Setting the Hook by Andrew Grey | Tams Review, Excerpt & #giveaway @Dreamspinners @AndrewGreyBooks

It could be the catch of a lifetime. William Westmoreland escapes his unfulfilling Rhode Island existence by traveling to Florida twice a year and chartering Mike Jansen’s fishing boat to take him out on the Gulf. The crystal-blue water and tropical scenery isn’t the only view William enjoys, but he’s never made his move. A vacation romance just isn’t on his horizon.

William Westmoreland escapes his unfulfilling Rhode Island existence by traveling to Florida twice a year and chartering Mike Jansen’s fishing boat to take him out on the Gulf. The crystal-blue water and tropical scenery isn’t the only view William enjoys, but he’s never made his move. A vacation romance just isn’t on his horizon.

Mike started his Apalachicola charter fishing service as a way to care for his daughter and mother, putting their safety and security ahead of the needs of his own heart. Denying his attraction becomes harder with each of William’s visits.

William and Mike’s latest fishing excursion starts with a beautiful day, but a hurricane’s erratic course changes everything, stranding William. As the wind and rain rage outside, the passion the two men have been trying to resist for years crashes over them. In the storm’s wake, it leaves both men yearning to prolong what they have found. But real life pulls William back to his obligations. Can they find a way to reduce the distance between them and discover a place where their souls can meet? The journey will require rough sailing, but the bright future at the end might be worth the choppy seas.

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon


Tams gives this one 5 stars...

William and Mike are very much like two ships passing in the night, never long at the port. Over several years the two become friends when William vacations twice a year in Florida and charters Mike's boat to fish. He's far from happy with his day to day life. Between running his family's company and dealing with his meddling mother, William craves the time away. Getting to spend time with Mike, well, that's a bonus. Mike is lonely as well, focusing on his business and raising his daughter leave no time for dating. The fact that he lives in a small, conservative town doesn't bode well for him heading out on date night and holding hands with another man. 

It would seem fate is giving these two men, that are so obviously attracted to one another, a gentle shove when a hurricane strands William in Florida. But neither sees a way to work a relationship into their already chaotic lives. At least.... not quite yet. 

Thank you book goddess for delivering me a hard fought happy ever after story with little to no friggin' angst! I loved everything about this book. Grey takes these two seemingly completely different men... they lead different lives, have different priorities and responsibilities... but the one thing that brings them together is their slow burning love for another. I loved that Grey wrote every aspect of their journey into the story. Each man torn up over the fact that they want something more, but realize it's unlikely to be possible. They'll have to make sacrifices and learn to bend if they stand a chance at a life together. 

If you're a hopeless romantic, want a story with two slightly older and more mature characters or thoroughly enjoy a story where they have to work for that happy ever after, because the best things in life... you have to work for them. This is definitely the book for you. But hey, that's just my two cents. 

Excerpt...

The grinding of an engine that wasn’t turning over pulled his attention, and Mike walked over to William’s rental car.

“The dang thing isn’t starting.” William got out, slamming the door closed behind him. “I need to call the company and see what they say.”

“Let’s have a look.” Mike motioned, and William opened the door to pop the hood. Mike released the latch and saw the problem immediately and suspected William probably did as well. “The wires out of the starter are fried, so the engine isn’t getting the signal to start.” Not something he could fix. “Where are you staying?”

“I came down from Georgia for the day and was planning to head back to my hotel and then to Atlanta tomorrow for meetings.” William pulled out his phone as Mike closed the hood on the expensive car. He paced back and forth, most likely on hold, becoming more and more agitated as the minutes wore on. “Finally. My rental car won’t start.” He gave all the information. “I’m at the pier in Apalachicola.”

Mike leaned against the car, waiting for William to complete his call.

“You have to be kidding me.” William continued packing back and forth, his footsteps turning to stomps. “I’m aware that the storm has switched paths and that everyone is gearing up. I’m near the water with a car you rented to me that doesn’t start. I know you can tow it, but how do I get another one? I see…. Thanks for nothing.” William hung up, still pacing.

“No other car.”

“The nearest location is at the Tallahassee airport, but that doesn’t do any good because they’re out of cars. It seems everyone is trying to get out of Dodge, and they’re grabbing every available car to head north, which is exactly what I was going to do.” He scrubbed his hand through his hair.

Mike wasn’t about to leave William here. “Can you get a hotel somewhere? I can take you there.”

“I can try. Thanks.” William got on the phone once again, and from the sounds of it, came up empty. “Looks like I’m batting zero. So many people are stranded that hotels are full.” William paced again. “Maybe I can get a private plane or a limousine to get me to my hotel.”

Mike opened the door to his truck. “Let’s transfer your things to my truck, and you can come home with me. I have a small extra room, if you don’t mind that Carrie uses it for her dolls and things. It has a bed, and you can wait out the storm there.”

William smiled. “Really? Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Mike waited for William to transfer his gear and then pulled out of the parking lot.

William smelled divine, and the truck filled with his earthy warmth, even over the air-conditioning, which did nothing to cool the heat that rose inside Mike. He pulled out onto the main road and then turned inland away from the waterfront to the more affordable part of town, wondering just how he was going to keep his distance with William under his rather small roof.

Andrew Grey writes contemporary Gay Romance. He grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew's hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world's most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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