Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a new contemporary M/M romance from Tara Lain. BLEU BALLS is the seventh book in her Balls to the Walls series which I have devoured. While they are all standalones, you can check out my reviews for VOLLEY BALLS, FIRE BALLS, BEACH BALLS, FAST BALLS, HIGH BALLS, and SNOW BALLS to see if any of these mancandy books tickle your fancy. BLEU BALLS features identical twins looking for love and finding it…despite their shenanigans.
Scroll down for an excerpt, my review and to enter the $15 Amazon GC giveaway!
About the book:
Double trouble. The McMillan twins, Robin and Bobby, are renowned for their talents—both as fine artists and for thrilling the various men who catch their eyes. As different in style and personality as their DNA is identical, they’re nonetheless best friends who divide and conquer, with Robin doing the serious painting and Bobby adding the sunny salesmanship.
But when their most important client decides Bobby must wield the paintbrush, the brothers revert to childhood tactics and switch places. Then along comes Micah, a handsome doctor who’s attracted to Bobby but invites Robin out to try to please his homophobic brother, and Paolo, the pain-in-the-butt client who thinks he’s wooing Bobby when he’s actually after Robin. Paolo harbors his own hidden pain that weirdly intersects with Robin’s, but pride and privacy conspire to produce what will either be a masterpiece—or end up as Dogs Playing Poker?
How about a little taste?
“Hey, gorgeous, want to dance?”
Bobby looked up at the attractive guy who’d been eyeing him for the last hour. “Oh, I don’t know—”
“Come on, Bobby, go. Go!” Rodney pushed Bobby out of the chair.
He smiled, but it took some effort. “Okay, so I guess yes.” He followed the man’s trim ass in nice summer-wool slacks toward the tiny dance floor in the lounge at the Rose. Jerry and his honey, Mick, were already dancing. The two big firefighters took up more than their share of the available boogie space, but they looked so happy it made Bobby tear up.
The guy turned and pulled Bobby into his arms. Clearly he intended to lead. Okay with me. “I’m Aaron, by the way.” The guy had nice hazel eyes and carefully brushed brown hair.
“Bobby.”
He started a not-very-complex box step. “You’re an artist, aren’t you?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I saw you at the Sawdust. I really like your stuff. Very unique.”
“Thank you.” Come on, be charming. “What do you do?”
“Stockbroker. Let me know if you need any investment tips.”
Bobby laughed. “Believe me, artists need tips on keeping their rent paid, although I’ll admit, we’re having a good summer.”
“We?”
“Me and my brother. We paint together.”
“Oh. Interesting. Keeping it in the—holy shit!”
Bobby looked up at Aaron and followed his line of sight to the door—where, sure enough, Robin had just walked in. Bobby waggled his fingers and called over the piped-in music. “Hi, dear.”
Robin waved back.
Aaron said, “But you two are identical.”
“Yes, of course. We’re the McMillan twins.”
Bobby felt Aaron react—somewhere between a jerk and a laugh.
“What?” Bobby looked up into a face that had been pleasant and now leered.
“Fuck, why didn’t you tell me you were Double Trouble?”
Bobby frowned. “Was I supposed to?”
“Shit, yes. I mean, what does it take to get some backroom action from you two? Hell, I can pay.”
“Pay?” Bobby pressed his hands against Aaron’s chest and shoved. “Get your hands off me, you pervert.”
“What?”
Bobby turned his tail and flipped it back to the table—but his insides rolled with anger and nausea.
Robin saw his face and sprang up. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Nothing I don’t deserve. He saw you and realized we were Double Trouble. He said he’d like to pay us.” Robin clenched his fists, but Bobby put a hand on his arm. “You can’t blame him for getting the wrong idea.”
“Oh? Watch me.” Robin stared pugnaciously across the dance floor.
My Review:
This is the seventh book in the Balls to the Wall series, but easily enjoyed on its own.
Robin and Bobby McMillan have come from modest beginnings to be moderately-known artists on the Laguna art scene. They recently bid on a large mural project that would pay large dividends, if they get the gig. However, on the day of the big proposal, bubbly and pleasant Bobby is too ill to make the meeting, and Robin tells off one of the main buyers once his short-temper is lit. Robin’s been downhearted a long time, but most recently he’s sad that he and JJ, from SNOW BALLS, didn’t make it work. Bobby’s been looking for a steady guy, too, even though this sexy duo is known for their freaky bedroom (or bar bathroom) skills as a tag team sex dream.
Robin’s shocked that they get the commission, but just as quickly dismayed that the buyer wants Bobby to be the lead artist. While they often work together, Robin does the bulk of the painting, while Bobby handles the customer relations. And, with them also selling at the local arts festival, it’s impossible for Bobby to be in both places at once…until they dye tier hair to match, and Robin masquerades as his more affable twin.
Meanwhile, “Bobby” catches the eye of their disgruntled patron, and Bobby falls for their new doctor, a man who’s struggling to gain his family’s acceptance. Some mismatches occur, but love is on the horizon for Bobby and “Bobby”–I mean Robin. This was mostly fun, but also tender, as Robin learns to love himself more, and stand up for his own needs. Bobby dims his light just a bit, but he shines all the brighter when facing off against prejudice, and working to keep Robin positive. I like how Robin’s love interest had a dark past, and a troubled family that colors his interactions. While he and Robin are initially at loggerheads, it’s mostly because they are more alike than different. And, when they come together, it’s soon apparent that Robin has many folks in his corner.
This was another fun read, with both heat and heart. We get to see a lot of our pals from the previous books, but it’s a double love story front-and-center. Bobby, Robin and their love interests take turns narrating, and the reader gets an inside view of their motivations. Which aren’t necessarily honest, but felt very real. I definitely enjoyed this one, and wonder what’s in store for the sexy Laguna boys.
Interested? You can find BLEU BALLS on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.
****GIVEAWAY****Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card.
Good luck and keep reading friends!
About the Author:
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her bestselling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.
She lives with her soulmate husband and her soulmate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
You can find Tara on her website, blog, Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
