Troubled Waters cover art

Troubled Waters

Pine Cove, Book 2

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Troubled Waters

By: H.J. Welch
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
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About this listen

Scout Duffy doesn’t know what’s worse. The fact that his scorching one-night stand is his bratty new client, or the fact that he doesn’t even remember Scout. But beneath all the bravado, Scout can see Emery is terrified, and he’ll do anything to protect him from his attacker. If only he would lower his walls and let Scout into his heart as easily as he lets him dominate in the bedroom...

Being out and proud his whole life means Emery Klein has never been safe. But now, his charity work and social media fame have put a target on his back from bigots, and his friends force him to hire a private bodyguard. Emery doesn’t need to be judged by some straight former boxer, but his attraction to the gorgeous hunk is insatiable. When Emery finally recognizes Scout, they can’t keep their damn hands off one another, if only for as long as Scout’s in town.

There’s a reason Emery never looks too closely at the men he sleeps with, just like there’s a reason Scout lives out of a suitcase in motel rooms. Will two men hiding from hurt realize the love that could heal them both is right in front of them? Or will Emery’s attacker take everything before they have the chance?

Troubled Waters is a steamy, stand-alone gay romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliff-hanger.

©2019 H.J. Welch (P)2019 H.J. Welch
Contemporary Contemporary Romance Literature & Fiction Romance Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant
Scout and emery's journey was such a beautiful intense moving powerful meaningful and had me captivated from start to finish

Nick I russo did such a incredible and beautiful job of bringing scout and emery's story to life i felt everything in this story i loved every moment

One minute i was laughing the next i was crying i loved every moment

Beautiful incredible moving

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I was a bit wary about this book at first, but H.J. Welch did a fantastic job balancing the chemistry between Scout and Emery and the suspense of finding out who was stalking Emery, and let me tell you, it was quite a twist that I didn't see coming at all, and maybe because of that, I enjoyed it all the more.

Loved Scout and Emery and though things weren't all that great at the start, seeing that Emery didn't remember Scout had been his one-night stand just before the first attack, and Scout feeling a bit hurt that he hadn't been all that memorable for Emery, they managed to move past that. I also liked that Scout wavered between giving in to his feelings and his job as Emery's bodyguard, it made it more realistic to me.

Nick Russo was awesome as always, he brings a lot of emotion into his narration and his voices are just so distinct and I was thoroughly impressed at how the suspense of some scenes came through in his performance. This has got to be one of my favorites of his in my ever-growing list from his narrations. Very recommendable!

Really enjoyed this one!

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sad, sassy and a little scary, but all together amazing... kept me on my toes like all the other amazing stories...thank you for writing and the narrator is one of my favourites 😍

fabulous

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Emery Klein is quite a character. He’s out, proud, and loud. He wears his gay on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to show himself. For all to see, he’s happy and joyous. He’s also a social media influencer – something I admittedly know very little about. In that sense, this book was a huge revelation for me. I had always seen these people through the lens of the Kardashians. That an influencer could use their position for good? That they could use their ability to reach out to the vulnerable and give them hope? Mind blown. I probably should have seen it, but now I’ll view things differently. Oh, to be sure there are vapid and selfish people who want the adulation, but apparently there are people out there who use their celebrity for good.

Like I said, Emery does this and it endeared him to me. Of course so did the hedgehog Sonic. Anyone who can love such an…interesting…creature must be a good person, right? His one fault? The inability to connect with people he has sex with. He has close friends and chosen family (many of whom I met in the first book and it was nice to have them back!). What he lacks is the desire to have more than what amounts to one-night stands. From the start I could see the toll it takes on him. Heck, the opening scene was…interesting (okay, and also kind of explosive – I’ll never look at guppies the same way). But while the encounter meant everything to his partner, Emery let it blend into all the others.

Or so he tells himself. He might not remember faces, but he does remember someone who dominates him. He’ll do just about anything to repeat that particular experience.

Scout Duffy is also a man who runs from his feelings. He’s had a few one-night stands as well, but his job keeps him on the move, going for assignment to assignment. Town to town. When he agrees to be the bodyguard of some gay social media influencer, it’s not the gay part that bothers him. He’s convinced Emery is just another guy whose whole focus is taking a good picture of his food – or of himself. Scout immediately recognizes Emery as the guy he banged (so to speak), but Emery’s lack of recognition hurts. More than he’s willing to admit.

But the threat to Emery is very real and Scout figures he can tuck away the lust and focus on the job. Until Emery finally recognizes him and then all bets are off the table. Hot times ensue. Ethics are pesky things, though, and Scout must, he believes, choose between protecting Emery or making hot damn love with him. As a boxer, Scout was all brute strength and very much in the closet. He’s out now, but certainly doesn’t advertise the fact. Being with Emery means changing that. For the better? Hard to say.

There is a lot of drama in this book. More so even than in the last book. The sleepy town of Pine Cove isn’t as dull as it might seem. The eventual standoff scene uncovers how deep hate can really run. Suddenly Emery’s safety is jeopardized and Scout realizes the depth of his feelings for the man.

I enjoyed this book. There was a lot to take in and it worked. Watching the men connect was fun but the deeper emotions came much later. Of course a happy ending is guaranteed, but I still wondered how it would all come together with Emery attached to Pine Cove and Scout living an itinerant life.

Nick J. Russo is a great narrator and he’s perfect to helm this series. He always delivers a solid performance and this book was no exception. If you enjoy snarky twinks and the dominant men who love them then this is the right book for you.

Two lost souls find each other

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This is book 2 in the Pine Cove series, but you don’t NEED to have read book one, Safe Harbor, before this one. But you NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED (emphasis on the long E and there IS a difference!) to read it. Cos, you know, that is a darn sneaky book and because I bloody well said so!
This is maybe not so sneaky, cos everything is laid out for you, but still a fabulous read!
Scout is surprised when his awesome hook up turns out to be his new client. But Emery doesn’t remember him, so Scout keeps quiet. He wants to keep Emery safe while they figure out who is sending the threatening emails. Something deep in him NEEDS to keep Emery safe, and he needs to keep his hands off. But when Emery remembers, he goes all out to get Scout back in his bed, in his life and his heart. He just needs to stay alive long enough.
We met Emery in book one, he is Robin’s best friend from school. He is out and proud and very fem. He is who he is, and stuff everyone else. He is an Instagram star, but he is so much more too. But people don’t see that side to Emery, he doesn’t let many people in. Scout is very much a man’s man: big and bulky, ex-boxer, but he loves fem guys. That’s why Emery caught his eye in the club, that first time. Why Emery continues to push Scout’s buttons while they try to figure out what’s going on. Why Emery continues to PUSH Scout, in every which way. Why Scout pushes Emery to open up, to talk to him. Why Scout’s heart breaks when Emery pushes him away. Why Scout’s heart damn well stops when he realises the danger Emery has walked into.
I loved this; I really did! I’ve been in such a book slump for a while, and this book, this deliciously sexy, heart stopping book, was just the book I needed to get me out of it!
Emery is such a character! I loved him in Safe Harbor, and I fell in love some more with him here. He is so much more than the image he presents to the world; he really is. You don’t see that in book one, but here you get the full Emery experience and I loved it! Scout is quite a character too, just not quite so in-yer-face as Emery is.
Emery is very clear about what and who he wants, and so this book is somewhat more explicit than book one, but I ain’t complaining, no ma’am, I ain’t! A tad more violent though, what with car bombs, and nutters, and things but I think they are needed here, they really are.
Both guys have a say, and both voices are very different. I need to listen to this now! I heard Emery’s voice in my head, but it wasn’t *quite* right, and since we don’t get Emery is all his glory in Safe Harbor, I need to listen to hear him fall apart when Scout touches him, when it all goes down, and when things are settled after.
Ava, Robin’s sister, plays a part here, and Robin, Dair and Swift, (eldest brother to Robin) pop up. So pleased about that!
There is the blurb at the back of this one for the next book, and THAT threw up a surprise! So, can’t wait to get my hands on that little baby!
I read this in one sitting, I was totally engrossed!

Nick J Russo narrates and he NAILS it, he totally does!

5 full and sparkly stars
5 stars for the narration
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

excellent book 2, excellent narration!

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