~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.

BOOK REVIEW

Kyle and Brent have known each other for two years. But from the moment Kyle found out that Brent was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and didn't work to earn a living, Kyle has held disdain for Brent. Brent on the other hand is attracted to Kyle and has been looking for an opportunity to show Kyle his feelings. Kyle uses every opportunity to snipe at Brent about his status.

When Kyle loses his job and home, Brent comes to his rescue and offers him a room in his house. Kyle being Kyle remains his snarky self until a brief intimate moment between the two of them starts to thaw his resentment. And their romance blossoms from there.

I'll be honest I didn't like Kyle for most of this story. He was a judgemental prat. How can you meet someone and without finding out anything else about them just dismiss them because they don't 'work' by your definitions? It only made Kyle seem jealous of Brent. Not a good look on anyone.

Brent on the other hand was a total stand up guy. No matter what verbal tirade Kyle spewed Brent brushed it off. He showed Kyle with his actions and words how much of a good person he was and how much he cared about the man. And of course in the end he gets his man.

On this whole this is a good story because Brent was the hero and he carried the story for me. I loved him, his compassion and his determination to break down Kyle's walls. I was sighing happily in the end because he was happy at last after two years of waiting patiently.

BUY LINKS

~Jumping In

When love's on the line, the brave jump in with both feet...

Small town cop Clint Rivera can’t catch a break. His ex of two weeks is suddenly getting married, his dogs tore up his furniture, he’s getting evicted, and he’s out of beer. When he decides to solve his alcohol shortage by going to his ex’s engagement party, Clint winds up too drunk to drive himself home. Enter gorgeous deputy mayor Hawk Black, the man who constantly shows up unexpectedly and sends Clint’s body and mind into a tailspin with nothing but his whiskey voice and blue eyes.

After months of patience, Hawk can finally seduce the man he’s been craving. Clint’s day might not have started out well, but Hawk’s going to make sure it ends with a bang, preferably in bed. He’ll show Clint some rewards are worth the risk.

With love on the line, Clint will need to decide if he can open his heart, tear down his shields, and jump in with both feet.

This is a 2nd edition without substantive changes from the 1st edition.

BOOK REVIEW

Clint is a small town cop and having a very bad day. He comes back from a trip away only to find that his ex is engaged and throwing a party, his dogs have trashed his apartment and he can't even get a cool bottle of beer. So what does he do? He turns up at his ex's party and gets drunk.

Luckily gorgeous Hawk, the deputy mayor, is there to save the day and drives Clint to his home where he helps him get sober and somewhere in between confesses his attraction to Clint. Of course one thing leads to another and they get it on.

I really enjoyed this story.  Clint and Hawk are great as individuals and fabulous as a couple. I loved that there was a genuine reason for Hawk to love Clint from a distance and that when the opportunity arose to declare his feelings, he did so immediately. I love that Clint despite being hurt, was able to open his heart so quickly to another. Their love was sexy and sweet all at the same time.

BUY LINKS

Cardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever- after sunset.

Cardeno's Home, Family, and Mates series have received awards from Love Romances and More Golden Roses, Rainbow Awards, the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and various reviewers. But even more special to CC are heartfelt reactions from readers, like, "You bring joy and love and make it part of the every day."

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