Tag Archives: Megan Erickson

ARC Book Review: Overexposed (In Focus, #4) – Megan Erickson

OverexposedKindle Edition
Expected publication: September 20th 2016 by InterMix

Blurb: Love runs wild on the Appalachian Trail in the latest from the author of Out of Frame and Focus on Me…

Levi Grainger needs a break. As a reality show star, he’s had enough of the spotlight and being edited into a walking stereotype. When he returns home after the last season of Trip League, he expects to spend time with his family, only to learn his sister is coming back from her deployment in a flag-draped casket. Devastated, Levi decides the best way to grieve will be to go off grid and hike the Appalachian Trail—a trip he’d planned to do with his sister.

His solitary existence on the trail is interrupted when he meets Thad, a quiet man with a hard body and intense eyes. Their connection is stronger than anything Levi has ever experienced. But when Levi discovers the truth about what Thad is hiking to escape, their future together looks uncertain, and uncertainty is the last thing Levi needs…

***

I’ve not read the first two books of this series but the last one, I thoroughly enjoyed. This fourth book tho, is perhaps my favorite between the two because I’m just full-on in love with the characters onset of the story.

I love Levi! I mean, I love everything about his character! He’s funny and just about the most adorable ever! I also felt his sadness over his loss. I feel all of the swirling emotions inside of him while he was traversing the Appalachian Trail with Thad.

Thad is a bit of a mystery at first. I loved the broody, big, badass image. He’s the best book boyfriend ever. Add the fact that he’s practically celibate. Hah! I think that made him even hotter in my head. Say, search demisexual. I’m not exactly sure about it yet but let’s just say that he’s the kind of boyfriend you’d want to introduce to your mama.

Both characters, Levi and Thad have experienced great loss. The pain is bleeding from them and when they found each other while hiking the Appalachian trail, the two found solace. Thad tho, is keeping a secret that may break the bond they have formed while on the trail. Will Levi be able to get over it? Will their love be able to heal the overexposed wounds in their hearts?

The story definitely has more angst than the other three books I’ve read from the author and definitely more mature than the third book off the series. Perhaps, because the characters are older and has more worldly experiences. I loved that their baggage didn’t drag the story. It was a steady story with a very steady conflict. Reading was continuous, a bit fast in the end but nevertheless very satisfying.   It looks like this is the last from the series which is a shame really because I would love to see Matty’s redemption. In any case, this book is definitely a must-read for everyone who loves a good angsty romance. It being a gay one is a bonus, methinks. 🙂

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Megan Erickson is a USA Today bestselling author of romance that sizzles. Her books have a touch of nerd, a dash of humor, and always have a happily ever after. A former journalist, she switched to fiction when she decided she likes writing her own endings better.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her very own nerdy husband and two kids. Although rather fun-sized, she’s been told she has a full-sized personality. When Megan isn’t writing, she’s either lounging with her two cats named after John Hughes characters or… thinking about writing.

For more, visit meganerickson.org

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an impartial review.

Book Review: Out Of Frame (In Focus, #3) – Megan Erickson

Out Of FramePublished March 15, 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: LGBT Romance, New Adult
Length: 202 pages, ebook
Publisher: InterMix
Ebook ASIN: B016JPTQ8G
Characters: Quinn Mathers, J.R. Butler

I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this story since I haven’t read a solo book from Megan Erickson. I’ve read Strong Signal which I absolutely loved but Ms. Erickson wrote it along with Santino Hassell (that was my first book from both of them) so I’m going with this one solely through friends’ recommendations and I absolutely enjoyed it!

The story isn’t extraordinarily new – just a cruise ship adventure on a spring break or maybe not so much. It was the first time for the awkward ginger, Quinn Mathers to do something unexpected and he’s doing it with his best friend Jess on a cruise ship. It’s not just any cruise though, since on board are the members of a reality show, Trip League. Enter J.R. Butler, the resident bad boy of the show whom Quinn has been lusting for like forever unbeknownst to his best friend.

J.R. felt instant attraction from the very first time he saw Quinn but due to his contract requiring him to play it straight, there’s no way for him to do something about said attraction. With his career on the line, is he willing to risk everything for the redhead who made him feel that life could still go on even after he comes out?

I absolutely adore Quinn and his geeky side! Actually, he’s not much of a geek looking back. He’s just too sheltered being an only child with uber-protective parents. He’s just so freaking endearing especially with his sea bands! I loved that his character got some fire despite appearing uptight at first.

J.R. is someone whom I’d give my best power-hug ever! Although he reminds me a bit of those crazy punks from Jersey Shore, I find his character mesmerizing. And when he mentioned Idris Elba. Yes. OMFG. I mean, you’ve seen Idris Elba shirtless right? LOL. Imagine 20 years younger Idris with his hotness level until now and you’ve got Jay! I know! Swoonfest!!!

I also want to say how much I appreciate that Jay’s character is black. I don’t often see black MCs’ in this genre. There’s just so few of them that I could easily count the ones that I’ve read over the years. I feel like they are under-represented.

I initially thought that there will be too much drama in it given the reality TV show premise so I’m glad that the whole thing was very much subdued. I loved that the author didn’t see it fit to make the whole thing excessively complicated for the main characters. It went far too easy at the end but I thought it’s a more than deserved ending for both guys.

I think I missed to mention from the start that this was the first book I’ve read out of the series and I’d say that I didn’t miss much since it’s very much a stand-alone story. Now, I know that I need to pick up the first and second book pronto!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About the Author
Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she’s probably listening to the characters in her head who won’t stop talking.

For more, visit meganerickson.org

Book Review: Strong Signal (Cyberlove, #1) – Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell

Strong SignalPublished February 15th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Romance / Contemporary
Length: 235 pages, ebook
Publisher: Megtino Press
Ebook ISBN: 9781634769099
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Characters: Kai Bannon, Garrett Reid

Blurb: I was counting down the months until the end of my deployment. My days were spent working on military vehicles, and I spent my nights playing video games that would distract me until I could leave Staff Sergeant Garrett Reid behind.

That was when I met him: Kai Bannon, a fellow gamer with a famous stream channel.

I never expected to become fixated on someone who’d initially been a rival. And I’d never expected someone who oozed charm to notice me—a guy known for his brutal honesty and scowl. I hadn’t planned for our online friendship to turn into something that kept me up at night—hours of chatting evolving into filthy webcam sessions.

But it did. And now I can’t stop thinking about him. In my mind, our real life meeting is perfect. We kiss, we fall into bed, and it’s love at first sight.

Except, like most things in my life, it doesn’t go as planned.

Strong Signal is a standalone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger

 This is going to be a ‘short’ review because everything I’ve to say about this book is good! It simply is perfection! See, I opted to just post the blurb above. I usually try to rewrite ’em but F it – I’m busy looking for the perfect gifs and basking on its awesomeness!

dancing1

Kai is too adorbs and G is sexy as fuck! Actually, they’re both totes adorbs and just fucking hot together! They are perfect for each other! I’ve never read a single book from the authors so I am happy that my first from them was this fucking amazing book which I need to reread like super-ASAP because it’s just so good. The feels ♥♥♥♥ The gooey-super-cheesy feeling ♥♥♥♥ The tingle from their sexy times ♥♥♥♥ Their banter  I just fucking loved everything about it. ♥♥♥♥

If you’re looking for something that is feel-good, unique and something that will make you really smile so wide like your face will split into two, then I suggest you pick this one now!

Check out Kai’s victory dance!

dancing 2

I’ve a request for Megan and Santino – I want more of Kai Bannon and Garrett Reid so can we at least get a novella before Costigan’s book? I know it’s way too early to ask for this but pretty please ♥

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About Megan Erickson
Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she’s probably listening to the characters in her head who won’t stop talking.

For more, visit meganerickson.org

About Santino Hassell
Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

To learn more about Santino you can follow him on:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/santino…
Twitter: @santinohassell
Facebook: theonlysonnyhassell | santinohassellbooks
Instagram: santinohassell
Newsletter:http://santinohassell.com/newsletter/

And at his official website: http://bit.ly/16sgcSu