chez_jae | Entries tagged with author: lucy lennox

Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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I have today off, and I used my downtime productively to do some laundry and finish reading Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox. It’s the 4th book in her “Aster Valley” series of male/male romance. Main characters are Julian Thick and Parker Ellis.

Julian has been in love with his straight best friend, Parker, forever. He thought he could accept simply being Parker’s friend, but now Parker is marrying their mutual friend, Erin, and Julian has to act like he’s happy for them before he leaves for Aster Valley to wallow in grief and try to put his unrequited crush out of his life for good. Parker loves Erin, but he’s not in love with her. Things between them have always just been comfortable and easy, in spite of their on-again-off-again relationship. The only constant in his life is Julian, his best friend and confidant. Whereas Erin has always turned to Parker when she needed a safe place to land, Parker has always turned to Julian. When Erin ditches him the morning of their wedding, Parker almost feels relieved, and he accepts Julian’s offer to come stay with him for a week in Aster Valley. Spending so much time with Julian leaves Parker wondering if what he’s been looking for has been right in front of him all along.

This was lovely. Sad and poignant in places, funny and inspiring in others. I was charmed by the easy camaraderie between Julian and Parker, even though Julian was secretly hurting over Parker’s seeming obliviousness. Once they clear the air between them and take their relationship to the next level, things were hot and spicy. However, the reader knows that the specter of Erin isn’t done casting a shadow over their new status. I honestly don’t know how Parker or Julian was friends with her; she was the most self-absorbed twit ever. Ugh. But, things have a way of working themselves out.

Favorite lines:
♦ “You know the pity party has reached full swing when Julian offers to tackle a multistep recipe.”
♦ There had to be a global rule about not crying when eating bacon.
♦ We’d had an unspoken rule in our relationship for years. Only one of us could be unhinged at a time.
♦ “In this family, we answer the door with, ‘We don’t want to have sex with you.’”

This one hit me in the feels, but I found it a tad predictable, and I would have liked more humor. Giving it four stars.

Current Mood: peaceful
Current Music: "Shining Star" ~ Earth, Wind & Fire

Flakes by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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It was after midnight when I began reading the novella Flakes by May Archer and Lucy Lennox, and I finished it in less than two hours. This is billed as a prequel to the authors' "Licking Thicket" series of humorous male/male romance. The main characters are interior designer Colin Kearns and contractor Ryder Richards.

It's New Year's Eve, and Colin just wants to finish up some last minute details on a house that he's working on with Ryder's crew. Ryder, however, has sent his crew home early and has no sense of urgency, unlike Colin does. And really, sexy Ryder has been a thorn in Colin's side on every project they've ever worked on together. By the time he's had enough of Ryder's chicanery for one night, the forecasted bad weather has hit, stranding Colin with Ryder.

Ryder has long been attracted to the fussy, sassy Colin, but he's kept his distance. Tonight, however, with just the two of them stuck here on New Year's Eve, Ryder breaks out the moonshine and ropes Colin into a game of Truth or Dare. Turns out, Colin isn't as remote and unaffected as he seems, and when things get a bit heated between them, it may just be the start of not only a new year, but something good.

I know this was only a novella, but it seemed super rushed. The guys went from "you annoy the shit out of me" to "I'm in love with you" over the course of NYE. Okaaaaay. The story had all the hallmarks of what I enjoy from these authors: bickering, bantering, humor and heat, but I wish it would have been a tad more realistic, such as the two of them admitting to a mutual attraction with a promise to see how it plays out.

Favorite lines:
♦ I'd stared so long and hard at his ass, I'd been shocked not to get a subpoena from the perv police.
♦ "I wonder if PornHub has a selection of videos of sexy men simply checking off items on their task list with authority."
♦ "My mom's attained her final form, in which she can literally be everywhere in the Thicket at once."

Fun and funny story, but I'm knocking a star off for how rushed it was. Four stars.

Current Mood: cold
Current Music: "Hold the Line" ~ Toto

Turkeys by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Over the course of about 24 hours, I read Turkeys by May Archer and Lucy Lennox. It's the 4th book in their ridiculous "Licking Thicket" series of male/male romance. The main characters are Hunter Jackson and Charlton "Charlie" (or "Junior") Nutter.

After 15 long years away from his home town of Licking Thicket, TN, Charlie has returned to spend Thanksgiving with his family. A lot has changed in his absence, including a fresh new diversity along with many small, thriving businesses. Other things haven't changed at all, from the absurd puns the town seems to embrace, to the multitude of festivals, and the matchmaking busy bodies.

Hunter can't believe it when he learns that Junior Nutter has returned to the Thicket. They used to be good friends, until Junior turkeynapped Hunter's prize-winning turkey, then had the nerve to leave town without an explanation or even saying goodbye. The fact that Junior is handsome and sexy just serves to aggravate Hunter further, which is the only reason he bid on him at the Biddin' and made Junior wear a comical turkey costume at the Thanksgiving festival. When Junior insists he prefers to be called Charlie and takes his disgrace with good grace, Hunter realizes that maybe Charlie isn't as bad as he'd spent years imagining.

Thanks to the Matchmaking Mafia in Licking Thicket, Hunter and Charlie end up spending time together. When they finally talk and clear the air, they each realize that they may have (re)discovered something special in the other. When the entire town of Licking Thicket conspires to get them together, these two turkeys don't stand a chance.

This book was noticeably shorter than others in the series, so things progressed quickly. It helps that Charlie and Hunter knew one another from when they were young so it was just a matter of owning up to some things and then wondering how they could possibly make a relationship work between them when Hunter was fully committed to Licking Thicket and Charlie had a successful career in Chicago. I enjoyed reconnecting with familiar characters and meeting new ones. The story was humorous although not laugh out loud funny, and the spicy times were spicy indeed. It did feel a bit rushed, especially at the end.

Favorite line: I changed my mind about my family being the best and briefly considered putting myself up for adoption.

Delightful story, but again, it felt rushed. Four stars.

Current Mood: cold

Hot as Heller by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since I didn't have to work today, I stayed up until the wee hours to finish reading Hot as Heller by Lucy Lennox. It's the third book in her "Aster Valley" series of male/male romances. Main characters are Sheriff Declan Stone and Hollywood star Finn Heller.

Declan moved to Aster Valley from LA to get away from the Hollywood crazy. Now Hollywood has come to Aster Valley in the form of a production crew. An action movie is being filmed in Aster Valley, disrupting the peace and quiet. Declan is particularly annoyed with Finn Heller, especially after Finn mistook him for a valet and instructed Declan to park his car. Still, there's something about Finn that brings all of Dec's protective instincts to the fore. He's both gorgeous and vulnerable, and Declan can't help but be drawn to him.

Finn got his start in acting as a child on a wildly popular TV series. Ever since then he's been trying to make it as a serious actor. He's only working on this film in hopes of landing a role in a Shakespeare adaptation. Finn is accustomed to people wanting a piece of him, using him for connections, and riding his coat tails. Sheriff Stone, however, is different. He seems to see right through Finn's front to the insecure young man he is. With Declan's encouragement, Finn may just learn how to stand up for himself and reach for what he really wants out of life.

A lovely, tender story. Humorous, although not laugh-out-loud funny. You couldn't help but feel sorry for Finn. It's as if there was no one in his life who truly cared about him as a person, rather than as a commodity, including his own mother. Spending time with Declan and his friends makes Finn feel like he belongs for the first time in his life. The drama was exciting, sexy times were delish, and characters were marvelous--even the ones I wanted to punt off the mountain.

Favorite lines:
♦ I was still busy backing up my salt truck over this latest outrage.
♦ "She comes in here with Pickles all the time and makes everyone laugh."
♦ "Everyone knows Scooby-Doo."
♦ "I swore to myself not to treat you like a piece of meat, and now here I am with my steak sauce out and my knife sharpened."
♦ "No matter what nefarious plans were afoot, our intrepid sheriff was all in."

I really liked this book. I'm hesitant to give it five stars, but it deserves more than four. Why can we not give halfsies?! As a nod to the author, I'll bump this from 4.5 to 5.

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: "Don't You Want My Love" ~ Debbie Jacobs

Hitched (Licking Thicket: Horn of Glory #2)

Hitched by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Over the course of the weekend I read Hitched by May Archer and Lucy Lennox. It's the second book in their "Horn of Glory" series, which is a spin-off of the "Licking Thicket" series. Main characters are Percy "Champ" Champion, owner of Champion Security, and Quinn Taffet, event planner extraordinaire.

Champ doesn't do relationships; he's more of a one-night-stand kind of guy. However, his current one-night-stand has been going on for over twenty nights, not that he's counting. Quinn is smart and sexy, challenging and sassy, and Champ is comfortable with him. That may prove distracting just when Champ can least afford a distraction. His team provides security for Jacob Horn (of Horn of Glory gaming fame), and a stolen HOG device, which may contain potentially explosive intel on a dangerous drug cartel, has wound up in the wrong hands. Champ doesn't want to involve Quinn, but Quinn is already involved--he's busy planning a wedding for the daughter of the man who bought the HOG.

Quinn doesn't do relationships, which is why he's astounded that he keeps letting Champ come around and sex him up. He figures their ~~days~~ nights together are numbered, so why not enjoy it while it lasts? When Champ horns in on his wedding planning, Quinn can't help but wonder if he's just a means to an end or does he mean more to the gruff former Marine?

Loved this story. I always enjoy revisiting Licking Thicket in all its ridiculous glory, and I was delighted to reconnect with familiar characters. Everyone in town knows that Champ and Quinn are smitten with one another, with the exception of Champ and Quinn. They're still deluding themselves that they can quit whenever they want to. Not only did we get to follow the convoluted path to their HEA, the story also involved lots of drama and action and mystery. The plot pelted along, and I laughed out loud several times while reading it. The book was sweet and sexy and everything I look for in a male/male romance.

Favorite lines:
♦ Seriously, why did the universe make the hot ones so damn annoying?
♦ "He and I are kind of still on the outs from when I accidentally commandeered his orc forces to storm the Forbidden Quagmires of Sod."
♦ What was the most polite way to state that I'd rather light myself on fire than sit through another planning meeting?
♦ Riggs's face morphed from hardened soldier to demented cow like it always did when he thought about Carter.
♦ "If you thought my peace-offering donuts were good, wait until you try my peace-offering tacos."
♦ Hercules cocked his head like he wanted to help but didn't have enough toe beans to count that high.
♦ Served him right to be on the receiving end of someone else's monkey wrench for once.
♦ Was there a word for people who became suddenly anxious around men with badges? I was suddenly, irrationally sure that I'd not only killed someone that morning and forgotten about it, but I probably also still had the gun on my person.
♦ "I will not report to that egotistical orc-hoarder for all the pips in Hornlandia."
♦ I simply couldn't work up a single iota of righteous indignation. And since on any given day half my body weight was comprised of righteous indignation, this was a big deal.
♦ "I had one condition in a man, and it was that he knew how to subdue insurgents with grace while I hijacked a plane."

Hot and hilarious--five stars!

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Live Coverage: Tracking Debby

Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had no power Monday night; all I could do was read my Kindle, and I knocked back most of Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox. I finished it last night. This is the first part of the author's "Made Marian" series of male/male romance. Main characters are Blue Marian and Tristan Alexander.

Blue's sister is getting married. It's a destination wedding at a winery, and he's looking forward to spending time with his family before he leaves for a new job in London. What Blue hadn't counted on was his ex showing up with a much younger boy toy in tow. When the stranger seated next to him at the bar plants a toe-curling revenge kiss on him, Blue is smitten.

Tristan had locked down his bi-sexuality, but something about Blue brings his dormant attraction to men roaring to the fore. Next thing he knows, Tris is agreeing to play the part of Blue's new boyfriend. It's only for a week, right? The problem is, the more time Tristan spends with Blue, the more time he wants to spend with him. Blue seems to agree, but how will the two of them manage a long-distance relationship?

This was a lovely story, rife with lots of feels, humor, heart, and sexy times. I wasn't completely onboard with the (almost) insta-love, but it worked here. Characters were portrayed well, and I can't wait to read more about them in upcoming books in the series. I really liked Tristan's dog, Piper, and how she glommed onto Blue. I think she fell in love with him before Tristan did!

( A few minor irritations... )

Favorite lines:
♦ The man was all that and a bag of the best kind of chips.
♦ "You have a big, beautiful cock. Remind me to have Aunt Tilly cross-stitch that on a pillow for you for Christmas."

I really can't justify giving this five stars, but it does earn a solid four.

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: "True Faith" ~ New Order

Hijacked (Licking Thicket: Horn of Glory #1)

Hijacked by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I took advantage of my long weekend to read Hijacked. It's the first book in May Archer and Lucy Lennox's "Horn of Glory" series, which is a spin-off of their "Licking Thicket" series. This one was just as funny and punny as the original series. Main characters are (William) Riggs, former Marine currently working for Champion Security, and Dr Carter Rogers (whom we met in the Licking Thicket series).

Carter has to get out of Dodge. He's surrounded by loving couples, including his ex Tucker with his new husband, and Carter just needs a break from it. He decides to travel to Venezuela with the Doctors Across Continents program to spend several weeks in an under-served community. There's just one catch--Carter's grandfather insists on hiring a bodyguard to keep him safe.

Riggs doesn't want to accompany a prima donna doctor to Venezuela, but he knows this assignment is punishment for the fact that he screwed up his last mission with an ill-advised hook-up. The more time he spends with Carter, however, the more Riggs realizes that the good doctor is also a good person. When the two of them are abducted by a local drug cartel, they'll need to rely on one another to escape.

In spite of the dire circumstances, this book was hilarious. Initially, Carter and Riggs couldn't help but antagonize one another, but their attitudes shift when they have only each other to count on. The Horn of Glory game played a large role, and it will be interesting to see how that subplot develops.

Favorite lines:
♦ "I don't know. Maybe I'll ask my husband. The gun-toting drag queen."*
♦ "There are a limited number of people in the world I'd save from a rampaging capybara."
♦ "I just gave you the best orgasm of your life. If you don't pass out in the next five minutes, it's because you're trying to stay awake."
♦ What I was not going to do that morning was obsess over Riggs or what I'd decided to call the Unfortunate Insomnia Frottage Incident.
♦ "You just sound so put out about it. Like you're offended that these were the best henchmen the cartel could come up with. You want to give them a course in remedial badassery, don't you?"
♦ It was a sad day when a man's own flopping couch was taken over.
♦ "I'm sure relationship advice coming from someone who's married to a gun-toting drag queen may not seem like much to you."* That bit was funny enough early in the book, and when it got trotted out again near the end, I nearly died laughing!
♦ "I gave you a fucking naked mole rat, and that wasn't good enough for you?"

Epic hilarity, forced proximity, groan-worthy puns, tension and high heat make this one a winner. Five stars!

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Expedition Unknown

Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good thing today is a holiday, because I stayed up hella late last night to finish reading Mr Important by May Archer and Lucy Lennox. It's the second part of their "Honeybridge" series of male/male romance. Story is told in alternating first-person pov by the main characters, Reagan Wellbridge and Thatcher Pennington.

On impulse, Reagan hooks up with a hot silver fox at a NYE masquerade, only to discover his anonymous hook up is none other than Thatcher Pennington: his parents' friend, father of Reagan's friend, and oh yeah, his boss. Reagan's intentions to pretend nothing happened go up in smoke when he's tabbed to accompany Thatcher on a two-week PR tour by bus. In such close, constant proximity, will Reagan be able to keep his hands to himself?

By the time Thatcher realizes he mistook one masked man for another on NYE, it's too late. As he wonders how to handle the situation, a PR nightmare crops up and he's compelled to go on tour to show their brand, PennCo, in a positive light. When the woman he's scheduled to travel with gets sick, Thatcher ends up traveling with Reagan. He'd never paid much attention to the Wellbridges' son, but now that they're forced to spend so much time together, Thatcher realizes just how smart, charming, and talented Reagan is, not to mention how stunningly attractive he is as well. Will he be able to keep his hands to himself...and will he want to?

What a lively story! Reagan has been longing to prove (to himself and everyone else) that he's more than just a photogenic backdrop to his father's political campaign. Working at PennCo was meant to allow him to showcase his social media skills; instead, he's felt stifled there. Now that he's been shoved into the limelight on tour with Mr Pennington, Reagan finally has a chance to shine. Thatcher has always been content to leave the running of PennCo in the competent hands of Layla James, but now that he sees the results that Reagan is getting via social media, he has a newfound respect for Reagan and the marketing tool. As the two of them succumb to their mutual attraction and grow closer, they both fear the repercussions of their involvement. Eventually, they'll need to decide what's most important to them. The characterizations in this were amazing, from Reagan's ability to shift into whatever persona suited the situation, to Thatcher's taciturn disdain for the need to go on tour. Even the villainess was portrayed well, as in I wanted to punch her in the face. One of my favorite characters was McGee, the driver of the bus. The plot moved at a good, sensible pace, and it was laced with humor.

Favorite lines:
♦ Not fascinating. He was a jerk this morning, and we don't waste our fascination on jerks.
♦ "You look terrified. Like you expected to find a cute little bunny waiting for you in the bus and instead found a rabid beaver who might tear you limb from limb."
♦ "They're going to think I can't do the work, which is bullshit, or that you don't like me, which is ridiculous because I'm a fucking delight."
♦ "Layla's side-eyeing me like she's a fucking flat-earther who thinks I'm showing her doctored pictures from outer space."
♦ "Living up to other people's expectations is a losing game. You need to live up to your own. And if that's not good enough for the people around you, find new people."
♦ "Opportunity knocks, but it doesn't pick locks. You gotta open the door."
♦ "Is this one of those things where you've been kidnapped but can't say so directly? Cough if you need me to call the police."
♦ I glared at him, but activity behind Reagan's curtain saved McGee from getting a fat lip to match his nose and eyes.

Sheer delight! Lots of laughs and heat, but with enough drama and angsting included to save it from being nothing but fluff. Five stars!

Current Mood: good
Current Music: "Who Will You Run To" ~ Heart

Felix and the Prince (Forever Wilde, #2)

Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had today off work, and I used the time to finish reading Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox. It's the second in her "Forever Wilde" series of male/male romances. The main characters are Felix Wilde, art history nerd and glass artisan, and Lio, the royal prince who's slated to take the throne much sooner than he'd anticipated.

With his movie-star mother's newest film set to release, Felix is anxious to escape his small hometown in Texas in an effort to dodge the paparazzi. He books a trip to an island in the north Atlantic, home to Gadleigh Castle and the incredible stained glass that Gadleigh is famous for. Felix intends to take advantage of the peace and quiet to study the glass and finish his dissertation. He hadn't counted on meeting a handsome stranger and having a fling.

When his father, the king, is embroiled in a scandal that's about to blow up in the royal family's face, Lio learns his father intends to step down, making him king of Liorland. Lio opts to take some time to come to grips with the new responsibilities he'll need to shoulder. He plans a quick get-away to one of his favorite homes, Gadleigh Castle. Lio didn't count on meeting a shy, beautiful glassmaker there, nor did he anticipate falling so hard and fast for Felix. Lio doesn't know how to break it to Felix that he's a prince, nor does he know how he can have both the throne and Felix, too.

This story was all about the flangst. It was sweet and delicious and lovely, but all along there was that looming doom of Lio's responsibility to his family and his nation and the stress of wondering how they'd ever make it work. I loved how supportive Felix's family members were; Lio had his sister in his corner, along with several devoted employees. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, although I wish it would have had more humor. It had its humorous moments, but nothing that made me grin like a loon or laugh out loud.

Favorite lines:
♦ Lio was the type to fuck and duck.
♦ Great, now I had a goddamned boner at the ball.
♦ I hated those fuckers and their stupid-assed unconditional love.
♦ "Permission to invade, sir."

Felix was made of sass! LOL!

Very good, four stars

Current Mood: good
Current Music: Expedition Unknown

Sweet as Honey by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began reading Sweet as Honey late last night and finished it this afternoon. It's the second book in author Lucy Lennox's "Aster Valley" series of male/male romance. The main characters are Sam Rigby and Truman Sweet.

Needing a break from his dysfunctional family in Houston, Sam has decided to visit friends in Aster Valley. Before he even enters town, however, he comes across an adorkable young man in a bee costume being harassed at the side of the road. Sam intervenes, putting himself into the middle of small town drama. The more time he spends with Truman, however, the more Sam is thinking of uprooting from Houston and taking up residence in Aster Valley.

Truman tries to stay under the radar. He keeps his head down, runs his business, and tries to avoid the Stanner family. When he's saved from one of the Stanner brothers by a hottie on a motorcycle, Truman begins to want different things from life--things for himself for once. As the danger around him escalates, so too does the heat between Truman and Sam, and for once in his life, Tru is determined to fight for something.

This was difficult to read. I loved the story, the setting, and the characters, but I swear my blood pressure nearly went through the roof each time poor Truman was hassled, harassed, and hunted. It brought forth my inner Irish brawler! Grr! It was lovely, however, to see Sam supporting Truman all while giving Tru the courage to stand on his own. This was on top of Sam being gaslighted, manipulated, and taken advantage of by his mother and sisters. Galling! It was also wonderful for Truman to realize that he had a stronger support system around him than he'd been aware of, and to learn to lean on others for help. The plot was gripping, and characterizations were marvelous--even the "bad guys" were portrayed well. I enjoyed seeing plenty of Tiller and Mikey from the first book in the series, and I'm looking forward to more.

Favorite lines:
♦ It was so frustrating to see grown adults cut off their noses to spite their faces.
♦ "Why don't I fix it for you while I'm in town?" // Truman's mouth opened, but nothing came out. // "It's the least I can do for helping you yesterday and having my bike crushed by your assailant." // His mouth closed with a click. "That's sarcasm." // "Indeed."
♦ How many kinds of cumin were too many for a cumin chicken date?
♦ "Sometimes protecting yourself means you can't keep protecting everyone else."
♦ "That guy is a meddling prick," I muttered. // "No kidding. Also a pompous windbag, which is an expression I've always wanted an excuse to use."
♦ "This doesn't call for some kind of slapdash payback attempt. This calls for a magnificent, well-planned, and expertly executed vengeance extravaganza."

Exciting story (although not always the 'good' kind of excitement!), and I am eager to read more in the series. Five stars.

Current Mood: cold
Current Music: "Old Days" ~ Chicago

Fools by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began reading Fools shortly after midnight and finished it by 6pm. And yes, I did sleep during that time. The book is by May Archer and Lucy Lennox, and it's their third collaboration in the "Licking Thicket" series of male/male romance. Main characters are Tucker Wright and Dunn Johnson.

Tucker has secretly been in love with his straight best friend, Dunn, for years. He knows the situation is hopeless, but he can't imagine not having Dunn in his life. When Dunn oh-so-helpfully begins trying to set Tucker up with other eligible gay men in the area, Tucker is at his wit's end. As for Dunn, all he wants is for his best best friend to be happy. Dunn thinks once Tucker is settled then maybe he can concentrate on his own love life, or lack thereof. He hadn't counted on how he would feel, seeing Tucker with other guys, especially when an old colleague of Tucker's arrives on the scene, all hot and sexy and wrong for Tucker. Only Dunn knows Tucker well enough to know what he deserves. It will take some drunken revelations, irrational jealousy, and meddling family to get Dunn to realize that maybe he and Tucker are what each other deserves.

What an aptly-named book! Lordy, these two. Everyone in town knew that Tucker and Dunn were in love, except for Tucker and Dunn. Oh, Tucker knew how he felt, but he had no idea how Dunn felt. Neither did Dunn until he he finally got his head out of ~~his ass~~ the sand to appreciate what was right in front of him. Characters were very well written, and I loved that many familiar characters from previous books in the series played large roles, as well. The story was funny and frustrating in equal measure. Of course, once the rest of the town got involved, there was no way Dunn and Tucker would not get their HEA.

Favorite lines:
♦ Tucker was smiling big like we weren't in the middle of the biggest fight since the 2017 mustard or mayo fiasco, which had not been my fault, damn it.
♦ If you've never been accosted by an octogenarian, you cannot understand how horrifying this was.
♦ Oh, Lord on a Lilliputian.
♦ I was too engaged in my tater tot stare-down with Jenn to pay him much mind.
♦ "He said, 'I think it's only fair to warn you, Rogers, that I'm bringing out my Armor Shad and my Magnum Squarebill tomorrow.' I'm ninety-nine percent sure that was fisherman-speak for challenging me to a duel."
♦ "Pretty sure you're Dunn Johnson's true-tot-love."
♦ "Who gives a friend a com-frot?"
♦ "We're here to have a nice, relaxing morning of fish murder so, I'd appreciate everyone taking a deep breath and retracting the claws."
♦ Bottle feeding the calves had been like trying to capture slippery walruses with a tiny pair of tongs. While an amusing observation, it's entirely untrue; bottle calves are always eager to chug their bottles of milk. Newborns can be challenging, but only nominally so, and only for the first two, maybe three feedings. They line up at the fence, bawling for their bottles. Easy peasy!
♦ "You're staring at me like you're measuring me for either a burial plot or a sex collar."
♦ "Crime is their love language."
♦ "It's not too late for...the hyphenation." // "You will recall I specifically chose no hyphenation after giving it 'thoughtful consideration'. I don't want us forever known as the Wright-Johnsons, thus implying there are wrong Johnsons somewhere. And I will not answer to Tuck Johnson-Wright, because you just know someone was gonna say they tuck theirs to the left."

Fabulous fun! Five stars!

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: "Don't Bring Me Down" ~ ELO

Facing West by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I stayed up to the wee hours to finish reading Facing West by Lucy Lennox. It's the first book in her "Forever Wilde" series of male/male romance. Main characters are Nico Salerno and Weston "West" Wilde.

Nico ran away from his home in Hobie TX at the age of 15. He hoped by leaving he'd give his mother and sister a chance at a better life. Fifteen years later, Nico has carved out a place for himself in San Francisco, where he owns and operates a tattoo shop. His world is upended, however, when he gets a phone call informing him that his sister has died and left him custody of her baby. Nico returns to his small home town intent on settling Adriana's affairs and signing the adoption papers to give his niece the loving family he could never provide. He wasn't prepared to meet Dr West Wilde, Adriana's best friend, nor was he prepared for the feelings that West and baby Pippa evoked in him. Feelings that have Nico thinking of things like home and family.

West can't believe that Adriana left custody of Pippa with her good-for-nothing brother, Nico. He remembers Nico as a punk kid, and the pierced and tattooed man who shows up in town isn't doing anything to change West's mind. Never mind that Nico Salerno is possibly the most beautiful man he's ever seen. As the two of them spend time in one another's company, West develops a grudging respect and admiration for Nico, who's had to learn to care for the baby while they navigate through the adoption process. West has always felt protective of Pippa, but now those feelings extend to Nico as well. West knows Nico plans to return to San Francisco as soon as everything is settled, but he can't help but wish Nico would stay.

This story was a study in hurt/comfort. Nico has had a rough life, leaving him with a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. West is angry at him for turning his back on Adriana all those years ago, leaving her alone and adrift during the tough times she endured herself. Nico's narrow view of his homophobic home town gets skewed when West's big, crazy family welcomes him with open arms. Part of him thinks he could stay here and build a life with West and Pippa, but the larger part of Nico doesn't believe he deserves that life. It will take some meddling from the Wilde family patriarchs to give West and Nico (and Pippa!) the chance they deserve.

I enjoyed the book, which is why I powered through it in 24 hours. Lord, I wanted to knock West's and Nico's heads together, though. Reading this was often frustrating. It also lacked the humor that I've enjoyed in other books by Lucy Lennox (alone or co-authored with someone else). Nevertheless, I liked the story. Characters were stellar and the plot made sense as it moved forward.

Favorite line: "At least you're not the only kitten who's smitten."

Very good, although I would have liked more humor. Solid score of four.

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: "Every Breaking Wave" ~ U2

Firecracker by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I stayed up past my bedtime last night to finish reading Firecracker by May Archer and Lucy Lennox. It's the first book in their "Honeybridge" series of male/male romance. Main characters are JT "Rainmaker" Wellbridge and Flynn "Firecracker" Honeycutt.

Ever since the founding fathers of Honeybridge (a Honeycutt and a Wellbridge) had a falling out, there's been a rivalry between the families. These days the rivalry is mostly relegated to softball games and floral displays, but JT and Flynn have always had a peculiar animosity between them. All through school they antagonized one another even as they gravitated to each other. As adults, they shared a night of passion, but JT left for NYC afterward and hasn't been home in three years. Now, however, the high-powered distribution company he works for wants him to secure a contract with Honeybridge Mead, which is Flynn's business. JT knows he'll have his work cut out for him. Flynn doesn't trust JT's motives, but the more he sees JT around town the more he realizes how much he missed him. He wants nothing to do with JT's business offer, but perhaps a summer fling with JT is just what he needs to purge the man once and for all.

This was almost painful to read. There's so much water under the bridge between JT and Flynn to begin with, and then when it seems they're putting it behind them, misunderstandings rear their ugly heads to set them at odds with one another again. I just wanted to lock them in a small room with a large bed for a few days. LOL! Characterizations were phenomenal, from JT and Flynn to their crazy families, the locals, JT's odious boss and a business rival, and the insufferable Brantleigh, who needed to be backhanded off his high horse. The authors made the tiniest nod to their "Licking Thicket" series, which delighted me. The plot kept me engaged as I waited to see what new setback would befall our heroes before they got their shit together. All the anxiety and hurt/comfort made the ending that much sweeter.

Favorite lines:
♦ My brother was a bit of a try-sexual--as in he'd try to sleep with just about anyone.
♦ "These things blossom and take on a life of their own!" // Not if I stomped them dead and salted the fields.
♦ I stopped paddling and took a few deep breaths, closing my eyes and concentrating on filling my lungs with with the clean evening air. A mosquito went up my nose and down my throat. God fucking dammit. I angry-kayaked the rest of the way to the island while choking on mosquito guts.
♦ "Hayden, I could kiss you. With tongue." // "Wow. I mean, I usually work on commission."
♦ Who the hell spelled JT wrong?

Lovely story with complex characters. Can't wait for more in this series. Five stars!

Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: Shark Week: Monster Hammerheads

Right as Raine: An Aster Valley Novel by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I spent a chunk of the weekend reading Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox. It's the first book in her "Aster Valley" series of male/male romance. Main characters are pro football player Tiller Raine and chef and nutritionist Mikey Vining.

Tiller is the first openly gay player in the NFL. As such, he knows he needs to remain above reproach. He's gotten by with a string of meaningless, discreet hook-ups until he finds himself falling for Mikey Vining--his live-in chef and nutritionist, personal assistant, and the coach's son. Mikey is off limits.

Mikey learned his lesson about hooking up with football players. He intends to stay focused on his job, save money, and pursue his ultimate dream, which is to publish a cookbook and/or run his own restaurant. However, the more time he spends with Tiller, the more Mikey longs for his employer. Tiller is off limits.

When Tiller ends up on injured reserve over the holidays, he and Mikey travel to Aster Valley, CO for some R&R. Away from the pressures of football, family expectations, and the media, Tiller and Mikey succumb to the heat that has been building between them for years. Both of them are reluctant to return to the status quo, and they'll need to decide how much they're willing to gamble and sacrifice to pursue their budding relationship.

This one hit all the feels. Tiller seemed to have it all, but he was lonely. You couldn't help but feel sorry for Mikey. His entire family was a shitty piece of work, from his father who treated him like an afterthought to his older brothers, all of whom were star athletes of one stripe or another, to his oblivious mother, who never once stepped up for him. Aster Valley, with its small town feel, queer-friendly populace, and welcoming vibe, was the perfect place for them. Although the story featured drama and angst, it was mostly sweet and lovely with plenty of humor sprinkled throughout. There was a 'blink and you'll miss it' reference to the author's "Licking Thicket" series, which amused me. I also appreciated that the author made Tiller a wide receiver, instead of the more glamorous quarterback.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Cry into your giant piles of money."
♦ "Is that Tiller Raine?" // I shook my head. "Bobby Simplethorn. You probably know him from that hemorrhoid commercial."
♦ "Golf isn't much different than glorified fly swatting."
♦ He was probably wondering how someone so dorky could possibly whack the dork meter even higher.
♦ Everything in my body wanted to curl up into a fragile ball of crybaby.
♦ "He looks at me like I'm a piping hot supreme pizza and he's spent days eating nothing but raw beetroot."
♦ I needed to get into the mindset of a pro football player with a giant ego. I also needed an iced coffee from Starbucks and possibly one of their cookies.

Very good story. You couldn't help but cheer for Tiller and Mikey and their HEA. Five stars.

Current Mood: full
Current Music: Avalanche at Ducks

Liars by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Earlier today I finished reading Liars by Lucy Lennox and May Archer. It's the second installment in their "Licking Thicket" series of male/male romance. Narrative is in alternating, first person point of view of the main characters, Parrish Partridge and Diesel Church.

When Parrish encounters tough, tattooed Diesel trying to comfort a sweet baby girl, Parrish's heart melts. And when Diesel asks Parrish to pretend to be his fiancé in order to give him a better chance to win custody of his niece, Parrish knows he should refuse. When Parrish fails in that, he's soon all-in and falling in love, not just with Diesel, but with adorable Marigold as well.

Diesel can't believe that charming, successful, oh-so-put-together Parrish would agree to his impulsive scheme, but he's damned grateful for the support. Diesel also can't believe how well Parrish fits into his life, but he also knows that Parrish deserves better. The longer Diesel and Parrish spend in one another's company, the more their lies become their truth.

What a sweet, fun, poignant story. You couldn't help but cheer for Diesel in the custody battle, not just because he truly loved Marigold, but because his sister's adoptive parents are aloof and reserved. They may be wealthy and able to give Marigold every advantage in life, but children need love. Of course, the entire, ridiculous town of Licking Thicket manages to get involved. It was great to reconnect with familiar characters, and I laughed out loud when Paul trotted out Brooks' "Big Daddy" nickname again. Characters were remarkable, even the odious Payne, and the authors' stellar characterizations included Diesel's chickens. LOL! Only one thing bothered me...

( Spoiler )

Favorite lines:
♦ "No one's ever gone wrong with an apology casserole."
♦ "Oh my God, my apology casserole visit is going to need an apology casserole," he whispered in shock. "This is unprecedented."
♦ "Oh dear God on a golf ball."
♦ I winced, remembering how I'd interrogated him like a graduate of the Dunn Johnson school of interrogation.
♦ "If it were any peachier, it'd be pie!"
♦ "He's all sauce and no wings."
♦ "Oh, sweet blessed corn niblets!" I yelled, like the most idiotic idiot to ever accidentally have sex.
♦ "Who donated a new washer and dryer set to the firehouse last year when theirs succumbed to the most ironic lint fire in history?"
♦ "We planned an apology surprise for you." // "An apology surprise?" // "It's like an apology casserole but with 100 percent less cream of mushroom soup."
♦ "My character was unassailable, right? So boring and basic, I didn't even have a parking ticket to my name."
♦ "You're telling me that our whole relationship was a lie, based on an apology casserole you never even ate?"

A wonderful story, full of all the feels. Five stars!

Current Mood: busy
Current Music: "Stacy's Mom" ~ Bowling for Soup

Fakers by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished reading Fakers by May Archer and Lucy Lennox last night. It's the first in the "Licking Thicket" series of m/m romance, featuring Brooks Johnson and Malachi "Mal" Forrester.

Brooks hasn't returned to Licking Thicket, TN, since he left ten years ago. He has an up-and-coming career as an ad exec in NYC, where casual hook-ups are a dime a dozen. But just as Brooks is about to tackle an account that can make his career and enable him to open his own firm, his mama calls from home, begging him to return to take over the duties of Head Licker at the Lickin' Festival. Brooks' father has had recent heart issues and can't take on the role as he's done ever since Brooks can remember. Brooks can't not go home, but if he's going to be confronted with meddling, small town neighbors, the girl whose heart he broke, and a match-making mother, he's not going alone. Brooks strong-arms his very straight co-worker, Paul, into playing the role of his boyfriend.

Mal escaped his own small town hell and is now making a career for himself in LA as an artist. When his best friend, Ava Ivey, begs him to accompany her back to her home in Licking Thicket and pretend to be his boyfriend, Mal can't say no. Especially since Ava is pregnant and needs lots of support and little stress. He's heard all about the no-good jock who broke Ava's heart, and there's no way Mal will let her face Brooks Johnson alone.

Sparks fly when Brooks and Mal meet, but the tangled web that they're both caught up in conspires to keep them apart. It's not until Ava and Paul start spending more time together that Brooks and Mal get a chance to explore the heat between them. However, what sort of future can they have with their careers and homes on opposite sides of the country?

This story was a hoot and a half. Puns abounded, not just in regards to the name of the town, but also its residents and even the cattle that are prevalent throughout the story. It was a fun and funny romp, but it was saved from being an utter fluff fest by misunderstandings and old hurts resurfacing. By the end, I wasn't just invested in Brooks and Mal, but also in Paul and Ava. It was heartening to see how things worked out for both couples.

Favorite lines:
♦ As far as I knew, my best friend hadn't gotten a hot beef injection since the Halloween party.
♦ The town assholes were still goofing off, and I secretly hoped they spilled their milk and cried about it. Hard.
♦ "And if two Nutters and a Johnson can't get the job done, I don't know who can." // I bit my lip against a whimper. Did they not hear themselves?
♦ "Turns out, you're not meeting my needs, Big Daddy. We just want different things. It's not you, it's...Okay, yeah, no, it's totally you."
♦ "Oh my God. Drunk Brooks might be my kryptonite," Mal told Ava in a hushed voice I wasn't sure if he knew I could hear. // "I'm not drunk," I protested. "I'm just a tipsy bit teeny."
♦ I switched to a playlist called Happy Beats which literally had a song on it called "Pour The Milk" which made me fucking cry and think of Annabelle and her soft udder and warm brown eyes, and Jesus fucking Christ, now I was missing a cow.

Delightful, hot, and sweet, with just the right amount of angst. Five stars! I personally lose a point for the fact that it took me about a third of the way through the book to realize that Brooks and his brother Dunn were named for the musical duo, although in my own defense, I'm not a fan of country music.