AUDIOBOOK SERIES TOUR
The Midwest Series by Brigham Vaughn (Books 1 and 2)
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (self-published)
Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn
Series Tagline
It was more than a decision, it was serendipity.
Series Blurb
A former college hockey star’s decision to come out of the closet and reunite with his high school boyfriend does more than change the direction of their lives.
It sets into motion events that will lead to their respective best friends, a former hockey player and a psychology major, being stuck on a summer road trip together.
They cross paths with another old friend, an injured pro baseball player who’s been forced to move in with his physical therapist. Old hurts are healed and the six become close friends.
When a night out for the guys leads to their meeting an Olympic hopeful swimmer who is fascinated by a drag queen it’s clear that none of their lives will ever be the same.
They are standalone stories featuring four different couples. Reading in order is helpful but not required.
Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames
BOOK 1
Book Title: Bully & Exit
Narrator: James Edward Jones
Length: 78 986 words/ 264 pages
Release Date: First edition – July 9, 2015 Second edition – June 30, 2020
Genres: Contemporary M/M Romance, Bisexual Romance, Sports Romance
Tropes: Jock/geek, opposites attract, second chance
Themes: Coming out, forgiveness
Buy Links
Universal Link | Audible US | Audible UK
It’s time to leave college and the closet behind.
Blurb
Nathan Rhodes has put hockey first for most of his life, but as graduation looms, he has a different goal in mind. He needs to come out and reclaim his first love. If only Caleb will believe him…
Theater geek Caleb Stockwell gave up on love when his boyfriend chose the closet over being with an openly bisexual guy. Now, he hides his heartbreak behind a string of casual hookups. He loves the drama on stage, but he’s done with the drama of Nathan Rhodes. For good.
Nathan is determined to right the wrongs of four years ago, but the clock is ticking.
One month until he and Caleb go their separate ways. One month to take a final shot at winning Caleb’s heart back.
Win or lose, everything is on the line.
I have read this book multiple times but I couldn’t wait to listen to one of my all time favorite books. I have loved Nathan and Caleb for many years and I couldn’t wait to hear their story played out.
Caleb and Nathan had a hidden relationship back in high school and unforeseen hurdles sideline it leaving Caleb broken. So broken that when he runs into Nathan their final year of college he wants nothing to do with him. He refuses to let Nathan try to explain why he did what he did. But this book is about forgiveness and learning to let go of the past and trust again. Not just each other but themselves as well.
Now the narration. This is a new to me narrator and I couldn’t have been more pleased. James Edward Jones brought Nathan and Caleb alive for me. It is always a concern that a new narrator won’t do justice to one of your favorite series. Cause lets face it when you love a series as much as I love this one, a bad narration can ruin a book for you. But I am happy to report that James did a wonderful start to the Midwest series, and I can’t wait to listen to more.
BOOK 2
Book Title: Push & Pull
Narrator: James Edward Jones
Length: 91 467 words/ 316 pages
Release Date: October 24, 2018
Genres: Contemporary M/M Romance, Bisexual Romance, Sports Romance
Tropes: Opposites attract, enemies to lovers, road trip
Themes: Coming out, acceptance
Buy Links
Universal Link | Audible US | Audible UK
It was just supposed to be a road trip.
Blurb
Former hockey player Brent Cameron has a plan now that he’s out of the closet. He’ll take a summer road trip, find a job, and settle down with a fellow jock. Lowell Prescott is not part of that plan, but when Brent’s travel companion bails, he’s the only option.
Out and proud, Lowell has a love of sports, a flair of fashion, and a disdain for anything conventional. Burned by past relationships, he’s wary of jocks who want to change him—and that includes Brent Cameron.
Tempers flare and sparks fly as the miles disappear behind them. Just as it seems they might be on a journey to something more than Lake Superior, Brent receives a phone call that could change everything.
Will Brent stay with Lowell and ignore a friend in need, or go sit by the bedside of the man who broke Lowell’s heart?
The stakes are high when you play for keeps.
I couldn’t get to the audio of Touch & Go fast enough after Bully & Exit. I couldn’t wait to see what James would do with Lowell and Brent.
I love both Brent and Lowell in book one, but really wasn’t sure how these two would work out. I mean they are complete opposites of the spectrum. But you know what they about how opposites attract. Brent was set to take a summer trip with Nathan from book one, but Nathan didn’t think he could be away from Caleb for that long so soon after then reconnecting. So they came up with the plan that Lowell would join Brent instead. Oh did I mention that Brent was NOT in on these new plans. Yep disaster waiting to happen.
Man it was so much fun to watch these two go from, Brent ready to strangle Lowell, to watching them find common ground. You know what they say about not judging a book by its cover, it is the same for both Brent and Lowell. Brent is the farthest thing from a dumb jock, a Lowell is a whole lot more that a flighty twink. I fell hard for these two.
Now the audio, well as much as I loved listening to James narrate Caleb and Nathan I think this one was even better, so I can’t wait to see what he has in store for Micah and Justin.
BOOK 3
Book Title: Touch & Go
Author: Brigham Vaughn
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (self-published)
Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn
Length: 101 817 words/ 410 pages
Release Date: September 27, 2019
Genres: Contemporary m/m romance, bisexual romance, sports romance
Tropes: Opposites attract, hurt comfort
Themes: Redemption, pride, coming out
Universal Buy Link – eBook only – Kindle Unlimited
It was supposed to be a secret fling.
Blurb
Micah Warner spent his whole life dreaming of pitching in the big leagues. Signing with a minor-league team near Chicago puts him one step closer to making that a reality. But there are no out players in pro ball, so any involvement with a man must be discreet.
Physical therapist Justin Lamb loves his job with the Cougars. A romantic at heart, he wants to find lasting love—with a man or woman—but traveling with the team makes it difficult to maintain a long-term relationship.
Micah offers Justin a no-strings-attached way to blow off some steam, and Justin reluctantly agrees. It doesn’t take long before they’re both in over their heads but falling in love will risk everything.
With their careers and relationship hanging in the balance, they have one last play to make.
It’s time to take a swing for real and lasting love.
BOOK 4
Book Title: Advance & Retreat
Author: Brigham Vaughn
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (self-published)
Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn
Length: 105 980 words/368 pages
Release Date: July 14, 2020
Genres: Contemporary m/m romance, sports romance, bisexual romance
Tropes: Opposites attract, age gap
Themes: Acceptance, coming out
Universal Buy Link – eBook only – Kindle Unlimited
Olympic-size dreams come at a price.
Blurb
Openly gay college swimmer Ian Harrington feels like he’s fighting against a current of tragedy. He’s grieving the loss of his parents and best friend, and now he’s dealing with a toxic coach and judgmental brother. But he won’t let that stop him from chasing his dream: Olympic gold.
Ricky Chavez has just about everything he wants in life: a great career, a supportive family, and a side gig as drag queen Rosie Riveting. The only thing he’s missing is a partner to share it all with.
When the two men connect after Rosie’s performance, they’re immediately drawn to one another. But it’s never that simple. Ricky isn’t the type of man to hide, and with Ian’s coach breathing down his neck, he can’t openly love a drag queen without making waves.
They’ll have to brave deep waters to make it to the finish line.
About the Author
Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time author. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
Her books range from short stories to novellas to novels. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.
Author Links
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