Blog Tour: Tempting Tristan by Melissa Foster #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

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TEMPTING TRISTAN

A M/M Contemporary Romance

Harborside Nights #3

Melissa Foster

Releasing Oct 19th, 2016

World Literary Press

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try and figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the Army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star—for the incident that nearly cost him his life, and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept, and live the life he’s always dreamed of.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together the hotter the flames become. But the closer Tristan gets, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

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“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer.”

Tristan shrugs. “Have at it.”

“Why were you taking a break? I get that your ex was a prick, but is there more to it?”

He looks down the street, across the street, and then his hand cruises through his hair as it has so often that I’ve already come to expect it when he’s nervous.

“Ian was a prick, but the rest is going to make me sound like a pussy,” he admits.

“I’ve only known you a day, and I already know nothing can make you sound like a pussy.”

He meets my gaze, and his jaw tightens. He lifts his chin and I recognize the struggle between feeling proud and worrying about looking weak. I fight that battle on a daily basis.

“I give away my heart too easily, and I end up getting hurt.”

His eyes never leave mine, and that trust, that confidence, is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“I was right. Nothing can make you sound like a pussy.” I slide my hand to the hard ridge of his jaw and lean in closer. “I’ve never given my heart away. That makes you braver than me.”

This is book 3 of Melissa Foster’s Harborside Nights Series. Now, I didn’t read books 1 and 2 and that did not impact this story. It’s absolutely a standalone. I also never read this author before and I understand this is the first M/M book from her. 

Going in there was very little not to love about this book. Told in duel POV’s we get great insight from both MC’s, Tristan and Alex. We open with Tristan who’s a bartender, gorgeous, sweet, protective, loyal, and yes gay. Alex walks in and everyone (women and men) go on the prowl. Unbeknown to Tristan, Alex is also gay.

A lot happens right from the start but not what you might be thinking. Tristan doesn’t want any sort of a relationship. He’s fresh off a break up and just loving living his life. He doesn’t really have a bad past. Great friends and family, loves where he lives and what he does. No baggage really. Alex wants to be out and proud. After being in the military he yearns to simply hold a man’s hand on the street.

Now, this is absolutely an insta-lust book. I wouldn’t say it’s insta-love because there’s a lot of restraint on the physical because of Tristan’s wishes. They really take the first 25-30% of the book talking, making out, getting to know each other. Their restraint is what kept me going.

The sex, it’s hot! No question the author rocked all the socks off in that department. The writing had great flow but I’ll admit the internal dialog was, cheesy? I just honestly felt like their thoughts didn’t match with the characters the author was fleshing out.

It was a hot and steamy and even touching story and I did enjoy it.

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. 

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Virtual Tour: Learning to Love by Felice Stevens #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

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LEARNING TO LOVE

Felice Stevens

Released May 2nd, 2016

After ten years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn’t turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn’t count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he’s buried deep for years.

An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.

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“How did you know where to find me?”

“I didn’t. But when I went to your apartment and discovered you weren’t home, I thought to myself, ‘Where would a chef be early on Saturday morning?’”

Pleased he’d thought so carefully about me, I bit my lip to keep from smiling, then muttered with my head down, “Lucky guess on your part.”

“I’d like to think so,” said Jonah, his voice as soft as the breeze. My eyes met his, the hurt from our last conversation shimmering bright in their depths, causing a throb within me of a longing I’d never known existed. “Or maybe it was fate.”

He smiled then plucked the paper bag of rugelach out of my clutches, rummaged through it until he found an apricot one, and bit off half.

“Well, if you’re that hungry, I guess you can come home with me, and I’ll make you an omelet,” I grumbled but couldn’t stop the small grin tugging at my lips. “But I planned on browsing a bit more through the market first.”

“I’d like that.” Jonah walked beside me, and we meandered past the stands piled high with colorful peppers and squash. We strolled in silence, but every few steps I’d sneak a glance at him, expecting Jonah to speak. Instead he remained irritatingly, cheerfully silent.

I sampled some hot mulled cider and licked my lips. Spending so much time with Jonah gave me new insight. I’d always thought him superior and judgmental; perhaps I had been wrong in my assessment. He captivated me with the humor in his speech, warmth in his smile, and that unmistakable flare of desire in his eyes. Goddamn it, I wanted him.

I extended the paper cup. “Do you want a sip?” Its heady cinnamon scent remained one of my most favorite things about the fall season. To my shock, instead of answering me, he bent down and kissed me on my lips, lapping at their sticky sweetness. He stepped back, but I put a restraining hand on his wrist.

“What’s going on? Why are you really here?”

The honesty in Jonah’s face took my breath away.

“Do you really have to ask, after the last time?”

My body refused to listen to the war inside my head, kindling a deep need I couldn’t understand. I took a step forward, but unlike me, Jonah didn’t retreat. He stood firm, and I stood close enough to almost touch. Close enough to smell him.

“I’m not who you want; can’t you see that?”

“You don’t have any idea what I see when I look at you, Gideon.”

I wanted to yell back at him, No, you have no idea who I am, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin the moment. I had no clue who Jonah thought I was, but I wanted to be that man if only to be able to have him always look at me like this. Like I was special. Like I was his. The sun beat hot upon my shoulders, and I held his gaze while contentment poured over me like a warm summer rain.

Felice Stevens has written another wonderful happily ever after. Reading Learning to Love was like being wrapped in so much love. Not to mention ALL THE FOOD! I was so hungry reading this book.

Gideon cooks these meals that had my mouth watering. His life wasn’t easy and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE that Jonah loved him his whole life. Jonah and Ari (Jonah’s dad) don’t give up on Gideon. And you can feel their smiles through the pages.

Jonah is a Rabbi, just like his father, and an amazing one at that. JUST like his father. It was interesting to see the father son relationship that Jonah has with his dad versus Gideon and his dad. We always seem to want what others have. But Gideon just wanted to be loved. He chose his family and to his wondrous surprise, they chose him right back.

This story will make you feel good. You’ll smile, laugh, and breathe a deep contented sigh at the end.

Marvelous job, Felice!

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner. My character have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a little angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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