Title: Tender with a Twist
Series: Rainbow Cove #2, but stands alone well
Author: Annabeth Albert
Publisher: Annabeth Albert
Release Date: October 2, 2017
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 79,000 words
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, May-December, BDSM (light), Small Town
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
One kinky wood carver. One younger chef looking to try new things. A series of lessons that bring both men more than they bargained for…
Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.
Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate…
But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good.
Excerpt
Logan
The crazy woodcarver was shirtless. Again. It was a sleepy Thursday in January on the Oregon Coast which meant most sane people were in flannel and jackets and bundled for the sharp bite of the wind. I was wearing fleece-lined bike pants and a long-sleeved cycling jacket myself as I celebrated the first good ride of the year, and I was still chilly when I stopped my ride near the jewelry store on 101—the main highway running through Rainbow Cove. I told myself that I’d stopped for some water from my bottle, but I knew it was a weak excuse. Really, I’d been transfixed by the sight of Curtis Hunt carving up a giant tree trunk with his chainsaw.
For all that rumors flew about his eccentricity, the man was an unparalleled artist, and watching him do his thing was a true pleasure. Sweat dripped from his head and back despite the cool temperature, and he worked like a man possessed, moving this way and that around the piece, dancing almost as his chainsaw flitted about with the sort of grace I’d expect from the jeweler, not this buff lumberjack with heavy machinery.
He wore sawdust splattered jeans, heavy boots, safety goggles and ear protectors, but his red flannel shirt lay discarded on a nearby sculpture of a falcon, showing off his shimmering muscles and tats that even from a distance were impressive. For all that the guy had probably fifteen years on me, he was in amazing shape. Hell, if I had ink and muscles like that, I wouldn’t keep my shirt on, either. All the muscles made something warm unfurl in my gut, but I dismissed the low thrum of arousal as a never-happening-in-this-lifetime thing. Chances were very high that he’d laugh at any of my fantasies, especially the ones involving him, some rope, and his usual intense stare replaced with something closer to supplication.
But, a guy could still look. And want. So I took my time drinking my water, watching as the outline of a bird slowly emerged from the raw tree trunk.
In a town as tiny as Rainbow Cove, the rumor mill worked overtime, and I knew all the rumors about Curtis. Knew he’d lost his longtime lover a year or two ago and that the two of them had been mythic fixtures in the area. Curtis had apparently gotten more eccentric since the other guy had passed, moving into the old gas station he used as a gallery for his carvings, growing his own food, and going notoriously cranky about change.
And change was what had driven me to Rainbow Cove. Change was what my restaurant represented—hope that the area economy could find a new foothold in tourism. So it wasn’t surprising that Curtis didn’t seem to like my friends and me any. Probably wouldn’t appreciate me looking at him like he was a lumbersexual Tumblr all queued up for my viewing pleasure. But damn, those muscles…
I gave myself last look before I pedaled away, heading away from the center of town, taking the turnoff that would lead me to the narrow residential road that skirted the beach to the south. I was alone on the road, glorious, vast gray skies and sprawling blue ocean my only companions. This was what I’d come to Rainbow Cove for, the space to be alone, the quietness that I’d only ever found before in a dojo. Portland was crowded, and not just with people. My parents’ expectations always loomed large, as did past mistakes and hurts, and the general hustle of the area made it hard to catch my breath, hard to think and breathe and simply be. The traffic. The noise. The demands. All of it had gotten to be too much for me, and when my friend Mason had proposed the idea of the bar and grille here on the coast, I’d leapt at the chance to start fresh, especially since I’d loved the coast from some of my earliest memories of family weekends away.
Eventually, my ride returned me to the tavern where Mason was signing off on a meat delivery from a local farm.
“Chef!” The driver greeted me with a wave as I locked up the bike. “We’ve got some new fillets in. Think you might want some for a special this week?”
My mind immediately flitted away the shirtless woodcarver and back to my real passion—cooking. I loved being the chef here, the guy who made the decisions and the specials. I’d had years of sous chef positions in Portland, growing ever more eager for my own menu, one where I could play with sauces and presentation and choose my own local ingredients.
“I’m picturing a peppercorn crusted fillet with red wine reduction.” I inspected packages Mason was loading into the freezer and fridge. We’d do most of our business with the endless stacks of burger patties, but I loved changing things up with my daily specials, too.
“Don’t know if anyone will pay fillet prices.” Mason shook his head. The slow winter season was starting to wear on my friend, who also served as our business manager. “You can try it as a special, but let’s not over-order.”
I reluctantly took a small order of fillets, ceding to Mason’s wishes, and rounded out my weekly specials plan with cheaper options like shepherd’s pie.
“How was your ride?” Mason asked after the delivery guy was on his way.
“Fine.” I didn’t feel the need to report on my perving of the woodcarver. It had been a little personal indulgence. Not to mention the fact that Mason’s police chief boyfriend, Nash Flint, was close friends with Curtis, which meant I’d be in for double the teasing if I let on that I’d let my eyes wander in that direction.
“You’re not too lonely, are you?” Mason pressed. “It’s your first winter on the coast, and I know that can be hard.”
Purchase at Amazon
5 Stars
I loved this book!! Annabeth Albert is on my must-read author list and books like this are the reason why. It's AMAZING!!
Curtis loved and lost his heart only to have it broken with Troy's death. Now he is a cranky, lonely man who doesn't let anyone too close. The beautiful chainsaw wood sculptures he creates are his only outlet.
Logan is new to Rainbow Cove. As the co-owner/chef of the Rainbow Tavern, he is in charge of the kitchen. While he plates up delicious and creative meals, his family still treats him like the bullied child he once was.
On a theme (leather) night at the tavern, Logan and Curtis find they share more in common than either had realized.
Logan wants to be with Curtis, but Curtis won't make it easy. He still sees Logan as a kid, just like he calls him whenever he has the chance. Calling Logan 'Kid' is a reminder of what he shouldn't want and Curtis refuses to accept that Logan may be creeping into his heart. Fearing that Logan's family may convince him to go back to Portland, leaving Curtis alone....again.
The depth of character that Curtis and Logan display, remind you that people may not always be what they seem at first glance. And when Curtis finally gives in to Logan and admits his love, they both go up in flames.
I could not put this book down!! I read this cover to cover in one sitting and I'm longing for more! Logan and Curtis made me fall in love with Rainbow Cove!!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
5 Stars
I loved this book!! Annabeth Albert is on my must-read author list and books like this are the reason why. It's AMAZING!!
Curtis loved and lost his heart only to have it broken with Troy's death. Now he is a cranky, lonely man who doesn't let anyone too close. The beautiful chainsaw wood sculptures he creates are his only outlet.
Logan is new to Rainbow Cove. As the co-owner/chef of the Rainbow Tavern, he is in charge of the kitchen. While he plates up delicious and creative meals, his family still treats him like the bullied child he once was.
On a theme (leather) night at the tavern, Logan and Curtis find they share more in common than either had realized.
Logan wants to be with Curtis, but Curtis won't make it easy. He still sees Logan as a kid, just like he calls him whenever he has the chance. Calling Logan 'Kid' is a reminder of what he shouldn't want and Curtis refuses to accept that Logan may be creeping into his heart. Fearing that Logan's family may convince him to go back to Portland, leaving Curtis alone....again.
The depth of character that Curtis and Logan display, remind you that people may not always be what they seem at first glance. And when Curtis finally gives in to Logan and admits his love, they both go up in flames.
I could not put this book down!! I read this cover to cover in one sitting and I'm longing for more! Logan and Curtis made me fall in love with Rainbow Cove!!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Meet the Author
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Annabeth's Angels Facebook Group | Sign Up for Annabeth's Newsletter!
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment