Blog Tour: Live for Love, An All Cocks story, Book 5, by TM Smith (Exclusive Excerpt, Reviews + Giveaway)
Join me in welcoming the latest book in the All Cocks Series, Live for Love.
Live for Love, An All Cocks story book 5
Beauregard Boudreaux is a native of New Orleans Louisiana, born and raised there, he never thought he would ever stray far from home. The untimely death of his first love left Beau lost, adrift, looking for a place as far away from the pain as possible. Initially, he came to New York to visit a friend, the city growing on him, so he decided to stay. His law degree comes in handy at the LGBT Center he runs, but his bar is his baby.
William Richards grew up in Chicago, his family oddly normal and very accepting of his sexuality. Modeling paid the bills, gigs across the country as a model, male entertainer and a personal trainer giving him the opportunity to see the world. He hasn’t experienced loss or pain as Beau has, the common denominator between them is the loneliness. As All Cocks big, brooding bottom Connor, William has found friendship, family and an outlet for his craving to be more submissive than men of his size and stature usually are.
The two men are perfect for each other, their tastes and lives align and the writing seems to be on the wall. But Beau has a secret he shares with a choice few, a secret that not only threatens to keep them apart, it’s deadly. Determined to keep a wall between himself and William, Beau fights the attraction, pushes William away every time he steps closer. Can one man’s determination and strength be enough to tear down a wall that holds back decades of pain and darkness? And if he can, will either of them survive the flood?
Disclaimer: This book is the fictional story of a man living with HIV. I have put a lot of time and effort into presenting this story as true to fact as possible, without going into gory or gruesome detail. If this subject is a trigger for you, you may want to skip this read. But my hope is that you give Beau a chance to capture your heart as he has mine, and William’s.
William Richards grew up in Chicago, his family oddly normal and very accepting of his sexuality. Modeling paid the bills, gigs across the country as a model, male entertainer and a personal trainer giving him the opportunity to see the world. He hasn’t experienced loss or pain as Beau has, the common denominator between them is the loneliness. As All Cocks big, brooding bottom Connor, William has found friendship, family and an outlet for his craving to be more submissive than men of his size and stature usually are.
The two men are perfect for each other, their tastes and lives align and the writing seems to be on the wall. But Beau has a secret he shares with a choice few, a secret that not only threatens to keep them apart, it’s deadly. Determined to keep a wall between himself and William, Beau fights the attraction, pushes William away every time he steps closer. Can one man’s determination and strength be enough to tear down a wall that holds back decades of pain and darkness? And if he can, will either of them survive the flood?
Disclaimer: This book is the fictional story of a man living with HIV. I have put a lot of time and effort into presenting this story as true to fact as possible, without going into gory or gruesome detail. If this subject is a trigger for you, you may want to skip this read. But my hope is that you give Beau a chance to capture your heart as he has mine, and William’s.
Exclusive Excerpt
Part 6 –
A whistle from the other side of the bar pulled his attention away from the dark haired man watching him intently, a customer holding an empty beer bottle in the air. Setting the shaker onto the bar mat, he turned and grabbed a couple beers for them. “I be right back.” His eyes briefly met William’s; he nodded once.
Out of the corner of his eye, Beau saw William’s head turn sideways, looking over his shoulder, his eyes at ass level. Just to garner what the response would be, Beau shifted the bulk of his weight to one leg causing his ass to sway. He chuckled softly when he watched William’s dark eyes follow the movement. Beau bussed the table, setting the two full beers in front of the two men that were making googly eyes at each other. Whistling his way back behind the bar, he continued to watch William’s reactions and body language while not making it obvious to the man.
“A’right den, you ready for dat drink?” Beau grabbed the shaker in one hand, the two glasses with the other and sat them down on the bar in front of William.
Inhaling as Beau poured, William gave a low whistle. “Damn, that’s strong. What is that?”
“Drink first, questions later.” He added a lemon wedge to one glass before pushing it toward William.
William’s brow creased, he looked from his glass to Beau’s with a chin nod. “Why don’t you have a lemon?”
“Lemons for pussies,” he responded, the word lemon coming out with an extra vowel when gracing Beau’s Cajun lips.
Be sure to stop by Two Book Pushers (http://www.twobookpushers.
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Beau shut himself off emotionally years ago. A part of him died when his first and only love passed away from complications due to AIDS. Now living with HIV, Beau doesn't want to put anyone through what he went through, watching someone you love waste away, so when William keeps trying to pursue him, Beau keeps him at arms' length. William knows what he wants and he goes after it. He doesn't know why the sexy Cajun continues to push him away at each turn.
This was a really sexy and enjoyable read. Because Beau keeps pushing William away, it's a very slow burn, but once it heats up to full boil... Omg it was smoking hot!!! I was actually really surprised. Reading the blurb and the subject matter, I figured this book would be loaded with angst, but while the theme is very serious and deep, it was kind of a light read. I thought the author did a fabulous job at handling the HIV issue, with grace and dignity. It saddens me that it's such a stigma for people living with this disease. I think she was well informed and well educated on the subject matter, and it was written well into the story without sounding too clinical.
This book is part of a series and while each book features a different couple or trouple, quite a few of the previous characters from the other books play really big roles in this story, so if you haven't read the other books in the series, I would suggest you read those first. I don't think this reads well as a standalone. I've read the other books, and I was confused at times trying to remember who people were. It doesn't make it any easier, that over half of these previous characters are porn stars or former porn stars, and have two names!!! I have no clue how Ms. Smith keeps all these people straight.
Let's talk about Beau before we go. Ms. Smith did well at authenticating Beau's speech and dialect, although to be truthful, it's highly unlikely that you will find people who were born here in New Orleans who speak like Beau. I've lived here all my life, and if you head further west, down highway 90 towards Houma and Lafayette, those Bayou people do speak like Beau. But she wanted to create a Cajun, so who am I to nitpick it too much. I will say that as much as we heard about Izzie, Alma and Beau's life growing up in New Orleans, I was kind of sad that she didn't bring the story here. Izzie, Alma and Beau's heritage was such a huge part of his past and shaping him into what he is today, it was disappointing not getting to meet Alma.
This was a really enjoyable story. It was well written and flowed well, and it's jam-packed with love, romance, family and some incredible sex scenes. It left me feeling the warm and fuzzies. Highly recommended!!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Beau has been only half living after his first love died, and while he's attracted to Will, who has been pursuing him relentlessly, he has a potentially deadly secret that might put a stop to any relationship between them.
I loved Will! Loved that he wouldn't let anything get in the way of him getting his man, that he was so mature about it all and that he didn't let Beau continue hiding from his feelings. My heart broke for all Beau had to go through, I think the way he dealt with his illness and how he wanted to protect Will just proved how much he loved him. They were sweet and hot together and just fit perfectly in each other's lives.
I loved catching up with the rest of the All Cocks guys. It was nice to see them all rallying to help when they were needed.
I think TM Smith did an amazing job with the HIV subject, dealing with it in an informed and sensitive manner, without going overboard and showing that there can indeed be love after being diagnosed.
All in all, a fantastic addition to the series! It was hot and romantic, filled with love, support, friendship and a lot of heart, wrapped in a well-written, delightful package.
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!
Follow the tour!
Live for Love blog tour schedule:
July 1st
Multitasking Momma – Review w/Exclusive Excerpt Part 1
Sik Reviews – Review w/Spotlight
Love Bytes – Spotlight w/Guest Post (The story behind the story)
July 2nd
Happily Ever Chapter – Review w/Spotlight
Making It Happen – Review w/
Cathy Brockman Romance – Review w/Song & Scene
Foxylutely – Review w/Author Q&A Part I
July 3rd
Bike Book Reviews – Review w/
The O’Raven Chronicles – Spotlight only
July 4th
Wicked Faeri's Tales andReviews – Review w/Song & Scene
All In One Place – Review w/Spotlight
Triple A – Spotlight w/Author Q&A Part II
Gay Media Reviews – Review w/
Jeff & Will's Big Gay Fiction Podcast – Live Interview
July 5th
MM Books Escape – Review w/Dream Cast
Jessie G Books – Spotlight only
Divine Magazine – Spotlight w/
Purple Rose Teahouse – Spotlight
MM Good Book Reviews – Review w/Spotlight
July 6th
Bayou Book Junkie – Review w/
Smashingly Bookalicous – Review w/Spotlight
Diverse Reader – Review w/Guest Post (This or That)
Molly Lolly – Review w/Spotlight
Open Skye – Review w/Playlist
July 7th
Two Book Pushers – Review w/
Inked Rainbow Reads – Review w/Spotlight
Prism Book Alliance – Review w/Author Q&A Part III
Sinfully Gay Romance – Guest Post only (Would you Rather)
You'll notice above that there is an Exclusive Excerpt everyday split over 7 blogs. This is an entire chapter in the book that I've split over 7 of the blogs hosting. So, if you want to read the entire chapter, you'll have to visit each blog to do so. Or, you could just buy a copy ;)
Also, there is a 3 part Author Q&A. Again, to read each part, you'll have to follow the tour.
Also, there is a 3 part Author Q&A. Again, to read each part, you'll have to follow the tour.
A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel.
Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!
Other books in the All Cocks series...
Gay for Pay - Book 1
B&N | ARe | Smashwords | Audible | Amazon Audio | Kobo FR | Fnac
Fame and Fortune - Book 2
How to Deal - Book 3
Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | B&N | ARe | Smashwords
Dare to Hope - Book 4
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon AU | ARe | Smashwords
Dare to Hope - Book 4
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon AU | ARe | Smashwords
Up for grabs is an All Cocks Swag pack, US only shipping which includes...
A signed paperback copy of one book in the All Cocks stories, a T-shirt worthy of Beauregard Boudreaux that reads "I'm the one you gotta blow around here to get a drink", An All Cocks logo mouse pad (black/multi) and some fun bobbles and bits unique to the series. Also up for grabs for International entries is an e-book copy from my backlist (excluding Live for Love).
Keep in mind, if you are International you can purchase any of the All Cocks stories books in paperback from either Amazon or Createspace then email me and I'll mail you a signed 'book plate' for your book to make it a certified signed copy.
(tammystwocents@gmail.com)
Great post ladies!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tammy!!! ~ Tracy
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