Promo Post: Promises - The Next Generation by AE Via (Review+Excerpt+Giveaway)

Author A.E. Via
Title: Promises
The Next Generation
Series: Bounty Hunters Series
Book Five
M/M ROMANCE

Edited by: Sue Laybourn
Cover Artist – Jay Aheer

PAGE COUNT – 315
Release Date: August 31, 2018


Synopsis:

Duke Webb has run the most successful bail recovery agency in Atlanta for over twenty years. That’s because he has a team of trained, competent hunters backing him up to keep his name feared on the streets. But Duke knows that nothing can go on forever. His hunters are in committed relationships and ready to settle down, and so is he. That’s what leads him to start his new training program.

“That’s the new vision for Dukes. Veterans operating and tracking behind the scenes with a new powerhouse apprehension team on the streets.”

Brian and Quick are the first to offer up two new recruits.

Kellam Knight has studied martial arts under his sensei, Quick, since he was eight years old. A tossed-out reject from high-society, Kell has a problem fighting on the right side of the law. If he sees an injustice, he has to correct it. He doesn’t have to run and cower from his enemies anymore, he’s a fighter who can protect himself and others. When Quick offers Kell the opportunity to join Duke’s training program, he’s all in. Except he’s not prepared for the straight, over-confident, extremely disciplined, sexy man Brian has recruited to be his partner.

Tyrell Jenkins’ world was flipped upside down when his father never returned home from his last deployment. He’d been Ty’s teacher, mentor, his guide to living a righteous life as a good man. His father didn’t raise him to be like every other young, stereotypical male in Atlanta. Instead, he’s been taught to be respectful, to speak the language of real men. When Brian King – his father’s most trusted comrade – finally comes to him with the truth, he doesn’t come alone. He comes with trained men hidden in the shadows… and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a brotherhood unlike any other.

This novel is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers.

Trigger Warning: This story contains mild acts of bond recovery agent violence.

Links

Amazon Link: https://goo.gl/sxKwhJ

Smashwords: https://goo.gl/4xSAEg

B&N: https://goo.gl/3zesEL

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/geK8bw

EXCERPT:

“How about one of those questions now?” Ty kept going, still leaning in close to Kell’s ear as if others were trying to listen to their conversation.

Kell looked up and noticed a few eyes flicking in their direction, trying to see them without being seen themselves. He always saw them. However, Ty seemed oblivious. Didn’t he care that these people were associating him—with all his style—with the long-haired, queer man?

“I have a question first.” Kell huffed.

Ty smiled that damn arrogant grin, “Okay. Sure.”

Kell aggressively whipped away a little raspberry vinaigrette from the corner of his mouth with his napkin before setting it down and turning his entire body toward Ty. “Do you see these people looking at you? At me? They think we’re together, Tyrell. They think you’re with me. Really with me. And it’s not my fault, it’s yours. You held the door for me, ordered my food like a man does for woman on a date, then you…” Kell lowered his voice a little, his tone naturally going softer when he thought of Ty’s touch. “You keep touching me and… and pulling me close to you. Look how closely we’re sitting now. There’s a whole other seat over there ya’ know.”

Kell stopped himself. He’d said enough. But, he was done with the yo-yoing. Ty was going to explain himself. Explain why he’d acted as if he’d never seen a gay man until this morning, now he was pretending they were a gay couple. Come-the-hell-on? This was not how grown men behaved. Kell didn’t have time for games.

Ty’s smile was starting to tick Kell off. He’d be wise to take him seriously. Kell didn’t lower his firm gaze. When he spoke, he looked a man in his eyes just like his sensei had taught him. His scowl clearly wasn’t threatening enough, because Ty had the audacity to move in closer until their faces were only an inch apart.

Kell shook his head. “What the hell are you doing? You trying to get a reaction out of me? You wanting to see if I’ll back down from you?” His lips almost touched Ty’s. “You shouldn’t challenge me, Tyrell.”

“We are already challenging each other.”

“Yes.”

“Yes. And to address one of your concerns, because it wasn’t a question. People watching us… me.” Ty broke their eye contact, but he didn’t move his head. His mocha eyes slowly scanned the room. “Some are watching. Some are not. I know none of them. These strangers mean nothing to me. They are not a part of my world. Do they mean something to you?”

Kell parted his lips but Ty didn’t give him time to answer.

“You think I’m self-assured and you’re absolutely right. I was born into this way of thinking. I’m a strong black man, Kellam. My father raised me to always hold my head high. To do whatever I do proudly and confidently. I’ve never, nor would I ever, do anything to shame myself… or the person I’m with in public… or in private.

“I touch you, Kell, because you smile when I do, so I know it’s not wrong. You make me feel good deep down in a place that’s untouched. The things you’ve listed that I’ve done for you didn’t warrant me checking for other’s response. Opening the door, touching you, easing you when you were uncomfortable made both of us feel good, so no, I do not worry about the thoughts of outsiders. Honestly, no one should. I’m only accountable for my own deeds. No one on this earth can judge me so why would I willingly give them that power over me by caring what they think of my actions. This is what I was taught, Kell and it’s what I believe. I do what feels good to me, as long as I don’t hurt others in the process.” Ty looked to think about his next thought carefully. “I will be honest. What I’m feeling, the things I’m doing with you, are different… new. I’m in uncharted waters.”

“I think I am too,” Kell admitted softly.

“So much changed in a matter of days that my mind is racing to keep up. First seeing Brian King again. Just knowing that he holds the key to a part of my soul that was locked and stored away because I couldn’t handle the unknown is weighing heavy on me. Then meeting you.” Ty shook his head in awe. “I’ve never met anyone even close to being like you. I find myself… wanting… feeling things I’ve never felt for anyone. It’s not something I’m taking lightly and it’s not anything I will dismiss.”

Kell exhaled slowly. This is unbelievable. How was it that the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen, oozing so much swagger it pained Kell to stare at him too long, was saying Kell made him feel good. When it was the other way around. It was Kell’s body that strummed with passion. Every place Ty had touched so far sparked with little electrical currents.

Kell cleared his throat, not wanting his voice to hitch, “Are you talking about…?” How did he word this?

“Being attracted to you,” Ty finished for him. He slowly nodded. “I believe I am.”

4 Stars!

Duke is looking to train the next generation of bounty hunters. As such, this book has a different feel to it than the others in the series. There's not as much action and it's a slow-simmering romance.

Quick has brought in his protege, Kell, in to be trained. Kell is a master of several martial arts, but he has a hard time not using his abilities to right wrongs on the streets. I really liked Kell and could completely understand his want and need to help those that were hurt and preyed on by others. He has a big heart, but no one other than Quick and Vaughn really know him.

Brian wants to bring in his old commander's son in, but first he has to find Ty. We get a good look at Ty's current life as Brian tries to contact him and bring him in. Ty lives in a fairly dangerous neighborhood, but keeps his eye on the ball. He stays on a path that he's forged through the teachings that his father gave him. When Brian shows up at the right time, he's ready to change his life for the better. Ty is a unique character and fascinating to read about. It took me a while to see that he was going to be a good fit for Kell, but once they started getting to know each other better, I was convinced.

We get a good sense of both men before they ever meet. I liked that Ty was always respectful to Kell and treated him well. I liked that he was also off balance with Kell, it really showed how Kell affected him. I was hoping to see more of Kell shining like he did in the gym demonstration, but it was important to see how well Ty's abilities applied to situations as well.

This book was an enjoyable read with some good laughs and appearances by most of the other characters from the series. I am looking forward to seeing who the next set of trainees will be and how they all will fit in together.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *** 

AUTHOR BIO:

A.E. (Adrienne) Via has been a best-selling author in gay romance for five years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this beautiful genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple of great new up and coming MM authors.


A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to me. Writing.

A.E.’s 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.

Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, I do like to push myself to step out of my comfort zone and explore with different tropes, but I never push myself into a whole other genre. I’m head over heels for gay romance and I have tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! https://goo.gl/GbfCyk or 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 peek on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.


Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Amazon Author Page: https://goo.gl/AVpOeJ

A.E. Newsletter: https://goo.gl/hrfifS

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

a Rafflecopter giveaway