Release Day Blitz and Review: Going All In: Kristine Cayne
Going All In (Men of Boyzville #1)Kristine Cayne
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M/M contemporary romance
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Released November 11, 2016
Life has been tough on Harry Cooper. Rejected by his best friend, abandoned by his family, Harry spurns relationships, settling instead for backroom hookups and one-night stands. Out and proud, he ekes out a living selling drinks in gold lamé trunks while struggling to make a name for himself as a musician. Desperate for a change, he and his roommate take a trip to Vegas, where Harry finds himself getting more than he’d bet on.
Fragrance chemist Ashton Montgomery is the man behind the Ashton George line of perfumes and colognes. He is also a gay man hiding behind the façade of one of New York City’s most eligible straight bachelors. After a failed paternity suit against him, he sneaks off to Vegas to celebrate his freedom. But is he really free, or is he locked into the future his parents have mapped out for him—CEO to the family business and married to a society woman of their choosing?
Fragrance chemist Ashton Montgomery is the man behind the Ashton George line of perfumes and colognes. He is also a gay man hiding behind the façade of one of New York City’s most eligible straight bachelors. After a failed paternity suit against him, he sneaks off to Vegas to celebrate his freedom. But is he really free, or is he locked into the future his parents have mapped out for him—CEO to the family business and married to a society woman of their choosing?
A chance meeting at a rock concert in Sin City catapults Harry and Ashton into an adventure where each man comes head to head with what he fears most. Can they learn to trust each other as a couple, or is undeniable lust all they have? When all the cards are on the table, they each must decide whether to fold or go all in.
One night in Vegas brings Harry Cooper and Ashton Montgomery together, but unfortunately some of the events become a bit unclear in the morning. One man has a little better memory than the other. But they really had no idea how a chance meeting was going to affect their lives.
Harry is a shot boy and part-time bassist in Seattle. He is a young man just working for a living with dreams of becoming a successful musician. He is independent, flamboyant, out, and proud. He likes to make his own way and does not like relying on others. But he also has fears, insecurities, abandonment, and trust issues.
Ashton is wealthy, educated, successful, and out to only a few. His job position makes coming out precarious and there are expectations placed upon him. His life is in New York, but so are toxic influences, responsibilities, and the facade he has been forced to live under. He knows who he is and who he wants to be, but does not know how to resolve all of the issues in his life and get there.
But on a quest to learn more about Harry, Ashton takes a trip to Seattle. These guys have serious chemistry and combust into lust, want, and need. But they also have a natural rapport and genuine like of each other. They are star-crossed lovers from different cities and different circumstances in life. Ashton started out just trying to see if Harry really is sincere and true. But Ashton is keeping some secrets and begins to bury himself under lies. And the more deep he gets, the more scared he is of losing Harry. Each time one part of Ashton's secrets are exposed, he runs the risk of losing what he and Harry have been building. And Harry's big triggers are being lied to or left broken-hearted.
Ashton coming out and being with Harry could have major implications for his career and future. And Harry's rock-n-roll dreams could also adversely affect Ashton's career or a chance of a true relationship. It is a big mess of lies, secrets, betrayal, and self-protection that have the potential to not only ruin their chance at love but also impact them pursuing their dreams.
But they also have the ability to inspire each other to reach for more, be true to themselves, and try to have it all. But that would have to involve a process of forgiveness, understanding, trust, and believing in themselves and the other.
I will admit that I got a bit frustrated with Ashton and his delay in coming clean about everything, but I could also understand his fears and worries about Harry not understanding. And they did have several layers of potential conflicts and issues to deal with. They both ultimately have to face their biggest fears and determine if they can move past them. I really liked both of the guys and them together. They were such opposites in looks, behavior, and backgrounds, but just fit so well and had such great chemistry. The author developed each of them well and allowed us to really see into their hearts and minds and feel it along with them.
The Vegas story is a trope I have read in several M/F books, but this is the first time I have read a M/M version of it, and the author added a few twists that made it even more interesting. It was sweet, sexy, funny, and romantic.
There were some fun cameos from Lover on Top with Chad, Hollywood, Austin, and Tori. The author effectively explained events that were pertinent to this story so that people that did not read Lover on Top would understand the history of Harry and the side characters. I liked Harry's bestie, Melissa, and Ashton's cousin, Charlie, his bodyguard, Marco, and some of his various band mates. There is definitely some more potential for male leads in this M/M series.
And on a side note: This cover is just gorgeous and captures Harry and Ashton!
I was gifted a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Harry is a shot boy and part-time bassist in Seattle. He is a young man just working for a living with dreams of becoming a successful musician. He is independent, flamboyant, out, and proud. He likes to make his own way and does not like relying on others. But he also has fears, insecurities, abandonment, and trust issues.
Ashton is wealthy, educated, successful, and out to only a few. His job position makes coming out precarious and there are expectations placed upon him. His life is in New York, but so are toxic influences, responsibilities, and the facade he has been forced to live under. He knows who he is and who he wants to be, but does not know how to resolve all of the issues in his life and get there.
But on a quest to learn more about Harry, Ashton takes a trip to Seattle. These guys have serious chemistry and combust into lust, want, and need. But they also have a natural rapport and genuine like of each other. They are star-crossed lovers from different cities and different circumstances in life. Ashton started out just trying to see if Harry really is sincere and true. But Ashton is keeping some secrets and begins to bury himself under lies. And the more deep he gets, the more scared he is of losing Harry. Each time one part of Ashton's secrets are exposed, he runs the risk of losing what he and Harry have been building. And Harry's big triggers are being lied to or left broken-hearted.
Ashton coming out and being with Harry could have major implications for his career and future. And Harry's rock-n-roll dreams could also adversely affect Ashton's career or a chance of a true relationship. It is a big mess of lies, secrets, betrayal, and self-protection that have the potential to not only ruin their chance at love but also impact them pursuing their dreams.
But they also have the ability to inspire each other to reach for more, be true to themselves, and try to have it all. But that would have to involve a process of forgiveness, understanding, trust, and believing in themselves and the other.
I will admit that I got a bit frustrated with Ashton and his delay in coming clean about everything, but I could also understand his fears and worries about Harry not understanding. And they did have several layers of potential conflicts and issues to deal with. They both ultimately have to face their biggest fears and determine if they can move past them. I really liked both of the guys and them together. They were such opposites in looks, behavior, and backgrounds, but just fit so well and had such great chemistry. The author developed each of them well and allowed us to really see into their hearts and minds and feel it along with them.
The Vegas story is a trope I have read in several M/F books, but this is the first time I have read a M/M version of it, and the author added a few twists that made it even more interesting. It was sweet, sexy, funny, and romantic.
There were some fun cameos from Lover on Top with Chad, Hollywood, Austin, and Tori. The author effectively explained events that were pertinent to this story so that people that did not read Lover on Top would understand the history of Harry and the side characters. I liked Harry's bestie, Melissa, and Ashton's cousin, Charlie, his bodyguard, Marco, and some of his various band mates. There is definitely some more potential for male leads in this M/M series.
And on a side note: This cover is just gorgeous and captures Harry and Ashton!
I was gifted a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Harry Cooper burst through the door of his room at the Hard
Rock Hotel. It closed behind him with a dramatic clang. “Girl, you will not
believe—”
Spotting his best friend Melissa Kincaid half-asleep in a
pile of pillows on the massive bed they’d had to share to get the special
“Getaway to Vegas” deal, he gasped and slapped her boxer-clad ass. “Seriously?
We’re in Sin City, and all you can do is sleep?”
“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, rubbing her butt cheek as she
sat up. “Did you get tickets to something good?”
“Yes.” He sucked in a deep breath. “You won’t fucking
believe—oh my God.” He waved a hand in front of his face.
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Please tell me this isn’t another
Madonna drag-show revival thing. I had enough of that last year.”
Harry scowled indignantly. That show in Portland had been a
blast. But no. “This is a million times better.”
“Better than Madonna? Well, in that case…” She rolled her
hand in a go-on motion.
Harry sighed. Melissa just wasn’t in the spirit of their
holiday. Her boyfriend of two years had broken up with her right after
Christmas, announcing that he was going to London to complete his Ph.D. She’d
begged him to continue their relationship long distance, but he’d been adamant.
This was going to be a new chapter in his life, and one he’d be writing alone.
Yeah. Dick, much?
But that was exactly why they’d left soggy Seattle to come
to Vegas. To soak up the sun and the booze and forget about the fact that
Valentine’s Day had just passed, and they were both hopelessly single.
“Come on, sweetie,” he coaxed. “Try to guess.”
“Okay, okay.” She shifted around on the bed, adjusting her
T-shirt, which had slipped off her shoulder. She was just so cute with her big
green eyes and auburn, shoulder-length curls. If he weren’t gay, she’d be the
girl for him.
She tapped a long nail against her chin. “Celine?”
Barely able to keep from blurting out his secret, he pressed
his lips tightly together and shook his head.
“Cirque du Soleil?”
“No, but that would have been awesome.”
“Hmm.” She shoved off the bed and pushed aside the curtain,
probably so she could see the show billboards out on the strip. Cheater.
She glanced at him over her shoulder, her eyes wide and
hopeful. “Phantom? I’ve always wanted to see that.”
He laughed. “You know Gerard Butler isn’t in the play,
right?”
“I can pretend.” She shot him a sassy smile.
“This is better anyway.”
“Nothing is better than Gerry as the Phantom.”
He sashayed across the room and got in her face, grinning
like a loon. “This is way better. Guess again.”
Her gaze returned to the strip. When she spotted the sign,
he heard the hitch in her breath. She whipped around and grabbed his shoulders.
“The Red Hot Chili Peppers?”
“Yes!”
He said it much louder than he’d intended. Okay, he’d
shouted, but could you blame him? They were going to see the freaking Red Hot
Chili Peppers, and he’d get to hear Flea, the best bassist in the world, live!
“Oh my God. Are you serious? Those tickets have to cost more
than our whole trip.”
He shot her a wink. “I may have done some wheeling and
dealing with the concierge.”
Her eyes swept over him and narrowed. “Please tell me no
sexual favors were exchanged in this transaction.”
Shooting out his hip, he slapped a hand to his chest. “Moi? I’ll have you know, Miss Melissa, I
do have other talents.”
Waving her hands in front of her face, she ducked her head.
“I really, really don’t want to know.”
The Men of Boyzville series is a spin-off the Six Alarm Sexy series. Meet Harry first in the M/M book, Lover on Top.
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Sexy-as-sin paramedic Chad Caldwell has always been out and proud. Sure, some gay-bashers are harassing him, but he’s determined to be true to himself. There’s just one problem: He’s hung up on Hollywood, his older brother’s straight best friend. When Hollywood’s apartment is damaged by fire, Chad reluctantly takes him in. Will Chad’s heart survive such close proximity to a man who’s both unattainable and everything Chad wants?
A perpetual bachelor, firefighter lieutenant Hollywood Wright hops from one woman’s bed to another, searching for something he never finds. Has his father’s emotional and physical abuse somehow damaged him? Or is something else going on, something that involves the intense and uncomfortable feelings aroused by his best friend’s little brother?
To their mutual surprise, Hollywood finds Chad and his world fascinating—and much hotter than anything he’s ever experienced. But with a rabidly homophobic father, is Hollywood doomed to die in the closet? Chad won’t accept anything less than a public relationship, no matter how amazing the sex is. Can Hollywood ever accept the man he’s always buried deep inside?
Other Books in the Six-Alarm Sexy Series (M/F)
Aftershocks (Prequel)
Under His Command (Book One)
Everything Bared (Book Two)
Handle with Care (In-between Novella)
Six-Alarm Sexy, Volume One
(ebook and print, Aftershocks and Under His Command)
Six-Alarm Sexy, Volume Two
(ebook and print, Everything Bared and Handle with Care)
*****
Available from your favorite ebook seller!
Kristine Cayne's books have won numerous awards and acclaim. Her first book, Deadly Obsession, was an RT Book Reviews Top Pick and won Best Romance in the 2012 eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards. Her second book, Deadly Addiction, won two awards at the 2014 eFestival of Words and 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Romantic Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).
Her book Under His Command won Best BDSM Romance at the 2012 Sizzling Awards and was a finalist in the 2013 eFestival of Words and 2013 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Awards, and her book Everything Bared was a finalist in the Erotic category of the I Heart Indie awards.
Going All In is Kristine’s second gay romance.
1 comments
Thank you for being a part of the tour. So glad you enjoyed Going All In!
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