Showing posts with label Love Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love Lessons. Show all posts

Friday, November 17, 2017

Flashback Friday: Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan #Review #Giveaway





Author: Heidi Cullinan
Book: Love Lessons
Series: Love Lessons #1
Self Published
Original Publication Date: October 1, 2013
2nd Edition: March 31, 2017
Length: 314 pages

Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

Love doesn’t come with a syllabus.

Kelly Davidson has waited what seems like forever to graduate high school and get out of his small-minded, small town. But when he arrives at Hope University, he quickly realizes finding his Prince Charming isn’t so easy. Everyone here is already out. In fact, Kelly could be the only virgin on campus.

Worst of all, he’s landed the charming, handsome, gay campus Casanova as a roommate, whose bed might as well be equipped with a revolving door.

Walter Lucas doesn’t believe in storybook love. Everyone is better off having as much fun as possible with as many people as possible…except his shy, sad little sack of a roommate is seriously screwing up his world view.

As Walter sets out to lure Kelly out of his shell, staying just friends is harder than he anticipated. He discovers love is a crash course in determination. To make the grade, he’ll have to finally show up for class…and overcome his own private fear that love was never meant to last.

Warning: This story contains lingering glances, milder than usual sexual content for this author, and a steamy dance-floor kiss. Story has no dairy or egg content, but may contain almonds.


Buy Links




Review

When I started thinking about which book I wanted to do for my flashback review this month, I couldn’t pick anything else but Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan. Then I jumped on to Goodreads to pull it up and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that it’s over four years old! How is that possible? I suppose it shouldn’t REALLY come as that big of a surprise to me considering I’ve read the book (and listened to the audio) more times than I can count. That’s not really an exaggeration either. Love Lessons speaks to my heart and soul in a way no other book since has quite done.

I’m going to share a very personal story with you all just to let you know what this book means to me. Many of you probably don’t know this, but my husband passed away suddenly a little over three years ago. My friends rallied around me (as friends do) and sent me the most amazing care package full of goodies to let me know I was loved. Among all the gifts of love was tucked an envelope and inside that was a letter. But this was no ordinary letter. Obviously, it was addressed to me, but it was the from that left me speechless because it was from none other than Walter Lucas, one of the main characters of Love Lessons. You see, my very good friend, Jules, contacted Heidi and explained what had happened and how much I loved the book and Walter especially and Heidi didn’t hesitate to offer comfort at a time I needed it most. I won’t tell you guys what the letter said, but suffice it to say the letter is framed and sits on my bedside table where I can look at it every night.

I can’t even really tell you why the first time I read Love Lessons I knew it was a book that would quite honestly change my life. Yes, it’s exceptionally well-written because, duh, it’s written by none other than Heidi Cullinan. Yes, Walter Lucas and Kelly Davidson are two characters that embody everything that a perfect friends to lovers story should be. And yes, it’s sweet and romantic and swoony and sexy. But it’s SO much more than that.

Books that take place in a college setting are among my very favorites. There is just something that is so very appealing to me about characters coming of age and finding themselves. Love Lessons captures all of this with a breathtaking perfection. Kelly Davidson is away from home for the first time and he’s nervous. He’s adorable, awkward, naïve, and utterly loveable. Plagued with more allergies than you can name, he’s pretty much a wreck and worried about everything that could go wrong. When charming, (and omg the level of charm is off the charts!) flirty, campus playboy Walter Lucas winds up as his roommate poor Kelly doesn’t know what hit him.

Let me expound a bit about the epicness that is one Walter Lucas. My love for him (much like my love for my husband) is limitless. Ask anyone who knows me well who is my favorite character in any book, and they’ll tell you Walter Lucas without a second thought. EVERYONE knows how much I love him. I could talk about him endlessly for days (I have been known to gush so long I’m sure my friends wish I’d just shut the hell up). Thus the reason for reaching out to Heidi when my husband passed away. He wasn’t quite as charming and smooth as Walter (close but Walter has him beat by a little), but he had the same sort of goodness that shines through, the kind that people are just instinctively drawn to. Walter isn’t perfect, but he’s good for Kelly and his heart is as pure and amazing as any character I’ve ever read. He pushes every single one of my buttons, some I didn’t even know I had, and my love for him will never die.


Whenever I’m missing my husband, whenever I need a pick me up, whenever I need something that I know will leave my heart full and happy, I pick up Love Lessons. Walter and Kelly will give you joy. They will make you smile so big your face hurts. They will make you appreciate your loved ones. As the holidays approach, I urge you to read Love Lessons, even if you’ve read it before. It will fill you with love and happiness and who doesn’t need more of that? Oh and if you happen to notice the dedication in the new edition, yes that’s me, and yes Heidi made me cry. 




Giveaway

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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Blog Tour: Short Stay by Heidi Cullinan #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway




RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2016
Format: Short Novel • Genre: Contemporary/New Adult • Length: 42,000 words
Publisher: Heidi Cullinan
Editor: Sasha Knight
Cover Artist: Kanaxa
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9961203-4-0 
Print ISBN: 978-0-9961203-5-7
Series/Number: Love Lessons #3.5
Characters: Elijah Prince, Sebastian (Baz) Acker, Walter and Kelly Davidson, Randy Jansen, Ethan Ellison, Sam and Mitch Keller-Tedsoe, Steve Vance, Chenco Ortiz



Synopsis

Book 3.5 in the Love Lessons Series
Hot messes have a hard time with happily ever after.
Baz Acker and Elijah Prince have it all. They’re engaged, and their wedding is guaranteed to be a spectacle no event will ever top. So why are they hunkered down in a quiet corner of the Acker mansion, restless and edgy while they wait out the holidays?
When Baz suggests a road trip with Walter and Kelly to Las Vegas, it sounds like an ideal escape, but it turns out Vegas only amplifies their unease. Elijah can’t slough off the self-hating his parents programmed into him, and he worries how that will affect his marriage. Baz, crippled en route because of too much time spent in the car without rest, must face the truth that his wealth and influence can’t always counteract the limits his disability will put on his—and Elijah’s—life.
With help from their friends, a wily poker player, a take-no-prisoners drag queen, and a smooth-talking casino owner, they face the truth that happiness is a state of mind, not a destination where they book a stay. What happens in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas—it will follow them all the way down the aisle.

This novella was written for and by the request of Heidi’s Patreon readers. It is a continuation of a story begun in the novel Lonely Hearts in the Love Lessons series, also incorporating characters from the Special Delivery series. It is suggested but not required that you read at least Lonely Hearts before reading this book.

Buy links: All Romance Ebooks • Amazon USSmashwords • iTunes • Kobo • Nook

Audiobook: coming soon

Goodreads • Excerpt • Short Stay Spotify Playlist (bonus: Kelly's Disney Favorites Playlist)



Excerpt

Rob gestured proudly to the dealer. “This is Randy Jansen, Mr. Ellison’s husband and a locally famous master poker player and favorite instructor on our floor. He’s won countless poker championships, and he’s often seen playing prop here at Herod’s if he’s not working directly with Mr. Ellison. Mr. Jansen, if you have a moment, may I introduce you to Mr. Sebastian Acker and his friends. Mr. Acker and his fiancé will be staying in the Carter Suite.”
The man leaned back in his chair and swiveled it to get a better look at them. He took them in swiftly, and Elijah got the impression they were being weighed and judged—and Rob’s heavy hint that Baz had money didn’t impress him much. Though Mr. Jansen’s gaze brushed over Baz, Walter, and Kelly quickly, it lingered on Elijah, and the poker player’s brow furrowed.
When Elijah squirmed uncomfortably, his perpetual fear of being called out for being the one who didn’t belong in the spotlight, Jansen smiled and rose, extending his hand to Baz.
“Pleasure to have you as our guests. I see Rob’s giving you the five-dollar tour.” His attention lingered on Baz’s glasses a moment before shifting his focus once again to Elijah, making him feel like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit. “The suite was still empty as of yesterday, so this must have been a last-minute trip. Couldn’t wait to get out of the Midwest any longer? Wise plan.”
Kelly blinked at Jansen as he shook his hand. “How did you know where we were from?”
“It’s kind of my thing. For example, I can tell, sweetheart, that you’re in something steady such as business, but secretly you want to have this man’s babies and stay home with them.” As Kelly gasped, Jansen lingered over Walter. “Oh, but you’ve got a fire in you. Politics or law?”
Walter grinned. “Didn’t know I had to choose.” He turned to Kelly, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer. “Do you really want to stay home with our kids?”
Jansen laughed and clapped his shoulder before letting go and stepping back to put a hand on his table, where two middle-aged women and a quiet, grey-haired man regarded the exchange with interest. “Tell you what. I’m due for a break in a few minutes here. Why don’t the four of you have a drink on me in the bar, and I’ll come keep you company until your rooms are ready.” He raised his eyebrows innocently and nodded at the manager. “Unless you were into the tour and wanted to take a rain check.”
“Bar sounds good,” Elijah replied before anyone else could. He wanted to know what the casino-owner’s husband predicted about him.
He hoped what the guy saw was good.
Or at least not awful.
The manager, smile a little strained, led them across the casino to a small bar with The River emblazoned in lights over the door. The bar was full of people, but the manager led them to an alcove in the back, a round booth sectioned off with a velvet rope. After pulling red cording aside, Rob gestured for them to occupy the seat. As they settled into their places, a bright-eyed waitress came to take their order.
They all ended up ordering margaritas, and by the time they were half gone, Elijah had a happy, woozy feeling going on. It was nice to sit in a swanky booth, leaning on Baz while they chatted idly with their friends.
Kelly nudged Walter with his elbow, clutching his drink as he sought his husband’s gaze. “You know, I wouldn’t mind being a stay-at-home dad. I’d want to work at least a few years, maybe find something I could do part-time from the house, but I’d love to make my main job taking care of our family.”
Walter puffed up like a proud peacock and tugged Kelly’s fingers loose from the drink and drew them to his lips. “Then we’ll make that happen as soon as you’re ready for it.”
Baz ran a finger down Elijah’s nose. “Do you want kids too?”
Elijah swatted the finger away, but the question made his belly flutter. Did he want kids? Did Baz want kids? They hadn’t talked about it. Elijah wasn’t sure this was the place to start. He couldn’t get a read on his fiancé, though.
Elijah wished the poker guy was there to do it for him.


Review



So Baz and Elijah’s story didn’t end in Lonely Hearts. Nope. Heidi Cullinan decided they needed more and I’m thrilled she thought so. This novella was the sweetest of the sweet. It was a never ending carnival ride or awesome! 

We not only got Baz and Elijah we got Kelly and Walter, all the Love Lessons guys AND O.M. G… RANDY! Ethan, Sam, Mitch… the list goes on and on. It was the most epic crossover EVER!
Okay my fangirling portion of the review is over.

This was a perfect addition to Baz and Elijah’s story. Unanswered thoughts. Raw emotions. Untied issues. All dealt with and with the sound of wedding bells in the air.

At first Baz and Elijah weren’t handling the communication part very well. But with the help of certain people they got it together and that was a relief. The cast of characters in this novella truly made the story for me. I was smiling so hard it hurt. When you love a character or characters you miss them when the book ends. When they come back to say hey in another book you feel almost nostalgic.

This rocked my socks off for sure!





About the Author

Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn't writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching television with her family. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.








Giveaway

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