Book Blitz ~ Taking A Chance by Emjay Haze ~ (Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Author: Emjay Haze
Title: Taking A Chance
Publisher: Torquere Press
Release Date: 2/3/16
Pairing: M/M
Length: 45,100 words
Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance
Book/Buy Links
Synopsis
New college graduate, Ethan Moore, flies to San Francisco for a job interview with an advertising firm. The interview goes so well that he decides to blow off some steam at a gay club. He meets a gorgeous man at the bar who seduces him, but then leaves his hotel room in the morning with only a note. A few weeks later, Ethan begins his new job and discovers that the man he slept with is his new boss, Chance Harlow. He's fallen for the playboy, but wants to keep their relationship strictly professional until he can prove himself to the company. He's failing miserably as Chance tries seducing Ethan every chance he gets, and Ethan keeps succumbing to his advances.
Ethan is selected to accompany Chance to Bali for a huge account will be spending ten days at a luxurious resort with the man he's fallen in love with. Chance has made his intentions known, and has told Ethan that he's here to have fun on this trip, and he won't pressure him, but if Ethan doesn't want him, there are plenty of men who will. Ethan struggles with this until one evening, they are in the hot tub with two hot swingers who want to play. Ethan flees to his room to get drunk after watching Chance make out with one of the men. Chance storms in the room a little while later, angry because his thoughts of Ethan are keeping him from having fun with other men. Ethan realizes his mistake and finally confesses his love for Chance and they make love. They spend the rest of the trip making up for lost time. When they get home from their successful business trip, Ethan realizes that no one cares if he and Chance are an item after all.
While Ethan sipped on his cocktail watching the dirty dancing on the floor, a six foot-two, dark-haired man wearing black boots and skintight leather pants entered the club. His eyes cased the room as he stood at the entrance, confidence dripping from the man's stance to his gaze. He slipped off his leather jacket to display a black beater, showcasing muscular arms and just a faint bit of hair on his broad chest, which drew gasps from several onlookers and hopeful prey. The man found his target wading through the hoard of oglers in various stages of intoxication over to the bartender at the opposite end from where Ethan sat.
"Chance." Andre, the bartender's eyes lit up as he greeted his longtime friend who was quite the looker. He poured him his usual, a Vodka Tonic with a twist and at the same time, turned his head and gave a nod towards Ethan, who was still nursing his second drink, staring at the dance floor like a deer in headlights. Chance's eyes followed Andre's gaze and landed on their mark. "Cute."
"He ordered one of these," Andre divulged, sliding the glass to Chance.
"Huh," Chance said, giving the brown hair, brown eyed cutie a long once over. He emptied his glass in one gulp, asked Andre for two more, and drifted over to the hottie sitting alone at the end of the bar. "Can I buy you a drink?" He asked in a seductive tone of voice.
Ethan started to say "No thank you", but as he looked up, he saw sparkling blue eyes and jet black hair attached to a long, muscular body. His leather pants left nothing to the imagination as Ethan could make out the outline of the man's cock, and he just stared, lips slightly parted, taking a gulp. After an awkward pause, "Uh, sure, I'll have a…"
"Vodka Tonic with a twist?" Chance interrupted, handed the glass to Ethan. A little smirk formed at the edge of the man's mouth as.
"Vodka Tonic with a twist?" Chance interrupted, handed the glass to Ethan. A little smirk formed at the edge of the man's mouth as.
"How did you…?"
"Lucky guess," Chance lied, as his eyes roamed over the other man's small, taut, muscular body. "How long have you been here?"
"Just a couple of days; I'm staying at a hotel a few blocks away and…"
"No, babe," Chance let out a throaty chuckle, "I meant, how long have you been sitting here all alone?" His arm was propped against the bar, his body leaning against it, legs going on for miles. His shirt rode up just enough to expose a hint of skin at the man's torso. Ethan gulped again.
"Oh," Ethan blushed, looking away. "Not long." He'd never been talked to this way before. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time.
"What's your name, sexy?" The man persisted, confident that he'd get what he wanted in the end.
"Ethan Mo..."
"Ethan." He interrupted again, letting the name slip off his tongue. "Chance," he replied. Chance didn't do last names.
"Chance?" Ethan raised his eyebrow. Interesting name.
"As in take a chance." The man winked, motioning to one the tables. "Wanna sit where it's a little more comfortable?"
Before Ethan could answer, Chance reached for his hand, and tugged him off the stool. Ethan bounced as his feet hit the floor and followed the man still holding his hand towards the tables near the dance floor. This is what you were looking for, remember? Ethan reminded himself, suddenly feeling self conscious, looking around the room. No one gave him a second glance.
Before Ethan could answer, Chance reached for his hand, and tugged him off the stool. Ethan bounced as his feet hit the floor and followed the man still holding his hand towards the tables near the dance floor. This is what you were looking for, remember? Ethan reminded himself, suddenly feeling self conscious, looking around the room. No one gave him a second glance.
Chance grabbed a table and pulled out a chair for Ethan, taking the seat next to him. They sipped their cocktails, making harmless small talk, where Chance learned that Ethan's favorite artist was Katy Perry. When I kissed a Girl came blaring from the speakers, Chance grabbed Ethan's hand again. "Let's dance."
Ethan nodded, following the gorgeous man to the floor where he noticed several men staring now, all directed at his dance partner. Ethan walked a little prouder knowing that he was the lucky one Chance had chosen.
Chance swiveled his hips and threw his head back, keeping in rhythm with the music. Ethan just stood gazing at him for a moment. Chance gave Ethan a lustful smirk. "Here, babe, put your hands on my hips, just like that," Chance encouraged, placing his own hands around Ethan's waist. Ethan let Chance and the music move him, while his gaze remained on his gorgeous dance partner. Ethan was smitten with the dark haired beauty.
The music slowed down and Chance pulled Ethan close to his body, wrapping his arms around him, allowing Ethan to nuzzle his chest. Chance raised his hand from his waist, towards his neck, stopping at the back of Ethan's head to thread his hands through the soft brown hair, as he whispered into his ear. "Mm Ethan, you feel nice." Chance made Ethan feel like he was the only man in the room, and he liked it.
"Uh, huh, you too." Ethan agreed, as he breathed in the scent of Chance, making him dizzy with desire. Maybe it was the third drink, but he didn't think so; the man was just intoxicating.
Chance lowered his hands, resting them on Ethan's ass. Ethan didn't back away, so Chance gave his buttocks a squeeze, massaging the cheeks when a soft moan escaped Ethan's lips. Chance never took his eyes off Ethan as they danced. He pressed his crotch against him, grinding into the smaller man.
Ethan's heartbeat sped up as his cock enjoyed the friction, and by the feel of the bulge in Chance's pants pressing into him, he knew the other man was just as turned on as he was. "Um, Chance?"
"Yeah, babe?" Chance never stopped moving, but looked down at his partner, who was nearly a head shorter than he was.
Ethan looked up at those piercing blue eyes and felt warm all over.
"Um, I just…" Ethan blushed, not sure how to continue as he dropped his gaze.
Chance leaned forward, picking up Ethan's chin, gently pecking him the lips. Surprised at first, Ethan gave into the kiss. Chance swirled his tongue along Ethan's lips until he gained entrance, devouring the other man's mouth. All of the uneasiness that Ethan had felt earlier melted away in Chance's arms. He'd never been kissed that way before; he felt dizzy with desire. He kissed him back.
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
I had great hopes for this book. I liked the blurb and hoped it would live up to my expectations and while the book is not badly written, I think it was a bit rushed in some parts and it lacked some character development. I actually liked Ethan, although I think his actions were a bit too ambivalent regarding Chance. The being unable to stay away from Chance but pushing him away and on the next breath being jealous because Chance was being himself, was a tad annoying sometimes. Chance was kind of a jerk at first, but he grew on me. I think of the two of them, he was the one that showed more growth. There was a marked change in him from the start of the book, and it was made gradually, which I loved. Ethan and Chance together were actually pretty good, at least when Ethan allowed Chance to get close to him. They had very good chemistry, and I also liked Brad, he was a great friend to both of them.
All in all, it was a good book, and if you're looking for a sweet, somewhat angsty read with some hot scenes thrown in for good measure, this is a good choice.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I had great hopes for this book. I liked the blurb and hoped it would live up to my expectations and while the book is not badly written, I think it was a bit rushed in some parts and it lacked some character development. I actually liked Ethan, although I think his actions were a bit too ambivalent regarding Chance. The being unable to stay away from Chance but pushing him away and on the next breath being jealous because Chance was being himself, was a tad annoying sometimes. Chance was kind of a jerk at first, but he grew on me. I think of the two of them, he was the one that showed more growth. There was a marked change in him from the start of the book, and it was made gradually, which I loved. Ethan and Chance together were actually pretty good, at least when Ethan allowed Chance to get close to him. They had very good chemistry, and I also liked Brad, he was a great friend to both of them.
All in all, it was a good book, and if you're looking for a sweet, somewhat angsty read with some hot scenes thrown in for good measure, this is a good choice.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Author Bio
Emjay Haze is the pen name for a wife, mother and avid fan-fiction writer in the gay romance genre. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, two teenagers, a dog, cat, hamster, gecko, and several fish. She always loved writing, and decided to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University where she graduated with high honors in April, 2015. Her interests include music and pop culture and she is an advocate for the LGBT community. Her stories delve into all types of romantic relationships, with a focus on first times and new encounters in a light-hearted style to show that everyone deserves love no matter whom they are or who they love. Her goal is to gain a diverse readership and broaden the minds of those who might not normally pick up a ‘gay’ romance because it’s more about the person than the sexuality.
Author Links
Giveaway
Rafflecopter Prize: eBook copy of Taking A Chance
Congratulations on your release Emjay the book sounds very good I wish you many sales!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :)
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