Wednesday, October 11, 2017

AotM: Beyond the Surface & Betting on Forever by Felice Stevens (Reviews + Giveaway)






Book: Beyond the Surface
Series: The Breakfast Club #1





Blurb:

On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He's unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick's life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it's Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn't prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.







5 Stars

I can't believe it's been almost 14 years (16 now) since 9/11. I remember it like it was yesterday. Where I was, what I was doing, who I was with. It's ingrained in my memory. It's also ingrained in the memories of Nick and Julian.

Nick is a firefighter who was off on 9/11, but as most first responders did, he felt the call of duty and went to work anyway, to help out his brothers. Though he was injured, he was the only one of his brothers to survive and now he lives not only with the physical scars of that day, but the mental scars of survivors guilt as well.

Julian is a fashion designer with a lot of talent, but when he receives really bad reviews, after his latest showing of his new line, for allegedly stealing ideas from the competitor, he is left wondering how he will save face and keep his company afloat.

Julian and Nick know each other. They dated when they were 16. They fell in love, and were together for 2 years, but fear of the backlash he would suffer from coming out, drove Nick to end their relationship, breaking not only Julian's heart but his own.

The two men are thrown back together at a charity event. Nick is convinced that Julian has become a materialistic snob, who thinks that nothing but fashion matters. When he confronts Julian, by bringing him to the burn unit at the hospital, Julian's reaction surprises him. As they reconnect will they discover the spark is still there? Is Nick strong enough to fight for the love he has always wanted?

I loved this story. Felice delivered an emotional rollercoaster. This story was heartbreaking, sweet, sexy and HOT as all get out! The chemistry and connection between Nick and Julian was amazing. This story was intriguing, and I especially loved the secondary characters. The kids were amazing as well as Marcus, and especially Zach. I am looking forward to their stories. Someone needs to tame Marcus, and bring Zach out of his shell!

The story was well written. It flowed well and was a joy to read. It wasn't predictable. Felice kept me happily on the edge of my seat until the very perfect ending! I can't wait to read more in the future!!

*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher via Enticing Journey Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review*



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Book: Betting On Forever
Series: The Breakfast Club #2




Blurb:

A weekend fling in Atlantic City couldn’t be more out of socially shy Zach Cohen’s comfort zone, but a bet with his best friends forces him to put aside the humiliation he’s hidden for years, stepping away from his computer screens and on-line world. When he meets Sam Stein, despite their spark, Zach expects nothing more than a night of passion and a kiss goodbye. Yet weeks later, he can’t keep the man out of his head. 

After a split second decision with tragic results ends his twenty year police career at the same time his relationship falls apart, Sam Stein is drifting through life. At his best friend’s urging he agrees to a trip to Atlantic City to clear his head. What Sam doesn’t plan on is meeting Zach Cohen, whose sweet nature and honesty has him thinking maybe he could move forward, until Zach leaves him without explanation, reinforcing Sam’s belief that people can’t be trusted.

Well-meaning friends refuse to let Zach and Sam hide from each other, forcing them to realize their weekend is much more than a one night stand. Before that can happen, Zach must come to terms with his past and stand up for his own independence, while Sam has to learn to take a chance and believe in himself and people again. All bets are off when dreams become reality and forever doesn’t seem to be long enough.






5 Stars

I couldn't wait to get to Zach's story. He was quiet and shy in Julian and Nick's book, and I couldn't wait to get to know him. Felice didn't disappoint. I loved Zach and Sam.

Zach is shy and geeky. Hurt in the past he hides from everyone in the basement of his mother's house. Spending his days and nights in front of the computer building app's and beta testing others.

Sam, a retired cop, forced out of the force after an incident, he has spent the last six months hiding away with tv and takeout, after his early retirement and the breakup of his last relationship.

Zach and Sam meet and share a steamy night in Atlantic City.

I loved this story and I loved Zach and Sam. Both are lovable characters that have to deal with past hurts to move on to the future with each other. Felice as usual knocked this out of the park. I haven't read a book by her yet that I haven't loved, and I have read them all.

Zach and Sam had chemistry and shared some smoking hot sex. The story is well written and set on one of my favorite settings, NYC. It is well paced. I loved getting to see Nick and Julian again, as well as Marcus. I can't wait to get to his story, and unravel the mystery that is Marcus!

Highly recommended!


*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*



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Felice Logo

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.
But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.
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 angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.




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10 comments:

  1. I love the stories of love and second chances

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  2. She writes characters you can relate to and gives all the emotions you could want from a story.

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  3. the characters, the story, the world building, the love between her sexy men

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  4. I've only read one of her books so I can't really say.

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  5. I love her characters and how her storylines just pull you into the story.

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  6. Congrats, Felice, on AotM, and thanks for the great review, Tracy. Among other things, I like how Felice authentically incorporates in her stories the tough parts of life and their consequences, whether its being abused, bullied, orphaned, or loss. - Purple Reader,
    TheWrote [at] aol [dot] com

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  7. I love her characters. colby69@verizon.net

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  8. I love to read about her characters and the she has a wonderful way with words too.

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  9. I love the chemistry between the characters and how real they feel to me.

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