Blog Tour ~ The Secrets in My Scowl by A.E. Via ~ (Reviews, Excerpt + Giveaway))
Author A.E. Via
Title: The Secrets in My Scowl
M/M GAY CONTEMPORARY / STANDALONE
Edited by: Tina Adamski
Cover Artist – Jay Aheer
PAGE COUNT – 312
Release Date: October 28, 2016
Synopsis
Sparks ignite and tempers flare when a sexy, optimistic wedding planner moves his business in across the hall from a jilted, divorce lawyer’s practice.
“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!”
Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.”
From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner.
Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door.
Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.
“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!”
Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.”
From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner.
Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door.
Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.
This story ends in an HEA and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Excerpt
Jacob walked down the sidewalk unaware of the blistering cold weather, feeling like someone had just kicked his ass. He didn’t like being played with; he was too old for games. That well-dressed man was just sticking up for his girl or something, because there was no way in hell that guy was a goddamn wedding planner. He looked like an athlete, a swimmer or maybe a diver. With that long, slim body and those thin fingers. His face was narrow, his strong jaw highlighted by a perfectly groomed goatee. Shit. The same light hair that framed his tender-looking lips. Jacob groaned as he yanked his car door open. He hated that he got caught staring, wondering how the man looked with that man bun undone, and the sandy-brown hair framing his face.
He’d never heard of anyone named wild, well that wasn’t how it was spelled, but it was still an interesting name. Jacob sped down E. Broad and slung a hard left onto S. Belvedere. He needed to get home and work off the heat that’d been building in the pit of his stomach… and a little lower. That goddamn wedding planner smelled like the best bar of soap ever invented. He’d never been hit so hard by a fragrance. Jacob’s dick rose a little higher, making him groan since he refused to touch it. He was not going to let that smooth criminal rob him of his self-control. He made a quick left onto W. Main, overshooting the speed limit by at least twenty miles per hour. That was a reckless driving ticket if he was stopped. There were a lot of restaurants on this street and Jacob thought of pulling into one, but quickly decided against it. Finally turning onto N. Plum, he entered his condo’s parking lot and hurriedly took the elevator to his apartment.
His stomach growled, reminding him he’d skipped lunch and now dinner, while he changed into his workout clothes. He’d run until there were no more thoughts of Wylde. Damnit, Jacob even liked the way that name sounded on his tongue. His cock protruded from the thin nylon shorts as he set his treadmill to the most difficult setting and pressed start. Jacob was barely able to finish, but he did it, making him feel more victorious and more in control. He showered quickly, washing his groin too fast for it to feel good. While he ate takeout in his dark living room, he picked up his cell and called Patrick again… no fucking answer. Goddamn him.
Links
Amazon ~ AllRomance ~ Smashwords ~ GoodReads
Well, she's definitely done it again! I absolutely love The Secrets in my Scowl. Up until this point Defined by Deceit had been my favorite A.E. Via book, but now I can honestly say it's a toss up between that one and this one. The Secrets in my Scowl is exactly the type of book I crave, emotional and sexy, well-written and addicting. I will be putting this on my favorites list.
Jacob Snowden doesn't believe in love and with pretty good reason. Love has never been good to him in the past. First, his mother abandoned him and his father, then his loving father turns into a drunken abuser. His high school best friend and boyfriend chooses the easy path in life instead of him and his fiancé of a minute betrays him the night he plans on giving him the ring. It doesn't help that as a divorce attorney he sees the worst of what happens to people who fell in love. Jacob is happy living his life as it is with an occasional hookup with his only true friend.
Wylde Sterling believes in love. It doesn't matter that he hasn't found it for himself yet. He has made a career of celebrating people in love and wanting to spend the rest of their lives together. He's ready to find someone for himself though and he won't be deterred by the angry, scowling obnoxious man with the business across the hall.
How are a divorce attorney who doesn't think love truly exists and a wedding planner who dreams of love and happily ever after going to share the same space?
Wow, I loved Jacob, yes, he was a jerk. He was angry and abrasive and he did not know how to speak with people but honestly, who can blame him? The poor guy has been dealt a shitty blow by the people he's cared about most in his life. He's never truly fit in anywhere and the few people who have cared about him over the years have been pretty scarce. I cried for Jacob and I really wanted to reach in my Kindle and pull him in for a hug.
I loved Wylde as well and while he was definitely the complete opposite of Jacob he was oh so perfect for him. Wylde has a big enough heart to be what Jacob really needs. He sees a side of Jacob, even when he's being a jerk, that most people can't even imagine from him.
Jacob is a different person with Wylde. He is loving and giving and supportive. He has a soft side, a humorous side and he respects him and listens to him, which no other man has ever done. His whole aura changes when he is with Wylde and people feel it and see it. They are great together.
There is angst in this book but at the same time it has a lot of sweetness as well. This isn't your typical book where the MC's have a back and forth relationship while they're trying to figure out how they feel about one another. These men are realistic in the way they go about their feelings for one another. It's refreshing and sweet and after the way Jacob has been treated in the past it was wonderful.
I can't express how much I love this story. It's definitely in my top ten list of 2016 books and is definitely one of my favorite AE Via books. I wouldn't mind seeing more from this couple and even from some of the other characters we meet.
5+ Stars!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb and once I started reading the book, I fell even more for A.E. Via's fabulous writing and Jacob and Wylde and how perfect they were for each other.
Jacob's life has been very hard. First his mother left him and his father without any explanations, then his father refused to help him go to college and hit him after he realized Jacob had used his tax information on the forms, then in the same day, his boyfriend chose to go to college without him. Jacob is left to fend for himself, so he decides to join the military. When he finally lets someone else in, the man cheats on him just after proposing to Jacob, which makes him even more closed-off. His only friend is Patrick, who refuses to give up on him and helps him scratch that itch every few months. He comes off as brash and arrogant, but he's the best divorce lawyer in town, even if everyone is afraid of his scowl. Everyone but Wylde, the new wedding planner who moved across Jacob's office and who refuses to cower when Jacob growls at him.
Wylde hasn't had much luck in love, either, but he's always looking for it. When he meets Jacob, he instantly knows the man is worth the effort of looking past the harsh exterior and he does all he can to earn Jacob's trust.
I have to admit Jacob and Wylde were so perfect for each other, that I was almost afraid something or someone was going to ruin it at some point, and I was very relieved that while it's not all puppies and flowers, their connection is always there. Wylde was amazing and I loved him from the start. He was supportive and sweet and reliable, dropping everything to show Jacob that he'd always come first for him, defending him from anyone that tried to badmouth him and giving him Jacob little tips to make others like him and treat him better. And I just wanted to cuddle Jacob and make it all better. Yes, he was difficult, but once he started opening up with Wylde, I just melted with how sweet and thoughtful he could be. It was lovely how he went out of his way to find ways to help Wylde with his business and show him the respect he and his career deserved. Their chemistry was off-the-charts and those love scenes? *fans self* I was afraid my Kindle was going to go up in flames!
Overall, this is just a realistic, sweet, angsty, amazingly written book, with fantastic characters you will fall in love with and root for. I definitely think this book is one of my favorite A.E. Via's reads, and definitely one of my favorite books ever, definitely worth a re-read (or twenty). Highly recommendable!!!
Rating: 5+ Stars!!!
I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb and once I started reading the book, I fell even more for A.E. Via's fabulous writing and Jacob and Wylde and how perfect they were for each other.
Jacob's life has been very hard. First his mother left him and his father without any explanations, then his father refused to help him go to college and hit him after he realized Jacob had used his tax information on the forms, then in the same day, his boyfriend chose to go to college without him. Jacob is left to fend for himself, so he decides to join the military. When he finally lets someone else in, the man cheats on him just after proposing to Jacob, which makes him even more closed-off. His only friend is Patrick, who refuses to give up on him and helps him scratch that itch every few months. He comes off as brash and arrogant, but he's the best divorce lawyer in town, even if everyone is afraid of his scowl. Everyone but Wylde, the new wedding planner who moved across Jacob's office and who refuses to cower when Jacob growls at him.
Wylde hasn't had much luck in love, either, but he's always looking for it. When he meets Jacob, he instantly knows the man is worth the effort of looking past the harsh exterior and he does all he can to earn Jacob's trust.
I have to admit Jacob and Wylde were so perfect for each other, that I was almost afraid something or someone was going to ruin it at some point, and I was very relieved that while it's not all puppies and flowers, their connection is always there. Wylde was amazing and I loved him from the start. He was supportive and sweet and reliable, dropping everything to show Jacob that he'd always come first for him, defending him from anyone that tried to badmouth him and giving him Jacob little tips to make others like him and treat him better. And I just wanted to cuddle Jacob and make it all better. Yes, he was difficult, but once he started opening up with Wylde, I just melted with how sweet and thoughtful he could be. It was lovely how he went out of his way to find ways to help Wylde with his business and show him the respect he and his career deserved. Their chemistry was off-the-charts and those love scenes? *fans self* I was afraid my Kindle was going to go up in flames!
Overall, this is just a realistic, sweet, angsty, amazingly written book, with fantastic characters you will fall in love with and root for. I definitely think this book is one of my favorite A.E. Via's reads, and definitely one of my favorite books ever, definitely worth a re-read (or twenty). Highly recommendable!!!
Rating: 5+ Stars!!!
AUTHOR BIO:
A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children. Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors.
Visit my site to learn more! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next
Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com
A.E. Blog: http://authoraevia.com/blogfann.html
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia
Giveaway!!!
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