Fighter (A Survivor Story) by T.M. Smith #LGBT #Review #MMRomance #Contemporary #Rafflecopter

Erryn reviews ‘Fighter’ by T.M. Smith. This book was released by the author on August 23, 2019, 251 pages. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Why I read this book: I enjoyed the first two book and so was happy to nab this one.

Dedication and smarts have given Blair Cummings a leg up in the Bureau. His job is all-consuming but rewarding. It doesn’t leave much time for a love life though, not that Blair believes in love. At nearly thirty, he’s only ever been in one long-term relationship due to his inability to commit to anything other than his job and his family.

Born into a family that is as successful as they are hateful, Howard Manning Tullor Junior ran so far away from his last name that he wound up in the arms of Satan himself. Freedom comes at a high price but it’s one Mannie is willing to pay, setting him on a path that leads him to a quiet, laid-back FBI agent.

Their attraction is unexpected, and yet, welcomed. Blair seems to have finally found something worth fighting for, but Mannie, still haunted by ghosts of the past, wonders if he’ll ever be able to move on. The two are working toward their future, but can a budding romance survive when past and present collide?

Where were you born, and were do you call home?

I was born in Columbus Georgia, right outside Ft. Benning Georgia but I have lived in Texas for the past twenty something years.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I’m actually somewhere in the middle. Mornings are hard if it’s too early, but I’m usually ready for bed by ten.

Describe yourself in a single sentence?

Fun loving, honest and dependable friend!

Do you have a tattoo?

Yes, two, a triskele and an infinity cross.

Do you have pets?

We have two dogs and a cat in the house, but my ShizTsu Max is my fur baby!

Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?

Notebook!

Has one of your books ever won an award?

Yes, Survivor garnered an honorable mention from the Rainbow book awards.

If you could give your younger self any advice what would it be?

Stay in school, don’t drop out and have to get a GED. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with getting your GED, I know many, many people have went this route for one reason or another. Personally, I feel like I missed out on a lot dropping out of highschool after tenth grade. Not just education wise, but socially and mentally. I never had a graduation or prom, no senior trip. These are all rites of passage I missed out on.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go?

Ireland!

If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be?

I’d love to be able to write full time.

Any new and exciting things that you would like to share?

Yes, I’ve got a couple of new stories in the works. All Cocks book 8, Truth or Consequence, Tommy and Jacob’s story. I’m also researching a new series ARC that will be all about the supernatural, bringing my love for paranormal shows like Dead Files and Paranormal Lockdown to life on the page.

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My Review

Each book in this series focuses on a young man who has gone through a horrible experience growing up. In Survivor it was Taylor and in Lover it was Shannon. This new book provides nice glimpses into how their lives are now. Happy, healthy, and in love. All great things for young men who endured terrible things. In Fighter we meet a young man who might be the most broken of all of them.

“Tell me why you’re confused, Mannie.”

“Because he said the same things, whispered the same promises, and broke every single one.” Mannie reveled in the courage he didn’t realize he possessed, being in Blair’s presence alone giving him the strength to speak his mind. He could hear the sincerity in Blair’s tone, feel the warmth of his touch. “He broke me, Blair. I don’t know if I’ll ever be whole again.”

My heart broke a little. Mannie endured hell for four years and only through sheer luck survived. He escaped because everyone believed him dead. With the help of a nice person he made his way to another state and began to live his life. But nightmares of his captivity dog him and although he’s made progress, he’s not the man he wants to be. Not the man he believes Blair deserves. Blair, for his part, is far more accepting. He’s seen a lot of terrible things in his career in the FBI. One of his first assignments was to look out for Taylor, making sure the young man was safe. That involved going undercover as a high school student and he had the babyface looks to make it work. When Taylor discovered the years of duplicity he was – rightly – angry. He forgave Blair and they forged a close friendship. In working with Taylor, Blair witnessed firsthand the effect of trauma on someone. Not to compare, but Taylor’s trauma didn’t last for years and years. At least not in the way Mannie’s did.

Blair encounters Mannie through his role as an FBI agent. There is a bit of the agent/witness crossing of lines but I was just so happy to see Mannie finding someone that I didn’t mind. In a way things moved quickly and in other ways they moved slowly. What was clear from the beginning was that Blair was ready to give Mannie time to adjust. Mannie had believed after what he endured that not only was he unlovable, but that he’d be alone for the rest of his life. I could relate to that. When Mannie meets Blair, though, all things become possible. But he still has to fight his demons.

There are families we are born into – like Blair’s – and there are families we choose. Mannie’s horrific childhood isn’t easily overcome, but the family who took him in are great people who spend everyday teaching the young man he is worth the effort. There’s tremendous power and love there. And, eventually, he begins to see himself as more than just a broken person. I enjoyed Blair caring so deeply for Mannie. On one day they go out, Blair says:

“I wish I could see this through your eyes,” Blair whispered, brushing a lock of Mannie’s golden-blond hair behind his ear.

“Why do you say that?” He slid their empty plates into the basket and refilled their glasses with the delicious champagne. It wasn’t sweet, but it wasn’t bitter either. It was perfectly in between.

Grinning, Blair took the glass and thanked him. “Everything is new and vivid to you, Mannie, so you see it all with childlike enthusiasm. I, on the other hand, have seen some of the worst parts of humanity in my line of work.” Sipping from his glass, Blair turned and looked out over the horizon. “It’s nice to see that there is still beauty and innocence in the world.”

It is amazing that after all this time Mannie could find happiness but he did just that. This book ended on a very positive note and my heart was healed.

My Rating:

10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

Follow the tour…

August 23rd

Happily Ever Chapter – Review with Song & Scene

I love Books and stuff – Excerpt

Stories That Make You Smile – Spotlight

Book Reviews by Virginia Lee – Spotlight only

Joyfully Jay – Review

August 24th

Two Book Pushers – Playlist

August 25th

A Book Lovers Dream – Review & Spotlight

Amy’s MM Romance Reviews – Review & Tens list

August 26th

Kimmer’s Erotic Book Banter – Review & Spotlight

Joyfully Jay – Spotlight w/Guest Post

August 27th

Little Shop of Readers – Review & Spotlight

Lovebytes Reviews – Spotlight only w/Guest Post

August 28th

Rainbow Gold Reviews – Review & Q&A

*MM Midnight Café – Spotlight only

August 29th

Cathy Brockman Romance – Review & Tens list

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reads – Spotlight only

Bayou Book Junkie – Review & Spotlight

The Geekery Book Reviews – Review & Spotlight

August 30th

Making It Happen – Review & Excerpt

Xtreme Delusions – Review & Spotlight

Sik Reviews – Review & Spotlight

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel.

Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!

Website: www.authortmsmith.com

Blog: www.ttcbooksandmore.com

Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTMSmith

Facebook All Cocks series: https://www.facebook.com/AllCocksStories

Twitter – https://twitter.com/TTCBooksandmore
GoodReads: https://goo.gl/XQugse

Pinterest: https://goo.gl/cq9R9t

Youtube: https://goo.gl/Rpq5gX

Head over to Pinterest to see the Survivor album.

Head over to Youtube to listen to the Survivor playlist.

Up for grabs…

NOTE: Prize packs are US only shipping. TM Smith and blog tour hosts are NOT responsible for items lost or stolen while in transit via USPS

Grand Prize Pack…

Essential oil diffuser with 3 pack of Doterra essential oils (Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint) –Coloring book w/color pencils, pencil sharpener and cute canvas cactus bag to store your coloring essentials in –Pocket Journal w/matching pocket notepad –Just Sayin sticky notes –sexy sipper straws –TM Smith keychain & magnet –Celtic themed necklace –bookmark

Runner Up…

Incense holder & 30 count pack of incense Karma scents lavender -Coloring book w/color pencils, pencil sharpener and cute canvas cactus bag to store your coloring essentials in –Nope sticky notes –TM Smith keychain & magnet –Handmade necklace –bookmark

International…

$25 e-giftcard for Amazon

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY