Landon Griffin has everything going for him. He’s a high school senior on the brink of receiving a football scholarship, his dad is running for mayor of Madison, Texas, and his future with his girlfriend looks bright. But his simple life shatters when feelings spark for a guy he’s never met. Giving the stranger the codename Mystery Boy, Landon hesitates to step out of his comfort zone to solve the mystery. Living in a conservative town, he struggles to hide his new obsession while trying to figure out where he fits within the spectrum of sexuality. Can he dodge the constant questions from his friends and find answers before the escalating anxiety becomes too much to handle? Land On Me is Matthew R. Corr’s debut novel akin to the drama of Christopher Rice and the coming-of-age brilliance of Alex Sanchez.
Excerpt...
OPENING HOOK
My ears rang. I’d heard gunshots in movies, but in real life, they are louder than you’d expect. My elbows locked and my arms shook. I wanted to drop the gun, but my entire body was frozen in place. All I could smell was the scent of hot metal emanating from the barrel of the weapon. My mouth was too dry to speak, and I could hardly swallow. I desperately wanted to reach out to make sure he was okay, but there was so much blood. It was so red, and it was coming out so quickly. I didn’t want to shoot him but he wouldn’t have stopped otherwise. Tears welled in my eyes. His blood was on my hands now.
About the Author
Matthew Corr was born and raised in beautiful New England. Coming out as a gay man in high school in his small town fueled his big city dreams. Matthew moved to New York City, where he gained a degree in musical theater. After countless performances on stages across the country, his passion for writing finally stepped into the spotlight. Matthew is a huge nerd for film and everything Marvel-related. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. Land On Me is his debut novel. To learn more about Matthew, and the release of his next book, please visit www.matthewrcorr.com
Desire: What Wolf struggles with from the moment he sees Spencer Hawkins the first day of college.
Fear: Not a word in Wolf’s vocabulary except when it comes to facing his feelings for Spencer.
Lust: What he gives in to that changes everything between them. And his life forever.
Denial: Something Wolf is all too familiar with—denying who he is and who he wants. It’s better this way, even if it’s tearing him and his friendship with Spencer apart.
Spencer
Hide: What Spencer does best. He hides from everyone, especially himself and the crazy attraction to Wolf he can’t shake.
Walls: Spencer throws them up to protect himself from all the hurts life heaps on him—his mother’s death, his father’s indifference, and the men who share his bed and walk away.
Betrayal: Not by just anyone. By Wolf. The one man he can’t forget. Or forgive.
Want: Spencer wants to live in the moment, but he can’t stop thinking about that night. And it doesn’t help that he and Wolf keep knocking heads…and locking lips.
Love: What these two idiots need to realize is happening between them. What started out as their ugliest regret could end up being the most beautiful mistake they ever made.
Cat Gives this 5 meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is book three of the Second Chances series and OMG was Spencer and Wolf worth the wait. Also, you probably want to read this in order though you may be able to enjoy alone you will understand the dynamics of all of these friends and get the full-on view of Wolf and Spencer.
Isn't this cover HOT? This is Spencer and I loved having this vision in my mind as I read the book.
I am not going to do a run down as the blurb sets this up very well. I loved all of these characters. each book just got better and better but this one was the icing on the cake. It also ties up a lot of loose ends left from the last book as well and man did that bring on a twist.
There are a few storylines going on here. We have Wolf's backstory as it unfolds, Spencer's backstory, a plot twist that ties in both backstories, and of course the romance. I did not want this story to end it was so good. I highly recommend it.
Lelyana’s Reviews - “Beautiful Mistakes has easily become my favorite of this series. Cannot wait for another surprise from Felice!
Highly recommended :)”
Goodreads Review - “This was a brilliant second chance, friends (frenemies, at times!) to lovers story beautifully told as usual by Felice and it made my heart very happy.”
Goodreads Review - “Amazing and beautiful love story with some angst… I cried, smiled and had all the feels.”
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy, and that includes love.
She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe yet can't stop buying "just one more pair" of black pants. Felice is a happily addicted Bravo and Say Yes to the Dress addict and proud of it. And let's not get started on House Hunters. Her dream day starts out with iced coffee and ends with Prosecco, because...why shouldn't it? You can find her procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice's Breakfast Club.
You can find all my books, grouped by series in proper reading order on my website located here:
Follow the blogs Facebook page >>HERE<< to keep track of all posts, including those that might include a giveaway. You can also click on the giveaway tab above.
The Midwest Series by Brigham Vaughn (Books 1 and 2)
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (self-published)
Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn
Series Tagline
It was more than a decision, it was serendipity.
Series Blurb
A former college hockey star’s decision to come out of the closet and reunite with his high school boyfriend does more than change the direction of their lives.
It sets into motion events that will lead to their respective best friends, a former hockey player and a psychology major, being stuck on a summer road trip together.
They cross paths with another old friend, an injured pro baseball player who's been forced to move in with his physical therapist. Old hurts are healed and the six become close friends.
When a night out for the guys leads to their meeting an Olympic hopeful swimmer who is fascinated by a drag queen it’s clear that none of their lives will ever be the same.
They are standalone stories featuring four different couples. Reading in order is helpful but not required.
Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames
BOOK 1
Book Title: Bully & Exit
Narrator: James Edward Jones
Length: 78 986 words/ 264 pages
Release Date: First edition – July 9, 2015 Second edition – June 30, 2020
Nathan Rhodes has put hockey first for most of his life, but as graduation looms, he has a different goal in mind. He needs to come out and reclaim his first love. If only Caleb will believe him...
Theater geek Caleb Stockwell gave up on love when his boyfriend chose the closet over being with an openly bisexual guy. Now, he hides his heartbreak behind a string of casual hookups. He loves the drama on stage, but he’s done with the drama of Nathan Rhodes. For good.
Nathan is determined to right the wrongs of four years ago, but the clock is ticking.
One month until he and Caleb go their separate ways. One month to take a final shot at winning Caleb's heart back.
Former hockey player Brent Cameron has a plan now that he's out of the closet. He'll take a summer road trip, find a job, and settle down with a fellow jock. Lowell Prescott is not part of that plan, but when Brent’s travel companion bails, he’s the only option.
Out and proud, Lowell has a love of sports, a flair of fashion, and a disdain for anything conventional. Burned by past relationships, he’s wary of jocks who want to change him—and that includes Brent Cameron.
Tempers flare and sparks fly as the miles disappear behind them. Just as it seems they might be on a journey to something more than Lake Superior, Brent receives a phone call that could change everything.
Will Brent stay with Lowell and ignore a friend in need, or go sit by the bedside of the man who broke Lowell's heart?
The stakes are high when you play for keeps.
Cat gives these Audios 5 Meows for the stories and 5 Meows for performance; so 5 Meows overall...
Bully and Exit... This is a new adult romance with a touch of bullying. Nathan is a hockey player but also smart.
He sees Caleb in a play and finds himself interested. I’m not going to say much more as it gives away too much but I will say this is such a good romance. Very emotional and heartbreaking at times. The story goes back from senior year in high school to senior year in college so it does bounce around a little but it is told in a way you understand and don't get lost.
I loved all the characters and the story. I’m ready for Brent and Lowell now.
Push and Pull... This is Brent and Lowell's story and I have been waiting since I listened to the first. Brent and Nathan have been planning a summer traveling since they met in College for after graduation. But since Nathan and Caleb have worked things out Nathan really didn't want to leave Caleb but didn't want to leave Brent in a lurch since he couldn't afford the trip on his own. Lowell had nothing better to do so he offered to step in for Nathan.
This story was everything I had hoped for and more. I absolutely love Lowell and I loved the slow burn and sexual tension between these two. I loved the descriptions of the places they visited. It added a little more to the story and was like I was on the trip with them.
The Narrator is new to me and he did an excellent job of keeping this story straight as it went back and forth from high school to college. He brought forth the emotion and made you want to keep listening to the end
Micah Warner spent his whole life dreaming of pitching in the big leagues. Signing with a minor-league team near Chicago puts him one step closer to making that a reality. But there are no out players in pro ball, so any involvement with a man must be discreet.
Physical therapist Justin Lamb loves his job with the Cougars. A romantic at heart, he wants to find lasting love—with a man or woman—but traveling with the team makes it difficult to maintain a long-term relationship.
Micah offers Justin a no-strings-attached way to blow off some steam, and Justin reluctantly agrees. It doesn’t take long before they’re both in over their heads but falling in love will risk everything.
With their careers and relationship hanging in the balance, they have one last play to make.
It’s time to take a swing for real and lasting love.
Openly gay college swimmer Ian Harrington feels like he's fighting against a current of tragedy. He's grieving the loss of his parents and best friend, and now he's dealing with a toxic coach and judgmental brother. But he won't let that stop him from chasing his dream: Olympic gold.
Ricky Chavez has just about everything he wants in life: a great career, a supportive family, and a side gig as drag queen Rosie Riveting. The only thing he's missing is a partner to share it all with.
When the two men connect after Rosie’s performance, they're immediately drawn to one another. But it's never that simple. Ricky isn't the type of man to hide, and with Ian's coach breathing down his neck, he can't openly love a drag queen without making waves.
They'll have to brave deep waters to make it to the finish line.
About the Author
Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time author. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn't let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can't wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
Her books range from short stories to novellas to novels. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.
Follow the blogs Facebook page >>HERE<< to keep track of all posts, including those that might include a giveaway. You can also click on the giveaway tab above.
Spencer’s deep in the Red Zone and it’s time to even the score.
Nine years ago Spencer Evans became the first player out of the closet to be drafted into the NFL. Everyone believed he had aspirations to change the world but all Spencer ever wanted to do was play football for a team that accepted him wholeheartedly. But they never would, and Spencer began to conceal all the parts that made him different.
When a terrible injury forces him to re-evaluate his life and his choices, he realizes there’s only one man who can help him.
The very first gay sports agent, Alec Mitchell has given his life and his career to making queer athletes’ dreams come true. He can’t help but think of Spencer as the one who got away—professionally and personally.
Alec thought he’d buried his desperate longing for Spencer ages ago but it turns out it was just lying dormant, waiting for the right spark. When he begs Alec to take him on as a client, everything they’ve been burying for years surfaces once again.
With Alec’s help, Spencer can change everything about his life he’s come to hate. An extraordinary future—and an undeniably extraordinary man—are waiting for him. The play has been called. All he has to do is catch the ball and score.
Cat gives this 4 Meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is book Book 3 in the Riptide Series and it isn’t 10” percent necessary to read in order but you do get a better understanding of who the characters are and what’s happening if you do . Plus I suggest you read Chase and Tate’s book in the Food Truck Warriors series as well where you will meet Spencer and understand the animosity some of the players have towards him.
Now having said all that this is a really good book and I’ve been waiting for Alec’s story since I first read the Riptide stories. I was not disappointed. I simply adore Alec. Also I like characters that are sort of the bad guy and redeemed so Spencer was awesome too,
There us a lot going on. Alec’s story. Spencer’s story. Spencer trying to redeem himself, and wanting to change, plus the football aspect.
So if you like complex characters, complex story lines, second chances (both romantic and life) redemption and sports romance with some heat this is for you.
Excerpt
“You should try my wine,” Alec said, gesturing towards the bottle. “You said you don’t drink wine, not that you don’t like wine. And this is an easy drinking red, real fruit forward, not too many tannins on the back end.”
“Is this how you want to do this?” Spencer asked suspiciously. “Make me try things I don’t think I’m gonna like?”
“How will you know, if you don’t try?” Alec hesitated, and slid his jacket off, hanging it over the back of one of the barstools. “Come over here. I’m not going to bite.”
Spencer shot him a look, full of heat, and Alec remembered why it was probably better not to take his jacket off and why it was definitely better not to make jokes that could be taken in any kind of sexual context.
Well, he’d done it and he wasn’t going to take it back. If they couldn’t figure out how to make this work, then Spencer wouldn’t get what he needed—and Alec wanted that more than anything else.
“Fine,” Spencer said with a sigh. He skirted around the edge of the kitchen island, approaching hesitantly as Alec tilted the half-full glass in his direction.
“Isn’t there supposed to be a special way I do this?” Spencer asked as he took the glass.
Alec raised his eyebrow. “A special way? You take a sip. Swallow it. Decide if you like it or not. Though, really, you should try it twice. The first sip will clear your palate from that god-awful beer you’ve been drinking.”
“That’s what I mean,” Spencer said. “I don’t want to do it wrong.”
“Not drinking it, that’s doing it wrong,” Alec said, even though he knew what Spencer was referring to. But all of the swirling and the legs and the aroma, all the self-important recital that true wine connoisseurs participated in was only going to confuse Spencer. Alec just wanted him to fucking try it.
“Alright, fine,” Spencer said, grumbling, and lifted the glass to his lips.
Spencer made a face, and Alec said, “Nope, not yet. Don’t tell me you don’t like it yet. You’ve got to clear your palate.”
“How do I do that?”
Alec put his hand on Spencer’s arm, stopping him from handing the glass back. “Take another drink,” he instructed. “In a minute.”
When he pulled his hand back, he could still feel the heat and solid strength from Spencer’s forearm. He was going to have to get used to all this touching and personal connection, and hopefully when he did, it wouldn’t affect him this strongly.
“Alright,” Spencer agreed. “It wasn’t . . . well, it wasn’t what I thought it’d be.”
“You didn’t hate it,” Alec guessed, leaning against the edge of the countertop.
“I thought I would,” Spencer confessed. “Wine’s just so fancy and complicated, and I’m not . . . I’ve never been either of those two things. And beer is fine.”
“Beer is fine, sure. You might not dislike it. But what if you liked something else better?”
“I don’t know,” Spencer agreed. He hesitated, and Alec watched him closely, even though it almost hurt to look at him like this. So unsure and vulnerable and wanting so hard to do the right thing, the best thing. “It’s why I asked you to do this.”
About the Author
A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.
Freelance computer genius Trent Marcus took a web development job he wishes he hadn’t, and now he’s in a world of hurt. With his safety threatened, he needs someone who can protect him from his client, who responds to “no” with threats and intimidation.
Personal trainer and silver fox Collin Fitzpatrick gave part of his leg for his country, and now his ex is selling his home, so he needs a place to live quickly. He hears from mutual friends that Trent has a room he can use and needs Collin’s help. Neither Trent nor Collin is looking for a relationship, but attraction ignites for Trent, and it’s returned, to Trent’s surprise.
The last thing Collin expects is for his protective instincts to blossom into something much more. Trent’s care and genuineness combine to heal the heart his ex left shattered. As the task of keeping Trent safe becomes more paramount, so does the realization that failing could cost both of them everything.
Cat gives this 4 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...
This is a book 2 but I think you’d be fine not reading in order though you would know some recurring characters if you had read the first book.
Trent is Marti’s friend and finds himself in trouble. Marti suggests a bodyguard and has him call Jack who has a friend that has done that line of work. Collin is going through a separation and needs a place to live since his ex is selling their place. So the deal with Trent helping keep him safe for a room is a good deal. It doesn’t hurt that Trent is cute.
I liked the characters as usual and this story has a lot of action. It is fast paced and keeps you on your toes. It has a very fast moving romance and is pretty spicy without being overly explicit. This says book two of two. Buy there is hints of Marti and Ivan and I do hope we get their book.
The reason I gave this a four was I did feel there was a few loose strings in the closing of the plot. And there was mention that the apartment Collin’s ex was selling had been Collin’s before they got together, but Collin was stationed overseas. So I didn’t see why he would have an apartment. So yeah I’m just not picking. The book is really good and I read in one sitting.
He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. 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.
