Defined by Deceit: #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway @AuthorAEVia

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Defined by Deceit

by A.E. Via

Length: 300 Pages

Genres: Gay (M/M), Contemporary, Romance

Life isn't always fair, and that’s something that Llewellyn Gardner knows about first hand. His life was on the fast track until one night of extreme passion changed everything. 

Now eight years later, he’s still living with the aftershocks of that night. Everywhere he turns or runs, there’s another reminder. What the hell do you do when you try to drown your demons only to find out they can swim? 

Shane Smith, Jr. owner of Smith Construction, could see the emotional turmoil within his new employee — it’s why he hired him. There was something about the gorgeous, misunderstood man with the overly expressive eyes that came to their small town with a past no one was willing to overlook. Shane could see the good in Llewellyn, and those eyes of his were a clear window to his soul. Shane wasn't going to let the man live a future of solitude because his past had been plagued with deceit. 

Llewellyn wasn’t sure what to think about Shane. After years of protecting himself from being tricked twice, he was now faced with worry again. What would happen to him if Shane didn’t believe his truth, and walked away? Llewellyn wasn’t sure he’d be able to survive being left alone. Again.

Llew got in the shower without bothering to turn on the light in the bathroom, opting instead to leave the door open. He’d do everything he could to help conserve in Ms. Pat’s home. Maybe she’d overlook any negative comments about him if he made himself a good tenant. He tilted his head forward and let the hot water beat on the tension-filled spots in his neck. He had it on as hot as he could stand it. Despite the horrifically under-sized shower stall, the water pressure was fantastic. It was almost like a massage. He groaned at the wonderful feeling, the sound emerging from his throat sounding almost provocative. It made him think of pretty brown eyes, and a strong, square jaw with full, sexy lips. Lips that were light pink and soft looking. Llew couldn’t help but fantasize that kissing Shane would be like kissing cotton candy. He licked his own lips, desperately missing the feeling of a man. Eight fucking years. He stomach fluttered at the idea of being close and intimate with Shane Jr. The man’s exterior was the picture-perfect image of a smooth operator, but Llew knew there was a bobcat clawing inside that gorgeous man. An animal that needed taming. Just that fast Llew’s dominant side reared its anxious head.

Oh jesus. Llew could picture it. Could see their strong bodies pressed together, muscles flexing against each other. Shane Jr. wasn’t diesel but he was certainly manual labor built. He no doubt had velvety-smooth, ivory skin covering that armor. Damn. Llew groaned again, running his hand down the ridges on his stomach. He could taste him… oh my god… Shane would taste like the sweetest honey. An addictive taste.

Llew could feel the pulsating in his groin as he thought about Shane. He was horny, beyond horny. He poured some conditioner in his palm and squeezed the head of his cock, focusing on the most sensitive part of him. He cupped his balls and massaged them, every couple seconds giving them a firm tug like he used to love to do.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved how much I hated this book. I know that may sound strange, but let me explain why. DEFINED BY DECEIT had such a dramatically emotional impact on me that I reacted to it on a purely visceral level. I ached when Llew was hurting, I felt wept over the soul deep pull that Shane experienced. My heart glowed along with Ms. Pat's mothering and cheered as Leslie stood by his brother when no one else did.

A.E. Via brings to the foreground questions that have been debated for years. How deep is the impact individuals have upon their human nature? Are we a product of our experiences, both good and bad? Is who we become inevitable or is individual humanity consciously developed, based upon how we choose to respond to the things that are out of our control?

Llew's story doesn't answer these questions, but it made me think about the tough topics that are easy to gloss over and avoid. What is the impact that I have on others? My choices, actions and reactions are only a small ripple in the great pond of life. When I do nothing or look the other way, who am I hurting? When I offer a smile and a helping had to a stranger, is it a catalyst for their future responses?

DEFINED BY DECEIT is a beautifully written and captivating story. An absolute a must read for fans of passion, drama, hurt, healing and romance. Maybe I'm over thinking things. In fact, the majority of readers  are unlikely to contemplate any of the questions I asked myself, but I wonder.... what kind of an impact will it have on you?

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A.E. Via is still a fairly new author in the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to spicy 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, her two pets, a Maltese dog and her white Siamese cat, ELynn, named after the late, great gay romance author E. Lynn Harris.

While this is only her seventh novel, she has plenty more to come. So stalk her – she loves that - because the male on male action is just heating up!

Go to A.E. Via’s Official Website  for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, and where she’ll appear next.

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