Molly Reviews and Guest Post: Bait by Elizabeth Noble (Circles Book 5)

Blurb:
Tyler McCall has made mistakes. He was a teacher—before he fell for a student in his school. That misstep cost him his job and everything he’d worked for. He moved to the Black Hills of Wyoming to start his life over, and he’s happy working at the Big Rock Inn near Devils Tower.

Linden Bourne, a no-nonsense FBI agent Tyler had met before, returns to Wyoming hot on the trail of a killer. The previously unexplored attraction between them grows—which is good considering they’ll be spending a lot of time together when a blizzard strands them at the inn. Cut off from the outside world, with no power, they’ll need to rely on their wits and each other to survive.

Especially when it becomes clear they’re not alone—and the danger they face comes from more than the elements.

Where To Buy:
Dreamspinner Press || ARe || Amazon || Kobo || Barnes and Noble

Review:
This book pulled me into the story right from the beginning. As you’re reading you forget the story isn’t longer. The way Ms. Noble uses words and does so wisely, the story weaves itself and you get lost in the book and involved in the suspense that you can’t put the book down. The romance is secondary in the story and I am so glad it didn’t overpower the suspense and mystery. You can still see the tension between Linden and Tyler as they’re figuring out what’s going on and fighting to survive. But they have more important things to worry about until that’s over. Then they can build a relationship.
Linden was a straight shooter. He was a good FBI agent and told things how they were. He was good at looking at things from different angles to see how they’re all connected. I loved how he actually listened to Tyler and his side of events from the past. Linden showed he cared for Tyler in little ways throughout the story, even as they were dealing with a crazed murderer. A cheek stroke here, a fond glance there. You could feel that tension.
Tyler wound up being more dynamic than I anticipated. With the hints given in the blurb I thought he’d be more negative. But he and his choices weren’t what you’d expect. He works with Linden really well while they’re being pursued. He knows when to listen to someone with more experience and when to take initiative and to help their circumstances. You could tell he had feelings for Linden right from the start but he was also tentative. Compounded was his history and reluctance to have that become an issue.
I liked how these two worked together to solve their problems. I also enjoyed seeing them build a relationship. A little bit at first and then far more when they weren’t in danger any longer. They have a sweet happily ever after ending and you know they’re going to make it for the long haul. I’d love to see more of these two in another story in the series. If not these two, then I at least hope for more books in the series because I enjoy the heck out of them.
Stars:
Four

Guest Post:
I’m very excited to have Tyler join us today. He’s here to talk a bit about the hardest thing he’s had to overcome. Sadly he’s right about the easy questions and why I ask more in depth questions. But his response is definitely worth looking at because it shows how we can all work to overcome those obstacles we face. Read and enjoy!
Hi everyone, and thank you to Molly Lolly for having me as a guest today. My name is Tyler McCall and I’ve appeared in two books by Elizabeth Noble, Gone Away and Bait. Molly recently posed a question. She wanted to know what was the hardest thing I’ve had to overcome that I really never expected to be an issue?

Wow, tough question! What happened to what’s your favorite food or color? I’m thinking since Molly probably talks to a lot of us characters she’s gotten tired of eleventy-billion shades of green and different variations on pizza.

When I was in high school and college, my biggest hurdle to face, at least in my mind, was coming out as gay. When I did, it wasn’t easy but not as horrible as I’d imagined. I was a high school teacher at one time, and I always told my students that life is much different when you get to college or into the workforce.

I was so excited when I landed my teaching position and was able to work with ‘at risk’ students, those who aren’t benefited by a traditional classroom. I’d found my niche and loved what I did. My plan was to teach until I retired. I screwed up, however, and my plan went horribly wrong.

Losing my career, something I’d worked hard for, was the hardest thing I’d ever had to overcome. Ten years later I thought I was able to move on. I met this great guy, FBI man, how sexy is that? Like an idiot I almost kept myself from getting to know Mr. Sexy FBI because of that past mistake. I honestly didn’t expect it to be an issue after so long. Funny how things work out.

I’m happy to report I managed to mentally slap some sense into myself before I let one bad decision lead to more. Oh, and Mr. Sexy FBI came to rescue me in some brutally cold weather. We rode a snowmobile together, then there was a shower. All that was possible because I managed to work through some old issues and put them to rest once and for all.

I hope you’ll read the rest of my story with Mr. Sexy FBI in Elizabeth Noble’s latest romantic thriller, Bait.

Excerpt:

After running back to Tyler, he bent, helped Tyler lean forward, and began wrapping the garment around his shoulders.

“I c-can’t wear—”

“It’ll keep you warm, and she doesn’t need it,” Linden snapped. “Man up and wear the girl clothes.”

Tyler shook his head slightly. “It w-won’t f-fit.” His words were drawn out, as if he’d been drinking heavily. “W-won’t stay on m-me.”

“Yeah.” Linden hefted Tyler to his feet, held him with one arm and used his other hand to better adjust the coat. “We’ll make it work. The snowmobile isn’t far and the ranger station is only a few miles from here. We can do this.” He tried to tie the coat sleeves around Tyler’s neck, but because of the slick material, they kept sliding apart. That was nothing more than an exercise in frustration, and frankly Linden didn’t have the patience right now. Grumbling, he tucked the ends of the sleeves into Tyler’s waistband. “Let’s get out of here.”

Tyler nodded. He staggered and tripped over his feet more than he walked. In the end Linden bent his knees and hauled Tyler up and over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.

“I’m not—” Tyler grumbled and protested.

“You know you’re not exactly in the position to argue with me,” Linden countered. He shifted Tyler’s weight and trudged forward.

“B-but I can—”

“Shush,” Linden said.

They’d gotten about halfway to the snowmobile when the coat slipped from Tyler’s shoulders. “T-told you…w-wouldn’t s-stay on,” Tyler said.

“It was worth a try. The snowmobile is right behind those trees.” He nodded to a small group of pine trees. “No sense taking the time to mess with it anymore. We’ll rig up something else.” Sweat was oozing down Linden’s spine and sides by the time the vehicle was within reach.

Easing Tyler off his shoulders, Linden sat him on the snowmobile. He took Tyler’s hands in his own and put them on the back of the front seat, curling his fingers around the edge. “Hold on to that, just for a second.”

Tyler nodded and Linden could see he was putting all his effort keeping upright. Linden pulled his own coat off. Tyler watched his every move and began shaking his head.

“Don’t even waste the energy trying to argue. You need this more than me. We’ll both be nice and warm soon. I promise,” Linden said in a rush. “Besides this one will fit and stay on you.”

About Elizabeth:
Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.

Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess and one tabby cat. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening, winter and summer sports (go Tribe!). When she’s not writing she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.

Elizabeth received several amateur writing awards. Since being published two of her novels have received honorable mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Her novel Jewel Cave was a runner up in the 2015 Rainbow awards in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category.

Author Contact:
Website: http://www.elizabeth-noble.com
Circles Series Website: http://elizabeth-noble-circles.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.noble.77
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Noble/120757231345733
Twitter: @elizabethnoble1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elizabethnoble1/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4781553.Elizabeth_Noble
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