Audio Review & Giveaway: Changing Lines by R.J Scott and V.L Locey

Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK

Length: 5hrs 10mins

Narrated By: Sean Crisden

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Blurb

Can Tennant show Jared that age is just a number and that love is all that matters?

The Rowe brothers are famous hockey hotshots, but as the youngest of the trio, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, and against their advice, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers, where he runs into Jared Madsen. Mads is an old family friend and his brother’s one-time teammate. Mads is Tennant’s new coach. And Mads is the sexiest thing on which he’s ever laid eyes.

Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. When Ten is traded to the team, his carefully organized world is thrown into chaos. Nine years his junior and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows his heart could get him into trouble again.

Review

First I’m gonna start off by saying I care nothing for Hockey in RL, and this book didn’t change that. My first time reading R.J Scott with writing partner V.L Locey. 

The Story: 3.5 Pants Off 

Tennant Rowe is a superstar in the making and when he decides on an up and coming team a few eyebrows were raised. Of course he could have gone with superstar teams most likely to win the Stanley Cup but Ten decides on the Railers with big disapproval from his family, but Ten is a big boy and he’s making his own decisions. While the Raiders aren’t cloaked in history it’s the team he wants to join and the upside is that the team has Jared Madsen. An old family friend and someone Ten is looking to get up close and personal with. Yeh, they have history and Mads is a bit older but age ain’t nothing but a number after-all.  

Downside, you can’t be gay in hockey. So when Ten finds himself telling his coaches that he’s gay he’s expecting the worst but what it gets him is a secret relationship with Mads and things are almost perfect. All that’s left is coming out to his family and maybe one day even publicly. Ten’s got hockey, love, and Mads, what more could he even want?!

First, things moved pretty fast from the get go. Ten is the new to the team and next things he’s sharing he’s gay, and professing his attraction to Mads. Their relationship moves pretty fast, and most of their loving happens off page so I sort of felt like I was filling things in. The hockey was too much of the story, and the romance felt like a backdrop but again I have no particular feelings for hockey. Ten spent most of his time dwelling on his brothers, and everyone else on the fact that he plays for a unknown team. 

Throw in some conflict involving Mads and that pretty much made the entirety of the story. I was a bit more interested in a few side characters actually, so the rest of the series is peaking my interest. 

Overall, an alright read. I can’t call it sexy or amazing but I can say I found it sweet. I enjoyed Ten a lot more than I did Mads. There’s still so much of the story that I feel needs to be explored, and I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. Changing Lines wasn’t horrible but I fear that it’s quite easily forgettable for me. 

The Narration: 4 Pants Off 

Sean Crisden did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I’m in love with his take on Tennant, listening to his voice was far more enjoyable than the story and because of his narration I enjoyed it more. I’m positive if I’d read Changing Lines instead of listening I wouldn’t have liked it at all. 

Sean was dramatic where he needed to be and sweet in others, definitely enjoyed that. Also brought a new voice to each character which strongly made them individuals. Sean Criden does an amazing job with whatever story you give him.  

Overall Rating: 3.5 Pants Off

RJ’s goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

RJ is the author of the over one hundred novels and discovered romance in books at a very young age. She realized that if there wasn’t romance on the page, she could create it in her head, and is a lifelong writer.

She lives and works out of her home in the beautiful English countryside, spends her spare time reading, watching films, and enjoying time with her family.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit and has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the following links below:

Email RJ (rj@rjscott.co.uk)

Goodreads Page | RJ’s Blog | RJ on Twitter | Facebook | Library Thing Page | Tumblr |Pinterest

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, Dr. Who, Torchwood, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.

When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog

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Review: Tequila Mockingbird by Rhys Ford

Tequila Mockingbird (Sinners Gin, #3) by Rhys Ford
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 250pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT division wasn’t looking for love. Especially not in a man. His life plan didn’t include one Forest Ackerman, a brown-eyed, blond drummer who’s as sexy as he is trouble. His family depends on him to be like his father, a solid pillar of strength who’ll one day lead the Morgan clan.

No, Connor has everything worked out—a career in law enforcement, a nice house, and a family. Instead, he finds a murdered man while on a drug raid and loses his heart comforting the man’s adopted son. It wasn’t like he’d never thought about men — it’s just loving one doesn’t fit into his plans.

Forest Ackerman certainly doesn’t need to be lusting after a straight cop, even if Connor Morgan is everywhere he looks, especially after Frank’s death. He’s just talked himself out of lusting for the brawny cop when his coffee shop becomes a war zone and Connor Morgan steps in to save him.

Whoever killed his father seems intent on Forest joining him in the afterlife. As the killer moves closer to achieving his goal, Forest tangles with Connor Morgan and is left wondering what he’ll lose first—his life or his heart.

Review

 ONE SHOT, TWO SHOT

This series man…it’s a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions and this book had me in hoops with a series of huge drops. Tequila Mockingbird is the 3rd book in the Sinners series and just like its predecessors it brought the murder and mayhem, and of course the family drama.  

Connor Morgan gets called to go bust down a meth lab, being swat means him and his men get to go in first and hope they don’t get filled with bullet holes. The scene doesn’t turn out to be a meth lab, but he does find himself rescuing a dead body and then comforting the dead mans son in his arms. Surprisingly, comforting the boy is turning out to be a highlight and Connor finds that he is very drawn to Forest Ackerman and keeps going to wherever the boy seems to be. Connor can’t explain the fascination since he’s never in his whole life been attracted to a man but Forest seems to be an exception to the rule, and the men begin a tentative friendship. Well Connor begins a friendship and Forest just side eyes 👀 him.  

When it becomes clear that the murder of Forest’s dad wasn't an isolated incident, Connor had to put everything on the line to protect his man. Someone wants Forest dead, and Connor will make damn sure that it doesn’t happen. You see, Forest has been through way too much in his short life, and now is the time for him to be protected and nurtured. Morgan knows where his feelings stand and he will not lose the man he loves to some psychopath bent on destruction. Because when you get one Morgan, it means you get all the Morgans. Forest has got an Arsenal at his back and they’ll keep him safe, even from himself.  

As with most Rhys Ford books the killer is just out there doing the most. Shooting up coffee shops, killing everybody in order to get to one person. Forest has no idea who would want to harm him, since he just moves by him lonesome and focuses on his drumming. His life before has made him guarded, and I don’t even want to mention the things he had to do to survive and mostly forced by the persons who is to love him conditionally (his weak sauce mom). I don’t even want to mention it much less think about it, it gets me hella ragey.  

Forest and Connor are really cute, and their relationship is something akin to insta-love but it feels more like friendship with the added bonus of dick in ass. But insta-love, insta-lust or whatever totally makes sense when dealing with Connor (panties poof) the Irish brogue and all that, plus he’s big with the black hair (panties forever gone), he had me at “hello”. Mix in the guys from the previous books and all the Morgan Clan, and Tequila Mockingbird is a great mix of all the characters and I just really enjoyed it. 

My dislike, was who turned out to be the killer. I wasn’t feeling any of it, was really quite disappointed because the destruction up until the reveal was quite entertaining. I did a eye roll 🙄 when all was revealed, his revenge became insignificant and with the medical stuff eventually redundant. Disappointed, Darien was disappointed 😞  

Overall, another solid read by the talented Rhys Ford. When I need fast pace, psycho shit, and sexy sexy times I know just the author to give it to me. Another great addition to the series, and I am looking froward to see who wants to kill these guys next.

Review: Book #1 Sinners Gin

Review: Book #2 Whiskey And Wry

Review: Sanctuary Found by Sloane Kennedy

Sanctuary Found (Pelican Bay, #2) by Sloane Kennedy
Amazon
Novel: 307pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Coming home should be the easiest thing in the world, but I've never felt more lost...

When his stellar military career comes to an abrupt and terrible end, thirty-two-year-old Maddox Kent returns to the town he never planned to step foot into again, hoping to mend the rift he himself caused with the brother he left behind. But coming home means facing some hard truths about himself and his actions. When he has the chance to start making amends by helping his brother with the wildlife sanctuary he runs, Maddox is thrown another curveball when a stranger appears...

As long as we keep moving, everything will be okay. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway...

For twenty-one-year-old Isaac, Pelican Bay is only supposed to be a stopping point on the trek from San Francisco to New York. With his little brother, Newt, in tow, Isaac is just looking to make things right by returning something of value to a person he wronged. But "getting lost" in the next big city proves to be a problem when the brutal Minnesota winter claims Isaac's car and strands him and Newt at the animal sanctuary. When the owners of the place offer him a job, a desperate Isaac agrees, despite the presence of a man Isaac instinctively knows could be his downfall...

It should be so easy to let him go, but I can't. And not just because I want to protect him...

Nothing about Isaac makes sense to Maddox. Not his piercings or makeup or flashy clothes. And most certainly not the snarky mouth that doesn't match the vulnerability Maddox sees in the younger man's eyes. But one thing does make sense to the hardened former soldier. Isaac is running from something, and Maddox's gut is telling him not to let Isaac and little Newt go until he can ferret out the truth.

But having Isaac around means trying to make sense of something else Maddox isn't expecting... his own body's response to the beautiful younger man. Aside from their explosive chemistry, nothing about the straitlaced soldier and the secretive misfit works.

But maybe that's exactly why it does...


NOTE: Can be read as a standalone (no cliffhangers) but more enjoyment may be had by reading book 1, Locked in Silence, first.


Review

 LACY PANTIES FOUND

The second book in the Pelican Bay series and what I like to call the hating ass town. I was kind of iffy about reading this one since the first book pissed me off so much and I didn’t want to deal with that kind of emotion again. Luckily, this book was most focused on the couple and I didn’t have to deal with inhabitants that spend all their days drinking haterade. But, while there was less about the town it didn’t mean there weren’t snippets that pissed me off, and Maddox that guy he pissed me off, but we cool now. 

We first met Maddox and Isaac at the end of “Locked in Silence” and from the get go you could tell their story was going to be interesting and sexy as hell. I can honestly say I was not disappointed. Isaac who is running from something with his little brother get taken in at the animal sanctuary and begin to build a little family with the guys from LiS and of course Maddox. While sparks fly between the two men their coming together is rather tumultuous and there’s a lot of preconceived notions that have to be thrown out. 

Maddox is dealing with PTSD and his very first attraction to a man and it’s messing with his head. Also mans doesn’t know how to use his words so he finds himself in a lot of situations where Isaac is jumping to conclusions and he’s doing nothing to diffuse the bomb. Isaac, was very defensive and could not differentiate between help and pity. His redeeming quality is being able to put it all on the line to keep his little brother safe and his willing to do it all to make sure they have money to survive. 

An incident in a motel room leads to a clash between the men but it also begins their love story. Isaac understands Maddox like no one else could, and Maddox finds himself caring deeply for the young man and his little brother. They begin to burrow themselves within his heart and he starts to think maybe he isn’t such a waste man and maybe he can begin to heal from old hurts and right the wrongs of hurts he’s caused especially to his brother and perhaps he can have some form of redemption. Because the sanctuary isn’t just for the animals, it’s become a place of refuge for him also.  

Alright, the story was good. The writing was good, and just everything came together really well. I was hella annoyed in the beginning with Maddox rehashing the hating ass town of old, and his involvement in isolating and hating on his brother and let me tell you folks it did nothing to help me go over to his side of things. I will never forgive that a town isolated and hated on a man who did nothing wrong, and Maddox knew how problematic his parents were and still acted a darn fool. The town melodrama then melts into the background (hallelujah) and our love story rises like a Phoenix from the ashes. Isaac and Maddox start to heat things and melt all the snow they were surrounded by.  

The plotty device, while very sad didn’t really add any meat to the story. I could have done with more of Maddox’s PTSD , and less of Isaac hooker boy ways but I understand the need in creating a backstory for Isaac hooker ways, but there would have been nothing wrong if he was just doing it because he wanted to. I absolutely adored Newt, Issacs little brother he really created a nice balance in the story and was an important part of the story. Children can just be backdrop in stories, providing no real presence but Newt was very much a part of Sanctuary Found and its as much his story as it is Maddox/Isaacs.  

Overall, a great addition to the series. It had the right amount of heat with sweet and while it didn’t “wow” me it didn’t disappoint me either. Sloan Kennedy is becoming an author I enjoy reading. Her stuff, some formulated but still very entertaining and I always find myself unable to stop reading. Looking forward to reading more about this town and hating ass ways, who else will succumb to love in Pelican “town haters” Bay?? 

Review: Book #1 Locked in Silence

Review: Scars and Ruin by Avril Ashton

Scars and Ruin (Loose Ends #2) by Avril Ashton
Self-Published
Novel: 228pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: The man known as Dutch is fine with being hated and feared. He keeps his mask on and his secrets close. There’s only one person who reaches past all that to who he used to be before the job hit too close to home. Sacrifices must be made, and Dutch steps up do just that. He’ll gladly pay the price to make sure Varun Patel is safe.

Loyalty to family expects it. His heart demands it.

And Patel rejects it.

Half of Varun Patel’s life resides in broken shadows he’d rather not remember. The other half is taken up by a man whose words push him away while his actions hold Patel close. Patel can’t forget the one night he spent in Dane Hutchins’ arms. The night promises were made. The night promises were broken.

If it were up to Dutch, Patel won’t ever know the bargains struck in his name. He won’t ever know the memory of them keeps Dutch fighting in his bleakest moments. But Dutch should’ve known that in the lonely hours, Patel would come for him.

And when that time arrives, there’s no saying no. There’s only the inevitable.

Love amid the ruins.

Warning: Contains references to sexual abuse/rape.

Review

PASS THE DUTCHY!

Book 2, in this spine tingling, giving you girl boner series. While it didn’t kill me dead like the first book it did have some intense sexy moments and as you already know bad boys are my aesthetic. And these boys are the right type of bad... 

Dutch aka Dane aka Hunter is a hard man. He doesn’t play by the rules and will do anything necessary to achieve his goal, so along the way he’s made a lot of enemies. What he does the best, is protecting those he loves and there is nothing that he won’t do to cement their safety. What he’s willing to do to protect Varun Patel is a sky is the limit thing. Varun makes him weak, Varun makes him vulnerable but he needs him close. Years ago, they could have made a future together but reality has a way of slapping you in the face and calling you it’s bitch and Dutch is a bitch to realism. He deals in death and secrets so there is no room for love. Love is for other people, guilt and yearning was made for him. 

Varun Patel wants Dutch something fierce but the man keeps pushing him away. He wants all that he is, the bad and good because Dutch is the man who is his everything. The job they do puts them in so much danger and can leave a man to turn to stone but Dutch…Dutch brings him to life. So, the fighting is done and its damn time they find happiness, he’s done running away because now the only running he’ll be doing is into Dutch’s arms. 

Let me tell you something, I really hated Dutch in the previous books. He was a low down mofo without morals air ethics. Alas, there’s a rhyme to his reasons and while he isn’t always making money moves his heart was sometimes in the right place (well kinda in the right place but a little crooked to the left). 

The biggest obstacle these two had were secrets. So much secrets its like they wrote the book on it. Is there anything more frustrating than tough guys hiding all their manly feelings? Just man paining all over the place. It’s both a frustration and a beautiful thing 😩 

Look at this man pain…. 

"Can we not do this?" Patel snapped. "You threatened Stoyan, and I want to know why."   "People in Hell want ice water." Dutch allowed a sneer to his lips. "They’ll have their wish granted before you get yours, I bet." 

Again we have the oldies but goodies with the characters we’ve all come to love. I’m just waiting for an avenger type assemble because these dudes be crossing paths and hating on each other which really at this point it’s nothing but brotherly love. They be so hating!!  

Scars and Ruin is another amazingly entertaining read from this author. What you need to remember with these books is that all this shit is not out for a realistic feeling but a good time feeling. Throw in the diversity that we’ve come to love and respect and I am just here for it all.  

I love this shit!! 

Jokes aside, I really appreciate all the characters in these books. There’s a real sense of family, acceptance, and true cultural references. As someone with a Caribbean background everything is always on point. I salute you Ms Avril Ashton for writing real diversity and not sticking to “what will sell”. We are here, we are real, we fall in love, we are attractive, and we deserve stories. 

Review: Book 0.5 All These Hidden Scars

Review: Book #1 Scars and Secrets

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