Bayou Book Junkie: Virtual Book Tour: M/M ~ A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo ~ (ARC Review, Character Interview with Logan, Book Trailer + Giveaway)

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Virtual Book Tour: M/M ~ A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo ~ (ARC Review, Character Interview with Logan, Book Trailer + Giveaway)

Virtual Book Tour: M/M ~ A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo ~ (ARC Review, Character Interview with Logan, Book Trailer + Giveaway)

Author: Hurri Cosmo

Title: A Place to Belong

Publisher: Amber Allure

Release Date: September 20, 2015

Genre: M/M Romance

Tags: Contemporary

Heat Level: 4

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 20,000 words

Purchase Links: Amber Allure

Book Blurb

Logan Perry was offered a job caring for an elderly lady a thousand miles from his home in Iowa. Looking for a place to hide, it seems to be the perfect opportunity to escape. So Logan runs to Texas. All he wants is a roof over his head and food in his stomach. So moving into the amazing McFarren Manor he believes is all he needs.

Bradley McFarren is only looking for someone to care for his aging grandmother. Too busy with the family multi-billion dollar real estate firm, he just doesn't have time. With no personal life to speak of, Bradley has kept his heart safe. As long as Gail, his beloved grandmother, is cared for, he thinks it's all he needs.

But what both their hearts truly desire is a place to belong.

So begins the journey of a love that will not be denied; a love bigger than the state of Texas.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/vsqrxmRp73c

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25659865-a-place-to-belong

Tracy's review:

3 Stars

*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Oh boy, I hate giving bad reviews, but this just wasn't a well written book. Logan is the registered nurse that is hired by Bradley to take care of his elderly ailing grandmother. Logan is running from his home in a conservative small in Iowa, where he has been disowned by his family and friends for being gay. He applied for the position as Bradley's grandmother's nurse, is hired and over a 3 year period eventually falls in love with the very straight, Bradley.

I liked the premises of the book, and the storyline was good, but the execution could have used some tweaking. The first half of the book is told mostly in flashbacks. I HATE flashbacks. I think the story would have been better told, had the author just started at the beginning and worked her way to the present.

Most people don't speak proper English, and I find it a bit distracting and unnatural when the dialogue between the characters is very proper. The dialogue between the Logan and Bradley and also some of the secondary characters tended to lean towards the too proper end of the scale. Not only was it proper, but it was somewhat immature and a bit cheesy.

There was really no character development I didn't get to know the characters. I can't tell you if they had chemistry, because again I just didn't know them.

There was also no resolution. The evil cousin, Clayton shows up along with a ton of other family members. Then Bradley and Logan get together and then, the story just ends. There were loose ends to be tied up.

This story was sweet and a little sexy, but it needed way more meat to make it a good story.

Character interview with Logan Perry from “A Place to Belong”

Good morning, Mr. Perry. May I call you Logan?

Absolutely.

Thank you for talking with me this morning.

This is for an article on the McFarren’s?

Yes. Don’t worry. Mr. Bradley McFarren has given me permission to do this.

Oh. Good. Go ahead, then.

Well, first question is how had you heard about this job? I understand you are originally from Iowa?

Yes, a small town. Mr. McFarren’s business is buying and selling real estate and it just so happened that the care facility I was working in at the time was purchased by a company he owned… or something like that. Anyway, there was a rumor going around that Brad… I mean, Mr. McFarren was buying all these care facilities looking for the perfect place for his grandmother. I decided to check into it and found out that he was actually looking for a full time, live in nurse. So I applied.

Elder care is a specialty of yours?

I guess. It’s the only thing I’ve done since graduating from college. I think I’m good at it.

It’s a tough profession. A lot of high stress.

Yes. That’s true. We were trained to separate ourselves from the patient and family, to stay focused on care and care alone. I actually don’t really like that. I think it’s important to bond with your people, especially the residents. A lot of them no longer have family who even come to see them. I feel awful that someone might end up dying alone.

But in contrast to that, you decided to leave Iowa and the nursing home circuit and care for only one patient. Why is that?

I needed a change. I needed out of that small town.

I see. Why is that?

(Fidgets) Well, I’m… I just needed a change, that’s all. It was time for me to get out on my own completely.

Do you miss your family?

No.

(Raises eyebrows) Really? So you have no real contact with them?

No.

Okay, moving on. Is caring for Ms. Gail McFarren difficult?

(Smiles) No. She is the sweetest thing. I love her so much. She is a great joy to serve. Every one of the staff thinks the same way.

How many staff is there in that huge house?

Other than me there are two more full time nurses. They don’t live in the house though, just me. I am the only one who actually lives in the house. Oh, except the chef. He has a couple of rooms off the kitchen. Then there are various other house hold people who keep the house clean. There is a staff’s house that sits behind the mansion where some of them live.

A staff’s house? What’s that like?

I honestly don’t know. I have never been invited. If the staff gets together for any reason we always use the main house. I understand it’s lovely, though. Bright and airy. Quite large. Very comfortable.

So speaking of the main house. What do you think of McFarren Manor?

Oh, it’s wonderful! I have been so privileged to have been able to live there for almost three years now. I have an incredible room, although it’s quite small compared to the rest.

I understand the mansion boasts ten bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, an office, a library, a ball room… I could go on.

(Laughs) Yes, McFarren manor is huge. There used to be a lot of parties given under that roof.

Not anymore?

Oh no. Mrs. McFarren is far too weak to be the hostess these days.

I understand she is gravely ill?

(Nods)

Can you tell me about it?

(Shakes head) I… I would rather not talk about it.

I understand. So maybe tell me about the family then.

(Shrugs) Not much to tell. No one really comes to visit. I feel badly for Mrs. McFarren that her only real visitor is her grandson, Bradley. I don’t know what’s wrong with her family. If they don’t come soon, they will miss her.

Meaning?

Gail is dying.

I’m so sorry. Are there any plans for you when Mrs. McFarren passes?

That’s another subject I would rather not talk about.

I understand. How about Bradley McFarren, then?

(Big Smile) What about him?

Well that’s a nice smile. You obviously get along with him.

Yes. Best boss I’ve ever had.

What is it you like about him?

He’s kind and attentive. (Leans in) Very handsome. (Sits back and chuckles) But truly, he tries so hard make sure Gail has everything and anything she wants. Even me. He makes sure I’m happy, too. I like him very much.

Sounds like it might be a little bit more than “like”?

Oh, completely one-sided, I assure you. But… I guess I have to be content with that. (Sighs)

Thank you, Logan. We might need to follow up with you later on and get an update?

(Smiles) Maybe.

Author Bio

Hurri Cosmo lives in Minnesota where she holds tight to the idea that there, where it’s cold a good part of the year, she won’t age as fast. Yep, she avoids the truth as much as she avoids mirrors. But one of the reasons she loves writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure. Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, she doesn’t mind “real life” and she does try to at least keep it in mind when she writes her stories, but she truly loves creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA. Every - single - time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason she loves reading this genre, too. Give her a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and her computer, whether she is reading or writing, and she will entertain herself for hours. The fact she actually gets paid to do it is Snickers bars on the frosting on the cake.