Author Spotlight & Review ~ The Secrets in My Scowl by AE Via

Secrets in My Scowl

M/M GAY CONTEMPORARY / STANDALONE

PAGE COUNT – 312

Goodreads Link: https://goo.gl/Sbw9Tx 

Synopsis

Sparks ignite and tempers flare when a sexy, optimistic wedding planner moves his business in across the hall from a jilted, divorce lawyer’s practice. 

“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!” 

Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.” 

From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner. 

Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door. 

Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had. 

This story ends in an HEA and does not end on a cliffhanger. 

Buy Links:

Amazon Buy Link: https://goo.gl/4oCCZH

AllRomance: https://goo.gl/9V0GQS

Smashwords: https://goo.gl/QScfZk

Teaser:

When Jacob looked up at him, he noticed several expressions play over that ruggedly handsome face before finally stopping at apologetic. Jacob didn’t speak and neither did he. Wylde just nodded his head and continued inside. He wasn’t going to taunt or tease Jacob about that night, it wasn’t his style, but he had unfinished business with the man. He didn’t know exactly how Jacob felt about him as a tenant in this building anymore, but he was here and he’d demand respect. What happened a couple weeks ago wasn’t going to fly because when Jacob burst in his office, destroying his property in his wake, the man hadn’t been drunk yet. Just angry and hurt.

Wylde walked directly up to Jacob’s chair and bent down until their faces were level. He pulled out the business card that Jacob had shoved into his customer’s hand and tossed it in his lap. Wylde’s voice was deep and full of authority when he spoke; making sure Jacob got the importance of his message. “That better never happen again. You may not like my business, I may not like yours, but you will damn sure show me the same fucking respect that I show you. Are we clear, counselor?”

Jacob’s jaw tightened and ticked under Wylde’s serious glare, but he didn’t move until Jacob acknowledged what he’d said. He waited until Jacob finally nodded once, looking back to his game.

Wylde stood, ready to leave. He looked down at the board, the game well into its final stage. It might seem crazy but every real chess player has played his or herself. The board however, was a real beauty – mother of pearl if he was correct – and Wylde had the urge to sit and play with him but he didn’t feel welcome… at least, not yet.

“Do you play?” Jacob eventually spoke, his voice a raspy croak like he hadn’t said a word all day.

Wylde looked at him. “I do.”

“You any good?” Jacob’s look was inquisitive, his smirk arrogant when he spun the board putting the white pieces in front of Wylde.

Seriously. A test. The game was over and Jacob had to know it, but he obviously wanted to see if Wylde knew it too. It wasn’t an easy move to spot. He looked down at the board another few seconds. He let his long fingers caress the bishop as he stared into Jacob’s inky black eyes. Then he slowly moved the slender piece diagonally across five spaces, past the white knight and tipped Jacob’s lone black king, taking the white space. 

“Checkmate,” Wylde whispered and left Jacob’s office. 

The m/m genre is still fairly new to me. I’m very picky on which authors I will read. I asked in a reader group and was told yes you need to read her stuff, yes you will love her books and they were absolutely true about A.E. Via.

I love a good book that has a slow progression of feelings with romance and not a wham bam thank you ma’am. The characters had back stories, they were developed and there was a slow build up. There was romance, angst and lots of hotness.

Jacob Snowden seems to be the devil incarnate to others but to Wylde Sterling he’s so much more than what’s on the surface. He sees the walls that Jacob has constructed around his heart is willing to break down those walls and show him love.

A.E. Via hit the mark on this one. It was filled with everything a good romance should be. I look forward to more from this author.

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About the Author:

A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children. Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors. 

Visit my site to learn more! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com  for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next

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