Category Archives: Tucker Springs

April 30, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: It’s Complicated by L.A. Witt

complicatedTitle: It’s Complicated by L.A. Witt
Tucker Springs Book Seven
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance
Length: 205 pages/Word Count: 52,000
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

After their umpteenth breakup, Brad Sweeney and Jeff Hayden are living apart and starting over from scratch. The morning after a promising first date, they’re more optimistic than ever that they can make it work this time . . . until Jeff’s ex-wife and business partner calls to announce she’s pregnant with Jeff’s baby. Brad’s already competing with a demanding business for Jeff’s time. Now there’s a baby on the way, and worse, he’s afraid Jeff is still carrying a torch for the woman who’s carrying his child.

Jeff is desperately trying to keep his life together, but before he can even get his head around the news that he’s going to be a father, his ex announces that she wants to leave Tucker Springs. Now he either has to take over her role at the shop while ferrying the baby back and forth from Denver, or move the business—and himself—with her.

Brad and Jeff knew reconciliation wouldn’t be easy, but they’re rapidly running out of room for compromise. And sooner or later, something has to give.

The Review:

I absolutely adore the Tucker Springs series, and L.A. Witt’s newest contribution, It’s Complicated, is a rollercoaster ride of emotion as Brad Sweeney and Jeff Hayden try to make their on again/off again relationship work. But a surprise pregnancy, Jeff’s grueling work schedule and Brad’s (well-founded) insecurities threaten to derail their fragile new beginning.

Brad and Jeff’s tentative reconciliation is off to great beginning. Their “first” date is a resounding success and the sex is hotter than ever, but with one phone call, they are quickly back on shaky ground. During their last break, Jeff and his ex-wife Christine, who is also his business partner, indulged in a one night stand and now Christine is pregnant. Even more surprising is Christine’s decision to leave Tucker Springs and their very successful company. While Jeff is thrilled about becoming a dad, he is conflicted about Christine’s plans and coming up with a solution that works for everyone is virtually impossible.

Written in first person from both Brad and Jeff’s perspectives, there is never any doubt what each character is thinking. Both agree that Jeff’s long hours are a major source of conflict and that numerous minor irritations are the catalyst for major blow ups. They never seem to address the underlying issues which, in part, stem from Jeff’s continued relationship with Christine and his inability to fully commit to Brad. And all of this a problem before Christine’s pregnancy, so it is not any wonder that Brad’s concerns that Jeff and Christine will reconcile become a big issue for him. There is never any doubt that Brad and Jeff love each other, but their obstacles do seem insurmountable. Of course, the solution to their problems is staring them in the face for the whole novel, but getting them to see it takes forever!

It’s Complicated is an engaging and fast-paced addition to the Tucker Springs series. The story is well-written, the problems between Brad and Jeff are realistic and since this is an L.A. Witt novel, the sex is hot. While there is a lot of emotional turmoil, the novel does not really feel overly angsty. There really aren’t any communication issues between Brad and Jeff and they do a fabulous job discussing their issues. However they are often unable to come up with viable answers for their unresolved problems and I love that neither is willing to give up on their relationship without a fight.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Erotic, It's Complicated, LA Witt, M/M, Rated B+, Review, Riptide Publishing, Romance, Tucker Springs

March 25, 2013 · 3:59 am

Review: L.A. Witt’s Covet Thy Neighbor

Title: Covet Thy Neighbor by L.A. Witt
Tucker Springs Book Four
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Length: 170 pages/Word count: 46,100
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Opposites attract, but heaven help these two.

Tattoo artist Seth Wheeler thinks he’s struck gold when Darren Romero rents the apartment across the hall. The new guy is gorgeous, witty, and single, plus he’s just the right blend of bold and flirtatious. Perfect.

Except then Darren reveals that he moved to Tucker Springs to take a job as the youth pastor at the New Light Church. Seth is not only an atheist, but was thrown out by his ultra-religious family when he came out. He tends to avoid believers, not out of judgment but out of self-preservation.

But Darren doesn’t give up easily, and he steadily chips away at Seth’s defenses. Darren is everything Seth wants in a man . . . except for that one massive detail he just can’t overlook. Is Darren’s religion the real problem, or is it just a convenient smoke screen to keep him from facing deeper fears? It’s either see the light, or risk pushing Darren away forever.

The Review:

I am a huge fan of both L.A. Witt and the Tucker Springs series, so I knew that I HAD to read Covet Thy Neighbor and WOW, what an absolutely marvelous novel it turned out to be. This compelling romance is fast-paced, smokin’ hot and quite thought-provoking. The only thing I didn’t like? That this spectacular story had to end!

Seth Wheeler and Darren Romero are delightfully engaging protagonists. They are incredibly well developed and quite appealing. Both men are refreshingly open-minded and they are always completely honest with each other about their faith or in Seth’s case, the lack thereof. What I found most striking about Seth and Darren is despite the fact they are on opposite ends of the religious spectrum, they have a great deal of respect for one another’s beliefs. Their discussions are insightful and informative but never preachy.

I admit it. I had my doubts that a story with religious overtones could successfully balance the serious topic of faith with super steamy sex. I tend to think of ministers as being a little bland and well, asexual. But, Holy sexual tension, Batman, the chemistry between Seth and Darren is sizzling hot. These two are absolutely combustible in the bedroom and their encounters are positively incendiary. I doubt I will ever view a minister as passionless ever again!

L.A. Witt’s Covet Thy Neighbor is an outstanding addition to the captivating Tucker Springs series. I love that the past two installments have ventured into more serious territory. Life is messy and imperfect and the storylines accurately portray relevant issues that will resonate with many readers.

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3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Covet Thy Neighbor, Erotic, LA Witt, M/M, Rated B+, Review, Riptide Publishing, Romance, Tucker Springs

January 28, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan

Title: Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan
Tucker Springs Series Book Three
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, M/M, BDSM
Length: 259 pages/Word Count: 71,400
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The course of true love doesn’t always run clean. But sometimes getting dirty is half the fun.

Entomology grad student Adam Ellery meets Denver Rogers, a muscle-bound hunk of sexy, when Denver effortlessly dispatches the drunken frat boys harassing Adam at the Tucker Springs laundromat. Thanking him turns into flirting, and then, much to Adam’s delight, hot sex over the laundry table.

Though Denver’s job as a bouncer at a gay bar means he gets his pick of geek-sexy college twinks, he can’t get Adam out of his head. Adam seems to need the same rough play Denver does, and it’s damn hard to say no to such a perfect fit.

Trouble is, Adam isn’t just shy: he has obsessive compulsive disorder and clinical anxiety, conditions which have ruined past relationships. And while Denver might be able to bench-press a pile of grad students, he comes from a history of abuse and is terrified of getting his GED. Neither Denver nor Adam want to face their dirty laundry, but to stay together, they’re going to have to come clean.

The Review:

Heidi Cullinan’s Dirty Laundry is a superb romance between two flawed protagonists who find love despite their individual quirks. What I like most about this story is how realistic both characters are and how they make their relationship work although they are dealing with some fairly substantial issues.

What begins as a really hot one night stand between Adam Ellery and Denver Rogers soon evolves into a relationship that neither man really expected. Adam’s only relationship could not withstand the weight of his anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) while Denver’s previous relationship was emotionally abusive. Both men are afraid that if they reveal their secrets, the other will end their burgeoning relationship. In spite of their qualms, they each realize that if they are going to have a future together, they need to come clean about their pasts. Adam and Denver are pleasantly surprised when the outcome of their discussion yields surprising results…

Although at first glance it is not apparent, Denver and Adam really are perfect for one another. Denver is infinitely patient and he seems to know instinctively how to handle Adam. Adam is wracked with self-doubts and a negative thought pattern that spirals out of control but his involvement with Denver has a calming effect on his both his anxiety and his OCD.

While Adam’s issues are obvious right from the beginning of Dirty Laundry, Denver’s are more deeply hidden and readers catch glimpses of them here and there. Although it would seem that Adam would be self-absorbed due to the challenges facing him, that is simply not the case. As soon as he learns about Denver’s past, Adam jumps at the chance to help him overcome the obstacles that are holding Denver back.

There is a slight BDSM edge to the sex between Adam and Denver right from their first encounter and continues throughout the novel. Toward the end of the book, the relationship goes in a D/s direction, with Denver in the dominant role. Adam questions his motivations for submitting to Denver and since I had the same concerns, I was very glad that Ms. Cullinan included this in the storyline.

The anxiety and OCD play a prominent role in the story, but it is never overpowering. Since it is such a huge part of Adam’s life, if it were glossed over, I think it would have been a serious injustice to the plot. Heidi Cullinan does an excellent job demonstrating what life is like for someone coping with these illnesses and I really appreciated seeing the different ways Adam found to manage his everyday life.

Dirty Laundry is a perfect blend of kinky sex and sweet romance that fans of M/M novels will enjoy. Both characters undergo a tremendous amount of growth and they truly bring out the best in one another. The sexual chemistry between Adam and Denver is off the charts smokin’ hot and their encounters are downright nasty (but in a good way :)).

Dirty Laundry can be read as a standalone story, but you won’t want to miss a single visit in this wonderful town. And if you have been reading the Tucker Springs series, characters from the previous installments make guest appearances which provides readers the opportunity to catch up on their lives.

4 Comments

Filed under BDSM, Contemporary, Dirty Laundry, Erotic, Heidi Cullinan, Rated B+, Review, Riptide Publishing, Romance, Tucker Springs

September 10, 2012 · 3:58 am

Second Hand by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

Title: Second Hand by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton
Tucker Springs Series
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Erotic, Romance
Word Count: 50,000
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Paul Hannon moved to Tucker Springs for his girlfriend, but she’s left him with a house he can’t afford and a pantry full of useless gadgets. All Paul wants is to get back to normal, even if he’s not sure what that is anymore. When he wanders into Tucker Pawn for a gift to win her back, he meets El Rozal, pawn shop owner and all-around cynic.

El Rozal doesn’t do relationships, especially not with clueless straight boys still pining for their ex. El may make his living dealing in castoffs, but that doesn’t apply to men. Still, when Paul starts clearing out his old life, pawning kitchen equipment he never wanted in the first place, El is drawn to Paul in spite of himself.

Paul and El have nothing in common except a past full of disappointments. There’s no reason to believe the two of them could fit, but in El’s line of work, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. When it comes to love, El and Paul may learn that secondhand doesn’t mean second best.

The Review:

Fans of Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton are going to LOVE Second Hand, their co-authored release in the Tucker Springs series. It is a delightfully charming romance between two appealing protagonists who are going to steal your heart.

Open a dictionary, look up oblivious and you will find a picture of Paul Hannon. His self-confidence is so low he cannot conceive of anyone being interested in him, let alone notice when they are. But his innocence is also quite endearing and he is just so darned likable you cannot help but root for him to get his act together.

Emanuel “El” Rozal is cynical, world weary and cannot believe how incredibly naive and clueless Paul is. But he genuinely likes Paul and he takes him under his wing. El’s family is a little dysfunctional, but they are a close-knit and loving clan. They are involved in one another’s lives and El displays a great deal of concern for his various family members.

Despite appearances to the contrary, Second Hand is not a “gay for you” story. Rather, it is a journey of self-awareness for Paul as he comes to terms with his long-repressed sexuality and his desire for a “normal” life. Paul fell into his relationship with his ex and he allowed her to steer the course of their future. His attraction to El forces him to re-examine his teenage sexual experimentation with a male friend and re-define what he wants out of his life.

El and Paul’s relationship begins as friendship and slowly grows into something deeper and more meaningful. While there is a great deal of introspection from both Paul and El, Second Hand is a light, angst-free read. It is quite humorous with plenty of witty banter between the characters.

Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton take a rather unusual approach to storytelling in Second Hand. The story alternates between both protagonists perspectives which is nothing out of the ordinary. What is unusual is Paul’s point of view is first person while El’s is third person. Despite the shift, the story flows well, and I definitely enjoyed getting inside both of the characters’ heads.

I highly recommend this fast-paced and highly entertaining romance. Although Second Hand is the second installment of the Tucker Springs series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Erotic, Heidi Cullinan, M/M, Marie Sexton, Rated A, Riptide Publishing, Romance, Second Hand, Tucker Springs