Nearly a year after being rejected for another man, Seattle paramedic Peter Morse is still pining, so when the one that got away asks him for a favor, he agrees. His mission: track down Sean Reid, the runaway brother of a mutual friend. Peter isn’t thrilled about it—until he finds Sean injured by the side of the road.Â
Everything about Sean stirs Peter’s protective instincts—saving people is what he lives for—but he never anticipated falling for someone so hell-bent on running from him. On top of his physical wounds, Sean struggles with grief and guilt, and the mess his estranged father left when he died threatens to overwhelm him.Â
Saving Sean means Peter must let go of his pride and turn to friends and family. Asking for help is a bitter pill for Peter to swallow, but if he can’t, how can he expect Sean to accept his help—and his love—in turn?
Review: In Saving Sean we pick up with a character we’ve met before and meet another. Peter was a love interest for Theo in After Ben and in the year after that book ended, Peter is now getting over his crush for Theo. It is Morgan and Theo who actually call upon Peter to help a friend, which leads him directly to Sean.
These two guys are a tad argumentative and very much alpha males – or maybe just stubborn. Like with After Ben, this is a well paced book. The main characters have brilliant chemistry and it is a bonus that it now feels like we’re settling with friends when it comes to the minor characters.
Genre: Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Length: Super Novel (400pgs)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (November 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts
Blurb: Magic is risen.
When magic returned to the world, it could have saved humanity, but greed and thirst for power caused mankind’s downfall instead. Now once-human monsters called Howls prowl abandoned streets, their hunger guided by corrupt necromancers and the all-powerful Kin. Only Hunters have the power to fight back in the unending war, using the same magic that ended civilization in the first place.
But they are losing.
Tenn is a Hunter, resigned to fight even though hope is nearly lost. When he is singled out by a seductive Kin named Tom‡s and the enigmatic Hunter Jarrett, Tenn realizes he’s become a pawn in a bigger game. One that could turn the tides of war. But if his mutinous magic and wayward heart get in the way, his power might not be used in favor of mankind.
If Tenn fails to play his part, it could cost him his friends, his life…and the entire world..
Review: An amazing story of a young man named Tenn who is a hunter. He has incredible gifts of spheres water and earth, these are magical abilities. His mission is stop the Dark Lady and the minions she created before the resurrection. This includes Howls, Kraven’s, Breathless Ones and others such as Necromancers who joined her fight for a new world.
Tenn meets fellow classmate Jarrett when he comes to aid the hunters with the help of two powerful siblings. This journey takes them to many places always fighting those that would harm others. I found myself immersed in a captivating story of epic proportions.
Tenn’s abilities and a prophecy were intriguing. The Dark Lady whispers to him at times as well as her brother Tomas. There are a lot of characters throughout that are detailed and explained. I loved that despite it’s complex world and characters those details made reading this story easier.
There is death and destruction throughout as the hunters try to complete what they set out to do while at the same time finding answers that may aid them and Tenn.
Hi guys! We have Aimee Nicole Walker stopping by today with the tour for her new release Devil’s Hour, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Maya’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Devil’s Hour
(Zero Hour 02)
by
Aimee Nicole Walker
Devil’s hour, noun: the hour when the demon or devil who leads hell is at its strongest.
Born on the wrong side of the tracks, Royce Locke is no stranger to scrapping and fighting for the things he wants. What he desires most is Sawyer Key—his partner on the force and the man he’s falling in love with. After asking Sawyer to take a chance on him, Royce will need to back up his pretty words with fearless action instead of being his own worst enemy.
Someone is harassing the mayor of Savannah, and Locke and Key are tasked with finding out who. The investigation quickly takes a twisted turn, leading them to an enemy who thinks purification by fire is the only way to save the city. Scarier than The Purists’ elusiveness is their ability to turn public opinion in their favor, creating unrest and threatening anarchy by fanning flames and fear. When you play with fire, someone is bound to get burned.
When menace becomes murder, the two detectives will race the clock against the devil to save their beloved city from becoming a raging inferno. Royce will need to draw on his grit now more than ever if he hopes to realize the dreams that are finally within reach. The rag is lit, the Molotov cocktail is tossed, and the zero hour is upon them. Challenge received and accepted.
Devil’s Hour is the second book in the Zero Hour series, which follows Locke and Key’s investigations and evolving relationship. This is a series that must be read in order. Devil’s Hour has a happy-for-now ending with no cliffhanger. It contains mature language and sexual content intended for adults 18 and older.
Blurb: When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t antici-pate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.
Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: Never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.
Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?
Review: Family Camp is the first book in Eli Easton’s newest series, Daddy Dearest. I’ve come to enjoy many of Easton’s books in the past year or so, and this was no different. I love the writing style and down to earth characters that make them so relatable – in both story and emotion.
In Easton’s own words, this is what we can expect from the new series: “The Daddy Dearest series will consist of stand-alone contemporary novels focusing on single gay dads who find hot romance. Expect laughs, sweet and sexy slow-burn romance, and lots of family feels!”
That is exactly what you will get as a reader when you read, or listen to, Family camp. So if you’re into sweet romances with down to earth characters, and a couple of cute kids, then I think that this is the book for you.
I’ve not read this book, so the audio was a complete introduction into this new world for me. The narration of this was performed by Matthew Shaw, who is a completely new narrator to me. However, I really enjoyed the voice and tone that he gave this story. It completely suited both main characters, as well as the kids. A great performance that was a joy to listen to.
The story starts with Geo. He’s stressed out. His dreams have finally come true now that he is a foster father to Jayden and Lucy, with hopes to adopt the children once he’s gone through all the necessary legal hoops. They haven’t been a family for long, but Geo signs them up to Family Camp, with the hope that some bonding over nature walks, camp fires, s’mores and all that kind of stuff will help the kids adapt. Being foster kids Jayden and Lucy haven’t had an easy time, Geo understands this but it is taking all his energy to bring them together. All he wants to do is be a daddy and bring joy to his kids life.
A breakdown on the side of the road means that a stranger helps him. A sexy stranger called Travis who had been sending some pretty flirty vibes out – and was good to the kids – until he turned cold and left Geo confused. But Geo wasn’t about to let that get in his way, because he’s a father now and he knows that romance isn’t something that he is actively seeking.
However, Travis is a camp counsellor. He was adopted by his family, after spending years in the foster system. And despite being a famous pro baseball player, he spends the summer helping his family at the camp they have run for years. Travis doesn’t expect that Geo, the good looking stranger who ran out of petrol that he helped earlier to be at his family camp. Especially when he gleans a wrong impression of the man.
There is great chemistry between these two, but this isn’t any insta-love. The two men are forced to get to know each other – not exactly against their will but they are definitely thrown together on more than one occasion. Then there are also the kids, who come with their own insecurities and trauma from being in the foster system.
While this is a fun, sweet book, there is a lot to overcome and that just means that there is a whole pile of emotions that make this book so good.
Blurb: As the only heir to the Harrington legacy, Tom Harrington always knew he’d have to step one day and become the man his grandmother trained him to be. He just had no idea that there was a part of his family’s legacy that he knew nothing about, nor had he been trained for. When he learns he’s the next time keeper, he accepts it as part of being a Harrington. He just wished he knew what a time keeper was.
Lord Rogan Behr had served on the shifter council for ten years, far less than the other council members. When the new time keeper arrives, he quickly realizes that the sexy man is his mate. Unfortunately, he realized it too late to stop his bear from claiming the man. Now, he has a pissed off mate with more questions than he has answers.
When threats are made, Rogan does everything he can to protect his mate, but it’s not enough. Tom and his friends are still attacked and Rogan is kidnapped. He can only hope that being a time keeper will keep his mate alive because living without Tom isn’t something he plans to do. It would help if they could figure out who is after them.
Review: Tom’s grandfather and mother had passed on leaving him with his grandmother. She was the true constant in his life. A life that had a few secrets he is soon to learn about. When she passes on, Tom is left being the Lord Harrington. A position he didn’t want but was soon to find that he couldn’t pass it on.
Rogan is a bear shifter and part of the council. Shifters were never truly meant to live in the world that Tom lives in. However when Tom’s grandfather passed on the gateway home closed. Only when Tom turned twenty-five could it be opened once more. However danger comes at them from all over.
It is quite different then any other story I have ever read before. It is quite unique but then again it is written by an amazing author. An amazing author who has managed to give her readers a world that any one would love to be in. The characters were well rounded but a bit nutty. I wished that we would have seen what happened to the evil in this story, but my imagination took over. It is a well told story that was captivating and fun. It gives you action, danger, pissed off alpha shifters, a bit of drama and some hot sexy times.
I enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to see what the next book has going on. I would definitely recommend this story. I can guarantee that this is one of those stories that will be read many times over.
Blurb:Indiana Jones meets Clark Kent in this modern-day treasure hunt.
Archaeologist Cairo Vanderbilt was born to be a treasure hunter, whether he liked it or not. When his famous father dies in search of the tomb of Alexander the Great, Cairo picks up the trail to find the world’s most famous lost treasure. Having failed once before, he’s determined to find Alexander’s remains and fulfill his family’s legacy.
History blogger Dillinger DeCosta has only written about the past from the safety of his South Boston office. After hearing Cairo speak about the coming expedition on the evening news, he wants to join the hunt for Alexander and finally be on the front lines of history-in-the-making. By offering to come along, Dillinger is taking a huge risk, but he’s banking on an even bigger reward.
Hot on Alexander’s trail, Cairo and Dillinger discover sparks between them that ignite unexpectedly. One of the men has a secret that may threaten not only the success of the expedition, but their new relationship as well. If they can’t find a way past the challenge that lies between them, they might just lose the greatest treasure of all.
Review: Cairo picks up the hunt for Alexander the greats remains after his fathers death. Dillenger wants to go on an adventure and experience it for himself instead of only write about it. Together these two travel to find clues and discover more than they bargained for.
I liked the story especially the history aspect of it. The problem for me was the treasure seemed to be found quickly which I was not expecting. So a lot of the story has to do with Cairo and Dillinger and their feelings for each other as they get to know the other.
Blurb: Love at first sight can work for dogs as well as humans.
When Aaron finds Mavis, an emaciated and timid Boston terrier, at a pet adoption fair, his heart goes out to her — irrevocably.
When Christian, who is manning the adoption fair for the Humane Society that fateful autumn Saturday, finds Aaron, his heart goes out to him — irrevocably.
I Heart Boston Terriers is all about embracing love, whether it’s for someone who walks on four legs or someone who walks on two. The Boston terrier Mavis’s journey back to wholeness and finding her forever home runs parallel to the story of two men finding each other at that perfect moment — a moment that defies logic, propriety, and common sense.
But then when do the dictates of love follow a rational course?
Come along for a journey about a man and his dog and see how that journey teaches him the truth about love and making a caring connection that just might last a lifetime.
Review: He lost his boyfriend, his car and his home. Now he is living with his nutty sister who is trying to talk him into adopting a pet. When he meets Mavis, his heart just says this is the perfect dog. Mavis is a cute Boston terrier who has been abused. To top it off the cute guy from the Humane Society might just be willing to help him.
I will say that at first I thought his sister was pretty cool, but that did not last long. She is a royal bitch, if I must say so. But the guys together, well they rocked. It is a cute little story made even better with a dog. I think the author could have given it a better ending but it was still pretty good. Felt like a longer story but it turned out to be perfect for a break time read.
I will admit that it is not one of those stories I would read more than once though. It is still a pretty nice story with some cuteness to it. I would recommend it.
Blurb: Kobi, a black python serpent shifter, has lived a life wielding death and misery, forced into a life he didn’t want by an evil rare shifter collector, Mr. Osaki.
Now the leash has snapped, and Kobi is determined to finish Mr.Osaki, after Osaki murdered Kobi’s sister.
Kobi rescues five young shifters and delivers them to Sage II, home to his mate, Morgan, a sexy lion shifter who’s reeling Kobi in slowly, showing Kobi what a life of love and laughter could be like.
Kobi hooks up with an old friend and serpent’s creed brother, Xian Lu, who’s found his happy ever after…and the pair, with Morgan and their friends in Sage, plan a deadly attack on Osaki’s precious island in a bid to free Osaki’s “zoo”.
Kobi wants to renew the honor to his creed of serpents, brothers in arms who were borne to an honorable band of warriors and atone for his sins. With Morgan at his side, Kobi has hope they might just succeed.
Review: In this exciting addition to the Spirit of Sage series Kobi is on a mission after Mr. Osaki has his sister killed. Revenge is high on the list as is stopping Mr. Osaki from reigning anymore terror. First plan is to save the new children brought in, next enlist aid and take down Mr. Osaki once and for all.
Together with the Serpent’s Creed and Two Spirit Crew along with others they might just stand at chance. I absolutely this story. Kobi was fierce. I adored how he and Morgan talked to each other. It was sweet when he became tongue tied at times.
The Creed and Two Spirit definitely knew what they were doing during the fight scenes. I enjoyed reading about all the characters I have come to love and admire for their determination not be in the shadows any longer and to protect themselves from those that would do them harm.
I can not wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Lux has tried to deny his gift for electricity his entire life, but when he meets Merek and sparks fly literally, he can’t deny it any longer.
He jumps head first into being a dragon’s mate, but will Fate be enough to hold them together when the odds are stacked against them?
A need to protect…
Merek has failed to keep those he loves safe before, and he cannot let that happen again, not when his mate’s life is in danger.
He cannot prepare for his life with his mate and unborn child until the dragons and their families are safe from Molpe. Taking down Molpe becomes his only focus.
Review: Lux has so many things pulling him into so many directions. He has a mate but is hesitant about mating, but damn if the dragon isn’t fine. He has had a gift his entire life, but he tries so hard to deny it. But they were getting stronger ever since he met Merek. Merek feels that he has let so many down that it is causing problems with his mating. He wants to protect his mate but he needs a good swipe to the head.
It would be an amazing story had it been more developed. It was too short which was a bit disappointing, however it still gave a lot to like. I didn’t care for Marek and his attitude though.
The story starts in a weird place and if you haven’t read the previous books it does get confusing. The problem for me was that they were not as memorable as they should have. I know I read the other stories but can’t remember a one. Which is a bad sign for me. Other than my issues with it, it is still a good story.
Blurb: There’s always that chance that your heart’s desire is one click away.
Someone needs to pinch web designer/humor blogger/Pittsburgh Ravens mega fan Mike Kneller. Hard. For years, Mike has been living his life for his younger sister Kelly and his four-year-old nephew Liam. He’d opened up his home to Kelly when she found herself pregnant at sixteen and facing having a baby alone. Sure, his days are filled with skinned knees, snotty noses, and the occasional mishap with stuffed superheroes, but he’s perfectly happy because he loves Liam as much as he loves his baby sister. Giving up a social life and going to bed alone is a small price to pay. Little does he know that someone on the Ravens is about to show Ravens goalie Bryn Mettler one of his vlog posts. Of course he’s not going to believe it when his phone rings and the world-famous netminder—and his goalie crush—is on the other end. I mean, life doesn’t work that way for ordinary, hardworking uncles like Mike. Does it?
Bryn Mettler is a superstar athlete and a major part of the Pittsburgh sports society. He seems to have it all. He’s well-dressed, handsome, wealthy, an elite goaltender, a famed philanthropist, and the holder of numerous medals and trophies. To date, there are two things that have avoided him: lifting that big shiny silver cup over his head and finding a man to settle down with. Now that he’s over thirty, Bryn is finding the gay club scene is wearing thin. His teammates’ wives have decided it’s their duty to the team—and to Bryn—to find him Mr. Right. He’s relatively sure the man who’ll capture his heart surely won’t be found on a humor blog. Funny how life likes to take the things that you’re most certain about and flip them—and you—on its ear. When Bryn meets Mike, he is instantly drawn to the warm, funny, sexy man who shares his hectic days with thousands of Pittsburgh natives. Now he just has to convince Mike he is who he says he is so he can get to know him better. Thankfully, Bryn isn’t a quitter. But does he have what it takes to leap into life with Mike, Kelly, and Liam?
Review: Life According to Liam is a really sweet standalone book by VL Locey. I’ve been loving Locey’s work, particularly since she started writing the world of the Harrisburg Railers and it’s two spin off series with RJ Scott. So a new romance by Locey that includes some ice hockey is always a score for me these days.
As well as being sweet, the other descriptor that comes to mind for the story is charming. The story is pretty much what I expected it to be. The characters are charming and endlessly endearing. Despite MC one being a popular NHL player, he has some great friends that really add to the feel that this is a down to earth character, and totally on the same level as the MC who really is just an ordinary guy, a web designer and blogger. The MCs have some great chemistry but I love how real and relatable they seem as they get to know each other, adding some depth to the romance.
The story opens with Mike Kneller. He’s the web designer and blogger who has a modest following as he writes about his life as a single gay man, helping to raise his nephew with his younger sister and is a massive fan of the Pittsburgh Ravens. Mike was disowned by his family when he came out as gay, a couple years later his then teenage sister, Kelly, turns up needing help because she was disowned for becoming pregnant. Since then, Kelly and Mike’s nephew, Liam, has become his life. They make a beautiful family and Liam is a total joy. The siblings are super close and have a lot of love for each other and Kelly is a bit of a mother hen, towards both her son and her big brother. Mike and Liam also share their love for NHL, in particular the Ravens and their out and proud player, Bryn Mettler. Liam, like all kids, comes out with some quirky one lines, but he loves his Uncle Mike with all his heart and he is part of the reason why this story is just so damn wholesome.
When we meet Bryn Mettler for the first time he is having dinner with his team mates and their wives and/or girlfriends. Being a single gay man, the women in the lives of his team mates want to fix Bryn up with a man so that he isn’t lonely. It’s usual problem of being the only single person in a whole group of couples. It is one of those women that mentions the blog, Life According to Liam, and how the blogger, Mike, is gay and has mentioned that he is attracted to his favourite NHL player. Captured by the blog, Bryn reaches out to Mike, starting a sweet and sometimes rocky journey towards love.
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press / Dreamspinner (15 Oct 2019)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Foxes are vermin.
Australian sheep farmers regard them as an enemy to be shot on sight and hung from the branches of an old gum tree.
But not all foxes are just foxes.
Connor Coutts could be the last surviving male Furborn in Victoria, maybe in the whole country, a heavy bur-den for a teenager. His life’s path is clear— protect what’s left of the Furborn line. That is until someone new arrives at the MacKenzie sheep farm. Spencer MacKenzie, with his long black hair and gothic style, is a strange sight in Connor’s forest, but Fate throws the two teenagers together to save their families.
Can Connor trust Spencer to keep his life-or-death secret, or will he hang on the tree?
Review: Furborn is a standalone young adult novel by Isabelle Rowen. This isn’t your usual paranormal, shape shifting human novel. There is something rather laid back about it, which makes it feel so obviously Australian (at least to me) and as a reader we aren’t being led to some massive apocolytic event and true mates. Instead this is a story about two teenage boys living out in the country on a farm. The setting made me think of classic Australian writer Colin Thiele, who I grow up reading books such as Storm Boy (Mr Percival the Pelican on the Coorong!) and Sun on Stubble (thought about this one as it was based around farm life, hence the title).
Foxes have always been the bane of farmer’s in Australia ever since they were introduced on the large island nation by early settlers. But, not all foxes are just foxes. Some foxes also have human skin. With an explanation of shape shifters that compares them to the myth of Selkies from Scotland, the scariest part of this story is the Furborn having to go against the hunters who need to get rid of the foxes that decimate chickens and the like, as well as damaging crops and fences. After all, many farmers believe that the only good fox is a dead fox.
Connor Coutts comes from an ancient line of furborns who turn into foxes. He’s a teenager on the cusp of being a man. There aren’t many left, and his grandmother – the matriarch of all that is left of his family – will do whatever it takes to ensure the family’s survival, now and into the future. Connor’s life turns upside down when Spencer Mackenzie arrives at the Mackenzie Sheep Farm. The Coutts are almost like a local legend and so Spencer’s grandfather finds Spencer and Connor hanging out together rather amusing.
Connor’s friendship with Spencer comes with a lot of changes. The two young men start to explore some more romantic feelings, while Connor knows he has to do all he must to protect his secret and his family. As their lives intertwine Connor begins to realise that perhaps there is another path for him in life. Being a teenager is difficult, but being a teenage furborn is stressful with so much secrecy and expectation.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect but I loved it, I could not put this down. The writing was so emotive without overloading the reader with more angst than necessary. There is so much sweetness and naivety that makes this a beautiful coming of age story. It just so happens that one boy is human and the other boy can turn into a fox.
For anyone that is looking for some YA fiction which doesn’t lead to a heap of post-apocolytic drama but still want your shape shifters, then this is a good book for you. The setting, out in regional Australia on farms, felt so wonderful and was really realistic. I think that was my favourite part of the book.
That’s how the letter Satan received starts. The little girl who wrote it asking for her father to be happy again meant it for someone else, and while that’s obvious, Satan doesn’t care. Santa will never find out, as long as Satan’s nosy assistant, Jasper, doesn’t tell him. Satan isn’t sure why he decides to watch Zoe and her dad, except that he’s bored and lonely. He surprises himself when he moves into the house next to theirs and introduces himself as Sam—because he couldn’t exactly give Riley his real name, could he?
Riley has been divorced for years, and he doesn’t have time for a relationship. He has trust issues and no will to get over them, not when his daughter is the center of his life. Then a new neighbor moves in, and he’s adorably awkward and sexy. Riley tries to keep Sam at arm’s length, but he can’t help but fall in love with him, and he’s pretty sure Sam is falling for him, too.
Then Sam confesses his real name is Satan, and that he’s the king of Hell.
Review: Zoe wanted a doll, Lego’s and for her dad to be happy for Christmas. However she made one little mistake in the name. Now Satan was probably going crazy but he wanted to give the little girl what she wanted. To bad for him he had no clue how to make her father smile. Time for a walk on the human side.
Riley has been divorced for three years and had partial custody of his daughter. He never wanted to trust any man again. Then in walked Sam, but Sam is Satan with a big secret.
When I first got this book I swear I kept looking at it wrong, till I realized it said Satan instead of Santa. I got a kick out of this story and lets just say that Satan was a cutie. He made me smile and lets face it so did the cat. It was entertaining as hell and I spent part of the time laughing my ass off.
I had a blast reading this and can guarantee that it will be read many times over and not just at the holidays. It was a big hit with me and I can’t wait to read it again now. I also can’t wait to see what the next story this amazing author is going to come up with.
Ian Banner is loving his hectic life. He’s newly married, ready to start a family, and opening a new restaurant. All his dreams are coming true.
The last thing he needs is a problem with his restaurant.
But when one attack after another comes, he grows convinced he has another enemy.
Ian tries to handle things by himself, but his friends are soon drawn in when the attacks become violent. That’s when Ian realizes the target isn’t Rialto. It’s him.
Rialto is the final installment in the Unbreakable Bonds series and features sexy times, Daciana snuggles, overprotective family, fire, and of course, code names.
Review: Ian is happily married, owns an amazing business, is going to classes for foster parenting and has friends who are like family to him. Life is good since being rescued years ago. But now strange things are happening. Bad reviews, an ice raid, an attack on him and two employees leaves Ian trying to figure out who has it out for him without letting the others know about it.
This is the last book in the series. I was glad Ian finally stood up for himself against the guys. He refused to be protected and tucked away while others handled the situation. I was truly confused as to why it took him so long in the series to do this. As with the other books in the series this is suspenseful, action packed and edge of your seat worthy.
I loved that despite what was happening to him Ian wanted to help the person doing these things to him. It was a great ending to a fabulous series.
Publisher: Chasing Rainbows Press LLC (16th December 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Maya
Blurb:Devil’s hour, noun: the hour when the demon or devil who leads hell is at its strongest.
Born on the wrong side of the tracks, Royce Locke is no stranger to scrapping and fighting for the things he wants. What he desires most is Sawyer Key—his partner on the force and the man he’s falling in love with. After asking Sawyer to take a chance on him, Royce will need to back up his pretty words with fearless action instead of being his own worst enemy.
Someone is harassing the mayor of Savannah, and Locke and Key are tasked with finding out who. The investigation quickly takes a twisted turn, leading them to an enemy who thinks purification by fire is the only way to save the city. Scarier than The Purists’ elusiveness is their ability to turn public opinion in their favor, creating unrest and threatening anarchy by fanning flames and fear. When you play with fire, someone is bound to get burned.
When menace becomes murder, the two detectives will race the clock against the devil to save their beloved city from becoming a raging inferno. Royce will need to draw on his grit now more than ever if he hopes to realize the dreams that are finally within reach. The rag is lit, the Molotov cocktail is tossed, and the zero hour is upon them. Challenge received and accepted.
Devil’s Hour is the second book in the Zero Hour series, which follows Locke and Key’s investigations and evolving relationship. This is a series that must be read in order. Devil’s Hour has a happy-for-now ending with no cliffhanger. It contains mature language and sexual content intended for adults 18 and older.
Trigger warning: Part of the storyline involves coming to terms with a friend’s suicide, which may be difficult for some people to read.
Review: I did a happy dance when I heard the second book is being released, since I enjoyed the first so much.
It’s as good, nerve-wracking and scorching hot as the first one but the differences made it even more engaging story.
It’s from Royce’s POV and I was surprised at how much I loved it, since honestly, in the first book Royce came off as a bit of a jerk. Now however, we get to see just how much he loves Sawyer and what is it that makes him tick. It’s obvious how much Sawyer presence in his life changed him for the better, since he is calmer and more confident. It makes him better at his job and his relationship with Sawyer moves by leaps and bounds. It’s gorgeous story!
Unlike the first one, Devil’s hour has only one case they are working on, in addition to continuing investigation in Royce’s first partner. They build the case slowly as leads are scarce on the ground, and it ends up overlapping with Royce’s investigation into partner’s suicide. The ending is a bit cliffhanger-ish in that respect, I’m itching to know what will happen next!
But as for the current case and maybe more importantly, the relationship between two men it ends in a good spot. They are solid. They were solid through the book. We already knew Sawyer was crazy for Royce, now we realize Royce is returning his feelings. The pace is excellent and the story isn’t slacking on either romantic or suspense plot. The story culminates in heart stopping end.
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (26th November 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts
Blurb: Blast, a wolverine shifter, finds himself in a mating nightmare. His first mate is a deadly serpent shifter assassin, Xian Lu, who has been tasked with taking Blast’s second mate, Surano, back to an evil rare shifter collector, Mr. Osaki.
Blast has his work cut out preventing Xian Lu from completing his mission, discovering the assassin is sweet, frightened to be touched, and terrified of loving anyone. Surano is an innocent, sassy red panda shifter who’s been imprisoned for half his life, escaping his stepfather, Peppy Picariello, who sold him years ago. Mr. Osaki wants his prize back. Blast and his friends in Sage have a tough time fending off Osaki’s hunters, since the collector is distrustful that his former pet, Xian Lu, is up to the mission. Xian Lu has protected Surano for years, a promise made to Surano’s mother, and is conflicted. Can he defy Mr. Osaki? He’s terrified of the repercussions if he fails his mission…but equally scared that his fears may prevent him living the life he yearns for with his mates.
Review: This was an intense story of those tasked with a mission they do not want to do but are terrified of the consequences if they fail. Xian Lu has been sent to take Surano, his mate, back to Mr. Osaki. He does not want to but he feels he has no choice in the matter. Blast, Surano and Xian Lu’s other mate prevents Xian from completing his mission an implores him to help them take down Mr. Osaki’s reign of terror for good.
With the help of Xian’s snake clan a plan is set in motion as Kobi heads back to Mr. Osaki with another gift. This was an amazing and terrifying story. I loved everything about the complex story. The characters, the plot and everything in between were riveting.
Blurb: Dover Rees is a guppy tailed merman and the youngest child of the King of the Southern Silver Isles. Despite the lofty title, he fits in better with the other guppy tailed working class than with his royal siblings. Dover spends his days secluded in his creek, successfully avoiding the King’s court and all the judgmental nobles there. Then, the most wonderous and horrible thing happens. He hears the mating call and knows his alpha is waiting for him. Ben Elliot is just a human trying to get by in a small tourist beach town. He has his art and a few good friends, and that should be enough, right? Wrong. Coming home to a quiet house and an empty bed starts to wear on him, but none of the omegas he knows appeal to him. Until a storm knocks him off his fishing boat and he’s rescued by a mysterious, blue-haired omega.
Together, Dover and Ben forge a bond strong enough to stand against the storm of corrupt lords, court politics, and a cursed king.
Review: Dover is unusual in his own family. He was born with a guppy tail where as his siblings were not. They were all princes and princesses but still most of them gave him hell for being different. Then there was the curse that one of the children would kill their king but there has to be away to stop it. He was suppose to marry an aristocrat set up by his parents, but he has the mating call.
Ben is a human living in the United States among many different types of paranormal. He knows a few stories but he has never been prepared for finding a very sexy blue tail. Many things are going their way but there is a secret evil heading their way, or maybe not so secret.
I have never been a fan of mermen shifter stories but this author has created several different types to throw into her story. I liked how the main ones are separated into three groups so that you know which ones are leading and which ones are not. It however does have a downside as well. There are so many different characters that it is a bit hard to figure out who is who. Also the name of the chicken seems to change which means more editing is needed. It however is full of humor in it that I find amazing. Love a tale that has a lot of humor in them to keep me laughing.
I liked Dover quite a bit more than everyone else. He has a childlike attitude and is amazed at so many things. They live in a world that has fancy cars but you would not know it from the way he is. Also there is Ben’s art, it is not worth making at first but then damn if he is not sought out to make more. His brother’s names are so close to gather that it is sometimes difficult to remember who is who which is not a good idea in my eyes. I had trouble figuring them out.
Overall the story rocked quite a bit with me. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next story. I can guarantee that this is one of those stories that will be read many times over.
Blurb: Best Surprise Ever: Going out to add to your Christmas hoard and finding your fated mate.
Laszlo I’ve been longing to find my mate for over a thousand years. When I see him for the first time, he’s standing beneath sparkling glass ornaments, like a present waiting to be unwrapped. A present I intend to lay claim to.
If I can lure him back to my lair, I’ll shower him with so many gifts he’ll never want to leave. Bonded with my mate by Christmas? Yes, please.
Roman I’m no good at flirting and have terrible luck with men, so when a gorgeous alpha says he wants to take me home, I’m shocked. And wary. My heat is about to start, and I’ve never shared it with anyone, so why do I suddenly want to say yes to this stranger?
There’s something unusual about him, the way his eyes shine, the odd phrases he keeps using. He says he wants to add me to his collection of beautiful things. I should be offended, but instead, I’m intrigued. Just this once, should I take a risk?
Review: The Christmas Dragon’s Mate is the first book in Silvia Violet’s Lonely Dragons Club series. I like the premise, which is a group of dragons who are about 1000 years old all long for their mates, living rather solitary lives except when they get together on occasion. With the coming Christmas season gives at least a couple of dragons hope for their HEA. This is a totally enjoyable read for anyone that likes shifters and m-preg but not looking for anything too heavy. This is just purely a romance without no angst.
I’m not super familiar with Violet’s work. However, a Christmas story, an alpha shifter and his omega human mate and throw in some M-preg… I was totally down for this. The only word of advice I will give is to those that don’t like insta-love (i.e. the whole fated mate thing in shifter romances) or pushy alpha getting their omega partner into bed.
This is a relatively quick holiday read. What you read in the blurb is essentially what you get, so I’m not going to get into too many details.
Dragons are well known for guarding their hoards. Laszlo is no exception to this rule. He loves the glittery and sparkle of Christmas, it is his favourite time of year. It is the one human festival that he loves. So he goes to a small gift shop in the town near his home, knowing he wanted to buy some glass baubles. This is how he meets his mate, a human omega called Roman. Laszlo has to fight his dragon, who wants to claim his mate as soon as possible, so that his mate won’t run screaming. He lures Roman to his lair and that’s when things heat up!
Blurb: Personal chef Beau St. Clair, recently divorced from his cheating husband, returns to the small Ohio River town where he grew up to lick his wounds.
Jack Rogers lives with his mother, Maisie, in that same small town, angry at and frightened by the world. Jack has a gap in his memory that hides something he dares not face, and he’s probably suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Maisie, seeking relief from her housebound and often surly son, hires Beau to cook for Jack, hoping the change might help bring Jack, once a handsome and vibrant attorney, back to his former self. But can a new face and comfort food compensate for the terror lurking in Jack’s past?
Slowly the two men begin a dance of revelation and healing. Food and compassion build a bridge between Beau and Jack, a bridge that might lead to love. But will Jack’s demons allow it? His history could just as easily tear them apart as bring them together.
Review:This story is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
When Beau gets divorced from his cheating husband there’s only one place he thinks of going to lick his wounds, to the small town he grew up. Not sure what to do now Beau spots an ad for a personal chef and decides to check it out, it leads him to a man he never thought he’d see again.
Maisie is desperate when she posts an ad for a chef, her son has retreated into himself and is often snarly and surly, and she hopes that good food will tempt her son but the first visit doesn’t go too well.
Jack can’t remember anything of the night that changed his life, he’s terrified to leave his room and he hates the man he’s turned into. When his mom hires a chef in a desperate attempt to get Jack to engage in life, Jack is resentful but Beau begins to chip away at Jack’s blocked memories.
This is a great story that fits in perfectly with the other Romance with Recipes books (Dinner at Home, Dinner at Fiorello’s), it’s a touching story of budding love and healing. Beau is a fantastic character who is feeling slightly wounded after his divorce, when he gets a challenge in Jack he’s determined to bring Jack back to the land of the living and to being the man he knew one magical evening many years before.
Jack is suffering, he’s scared to live, there’s something lurking in his memories that has him terrified and has taken him from being a man who embraces life to one who shuns it. Jack isn’t a very nice character when we first meet him, in fact he’s downright nasty but as we learn what he has been through we understand that it’s a coping mechanism so he doesn’t have to re-join the world. When he meets Beau his behaviour doesn’t chase the man away and Jack soon learns that maybe that’s a good thing.
The story is really well written and the storyline is great, it’s a story that surprised me as I figured that the story would be straight forward and the blurb covered everything, and yes that’s true but there’s a little bit more that had my breath catching and a twinge of sadness struck me for what was lost by an act of hatred and bigotry. Rick R. Reed writes in such a way that even the expected comes as a surprise and he can tease feelings from you that you don’t expect.
While there is a touch of romance developing between Jack and Beau there is a lot of healing and facing the past before we get to that point, so don’t expect a lovefest because there’s a lot of ground to cover especially for Jack. On a side note Jack’s mother Maisie and Beau’s father Niles are great characters and it was so sweet to see their little romance play out as well.
I recommend this to those who love stories that have a little meat to them, characters who know sorrow and pain, men who have suffered but who begin to heal and bloom, and a romance that is just beginning.
Blurb: A ticking clock. A deadly enemy. Can they keep their heads in the game when their hearts are already on the line?
Valentine Rivetti made a horrible mistake when he became a Marine Sniper at the age of twenty. Returning home with PTSD and a guilty conscience, he’s blackmailed into working for the mafia to save his family.
Maksim Kovalenko has everything he ever dreamed of growing up in a Ukrainian slum. As a notorious corporate attorney, he has the world at his feet. But wealth and power can’t protect him from the emptiness he feels every time he shuts his eyes.
When Val is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit, his redemption is a silver fox in a three-piece suit. But Val’s lucky day becomes Maksim’s nightmare when the mafia begins to cut loose ends… starting with them.
The passion between them is overwhelming, but can two solitary men learn to trust each other before it’s too late?
Review: Val’s past life left a little to be desired. His mother was a scared rabbit and his father was an idiot who worked for the mob. He joined the military after high school and was turned into a sniper. He however didn’t have the heart for it. Now because of his father he was working for the same mob boss. He still didn’t have the heart for killing. Now here he was sitting in jail for a murder he had no committed and looking at one sexy ass lawyer.
Maksim grew up poor and hated his life. He swore that he would never go back to the life he had growing up. That didn’t mean he didn’t have a heart. When he took a case he did everything in his power to win. Now here he was trying to figure out how to keep his client out of prison and alive. Because some one out there now wanted them both dead.
Mak sure did have a thing for strays. He has a bigger heart then even he thinks. However the good guy with a thing for the bad boy is over used. It was dry and a bit dull to me. The story did not flow as easy as it should have for me. It also felt like the author rushed through the story in time to get it finished. Other than my issues with the story I did like the characters and what they were doing for Emma. It is a story that does have potential but for me it has not moved far ahead to get there. There were a few issues with the story that the beta readers should have caught them but they don’t truly take away from the story.
I will admit that when I got this book I was thinking a new murder mystery with romance, but it was romance that was more what this story was about. I like romance but I want more story then sex. I didn’t really connect with this story and will probably not read any more from this author if they keep following the direction they are going in. I hate to admit but this story was not the story I wanted.
Blurb: Many consider Naomi Teedle the village witch. Most people avoid her except when they have need of her herbs and potions. She lives alone on the outskirts of Merrychurch, and that’s fine by everyone—old Mrs. Teedle is not the most pleasant of people. But when she is found murdered, her mouth bulging with her own herbs and roots, suddenly no one has a bad word to say about her.
Jonathon de Mountford is adjusting to life up at the manor house, but it’s not a solitary life: pub landlord Mike Tattersall sees to that. Jonathon is both horrified to learn of the recent murder and confused by the sudden reversal of public opinion. Surely someone in the village had reason to want her dead? He and Mike decide it’s time for them to step in and “help” the local police with their investigation. Only problem is, their sleuthing uncovers more than one suspect—and the list is getting longer….
Review: Roots of Evil is the second book in the Merrychurch Mysteries series by KC Wells. Since I’ve already read and loved the first book in the series, I was looking forward to this. I’ve enjoyed many books by KC Wells, but Merrychurch novels satisfies the part of me that loves to indulge in the typical British Mystery shows.
If you don’t get exactly what I mean, here are some examples. Think the line in the movie Hot Fuzz “it’s just a tragic accident”. Or the fact that villages of Midsommer has a murder every week? Or series that have nosey bakers, gardeners and priests that all insist on investigating crimes instead of just leaving it to the police. Well, that’s pretty much what you’re getting here.
This book is not a standalone book. This is the continuation of the relationship of ex-policeman turned pub owner (there was a British TV show with one of those!), Mike, and the new lord of the manor, Jonathan De Mountford.
Their romance and their overall wonderful relationship isn’t the main focus of this book. The romance and relationship aspects are really quite well written and realistic, because you can see that they are still adapting to their new relationship and Jonathan is getting used to the change in his life after taking his uncle’s position as earl. Although it’s not all roses in their personal life. Jonathan has his very traditional father on his back to get married and produce a De Mountford heir, despite knowing his son is gay and with Mike. Of course, this upsets Mike, but this leads to a very important point about trust in their relationship.
Instead, in the time since the murder of Jonathan’s uncle had been solved, where Mike and Jonathan had done a lot of their own investigation, life had settled down and the men could focus on their relationship. But when the woman who is said to be the local witch and famous for her jams and preserves is found dead, Jonathan can’t leave the newest mystery alone. And since Mike is an ex-cop who loves the new lord, the two men begin their own investigation on the side. Of course, they do help the local constabulary, passing on their information, but neither man can leave the mystery alone. Jonathan and Mike dig through more of the village’s secrets, looking at black mail, questionable identities, missing people, affairs and even a couple more members of the very traditional Merrychurch community who may not be as straight as they appear.
Title: Saving Sean (2nd Edition)
