Book Blitz: Lace Lovers by L.J. Hamlin (Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Title: Lace Lovers
Author: L.J. Hamlin
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris
Release Date: 6/16/16
Heat Level: 3
Pairing: M/M (With F/F Secondary Characters)
Length: 36K
Genre/Tags: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Erotic Romance
Synopsis
Brenton is a famous rock start. He’s also bisexual and closeted, despite the band’s very open nature. When Zeke comes to work for them, Brenton can’t help but be tempted by him. However, he has far bigger problems when he finds a picture that’s been shoved under his door. The band has dealt with stalkers before, but this time Brenton seems to be the focus.
Zeke has a hidden life that’s also captured the stalker’s interest. Can Brenton put his baggage aside to win over Zeke and survive the stalker who wants to do them harm?
Excerpt
“Not that he told his parents. He came out a few years ago, but he doesn’t seem to have an issue with his sexuality. That was another reason why Chris and I thought him being around the band could be a good idea. Everyone’s either gay, bi, or totally accepting of gay people. I think it’ll be a good environment for him,” Jamie says, and Brenton’s careful not to react. He can’t lie to himself that he hadn’t wondered this evening if Zeke were gay, but he doesn’t know how it makes him feel.
Because what does it mean? It means, if Brenton wasn’t an emotionally retarded closet case, he could date Zeke. But dating a man, that would mean telling everyone he likes men. First, the band would know, then the media, and inevitably his family would know, and they would never talk to him again and despite their faults, Brenton loves them.
“Don’t you want Jed to watch out for him? They have more in common, both being gay,” Brenton says, feeling like a fraud.
“Jed is my best friend, but he’s so confident, so outgoing. He was never the shy kid in class. I think you and Zeke would have more in common. And I trust you to be a good influence. God knows I love Drew too, but I don’t want him telling Zeke to party all the time and bed-hop from partner to partner. You’re a little more sensible,” Jamie says reasonably.
Brenton is kind of touched. Jamie trusts him to look out for her family, to help a guy who might have some troubles, has already admitted he’s not confident, and he knows this job is supposed to help with that.
“I’ll be extra nice to him,” Brenton promises.
“I know it’s asking a lot, but just do a few things with him. Get him to do errands with you. I’m not saying you have to be his best friend. I just, I like him, and his mom is worried. They’re family, in a different way than you guys are family. I was hoping that maybe one side of my family could help the other.” Jamie sighs.
“I’ll spend some time with him. I’ll try and help him out of his shell a little,” Brenton promises, hoping he won’t regret it.
“Thank you.” Jamie smiles, and Brenton wants to help her out. She’s done enough for the band over the years.
Brenton joins the rest of the band to say good night and gets driven to his apartment. When he opens the door, there’s an envelope on the floor in front of him, a large square that has been slipped under his door.
He picks it up, closing the door behind him. He assumes it’s from someone else in the apartment building, but Brenton gets a shock when he opens up the envelope. It’s a picture, just one picture, of Brenton sleeping in his bed, in this apartment.
Brenton flips the image over to see if it says anything, and it does.
Watching you…
Putting down the picture and envelope on the small table by his door, Brenton sets his security system. He’s always had one because of overeager fans, but he got a better one when Jed was being stalked.
Stalked… Is he being stalked? It’s one picture, one very creepy picture. Brenton doesn’t know what to do.
Purchase
Torquere Press
Brenton tries to be a good son, nephew, friend and band mate. Unfortunately, that means keeping parts of himself locked away from everyone he cares about. To the outside world, he looks like a big badass drummer, he's intimidating and the picture of heterosexuality, but he's kept the fact that he's attracted to men as well as women a secret since he figured it out at the age of fifteen. Now he's finding it harder and harder to hold that part of himself back.
Zeke doesn't really have a set plan for his life but his family thinks it's time he figures it out. With a new job as a PA for Black Lace he hopes they'll be satisfied. Meeting the band he's surprised at how down to earth they actually are and he can't help, but be drawn to the band’s drummer, Brenton.
When Brenton asks Zeke for help dealing with what is likely a crazed fan, the two form a friendship. Both Brenton and Zeke want more, but first Brenton has to decide if he wants people to know he's bisexual. Unfortunately, he may not have much of a choice because someone out there is watching him and Zeke.
What I loved: The premise. I am a fan of books that center around bands and musicians. This is the 2nd book in the Lace series yet I feel it can be read as a standalone. We get enough background on the supporting characters to know what is going on and what has happened to lead up to this point.
What I liked: Brenton and Zeke. I really liked that while the MCs were both physically attracted to each other, they became friends first. They were able to get to know each other, share things with one another that they're unable to share with anyone else. They are both hiding parts of themselves and aren't ready for them to be spoken aloud yet, but as they grow closer they are able to reveal those parts.
What I didn't like: It was almost as if I was reading a summarization of the story rather than watching the story unfolding. The author has a tendency to tell us rather than show us and, at least for me, it detracts from the story. I want to feel what the characters are feeling to establish a connection with them and honestly, that just didn't happen here.
As a whole, Lace Lovers was an enjoyable light read. It was a sweet romance with a bit of mystery thrown in.
3 Stars!
***A copy of this book was provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for an honest review. ***
Zeke doesn't really have a set plan for his life but his family thinks it's time he figures it out. With a new job as a PA for Black Lace he hopes they'll be satisfied. Meeting the band he's surprised at how down to earth they actually are and he can't help, but be drawn to the band’s drummer, Brenton.
When Brenton asks Zeke for help dealing with what is likely a crazed fan, the two form a friendship. Both Brenton and Zeke want more, but first Brenton has to decide if he wants people to know he's bisexual. Unfortunately, he may not have much of a choice because someone out there is watching him and Zeke.
What I loved: The premise. I am a fan of books that center around bands and musicians. This is the 2nd book in the Lace series yet I feel it can be read as a standalone. We get enough background on the supporting characters to know what is going on and what has happened to lead up to this point.
What I liked: Brenton and Zeke. I really liked that while the MCs were both physically attracted to each other, they became friends first. They were able to get to know each other, share things with one another that they're unable to share with anyone else. They are both hiding parts of themselves and aren't ready for them to be spoken aloud yet, but as they grow closer they are able to reveal those parts.
What I didn't like: It was almost as if I was reading a summarization of the story rather than watching the story unfolding. The author has a tendency to tell us rather than show us and, at least for me, it detracts from the story. I want to feel what the characters are feeling to establish a connection with them and honestly, that just didn't happen here.
As a whole, Lace Lovers was an enjoyable light read. It was a sweet romance with a bit of mystery thrown in.
3 Stars!
***A copy of this book was provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for an honest review. ***
Meet the Author
L.J. Hamlin is a twenty-something (getting older every day) author, who has been writing all her life, mainly in notebooks no one else ever saw. Then she discovered M/M groups online and was encouraged by friends to share her stories. After a while (and with a lot of pushing) she grew brave enough to attempt getting published. Now she shares her stories with others and hopes never to stop. L.J. loves cats and pretty much all animals, is a collector of many things, often weird, but most of all books.Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads | Pinterest
Giveaway
Rafflecopter Prize: One winner will be selected to win an eBook copy or a signed paperback copy of Lace Lovers.a Rafflecopter giveaway
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