Runaway by Nic Starr | Cat's Review, Excerpt & #giveaway @Dreamspinners @nicstarr_author

Dr Nathan Powell is ready to settle down near his family, and hopefully find the man of his dreams. He returns to the small coastal town where he grew up, but while life is simpler than it was in the city, there are also complications—like patients’ reactions to an openly gay doctor. And like running into Nate’s first love, Damien, an out-and-proud local business owner who is unwilling to be any man’s dirty secret. The reunion reignites old desire even while it stirs up Nate’s guilt over the way things ended with Damien.

When Nate’s nephew runs away, Damien accompanies Nate on his mission to find the young man. The drive to Sydney, and the search of the city, gives Nate time to reconnect with Damien—and to wonder if he made the right decision years ago—when he determined a future for them was impossible. Is a fresh start realistic for two men in their forties? But before he can ponder the second chance they’ve been given, Nate must locate his nephew.

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon

Cat gives this one 5 Meows 

Nathan and Damien were friends and first boyfriends  when they were teens. Nathan moved on to Sydney to get his degree and become a Dr. Now years later he comes home to help his sister and begin his dream of having his own practice. Then he runs into Damien again. He tries to fight that attraction again until his seventeen-year-old nephew runs away and Damien accompanies him to find Jackson.

I fell in love with this story from the beginning. I Fell for both Damien and Nathan and Nathan's love for his sister and her family. There is something about the family closeness and his sister that just made my heart glow.  But my favorite thing is the setting. It was like being there in Australia and on the trip to Sydney to find Jackson. I couldn't put this book down once I picked it up. 

I do wish there had been another chapter or epilogue, but since it made me sit up all night to finish it I say its a winner!

Excerpt...

“Maybe I’m not referring to your awesome brains, genius.” Damien winked, and Nate felt his cheeks immediately flush. Damien thankfully changed the subject. “You got the kiddo here?”

Nate nodded. “Yeah. She’s playing on the monkey bars. I don’t have to watch her all day, though, just till Mum gets back from the shops. Maybe we can head to the beach then? Get in a few waves?”

“Cool.” Damien leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, and surveyed the playground. Damien’s profile was strong, with an angular nose and a square jaw, but it was the five-o’clock shadow that Nate found mesmerising. His hand unconsciously went to his chin where the skin was relatively smooth. Unlike Damien, who had to shave every day, he only needed to run the razor across his jaw once a week. There was something about that stubble that turned him on, almost more than the muscles on Damien’s chest and shoulders, one of the advantages of being athletic. Nate’s dick started to fill, but nothing surprising there—he was always only a moment away from an erection if Damien was anywhere near.

Damien suddenly looked his way, and his knowing glance caused another flush. This time Nate wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or just pure lust.

“C’mon.” Damien stood and tilted his head in the direction of the clubhouse and amenities building.

Nate gave his little sister a quick glance and, seeing her playing with a group of other young kids, felt comfortable about leaving her for a few minutes. They lived in a small town, the playground area was busy, and a number of his mum’s friends were there.

It was quiet behind the clubhouse, the building backing up against the old paling fence that ran the length of the park, separating it from the homes behind. Nate had only just stepped into the shaded coolness when Damien grabbed his wrist and yanked him into a hug. Strong arms came around him as his chest pressed up against a wall of muscle. Nate huffed at the impact, then whatever air was left in his lungs disappeared as Damien took his mouth in a kiss. Jesus. He loved the way Damien kissed: no hesitation, just total control. The rough scrape of stubble contrasted with smooth lips and just a hint of tongue as they came together. The kiss deepened as he fell into Damien’s embrace, tilting his face up to give Damien better access to his mouth. He luxuriated in the heat that coursed through him, and the immediate fullness in his groin. Damien pushed his thigh between his legs and the pressure was excruciatingly good.

Everything faded away apart from the feel of Damien pressed flush against his body and the rightness of Damien holding him so tightly. Children’s laughter softened to a distant drone, drifting across the summer afternoon and mixing with the call of the ever-present seagulls that flocked along the coast. Nate’s pulse thundered in his ears, but it wasn’t just lust; it was warmth that filled his heart.

However, his joy was short-lived when an older man rounded the corner of the building, his boots crunching through the leaf litter and small branches that scattered the ground.

They broke apart immediately, Nate’s heart suddenly in his throat as the man turned up his nose with a look of disgust. His revulsion was plain to see, the hatred clear in his piercing gaze and the downturned corners of his mouth. He gave them one last look and retreated the way he had come.

Before Damien could say a word, Nate tried to pull even farther away, but Damien held his biceps, preventing him moving far. “It’s okay. It was only the gardener.”

Damien meant his words to be reassuring, but it wasn’t okay. It didn’t matter who the man was. Nate had never been caught with a boy before, not that he’d been with any other boys, but what if his parents found out? He wasn’t ready to tell them. He wasn’t even sure what to tell them. The fear and confusion was overwhelming despite Damien’s calm concern. He shook himself loose of Damien’s grip and took a step backwards, nearly falling on his arse as he shook his friend—sort-of boyfriend—free. Before Damien could stop him, he turned on his heels and raced back to the playground.

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world. Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told! When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her fam

• Nic Starr: http://www.nicstarr.com

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