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https://www.itsjoelshoemaker.com

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Reviewed by Twinsie Tenise

4 Stars

Alexander is the hottest news broadcaster in the Chicago area, if not the entire country. He seems to have attracted the attention of a nut job and now he is in desperate need of a bodyguard by morning.

Sean is Xanders best friends older brother. He sees no other option but to offer himself up as Xanders bodyguard. The stalker is upping their game and things are getting even more dangerous. Things between Xander and Sean also seem to be getting more dangerous as each man starts to feel a pull towards the other that has NEVER been there in all of the years they have known one another.

I was thrilled when when this one ended on a cliffhanger. Maybe that is because the series is complete and I was immediately able to dive in to book 2. A whole lot of it is because I love these 2 men and I’m excited to see what happens next for them.

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

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J. Lawson was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2008, where she currently resides with her husband, son, and three dogs. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master’s in English Literature. She has been published in multiple literary magazines, and The Amulets (book one in The Amulets Trilogy) is her debut novel. Lawson enjoys reading fantasy, thriller, mystery, and most varieties of fiction. She also loves 80s-90s rock music.

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What happens when fate intertwines shifters from land and sea?

Matteo Garras wants to be left alone. Most people take the hint. Apparently, Charlie Marsh isn’t most people. From the moment the alpha—who smells like sunshine—sits down next to Matteo at the local shifter bar, Matteo’s world tilts on its axis, making him want a future he didn’t think he could have, one he doesn’t think he deserves.

Charlie has always had a thing for grumpy cats, so his instant attraction to Matteo isn’t a surprise, but the intensity of his feelings and his possessive desire to protect the brooding omega are. The more Charlie gets to know Matteo, the more he realizes they have in common, including scars that are more than skin deep.

When pain from Matteo’s past tries to make him push Charlie away, fate pulls them back to each other, binding them together forever and giving Charlie the chance to show Matteo he deserves everything he’s ever dreamed of having.

Charlie and the Panther is the fourth and final book in the Land and Sea Shifter MPREG series featuring a grumpy panther with a sweet tooth, a sunshiny manatee with a heart of gold, and an accidental claiming.

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Charlie is a manatee shifter with a boat tour business. One day while unwinding after work he decides its time to introduce himself to the grouchy looking loner at the end of the bar.

Matteo (the grouchy loaner) prefers to keep to himself. If you don’t let others in, they can’t hurt you. And he has been hurt enough in his lifetime to avoid anything that has the potential to cause him any further harm.

Charlie is relentless in his approach but when the Panther finally let’s him in, it’s short lived and leaves both men miserable as ever. Fast forward to after my anger and some of the tears subsided, what happens in the coming chapters made me love Charlie even more. He’s perfect in every way. Charlie and Matteos story was so fun. Mr Grumpy meets Mr Sunshine. These 2 could not have been more different. With that being said they balanced each other perfectly. It checked all the boxes to make it my first 5 star read of 2024!
I’m really going to miss all the characters I’ve met throughout this series. They have all been wonderful but there is no doubt Charlie and Matteo are my favorite.

Vinni George has been a lover of romance novels (of all shapes, sizes, and colors) since she first got her hands on one of her grandmother’s Harlequins and has never looked back. She lives in Ohio with her two favorite guys (her husband and son) and, hopefully—one day—a dog. When not writing her own stories, she can be found helping to polish other people’s novels. In her spare time, Vinni dabbles in performance art, quilting, and various culinary pursuits and enjoys traveling.

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Michele Shriver is an International bestselling author of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Her books feature flawed-but-likeable characters in real-life settings. She’s not afraid to break the rules, but never stops believing in happily ever after. Michele counts among her favorite things a good glass of wine, a hockey game, and a sweet and sexy book boyfriend, not necessarily in that order.

🏳️‍🌈What’s your name and a little about you?
Michele Shriver. Criminal defense attorney and family law mediator by day and writer by night.  Writing is cheaper than therapy and my job provides plenty of material. I just wish it wasn’t so hectic and I had more time to retreat to my fictional world.

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Review from Twinsie Kelly

Death has a way of stirring up some very intense emotions but also seems to bring up secrets. Darcy and her mother, Meredith, don’t have the best of relationships. I think this occurs with a lot of families, but when Meredith is on her death bed she asks for her daughter specifically and gives her a hand blown glass heart with a cryptic message just before she passes. Darcy is drawn to find out more about her mother, in hopes of finding about what made her mom the way she was and why their relationship was so strained at time. This journey into her mother’s past also brings a lot of emotional baggage as she is accompanied by her soon to be ex. The exploration of her mother’s past, the prejudices she endured and overcame, and learning more about her mother prior to death really shows Darcy how closed off she has become, both emotionally and physically.

This story is very emotional. It shows the characters in very vulnerable situations while confronting and understanding their own emotions. There is a lot of reflection and a time of second chances. Sometimes it really is better to be late than never to show up. I will caution readers that if you have strained personal relationships, it will really touch those heartstrings. I highly recommend as this is a wonderful soul touching story.

USA TODAY bestselling author Ella Frank concludes the story of Sean Bailey and Alexander “Xander” Thorne in Headlines.

Xander
If I had to describe Sean Bailey, it would be as the sexy, caring, wonderful man I’ve gone and fallen in love with. I never could’ve imagined a world where he was my everything. But with each passing day, the connection between us grows stronger, and the idea of a world without him is something I can’t imagine.

But Sean’s love doesn’t come without complications. As the older brother of my lifelong best friend, this new love has caused relationships to break down and communication to become stilted, and the one question that remains is: am I willing to give up the love and friendship of one for the chance of love and forever with another?

Sean
I didn’t mean to fall in love with Alexander Thorne, my brother’s ex and the number one prime-time news anchor in the country. I mean, no one could’ve seen that coming—least of all me. But that’s exactly what happened over these past couple of months: I fell in love.

That’d be complicated enough, I suppose, but Xander? Well, he fell in love with me too, and while it’s caused some major upset in the dynamics around here, I have to believe that a love this real can only lead to somewhere amazing.

This thing between us started out as a job, a friend helping out a friend. But after playing the role of Xander’s boyfriend, I find myself wanting the job full-time, because neither of us are playing anymore.

Headlines is the final book of the Prime Time Series and should only be read after book one, Inside Affair, and book two, Breaking News.

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Review by TwinsieTensie

*review may contain potential spoilers*

I really wanted to love this book. The first 2 books in the series were great. They had good flow, kept my intrest throughout, etc. I read both of them in a day and a half. This one had the potential to be great but it kind of fell flat for me. Why? Bailey! I’m sorry friend/brother or not, he shouldn’t have been the deciding factor as to whether 2 consenting adults entered into a relationship together. Especially for so long. I could understand the worry in book 1 and maybe part of 2 but the “oh we can’t because of poor Bailey” still being a topic in book 3 kinda ticked me off. I’m sorry, but I said what I said. Bailey being brought up over and over kind of ruined the magic of the beautiful relationship that Sean and Xander were building throughout the series.

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

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Hello, and thanks for being here to Celebrate Pride Month with Twinsie Talk. I’m Twinsie Tenise, self proclaimed resident MM reader and reviewer over here at TwinsieTalk. Throughout the Month of June we will be sharing Q&A sessions we had with over a dozen authors who write LGBTQIA Romance or books with LGBTQIA characters. Each day will Spotlight a different author. We hope you enjoy getting to know these wonderful authors and find lots of new books to fill your TBR. 

Special thanks to all of the authors who signed up and took the time to answer the questions. Shoutout and HUGE thank you to Twinsie Jo for the amazing rainbow graphics and Twinsie Angie for her input and assistance. Love you both!

Today we are Celebrating Pride Month with Kate Hawthorne

Kate is another favorite human! She always has a huge smile on her face and tall heels on her feet. I’m envious of her ability to function in them, that takes a special kind of talent. Kate is wonderful. She is the hard working face behind the curtain of the Writers on the River Anthology this year and definitely goes above and beyond to help raise money for a charity that has become very near and dear to all of our hearts. We love you Kate! 

Kate Hawthorne is an author of character-driven LGBT romance, known for crafting emotionally intense stories with high heat and a kinky twist. Creating worlds where passion and angst collide, Kate’s books bring you complex protagonists in fearless pursuit of happy—if not sometimes unconventional—endings.

🏳️‍🌈What’s your name and a little about you?

My name is Kate and I’m an author! I’m an over-caffeinated, bisexual, former pro-Domme who has been publishing LGBT+ romance for the past 6 years. I was born and raised in southern California, but my family and I have been living in Louisville since the very end of 2019. In my spare time I like to read books, write books, drink wine, and do witchy shit.

🏳️‍🌈What made you decide to write LGBTQIA romance?

I was very fortunate to fall in with a group of LGBT readers *and* authors who were extremely supportive of my creative endeavors. I wrote a chapter for fun and I’ve never looked back.

🏳️‍🌈Do you prefer to write standalones or series? Why?

I’m a series girl, through and through. I really enjoy exploring the complex dynamics and relationships that show up in families and friend groups and the best way to explore that is in a series!!

🏳️‍🌈Do you have a current WIP? Care to share any details?

It’s February when I’m filling this out, so I’m currently writing a book called Tied Down. It’s the 2nd book in my series, Trophy Doms New York. But if this goes live in June for pride, I’ll have just released All In, the first book in that series!! It’s a spin off of my 2023 series, Trophy Doms Social Club. Both series are about friend groups with too much money and a list of kinks a mile long 😉

🏳️‍🌈What are your must have writing snacks and drinks?

Coffee all morning and water for the rest of the day. I’m not a huge soda drinker and I only drink alcohol socially (but I am VERY good at it). I type 70+ WPM so I don’t snack a lot while I’m writing, but I love funyuns, apple cinnamon rice cakes, and extra toasty cheezits.

🏳️‍🌈If someone has never read your work, which book would you recommend?

I think Humbled is a great place to start. It will drop you right into the heart of the current world I’m writing it and it delivers all of the things I’m best known for: spicy sex, kink, and angsty emotions.

🏳️‍🌈If you could recommend 1 LGBTQIA Romance (not your own) to readers, what would that book be?

I could NEVER pick just one. But I’ll tell you my favorite LGBT romance authors are EM Denning, Leta Blake, Sheena Jolie, Con Riley, Riley Nash, and JR Gray. If you like romantasy that fucks, Alethea Faust for sure has to make that list. I’m also a huge fan of all things Sierra Simone (especially her MMF books).

🏳️‍🌈What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

It’s so rare that I have it, I don’t even know. I like to read and watch Drag Race and listen to EDM and read tarot cards for my friends.

🏳️‍🌈Anything else you would like to add?

I’m super excited to be sharing with everyone today and BIG thanks to the Twinsie team for putting this together. If you’re at Writers on the River this year, make sure to come by and say hi.

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This is my Review for Reckless by Kate

This was my first ‘best friends dad’ book. I was nervous going in, because, well it was new territory for me. Let me just say, I’m glad I gave this troupe a chance.

Cameron, with his smart mouth and need to please. Luke with his dominant nature.(Ummm, yes, please!) These 2 were kind of perfect for each other. Well, except for the pesky age gap and the fact that Cameron is Luke’s sons best friend. Ehh semantics.

I found myself rooting for these 2. Defending them in my head against anyone who questioned their “relationship”.
Reckless was a very good book with interesting plot twists. I’m looking forward to getting to know the next brother in Heartless, book 2 in the series.

https://www.katehawthornebooks.com/

USA TODAY bestselling author Ella Frank continues the story of Alexander Thorne and Sean Bailey in Breaking News.

Xander

Sean Bailey, the older brother of my lifelong best friend, has always been a surly, temperamental pain in my ass. But sometime during the last few weeks, I’ve gone and fallen head over heels for him.

Gruff and charming, charismatic in his own way, I’ve found myself looking past my preconceptions and discovered a whole new side to Detective Dick—a side I could fall in love with.

But life isn’t always easy—it can change course in the blink of an eye. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. I know this because last night I experienced both sides.

I went to Sean for help in guarding my body; what I didn’t expect was for him to steal my heart.

Breaking News is not a standalone and should only be read after book one, Inside Affair. 

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The stalker may no longer be a threat but Xander is a mess after the entire ordeal. He doesn’t know if he can ever return to his apartment, it no longer feels like a safe space for him. Plus there’s no way he can leave Sean’s side. Then there’s also the giant elephant in the room. Bailey. They need to fill him in on the pairs new found feelings before he finds out from someone else.

I’m obsessed with Xander and Sean! While they may seem an unlikely pair, they are an absolutely adorable couple. I love them both and I really hope they get a happily ever after. Together.

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

​

Hello, and thanks for being here to Celebrate Pride Month with Twinsie Talk. I’m Twinsie Tenise, self proclaimed resident MM reader and reviewer over here at Twinsie Talk. Throughout the Month of June we will be sharing Q&A sessions we had with over a dozen authors who write LGBTQIA Romance or books with LGBTQIA characters. Each day will Spotlight a different author. We hope you enjoy getting to know these wonderful authors and find lots of new books to fill your TBR. 

Escape into addictive, sexy, emotional M/M romance.

A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana as an instructional coach/teacher in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing teens, and wondering how she and her husband of over two decades haven’t driven each other insane yet. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.

She loves chocolate, hot tea, sweet wine with friends, pizza, and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework, much to the chagrin of her husband. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.

A.D. uses she/they pronouns.

Sign up at http://www.subscribepage.com/ADEllisNewsMMRomance for a FREE male/male romance book.

FREE books– sign up at bit.ly/ADEllisNews for a FREE male/female romance.

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Since I mentioned it above, I’m including my review for Adore today.

Adore is book one in The Remington Place series. Cooper is an aspiring pre-school teacher. He rents a room from an amazing grandmother figure named Bev. (I freaking love that woman. She adds a special element to the book.) Jesse is a mechanic. He moves in next door and is getting ready to reopen the towns autobody shop. The 2 meet and there is definitely a possible friendship worth exploring. The question is- what happens the more time they spend together?

I flipping adore Cooper and Jesse! Complete opposites with a 25 year age gap and a bit forbidden since, you know, Jesse is Cooper’s dads best friend. Buuut that didn’t stop these 2 men from at least a casual fling. Absolutely nothing can go wrong when you keep things casual, right? Riiiight!

Book one in this series really set the bar high. I seriously cannot wait to meet the rest of the men from Remington Place.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.