Monday, September 18, 2017

AotM: Something in the Way He Needs & Strong Enough by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)



Something in the Way He Needs

Cover - somethinginthewayheneeds
Controlled Asher didn't expect to fall for free-spirited Daniel, but they'll find what they desperately need in one another.
Police captain Asher Penaz’s staunch professionalism bleeds into his home life, down to his neatly pressed attire and spartan apartment. He enjoys being in charge and in control, so his sudden and powerful attraction to the lighthearted, free-spirited Daniel Tover throws him for a loop. In his entire life, Daniel has never gotten what he needs, so he moves to the next place, the next job, the next attempt to find something worth staying for, always landing at the top of his game, but never feeling like he belongs.
The chemistry between Asher and Daniel sizzles, but with all that fire comes the risk of getting burned. As both men struggle to learn themselves while getting to know each other, the lines of desire and control blur. If Daniel and Asher can walk through the flames together, they might find what they desperately need.

 US / UK / iTunes



*** E-book provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***

Police captain Asher Penaz has no clue what hits him when he meets free-spirited Daniel Tover during his friend/Danny's brother's bachelor party in Las Vegas. Asher is all business and in control in all aspects of his life until his attraction to Danny throws him for a loop. Suddenly all he wants is Danny and he's willing to do just about anything to get him. His jealous streak might put a damper on any relationship they might start though.

Danny was adorable, and truly while he and Asher were as opposite as they could be, they complemented each other in a fantastic way. I just adored seeing otherwise strong, controlled Ash turn into mush when Danny was around and try to rationalize it when it was obvious he was falling hard for Danny. They had great chemistry together, too!

I adored this book. At first, I thought it would be different because of how Asher behaved, but he certainly surprised me. It was a fantastic read, sweet and hot and romantic, with a little angst to keep things interesting. My only complaint was that I felt it ended a bit abruptly. I would've loved reading an epilogue or something just to wrap things up a bit more.

Rating: 4.5 Stars!!! 
This audiobook was narrated by Ezekiel Robison, and again he did a fantastic job with most of the characters (the only one that I didn't like was Oliver, truly, he grated on my nerves). Daniel's innocence and Asher's gruffness came across perfectly and it was awesome to hear Asher melt all over the place/be confused with his feelings for Daniel like that. And of course, listening to Cardeno C.'s hot scenes read in that sexy tenor, was just the icing on the cake. Definitely recommendable! 

Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * 

Strong Enough


Cover - strongenough
When a casual hookup turns into the potential for love, staid Spencer realizes he wants to build a life with vibrant Emilio.
When twenty-two-year-old Emilio Sanchez sees handsome Spencer Derdinger walking by his construction site, Emilio makes it his goal to seduce the shy professor. Getting Spencer into bed isn’t difficult, but Emilio soon learns that earning the trust of a man deeply hurt will take time and patience. With a prize like brilliant, sweet Spencer on the line, Emilio decides he is strong enough to face the challenge.
Spencer is surprised when he’s approached by the gorgeous construction worker he’s admired from the safety of his office window. Acting spontaneously for the first time in his thirty-eight years, Spencer takes Emilio home. When the casual hookup turns into the potential for love, Spencer realizes that if he wants to build a life with Emilio, he’ll need to be strong enough to slay his personal demons and learn to trust again.


Thirty-eight-year-old, college Math professor Spencer has been ogling construction worker Emilio Sanchez since he first saw him two weeks ago and has no clue what to do when Emilio approaches him and asks him out, other than to agree, even if he feels Emilio is way out of his league.

Twenty-two-year-old Emilio is attracted to Spencer from the moment he sees him, kind of stalking him until he finally decides to just go for it. They hit it off, but there are things like their age difference and Spencer's trust issues that might get in the way.

I really loved this story right from the start. It was sweet, hot and romantic, but it also had an underlying layer of angst to it, that gave it depth. Emilio just about made me melt every time he called Spencer 'cariño' and he was so patient and loving and mature for his age, the way he handled all of Spencer's issues and helped him through them was truly endearing. I adored Spencer, too, he was so vulnerable and yet, so willing to trust Emilio despite all that he'd gone through. They were truly a wonderful match and I adored every second of this story.

Rating: 5 Stars!!! 

This audiobook was narrated by Ezekiel Robison, and it was as fun, sweet and romantic as the e-book. He did an amazing job with the voices, feminine and masculine, and of course, it's no chore to listen to Cardeno C.'s very hot scenes in this book in his voice. It's a great thing when a narrator can make a story come to life in the way Ezekiel Robison did with his book.


Highly recommended! 

Rating: 5 Stars!!!


Meet CC

Cardeno C.—CC to friends—is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few awwws into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

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6 comments:

  1. Congrats on AotM. At 1st I didn't think I had a Q, but thought and was wondering, cuz you've written a lot of good books and been recognized, what's a recog you've gotten that was especially special to you? - Purple Reader,
    TheWrote [at] aol [dot] com

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  2. No questions, but I've really enjoyed your books so far.

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  3. No questions. Congrats on being AotM!

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  4. No questions from me. I do love your books =) Looking forward to see what else you have up your sleeves.

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  5. no Qs just wanted to congratulate you on being AotM :)

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