Cat's Audiobook Review of Embrace Me (A Love in the Pacific Northwest Novel) written by Beck Grey Narrated by Gary Furlong @BeckGreyWrites @GaryFurlongVo @TTCBooksandmore

Sometimes, the best way to overcome differences is to embrace them.

Quinn: Nothing is more important than family. Someday I’ll have my own, if I can ever find the right guy. For now, I'm concentrating on my career and a promotion. That is, until my company hires a hot-shot with the right credentials to snag the position.

I should resent him, but Tadhg Byrne is talented. And gorgeous. And though my ASL is pitiful, it means I’m the most “qualified” colleague to partner with him. Or so my boss says. So I guess I’m about to do myself out of a job.

Tadhg: After a nasty breakup with my manipulative ex, I returned home to Seattle to lick my wounds. I’m done with relationships. From now on I’m focusing on my career.

There are just a few issues with that.

• It’s not that easy for a deaf man to succeed in a hearing world, even with the right degree and experience.
• Quinn MacDougall—my good-natured coworker. He’s incredibly talented, driven, and distractingly handsome.
• Quinn’s hearing, which is the biggest problem of all. How can someone who isn’t deaf ever truly understand and accept me?

Embrace Me is a low-medium angst, contemporary MM romance about language barriers, loving but demanding families, crappy bosses, and sexy guys in speedos. It contains no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Grab your copy today from Amazon

About the Series:

Turns out, perfection isn’t a prerequisite for happiness.

Whether it’s risking your heart on a hookup, falling for your brother’s best friend, taking that second chance when it arrives, or pursuing a relationship that doesn’t look like everyone else’s — life is complex, but love doesn’t have to be.

Snarky, sweet and spicy, Love in the Pacific Northwest is a first person POV, low-medium angst, open door, contemporary LGBTQ romance series of interconnected standalones. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA every time!

Cat gives this Audiobook 5 Meows overall...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a cold drink while I tell you about this book I just listened to. 

The title is Embrace Me by Beck Grey. It is book 2 in the Love in the North Pacific series. You don’t have to read/listen in order to enjoy. The cover is so hot and goes well with the story. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because I love workplace romance and really like stories with a physically character. 

Who’s my favorite main character? 

Tadhg. I liked Quinn too it’s just that I like seeing how a handicapped deals and this was so well written. I wanted to read Tadhg’s story when I met him in Embrace Me, I think I would like to meet Quinn’s mom and dad in real life. They were so caring and understanding.

The story has a few settings. There is Blakes’s home where Tadhg lives, their office, Quinn’s family’s farm plus some other places like the bar and diner.

What did I like best? 

The narration. I loved the pacing, the voices, inflection. I read book 4 Free Me and will listen to book 1 and 3 and any after. 

Was there something I didn’t like? 

No. 

How hot was the book? 

Moderate but great sexual tension. I loved the ending. It was HEA and just so good. 

If you like language barriers, loving families, workplace romance, and a great ending this is for you. 

Beck is a non-binary writer of sweet, sexy, LGBTQ happily ever afters. Why? Because everyone deserves all the happy! They live in the Northeastern United States with their two adorable dogs.

Weekdays are spent working their day job, but nights and weekends are devoted to writing stories involving hot characters, favorite tropes, and happy endings. Any additional time includes reading, laughing with friends, drinking red wine, and playing D&D. If there’s cake involved at any point it’s a win!

Author Website: https://www.beckgrey.com/

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/beck.grey014/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/beck.grey014/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckgreyauthor/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21696745.Beck_Grey

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/40899/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beck-Grey/author/B09CZ69MTS

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Soup Sandwich Series: an OPS Protector Romance Book 10 Release blitz with with Cat's Review & Excerpt @EJBookPromos @crzybookladyluv @TTCBooksandmore

Title: Soup Sandwich

Series: an OPS Protector Romance Book 10

Author: Giulia Lagomarsino

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Protector Romance

Release Date: June 26, 2023

Cover Design: T.E. Black Designs

Photographer: Reggie Deanching RplusM Photography

Cover Model: Chloe Glynn

Cat gives this book 4 Meows a with 4 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a sandwich and a cold drink while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is Soup Sandwich by Giulia Lagomarsino and it is book 10 in the OPS series. You do have to read in order. You will be totally lost if you don’t read these books in order as they pick up where one leaves off, run with another some, and all have a major ongoing storyline.

The cover is great. I love these covers and would love a poster of them all once series is completed. I’ve been looking forward to Rae’s story especially since she’s the only woman on the team. There are more women as each man couples up but not actual team members.

There are trigger warnings mentioned so if child trafficking, some torture and talk of torture (Fox is a bit Psycho) bothers you, skip this one or read with caution. 

Who’s my favorite main character?

Rae, she's a kick butt, take no prisoners type women. 

Was there another character I loved and why?

Yes! Two this time. Fox my very favorite in this series because he’s funny and crazy and we get a little more Scotty. I think I would like to meet Fox in real life though I might be just a little scared.

The story has a few settings. Their offices, Dukes House, the bar, then the hotel and place they go for the action near the end. The story is a romance and suspense. 

What surprised me most about the book was? 

Dukes actions. He wasn’t exactly what I expected from him. 

Were there significant plot twists and turns? 

Yes. The action part was kind of surprising and really had me on my toes then what happens to Duke… yep, I was quite shocked. 

What did I like best? 

I liked Foxes appearance, he’s so funny.

Was there something I didn’t like? 

I didn’t care for some of Duke’s actions. I also felt there was a few unfinished things like the Carly situation. 

If you could talk to the author, what burning question would you want to ask? 

Absolutely! How in the world did you come up with Fox, lol. 

This story made me laugh and also worry and laugh but it was s oage turner as usual.

I was a little disappointed at the end but maybe I’ll understand more in some of the upcoming books. It was a sort of cliffhanger as there is some ongoing plots, but I myself like continuing series and love a good cliffhanger it just makes me want the next book. Bring it on.

How hot was the book? 

Scorching!

if you like humor, suspense, romance, ex-military men and women you will like this. It’s a great, must-read series.

"I honestly don’t know how Ms. Lagomarsino does it but her books 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧. Every time I think she can’t top the last book, she does." ~ Goodreads Reviewer⁠

"𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐢𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚. Picking up right where the previous book left off this book grabbed my attention instantly and gave me all the feels." ~ Goodreads Reviewer⁠

He’s a mechanic.

That should be enough to warn any woman away from the dangers of becoming involved like a man like him.

All women know the dangers he poses.

It’s shoved in my face every time that blonde barbie shows up and throws herself at him.

Yet, I find it harder and harder to stay away.

He keeps wearing me down, showing up and finding ways to challenge me.

It’s that sexy smile and those deep blue eyes. I could get lost in them.

And let’s not even talk about those sexy, muscular hands.

Even the guys I work with know they can’t compete with him.

But as I said…

He’s a mechanic, and I was bound to fall for him.

“Rae,” Eli said as he entered the room. “Someone’s here for you.”

“Someone, who?” I asked, not bothering to turn around.

“Duke.”

I stilled just as I was about to put the coffee in the filter. Why would Duke be here? We had a strictly sexual relationship, and that didn’t include dropping by my workplace.

“Tell him to go away.”

“Yeah, I said you would say that, but he said something about an unanswered text. I guess the dude is worried about you.”

“Worried about me?” I scoffed. “Seriously? I’m at work—” I said, spinning around to see Duke standing in the doorway with a grin on his face. 

“Baby.”

“Baby?” Eli’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “We’ve crossed into baby territory?”

“No,” I snapped. “Is there a reason you’re here?”

“Yeah, I sent you a text.”

“And I responded.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t get the answer I wanted, so I decided to come here.”

Kavanaugh smothered a laugh as he watched the scene unfold. “Dude, massive miscalculation.”

At least someone knew me well enough to know he shouldn’t have come here.

“Yeah, I’m not sure that was a wise idea. If I’d known you two were together—”

“Not together,” I corrected.

“Well, together when we’re fucking,” Duke grinned.

“It was one time!”

“Technically, it was one day, but we fucked multiple times.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“I don’t know,” Eli shook his head. “More than one time. That puts this in an unknown category. We need Lock on this one.”

“We don’t need Lock,” I snapped.

“Hey, Lock!” Eli shouted as he stepped into the hallway.

I rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. “We’re not bringing anyone else in on this, because it doesn’t matter. It was just a night of fun.”

“What’s up?” Lock asked.

“We have a situation—” Eli started.

“We do not have a situation.”

“It’s a situation,” Kavanaugh said, chewing on his jerky. “A big fucking hairy situation. You should have known better,” he pointed at me.

“You got a pen?”

Lock nodded to Eli and pulled it out, along with paper. “What’s the situation?”

“Alright,” Eli said, pulling out a chair and sitting on it backward. “We have Duke and Rae at his house.” He looked to Duke for confirmation, who nodded, grinning a little too gleefully for my liking. “And there were multiple fucks.”

Lock stopped writing and looked up at me. “Seriously? The mechanic? You had to fucking go there?”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

“That’s what we’re here to determine,” Eli said. “Now, what we need to figure out is the location and timing of said fucks.”

Lock scratched his jaw. “Yeah, I see where you’re going with this. So, the first time, was it in the bedroom?”

“Is this really necessary?” I hissed.

“Hold on,” Duke waved me off. “Let’s see where he goes with this.”

I shot lethal daggers at him, but it only made him smile wider. 

“So, where did it start?”

“The kitchen,” Duke answered.

“And it finished there?”

“No, the bedroom.”

Lock nodded, scribbling some notes. “I see.”

“You see what?” I asked, not following his line of thinking.

“And did the clothes come off in the kitchen or in the bedroom?”

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” I shouted, tossing my hands in the air.

“I’ll ask the questions,” Lock said, holding up his hand.

“The clothes came off in the kitchen.”

“Hmm, that’s interesting. That indicates a higher level of intimacy.”

“In what way?” I snapped.

“Well, if it was just a fuck, it would have stayed in the kitchen, but it ended up in bed. That’s very telling.”

There was nothing telling about any of this. Other than the fact that everyone here seemed to think my life was open for discussion. I hadn’t asked for any of this.

“Now, when you moved to the bedroom, who was on top?”

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose

“Both of us.”

“Nice,” Lock grinned. “And when did the second mating occur?”

“Mating?” I laughed. “Are you fucking—”

“Please,” Lock cut me off. “You’re only interrupting the process.”

“Almost immediately after,” Duke continued.

“Nice,” Lock smiled. “I like the way you work. And that stayed in the room as well?”

“And then the shower,” Duke grinned. 

“That wasn’t until much later in the night,” I snapped.

“So, it was actually three sexual encounters,” Lock clarified.

“For that period of the day.”

“And the next occurrence?”

“Before dinner.”

“And where did this take place?”

“On the kitchen counter.”

“Blinds open or closed?”

The questions went on and on. I was fuming, not because my personal life was being put on display, but because Duke was apparently getting a great thrill out of this supposed investigation.

“Alright, I’ve drawn out a map with the various sexual encounters. Taking into account duration, sexual positions, and the time frame in which this occurred, I can only conclude that the two of you are together.”

I'm a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, "No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book." I didn't think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn't already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven't been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.

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Morning Star (Lone Star Crossed book 3) Blog Tour with Cat's Review & #giveaway @XpressoTours @kris_jayne @TTCBooksandmore

Morning Star
Kris Jayne
(Lone Star Crossed Saga, #3)
Publication date: June 15th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The marriage is fake, but the passion is real.

Famous for his last name, devilish Anthony Star-Hunter is the black sheep of the Star clan. He’s an expert at using his tall, dark, and handsome charm to get women into bed—the last remnant of his declining hard-party escapades.

But the bucks are about to stop here. His grandfather’s will demands he marry to inherit his fortune. Anthony panics. Even with his bad boy allure, how the hell is he going to find a tolerable bride, like, yesterday?

The minute Sarah Pennington spots the tattooed muscles her new stepsister’s ex hides under his Italian suits, she rolls her eyes. Anthony is not for her. And with her father maybe headed to prison for a financial fiasco, she’s had enough bad male behavior. She’s responsible. She’s hard-working. She…can’t stop having naughty dreams about the sexy “celebutant.”

At a beach-side wedding, a drunken mishap throws Sarah into Anthony’s bed, and he’s intrigued. Can he convince her to give fake marriage a chance? Can she convince herself to keep her heart out of the deal?

Their slow-burn, un-love affair isn’t what either expect, but it might be what both of them need forever.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Cat gives this book 4 Meows with a 2 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab an appetizer and a mocktail while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is Morning Story by Kris Jayne it is book 3 in the Lone Star Cross series. You don’t have to read in order to enjoy, it this was my first in the series, but I think I may go look up the other two. The cover is appealing and gives me a good image of Anthony. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interested because, fake marriage. 

Who’s my favorite main character? 

Sarah she is sweet, strong and Noble. Though she marries Anthony for money her reasons don’t make her look selfish or greedy. 

Was there another character I liked and why? 

Oddly, Cathie, Sarah’s stepsister and how she met Anthony and Anthony’s ex (curious now?).

The story has several settings. Texas, New York, Mexico and Italy. I Loved the honeymoon in Italy and would have loved to went along. But it was so well written and fun it felt like I was there. There are some twists and turns and lots of drama.

I liked the ending, it was a good HEA, and if you join the author’s newsletter you get an epilogue of after the 5 years. 

How hot was the book? 

It is a slow burn with good sexual tension and one or two on page sex scenes. I give it two purrs. Just right. 

If you like fake marriage, friends to lovers, billionaires and sister’s ex- Boyfriend, you will like this.

Kris Jayne is a devoted writer, reader, and traveler, crafting addictive contemporary romance novels with heat and heart. She spends her days blissfully sweating out the writing process in the Dallas area with her dogs, Otis the Shih Tzu, Rocco the Terrier, and Red the Foxy Mutt.

Her passion for writing is only matched by her passion for the adventures of travel. In 2008, she let a friend talk her into sleeping outside for the first time in her life when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

P.S. If you’re buying her a gift, she has a penchant for single-malt Scotch and scarves.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter

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BUTTERFLIES IN THE END ZONE by Jacob Gelman Blog tour with Cat's Review, Excerpt & #giveaway @GayBookPromos @TTCBooksandmore

Book Title: Butterflies In The End Zone 

Author and Publisher: Jacob Gelman

Release Date: June 15, 2023

Genres: Contemporary M/M Young Adult Gay Romance, #ownvoices

Tropes: strangers to friends to lovers, bi awakening 

Themes: coming out, communication, sports

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 72 000 words/169 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK

Alex has everything going for him. He’s the quarterback of the football team. He has a great group of friends. He’s popular. He’s got stellar grades. So, why is he so enamored by the new kid from the Bay Area?

Meanwhile, Jamie doesn’t understand why the quarterback of Scalia’s football team could possibly want to be friends with him: the closeted Jewish kid. It’s the last thing he needs to worry about after leaving California for Jacksonville. He planned on just keeping his head down and finishing his senior year quietly to get into his dream school.

Against the odds, though, they become close friends in an area that would teach them to be enemies. But, over time, their friendship turns into something deeper – scaring the both of them. Will their love survive the trials of being in a homophobic environment? Or will it all prove to be too much for them?

Cat gives this book 3 Meows with 1 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a donut and a cold drink while I tell you about this book I just read. The title is Butterflies in the End Zone by Jacob Gelman.

The cover is cute and goes well with the story. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because it sounds like a sweet romance.

Who’s my favorite main character? 

Jaimie but I loved Alex too. Both characters are interesting and it was interesting watching their romance unfold. I liked their friend Marie and Michelle too, they were so supportive 

The story is set in a small town in Florida. It bounces from the boys' homes, party sites and mostly school. The story is a sweet, young adult, sports romance. 

What did I like best? 

I liked the beginning when Jamie was staring down an Alligator thinking he was about to die. I was a bit worried. I liked the ending, it was HFN which is fitting for a young adult story.

 

How hot was the book? 

It was all off page sex and sweet. 

 

if you like Sports Romance, Jocks, Nerds, coming out, Gay awakening, YA, and small town romance you will like this.

Excerpt 

I’ve been in Florida less than a day and already I’m in a life or death standoff. The gator stares at me, his eyes glowing against the moonlight. I stare at the gator, my eyes wild with fear. Shit, I’m gonna die.

He could have been small as a chihuahua or large as Godzilla, but in my California brain he was the most terrifying thing I’d seen in my life. This was not how I expected my senior year to start.

Me dying was the cherry on top, really.

It wasn’t like I had much to live for anymore, after leaving the Bay Area and all. My friends. My childhood. My family. It was all gone now. I had come out just a month before, ready to live my truth in an accepting area until...poof.

“We’re moving,” my mother had told me. “To Florida.”

“Just like that?” I’d asked her.

“Just like that,” she’d told me.

“Why?” I’d prodded, hoping maybe there could be some solution to this unbearable fate. There wasn’t.

We weren’t even in Miami either. We were in Jacksonville. Not even in Jacksonville, an hour away in some nowhere suburb called Scalia – whatever the heck that is. San Francisco to Scalia: the name of my personal horror movie.

My parents were architects. Their company decided to move them to Florida. I was suddenly in Florida. Suddenly about to become the dumbest news headline possible: LOCAL GAY KID DIES FROM GATOR. That simple, I guess.

My heart leapt towards my throat.

His tail, is it...moving?

The gator began walking, or waddling, or slithering – whatever it is gators do when they move – away from me. I stood beside my bike, nearly ready to collapse from fear and adrenaline. Finally, he crawled out of sight – back to the depths of whatever abyss from which he came.

I let out a sigh, almost sad to live another day. I got back on my bike, slowly peddling back home, tears lining my path.

I was sad. Sad about everything. Sad about leaving my friends behind. Sad about leaving my family behind. Sad about no longer being in a Jewish area. Sad about no longer being in an accepting area.

I wasn’t only sad, either. I was scared. Terrified, even. My whole life people had talked about the south like it was some far off universe, some faraway hell the Bay Area would forever be safe from. I had heard stories of how unaccepting it was, how women couldn’t choose what happens to their bodies, gay people couldn’t be teachers, trans students were expelled. Now here I was: in the south. In Florida. Back in the closet.

My eyes were red from tears by the time they stared at my bedroom ceiling, my pillow resting against my neck. I had only a week before I started school at Scalia High. What would that be like? Visions of people with confederate flags, driving trucks, and listening to country music came to my mind and immediately I was near tears once more. I wasn’t sure about many things, but I was certain of this: nothing good would come of this year.

I'm a staunch advocate for lgbt rights. I'm originally from Melbourne, Florida. I am a board member for colectiva queer and a founder of the political action group Florida Fighting Fascism. I have worked with the Brevard Democratic Party, Equality Florida (twice), Congressman Darren Soto, and am a current fellow with People for Power Florida. I am a current student at Brown University studying political science. At university, I am part of the philosophy, politics, and economics society and the Brown Debating Union. I have written for Queerty, OutTraveler, and Florida Today. I am the author of the young adult gay romance novel entitled Butterflies In The End Zone (2023).

Author Links

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