New Release Review: Dancing With Daddy by Susan Hawke #Review #Giveaway

Title: Dancing With Daddy
Author: Susan Hawke
Self Published
Publication Date: May 16, 2020
Length: 206 pages

Reviewed by Sammy

Synopsis

I love my daughter, but finding out she wasn’t biologically mine is the best news ever.

I’m a widower who is too scared to have the stupid test that would tell me whether or not I even have the gene that would mean dealing with a horrible illness and certain death. A gene that could’ve also been passed to my child, had she been mine.

She’ll need her father, if something ever does happen to me…That’s why I search for Maddie’s biological father, and when I find him, ask him to become part of her life.

What I didn’t expect is for him to become my best friend. Shane is fun and easygoing, the exact opposite of me. He makes me laugh. He’s the perfect antidote for my neurotic existence. And he’s bi, like me.

But am I courageous enough to take the leap into falling in love with him?

Dancing with Daddy is a super sweet, full-length, standalone, feel good mm romance. There’s no angst, just two very opposite men who befriend each other super fast then slowly find their way to love…all while parenting the precocious five-year-old who belongs to both of them.

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Review

Bradley Weston knows that it is very possible he carries a death sentence around with him every day. His father died when he was only fourteen from a genetic disease that it is very likely Bradley has inherited. While his wife lived it was a concern but not like it is now that she has passed away leaving him alone to care for their five year old daughter, Maddie. He loves his little girl more than life and raises her with an almost OCD like regimen that still allows them to have fun. Safety first is Brad’s motto. When Maddie is rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy Brad discovers that her blood type indicates he is not her biological father-rather than being upset he is relieved and determined to discover who that man is and contact him. Little does he know that in doing so he is about to change his life forever.

Shane doesn’t do commitments—his heart is off limits since the day the love of his life dumped him and shattered it. Since then he dates who he pleases and flirts with everyone but never trusts anyone enough to take the next step with them. When he gets the Facebook notice that he is potentially a father and the mother is none other than the woman that messed him up for good he is shocked and yet eager to meet the little girl and the man who is so openly welcoming to him—a stranger. Without hesitation he moves lock, stock and barrel and meets Brad and little Maddie who steals his heart right away.

Susan Hawke has released a slow burn romance, Dancing with Daddy, that rocks both the cuteness factor with little Maddie and the sweetness quotient when it comes to falling in love. Shane and Brad are lovely together and the little dance they do in their collective heads while trying to keep their friendship intact and not mess it up with giving in to their mutual attraction is really adorable. There is no real angst in this novel, in fact, everything goes so smoothly it is a bit unrealistic but still a very nice story.

Brad is certain he carries the gene that will mean an early death. His fear is that Maddie will have no one other than his late wife’s less than savory relatives to go to when it happens. So when he discovers he can’t possibly be her biological father he is actually relieved and decides to try and find the man who is. If the guy is a good man he will invite him to be a part of Maddie’s life—hoping he will be okay with playing the part of an “Uncle” to her and becoming a friend to Brad—something he desperately needs. He hits the jackpot in Shane. Before long these two guys have set up house with one another and are fighting off an attraction deeming it something that will end their fast developed harmony.

The slow building feelings both Shane and Brad develop are the second best part of this novel because, in my opinion, Maddie is the first. She is not only cute but so sassy and lovable you just want to squeeze her. Honestly the three of them together make for a gorgeous family. I enjoyed this novel very much but the one issue I had stems from the fact that Brad not only trusted Shane so quickly but moved him into his and Maddie’s life without any hesitation whatsoever. It just didn’t jibe with the OCD way he moved through life and the overthinking he normally did when it came to keeping Maddie safe. I understood that he was relieved that there was someone out there who he could trust his daughter to should he get ill but still it happened so quickly that it just didn’t ring true or was in keeping with every other facet of Brad’s personality. Still when you overlook this idea the story itself is just a real feel good novel and one that I think many will enjoy as I did.

If you are a fan of slow burn romances with no angst and some really lovely characters than Dancing with Daddy is definitely the novel for you. It’s a sweet story that celebrates family and love.

Giveaway

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Random Review: Making Rules by Susan Hawke #Review #Giveaway

Title: Making Rules
Series: Davey's Rules #6
Author: Susan Hawke 
Publication Date: February 20, 2020
Length: 64 pages

Reviewed by Truus

Synopsis

Davey’s Rule #53: Daddy shouldn’t be afraid to let his boy top.

Before Davey came to work at Daddy’s Lap and began that crazy list of rules, his future bestie, Sammy, was already living happily ever after with his own Daddy-dom. From the moment they met over a gas pump to the day they were legally able to wed, leather Daddy Raphael Robustelli adored his linebacker-sized boy. This is their love story, as seen through a series of six short vignettes. Witness the moment they met, see the first time Davey came to the club, and so much more. This is a short 20k volume, filled with emotion and backstory for the entire series.

NOTE: This is not a full-length book and does not contain a new couple. This can be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who have read the series.

Purchase Link

Review

When I had the moment where what I was  reading got so emotional I had to stop reading  :(  for a while.

Of course, Raphael and Sammy omg, what was I thinking, I felt so stupid for a moment.

Both so precious, it was a lot of awesomeness to read about the phases of their life. I loved them so much. The moment Davey got introduced ahhh so lovely.

Their love for nephew Jeffrey was unconditional. Patience was the keyword, patience to finally embrace him in their home.

“You'd better be able to feel it because every heartbeat says your name. Sam-my. Sam-my. Sam-my.”

The Daddy/Boy dynamic was exactly what I wished for. I was so so happy with this installment.

It filled the gaps for me, events around these men, so precious, it made me shaky. When I finished this story I cried and cried and couldn’t stop.

Like all the other stories from this series, it was with a clear vision, fast-paced, emotional, funny and steamy. All the ingredients for an entertaining read.

When you know this series and their characters, you’ll understand how precious this one is. The whole story is written with a writing style I highly appreciate.

This can be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who have read the series.

Don’t hesitate, do it!

Giveaway

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Blog Tour: Rules to Obey by Susan Hawke #Review #Excerpt

Rules to Obey

Davey’s Rules Series Book 5

Susan Hawke

M/M Romance, Daddy/boy

Release Date: 12.12.19

Blurb

Davey’s Rule #83: Daddy will encourage his boy to be the best he can be and be supportive of his boy’s career choices.

Marcus Alves has waited most of his adult life to find the perfect match. A sweetheart who will love cuddles, need a Daddy to help him thrive, and most importantly… be the type of boy that might want to use the binky that Marcus keeps hidden in his pocket. Now in his forties, he’s refusing to give up on his dream—or the unused playroom that’s waiting for someone to enjoy.

Jeff Robustelli has had a rough life. Growing up in a commune with absent parents was hard for a rule-following straitlaced guy with a genius IQ. When the uncle who saved him died, Jeff did what he does best—buried his head in the sand and pretended life wasn’t changing. Working in a Daddy club has shown him what he really wants, but Jeff is too afraid to take a chance on something new.

When Jeff has a sudden need for a fake fiancé, he strikes a deal with the older man who always seems to be there when his world is crumbling and makes him feel safe. In exchange, he agrees to a fake Daddy/boy experiment designed to let him try out being little without any pressure.

While Marcus and Jeff navigate their “deal” and the unexpected new feelings that begin to emerge, Marcus also must help the younger man through a series of life changes that put him on the road to being the adult he’s been too afraid to be. When everything in Jeff’s life is in turmoil, Marcus is his one stability. But can Jeff trust his own heart when nothing else in his life is making sense anymore?

This is the fifth book in a series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.

getbook.at/RulesToObey

 

Review

What is more beautiful than when someone can be themselves, like totally, wholeheartedly, always and being accepted for what you feel and want and need. It’s so special!

Marcus never gave up hope of finding his own boy, his own little. He is prepared and so ready for it. Only he never found him, yet. Until Jeff stumbles into his life.

Jeff’s life is difficult. He never had real caring parents, he was raised in a cult where his father was in charge and his mother was numbed by drugs. They wanted Jeff to marry the old goddess of the sect and he never knew why. Luckily, he was saved by his uncle. Unfortunately, his uncle died.

There are a few nasty events in this story. Without spoiling I can say one is about Jeff, how he can set himself free from his parents’ cult. He needs a fake fiancé. Marcus will help him.

A bunch of awesome friends and colleagues pass by with fun and serious matters.

The heart of this and every other books of this series is Davey; he documents all the rules every good Daddy should follow. There are some awful low and sparkling highlights.

A sweet and enjoyable story with very lovable characters. Jeff’s high IQ was nicely woven into his personality.

I know there are more and more stories with Daddies and littles, I have to confess this was my first. The dynamic between Daddy and little was fascinating. I was happily surprised by the whole scenery and how they interact, I didn’t have a clue how this would work in detail, I loved it. The way this story was told was quite fabulously.

Excerpt

My heart raced with excitement as I thought about the surprise I'd left for him among the coloring books. "How about we start easy? First off, I would like to call you Jeffy when we're together like this. Is that okay?" 

He seemed to consider that for a moment, his lips silently forming the little name a few times before finally nodding. "Jeffy. I like that because it's not too different from normal but sets me apart when I'm being…" He paused, lowering his voice to a whisper as he finished his sentence. "Little. It sets me apart when I’m little." He was so earnest and sweet that I wanted to eat him up. 

"Good boy. Thank you. The name suits you, Jeffy. Now, why don't you look down on the bottom shelf and choose a coloring book? There is also a plastic box filled with crayons that you'll want to use." 

Jeffy licked his lips and hesitated for half a second before crouching and carefully examining the stack of coloring books. I held my breath as I waited for him to get to the bottom. Somehow, I thought I was safe ignoring Davey's advice about not having Jeff make choices when I'd hidden the perfect surprise for him. It only took a few moments as he neatly slid each book from the top of the stack and moved it to the bottom while he carefully examined each one. I knew when he found it because he blew out his breath so fast that it whistled through his front teeth. 

He looked up at me with shining eyes and held the coloring book high like a trophy. "Transformers? You have a Transformers coloring book? And I can use it?" 

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Not only can you use it, but I got it especially for you. Why don't you look at the plastic box beside them now? That was also chosen just for you." 

He picked up the blue box with the metallic logo, and the smile I got was worth the time I’d spent searching online for the Transformers pencil box. After he put the other coloring books back on the shelf—taking a moment to meticulously straighten them first—Jeffy stood, hugging his prizes to his chest. He still looked like he had half a mind to take off at the slightest provocation, but he wasn't looking quite as overwhelmed as he had a few minutes ago.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I'd care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I've found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that's what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

I'm a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown "kids of my heart." I'm more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.

Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2Hdgwvl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanHawke/

Catch up with the series here:

Rules to Follow: getbook.at/RulesToFollow

Rules to Break: getbook.at/RulesToBreak

Rules for Santa: getbook.at/RulesForSanta

Rules for Growing: getbook.at/RulesForGrowing