Sunday, March 15, 2020
âïžSunday's Short Stackâïž: Lessons in Loveâïž by Helena Stone
Falling for each other was easy. Staying together comes with a learning curve.
Three months after they met in the miraculous library, Cian is nervously preparing for Mitchâs arrival in Dublin. As much as heâs looking forward to three long days with his boyfriendâwithout parental supervisionâhe canât help worrying about the fact that they will have to share both his small room and his even smaller bed. He doesnât even own pajamas.
Their relationship is new, and Cian may be two years older, but he has little more experience than Mitch when it comes to intimacy and boyfriends. He isnât sure what heâs doing or whatâs expected of him. As a result, Cian and Mitch are in for a whirlwind weekend, filled with shocks, surprises, fun, and deepening feelings.
Against the backdrop of Ireland celebrating its national holiday, Cian and Mitch learn their first Lessons in Love.
While a Miracle in the Library was a young adult story, Lessons in Love features two young men old enough to consume alcohol and be sexually active. This book is therefore meant for readers who are eighteen years or older and contains sexual acts between two consenting men.
Not a lot I can say about Lessons in Love that I didn't say in Miracle in the Library where we first met Mitch and Cian. Mitch is now an adult and visiting his boyfriend at college in Dublin for the first time. Now there is definitely more heat in Lessons than Miracle now that Mitch is of age and even though to them Cian is older, they really aren't that far apart.
The "age gap" brings me to what I think I loved most about this St. Patrick's Day gem: despite being older and a college man, Cian isn't that experienced in the ways of physical love. Helena Stone lets us see into the mind of Cian and all the insecurities he's having from hand holding to sleeping in the same bed to sex. This element really showcased how both parties are still discovering all that relationships and life entail. For me that point changed this story from a lovely read to an absolute must.
So, Lessons in Love may not have the "sweetness" factor that Miracle in the Library did since Mitch is of age but its no less full of heart. When I enjoy a couple as much as Mitch and Cian this is where I normally hint to the author that it would be lovely to see the boys pop up in a holiday novella but since their journey started in a Christmas story perhaps we'll get to see them enjoying all the freakiness and creepiness of Halloweenđđ.
RATING:
March 15
Cian looked from his empty shopping trolley to the packed shelves surrounding him and sighed. Getting a few groceries shouldnât be this hard. In fairness, it usually took him all of five minutes to run into the supermarket, grab his usual few items, and rush out again.
Of course, when he shopped just for himself, it was easy. He knew what he liked, he knew what he was capable of preparing, and he never worried about what others might think of his choices. Not so today.
In only a few hours, Mitch would arrive to stay with Cian over the long St. Patrickâs Day weekend. Theyâd been planning the visit since mid-February, discussing what they would do, which places Mitch wanted to visit, and which of Cianâs favorite pastimes they really shouldnât miss. Never once had they talked or messaged about what they would eat and drink while Mitch was in Dublin.
As he grabbed a bag of apples and put them into his cart, Cian reflected that his usual diet of frozen pizza and beans on toast probably wouldnât cut it. Not that he thought for a minute that Mitch might expect culinary marvels from him, but Cian wanted to impress Mitch, make him feel welcome and treasured.
He slowly made his way through the shop, grabbing a few essentials as he went but still having no idea what to do about dinners. Heâd made up his mind to eat out that evening. Mitch wouldnât arrive until half past seven. Far too late to start cooking after theyâd made their way to the apartment Cian shared with two other lads. But neither of them could afford multiple trips to restaurants, so he needed a plan for the other three evenings.
Ten minutes later, he was ready to give up. Heâd added bread, biscuits, beer, eggs, Coke, and crisps to the apples. He chuckled softly. It was the perfect representation of a studentâs larder, but until heâd talked to Mitch, he really didnât know what else to add.
Mitch. A colony of butterflies took flight in his stomach. No matter how much he was looking forward to his boyfriendâs arrival, he couldnât deny that the nerves swirling through his body got stronger with every passing minute. Adding both tissues and baby wipes to his groceries did nothing to settle his nerves. Their dietary preferences werenât the only thing theyâd neglected to talk about.
This was new. Theyâd only met three months earlier, and with Cian spending his weekdays in Dublin and Mitch preparing for his high school leaving exams, they didnât get to spend much time together. Cian made it home most weekends, and theyâd managed to spend Valentineâs Day together, but this would be the first time theyâd be together twenty-four seven, without interruptions.
The cue for the till was long, which meant Cianâs wait started while he was still in one of the isles. He gazed at the shelves beside him, and his breath hitched.
Fuck. Right in front of him was a stark reminder of what theyâd failed to discuss. Or rather, of something heâd avoided thinking about. Condoms. Lube. To stock up or not to stock up, that was the question. With the people ahead of him not moving at all, Cian had all the time in the world, all the time he didnât really want, to think about that part of the upcoming few days.
Since he rented one room in an apartment with three bedrooms and the other two were occupied, Mitch would have to share with him, and not only that tiny space either. The one bed in his room fell somewhere between a single and a double in size, so their nights promised to be cozy.
At last one person paid for their truckload worth of shopping, and the line shuffled forward, but not far enough to take Cian away from the proof of how unprepared he was for the weekend.
He knew he was Mitchâs first boyfriend, that he had been the first person to kiss him, which meant that whatever intimacies he and Mitch might get up to over the next few days, they would be further firsts for Mitch.
His stomach tightened as Cian wondered whether or not Mitch expected him to be in charge, to have all the answers. The truth of the matter was that Cian wasnât all that much more experienced. Sure, heâd indulged in a hookup or two, but even without having anything to compare it to, Cian had no doubt those rushed encounters bore no resemblance to what happened between two men who were in a relationship.
When the line moved again, Cian grabbed both condoms and two small bottles of lube. It wasnât as if he had to put them out on display. This way heâd have them should the need arise, and Mitch would be none the wiser if it didnât. The fact that Cian didnât know what he was hoping for meant he had a rueful smile on his face by the time he paid for his few groceries. Who knew that it was easier to decide to stock up for the eventuality of sex than it was to decide what they would be eating?
An hour later, after heâd put awayâor hidden, as the case might beâhis shopping, Cianâs nerves still hadnât settled. If anything, theyâd gotten worse.
Am I mad? Until that morning, heâd looked forward to Mitchâs arrival with excited anticipation. Now he couldnât help wondering whether or not his room was too small to accommodate both him and a guest. He couldnât for the life of him remember if heâd even told Mitch theyâd be sharing both a room and a bed. Then he shrugged. It was too late now. Mitch would have boarded the bus to Dublin about ninety minutes earlier and was scheduled to arrive in less than an hour. Whatever happened next, the moment to stop this visitâan option heâd never seriously consideredâ had come and gone. Heâd have to console himself with the knowledge that his room was cleaner than it had been since heâd first moved in and the bed had been made with fresh sheets.
Hoping to distract himself, Cian made his way to the shared living room, studying the space for what was probably the first time in months. Also for the first time, he silently lamented the fact that the furniture they had was mismatched, old, practically decrepit really, and not all too fresh looking. He picked up a jumper one of his housemates had dropped on the floor and placed it over the back of a chair.
âWhatâs up with him?â
Cian turned and found himself face-to-face with Ray and John, his two housemates.
Ray grinned at John before answering. âHavenât you heard? Heâs all aflutter because his boyfriend is coming to stay.â
âOoooooooh.â John placed a hand on his forehead with theatrical flourish and swayed from side to side. âCatch me. Thatâs likeâŠsooooooo romantic.â
Blood rushed to Cianâs cheeks. He opened his mouth to tell them to shut the fuck up before remembering that only three months ago heâd played out more or less the same scenario when Johnâs girlfriend came to stay for the first time. âVery bleedinâ funny,â he muttered before laughing along with his friends. He couldnât deny heâd gotten a bit too obsessive about the whole thing. He couldnât blame John for getting his revenge when the opportunity arose, either.
âSo, whenâs he arriving?â John asked.
Cian glanced at his phone to check the time. âAbout twenty minutes from now.â
His housemates stared at him, obviously waiting for something.
Bollix. Heâd been so preoccupied with his nerves heâd completely missed that he should already be out the door if he wanted to meet Mitch straight off the bus.
Ray and John snickered as he rushed to his room to retrieve his coat. âThis Mitch must be something special,â Ray stated. âIâve never known him to be flustered.â
âYeah,â John added as Cian approached the front door. âNow I canât wait to meet him; the man who managed to unsettle the unflappable.â
A loud burst of laughter was the last thing Cian heard as he closed the door behind him and rushed down the stairs. If he combined a power walk with the occasional sprint, he might just get there on time.
Cian looked from his empty shopping trolley to the packed shelves surrounding him and sighed. Getting a few groceries shouldnât be this hard. In fairness, it usually took him all of five minutes to run into the supermarket, grab his usual few items, and rush out again.
Of course, when he shopped just for himself, it was easy. He knew what he liked, he knew what he was capable of preparing, and he never worried about what others might think of his choices. Not so today.
In only a few hours, Mitch would arrive to stay with Cian over the long St. Patrickâs Day weekend. Theyâd been planning the visit since mid-February, discussing what they would do, which places Mitch wanted to visit, and which of Cianâs favorite pastimes they really shouldnât miss. Never once had they talked or messaged about what they would eat and drink while Mitch was in Dublin.
As he grabbed a bag of apples and put them into his cart, Cian reflected that his usual diet of frozen pizza and beans on toast probably wouldnât cut it. Not that he thought for a minute that Mitch might expect culinary marvels from him, but Cian wanted to impress Mitch, make him feel welcome and treasured.
He slowly made his way through the shop, grabbing a few essentials as he went but still having no idea what to do about dinners. Heâd made up his mind to eat out that evening. Mitch wouldnât arrive until half past seven. Far too late to start cooking after theyâd made their way to the apartment Cian shared with two other lads. But neither of them could afford multiple trips to restaurants, so he needed a plan for the other three evenings.
Ten minutes later, he was ready to give up. Heâd added bread, biscuits, beer, eggs, Coke, and crisps to the apples. He chuckled softly. It was the perfect representation of a studentâs larder, but until heâd talked to Mitch, he really didnât know what else to add.
Mitch. A colony of butterflies took flight in his stomach. No matter how much he was looking forward to his boyfriendâs arrival, he couldnât deny that the nerves swirling through his body got stronger with every passing minute. Adding both tissues and baby wipes to his groceries did nothing to settle his nerves. Their dietary preferences werenât the only thing theyâd neglected to talk about.
This was new. Theyâd only met three months earlier, and with Cian spending his weekdays in Dublin and Mitch preparing for his high school leaving exams, they didnât get to spend much time together. Cian made it home most weekends, and theyâd managed to spend Valentineâs Day together, but this would be the first time theyâd be together twenty-four seven, without interruptions.
The cue for the till was long, which meant Cianâs wait started while he was still in one of the isles. He gazed at the shelves beside him, and his breath hitched.
Fuck. Right in front of him was a stark reminder of what theyâd failed to discuss. Or rather, of something heâd avoided thinking about. Condoms. Lube. To stock up or not to stock up, that was the question. With the people ahead of him not moving at all, Cian had all the time in the world, all the time he didnât really want, to think about that part of the upcoming few days.
Since he rented one room in an apartment with three bedrooms and the other two were occupied, Mitch would have to share with him, and not only that tiny space either. The one bed in his room fell somewhere between a single and a double in size, so their nights promised to be cozy.
At last one person paid for their truckload worth of shopping, and the line shuffled forward, but not far enough to take Cian away from the proof of how unprepared he was for the weekend.
He knew he was Mitchâs first boyfriend, that he had been the first person to kiss him, which meant that whatever intimacies he and Mitch might get up to over the next few days, they would be further firsts for Mitch.
His stomach tightened as Cian wondered whether or not Mitch expected him to be in charge, to have all the answers. The truth of the matter was that Cian wasnât all that much more experienced. Sure, heâd indulged in a hookup or two, but even without having anything to compare it to, Cian had no doubt those rushed encounters bore no resemblance to what happened between two men who were in a relationship.
When the line moved again, Cian grabbed both condoms and two small bottles of lube. It wasnât as if he had to put them out on display. This way heâd have them should the need arise, and Mitch would be none the wiser if it didnât. The fact that Cian didnât know what he was hoping for meant he had a rueful smile on his face by the time he paid for his few groceries. Who knew that it was easier to decide to stock up for the eventuality of sex than it was to decide what they would be eating?
An hour later, after heâd put awayâor hidden, as the case might beâhis shopping, Cianâs nerves still hadnât settled. If anything, theyâd gotten worse.
Am I mad? Until that morning, heâd looked forward to Mitchâs arrival with excited anticipation. Now he couldnât help wondering whether or not his room was too small to accommodate both him and a guest. He couldnât for the life of him remember if heâd even told Mitch theyâd be sharing both a room and a bed. Then he shrugged. It was too late now. Mitch would have boarded the bus to Dublin about ninety minutes earlier and was scheduled to arrive in less than an hour. Whatever happened next, the moment to stop this visitâan option heâd never seriously consideredâ had come and gone. Heâd have to console himself with the knowledge that his room was cleaner than it had been since heâd first moved in and the bed had been made with fresh sheets.
Hoping to distract himself, Cian made his way to the shared living room, studying the space for what was probably the first time in months. Also for the first time, he silently lamented the fact that the furniture they had was mismatched, old, practically decrepit really, and not all too fresh looking. He picked up a jumper one of his housemates had dropped on the floor and placed it over the back of a chair.
âWhatâs up with him?â
Cian turned and found himself face-to-face with Ray and John, his two housemates.
Ray grinned at John before answering. âHavenât you heard? Heâs all aflutter because his boyfriend is coming to stay.â
âOoooooooh.â John placed a hand on his forehead with theatrical flourish and swayed from side to side. âCatch me. Thatâs likeâŠsooooooo romantic.â
Blood rushed to Cianâs cheeks. He opened his mouth to tell them to shut the fuck up before remembering that only three months ago heâd played out more or less the same scenario when Johnâs girlfriend came to stay for the first time. âVery bleedinâ funny,â he muttered before laughing along with his friends. He couldnât deny heâd gotten a bit too obsessive about the whole thing. He couldnât blame John for getting his revenge when the opportunity arose, either.
âSo, whenâs he arriving?â John asked.
Cian glanced at his phone to check the time. âAbout twenty minutes from now.â
His housemates stared at him, obviously waiting for something.
Bollix. Heâd been so preoccupied with his nerves heâd completely missed that he should already be out the door if he wanted to meet Mitch straight off the bus.
Ray and John snickered as he rushed to his room to retrieve his coat. âThis Mitch must be something special,â Ray stated. âIâve never known him to be flustered.â
âYeah,â John added as Cian approached the front door. âNow I canât wait to meet him; the man who managed to unsettle the unflappable.â
A loud burst of laughter was the last thing Cian heard as he closed the door behind him and rushed down the stairs. If he combined a power walk with the occasional sprint, he might just get there on time.
Author Bio:Helena Stone canât remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, itâs hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.
The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.
Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.
GOOGLE PLAY / MeWe / iTUNES
EMAIL: helenastoneauthor@gmail.com
Lessons in Love #2
Series
Release Blitz: Without a Trace by RJ Scott
Title: Without a Trace
Author: RJ Scott
Series: Lancaster Falls Trilogy #2
Genre: M/M Romance, Mystery
Release Date: March 12, 2020
Cover Design: Meredith Russell
When long-buried secrets are exposed, and the search for truth becomes a race to save a life, how can two men ever hope to find real love?
Losing his brother has shaped Drew to become the man he is todayâheartbroken, alone, but determined to make a difference in the world. Joining the military, fighting battles in places that heâs never even heard of, is his attempt to make amends for telling his brother to go to hell. After his brother disappeared, heâd clung to the hope Casey was out there living his life. Of course, heâd be furious at Drew, and probably hate his brother, but at least in Drewâs head, Casey was safe.
One call changes everything. Caseyâs body has been found, and the hope that had fueled Drewâs constant search for the truth is destroyed. Coming home to Lancaster Falls to bury his brother and face his momâs anguish and accusations, is a nightmare made real, and he has nowhere to run from the pain.
Logan has made a home in Lancaster Falls. As a police officer, he plays by the rules, and he would never think of working off-the-grid. All that changes when an anonymous tip crosses his desk, and he is thrust headlong into solving a hundred-year mystery that could be connected with the modern day death of Casey McGuire. Fighting an attraction to Caseyâs brother is hard enough, but the infuriating man is there at Loganâs every turn, interfering with the case, breaking the rules, and demanding that Caseyâs story be heard.
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.
RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isnât with family either reading or writing.
The last time she had a weekâs break from writing she didnât like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldnât defeat.
Sheâs always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below.
BOOKBUB / KOBO / SMASHWORDS
EMAIL: rj@rjscott.co.uk
Without a Trace #2
đMoving to KU March 21, 2020đ
KOBO / iTUNES / SMASHWORDS
What Lies Beneath #1
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