Assassin’s Soul by Shea Balik

Title: Assassin’s Soul

Series: Paranormal Wars: Amur 02

Author: Shea Balik

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (June 20,2019)

Length: Novella (134pgs)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Heart

Blurb: Divine Death had been on a mission since the day he understood the torture others were willing to inflict on him and his kind—to kill them all. As an Amur Leopard shifter, his ability to sneak up on anyone made him one of the best assassins in the world, but it came at cost, the loss of his soul.

Pacey Chapman was someone who liked to hide from…well, everything. Having been hurt in the past by too many people to count, including his own family. As a bunny shifter, he was considered weak—prey—both descriptions fit him far too well, especially when he was afraid of his own shadow.

The moment Divine and Pacey met, their worlds tilted. But how does a hardened assassin and a terrified bunny find a way to coexist? Fortunately, Fate has a plan that allows Pacey to discover being brave isn’t about not being afraid, while Death discovers it’s possible to have the one thing he thought impossible—a soul.

ISBN: 978-1-64243-859-8

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Pacey and several of this siblings were kicked out when they were teenagers just because their parents couldn’t afford to feed them. Pacey was the only one that had no place to go. He has been hurt by not only his family but by many others. So he feared anything and any one. He is a cute bunny shifter that lived through a horrible time and many thought he was prey. So imagine this cute bunny shifter meeting Death.

Death has spent most of his life in a lab being tortured and experimented on. He didn’t feel anything for anyone. He killed because he was good at it. He is also a leopard shifter who is mated to a bunny shifter.

It has been some time since I read the first book for this series and the books from the one that is connected to it. So I was not as in tuned with it as I would have been had I read all the books at once. The characters are pretty cool to read about and their stories will have you in tears. Two different lives living in horrible situations came out of it with two different reactions and this author managed to hit it on the nail. What each went through was different they still manage to heal the other. This world that they live in was pretty unique and I liked hearing about it, in a way. I felt bad for Koda though, but your going to have to read to figure out that statement.

I can honestly say that Pacey will be my favorite in this story. I do admit that I think the story came off a bit rushed especially Pacey’s part. One moment he is so fearful but then he is basically jumping Death. It also felt just a bit jumbled and didn’t flow as well as it should have for me. Other wise it was a great story.

I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading the next book.

A Casual Thing by Annabelle Jacobs ~ Audio Review

Title: A Casual Thing

Series: Will and Patrick, 01

Author: Annabelle Jacobs

Narrator: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 4 hrs, 43 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th April 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Patrick Mason travels to Bristol to spend the summer with his brother, Ben. He’s cat sitting for the first two weeks while Ben goes on holiday. But Ben neglected to tell him he wouldn’t be do-ing it alone. Will Adams – Ben’s mate and Patrick’s long-time crush – is staying in Ben’s guest room while he waits to move into his new house after a breakup.

Against his better judgment, Patrick convinces Will that a little no-strings fun is just what they need. Patrick doesn’t want to get involved with a guy on the rebound, and Will isn’t interested in starting something serious with a student. But Patrick’s never been good at separating sex from feelings, and this time is no exception. As their weeks together draw to a close, they need to decide if they have something worth pursuing or if it’s really just a casual thing.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: A Casual Thing is the first book in Annabelle Jacob’s series called Will and Patrick. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I saw this book, other than that I liked the look of the blurb. The whole hot friend of the older brother trope was what really sold me, though. I’m familiar with Annabelle Jacobs, but isn’t really an author that I have formed an opinion on. But ultimately, I am really happy that I did decide to get this audio, it was such a cute and sweet story and I really am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The narration of this story was performed by Matthew Lloyd Davies. A completely new narrator to me, I really enjoyed the over all performance. I particularly liked the voice and tone that he gave Patrick. I’m definitely keen to listen to more audios narrated by Davies because I found his voice and animations very pleasant to listen to.

Set in England, which I do love as well, Patrick Mason drives up to Bristol on his uni break, where he intends to crash in his big brother’s spare room and cat sit while said big brother goes off for a trip over the ditch in Europe. The only problem is, when Patrick arrives, he finds out that his brother’s best friend is crashing in the spare room after a rough break up. However, Will Adams is Patrick’s crush, back when Will had been with his ex. Because of the breakup and having to get the new house, Will can’t join his friends on the long-awaited trip. Patrick is annoyed and is torn because he doesn’t know how he will be able to navigate being with the man that he has crushed on for so long.

In a lot of ways the story is predictable. Two guys – one crushing on the other and the other is in a bad place post-breakup. Things are a bit bumpy at first but agreeing to a no-strings friends with benefits type of arrangement changes things, even if both men don’t quite want to face up to it. After all, they are only going to be occupying the same house for two weeks before Will moves into his new place. And while Will’s relationship with Patrick initially starts as a rebound, he also doesn’t want to start anything serious with a uni student – twenty-year olds being flighty and all that kind of stuff. However, Patrick has a soft heart and despite saying that this was only going to be sex and nothing else, he can’t help it when his feelings do become involved.

I really enjoyed this story. It’s super cute and very sweet. There isn’t a lot of angst, and so in saying that this is a really nice and relaxing story to listen to. Will and Patrick have great chemistry and their different opinions on starting a relationship make them interesting characters.

Familiar Angel by Amy Lane ~ Audio Review

Title: Familiar Angel

Series: Familiar Love 01

Author: Amy Lane

Narrator: Gomez Pugh

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 6 hrs, 50 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (5th June 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: One hundred and forty years ago, Harry, Edward, and Francis met an angel, a demon, and a sorceress while escaping imprisonment and worse! They emerged with a new family – and shape-shifting powers beyond their wildest dreams.

Now Harry and his brothers use their sorcery to rescue those enslaved in human trafficking – but Harry’s not doing so well. Pining for Suriel, the angel, has driven him to take more and more risks until his family desperately asks Suriel for an intervention.

In order for Suriel to escape the bindings of heaven, he needs to be sure enough of his love to fight to be with Harry. Back when they first met, Harry was feral and angry, and he didn’t know enough about love for Suriel to justify that risk.

Can Suriel trust in Harry enough now to break his bonds of service for the boy who has loved his familiar angel for nearly a century and a half?

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Familiar Angel is the first book in Amy Lane’s Familiar Love series. While I love to read and listen to Amy Lane’s audio works, I wasn’t sure what to expect as this is the first book of Lane’s that I’ve read that is a paranormal. Typically, I love the writing style of Lane’s contemporary works and was pleased to see that this translated over into the paranormal story.

Narration for this book was performed by Gomez Pugh. According to my Audible library I’ve got another book narrated by Pugh, also written by Lane, but to be honest (although my review says I liked his work) I have zero recollection of the book. So I kinda went into this one blind. For Familiar Angel, Pugh has done a fantastic job. There are a number of characters, all requiring their own voices, with six secondary characters who are just as important as the two main characters of this story. Pugh made it easy to follow the various conversations and to follow when the book goes to a flashback.

Ugh. Sorry, this leads me onto a bit of a rant and the only reason why I didn’t give this a full 5/5.

I personally can’t stand a book that has a lot of flashbacks. And there were a number of long flashbacks here. I’m a simple person who wants near-instant gratification, particularly when there are flashbacks occurring at pivotal moments and disrupting my flow. The way I see it, especially for long drawn out scene that span a chapter or more, just tell me the important point in the present because I want to get to the guts of the story. While I did find it a bit tedious, both Lane’s writing and Pugh’s animated narration managed to pull off a really enjoyable story that I think I would find near impossible to read myself.

The story starts out when we are introduced to Harry, Edward and Francis in early 1800s California. They’ve lived a rough life and that wouldn’t get any easier, in fact, they would be lucky if they lasted another couple of years. But when Harry and Edward try to escape their predicament, they stumble upon a witch trying to help a beloved demon with the help of another demon and one of God’s angels. It is here that the boys turn from humans to become a witch’s familiar with a significantly longer life span.

More than a century later, the family use their powers to help those without hope – they will do anything to stop human trafficking. Harry has struggles through the decades, the biggest issue for him being his unrequited love for the angel that helped their family, Suriel. However, for Harry his past still haunts him, the fear of what had happened in his human life has followed over into immortality and he needs the help of his family and Suriel to help him defeat it (and as a bonus the family can save the day).

Suriel is a strong being, but he has his doubts and concerns when it comes to Harry. Harry is reckless and his family need Suriel to help save Harry. He knows that Harry is worth falling for, but there is so much uncertainty that Suriel is waiting until the absolute last possible days to figure it all out, when he had been visiting the family for almost a century and a half. However, to be with Harry permanently Suriel has to make drastic changes to his life and his being, going through a horrific trial of his own, as soon as he helps Harry and the family with breaking a massive human trafficking ring.

I can’t wait for the rest of the series. Book 2 is already out (I can’t wait for Edward and Mullin’s story) and there is to be a book 3 for Francis. I think those 2 will go a lot smoother since Familiar Angel has built a very complex world and given backstory for over six characters who are central to this story.

I recommend this to anyone that loves to read paranormal, although there are no shape shifters per se (the boys are familiars and there are no established packs, alphas, etc.), the battle between good and evil with witches, cats, angels and demons is a fun roller coaster.

Stray by Nancy J. Hedin Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hi guys! We have Nancy J. Hedin popping in today with her new release Stray, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

Stray

(Bend 02)

Nancy J. Hedin

Lorraine Tyler should be in vet school, but she stayed behind in her home town of Bend, Minnesota to care for her nephew, spend time with her lover, Charity, and give her momma a chance to complete nursing school.

Lorraine is content until her momma brings home a steady stream of bachelors to straighten her out. Charity is out of town more and more, and Lorraine’s brother-in-law is looking for a new mom for Little Man. To make matters worse there’re new people in town. A politician is drumming up fear and hate, a social worker is flirting with Lorraine, and Lorraine’s new friend, Ricky, is beaten into a coma.

Lorraine suspects Ricky was beaten because of being gay. Lorraine is determined to find out who did it, protect Ricky from the hater who might try to finish the job, and she’s worried she might be next on the hater’s list.

Stray is a story of politics fueling hate, competing romantic interests, and regular people examining their hearts, souls, and hormones. Will the people of Bend harbor the fear-rattled haters of some, or will they provide sanctuary for all?

Warning: homophobic violence and slurs

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I Dare You to Break Curfew by Eva Muñoz Guest Post & Excerpt!

Eva Muñoz - I Dare You to Break Curfew Banner

Hi guys! We have Eva Muñoz stopping by today with her upcoming release I Dare You To Break Curfew, we have a brilliant guest post and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~

I Dare You to Break Curfew

(Inshari Chronicles 01)

Eva Muñoz

To save humankind, Camron may have to fall in love.

Vampires are real, and they are called the Inshari. After Camron Masters breaks curfew the first time, he discovers them living beneath Braylin Academy. The second time he breaks curfew, he meets a mad scientist who convinces him to take part in an experiment in exchange for more information about the Inshari. A small pinprick later, Camron wakes up as one of them and finds himself bonded to the prince of his dreams—vampire or not, Troyan is dark, brooding, and oh so delicious. But there’s the enigmatic Zaire vying for his attention too. Or is Camron just a pawn in a centuries-old feud?

All Camron’s ever wanted was to live his own fairy tale. But there’s always a catch after meeting Prince Charming.

Release date: 20th August
Pre-order:
.•.•.**❣️ Harmony Ink | Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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After The Final Curtain by T.L. Travis Release Blast & Giveaway!

T.L. Travis - After The Final Curtain RBBANNER-86

Hi guys! We have T.L. Travis popping in today with her new release After The Final Curtain, we have a promo vid for you to check out and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

After The Final Curtain

(Social Sinners 05)

T.L. Travis

What do our boys have in store for us this time around?

Through pain, attempted suicide, addiction and loss their bond never faltered. They’ve watched other bands come and go; some weren’t cut out for life on the road. Others simply…disappeared.

But they climbed their way to the top, one painstaking grip at a time. So, what’s up next for our boys?

Book 5, After the Final Curtain is the fifth and final installment in the Social Sinners series. This book comes, with a surprise announcement.

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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A Flicker of Hope by Shea Balik

Title: A Flicker of Hope

Series: Druid’s Curse 02

Author: Shea Balik

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novella (139pgs)

Publisher: Shea Balik (May 29, 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Kegan Tulach already knew that monsters were real. He’d faced them. Watched in horror as they killed those he loved. Then run from them. It was his response for the past two years. But now, on his twenty-first birthday, running wasn’t an option. He had no where to go. It was time for him to face his worst nightmare.

There weren’t many people who could do what Bjorn did. Fight monsters and live to tell the tale. It was a job thrust upon him as a kid. If he had known the true hell that would be cursed upon him, he would have preferred to die even though he’d only been fourteen at the time. Now, years later, he had hope that the curse would come to an end. The question was, would he choose the death he’d so desperately craved for more than a millennia, or would he do the one thing he swore he’d never do? Choose love.

If Kegan and Bjorn can find a way past their fears, they may discover something worth living for – each other.

This is a stand alone with an HEA, but reading the first book is recommended for full enjoyment.

ISBN: B07RX4DZPK

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Bjorn and Kegan’s story continues the series. Bjorn finds Kegan in a fight for his life. Injured Kegan does what he can to help but ends up passing out. Bjorn takes Kegan and flees. Recuperating in different areas the two finally make it Bjorn’s home.

I liked the entire story. Each of stories contain a different element at play and I was intrigued by Kegans gift. Bjorn was tough yet sweet. I am looking forward to reading about who else in Bjorn’s group finds their mate as well as what the druid’s power will be when they find them,

Fantastic read.

Don’t Judge by A.E. Via Audio Blog Tour & Giveaway!

A.E. Via - Don't Judge Audio RTBANNER-76

Hi guys, we have A.E. Via visiting today with the tour for her new audio release Don’t Judge, we have a brilliant giveaway where you can win your own audiobook of Don’t Judge, so check out the post and then enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

Don’t Judge

(Nothing Special 04)

Narrator: Aiden Snow

A.E. Via

Detective Austin Michaels didn’t think life could get any better after he was accepted into the most notorious narcotics task force on the East Coast, headed up by two of the baddest Lieutenants with the Atlanta Police Department – Cashel Godfrey and Leonidis Day.

Michaels knew he would fit right in as the team’s sniper, having received his fair share of commendations for marksmanship. He was just as badass as the rest of the twenty brothers that made up their team. But when Michaels lets their prime suspect get away from a huge bust with over a quarter of a million dollars in drugs, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it right.

Left with no other options, God chooses to bring in outside help, calling on his long-time friend and bounty hunter, Judge Josephson.

Judge was considered one of the best trackers during his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. After retiring, he used those skills to become one of the most sought out fugitive trackers in the country. When Judge gets a call from his old friend needing his help, he quickly tells God, yes.

.•.•.**❣️ Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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Sword Dance by A.J. Demas Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Hi guys! We have A.J. Demas stopping by today with the tour for her new release Sword Dance, we have a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for my review coming soon!

Sword Dance

(Sword Dance 01)

A.J. Demas

Five years ago, Damiskos’s brilliant military career was cut short, leaving him with a permanent disability and scars that are not all physical. Adrift and still grieving, he tries to find meaning in an unsatisfying job.

Work takes him to the remote seaside villa of an old friend, where, among an odd assortment of guests, he meets the eunuch sword-dancer Varazda. Enigmatic and beautiful but distinctly prickly, Varazda is the antithesis of the straightforward and serious Damiskos. Yet as they keep getting in each other’s way at the villa, their mutual dislike is complicated by a spark of undeniable attraction.

Then the villa’s guests begin to reveal their true characters and motives—no one here is what they seem—and Damiskos finds himself at the centre of a bizarre web of espionage, theft, and assassination. Varazda may need Damiskos’s help, but not as much as Damiskos, finally awakening to a new sense of life and purpose, needs Varazda.

Sword Dance is the first book in the Sword Dance trilogy, an m/m romance set in an imaginary ancient world, with murderous philosophy students, sex acts named after fruit, and love blossoming in the midst of mayhem.

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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Their Property by K.A. Merikan Blog Tour & Giveaway!

K.A. Merikan - Their Property RTBANNER-72

Hi guys, we have K.A. Merikan stopping by today with the tour for their new release Their Property, we have a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for the reviews for the Four Mercenaries series coming soon!

Their Property

(Four Mercenaries 03)

K.A. Merikan

— Bruised not broken. Loved. Always. —

Clover’s life was perfect a year ago. He’d found four men to love, each essential to making him whole. Each one of them tough in their own way, part of a crew of mercenaries living on the wrong side of the law.

Tank was his loving Daddy, Pyro the wild one always pulling him into mischief, Boar taught him how to cook, and Drake showed him how to use knives in a wholly different fashion.

All Clover wanted was to finally be an equal in the group. So he trained, he pushed, and risked, but when real danger stared him in the face, he broke like a twig.

Now, with one of his lovers taken, Clover can’t find a way back to his former self. Each of the relationships they’d so meticulously built is fractured, and might never be the same.

If their group is to ever be whole again, Clover needs to find the courage he’s lost, but that means facing the monster who scarred him, and truths none of his men want to confront.

THEIR PROPERTY is a dark gay harem contemporary romance, book 3 in the “Four Mercenaries” trilogy. The story contains scenes of explicit violence, offensive language, morally ambiguous characters and lots of scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenes.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes: polyamory, mercenaries, bounty hunters, albinism, commitment issues, dark past, male bonding, human trafficking, size difference, danger, alpha male, found family, size difference, distrust, shared, victim and protector, revenge, organized crime, angst, trauma, rescue, missing

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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Nothing Ventured by Jay Northcote Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review!

Jay Northcote - Nothing Ventured RTBANNER-67

Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in today with the tour for his new re-release Nothing Ventured, we have a short excerpt and Leigh’s review so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

Nothing Ventured

Jay Northcote

Mud, sweat, and reluctant romance. Can Aiden and Matt sort out their feelings before race day?

When Aiden agrees to run the Mad Mucker—a twelve-mile muddy slog over an obstacle course—he’s expecting it to be a bit of a laugh. The training will be tough, but Aiden could use the motivation to regain some fitness.

Matt is the sexy cousin of one of Aiden’s coworkers and a last-minute addition to the team. When he agrees to train with Aiden, Aiden suddenly finds the prospect of regular workouts a lot more appealing.

Soon attraction flares, and they embark on an intense physical relationship. Matt doesn’t want to fall in love with a man, and Aiden doesn’t want to fall in love at all, but despite their insistence on no strings, they grow closer. As the day of the race approaches, time is running out for them to work out how they feel about each other.

As Sol tries to get closer, Noah tries to protect his heart by pulling away. If their relationship is going to survive, Noah needs to accept that Sol sees him very differently to how Noah sees himself. Because to Sol, Noah is something very special indeed.

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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Digging Deep by Jay Hogan Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hi guys! We have Jay Hogan stopping by today with her new release Digging Deep, we have a great new excerpt and a brilliant $20 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the excerpt and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

Digging Deep

(Digging Deep 01 / Perchance to Dream)

Jay Hogan

A Digging Deep Story

Drake Park has a complicated life. As a gay male midwife, he’s used to raising eyebrows. Add Crohn’s disease and things get interesting—or not, considering the sad state of his love life. Experience has taught Drake that most men are fair-weather sailors when it comes to handling his condition—gone for dust when things get rough. Staying healthy is a full-time job without adding in any heartbreak, so a little loneliness is a small price to pay. If he says it often enough he might even believe it. One thing for sure, the cop who arrested him isn’t about to change that.

Caleb Ashton does not have a complicated life. A senior detective with the Whangarei Police Department, he likes his job and is good at it. He works hard and plays hard, happy to enjoy as many men as he can while he’s still young enough—or at least he was. These days he feels adrift for the first time in his life, and the only thing sparking his interest—a certain prickly young midwife.

But can Drake find enough faith to risk opening his heart again? And does Caleb have what it takes to cope with the challenges Drake’s condition presents?

.•.•.**❣️ Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

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Lincoln’s Park by Parker Williams ~ Audio Review

Title: Lincoln’s Park

Series: Links in the Chain 01

Author: Parker Williams

Narrator: Tristan James

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 8 hrs, 42 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (4th April 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Lincoln Merriweather was born an entitled brat with a silver spoon lodged so deep, it might nev-er have come out. At the BDSM club or in business, Lincoln was a storm, blowing in and disrupt-ing the lives of everyone he touched, until the day he met a man who peeled away the tarnished layers to expose a decent person.

Lincoln found – then lost – love.

Since then, he’s tried to atone for his past, including walking away from his family’s wealth. He opened a diner, hiring people to work for him that he would have spit on before his epiphany. He’s found peace, which he’s about to lose to a hazel-eyed man.

Noel Simmons wound up on the street when his parents discovered he was gay. His path leads him to Lincoln’s diner, where he asks for a job. He’s thrilled when Lincoln agrees to hire him but finds his new boss perplexing. Can anyone be this kind and decent?

What starts out as business becomes something more. Noel discovers he needs Lincoln in or-der to feel safe. Lincoln needs Noel to complete him. But when Lincoln’s past gets in the way of his present, will the two have a future?

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Lincoln’s Park is the first book in Parker Williams Links in the Chain series.

I’m not overly familiar with Parker Williams and I have to say the mention of BDSM often concerns me in books. For me BDSM is fine as long as its written well between consenting adults instead of being used as a way to disguise literary porn as a romance, and let’s not go down the Fifty Shades path either. But I’m so happy to report that: 1) Parker Williams had such a wonderful way with words in this book that I can’t wait to get onto the rest of the series. 2) BDSM is only a background plot device and I had nothing to worry about at all.

The story starts with Lincoln Merriweather. He had been a ruthless businessman who had played as hard as he worked. He was raised a spoilt, rich brat until the day he met someone who changed everything about the way he saw the world. There was love but there was never going to be a future together. And so when he found himself on his own, he opened the Park View Diner and decided that he would help as many people as he could.

The Park View Diner has been his life for the past ten years now. Noel walks in off the street, quite clearly homeless and desperate for a job that no one would give him due to his appearance. Noel is young, only in his early twenties, but he’s been on the streets since his parents discovered that he was gay. Lincoln is a dream come true and gives Noel so much opportunity to help him to get out of the hole he had found himself in.

Lincoln and Noel both fight the feelings which are developing as they try to figure out what is happening between them. The one thing that is clear is that they belong together, and they need each other to feel complete. Added to that Lincoln’s past in the form of his rich family come to threaten all that he has built. Noel is there to lend Lincoln strength, but the stress and the situation could threaten what is shaping up to be a beautiful romance.

The narration of this story was performed by Tristan James, who was an unknown narrator to me until I finished this book. James does justice to the story and characters. He captures the vortex of emotions mixed with the strength of Lincoln, while he conveys the strength, vulnerability and determination of Noel.

This is a sweet story full of heart. It’s an intense emotional roller coaster, too, which just makes me so happy that I can’t find words for how much I loved this plot and the characters. I recommend this to people that want a sweet romance with a lot of hope. I can’t wait for the next book, which features Lincoln’s brother and look forward to a story of redemption.

Fox Hunt by j leigh bailey

Title: Fox Hunt

Series: Dreamspun Beyond 37 / Shifter U 04

Author: j. leigh bailey

Genre: Paranormal, Shape shifters

Length: Novel (248 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-203-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2 July 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Outfoxing their enemies will be a bear of a task.

Aspiring journalist and fox shifter David ends up with a target on his back after hacking the Moreau Initiative, the shifter world’s greatest enemy. But he won’t let that stop him from the campus tour road trip that’ll help him become the next Anderson Cooper… even if his family insists he travel with a grumpy grizzly bear bodyguard.

Buddy Brady is older, sexy, and too damn distracting for David, and as the sexual tension builds, so does the suspicion around the repeated attacks—first in Chicago, then in New York. Someone is tracking them, and all clues point to a traitor in the shifter ranks. Worst of all, they could be after David’s family….

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Fox Hunt is the fourth book in j. leigh bailey’s Shifter U series. I fully recommend to read this series in order, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable series and each book is about a different couple, but also I found that since it has been a while since I read the previous books I had to do a quick flip through to reacquaint myself with the other characters and the over-arching storyline that continues through to the present book.

As I said, Shifter U is a really enjoyable series and I was pretty excited to get into the next instalment. The way that bailey has written the book made the whole thing feel more accessible in the fact that despite this is about shifters being hunted, I find it so easy to relate and sympathise with the characters. Fox Hunt, just like the previous books, are a really good book to read when you want to relax and take it easy, while having a bit of intrigue to keep you going.

The story starts out with David. He’s a fox shifter, journalist who recently graduated from the so-called Shifter U and his mother, brother and stepfather are on a supernatural group/committee who only want the best for shifters and peaceful relations with humans. Let’s face it, most paranormal/shifter/vampire books tend to have a paranormal governing body, so it’s not anything new.

David is seen as a bit of a flake, a spoilt brat by many, including his mother and brother. Yet under the surface is a man who is passionate about the truth as well as the safety of humans and shifter alike. He recently used his mother’s work computer to hack into the group known as the Moreau Initiative (as in The Island of Doctor Moreau), this group functions as the “boogie man” of this series, the evil people that are after shifters. David has effectively painted a target on his back, the last thing that he wants because David is about to do a road trip and interview to get into several internships and move to the next stage in his career.

Fearing for David’s life, David’s mother, brother and stepfather insist on David bringing a bodyguard with him on the journey. That bodyguard is Buddy Brady, an older, grumpy bear shifter who put his life’s ambitions on hold to raise his younger brothers, ultimately leading to his current career and his latest assignment. Buddy quickly finds out that there is something strange happening around David. He is definitely being targeted but it is a mystery as to how his attackers are tracking him.

Together, David and Buddy solve the mystery and uncover more disturbing facts surrounding the Moreau Initiative while going on David’s cross country road trip. These guys are well suited and while they are very different on the surface, I love how passionate they both are about just about every aspect in life. It’s now that they are together that they grow and learn to trust love and passion of a different nature. What I love the most is that with both David and Buddy there is a lot more going on under the surface than first expected and so I really enjoyed their development as individuals as well as a couple.

Fox Hunt is something of a buddy (pun intended) road trip, mixed with mystery, danger and love. This is really a typical shape shifter romance in terms of formula, but the characters have great personalities and are intriguing. Fans of Shifter U series will enjoy the latest instalment, but I also recommend to people that like shape shifter stories.

I look forward to more from this series. While David and Buddy have a really satisfying romance and we are left with a HEA for these guys, there is more to come with the whole storyline of the Moreau Initiative and I’m sure we’ll get to meet some more interesting characters from the world of Shifter U.

A Blaze in the Dark by Miranda Turner

Title: A Blaze in the Dark

Series: BoT World Stories 01

Author: Miranda Turner

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Length: Novella (120pgs)

Publisher: Miranda Turner (February 6, 2019)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.75 Hearts

Blurb: Bain never thought he’d escape the prison he’d lived in for the last five years. He spent his days chained up like an animal, and his nights…they were better not spoken about. Until one day Antonio came stumbling into his darkness, lighting a fire in his soul and giving him a chance at a new life.

Antonio loved his position as a Bellator, and he loved his brother Luc; it was Luc’s friends he could do without. When he came upon an emaciated and beaten boy at his brother’s best friend David’s house, he knew he had to get him out of there. Risking his place on his team, his relationship with his brother, and even death was something he’d never regret. After all, Bain was Antonio’s sodalis vitae, and soulmates were forever.

The small problem of Bain being a member of the Tenebrix, the Bellators’ mortal enemies, was nothing compared to what could happen if David found out where he was. But Antonio won’t let anything—race, being hunted by his own kind, or Bain’s fears—keep him from finally claiming his mate.

This novella is a standalone in The Bearer of Truth world and takes place three years before Shadowing the Light. Antonio and Bain do appear in The BoT series as side characters, but you do not need to have read those books to read this one or vice versa.

This book is LGBT Romance and Urban Fantasy. Not recommended for readers under 18. Use the Look Inside feature or download a sample to see additional content advisories on the Copyright page..

ISBN: B07NGGMDFJ

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I really enjoyed this story about Bain and Antonio. Antonio finds Bain in the house of his best friends house abused. David was a cruel man to Bain and I so wanted to hurt David myself for all he had done to Bain.

I really liked that Bain did not just act like he had been through nothing and fall into Antonio’s arms. This was a slow progress between the two men as Bain deals with what he has been through. Antonio was there for him every step of the way even at times it seemed the men struggled with each other.

All in all it was an entertaining read and beginning to a series.

Great read.

Saving Sawyer by Stormy Glenn

Title: Saving Sawyer

Series: Mech Warriors 02

Author: Stormy Glenn

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (July 18, 2019)

Length: Short (79pgs)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Heart

Blurb: Allied Defense Force soldier Stefan Andres lost the love of his life two years ago in a terrifying mech attack. He harbored hatred in his heart until his friends convinced him Sawyer might still be alive. Dealing with the guilt of shooting his commander isn’t nearly as overwhelming as discovering Sawyer is actually alive. What he learns when he finds the man might be more than even he can handle.

Lewis Sawyer loved Stefan more than his next breath, which was the only reason he forced himself to stay away from the man after escaping the mechs. What was done to him could put Stefan’s life in danger. When a nighttime attack forces him to come out of hiding, he has to face his demons, and the love he left behind, but will Stefan see him as the man he was or the monster the mechs made him?

ISBN: 978-1-62741-804-1

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: For many years Stefan followed his team and commander. He fought mech’s, saved humans, searched for his commander’s man. However when the man he loved was killed he blamed Roark for it. He was stuck in his grief. That is until Frankie suggested that just maybe Sawyer was still alive. That was after he made the mistake of shooting Roark. Now he was determined to find the man he loved.

Sawyer had been abducted by the mech’s two years ago and for six months they kept him. Then he escaped but hid away from his team. The mech’s had done things to him that he just didn’t think anyone would accept him. Either that or they would experiment on him. Then after a fight with some baddies he knew he had to let Stefan know he was alive. Then wait for the man to kick his ass.

A virus killed millions over ten years ago, a warrior changed, some exciting new twists to the story and lets face it this was a big hit with me. The characters were fun to read about and their stories just made me wish I was there with them. What was truly shocking was that the virus didn’t have anything to do with the aliens but with the government. So two different dangers with pretty much the same ending, death.

The thing that I didn’t much care for was how Sawyer didn’t show much trust with his team nor with the man he loved. It moved maybe a bit to fast for me in parts of the story. However it doesn’t take away from the story to much.

I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to read the next story. I can guarantee that it will be read many times over.

Out Of The Office by Louisa Masters

Title: Out of the Office

Author: Louisa Masters

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (82pgs)

ISBN: 9781393429722

Publisher: Louisa Masters (25^th July 2019)

Heat Level: Nil

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Whoever thought achieving career goals could be boring? Not Duncan Witten, but here he is at forty-one, in his dream job… and hating it. Throw it all away for a challenge? Yes, please!

If only Dunc had known his challenging new job came with Paul Hanks, a man who redefines “stubborn.” They need to work together to meet targets, but thanks to Dunc’s idiot predecessor, Paul won’t take his calls or reply to emails.

There’s only one solution: travel across the country and confront Paul face-to-face. It’s time to take things out of the office.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Review: Duncan is called in to rescue a telco project from disaster, the previous Resource Manager made a complete mess of it and now the company is looking at a huge loss of money paid out in penalties because the project is in such a mess. While Duncan begins to get the project back on track one of the main problems he has now is overspending on resources and the biggest culprit being Paul Hanks, who is dodging his emails and calls, so the ever resourceful Duncan comes up with a plan to corner Paul.

This is a surprisingly enjoyable read, I quickly got pulled into the story and thoroughly enjoyed watching as Duncan agonises over his reaction to Paul and their colleagues/friend or more relationship. I also became fascinated by the inner workings of a telecom company; I don’t think I ever actually thought about what must be put into effect for us to use mobile phones!

When Duncan and Paul meet it isn’t the friendliest meeting, Duncan is instantly attracted to Paul, but what Paul feels is resentment. When Paul’s feelings change I’m not quite sure and neither is Duncan really, while he knows that they have kinda moved into the friends column he has no idea if what they have is more than that. And it isn’t until near the end that we all find out together.

I really did enjoy this story as it’s a nice little treat where there is a building of a relationship through texts and phone calls, Duncan and Paul get to know each other before falling into bed and there isn’t any sex on page. There’s a gentle humor throughout the book that balances the high stress job they are doing, it’s a nice and easy story to read without any angst.

I recommend this to those who love enjoyable stories, hot guys connecting during stressful times, and a happy ending that’s cute.

The End of Darkness by Shea Balik

Title: The End of Darkness

Series: Druid’s Curse 01

Author: Shea Balik

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (200pgs)

Publisher: Shea Balik (April 15, 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Ryley Duggan resented his family for forcing him home on his twenty-first birthday to perform another stupid fire ritual, instead of letting him go out and get shit-faced like normal people his age. He’d never believed in the stories his grandmother told him about the reason behind what they were doing. That was, until he walked outside to the bonfire to see bloodcurdling creatures that no Hollywood studio had ever come close to replicating, killing his family.

Since an early age, Eirik had one job, to protect the descendants of the one who’d cursed him and his friends. It hadn’t been what he’d ever imagined for his life, but after nearly a millennia Eirik had learned one thing, life never went as planned. Never had that been truer than when he’d rescued Ryley from certain death.

Now the two must learn to work together to save humanity. Will all be lost? Or will they discover a way to heal their hearts by opening themselves up to love?

WARNING: Unseelie monsters run amok in this story!

ISBN: B07QFNB7HN

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: After watching his family be massacred by fae minions Ryley and his sister Meghan travel with Eirik, the man who saved them, to his home. What he learns will change his life. Eirik is cursed to protect druid families for centuries. He is a warrior through and through. When he meets Ryley he has no idea what is in store for them. But soon learns they are meant to be together.

I loved the entire book. The battles were fierce. I also loved meeting all the brothers and hope that each get their own stories. Fen was an enigma to me as his part is glossed over. I also wanted to know whose mate cursed the brothers because at one point in the story it says a druid did yet in another part it says Fen’s mate did so I was confused, unless I read it wrong.

Aside from that it was a wonderful beginning to a series that I hope continues. Fantastic read.

Fantastic read.

Demons Don’t Dare by Hannah Walker

Title: Demons Don’t Dare

Series: Demonic Tales 04

Author: Hannah Walker

Genre: Paranormal, Science Fiction

Publisher: Hannah Walker (June 28,2019)

Length: Novel (439 Pounds)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Heart

Blurb: As the ruler of an empire, King Vict’arin is accustomed to living a life that is anything but normal. Unable to enjoy the simple things in life the way his demons do, he chooses to live and work for the good of his citizens. Lonely and tired, he finds solace with his family, enjoying watching his new grand-demonesses grow. Longing for more, he begins preparing to pass the crown onto his son so he can relax for a change.

Commander Dima Carilion has lived through the worst of what the universe has to offer, including being forced to watch his brother die at the hands of those he should have been able to trust. Unable to stay in the Alliance, Dima leaves his career and the life he knew behind, helping others work to bring change to the universe and stop the evil forcing its way from one world to another. With the help of powerful friends and allies, he sets out to find others, aiding in their quest to return peace to the universe.

Delivering a message to the Demon King, Dima finds himself in unknown territory and surrounded by a race filled with warriors. Yet, not only is he welcomed by them, he feels a kinship to them— these are men of honor, reminding him of his brother, and those under his command. The one thing he’d never expected was to find himself attracted to the king. Vict is unlike any man he’s ever met, and there’s a peace inside his soul when the two of them spend time together.

While wanting to help as much as possible, Kenistal is facing its own crisis. Infighting between the guilds is on the rise, and rumors swirl around them. Who is plotting, and what are they planning? As Dima starts to believe he might find peace, a new home, and something special with Vict, a power struggle between the guilds leaves Kenistal in chaos.

Vict finds himself drawn to Dima, even though he’s never been with a man before, and hasn’t even considered it. Yet, this pull is stronger than anything he’s ever experienced before, even with his treacherous ex-queen, who he’d been mated to for years. Could Dima be what he needs, can things work out between them, and more importantly, will the demons he rules over accept a him having a non-demon mate?

ISBN: B07TN7HZG6

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Dima had started not trusting the Alliance many years ago. But when he was forced to watch his older brother’s execution he knew things needed to change. Not only his brother but his brothers team had been executed when they refused to kill. He saw what was happening all around him to those who refused or fought back and he had to find a way to stop it. He was sent with a message to a far away planet to ask for their help. I don’t think he expected it to be met with guns or swords pointed at him.

Vict is the king of all demons. He had lost his mate when he put their daughter to death for her misdeeds. He had his son, son-in-law, a man that was close enough to be his son and another son-in-law as well as his granddemonlings with him. However he wished for more. He was bone tired of the fighting all around him and fought to bring the demons out of their state. He just had not expected that wish to be answered.

With getting to know each other and finding a deep friendship, a relationship is forming. However there is more danger coming and it is going to need more help then what one would expect.

When I first came across this I was not as sure about reading something from an author that was new to me. However the moment I started reading was the moment I realized I had found someone that would be an automatic purchase for me. This story was full of excitement and danger mixed in with action and some hot sexy times. I loved how the king was in the other stories and I was glad that he was going to be mated once more. Dima was a big hit with me. I could feel the pain he felt at loosing his brother and I will admit that I ended up in tears from it. When the one that was meant to protect him, well lets just say there was another round of tears. These two just made the perfect couple in my eyes.

This is a world that I would find amazing and would love to be in. It has so much going on and the people are great. I was glad to see Avanti and their king show up also. I hope that there will be many more stories coming for these guys. Give me more Demons and Avanti, I beg of you.

I had a blast reading this and can guarantee that they will be read many times more.

Survive and Conquer by Andrew Grey

Title: Survive and Conquer

Author: Andrew Grey

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (193 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-455-0

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (9 July 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when one of his cases needs a good lawyer, Newton turns to Chase for help.

Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.

Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: I love an Andrew Grey book and I know that I repeat myself all the time when I write a review for one of Grey’s books. But the short story is that I love the emotions that are evoked, both the highs and lows, throughout the book. It’s not uncommon for me to cry during a book by Andrew Grey and I feel that’s awesome. Grey also has a special touch when he includes children in his books, they are always cute kids (sometimes seriously ill or with a disability) whose personalities are just as big as the main characters who are their dad/s.

Survive and Conquer is everything that I expect from an Andrew Grey novel. The emotions are overflowing, the characters are very deep and complex, it was a wild journey to get to know them and their motivations. It was especially heart wrenching when Newton DeSantis opens up about being at Ground Zero on 9/11.

Newton DeSantis’s life turned upside down on 9/11, he was nearby on the ground and lost friends in the towers who are among those still unidentified. He is both mentally and physically scarred from his experience. He has made it his life to help people and that is something of a healing balm, as are his two kids whom he adopted. The girl has hearing issues and his son has a blood disorder. He works as a social worker, wanting the absolute best outcomes for the kids he comes into contact with.

However, when one situation with a child requires legal expertise, Newton turns to and manages to convince family lawyer, Chase Matthews. Chase loves his job and is an up and coming star at his firm. And while he doesn’t need more work, he agrees to look into a case for Newton pro bono.
The men have a lot in common and their connection is instant. But their careers are not always complementary. As a lawyer Chase can’t pick and choose which clients he wants to take but as feelings between he and Newton evolve, things get complicated, of course. While getting to know each other personally, their lives also cross professionally. Ultimately, this is the moment when Chase needs to get his priorities right and decide just how essential Newton and the two kids are to his life.

In short, Chase must sort out his work-life balance, he is looking to take the step of becoming a partner to man with two kids who he also forms a connection to. Likewise, Newton also needs to let in the romantic kind of love in his life, balancing his life as a dad, a partner and a social worker.

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