to grow up, but his grandmother did her darnedest to make it good for him. Now he’s paying her back for all her love. She’s getting older and needs help, so he returns home to wait tables at the Corner Café while taking online courses to get his degree. Even though the Army base provides him with a lot of buff eye candy, he knows it’s best to keep his head down.

Neither Heath nor John can deny their attraction, and John’s finally willing to act on their mutual interest. But holding on to each other will mean big changes in both their lives.

First Edition published by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure, 2011.

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon

Cat gives this one 3 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...

Why I Love Waiters a book in a series, but it stands alone pretty well. This is John and Heath's story in the 'Why I love' world. We hear about John in How I love Geeks. John is Chuck's brother, lives in Georgia and is in the Military. He has met Heath and found himself more than attracted to the cute little waiter, but in his line of work and their town, neither of them would be safe if they were to come out. 

First I am going to say, the story is cute, but It had a lot of Chuck and Herb in it. Especially Herb even on the phone. There was so much of Herb rambling that to me it got a bit obnoxious.I wish the story had focused more on John and Heath.

Having said that, the story is fast and fun and very cute. It is a feel-good romance that will make you laugh and warm your heart. If you like military men, police detectives, waiters, geeks and a cute, hot romance, this is for you!

Excerpt...

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mom. I just wanted to let you know I landed, and I’m heading home now.”

“You’re not driving and talking on the phone, are you? You know that’s really dangerous,” his mother warned.

John chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m still in the parking garage, and I’ll make sure to put my Bluetooth in before I leave.”

“Good. I’ll let everyone know you made it all right. You’ll call me when you get back to your place, right?”

“I will, Mom. I love you and I’ll talk to you later.”

He hung up and got out the earpiece for his phone. After getting it set up, he started the truck and left the airport, headed toward the base.

When he hit town, it was dinnertime and he decided to stop at the café. He didn’t know whether Heath was working or not, but he was hungry and didn’t feel like hitting the cafeteria on base. He parked and headed inside.

“Hey, John, been a while since we’ve seen you. You haven’t been on temporary duty somewhere, have you?”

Grinning, he greeted the older man sitting at the counter. “Hey, Cooter, how’s it going? I took some leave and headed up to see the family.”

They shook hands, and John continued to what he considered his booth. By the time he got there, Heath had a coffee ready for him. He breathed in deeply as he eased past Heath to sit. Clean sweat and a fresh, musky scent filled his nose. Thank God, the table concealed his erection from Heath.

“It’s good to see you again. I have to admit I was worried when you hadn’t come in for a few days. I’m glad to hear you weren’t overseas.” Heath dipped his head, peering at him through his blond bangs, and gave John a shy smile.

“Thanks, Heath. Next time I leave, I’ll stop by and let you know where I’m going. I don’t want you to worry.” He reached out and touched the top of Heath’s hand with the tips of his fingers.

Heath’s gaze dropped to where their skin joined, and John started to pull back, but Heath quickly covered his hand. They froze, staring at each other for a second before the banging of glasses together broke them apart.

“Thanks. I’d appreciate it. Can I get you the usual?”

“It’s meat loaf night, isn’t it?” John didn’t need to look at a menu. He’d memorized the thing within the first couple of days he’d come to the café.

“It is Sunday.” Heath winked. “Are you going to want a piece of pecan pie? I’ll save you some.”

“Pecan pie? Did you make it?” He took a sip of his coffee to keep from reaching out and grabbing Heath’s hand again.

Heath nodded. “Yeah.”

“Then I’ll have a piece.” John leaned back and sighed. “I’m glad to be back. That drive from the airport is tiring, considering I had a three-hour flight on top of that.”

“I’ve done that trip, and you’re right. It’s tiring. I’ll bring out your dinner when it’s ready.”

“Thanks.”

Heath turned and walked away. John tried not to ogle his ass, but hell, Heath had the prettiest butt John had ever seen. He hoped he had a chance to get up close and personal with that ass soon.

Author Guest Post with TA Chase...

Hi everyone! I’m T.A. Chase and I’m here to talk about my new re-release, Why I Love Waiters, the second book in my Why I Love series. This one features Chuck’s youngest brother, John, and Heath, a young man he meets at a diner near the base he’s stationed at.

I’d like to talk about Heath in this post. He’s a man who puts his family first…or at least, his grandmother. She’s the most important person in his life until he meets John. Well, not that he pushes her aside or anything like that. Just as he falls in love with John, he rearranges the room in his heart and suddenly there are two people he’d do anything for.

He’d gone away for college since being gay in his small town wasn’t the most comfortable thing. For the most part, he was happy being away except for not seeing his grandmother as often. Yet when she needed help, he dropped everything to come back.

Heath is a contrast to Herb from Why I Love Geeks. Not so much that Herb is a genius and blurts out everything he thinks without censoring himself. But Herb didn’t have a family. He never really understood what it meant to give up your dreams for another person, though he probably learns from watching (and being included) Chuck’s family.

Heath understands how families work and he chose to keep his circle small because there has been tragedy in his. It was really only his grandmother. Then John comes around, causing Heath to decide whether he should take a chance or use having to help out at the diner as a reason why he couldn’t possibly risk having a relationship.

There’s an added risk with John still being in the military. He’s being deployed to dangerous countries and Heath has no idea when he’ll be back or if he’ll come back alive. Plus even with gays being able to serve openly in the armed forces, there are still going to be people who aren’t happy with that. Heath doesn’t want John to face being hurt by those people either.

Yet he can’t resist John and he’s willing to give it a try. He gains not only a new lover, but a rather interesting friend in Herb and a protective older brother in Chuck. His family expands, making him rearrange his heart to make even more room.

I hope you get a chance to check Why I Love Waiters out. Thanks for letting me ramble. 

T.A. Chase lives in the Midwest with her neurotic but still wonderful senior cat. She believes there is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates T.A., and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, she’s watching movies and reading. She’s also a part of a line-dancing group that takes over a bar on Tuesday nights and entertains at assisted living homes. It’s all about living life to the fullest.

She loves hearing from fans. But don’t be too upset if she doesn’t get back to you right away. Life has a way of making her lose track of days and hours. Don’t worry, though. You will hear back at some point. 

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