AotM: In the Spotlight with CC! (Giveaway)

This month we are thrilled to be welcoming Cardeno C. to Bayou Book Junkie as our author of the month. I know Mari and Jaymie here at BBJ wait with bated breath for each and every one of her sweet and sexy new releases. CC is a talented author and has published a plethora of heartwarming stories that will make you swoon and we are very happy to be talking to her today!

BBJ: Hi Cardeno C.!
Thank you so much for being here and agreeing to talk to us today. Please, tell us a bit about yourself and your current project(s)

CC: Thanks so much for having me! I’ve loved this month at BBJ and I greatly appreciate the honor. As you said, I write gay romance of the sweet and sexy variety. I try to alternate between novel and novella length books as well as contemporary and paranormal (mostly shifters) books. All of my books can be read independently and most are grouped in collections, which mean they take place in the same “universe”. Right now, I’m working on a book in my Pack collection – that's wolf shifters.

BBJ: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

CC: I decided I wanted to be a writer shortly before I started writing my first book – Where He Ends and I Begin. At the time, I didn’t realize it would be a book, actually. I also didn’t consider the possibility of publishing it. After that came He Completes Me and then Home Again. It wasn’t until that third book that I actually thought about my stories as books and publishing as an option. I haven’t looked back since!

AotM: The Hope Collection by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

McFarland’s Farm

Quiet but lonely Jared has to decide how much of himself he's willing to risk to keep party-boy Lucas.

Wealthy, attractive Lucas Reika treats life like a party, moving from bar to bar and man to man. Thumbing his nose at his restaurateur father's demand that he earn his keep, Lucas instead seduces a valued employee in the kitchen of their flagship restaurant, earning himself an ultimatum: lose access to his father's money or stay in the middle of nowhere with a man he has secretly lusted over from afar.

Quiet, hard-working Jared McFarland loves his farm on the outskirts of Hope, Arizona, but he aches to have someone to come home to at the end of the day. Jared agrees to take in his longtime crush as a favor. But when Lucas invades his heart in addition to his space, Jared has to decide how much of himself he's willing to risk and figure out if he can offer Lucas enough to keep him after his father's punishment is over.

AotM: In Your Eyes & To Touch You by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

In Your Eyes

Two very different men with a tumultuous history must overcome challenges from all sides and see past their society’s rules to realize they are destined for one another.

Raised to become Alpha of the Yafenack pack, Samuel Goodwin dedicates his life to studying shifter laws, strengthening his body, and learning from his father. But despite his best efforts, Samuel can’t relate to people, including those he's supposed to lead.

When Samuel meets Korban Keller, the son of a neighboring pack's Alpha, he reacts with emotion instead of intellect for the first time in his life. Resenting the other shifter for throwing him off-balance, Samuel first tries to intimidate Korban and then desperately avoids him. What he can't do is forget Korban's warm eyes, easy smile, and happy personality.

When a battle between their fathers ends tragically, Samuel struggles to lead his pack while Korban works to break through Samuel’s emotional barriers. Two very different men with a tumultuous history must overcome challenges from all sides and see past their society’s rules to realize they are destined for one another.

Word Count: 60,875

AotM: Wake Me Up Inside & Until Forever Comes by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

Wake Me Up Inside 

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Audible 

A powerful Alpha wolf shifter and a strong-willed human overcome traditions ingrained over generations and uncover long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny as true mates.

Regarded as the strongest wolf shifter in generations, Alpha Zev Hassick is surprised and confused by his attraction to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. A male shifter has to mate with a female shifter to keep his humanity, so shifters can't be gay. Yet, everything inside Zev tells him Jonah is his true mate.

Maintaining a relationship with the man he has loved since childhood isn’t easy for Jonah Marvel, but he won’t let distance or Zev’s odd family get in their way. When unexplained ailments begin to plague Jonah, he needs to save his own life and sanity in order to have a future with Zev.

Zev and Jonah know they're destined for each other, but they must overcome traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny.

Word Count: 74,755

AotM: Rough Edges & Jumping In by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

~Rough Edges

Kyle has an unwelcome crush on his nemesis Brent. Brent has a welcome crush on his friend Kyle. As it turns out, the line between a friend and an enemy doesn’t have to be a line at all.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks to the wrong family, Kyle Potter has spent his life clawing his way toward a better future. When he gets the perfect job at the perfect firm in perfect Los Angeles, Kyle is sure there are only blue skies ahead. And then he meets perfect Brent Haralson.

Born with a silver spoon to a well-established family, Brent Haralson has never been interested in leveraging his connections. Friends, success, and dates come easily to Brent and rejection isn’t something he has to deal with in life. And then he meets perfect Kyle Potter.

Kyle despises his unwelcome crush on his lazy, arrogant nemesis. Brent welcomes his feelings for his stubborn, brilliant friend. As it turns out, the line between a friend and an enemy doesn’t have to be a line at all.

This is a 2nd edition without substantive changes from the 1st edition, which was part of the It Was Always You anthology.

AotM: All of Me & A Shot at Forgiveness by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

 All of Me

• Written by: Cardeno C.
• Narrated by: Robert M. Clark
• Length: 1 hr and 50 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook

• Release Date:08-17-16
• Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC

To bond with his destined mate, an Alpha wolf must look past what he sees and trust what he feels.

Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating.

Abel never stops yearning for the man who was supposed to lead by his side and after years without contact, Kai returns, broken and on death's door. If Abel wants to fulfill their destiny and merge their packs, he'll need to look past what he saw and trust his heart.

AotM: Places in Time & In Another Life & Eight Days by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

Places in Time

A relationship-challenged actor unexpectedly finds love in the arms of his childhood best friend.

"Sexiest Man Alive" and Golden Globe winning actor Ethan Baker lights up the screen but fizzles in his personal life. When his latest girlfriend breaks up with him, Ethan turns to his one "forever" person - Jude Harrison. But as Ethan makes the familiar drive to his best friend's house, an unexpected detour and a bewildering passenger take him through places in time he'd long forgotten. Suddenly Ethan sees Jude's actions over the years from a different perspective, but it's his own reaction that's the biggest surprise.

AotM: More Than Everything & The Half of Us by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

More Than Everything

Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.

Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.

Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

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

Something in the Way He Needs

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.

AotM: Blue Mountain & Red River by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

Blue Mountain

Written by: Cardeno C.

Word Count: 35,375

Audiobook narrated by: Sean Crisden
Length: 3 hrs and 38 mins

An Omega who must learn to trust. An Alpha who must learn patience. Fate unites them. Love keeps them together.

Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home. 

A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness. ©2014 Cardeno C. (P)2014 Cardeno C.

AotM: Perfect Imperfections & Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

Perfect Imperfections

Written by: Cardeno C.

Word Count: 65,193

Audiobook narrated by: Charlie David
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.

Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.

AotM: Control & Johnnie by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

Control

Written by: Mary Calmes & Cardeno C.

Word Count: 68,181

Audiobook narrated by: Greg Tremblay
Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Vy Aleknos is the leader of a hawk shifter flock. Openly gay since he was a teen, Vy is proud and self-assured on the outside, while secretly worrying he'll be forced to spend his life alone because two males can't be mates. When bear shifter Robert Cimino appears in Vy's small town, Vy realizes his concerns were unfounded - he has a male mate, and a sexy, dominant one to boot.

Robert is a bear shifter who refuses to shift. Immediately attracted to Vy, he deviates from his normal pattern and seeks more than a one off with the powerful, bristly hawk. But Robert's affections are rooted in his human form, and when Vy discovers Robert doesn't recognize him as his mate, he pulls away. If Robert wants to stay with Vy, he must convince a man deeply ruled by his animal instincts to give their relationship as humans a chance.

AotM: Walk with Me & Not a Game by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

Walk With Me

Written by: Cardeno C.

Series: Home, Book 7

Word Count: 68,252

Audiobook narrated by: Alexander Collins
Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.

Professional, proper Seth is shocked by Eli’s brashness, overt sexuality, and easy defiance of societal norms. But he’s also drawn to the happy, funny, light-filled man. As their friendship deepens over the years, Seth watches Eli mature into a man he admires and respects. When Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.

*Walk With Me is set in the Home series where the books are linked by theme or world. They are independent and can be read in any order.

AotM: The One Who Saves Me & Where He Ends & I Begin by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

The One Who Saves Me

Written by: Cardeno C.

Series: Home, Book 5

Word Count: 63,145

Audiobook narrated by: Alexander Collins

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

SYNOPSIS

At 14, Andrew Thompson and Caleb Lakes become best friends. As the years pass, they stand by each other through family trauma, school, and the start of their careers. They share their first sexual experiences, learning and experimenting, and they talk each other through countless dates and breakups.

Decades of trust and loyalty build a deep and abiding friendship, one that surpasses any relationship in their lives. But when the parameters of their unique friendship change, neither man knows how to break out of their established roles to build something new. After all, boyfriends come and go, but best friends are forever.

AotM: Just What the Truth Is & Love at First Sight by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Giveaway)

Just What the Truth Is

Written by: Cardeno C.

Series: Home, Book 3

Word Count: 68,858

Audiobook narrated by: Alexander Collins

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

People pleaser Ben Forman has been in the closet so long he has almost convinced himself he is straight, but his denial train gets derailed when hotshot lawyer Micah Trains walks into his life. Micah is brilliant, funny, driven...and he assumes Ben is gay and starts dating him. Finding himself truly happy for the first time, Ben doesn't have the willpower to resist Micah's affection.

When his relationship with Micah heats up, Ben realizes he has a problem: His parents won't tolerate a gay son, and self-confident Micah isn't the type to hide. If Ben wants to maintain his hold on his happiness, he'll have to decide what's important and own up to the truth of who he is. The trouble is figuring out just what that truth is.

©2013 Cardeno C. (P)2015 Cardeno C.

AotM: Home Again & He Completes Me by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

After a month-long hiatus, we are back welcoming Cardeno C. as our Author of the Month for September! We love her books and we hope you all will join us as we feature her books and audiobooks throughout the month and enter the giveaways we have planned for you.

Home Again

Written by: Cardeno C.

Series: Home, Book 1

Word Count: 53,096

Audiobook narrated by: Alexander Collins

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Imposing, temperamental Noah Forman wakes up in a hospital and can't remember how he got there. He holds it together, taking comfort in the fact that the man he has loved since childhood is on the way. But when his one and only finally arrives, Noah is horrified to discover that he doesn't remember anything from the past three years.

Loyal, serious Clark Lehman built a life around the person who insisted from their first meeting that they were meant to be together. Now, years later, two men whose love has never faltered must relive their most treasured and most painful moments in order to recover lost memories and secure their future.

Blog Tour ~ Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. (Review + Excerpt)

Blog Tour ~ Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. (Reviews + Excerpt)

Smitty’s Sheriff, a sexy, heart-warming MM romance by Cardeno C. is available NOW!

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they're perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?