My Personal Review for Krewe Daaddy by Margie Church

When I first heard that Drew from Hard as teak was getting his own story I cheered. I loved Drew in the first book and found he had secrets that I was itching to uncover. Margie Church delivers a stirring, sexy tale that will steal your heart and make you long for more. 


My Rating for Krewe Daddy-5 Stars and Recommended Read

Luis is a much sought after Daddy, a lover who is well liked and wanted by many but Luis’s lifestyle is wearing him out. He has no idea how to jump off the same social life he has lived for so many years. Can finding the one man who left him, amid bitter accusations and long pent up passion be able to help Luis find the peace he craves?

Drew left Luis six years before when his insecurities over his relationship with Luis got the better of him and he had an affair. Now he is unable to commit to anyone and though he tries to forget Luis, the man has a hold onto his heart that no one else ever had. When they finally meet again, instead of saying ‘Hi, how are you?’, snarky comments and more fly out by them both. Can these two find a way to bridge the gap between them before they lose the one good thing in their life-each other?

When I heard the secondary character from Hard as Teak got his own story, I was jumping for joy. Drew was funny, sexy and lovable in the first book and he also had secrets I, as a reader, wanted to find out more of. Margie Church delivers a story that will alternately thrill you and make you cry. The story itself is like riding a roller coaster of emotions. You smile, sigh, shout and swear as Luis and Drew find their way back to one another. Margie Church is a talented author who knows how to write an angst filled, simmering sexual tension, story that leaves you gasping for air. It has suspense, sex that is at times tender and hot as Hades and a love that won’t be denied. The writing is tight, storyline moved at a nice, even pace and the sex scenes enhanced the storyline instead of it taking over completely. 

Drew was a man who was as complex as he is intriguing. A mixture of loneliness, longing and more came across the pages of both books yet in Krewe Daddy, the reader gets to finally see why he is melancholy and trying to find a love like his friends have. When he was with Luis, the lifestyle Luis led made Drew’s insecurities flare uncontrollably and on one particular night, Drew gave in to them. One affair later, Drew walks away from Luis amid harsh and bitter words, leaving behind a man who holds his heart completely. Now six years later, Drew has grown, matured (or he hopes anyways) and is incredibly lonely. He wants what his friends Kevin and Teak have yet he is afraid of letting anyone in since Luis broke his heart. 

I love Drew in Hard as Teak but here in Krewe Daddy, he shines. Margie Church creates a character that is multi-dimensional, intriguing and also complex. Drew is a person I would love to meet and be friends with. Luis at first just irritated me. He was full of arrogance, pride and ego and that turned me off a bit. What surprised me was how that melted away when he finds himself searching for Drew mid-way through the book. Then the readers see the real man behind the name. That was when he stole my heart completely. The sparks fly the minute these two meet up again and man, I was sweating at times as Drew and Luis tried to work out their past in order to see if they had a future together. There were a few secondary characters that had me grinning at times as well as gnashing my teeth in order not to kill them. They were well written and moved the story along as well.

This is more than a story about Mardi Gras but a story of two people finding that love can be strong, true and enjoyable the second time around. With each page of this latest book of Ms. Church’s, the reader is pulled in the story, having them fall in love with the characters and learning along with Luis and Drew that love is indeed sweeter the second time around. 

Very well done Margie Church. I am eager to see what else you have in story for your readers in the future. 

Check out Hard As Teak and meet Kevin, Teak and Drew

Available at Noble Romance

Kevin Marks escapes to the north woods to reignite his passion for photography and women. But the only flame he seems able to spark is for his latest photography subject, Teak Hildalgo, and Kevin's never been in a man's arms before.

Teak, the raven-haired, photographer's dream come true, is hell bent on capturing Kevin's heart. He takes Kevin, body and soul, on a romantic, sexual journey previously lived only in Kevin's fantasies. And no dream was ever this good, no truth this undeniable.

Will Kevin ever be the same? When the camera's put away, will Teak live up to his name?

Welcome Brita Addams today & a Contest

CONTEST INFORMATION IS AT END OF POST

Welcome to Dawn’s Reading Nook, Brita Addams. Please let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink and make yourself at home. Comfortable? Great…now let’s get down to business.

So tell us about yourself. What got you interested in writing? Who are your publisher(s)?

Hi Dawn and thank you for having me. I grew up in upstate New York and after I graduated from high school, I married (just 8 months later) and began following my military husband to various duty station over the course of the next six years. We lived in Waukegan, Illinois, Keflavik, Iceland and finally, New Orleans, Louisiana, where I lived until three years ago. Now we live about two and half hours from NOLA. I've been married to my husband for not nearly enough years, we have three children, and I love to read and write.

I've always written, so I couldn't say any one thing that got me interested. I love telling stories and I love history, so the combination of the two is like nirvana for me.

I'm published, thankfully, with Noble Romance, Silver Publishing, Amber Allure, and Riptide Publishing.

How did you start your writing career?

By happenstance, really. Though I've written all my life, I never had the nerve to take that step and seek publication. When I read about e-publishing, I thought maybe I'd have the opportunity to share my writing and the rest is history. Noble Romance bought the first book in the Sapphire Club series, Serenity's Dream and suggested that I had the makings of a series there. Lord Decadent's Obsession and Chocolate, Tea, and the Duchess followed and that series has been very good to me.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

I love Phillip Allard from Chocolate, Tea, and the Duchess. Phillip is a duke, whose life is steeped in tradition and obligation. He must marry to secure the title and fortune. However, Phillip has a secret that keeps him from even thinking about marriage, until a marriage-minded young woman puts him in a position that makes him honor-bound to marry her.

Phillip, however, refuses to forsake his need for masculine companionship and to her credit, Felicity understands and embraces Phillip for who he is. She's truly a lovely young woman who feels as badly for putting Phillip in such a position as she does for herself.

Enter Alexander Chilton, the man who shows both Phillip and Felicity what real love is.

Phillip is dark and complicated and was extremely fun to write.

Tell us about your current/upcoming release. What inspired it?

My current release is Demands of the Heart, a Regency historical. It is the story of Richard Fanshaw and Victoria Bramhill, who discover each other very early in their adult lives and fall madly in love. Richard dashes off to purchase a home for them and Victoria is breathlessly awaiting his return. However, the young lovers a thwarted by an evil man who hates Richard and steps into an opportunistic situation—Victoria's father is deeply in debt and sinking faster than a stone.

Greed convinces her father to accept the evil man's marriage suit, and Victoria's freedom is bought at a very steep price to her and Richard's happiness.

Happenstance has them crossing each other's path and sets in motion Richard's need for revenge—he's never told the truth, as Victoria was forbidden to ever speak to him again.

I don't know what inspired it really, other than my love for romance novels in general and the idea of two people having loved once and being torn apart has always appealed to me for some perverse reason.

A bit of trivia: The cover for this book happens to be cover model Jimmy Thomas' fifteen-hundredth cover. That number was the one Jimmy needed to break the all-time record for the highest number of romance novel cover appearances for a male model. I'm quite pleased to have been a part of that.

If you could visit any time and place, where and when would it be and why?

I love to travel and for me to be able to time travel would be a wonderful thing! I'd make it England in the period that I love to write about, the Regency Era, which spanned from 1811 to 1820. It was a very short period, but so different from others in so many ways.

The social mores were strict, though not as strict as the upcoming Victorian period, and yet the Prince Regent was a bit of a scamp, who tended to inspire the roguish behavior we readers of Regency novels absolutely love.

I would need air-conditioning though and a few other conveniences, so the visit would be short and sweet. However, that would be a journey of a lifetime!

Who's more fun to write: bad boys or perfect gentlemen and why?

I think a combination of both—perfect gentlemen who harbor bad boy tendencies. Hmm, I never thought of my heroes that way before. Thanks, Dawn!

This isn't a knock on the contemporary genre or on any authors, just my own opinion. I love historicals and therefore, perfect gentlemen, because I'm not fond of blatant promiscuity and the bar line, "Hey, baby, wanna f**k?" Perfect gentlemen have finesse, they know how to treat their ladies or their gentlemen, and still get what they're after.

I was raised with the mantra—"Act like ladies and gentlemen," so I think I've translated that into my writing. However, close the bedchamber door, and it's an all out free-for-all. The cravat drops at the door. J

If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and what would you do together?

Hmm, great question! I think I'd love to meet Westcliff from Lisa Kleypas' It Happened One Autumn. He's one of those characters that though I read the book ages ago, he lives on in my head. I don't know what we'd do together, perhaps have a spot of brandy and chat about how to tame his wife. He's fascinating, educated, and rather stern. I'd probably just sit and stare in total amazement.

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart?

I suppose I love them all in varying degrees. Each inspired something in me to write them, you know. I do love Her Timeless Obsession, which I wrote under the name Tina Ordone, because it incorporates my love of genealogy and has an element of time travel, though it's actually more thought travel. It's a love story that spans decades and has an effect on many generations.

The other one is An Evening at the Starlight, which is quite different from any I've ever written. It's about an older man who, when confronted with having to advise a young man on his marital problems, relates the story of a love that wouldn't die. There's no sex in it, just a hint, because it simply wasn't appropriate for the story. It's based, quite loosely, on a story from my own family tree, as told to me by the subject herself, some fifty-two years after the fact.

For me it's heartwarming and shows the power of true love.

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality?

I would have to say none. Honestly, I'm a rather bland person compared to my characters. Then again, I think some of my traits have to inadvertently come through. I'm nurturing, as is Felicity in Duchess and doggedly determined, as is Victoria in Demands of the Heart. As for my other heroines, not so much. They have it all over me.

Anything else you would like to add?

I'd like to share the blurb from Demands of the Heart with everyone and direct them to where they can find an excerpt, if they are so inclined.

Blurb:

In 1807, idealistic Richard Fanshaw and Victoria Bramhill are consumed with each other, their young love blooming amidst a series of carefree soirees and stolen moments.

But jealousy and greed turn what they have into something ugly and twisted. They're wrenched apart amid vile lies and deceit when Victoria's freedom is bought to pay her father's debts.

Six years later, Victoria is widowed and a cynical Richard has just returned to England after years in India.  Having been given the impression that Victoria's marriage was a happy one, a chance meeting renews Richard's anger over Victoria's betrayal and sets in motion a plan for revenge.

One must answer the demands of the heart.

You can find Demands of the Heart at Noble Romance.

Also, I can be found at any of these places:

Email address: britaaddams@gmail.com

Website

Blog

Twitter: @britaaddams

Facebook

Goodreads Page

To celebrate the release of Demand's of the Heart, Noble Romance Publishing is offering my entire backlist at 20% off. This is for sales on the Noble Romance Publishing site only and only my titles.

There's no limit. Buy one book, or all seven, you'll get 20% off your purchase. The eligible titles are: Serenity's Dream; Lord Decadent's Obsession; Chocolate, Tea, and the Duchess; The Rogue's Salvation; A Minute After Midnight; An Evening at the Starlight, and the book I wrote under the name Tina Ordone, Her Timeless Obsession.

The price you'll see is the reduced price.

The sale will run from midnight, Pacific time, February 20 to 11:59 pm Pacific time, March 2.

This is a backlist sale, so it doesn't include Demands of the Heart.

I have several contests running during the book tour, ending at midnight, March 2.

Contest #1:

I'll choose a daily winner from the commenters. I'll will be giving away an ebook from my backlist at each stop. The only exclusion is Demands of the Heart. One book per commenter, please.

Contest #2:

Demands of the Heart T-Shirt Contest:

If you answer the three questions correctly, you could be one of four winners. The prize will be a T-Shirt with the cover of the book on it. The shirt also says that the cover is model, Jimmy Thomas's 1500^th cover. There will be four winners, each winning a T-Shirt and other swag. 

All answers are found on Brita's website. 

Please do NOT put the answers in the comments section of this blog or on Brita's site. Email them to Brita, with T-Shirt Answers in the subject line.

1.      What book did I write under another name?

2.      Who is the character, Lucien Damrill, patterned after?

3.      Describe the signature brandy snifter at the Sapphire Club.

Contest #3: GRAND PRIZE 

This contest is about Demands of the Heart. Of course, you're under no obligation to buy or read the book, but if you choose to, this contest is for you.

I've put three questions up on my website, all relating to my book, Demands of the Heart. Answer the questions and EMAIL me, with the answers, at britaaddams@gmail.com  Be sure to put GRAND PRIZE in the subject line.

You must have all three questions answered correctly to be entered into the drawing.

The Grand Prize is the entire Sapphire Club series in print, signed by the author. I'll also include some other signed swag. 

Good luck and I hope to hear from you soon. 

Thank you so much for having me, Dawn. I do love your Reading Nook!

Welcome Naomi Bellina

Valentine's Day is almost here, and one of the most popular gifts men give women is jewelry. Sure, many women purchase trinkets for their guys, and plenty of men buy for other men, but a flip through television commercials and a walk through the mall will show most marketing is geared towards the male procuring the perfect gift for his female.

Poor men! So many don't have a clue what their ladies want. They're at the mercy of the salesperson, who really doesn't have a clue either and just wants to sell whatever will bring them the best commission. Our valiant heroes bravely make a selection, take their offering to their loved one, and hope it's joyfully accepted.

Now, who hasn't received a horrendous piece of crap nestled inside a pretty, promising box? Something that made your eyes roll back in your head and your palms start to sweat. What the hell is this, and why did he think I would like it, you want to yell. But, you don't, because you know he tried, and you hope he still has the receipt so you can go back and buy something you really want. And one day, just maybe, he'll come home with something that takes your breath away.

I'd like to share a cute joke about this subject:

Young Patty approaches her mother and announces, "Sally told me where babies come from."

Mother, not ready to have this discussion, asks with dread, "Where is that, dear?"

"Sally said her sister Molly told her, Daddy puts his thingy in your mouth, then stuff comes out, then a baby grows in your belly."

"No, sweetie, Susie's wrong, that's where jewelry comes from!"

Ha-ha! Kind of makes you want to be a little extra nice to your honey tonight, doesn't it?

In my story, Seducing the Stone, a sapphire is coveted by a man and a woman for different reasons. The female fairy, Raya, wants to use its powers to help her planet, and doesn't understand why people on Earth just put them on display and look at the beautiful gemstones. What if precious gems actually had energy that we could use? What if there really was power in rocks? Aside from enticing women to do fun and kinky things for men, that is!

Enjoy this excerpt, and visit my website to read another one.

 

 

Naomi Bellina

Extraordinary erotic romance to tickle your fancy and unleash your libidohttp://www.naomibellina.com/

http://www.facebook.com/NaomiBellinaAuthor

https://twitter.com/#!/TheGoddessNaomi

 

Bio:

Naomi lives in beautiful sunny Florida with the love of her life and a magical black cat. She writes for various fiction and non-fiction markets, but finds she is drawn to erotic romance because her characters insist on canoodling, and sometimes even falling madly in love. So she lets them. Occasionally, however, they go to dark and strange places. She lets them do this also. Most of her stories will surprise readers with unexpected twists and turns, because isn't that what makes life exciting?

Her interests include dancing, hula-hooping, drumming, and creating healthy meals. She takes the opportunity to play, have fun, and indulge in the pursuit of passion whenever possible. She hopes you enjoy her stories and would love to hear from you at naomibellina(at)live(dot)com. Visit her at 

http://www.naomibellina.com/

http://www.facebook.com/NaomiBellinaAuthor

https://twitter.com/#!/TheGoddessNaomi

 Her motto:  Never pass up the opportunity to have an adventure!

Blurb:

A charming fairy and a diligent security professional both claim rights to a precious sapphire, the Starry Night. Raya needs the stone to save a valuable lake, and Max needs to make sure the gem stays in its proper place for a private showing at the museum.

Chasing Raya and the stone, Max travels between Earth and Raya’s planet, and while Max starts out with only one goal in mind, to return the stone to its home, he ends up on a lively adventure, interacting with several races of exotic beings who once resided on Earth.

Though captivated by the lovely Raya, Max has sworn to stay away from women after having been deceived by a beautiful but unscrupulous girlfriend in his past. The more time he spends with the enchanting fairy, however, the more he wants her. Raya is different from anyone he has ever met and even a man with iron willpower will have a difficult time resisting a determined fairy with her own secret agenda!

 

Genre:  Erotic romance, paranormal/urban fantasy, action/adventure

 

Buy link:  https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/387/Seducing-the-Stone

 

Excerpt: 

"Here we are, safe and sound," Raya said. She gave him an impish smile and squeezed his hands. He reluctantly let hers go. Max felt a gentle current of energy running through her strong, warm hands.

At the display case, Raya lifted the glass dome, and Max placed the replica stone inside. Then they both stepped back to admire the gem. Even if it wasn’t the real thing, the jewel was certainly beautiful.

"Though I’m still pretty sure this is just a dream, I’m glad the sapphire is back in its place," Max said.

"Why do you humans keep these powerful stones locked away under glass?" Raya asked.

"What else would we do with them?"

Raya smiled. "I'll tell you one day, when we have more time."

"And when will that day be? I don't believe I'll ever see you again," Max said, and giving in to an overwhelming urge, he stepped close to Raya, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her.

Raya did not respond, and Max was about to stop and apologize. But then she put her hands on his waist, pulled him even closer, and returned his kiss. Max slid his hands down her body and wrapped his arms around her.

Certain she would push him away any moment and glad when she didn't, Max lost track of time. Part of his brain yelled stop, while another part begged for more, more of this sweet creature in his arms. He longed to rub her scent, sweet and spicy, all over his body.

Finally, Raya pulled away with a gasp.

"I'm sorry—" Max began, but she put a finger on his lips.

"Don't be sorry. That was beautiful. I enjoyed kissing you. But we can't, we shouldn't—" She grabbed Max and locked her lips on his again, almost bruising his mouth with the intensity.

He let his hands roam freely over her body, caressing her breasts, rubbing his thumbs against the hard nipples, and eliciting moans of pleasure from her. His cock strained against his jeans, begging for release.

This time, he pulled away from her.

"Can we continue this at my place? I want, I need more of you. Just a little." He begged as she shook her head. "I promise, we'll only go as far as you want. You can leave anytime."

"No, I've already stayed longer than I should. I have to go now." Max took a deep breath and let go of Raya.

"This is a dream anyway. I'm going to wake up in my bed very soon." And not smelling of sweetness and spice, he thought.

Raya again stepped close to Max and leaned her head toward his. A shiver went down his spine as her breath tickled his ear. He felt her tongue lick his earlobe, followed by a slight burning sensation.

"This is not a dream, and now you have a fairy kiss to prove it. I'd like to stay with you, but it’s time for me to go," Raya said, and with a sad smile, she floated off the ground.

Welcome Margie Church Today & a Contest

Welcome to Dawn’s Reading Nook, Margie. Please let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink and make yourself at home. Comfortable? Great…now let’s get down to business.

Q: For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

Dawn, your boys make a fantastic Godfather – even if it is too early to be drinking! Quickly about me: I don't get carded in the bar any more. I've been writing fiction for about four years. Nopeming Shores is my tenth romance. I just got my first tattoo – a writer's quill piercing a heart. My dog's name is Jewel. My toenails are painted and so are my fingernails, but not the same color. What? It's cold here – nobody can tell! I just did my first author's reading from my erotic BDSM romance, The 18^th Floor, in Las Vegas. 

Q: How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I've been a professional writer for over 25 years and a published author for three. I'm hardwired to write. Since I write/promote about 60 hours a week, it's never far from my thoughts. And my characters have trouble with time zones so I don't sleep much.

Q: Where do you get your ideas for your stories, characters?
A couple of tragedies inspired Nopeming Shores – deaths and near-deaths. A picture of the Heidelberg Castle in Germany inspired Love Bites (vampires). A one-sentence challenge started WET and Awakening Allaire. Daydreaming inspired The 18^th Floor (BDSM – snicker). Obviously, it doesn't take much sometimes! 

Q: Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I am very much the plotter. Characters and story arcs are well-defined before I start writing. Noble Romance's editors are very tough and make us recheck the smallest details for believability and accuracy. I can't imagine being a pantser and surviving that. LOL

Q: Tell us all about your latest or upcoming release. What inspired it?

Nopeming Shores is a sensual paranormal (ghost) romance. Current events were part of the story inspiration. I conceived the basic plot about 18 months ago, after my brother in-law was deployed to Afghanistan. I saw how difficult it was for my sister to have her husband gone.

Personal tragedy inspired the character of Gabe. Years ago, my father was violently taken from me. I think anyone who's experienced a sudden loss, recognizes the turmoil it creates. You have a million questions that can't always be answered, and you wish you could have been there in that last instant of life to sooth their journey into the afterlife.

On one occasion, my father's ghost visited me. I won't deny it was shocking to see him, frightening even. Luckily he was whole again, and able-bodied.

My co-author, J. Andrew Lockhart, is a poet and adds, "When I was 30 I had an intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. My wife and I had a one year-old son, and I was beginning my career as an attorney. My world ended on that day. After years of rehab and memory loss, I ended up as an elementary music teacher, a father of four children, and a writer.

My story, after 15 years, has a happy ending, but many times I think about what would have happened if I had ended up like Gabe. That is what drove me through this book. It was much more emotional than I thought it would be. I would spend many nights thinking about how I would handle his situation, and how my wife would have taken it.

I'm very glad that I did it, though. I actually learned from Gabe, and I was also able to give Margie the insight from a man who has been there."

Q: If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
I want to fly – I love birds and watching them soar on the breeze.

Q: What is one thing readers might be surprised to know about you?

I need a tummy tuck? IDK! I married my high school sweetheart 29 years ago this month.

Q: If we asked your muse to describe you in three words, what do you think they might say?

She's Totally Nuts. (I know it's a sentence, but my muse is a wise ass.)

Q: When creating your characters, do you have models in mind or are they totally fictional?

I look for photos of people who resemble what I'm envisioning. It helps me identify with the character as I'm writing them. I don't model characters after people I know. That's creepy to me. In Nopeming Shores, actress Jennifer Garner is the visual model for Lily Holliway and Prince Harry is the model for an important secondary character, Shane Keefe.

Q: Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

There's a balance. Sometimes they really surprise me – in a good way. The hero in my WIP has much stiffer um spine, yeah spine, than I thought he would. Other times they need to dial it back and wait their turn. I have characters that have whined about not getting enough ink. Sheez.

Q: If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Margie is never predictable. Watch out.

CONTEST: Tell me what inspires you to try a new author and you could win a copy of Nopeming Shores, my sensual ghost story.

Q: Please tell us where we can find you on the web.

Margie: www.RomanceWithSASS.com

Andrew: http://jamesalockhart.blogspot.com

Nopeming Shores by Margie Church with J. Andrew Lockhart

An IED snuffed out Gabe Holliway's life, but couldn't destroy his love. Using his unique gift, Gabe struggles to help his young wife, Lily, rebuild her shattered future.

But when Gabe's ghost reaches out to her, Lily fears she's lost her last hold on sanity. Can she trust what she discovers and what her heart says? When she sees Gabe face-to-face, can she believe her eyes?

When love transcends death, the answers are found in Nopeming Shores.

EXCERPT:

In his spirit state, Gabe heard and watched the entire scene between his wife and Jana. He stood behind Lily while she said goodbye to Jana. He walked out of the building with Lily to the car. The wind caught a wisp of her hair, and he wished he could tuck it behind her ear. He used to love stroking Lily's soft, wavy tresses.

Not yet. She wasn't ready to know he was close by, trying to help her cope. Hell, he was trying to cope, too. God had given Gabe a chance to help Lily, and himself, but it was all in the timing. Gabe wouldn't get long. The Shepherd of Souls had been very clear about that.

Lily drove out of the parking lot, but instead of taking her usual direct route to the base exits, she drove through the grounds.

In his spirit form, Gabe followed her.

She slowed down near one of the park benches.

We met there. Gabe recalled seeing Lily with her brown-bag lunch when he'd gone jogging on the historic base. She'd caught his eye immediately. Her long, graceful limbs and full lips captivated him. When she smiled, the sun seemed to dim. Her charming demeanor wiped out all his defenses.

She'd shaded her eyes to speak to him. "I've never seen you before."

"I was in Seattle for some training, but I'm stationed here. Are you visiting your husband?"

She'd giggled this wonderful, heart-warming sound, and her face turned the loveliest shade of pink. Gabe knew in that moment, he was pretty much a goner.

"No, I'm not married. I started working at the commissary last week."

"Well, if you have lunch in the park, I'll be seeing you. I jog through here almost every day."

Gabe didn't usually take that route, but he was darn glad he had that day and every day after. Lily had waited for him, sometimes bringing along an extra bottle of water or a piece of fruit for him. They'd talk for a little while and he'd finish his run, although his mind was never on physical fitness after he saw Lilianna Carston.

Now Gabe sat on that same bench, remembering the delight in her eyes when he'd asked her to dinner the first time. They'd been almost inseparable after that date. They thought they'd have a lifetime together.

He turned toward her car and saw the strain on her face.

Her shoulders rose and fell in a deep sigh before she drove away from the curb.

Gabe didn't get off the bench and follow her. Being dead wasn't exactly halos and fluffy clouds for him.

Buy link: https://www.nobleromance.com/Authors/102/Margie-Church

My Personal Review for Hard as Teak by Margie Church

When I bought Hard as Teak, I have to admit I fell in love the cover. Heck, I drooled over it before I even opened the damn book and I think I drooled too...maybe. *grins* I knew Margie Church from around the 'net and facebook and have never read one of her books before. I am not sure what I was thinking but man am I missing out. But before I go into why I heart Ms. Church...just look at the cover *nudges readers* and drool...here I will even give you a towel to wipe it up too. *smiles*

Meet photographer Kevin Marks. He is dissatisfied with his life, feels like he is in a rut-professionally and personally. Taking off to his childhood cabin, Kevin meets Teak, a rugged man who stirs feelings in Kevin he had no idea he would experience with a man before.Teak woos Kevin with kisses, lighting a lust that leaves Kevin hard and aching. Confused by his feelings for a man, Kevin finds the relationship he has searched for, unconsciously, is with the one person he never even anticipated. Teak will take Kevin on a sensual journey that will lead them to something both men will find they need more than ever-love. Can Kevin believe in himself and the feelings Teak evokes in him for alife full of happiness or will he let Teak slip through his fingers?


Hard as Teak is more than a generic MM Story about two men finding one another and falling in love. This is a story of two people searching for a love neither has ever experienced before. Friendship then lust and finally love all play a part in this story. Ms. Church delivers a strong realistic story of two people finding they are meant to be with one another. 

What I loved about Teak and Kevin was how they acted like mature, sensible adults through the entire storyline. There was no melodrama, whining or even angry angst to deal with. It was a breath of fresh air so to speak to read this. I fell hard for both Kevin and Teak as I met them in the beginning and found myself rooting for them to be together forever. Teak is sexy as sin and had me wondering if I can take a walk in the woods for my own version of a sexy outdoorsman of my own. The sexual tension alone simmers and flares repeatedly between Teak and Kevin which left me squirming in my seat more times I can count. There were a few secondary characters that left me wondering if I could either give them a good smack down or a big hug.  They made the story flow smoothly and enhanced the story nicely. Ultimately this is about the growing relationship between Kevin and Teak and it was perfectly captured by the author. 

Hard as Teak is more than a man meets man then falls in love type of story. It's also about finding out who you are inside, accepting that and finding out what makes you happy no matter what.  Ms. Church delivers  story with a heart of gold and one I am eager to experience again. I do recommend you keep a bucket of ice nearby or take a cold shower afterward to cool off from all the heat this book generates. It's a sexy story that will surely have you squirming in your seat or jumping your significant other afterwards.


Margie Church delivers a story so poignant, sexy and real that I can not wait to read it again. I just have one question for this author- can we get more Teak and Kevin please in the future?




My Rating for Hard as Teak: 5 Stars and a recommended read

Find Hard As Teak at Noble Romance, Amazon Kindle and other fine online retailers.

More on this author can be found HERE

Welcome Margie Church and a Contest

Please go to end of Article to find the contest information.

Why write gay romance?

A lot of people have asked me this question and I've asked myself. There's an obvious answer – cash. This is a hot subgenre and if you want to make money as an author, you write what the market wants. The downside of that is if you don't have a passion for the subgenre, you'll have a tough time selling the book. 

Sometimes writers think replacing one of the female pronouns with a male pronoun does the trick in a gay romance. It might for some publishers but not Noble Romance. So, writing Hard as Teak required quite a bit of research. I ended up reading about a half-dozen recommended books, and consulting several authors who only write gay romance, and asked a few gay men to be beta readers. The upside is the book delivered. The downside is you can get an awful lot of input from people and that can derail your story. How to keep your characters and plot sounding like one brain hatched them was a real trick. I had to keep a pretty close watch on my character descriptions and make sure they stayed true. Believe me, by the time I got done with all the revisions I felt were necessary, I was ready to dare somebody to say they didn't love this book. So, the hot genre can be lucrative if you can write with passion.

For me, writing a gay romance was more of an exercise in self-awareness. When straight guys are together, they kinda do the alpha male, no emotion thing. There's a time and a place for that, of course, but as a woman who's always lived in male dominated households and is raising two boys, I think hiding one's emotions and emotional needs is crippling. What I've experienced with gay men is the ability to be real. I love the way they've opened up to me and with their partners. They're expressive emotionally, physically, and verbally in ways that I think are healthier than many straight guys' behavior. That realization helped me fall in love with the relationship between Kevin and Teak.

And I love the way a man acts in an intimate setting. When the walls come down and it's just the two of you. For me, that's very alluring. I love the male form. I love the way men smell, move, sound, and feel. When I combined that knowledge with the emotional and communications aspects that gay men share more readily, it was very, very easy to fall in love with Kevin and Teak and I hope you will, too.

 Blurb: Hard as Teak

Kevin Marks escapes to the north woods to reignite his passion for photography and women. But the only flame he seems able to spark is for his latest photography subject, Teak Hildalgo. Kevin's never been in a man's arms before.

Teak, the raven-haired, photographer's dream come true, is hell bent on capturing Kevin's heart. He takes Kevin, body and soul, on a romantic, sexual journey previously lived only in Kevin's fantasies. And no dream was ever this good, no truth this undeniable.

Will Kevin ever be the same? When the camera's put away, will Teak live up to his name?

EXCERPT:

Kevin turned on the light. He'd used this bedroom countless times growing up and even got laid in here a couple of nights. The fitted sheet snapped as he shook it open. He made his way to the headboard to tuck in the corners.

He couldn't believe what a turn-on Teak was. The realization startled him. He'd never been sexually attracted to any man he'd met. At least not this strongly. He didn't mind watching a couple guys getting frisky with each other while they were messing with a woman in videos. But, I never really wanted to touch another guy's junk. He'd tasted his own cum many times. But from a cum-soaked pussy. He'd fantasized about sucking dick—countless times. But never thought I'd want it if I could actually get it. He unfolded the flat sheet.

With the sheets tucked in, he reached for the comforter and spread it on the bed. Lost in his lusty thoughts, he didn't hear Teak arrive and Kevin stumbled against him. Teak's arms wove around his ribs, preventing him from falling. Like the proverbial deer in the headlights, Kevin froze and didn't say a word. Pleasure whip corded his dick. His heart hammered. Resting his head rested against Teak's bare shoulder, he wondered when Teak had taken off his shirt. The trimmed hair felt stiff and foreign against his skin. No other man had ever held him this way. Kevin noticed rough calluses between softer patches of skin on Teak's hands. He soaked in the new sensations, enjoying them.

Silence thundered in Kevin's ears as he turned and met Teak's gaze. The intensity he saw nearly choked the breath right out of his lungs. What little air remained ran for cover when Teak's lips met his. The feelings reminded him of his very first kiss, heady and surreal. His lips twisted with Teak's. He'd never experienced the force of a man's tongue in his mouth or the scrape of another man's beard on his face. Not this way. Guttural sounds filled Kevin's throat. His breath hissed through his nostrils. These were the sounds of an aroused man. Except another man is turning me on.

Teak kept a loose hold on Kevin's waist. The non-threatening hold gave Kevin free reign to accept or deny him. For a long minute, he participated in the kiss as though moving with a partner in a choreographed dance. He knew what to do and how to do it, but his brain and his dick were going in opposite directions. Kevin's cock was so hard he wanted to take it out and come. His brain kept screaming at him to slow down. Confusion filled him. He broke from the kiss and focused on Teak's tattoo, glad for the distraction.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Teak asked in a soft voice.

"This is the most amazing tattoo." How fucking lame was that?

"Touch it."

With nervous hesitation, Kevin traced the pronounced veins on the dragon's side, and higher to its curved neck. Continuing to follow the dragon's neck with his index finger led to Teak's nipple. The hardened nub looked ready to be clenched in the dragon's sharp teeth. Or mine.

"Taste me," Teak said, his voice hoarse and hushed.

Contest: What do you think would be the most difficult thing about writing the opposite gender? Do you ever notice whether men write men better than women write men and vise versa? Leave your thoughts and email and you could win a copy of Hard as Teak.

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