Release Blitz: Rescued by Felice Stevens (Reviews, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Title: Rescued
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: September 5, 2016
Blurb
Ryder Daniels is all too familiar with rejection. His parents cut off contact because he’s gay and his boyfriend left him, choosing drugs over love. Aside from his rescued pit bull, his only joy is hanging out with his younger brother. Then his mother does the unthinkable and forbids them to see each other, leaving Ryder devastated and alone. His friends urge him to date, but Ryder would rather throw himself into working at the dog rescue and figuring out a way to see his brother again.
When Jason Mallory’s girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to get married, he shocks everyone by breaking up with her instead. He believes he's too busy for a relationship now that the construction company he started with his brother is taking off. When he discovers a group of abandoned pit bulls and calls the local dog rescue group to pick them up, an uncomfortable encounter with Ryder causes Jason to question feelings he’s hidden deep inside for years.
Jason and Ryder build a friendship, until an unexpected kiss sparks the attraction they’ve been fighting. Jason gives Ryder unconditional love and helps him reconnect with his brother while Ryder shows Jason the passion he’s always missed in relationships. Together they must battle through their family differences and ugly prejudices. Only then can they prove that once you find the right person to love, there’s no turning back.
This is a re-release of the original book which was first published in August of 2014. The entire book has been revised and re-edited with over 10k words added. In addition, at the end of this book is a sneak peek of the next book in Ryder and Jason's story, Reunited.
Jason and Ryder build a friendship, until an unexpected kiss sparks the attraction they’ve been fighting. Jason gives Ryder unconditional love and helps him reconnect with his brother while Ryder shows Jason the passion he’s always missed in relationships. Together they must battle through their family differences and ugly prejudices. Only then can they prove that once you find the right person to love, there’s no turning back.
This is a re-release of the original book which was first published in August of 2014. The entire book has been revised and re-edited with over 10k words added. In addition, at the end of this book is a sneak peek of the next book in Ryder and Jason's story, Reunited.
Excerpt
Still glaring at him, Jason moved a step closer. “I know you did, but I didn’t get a chance to answer. You dismissed me like I was a stranger. I thought we were friends.” He raked his hand through his hair as his voice, full of frustration, rose a notch. “Look, I didn’t plan on it happening. It surprised me as much as you, but I thought you knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t fuck around with you.”
Ryder tried to ease Jason’s agitated state. “It’s fine. Let’s forget about it, all right?” He gave him an uncertain smile. Better this way. They could work through Jason’s uncomfortable feelings, and as for his own yet-to-be-reckoned-with desires, he could push them back into that black box where he kept all his life’s disappointments. Right now it contained his parents’ treatment of him, his inability to see his brother and the affairs with Josh and Matt. Jason would be one more depressing addition.
Jason cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think you understand.” He took a step closer. “I’m not sorry for kissing you.”
Jason’s soft, husky voice sent a shiver through Ryder and he backtracked a few steps. “I am, though. I’m not looking to teach someone to be gay. You either are or you aren’t, man, and you’re straight.” It pained him to push the guy away, but he wasn’t about to sacrifice a friendship for casual sex.
Jason snorted. “You don’t really know shit about me. If I was perfectly straight, would I have dreams about you?” His blue eyes took on a glint Ryder had never seen before as he continued. “Dreams that have you on your knees sucking my brains out through my cock. Dreams of me sucking you.”
Ryder retreated until he ran out of space and found his back up against the wall, his eyes still caught up in Jason’s mesmerizing dark blue regard. All the air seemed to have been sucked out of the room.
“No one’s ever had this effect on me, not any woman I’ve ever dated or slept with, none of my friends. Not even the guy I once fooled around with in college.” Jason swallowed, a heavy, nervous gulp, then huffed out a self-conscious laugh, all the while never breaking eye contact. “You didn’t know that about me, did you? I’ve never told anyone until now.”
Ryder stood mute, in a state of suspended belief that Jason stood before him, saying these things to him. Jason—bisexual? Was that what he wanted to say? That explosive piece of information Ryder knew had never been shared with anyone before warmed his heart. Jason shared his secret with him, but Ryder remained uncertain what it ultimately meant to their friendship. His heart beat a wild, stuttering rhythm while blood pounded in his head.
Ryder tried to ease Jason’s agitated state. “It’s fine. Let’s forget about it, all right?” He gave him an uncertain smile. Better this way. They could work through Jason’s uncomfortable feelings, and as for his own yet-to-be-reckoned-with desires, he could push them back into that black box where he kept all his life’s disappointments. Right now it contained his parents’ treatment of him, his inability to see his brother and the affairs with Josh and Matt. Jason would be one more depressing addition.
Jason cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think you understand.” He took a step closer. “I’m not sorry for kissing you.”
Jason’s soft, husky voice sent a shiver through Ryder and he backtracked a few steps. “I am, though. I’m not looking to teach someone to be gay. You either are or you aren’t, man, and you’re straight.” It pained him to push the guy away, but he wasn’t about to sacrifice a friendship for casual sex.
Jason snorted. “You don’t really know shit about me. If I was perfectly straight, would I have dreams about you?” His blue eyes took on a glint Ryder had never seen before as he continued. “Dreams that have you on your knees sucking my brains out through my cock. Dreams of me sucking you.”
Ryder retreated until he ran out of space and found his back up against the wall, his eyes still caught up in Jason’s mesmerizing dark blue regard. All the air seemed to have been sucked out of the room.
“No one’s ever had this effect on me, not any woman I’ve ever dated or slept with, none of my friends. Not even the guy I once fooled around with in college.” Jason swallowed, a heavy, nervous gulp, then huffed out a self-conscious laugh, all the while never breaking eye contact. “You didn’t know that about me, did you? I’ve never told anyone until now.”
Ryder stood mute, in a state of suspended belief that Jason stood before him, saying these things to him. Jason—bisexual? Was that what he wanted to say? That explosive piece of information Ryder knew had never been shared with anyone before warmed his heart. Jason shared his secret with him, but Ryder remained uncertain what it ultimately meant to their friendship. His heart beat a wild, stuttering rhythm while blood pounded in his head.
As if he couldn’t bear to face Ryder with what he was about to say, Jason turned his back to him. His normally steady, calm voice shook somewhat, betraying exactly how deep his uncertainty ran. “I don’t know what I’m doing here. Am I gay now, ’cause I dream of you, your mouth, your tongue in my mouth? Or, am I bi? God, I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but it’s been making me crazy for weeks now, and I’m not sure what’s happening to me anymore.” He tried to laugh, but it came out choked. “I’m kinda lost at sea here, floating around without a paddle. You know”—a red flush stained the back of his neck—“sex with my ex-girlfriend was never that good. When I look back, it was always unsatisfying, a way to get off quick.” His whisper sounded like a shout to Ryder’s ears. “Maybe it’s why I’ve never thought of settling down. Maybe I knew something was missing.”
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Ryder is used to rejection. First, it was his family when they found out he was gay, then it was his boyfriend who chose drugs over him. His only moments of happiness come from hanging out with his brother, his rescued pit bull and his best friends and running the dog rescue group with them. When his mother forbids him and his brother to contact each other, it's just another blow to his heart.
Jason's girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to get married, trying to make him jealous with another man, but it backfires on her and Jason breaks things off between them. He's too busy for love anyway what with his construction company taking off, not that he's ever felt that close to his girlfriend anyway. When they call the rescue group to pick up some abandoned pit bulls at their construction site, he's instantly attracted to one of the rescuers. Only problem is that it is a guy, and even if he 'experimented' in college, Jason is supposed to be straight.
After a shaky start, Ryder and Jason bond after Jason decides to adopt the puppy they found on the site, and they strike an easy friendship, which morphs into more after an unexpected kiss brings forth the attraction neither of them can deny. They each find in the other the unconditional love and passion that had been missing in their lives before and the strength to fight against prejudice and the injustice of having Ryder separated from his brother.
While I've read other stories by Felice Stevens, and I have the original Rescued in my kindle, I hadn't had the chance to read it, so when offered the ARC for this new version I jumped at the chance and I wasn't disappointed.
Rescued is one of those stories that just remains with you and I just loved Ryder and Jason. I adored seeing their friendship evolve into something more, the progression was very realistic. I loved that Jason was so persistent and patient with Ryder, who was so wary about getting involved with a supposedly straight man. I loved that he set himself to righting every wrong that Ryder had suffered through, be it with his parents or finding a way so Ryder and his brother could meet under the radar of Ryder's mother. Needless to say, Jason was my favorite of the two, but that doesn't mean I didn't love Ryder, too. They were just perfect for each other, their love and chemistry transcended the pages and I adored every scene they were together.
I loved Emily, Connor and Landon, Pearl and Trouper, and Jason's family, even if there were a few times that I wanted to punch Liam, although he more than redeemed himself in the end. I absolutely hated Ryder's mother, she was horrible to her family.
Reading this story was an emotional rollercoaster for me, I got all choked up, laughed, cried, melted and fell in love with this fantastic book and its characters. If you haven't read it yet, please, do yourself a favor and do it now, you won't regret it. And if you have read it before, well, Felice Stevens added 10k more words, so it's more than worth a reread.
Definitely recommended!
Rating: 5 Stars!!!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Jason Mallory, hot co-owner of Mallory Construction, is just going through the motions, unable to find the missing piece to complete him. After a brief run in with some abandoned pit bulls and the man called to rescue them, emotions long buried begin to bubble to the surface.
In this re-vamped edition, the author gives us a more in-depth look at Jason and how he's coming to terms with his life and the direction it's going. Between family, friends and crazy exes can these boys catch a break?
This is one of my favorite GFY books. It's full of coming to terms with a couple pinches of angst and one big slab of love. Really, when it comes down to it, love should always win.
Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Author Bio
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 characters 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 and hopefully soon a cat of my own. 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 few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. 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 few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
Author Links
FACEBOOK READER GROUP
Giveaway
Congrats on the new release! Thank you for the review =)
ReplyDelete