Audiobook Series Tour: The Midwest Series by Brigham Vaughn performed by James Edward Jones

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: 7 hrs, 15 mins / 78 986 words / 264 pages

Release Date: First edition – July 9, 2015 Second edition – June 30, 2020

Genres: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM, Bisexual, Sports

Tropes: Jock/geek, opposites attract, second chance

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness

Goodreads

Buy Links

Universal Link | Audible US | Audible UK

Audiobook cover

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.

Review

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

I enjoyed this a lot.

I listened to the audio of Bully & Exit about 8 months ago but never reviewed it here on the blog. The tour for the first two books in the series (the only ones available right now in audiobook format, was the perfect opportunity to post my review. I’ll also be reviewing the second audiobook, Push & Pull (See below).

Second chance stories are one of my favorite romance tropes and this was a great one. Nathan screwed up big time with Caleb back in high school and now he wants a chance to fix things and have Caleb forgive him.

What Nathan did was pretty horrible but this is a romance so I had to trust that things would work out OK. The story goes back and forth between their senior year of high school and their senior year at college. The time shifts were clearly marked and I didn’t have any trouble with the shifts.

This was a story that really got my emotions involved. It was hard to hear what Caleb went through in high school but it was also hard to learn why Nathan did what he did.

I believe this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to by James Edward Jones and I thought he did a great job. I would definitely listen to more books performed by him.

♥♥♥♥♥

BOOK 2

Book Title: Push & Pull

Narrator: James Edward Jones

Length: 8 hrs, 29 mins / 91 467 words / 316 pages

Release Date: October 24, 2018

Genres: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM, Bisexual, Sports

Tropes: Opposites attract, enemies to lovers, road trip

Themes: Coming out, acceptance

Goodreads

Buy Links

Universal Link | Audible US | Audible UK

Audiobook cover

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.

Review

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

A great second book in the series.

I was really intrigued by Brent and Lowell when I listened Bully & Exit so I was happy that I got the chance to listen to Push & Pull. This is another great story by Brigham Vaughn and another great audio performance by James Edward Jones.

I wouldn’t exactly call this an enemies-to-lovers story but it kind of starts out that way when Lowell takes over for Nathan as Brent’s partner on a long-anticipated road trip. Brent is not happy to find out that Nathan has bailed on him and sent Lowell in his place.

I loved the tension between Brent and Lowell. Brent finally agrees to take the trip with Lowell and they agree to take Lowell’s fancy car. The trip starts out with Brent thinking that Lowell is a spoiled rich guy who sleeps around. As they spend their days together on the road, Brent’s perception of Lowell begins to change and they eventually act on the sexual tension between them.

I enjoyed visiting the places that Brent and Lowell visited through the descriptive writing and the narrative performance. Lowell was my favorite character – he knows who he is and he doesn’t take crap from anyone.

Secondary character Micah was the guy you loved to hate. He story is the next one in the series and I hope it comes out in audio soon. I love it when a character like him finds redemption.

♥♥♥♥♥

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

Goodreads

Universal Buy Link – eBook only – Kindle Unlimited

Touch & Go cover

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

Goodreads

Universal Buy Link – eBook only – Kindle Unlimited

Advance & Retreat cover

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

Blog | Facebook Author Page | Twitter

Newsletter sign-up | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions