Category Archives: Cardeno C

Review: Not a Game by Cardeno C.

Title: Not a Game by Cardeno C.
Friends Series Book One
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Word Count: 55,866
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

An accidental meeting and a misunderstanding lead to a life-altering connection.

A new job, a new city, and hopefully a new life. When chubby gamer Oliver Barnaby receives a job offer from the best boutique game developer in the country, he leaves his family and his less than spectacular existence in Oklahoma without a second’s hesitation. Determined to change more than his career and his geography, Oliver implements a plan to finally land a boyfriend. Step one is improving his skills in the bedroom.

A life that looks perfect on paper, but feels empty in reality. Attractive, successful, charismatic Jaime Snow has a life other people envy. His already booming business is growing. He isn’t lacking in friends. And he has no trouble finding a date. But there’s an emptiness in Jaime’s heart and a hole in his life that only the right man can fill.

An accidental meeting, a misunderstanding, and falling in love. When Oliver and Jaime end up at the same bar at the same time, they each see something they want in the other. Going to bed together that first night is easy. Building the lifetime relationship they both desperately crave will require trust, time, and a little misunderstanding.

Review:

Not a Game by Cardeno C. is a scorching hot, conflict-free erotic romance.

Having recently moved from OK to WA for a new job, Oliver Barnaby is determined to make some much needed changes to his life.  With plenty of insecurities and not much confidence due to some unkind remarks by his ex-boyfriend, he makes a surprising decision that he hopes will provide him the experience and confidence he needs to jump start his non-existent love life.  He also plans to make an effort to make friends but he is uncomfortable around people he does not know so he focuses on improving his sex life first.  Oliver is quite smitten with the new man in his life, Jaime Snow, but due to the circumstances in which they first meet, he finds it difficult to believe Jaime is truly interested in him.

Jaime is pretty much everything Oliver is not.  He is in great shape and he is quite self-assured.  He has been in a long term relationship and although he and his ex split up several years earlier, he has not met the right man to spend the rest of his life with.  He is instantly attracted to Oliver and he is quite patient with his new lover as he helps him overcome his self-doubts.  Jaime is quick to assure him that his interest is sincere and Jaime bides his time as he waits for the right time to clear up Oliver’s misconception about his true identity.

Initially, Jaime and Oliver’s relationship is mostly physical so there are plenty of explicit sex scenes between them.  But there is also little doubt that they genuinely like each other and there are a host of feelings simmering beneath their passionate encoutners.  Although Oliver does become much more comfortable with his appearance, he remains uncertain that Jaime’s interest in him is real.  Jaime does not help the situation by continuing to keep important information to himself even though his reasons for remaining silent are understandable.  Once Oliver finally figures out the truth, his reaction is a tiny bit unrealistic but refreshingly free of unnecessary drama.

Not a Game by Cardeno C. is a sinfully sexy erotic gay romance.  The characters are wonderfully developed, delightfully imperfect and infinitely appealing.  The storyline is engaging and provides a positive message about body image.  A fast-paced and enjoyable love story that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment in the Friends series.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Erotic, Friends Series, M/M, Not a Game, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Romance Authors

Review: Jesse’s Diner by Cardeno C.

jesses dinerTitle: Jesse’s Diner by Cardeno C.
Hope Series Book Two
Publisher: The Romance Authors
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Length: 112 pages/Word Count: 30,00
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another, all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

Review:

Jesse’s Diner by Cardeno C. is a heartwarming May/December romance that is delightfully angst free. This sweet yet steamy addition to the Hope series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.

Although Tanner Sellers is endearingly shy and a tad socially awkward, he successfully runs the diner he inherited from his mentor and friend, Jesse. Now his best friend Mike (Jesse’s son) is attending college out of state, Tanner keeps to himself and concentrates on his business. But when Mike asks him to check on his widowed dad, Steve, Tanner eagerly agrees. Tanner has harbored a secret crush on Steve for years and although delighted to spend time with him, he is initially nervous and tongue-tied.  But as the weeks pass, so does his anxiety and as he finally gets to know Steve, Tanner begins to see him as more than the object of his fantasies.

Despite being good friends with Jesse and his long time attraction to Steve, Tanner really does not know much about him. Steve easily opens up to him about his life before moving to Hope and the circumstances that brought him and Jesse together. His honesty is refreshing and when Tanner misses his subtle attempts to flirt with him, Steve does not hesitate to tell him that his feelings run deeper than friendship. Steve is gentle and patient with Tanner as they transition from friends to lovers and their romance is a wonderful blend of scorching hot love scenes and low key quiet times. With a welcome lack of drama, misunderstandings and miscommunications, their relationship is a warm, comfortable romance that is quite enjoyable to watch unfold.

Jesse’s Diner by Cardeno C. is a heartfelt and engaging novella that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.  A quick read that is uplifting and satisfying, this second installment in the Hope series will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in this marvelous series.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Erotic, Hope Series, M/M, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Romance Authors

Review: Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C.

strange bedfellowsTitle: Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C.
Publisher: The Romance Authors
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance
Length: 226 pages/Word Count: 57,995
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

As the sole offspring of the Democratic United States president and his political operative wife, Trevor Moga was raised in an environment driven by the election cycle. During childhood, he fantasized about living in a made-for-television family, and as an adult, he rejected all things politics and built a highly successful career as far from his parents as possible.

Newly elected congressman Ford Hollingsworth is Republican royalty. The grandson of a revered governor and son of a respected senator, he was bred to value faith, family, and the goal of seeing a Hollingsworth in the White House.

When Trevor and Ford meet, sparks fly and a strong friendship is formed. But can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

Word count: 57,995

Review:

Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C. is a very sweet yet scorching hot M/M romance. Set in the world of politics, the cynical son of a Democratic president and an earnest, idealistic Republican are surprised when their one night stand leads to a real relationship.

Due to his parents’ unconventional but lasting union, Trevor Moga knows what he wants and more importantly, what he doesn’t want in a marriage. He is an out and proud, highly successful businessman who stays as far away from politics as he can, so he is absolutely stunned when he cannot stop thinking about Ford Hollingsworth, an ultra conservative, deeply closeted congressman. Although he is not too happy about Ford’s need for secrecy, he continues to see Ford as often as possible. As the months go by and his feelings for Ford deepen, Trevor finds himself rethinking his long held beliefs about his parents’ marriage and this new perspective leads him to a surprising decision after an unexpected career opportunity comes Ford’s way.

Ford is deeply religious and he has struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his religious teachings for most of his life. It is not until after he meets Trevor that he begins to believe that there is nothing “wrong” with being gay but he remains very reluctant to come out publicly or to his family. He is concerned about disappointing his parents and he also worries about the impact his sexuality will have on his career. Ford is a little naive but he is a sincere, honest politician who truly believes in the political system.

The relationship between Ford and Trevor is an intriguing mix of seriously hot sex and sweet, tender moments. Trevor is the more sexually experienced of the two and he knows what he wants and likes and he isn’t afraid to go after it. Ford is a little uptight but eager to explore his burgeoning sexuality and it does not take long for Trevor to loosen him up a bit.

Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C. is a delightfully angst free romance that fans of contemporary M/M fiction are sure to love. The plot is refreshingly unique and although the storyline touches on some potentially hot button topics such as religion and politics, these issues remain the in the background. There is plenty of sexual tension between Ford and Trevor and their sex scenes are are exquisitely detailed, deliciously filthy and quite plentiful. Love sneaks in when neither of them are looking and while there are obstacles for them to overcome on the way to happily ever after, these issues are resolved realistically without any necessary drama.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Rated B, Review, Romance, Strange Bedfellows, The Romance Authors

Review: The Half of Us by Cardeno C.

half usTitle: The Half of Us by Cardeno C.
Family Series Book Four
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance
Length: 206 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

A Book in the Family Series

Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it’s a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.

Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn’t dimmed Abe Green’s optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.

For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

The Review:

The Half of Us by Cardeno C. is an extremely hot but achingly sweet romance between two very unlikely lovers. Old and new fans of the Family series are going to LOVE this fourth installment where a one night stand unexpectedly leads to love. It can be read as a standalone story, but I recommend the entire series.

Jason Garcia is a divorced doctor with a demanding practice who uses sex as a way to de-stress. After a difficult day in the operating room, Mr. One Night Stand picks up cute, friendly, sweet Abe in a local bar. Now one time hook ups are not the norm for Abe, but it is his birthday, so he decides to indulge his attraction for the smoking hot stranger. Somehow their one night turns into two nights, then three and before Abe and Jason know it, they are spending all of their free time together. Their relationship builds slowly over several months and challenges Jason’s long held beliefs about home and family.

Insta-lust is what initially draws Jason and Abe together, incredibly hot, satisfying sex is what keeps them coming back to one another, but in the end, love is what binds them together.  Now what makes The Half of Us so fascinating is how they make their relationship work since they are complete opposites.

Jason is in his mid thirties, arrogant, bossy and carrying a lot of emotional baggage.  Abe is in his mid twenties, open, talkative and comfortable in his skin. Jason does not understand why he is so drawn to Abe but he does not fight their attraction. He is not very self-aware, so he does not really recognize what he feels for Abe. Fortunately, Abe is in touch with his emotions and more importantly, he is good at reading people. He gets exactly what their relationship means and he quietly moves into Jason’s life and his heart.

Now, let’s talk sex because there is LOTS of it in The Half of Us. Jason has a high sex drive and he does not believe in denying himself. He is passionate, demanding and pushy and Abe is pretty much his for the taking. Jason is firmly in control and he brings all of Abe’s deepest darkest fantasies to life. Their sex scenes are scorching hot with lots and lots of dirty talk, but there is also a emotional connection as well.

The Half of Us by Cardeno C. is a wonderful, angst free love story that is sexy and sweet.  The characters are appealing, the storyline is engaging and the lack of conflict is refreshing. There is substance to the plot and the characters evolve throughout the story. It is an absolutely fabulous addition to the heartwarming Family series that I absolutely loved.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Dreamspinner Press, Erotic, Family Series, M/M, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Half of Us

Review: McFarland’s Farm by Cardeno C.

mcfarland'sTitle: McFarland’s Farm by Cardeno C.
Hope Series Book One
Publisher: The Romance Authors
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance
Length: 102 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Wealthy, attractive Lucas Reika treats life like a party, moving from bar to bar and man to man. Thumbing his nose at his restaurateur father’s demand that he earn his keep, Lucas instead seduces a valued employee in the kitchen of their flagship restaurant, earning himself an ultimatum: lose access to his father’s money or stay in the middle of nowhere with a man he has secretly lusted over from afar.

Quiet, hard-working Jared McFarland loves his farm on the outskirts of Hope, Arizona, but he aches to have someone to come home to at the end of the day. Jared agrees to take in his longtime crush as a favor. But when Lucas invades his heart in addition to his space, Jared has to decide how much of himself he’s willing to risk and figure out if he can offer Lucas enough to keep him after his father’s punishment is over.

The Review:

McFarland’s Farm by Cardeno C. is the first sweet yet very steamy novella in the Hope series. This quick read has fabulous main characters whose long standing association provides a firm foundation for their relationship when they unexpectedly fall in love.

Lucas Reika and Jared McFarland are complete opposites in pretty much every way. Lucas is a twenty-four year old recent college graduate and in the beginning, he is spoiled, rude and self-absorbed. This city boy is into the party scene and he has no shortage of sexual experience. Jared is in his early thirties and he lives a quiet life on his organic farm. He is a little shy and a bit socially awkward but he is pretty well-grounded. All of their differences set the stage for the perfect opposites attract romance.

Despite their differences, Lucas and Jared are compatible and they bring out the best in one another. Both men find unexpected contentment in their simple evenings and it takes a while for them to realize their attraction to one another is mutual. Once their relationship goes beyond friendship, their sex scenes are deliciously sensual and quite erotic.

McFarland’s Farm by Cardeno C. is a light, angst free novella. The story has very little conflict and when misunderstandings do arise, they are quickly resolved. The characters are well-developed with realistic insecurities and flaws. The romance is believable and the sex scenes are incredibly hot. All in all, it is a wonderful first installment in the Hope series that will leave fans eagerly awaiting future releases.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Erotic, Hope Series, M/M, McFarland's Farm, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Romance Authors

Review: In Another Life by Cardeno C.

Title: In Another Life by Cardeno C.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, M/M
Length: 84 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

At age 18, Shiloh Raben is tired. He no longer has the energy to deal with mean classmates, inner doubt, and fear of familial rejection, so he takes a razor to his wrist. When he wakes up in the hospital, Shiloh meets Travis Kahn, the EMT who saved him and didn’t leave his side.

Travis is handsome, smart, and funny—the type of guy Shiloh would never be brave enough to approach. But his near-death experience has an unusual side effect: the life that flashed before his eyes wasn’t the one he had already lived, but rather the one he could live. With visions of a future by Travis’s side, will Shiloh find the strength to confront his fears and build a life worth fighting for?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

The Review:

From the incredible prologue to the very last page, I was completely and totally captivated by In Another Life. Great characterization and stellar writing are hallmarks of a Cardeno C. story, but it is the very unique concept that makes this novella such an amazing experience.

In Another Life opens with 18 year old Shiloh Raben’s suicide attempt and quickly flashes forward to the life he might have had. In this life, Shiloh meets Travis Kahn and they quickly fall in love and just as they are beginning their happily ever after, an unexpected event threatens their happiness. Then the story goes back in time to the aftermath of Shiloh’s suicide attempt where he “re-meets” Travis in the present and their romance begins again.

Shiloh and Travis are exceptionally well-developed characters and I absolutely adored both of them. In the future relationship, Shiloh is endearing, a bit shy and when he is nervous, he tends to run off at the mouth. Travis is charming, confident and since he has been waiting a long time for the right man, their romance goes from zero to sixty in no time flat. There is a bit of an insta-love quality to their relationship in both the present and future, but in both instances, their feelings for each other are believable.

Once the story returns to the present, Shiloh and Travis have an instant connection and their relationship develops quickly. Shiloh retains some of his memories of Travis, but they are a bit hazy with a dreamlike quality. Shiloh’s suicide attempt is not glossed over and the reactions of his parents and the treatment he receives are realistic.

In Another Life is a beautifully written novella that delivers a powerful message of hope and love. It is never gloomy or depressing and Cardeno C. deftly blends reality with a hint of fantasy and the resulting story is compelling, thought-provoking and heartwarming.

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Filed under Cardeno C, Contemporary, Dreamspinner Press, Erotic, In Another Life, M/M, Rated B+, Review, Romance