Under His Protection by LaQuette

Title: Under His Protection

Series: Dreamspun Desires 80

Author: LaQuette

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (250 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-558-3

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (16 April 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: They can escape their enemies, but not the desire between them.

Prosecutor Camden Warren is on the fast track to professional nirvana. With his charm, his sharp legal mind, and his father as chief judge in the highest court in NY, he can’t fail. Nothing can derail his rise to the top… until an attempt on his life forces him to accept the help of a man he walked out on five years ago.

Wounded in the line of duty, Lieutenant Elijah Stephenson wants to ride his new desk job until retirement—not take a glorified babysitting gig with more risk than it’s worth… especially not protecting the entitled lawyer who disappeared after the best sex of their lives.

The threat against Camden’s life is real, but their passion for each other might prove the greatest danger they’ve yet to face.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Under His Protection is a novel by LaQuette published as part of the Dreamspun Desires line. I hadn’t known what to expect because I haven’t heard of the author.

Alright, this is going to sound completely crazy. So many authors publish under assumed names for some crazy reason single name pseudonyms make me weary. I know it ridiculous, but I think after a number of bad book experiences I had to force myself into this. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Under His Protection – I honestly thought I would based on the blurb, I just had to get over this one mental hurdle.

I find the themes, including interracial relationships, really strong in this book. I love how it shows that love doesn’t know any of the barriers that society and culture have previously put up, including barriers towards homosexual relationships. I really loved this aspect of the book. Although I always have trouble with swallowing the whole trust fund kids who have zero control over their lives and careers because of overzealous and manipulative parents, I found this really complemented the whole thing.

The story is about Lieutenant Elijah Stone of the NYPD and is the black cop who comes from a well-rounded, pretty much awesome blue-collar family. I rarely mention covers but the cover model that represents Eli is completely mesmerising. Five years ago, he thought that he had found a man that he could fall in love with, but he ran scared and so Eli has focused on his career ever since. He has now made it the rank of Lieutenant, although just before he could take his new assignment, he was badly injured in the line duty, having left him in a coma and hanging onto life. Returning to work means that he is given one more assignment to take before taking up his new post, he has to protect the man that almost had the chance to break his heart.

Camden Warren, assistant district attorney and is living the life and political aspirations that his father has mapped since the time Camden was born. Despite having been forced into his career, Cam does enjoy his job but he has come to resent that he can’t live his own life, especially when being in such close proximity to Eli means that it’s so damn easy for him to let his defences down. A death threat and a car bomb from a crazy cult has sent Eli back into his life five years after they had been set up on a blind date by a mutual friend, the district attorney. Eli has a plan to keep Cam out of the way, hidden at Eli’s own family home, where the men are now in a situation where they need to communicate and actually understand each other. Communication is vital to the story because it is clear that between their individual brushes with death, these guys are made for each other but Cam needs to figure out how to deal with his manipulative father.

In the end, this is a story of love conquers all. I think the interracial aspect will appeal to many, although I can’t say I ever really picture race when it comes to reading unless pointed out to me in the way that I don’t think it matters what the colour of another person’s skin is, I think bringing to the forefront of a book is necessary. However, mostly people that love second chance at love and the action/suspense/intensity that comes from a cop who will do anything to protect the man he loves, will certainly love this book.

Cowboy in the Crosshairs by B.A. Tortuga ~ Audio Review

Title: Cowboy in the Crosshairs

Series: Dreamspun Desires 53 / Turquoise, New Mexico 01

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Narrator: Dorian Bane

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboys

Length: 6 hrs, 23 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (16th August 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Once upon a time, a prince lived in a magical kingdom called Turquoise, New Mexico.

Well, really, TJ is a small-town police chief. Every Friday, he holds court in the diner with the local holy roller, the art colonists, and the horsey people. But the Benes, who own the rodeo company, keep to themselves. TJ knows because he was once hot and heavy with the oldest Bene son.

When Wacey Bene gets trampled by a remuda and comes home to heal, he’s none too happy to run into TJ or his two little boys and their momma. The story might end there – if it wasn’t for some pesky bastard trying to kill Wacey.

The law steps in, and the townsfolk are cross about somebody messing with one of their own.

But once the bad guy is put away, can TJ and Wacey make their place in this wild and eccentric town a permanent one?

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

Review: Cowboy in the Crosshairs is the first book a new series called Turquoise, New Mexico by BA Tortuga. I’m a fan of Tortuga’s writing, especially their books with cowboys because cowboys are hot and awesome. But I wouldn’t have thought that without enjoying Tortuga’s writing style, which feel simple and accessible, but at the same time the plotlines are interesting.

The story is about cowboy Wacey Bene. He’s been away from his family’s ranch on the rodeo circuit for ten years after having his heart broken when he was barely out of high school. The boy that broke his heart was TJ. He is now the police chief, but ten years before he was a confused young man who was scared of coming out of the closet and somewhere along the way in the past ten years also decided that he needed to marry a woman so he could have a family. TJ now has two cute little boys and an ex-wife he is good friends with, despite divorcing because he finally was able to come out of the closet to her. These guys need to get over past hurts, as well as TJ needing to help Wacey avoid being injured or killed by some mystery person.

The narration for this audio is by Dorian Bane. I have to admit, I absolutely adore Bane’s voice. He has one of those rich and husky voices that are often spoken of in romances as the type that would make a lady (or anyone) swoon. His voice is well suited to books with rough, tough and ready men – i.e. cowboys and cops and whatnot. Luckily for us, in this book we get both a cowboy and a cop. Interestingly, probably because of the tone and emotion that Bane was able to inject into the story I find that I by far preferred the audio to reading this book and I was less inclined to be bothered by the points that had annoyed me in the original reading. Mostly at the time I had been annoyed with how Wacey and TJ treated each other at the start and I didn’t feel that I got enough plot development as to how they were able to go to a loving relationship. I suppose that is still true, but as I said I was merely less annoyed by this hole in the plot.

Overall, an enjoyable story to pass some time, particularly for those that have a weakness for cowboys and cops.

Femme Faux Fatale by Susan Laine

Title: Femme Faux Fatale

Series: Dreamspun Desires 70

Author: Susan Laine

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novel (240 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-380-0

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (20 Nov 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Mystery. Murder. Men in silk stockings. Hollywood nights are heating up.
Hardboiled Los Angeles PI Cain Noble is hired by wealthy and gorgeous Camille Astor to find her husband and a priceless work of art, both of which have disappeared.

At the nightclub owned by Mr. Astor, Cain encounters the mesmerizing Lily Lavender, who has the body of a goddess and the sultry voice of an angel—but is really a young man named Riley who attracts trouble like a magnet.

What’s a private dick in the vein of LA’s bygone era and a cross-dressing burlesque starlet to do when faced with the hidden decadence and lethal dangers of the Hollywood Hills? They have their work cut out for them because they haven’t even scratched the surface of an elaborate scheme more twisted than anyone could ever have imagined.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: This review is going to be a hard for me. In all honesty I wanted to enjoy this story way more than I actually did. Mostly because I love Susan Laine’s writing and she has quite recently become one of my automatic reads. But also, because I liked the look of a dark and gritty and mystery, then add in the fact that the cover model kind of reminds me of Sam Heughan from Outlander.

So just to get this part out of the way: this is for people that enjoy reading a dark, gritty, urban mystery where the city seems to become a wild jungle. It seems like a good metaphor for LA at any rate and makes me think of The Doors song LA Woman.

In the stereotypical way that seems to be the world of a PI in literature, we start with hardened and eternally tired PI Cain Noble. He’s a PI based in LA and the city serves up a constant stream of work for him. When we meet him he gets hired by Camille Astor to find her husband and a work of art. And let’s face it, when priceless art is involved you know that there is going to be some serious shit go down. Astor’s husband, Sheridan, owns a club and that is Cain’s first port of call and despite being gay, Cain finds performer Lilly Lavender strangely alluring. Only to then find out that Lily is in fact a man named Riley who seems to get in trouble at every turn, but more than anything wants to find Sheridan who he considers a friend.

As we make our way through the LA and the story, it feels like this could almost be the stereotypical 1930s-era PI tale where the hero solves the mystery and gets romanced along the way.

I think for me the main problem was that I was unable strongly connect to both the main characters. I liked them both in terms of their personality and they were certainly well developed with a definite spark between them that makes the romance natural. However, for reasons unknown all I can say is that this wasn’t quite my cup of tea.

Yes, Chef by T. Neilson

Title: Yes, Chef

Series: Amuse Bouche 02 / Dreamspun Desires 79

Author: T. Neilson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (193 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-521-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2 April 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: A savory slice of first love.

Simon’s dad died when he was young, leaving Simon to take the reins of the family restaurant business—and the responsibility for his mother and brothers. His commitment to his duty left Simon time for little else, least of all romance.

Argentinian celebrity chef Luke Ferreya has wanted Simon since their culinary-school days, but for Simon, family always came first. Now Luke’s back in Simon’s life—briefly before he returns to South America—and he’s determined to give Simon a sample of everything he’s missed out on.

Simon’s brothers are grown, and his mother is doing fine on her own, and Luke is offering a second chance for a future full of the pleasures of fine food, wine, and especially love. Without his obligations to hide behind, can Simon finally allow himself to say “Yes, Chef”?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Yes, Chef is the second book in T. Nielson’s series Amuse Bouche, for Dreamspun Desires. I have to admit that I didn’t even realise that there was a book one to this book until I started reading, and to be perfectly honest I can’t remember if I picked up on the fact that this was a series when I read book one some months ago. However, when I did realise it, I was looking forward to it because I did really enjoy Sweet Nothings.

Yes, Chef does work as a standalone book, although there is a number of references/appearances to the couple from book one, considering that the MC, Simon, is the older brother to Tristan from book one.

Simon Love (I assume his last name is love since he is older brother to Tristan Love), has something of a chip on his shoulders. We met him briefly during his brother’s story and he was an arsehole, although to give him a break he did have his brother’s best interests at heart, the problem was that he didn’t understand his little brother and has a clear dislike for Tristan’s boyfriend. The whole family seems to be involved in the restaurant industry, and that is also evident in that Tristan was opening a bakery in book one. This pretty much sums up Simon, after his father died when he and his siblings were still kids, Simon as the older brother took up the mantle to try and fill the void in the family. He took it to extremes, because although he pursued his dreams and went onto become a chef, he allowed his life to remain on hold. This is particularly true when events during culinary had him turning tail and returning to his family, but nevertheless ending up taking lead in the family’s restaurant.

Simon knows Luke Ferreya from culinary school. Luke is Argentinian and has been in New York where he had become a two Michelin Star chef. However, Luke is suffering burn out from being a celebrity and has decided to leave that life behind. He wonders if he has a life in Argentina on his family ranch/farm, but he is making a detour to catch up with Simon to see if there is something else that could keep him. Something that is infinitely more exciting than going back to join his family’s business.

Other than Tristian popping up, there really isn’t much more from the family. I vaguely remember at least one other brother and a mother when I read book one, but there was nothing even from them. Of course, it wasn’t relevant to the story. I’m just wondering if there is going to be more in this series!

This is a really sweet, low angst story. I liked it because the whole point of the story was that Simon had to grow and learn not to be afraid of his thoughts and feelings, while Luke had to figure out what was the next thing in his life that would bring him happiness. Of course, Luke had an idea but both he and Simon had to grow a bit more.

The Athlete and the Aristocrat by Louisa Masters

Title: The Athlete and the Aristocrat

Series: Dreamspun Desires 73

Author: Louisa Masters

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (209 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-778-5

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1 Jan 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Sometimes love takes balls.

Newly retired championship footballer Simon Wood is taking on his next challenge. His plan for a charity to provide funding for underprivileged children to pursue football as a career has passed its first hurdle: he has backers and an executive consultant. Now it’s time to get the ball rolling.

Lucien Morel, heir to the multibillion-euro Morel Corporation, is shocked—and thrilled—to learn his father has volunteered him as consultant to a fledgling football charity. Better yet, the brains behind it all is heartthrob Simon Wood, his teenage idol and crush.

Although Simon and Lucien get off on the wrong foot, it’s not long before they’re getting along like a house on fire—sparks included. But with the charity under public scrutiny, can their romance thrive?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: The Athlete and the Aristocrat by Louisa Masters is the author’s most recent contribution to the Dreamspun Desires line by Dreamspinner Press. Doing the whole, judging a book by its cover, I was instantly taken in. A hot, rich, powerful, smart aristocrat and an equally hot, rich, powerful and smart athlete are thrown together when the titular athlete wants to set up a new foundation for children in need who do not have the access to equipment or their parents don’t have the time or money to allow kids to follow their dreams. It’s all noble intentions and a literary turn on in the world of romance for me.

A quick side note before I dive into the story, I looked forward to this book because I have previously enjoyed Louisa Master’s writing. It’s simple in the fact that the language the author uses gave me an instant connection to her characters. The other note that I would like to make is that although this book is not part of a series by Masters, we are brought back into the world of European elegance and riches which we first encountered in The Bunny and the Billionaire and even get to check in with three of the characters from that book. For me that was a bit of a thrill.

Back to the story at hand, The Athlete and the Aristocrat introduces us to retired professional footballer Simon Wood (*clears throat* as Ben, the “bunny” from The Bunny and Billionaire says in his brief appearance here “it’s soccer in Australia!”) and billionaire of the highly influential Morel family and their corporation, Lucien Morel. The little bit of cuteness in their background is that Lucien secretly had a crush on Simon while Simon was playing soccer and in fact convinced his father that Simon’s proposal for a charity had just as much merit as a charity for education and food for kids from struggling families. However, these guys have a bumpy road to their HEA, which is what kept me intrigued with this story. There is no doubting the attraction between Simon and Lucien, however, they did need to take time to get to know each other before taking the risk of mixing business with pleasure.

I think this story has a series of popular themes which will satisfy anyone who is attracted to these types of romances that include the whole fairy-tale ending for the brooding rich guy and the kind-hearted guy that steps into his life.

Rebuild My Heart by Ariel Tachna

Title: Rebuild My Heart

Series: Lexington Lovers 04 / Dreamspun Desires 75

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (230 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-142-9

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5th February 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: A love built to last.

When Derek Jackson is hired to renovate the LGBT bookstore that’s also Owen Hensley’s home, opposites attract. Derek is a big burly blue-collar guy, about ten years older than slight, sweet, and bookish Owen. As they spend time together, it becomes clear that each handsome outside leads to a beautiful interior. Far from the shy twink he appears, Owen has a rock-solid foundation that helped him put himself through college and start his own business. Behind Derek’s strong façade waits a tender heart that’s been battered by a rough family past—something Owen understands.

After Owen’s runaway nephew lands on his doorstep, it throws a wrench in their plans. Derek can’t ask Owen to choose, but he doesn’t think he can take second place with his lover the way he always has with his family. Can they find a way to keep their romance standing?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Rebuild My Heart is the fourth book in Ariel Tachna’s series Lexington Lovers. For Tachna has been an author whose stories are a bit hit and miss with in terms of me getting into the book and enjoying it. For a while there I kind of stayed away from the author until I started reading Tachna’s contributions to Dreamspun Desires, which includes this book as well. I’ve read the previous books in this series too, and while I don’t remember them exactly, I do remember enjoying them and have given those books positive reviews as well. Still, I went into reading this one with a bit of trepidation.

As I mentioned already, this is the fourth in a series. Luckily, these books also work as standalone books because I could only remember the previous book Stage Two, which I had only read recently. However, for those that do remember we do get to check on some previous characters. For me the most important thing was seeing a lot of more Ben and Thane from Stage Two.

The MCs of Rebuild My Heart are Derek Jackson and Owen Hensley. Owen is a quiet enough guy who loves books. He runs his own book store, which has a heavy focus on LGBTQ authors. He puts his heart and soul into his business and is ready to expand his store.

Then, we meet Derek. Derek’s best friend/boss/business partner asks Derek to meet a new client who wants to renovate his business. Where Owen is soft spoken and kind hearted, Derek is strong, burly, brash but with a heart of gold.

There is an immediate connection between the two men and Derek throws himself enthusiastically into Derek’s renovation. The guys seem to guy fall into a relationship that is completely natural for them. It doesn’t feel forced, its quite cute, which is great since we’re really dealing with an instalove type of romance here.

However, Derek has his own personal demons, mostly shaped by a complicated family but complete love for his brother. Similarly, same with Owen. While Derek has a horrible stepmother who torments her stepsons, Owen comes from a religious (cult?) family who refuse any communication because he is gay. This adds to the relationship and how the guys deal to fall in love. Things get even more complicated when one of Owen’s nephews runs away because he can’t deal with the family’s religious cult-like beliefs. Owen, being Owen, takes it all in his stride but with his relationship with Derek so new he doesn’t know how to handle and Derek has his own reservations.

These guys actually made me think of another lovable couple from a completely different author and series, Casey and Hal from Carol Lynne’s Cattle Valley series. I’m not sure if that’s a popular call back for other readers, but I make this comparison because Derek and Owen are basically polar opposites that are made for each other. Their characters are well developed and totally relatable.

Even though they are so different it is easy to see why and how they fit so well together. The only thing that really annoyed me is the good old miscommunication to bring the story forward, I found it a little frustrating but ultimately it was forgiven because it wasn’t made into a needless melodrama. These are just normal guys and they had to work through a lot to make it to the end with a HEA.

My Fair Brady by K.C. Wells

Title: My Fair Brady

Series: Dreamspun Desires 74

Author: K.C. Wells

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (221 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-005-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19 Feb 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: A spur of the moment invitation changes two lives.

Jordan Wolf’s company runs like a well-oiled machine. At least until his PA, Brady Donovan, comes down with the flu and takes sick leave. Then Jordan discovers what a treasure Brady is and who really keeps his business—and Jordan in particular—moving like clockwork. So when Jordan needs a plus-one, Brady seems the obvious choice to accompany him. After a major shopping trip to get Brady looking the part, however…. Wow.

Brady has a whole new wardrobe, and now his boss is whisking him away for a weekend party. Something is going on, something Brady never expected: Jordan is looking at him like he’s never seen him before, electrifying Brady’s long-hidden desires.

But can the romantic magic last when the weekend is over and it’s back to reality?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo

Review: My Fair Brady is a super sweet romance by KC Wells that I adore. KC Wells is not a new author to me and although I know that I’ve enjoyed Wells’ work in the past and found their writing style pleasing, I can’t really name any other novels from the top of my head. Therefore, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I love a romance that is the whole trope of boss falls in love for his PA when they are making out that they are romantically involved. There is just something so sappy and romantic of the two leads falling in love that makes me sigh like a teen in love. So heads up, if you like that too, then this will be a totally enjoyable read.

A quick note on the title. I’m by no means a fan of the movie My Fair Lady, but my sister and mum are obsessed so I had kind of expected something more along the lines of that movie to happen here. It’s not like that is an uncommon plot device – a rich guy (on a bet or on a whim) decides to make over and teach someone how to be around the upper echelon of society and they two unwittingly fall in love. To be perfectly honest, Brady already knows how to dress and how to act around the rich and famous, after all, he keeps his boss’s business and life together on a daily basis. He just doesn’t have the money and hasn’t had the need to be around these people until he and Brady start their little charade.

The story takes a lot of time to really get started, but that’s a good thing because we get to know our two MCs, rich, powerful businessman, Jordan Wolf and his very efficient and almost too capable PA, Brady Donovan. Brady has been working as Jordan’s PA for three years, but it is only until recently that Jordan starts to realise just how amazing the man is at running his business life. Jordan doesn’t have much of a personal life which is a shame for a strong man who probably is over due for a good dose of love. Then after a conference trip, Brady gets a severe flu and Jordan is shocked at the extent of how much Brady makes his life better and less stressful at work. Jordan is going through a series of epiphanies here and he is determined to help Brady, which is the start of the guys starting to get to know each other on a personal level.

I found the story really charming. The thing that I most enjoyed about this novel was that not only did the reader get to take their time to see the characters develop and get to know them properly. Additionally, I liked how the romance, while not a slow burn, was not a case of “ooo, I didn’t see you for three years and didn’t realise you had a crush on me, by the way I love you”.

The CEO’s Christmas Manny by Amanda McAllister

Title: The CEO’s Christmas Manny

Series: Dreamspun Desires 72 / Beyond the Boardroom 01

Author: Angela McAllister

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (222 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64405-120-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18 Dec 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Anything but business as usual.

Billionaire CEO Nic Price lives for his job. With sales down and grumbling from the board of directors—including Nic’s permanently dissatisfied father—the last thing Nic needs is distraction from the new manny, whose freewheeling approach to childcare is outlandish… and who makes Nic feel things he’s never allowed himself to feel.

Ex-teacher Sasha Lindsey is all about fun—that’s the reason people love him, so he has to be. After a bad break-up leaves him jobless and homeless, the live-in manny job with Mr. Price seems like a windfall. But his chemistry with Nic is off the charts, and he can’t afford another workplace romance disaster.

Can Nic leave his dominance in the bedroom and open his heart to the best thing that’s ever happened to him? Or will Sasha’s leap of faith backfire and ruin his chances at the family happily ever after he’s always dreamed of?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: The CEO’s Christmas Manny is Dreamspun Desires book by Angela McAllister. While the author is unknown to me, I love to devour many Dreamspun Desires books and wonderful (both sweet and sexy) romances that the various authors write. Add into the mix that I love a good Christmas romance and a good romance with hot boss and his manny, I was ready to pick this book up with not much thought at all.

Nic Price is the stereotypical CEO/billionaire in so many romance novels. He is a ruthless business man and is great at his job, that’s why he’s a billionaire. However, he has to cope with the stress of the board of his family company, including his father who is never satisfied with anything that Nic does, despite increasing the company profit’s over the last few years. On top of that he also the guardian of his orphaned niece and nephew. Since he’s had them for a few years and has been so distracted by business he has now lost his connection with but doesn’t take the time to care that this has happened because ultimately this all loops around to the fact that his father is forever down his throat and issuing threats about the family company (yes, another stereotype but totally works). The kids have gone through another nanny and so another is hired.

This is where we meet young, idealistic and enthusiastic teacher, Sasha Lindsey (and of course everyone expects him to be a female). Sasha lost his job as a casual teacher at a school in favour of someone who is tenured. This was orchestrated by his ex, which also means that Sasha has also lost a lot of money he had put into their shared rental as well as his home. So the job as a live in manny is a godsend, especially at Christmastime. If I’m going to continue with iconic movie comparisons, Sasha is like Mr Keating in The Dead Poet’s Society. He wants to engage his students, not just tell them what they need to know, he wants them to enjoy learning and to have fun.

Nic finds it hard to open his heart to the kids and to Sasha, especially now that he has been threatened with losing his position if he can’t increase profits further. But Sasha is sweetness and happiness and love which Nic has never known from his family and eventually, despite a bit of drama, these guys are inevitable.

I really loved this book. It fulfilled every soppy romantic fantasy I have, despite being a tad too predictable and the story kind of reminding me of The Sound of Music (not a bad thing really). The chemistry between Nic and Sasha is off the charts and it was easy to relate to both of them, even if Nic was a grouch that needed Sasha’s love to heal is heart and show him how to really live life and to be happy. I noticed that this is part of a series and I would really love to read more from both this series (Beyond the Boardroom) and the author in the future.

Whiskey and Moonshine by Elizabeth Noble

Title: Whiskey to Moonshine

Series: Dreamspun Desires 74

Author: Elizabeth Noble

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (228 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-382-4

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15 Jan 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Drunk on love.

Like a well-aged whiskey, master distiller and old-money entrepreneur Malone Kensington is elegant and refined. Unfortunately he’s also a perfectionist who is more dedicated to the success of his generations-old company than his own love life.

That company needs a public spokesman.

What Colton Hale lacks in sophistication, he more than makes up for with the charisma that’s allowed him to survive on the street from a young age and charm his way into the lucrative—if overwhelming—public position at the Kensington Distillery. When Mal takes Colt under his wing, hoping to polish off his rough edges, opposites attract and a passionate romance blossoms despite the differences in age and background. But can it survive a Kensington Board of Directors who believe Colt is nothing but a gold digger and a kidnapper determined to profit from the love of Mal’s life—dead or alive?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Whiskey and Moonshine is a really charming romance set in Tennessee, obviously amongst whiskey and moonshine stills by Elizabeth Noble. Noble is an author who is certainly on my radar and in my mind as an author whose style and stories I enjoy, and combined with the fact that this is part of Dreamspun Desires line, I was totally down to reading this book.

The story may revolve around whiskey and moonshine, but it is one particular company that is run by a very sexy man who is dedicated to his family’s company and making it more accessible for the younger generations that is the focus of this story. I say that and it sounds like we’re talking about an old guy – we’re not, he’s thirty-six, but the company has been in the family for three generations and it does need to catch up to the current generation.

The story opens with Colton Hale, he’s twenty-four and has been living on the streets of Toledo since he was fifteen, which was when he had been kicked out of home for being gay. The most recent run in with violent thugs has Colton ready to make a new start, so he gets the first bus that will get him out and his new adventure starts. The bus ride brings him to the Kensington family’s whiskey distillery. They’re a rich and hugely successful distillery in Tennessee. Colt manages to get himself a job and just six weeks later shows his ingenuity and passion for his work that leads him to another job for the company.

Mal, the head of the Kensington family company which had been previously run by his mother, sees a lot of potential in Colton. There’s the potential Colton has to help sell the whiskey brand on social media and help the company branch out, but he has to hold back his attraction for the man, even though he knows Colt’s shady past. The two men work well together and Mal decides to use the age gap between them as the excuse he needs to mentally force himself from pining for his social media face of the company.

Alright. I have to do this. I’m about to nerd out and dedicate a paragraph gushing about how awesome it was to read a book that appreciates the Joss Whedon TV showed Firefly. Because I’m a browncoat and the fact that it features so prominently in a book I enjoyed was shiny. So, if you’re not a fan and didn’t appreciate words such as browncoat or shiny, perhaps switch off for the next paragraph.

Right, I’m going to admit. I’m a total sucker for Firefly. Because of that I see the name Mal and I think Captain Malcolm Reynolds – though I can never say I was disappointed to realise that this Mal is short for Malone. Whatever. But it is sweet and smart Colt, who hasn’t had the best 9 or so years of his life getting into Firefly into the book that got to me. I really enjoyed the imagery conjured when Colt mentions the last line in the theme song, relating it to the backdrop of the rambling Kensington distillery/estate. But the best part, when everything seems to be falling apart Colt uses a Firefly reference to get Colt to help him.

This was a really enjoyable story. The characters were relatable and felt accessible to the reader, or at least to me. I’m not sure how to go about recommendations. I mean, it isn’t actually set in a boardroom with a powerful CEO finding love in unexpected places, but this is definitely an employee to lover romance and Mal is certainly a powerful (sexy-as-sin) CEO. So, I suppose if you like any romance set around vineyards (I’ve read a few of those of late) then this is another one to enjoy. There is also an interesting celebrity element, where Colt navigates the world of social media and gains fame as the face of the Kensington brand. Also, in terms of Colt this is a rags to riches romance too. As already mentioned, Firefly fans will be tickled to see love for the awesome show.

Whiskey to Wine by B.A. Tortuga

Title: Whiskey to Wine

Series: Leaning N 03 / Dreamspun Desires 78

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboys

Length: Novel (221 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-771-6

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19 March 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Love is hitting the slopes, and the competition is fierce.

It’s Gay Ski Week in Aspen, and blind sculptor Bleu Bridey and his ex-fiancé, Dan, are at the Leaning N Ranch to unveil Bleu’s latest commission.

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Shields is there too… and he’s Bleu’s true love who got away. Seeing Bleu again, Ryan remembers how they couldn’t get enough of each other in college.

Too bad it looks like Bleu is with Dan now, because Ryan would love to remind Bleu how good they were together, in and out of the sheets.

Between Ski Week parties, a bunch of exes, a private ski lesson, and one terrible accident that leaves Bleu stranded and Ryan in rescue mode, it’ll be a wonder if these two manage to survive, much less find a few seconds alone to remember how much love they have to keep them warm even in the worst of storms.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: BA Tortuga is an author I’ve only recently (maybe about the past year) to come to fully appreciate, and now look forward to new books. Before that I either wasn’t really attracted to the blurbs or covers of Tortuga’s book. Now, maybe because I finally gave the author a chance, I really enjoy her books, particularly the cowboy/ranch setting books.

Whiskey to Wine is the third book in Tortuga’s Leaning N ranch. I really loved the two previous books in this series and so looked forward to seeing Bleu and Ryan’s story unfold. I was particularly interested because I do like a book where an MC has a physical challenge/disability because he can show the world (and his prospective lover) that despite being hard work, he is his own very capable man. In the case of this book Bleu has an autoimmune disease (I’m kinda of guessing Sjogren’s because I have a friend who has that and some of Bleu’s challenges are similar although my friend is not blind).

Even though this is a series, I do believe that it can be read and fully appreciated as a standalone book. However, the couples from the two previous books do feature prominently. So if you’re like me you’ll probably want to go back to their stories to find out about these guys either before or after you finish the present book.

Bleu Bridely and Ryan Shields are the MCs of this novel and back in college they were lovers. But Ryan got scared and broke Bleu’s heart. In fact, Ryan is a bit of dick although I could see that he had a lot of potential for change, I did dislike him for a time. Fortunately, his character did develop and grow along the way, to a lesser extent this was also true of Bleu as he got to know his former lover again.

Bleu is energy and creativity and totally unstoppable. I mean the guy is a blind sculptor. He has a passion and thirst for life which is stifled by well meaning exes who think that he should take it easy, especially with his health problems impacting on his life. Bleu is accompanied by his ex (and business associate) to the Leaning N Ranch in Aspen to help Bleu for the unveiling of his most recent commission.

It is here that Bleu runs into his college ex, Ryan, who is at Leaning N as a volunteer ski instructor for Gay Ski Week. Bleu is at first reticent when it comes to seeing Ryan again, can’t blame him really because Ryan left him because the thought of being with some who is disabled scared the crap out of him. Ryan had thought that being with Bleu would hold back his dreams, which he achieved since, as described in the blurb, he is a former Olympic snowboarder. The guys get to know each other and Ryan seems to realise how superficial he had been along the way, which leads into what is an extremely sweet and well developed romance.

Against the odds in the face of a man character I really could have disliked, I loved this book. This is a wonderful story about the one that got away and second chances where we see the MCs grow.

I’m hoping that Bleu’s ex, Dan, gets a story because there seems to be hidden depths there and it would be a shame not to develop the character further beyond the superficial, bossy businessman we got to see. In fact, there are a number of minor characters who I hope will get their HEA. I can’t wait for July when the next book in this series is released, although I know it’s different characters to the ones I just said I hope could get their own story.

As a side note, I’m also really enjoying the new cover designs for the Dreamspun Desires line, which switched over to this current style a few months ago. It certainly added to the appeal of the book and blurb. I like that this cover doesn’t have an image of a seeing eye dog or a guy wearing glasses, nothing that makes me say “oh, blind guy”. I find it refreshing and it suits Bleu’s determination to not let anything get in his way.

A Model Escort by Amanda Meuwissen

Title: A Model Escort

Series: Dreamspun Desires 77

Author: Amanda Meuwissen

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (230 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-694-8

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5 March 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: What’s the value of love?

Shy data scientist Owen Quinn is brilliant at predictive models but clueless at romance. Fortunately, a new career allows him to start over hundreds of miles from the ex he would rather forget. But the opportunity might go to waste since this isn’t the kind of problem he knows how to solve. The truth is, he’s terrible at making the first move and wishes a connection didn’t have to revolve around sex.

Cal Mercer works for the Nick of Time Escort Service. He’s picky about his clients and has never accepted a regular who is looking for companionship over sex—but can the right client change his mind? And can real feelings develop while money is changing hands? Owen and Cal might get to the root of their true feelings… if their pasts don’t interfere.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: A Model Escort, by Amanda Meuwissen for Dreamspinner houseline Dreamspun Desires, is the first book I’ve read by this author. I wasn’t one hundred percent sure what to expect from the book – I know what I’ve come to expect and love by various authors published within Dreamspun Desires and most books follow the same in terms of themes, etc. which is why is part of the line.

I enjoyed the writing style and found that it was easy to connect to both main characters, although I particularly related to Owen in the story. However, I must admit reading about this had me thinking a little bit of Pretty Woman. A comparison which comes up a couple times throughout the story. So there is definitely traces of humour to be found.

The story is about Owen Quinn, he’s a real introvert in that he is shy and finds it difficult to interact with large groups of people (which is why I relate to him so much), a data scientist that, he moves town hundred of miles away when a new job opportunity arises (again, something else I relate to). The best part about this is that he can get away from abusive, controlling ex and start over and learn to love himself.

This is what I find interesting about Owen, despite being an introvert he is quite lonely (not something I relate to, I live alone and for the most part don’t have too many friends outside of work in the city I lived but I am never lonely). A joke about hiring an escort leads Owen to do just that, not for sex but more so for companionship. Cal Mercer is the escort Owen meets. Cal is jaded and probably more tired of his lifestyle than he realises. For Cal meeting Owen is all kinds of interesting, refreshing and life changing. Owen and Cal grow closer as the two begin to cross the line between professional escort to friends (or a sweet and at that point, non-sexual romance). Cal needs to sort out his life and at the same time provides support to Owen to make the most out of her new job and to conquer demons of the past.

This is a sweet and straightforward romance, but nonetheless very enjoyable. I like how tastefully these characters were written because with this concept we could have had soft porn or enough cheese to start a cheese shop. They have a sweet journey and part of what makes these guys relatable is that their story is not over the top with so many clichés.

Whiskey to Wine by B.A. Tortuga Guest Post & Excerpt!

Hi guys! We have B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Whiskey to Wine, we have a brilliant guest post and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

Whiskey to Wine

(Dreamspun Desire 78 / Leaning N Ranch 03)

B.A. Tortuga

Love is hitting the slopes, and the competition is fierce.

It’s Gay Ski Week in Aspen, and blind sculptor Bleu Bridey and his ex-fiancé, Dan, are at the Leaning N Ranch to unveil Bleu’s latest commission.

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Shields is there too… and he’s Bleu’s true love who got away. Seeing Bleu again, Ryan remembers how they couldn’t get enough of each other in college.

Too bad it looks like Bleu is with Dan now, because Ryan would love to remind Bleu how good they were together, in and out of the sheets.

Release date: 19th March 2019
Pre-order:
.•.•.**❣️ Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

Continue reading “Whiskey to Wine by B.A. Tortuga Guest Post & Excerpt!” →

A Model Escort by Amanda Meuwissen Guest Post & Excerpt!

Amanda Meuwissen - A Model Escort Banner

Hi peeps! We have Amanda Meuwissen popping in today with her upcoming release A Model Escort, we have a brilliant guest post where Amanda shares her 5 Tips for a Successful Author Convention, and we have a great excerpt. So peeps check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

A Model Escort

(Dreamspun Desires 77)

Amanda Meuwissen

What’s the value of love?

Release date: 5th March
Preorder:

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

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

Continue reading “A Model Escort by Amanda Meuwissen Guest Post & Excerpt!” →

The Hockey Player’s Heart by Jeff Adams & Will Knauss ~ Audio Review

Title: The Hockey Player’s Heart

Series: Hockey Hearts 01, Dreamspun Desires 50

Author: Jeff Adams & Will Knauss

Narrator: Finn Sterling

Genre: Contemporary, Sports

Length: 4 hrs, 56 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (30th March 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Hometown hero. Hockey superstar. Perfect boyfriend?

When hockey star Caleb Carter returns to his hometown to recover from an injury, the only thing he’s interested in is a little R&R. He never expects to run into his onetime crush at a grade school fund-raiser. Seeing Aaron Price hits him hard, like being checked into the boards. The attraction is still there, even after all these years, and Caleb decides to make a play for the schoolteacher. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take, right?

Aaron has been burned by love before and can’t imagine what a celebrity like Caleb could possibly see in a guy like him. Their differences are just too great. But as Aaron spends more time with Caleb, he begins to wonder if he might have what it takes to win the hockey player’s heart.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: The Hockey Player’s Hearts is a wonderfully sugary sweet friends to lovers book tale that just happens to involve a professional, out and proud, NHL player and an equally out and proud small town school teacher. Neither author was known to me before listening to this audio, nonetheless I looked forward to a sports themed romance.

The story sends professional NHL player who is the Captain of the New York Rangers, and one of few out and proud hockey players (including his best friend and team mate Dimitri), Caleb Carter back to his small hometown in upstate New York. He broke his ankle on the ice and desperately wants out of New York so he can recuperate in peace. While his parents are away on a around the world tour, he gets to spend time with his big sister, who is now the principal of the elementary school they attended. Tagging along, helping his sister he encounters her best friend and Caleb’s school crush. Aaron Price.

Aaron is portrayed as a nerd. When they were kids, Aaron helped Caleb pass math by tutoring him. It was what gave Aaron his passion to become a teacher. College had taken him to California, where he could be himself (i.e. explore his sexuality). He had stayed in LA until a failed relationship with a closeted baseball player and then losing his job, but luck was on his side when his best friend, the principal of his hometown elementary school and Caleb’s sister, handed him a lifeline with a job at the school. Aaron has a lot of baggage from his time in LA and renewing a friendship that could lead to more with Caleb forces Aaron to examine his feelings.

The narration of this audio was done by Finn Sterling, I looked up my audio bookshelf to find out that I’ve only heard Sterling’s narration sometime last year and then again just the other day. Finn Sterling is another wonderful narrator for the Dreamspun Desires house line. The narration for The Hockey Player’s Heart was great, Sterlings put a great voice onto both main characters, as well as a number of minor characters (especially Caleb’s sister and his best friend). He puts the right tone into the main character Aaron, who has a lot of baggage that could sabotage his HEA so that his indecision and his desperate need not to caught by another pro athlete.

Over all this was a fun story. I loved the hockey aspect of the story, it was weaved perfectly throughout and not just used as incidental background information. Caleb and Aaron have a lot of history together, yet these guys developed a lot throughout the story. The only criticism I have is that I occasionally found Aaron’s need to protect his heart because Caleb is a pro athelete a little frustrating and I wanted to shake him. This looks like it’s going to be a series (I’m hoping Caleb’s best friend, Dimitri, will have his own story).

The Secret of the Sheikh’s Betrothed by Felicitas Ivey

Title: The Secret of the Sheikh’s Betrothed

Series: Dreamspun Desires 46

Author: Felicitas Ivey

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (212 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15th November 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: A billionaire and a Bedouin girl – each with a shocking secret.

Billionaire Fathi al-Murzim is a workaholic businessman, too busy running the family’s companies to even think about marriage. Too bad he never told his grandfather he’s gay, because Grandfather just announced a childhood betrothal – to a Bedouin girl Fathi never heard about before.

Ikraam din Abdel was raised as a woman by his avaricious and abusive older sister, who didn’t want him to be their father’s heir. He’d never thought to be married either, and is surprised when his sister informs him of his betrothal.

When Fathi and Ikraam meet, they are drawn to each other in a manner neither of them expected. As the plans for their wedding progress, they both realize they need to tell the other the truth. But can they, with both cultural taboos and family pressures to deal with?

ISBN: 978-1-63533-962-8

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: First, I have to admit, that while I liked this book, it was a little bit difficult to really get into the story, mostly because of the impossibility of it all. I spent a lot of the book struggling to suspend my disbelief. I actually enjoyed the audio of this book than I did the ebook, but part of me has been left wondering if I had clouded by the fact that I had had bronchitis when I heard the audio. However, the one thing that I was relieved about was that I couldn’t hear the sometimes terrible accents that I had heard in the audio.

Felicitas Ivey is a relatively new author to me. I’ve read one other book by the same author, yet I am struggling to remember details of what I liked or disliked about it that book.

I didn’t know what to expect when I read the blurb but fond reminiscence of the time before I got into MM romances to when I used to love romances of hot desert Sheikhs and their damsels in distress drew me in. To be perfectly honest, it was everything that I expected from one of those types of stories. In fact, it was almost as though in the writing process it started as a hot Sheikh and a young Bedouin woman and somewhere along the line the woman became a man disguised as a girl for his entire life. The latter being what had me troubled throughout the book despite enjoying the basics of the plot. Then again, there is a whole cultural system that that I don’t have enough understanding of to wonder just how something so outlandish the scenario.

The titular Sheikh is gorgeous billionaire Fathi al-Murzim, a relatively guy who adores his twin brother and grandfather, yet at the same time doesn’t have a lot of time for a life outside of work. The reason for being a workaholic is that he had made the choice, after getting his business degree in the US where he was free to be himself, was that Fathi decided his family (his grandfather) were more important than for him to have a chance with another man. That excuse makes it easy for Fathi to stay firmly inside the closet. When his grandfather wants Fathi to honor an old marriage agreement, Fathi agrees and despite his reservations and with the help of his beloved twin, resigns himself to what could be an advantageous marriage.

Fathi’s betrothed is Ikraam din Abdel. Ikraam was raised as a woman, he hadn’t even known he was a boy until he is six or so. Ikraam’s father was the old tribal leader, who had taken Ikraam’s mother as a second wife in his old age. He was the only boy with six other older sisters. I don’t want to go into the entire explanation as to how this happened but suffice to say from a young age he was an orphan at the mercy of his power-hungry older sister who couldn’t lose the leadership of the tribe to a baby. It’s really convoluted but it somehow works.

As I said, I struggled throughout despite the fact that I also enjoyed it. I think it honestly comes down to that time where I loved reading MF romances with rich Shiekhs and feisty women who didn’t want to be damsels in distress. I don’t like MF anymore for a number of reasons but it was kind of fun to see my this trope translated to an MM story.

The Hockey Player’s Heart by Jeff Adams and Will Knauss

Title: The Hockey Players Heart

Series: Dreamspun Desires 50 / Hockey Hearts 01

Author: Jeff Adams and Will Knauss

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (226 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (16th January 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Hometown hero. Hockey superstar. Perfect boyfriend?

ISBN: 978-1-64080-240-7

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: The Hockey Player’s Hearts is a sweet friends to lovers book story that involves a professional, out and proud, NHL player and an equally out and proud small town school teacher. It’s a wonderfully refreshing set up for a romance that I knew I would enjoy. Neither author was known to me before this book, but the pro sport angle hooked me, also I did cheat a little and listen to the audio of this one first.

Over all this was a fun story. I loved the hockey aspect of the story, it was weaved perfectly throughout and not just used as incidental background information. Caleb and Aaron have a lot of history together, yet these guys developed a lot throughout the story. The only criticism I have is that I occasionally found Aaron’s need to protect his heart because Caleb is a pro athlete a little frustrating and I wanted to shake him.

I’m really looking forward to more stories in this series. I’m especially hoping that Caleb’s best friend, Dimitri, will have his own story next!

Teaching Ben by Shae Connor

Title: Teaching Ben

Series: Dreamspun Desires 52

Author: Shae Connor

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (209 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (20th February 2018)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: Learning to love means a study in patience.

Fresh out of the military, Ben Cooper is ready for a new start. He’s away from his domineering father, making his own choices… and out of the closet. On his first day of college, he meets David Powell, who’s just the kind of gorgeous man Ben’s dreamed of. Too bad he’s the teaching assistant—which makes him off-limits in Ben’s eyes.

David is Ben’s age, but his life has taken a different path. He’s close with his family, who helped him deal with personal struggles after he came out. And while he’s staying away from any hint of scandal, Ben’s a kind of temptation he hasn’t faced in years. If only they’d met on more equal footing. As the semester progresses and their lives become more entwined, keeping their relationship platonic becomes more difficult. They just have to hold out until the end of the semester….

ISBN: 978-1-64080-412-8

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Teaching Ben is a cutesy story about two college students in their mid-twenties. This is very much what I expect from the author, Shea Connor, and I was quite pleased with this addition to the Dreamspun Desires line.

Teaching Ben is the story of Ben Cooper and his college tutor David Powell. Ben is twenty-four and recently out of the air force. After growing up with a controlling father who was also in the military which led into his career in the navy. Now he can have a life for himself and for Ben that is going to college and studying communications and documentary making. On his first days in one of his introductory subjects he feels an instant spark of attraction to third year student and his tutor for the class, David Powell.

David is also twenty-four. He’s got a past as a member of a rich family and growing up getting everything he wanted. A life altering situation some years ago meant that David had learnt his lesson and had since been working hard to finish college. Meeting Ben, David can’t deny the attraction, however David also knows that he start a relationship with a student he was teaching for the semester.

This is a sweet, well-paced book with very little angst. These are just ordinary guys living life, meeting their challenges head on, going to college and that ultimately is what makes this charming.

Game Point by M.J. O’Shea

Title: Game Point

Series: Dreamspun Desires 45

Author: M.J. O’Shea

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (194 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st November 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: Game, set… match made in heaven.

Spoiled socialite Quinn Valenzuela has no interest in sports or his family’s huge sporting goods empire, Sparta Athletics. So when Quinn learns his grandfather has died and he’s in control of the corporation, no one is more surprised than Quinn himself.

Dedicated COO Porter Davis has little time and less patience for brats like Quinn who have never done a day’s work, but circumstances leave him with little choice. Quinn claims he’s ready to leave partying behind and grow up, but it’ll take more than words to earn Porter’s respect. As it turns out, they can work – and play – together after all. A friends-with-benefits arrangement makes sense for the two busy men, but are they too different for it to ever develop into more? Not if Quinn can convince Porter he has his head in the game.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-756-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I have fast become a fan of MJ O’Shea, mostly acquainted with the author’s works through Dreamspun Desires. While Game Point is not my favorite story by the author, it was no less an enjoyable read. The story itself is a mix of sweet and sexy, which is something that O’Shea does well in my opinion. The premise is an enemies to lovers story. Or more accurately, enemies to friends with benefits to true love and a HEA.

The enemies in question are Porter Davis, an ex-tennis player turned business, and Quinn Valenzuela, a carefree playboy that has a lot of growing up to do. The story opens with the death of Porter’s friend, mentor and boss, who just happens to be Quinn’s grandfather and the father of Porter’s best friend (Quinn’s mum). Porter is the COO for Valenzuela’s Sparta Athletics and cares deeply for the family that run it, expect for his mentor’s grandson who flits around Europe carefree. Porter is shocked and more than a little miffed that Quinn is given a controlling interest in the company on the proviso that he is involved in the day to day running of Sparta. Meaning that Quinn is going to be in his face all day long.

When Quinn got the call about his grandfather’s death and seeming like the spoiled brat Porter thinks he is, Quinn is picked up from Spain with the family’s private plane and returned home to his see his mother and attend the funeral. He doesn’t expect the conditions in his grandfather’s will and at first is ready to hand over his controlling share of the company to his mother. However, the death of his grandfather leads Quinn towards an epiphany to get back on the right track and finally grow up into the man he is meant to be.

Porter and Quinn are true enemies at first, but when they force each other to face some harsh truths, their relationship takes a turn towards the hot. All that energy they spent hating each other has now become some tense sexual chemistry that I wanted them to hurry up and initiate. And, probably of most immediate importance, they can also actually find a way to work together professionally before they even make it to a bed.

To be perfectly honest, it took me a few chapters to warm up to Porter. He wasn’t the nicest character at first and in my opinion was a bigger brat than Quinn. Thankfully both characters undergo some major development and mature in a lot of ways throughout the story. It’s a very light and carefree read which is low on unnecessary drama.

Staggered Cove Station by Elle Brownlee

Title: Staggered Cove Station

Series: Coast Guard Rescue 01 / Dreamspun Desires 54

Author: Elle Brownlee

Genre: Contemporary, Military

Length: Novel (216 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (20th March 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Rescues are wild in the Alaskan terrain. So is romance in this coast guard rescue novel.

Sun-kissed California guardsman Dan Farnsworth might be at home in the water, but he’s out of his element at remote, rugged, and freezing Staggered Cove Station. Acclimating proves hard enough, but he’s also digging into how the station’s previous rescue swimmer was lost at sea. Was it an operation gone bad or something more sinister? Add to that the instant tension between him and his partner, no-nonsense, Alaskan Karl Radin, and Dan has his hands full.

As his investigation heats up, so does the attraction between Dan and Karl, even if they don’t completely trust each other. But as suspicious events escalate to sabotage, Dan starts to fear that he and Karl won’t get the chance to become more than reluctant coworkers.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-495-1

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I looked forward to this book, I’ve previously heard the audio and enjoyed that well enough. I was actually a little surprised that I enjoyed reading the ebook more than listening to the audio, it’s usually the other way around. There was romance, mystery, danger and hot men in uniform who are honest to God heroes. I’ve previously enjoyed Elle Brownlee’s books in the past, although I’ve never actively looked up each and every release by the author, she is definitely on my list of enjoyable authors.

Dan Farnsworth is a fairly fresh recruit in the US Coast Guard. After being top of his class for so many different things during training, especially his swimming, he requests for a transfer to a remote post in Alaska. One reason is for the challenge but the most important reason is because he needs to investigate the presumed death of his missing, much older half-brother, Axe.

At Staggering Cove Station, Alaska, Dan meets Karl Radin. He had been the leading the rescue where Axe went missing. Dan, much like Karl, find it tough to believe that Axe could be so easily swallowed up by the ocean with his experience and strength as a swimmer, but anything is possible. When he meets Dan, Karl knows that there something that isn’t quite right about the man, who seems to be snooping around. Karl just can’t work out why and has to find out the secrets the intriguing man is hiding. It certainly doesn’t help that there is a mutual attraction as the characters slowly fall in love.

The main mystery of this book is what happened to Axe, with a good dose of Karl trying to figure out Dan for the first few chapters. The romance is basically a secondary storyline and for the most part that works really well, in my opinion.

This is an enjoyable book for the most part. But there were a few things that didn’t really gel with me. The first thing is the sex scene in the book. The fact that there are only a couple sex scenes towards the end doesn’t bother me, I’m all for the sweet and getting to know you type romance with cuddling and stolen kisses. It was that the one sex scene is everything I hate of sex in romance novels – it’s sex in an inappropriate place at a completely stupid point in time. The other thing that didn’t gel with me was that some elements of the plot simply didn’t grab me – I know the relationship between the brothers had gone by the way side but I wasn’t properly convinced.

Yet, the strengths of this book include a believable setting in Alaska and life in the US Coast Guard (no idea how accurate it is but it doesn’t seem completely outlandish). In fact, I really enjoyed that element. The other thing that I thought was possibly the best element of the book is that the characters are given a lot of time to get to know each other which picking through the mystery element of the story line. It made the romance more believable and relatable, even if it was a happy for now ending. I’m really looking forward to more books in this series. I kinda have hopes as to which secondary characters could have their turn next.

Sweet Nothings by T. Neilson

Title: Sweet Nothings

Series: Dreamspun Desires 55 / Amuse Bouche 01

Author: T. Neilson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (248 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (3rd April 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

Tristan Love, the youngest of seven brothers, is back in his hometown. He’s left the New York food scene and an abusive relationship behind him, but he holds his love of French pastries close to his heart and is determined to put his skills to use in a bakery of his own.

Returning to his childhood home means his meddlesome brother Simon will butt into his business, but before the bakery even opens its doors, Tristan’s delectable creations have the town’s mouths watering, and Jake, a cute mechanic, asks Tristan out. It all seems worthwhile….

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-248-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Sweet Nothings was something of an unexpected surprise for me. T. Nielson, the author, is completely unknown to me. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew from the blurb that this was the type of book that I’m a sucker for. Two guys running from their pasts, one a relatively recent relationship and the other a bad boy with a heart of gold. It was the bad boy that got me, I always look forward to when these guys find the one man that can see through the tough façade and find true love and a sweet HEA.

If what I described is your type of book, then Sweet Nothings is totally for you. It’s a sweet and easy read, so it’s good to relax and if you’re like me, I used it as a come down book after recently reading some rather intense books.

Sweet Nothings is the story of Tristan Love. He runs from New York and his controlling, possessive and abusive fiancé back to his home town where is the baby in a family full of boys. His brothers mean well but since they lost their father at a young age, he has brothers that are more interested in replacing their dead father than just being a brother. As part of his plan to get himself back on his feet, Tristan opens a bakery, which had been his dream and something that his ex would never allow him to do. He has a lot to do to get things up and running, yet at the same time is dealing with his over protective brothers and meets Jake.

Jake is a mechanic with a troubled past but mostly because he took the blame for something he never did. The problem being that he had always been something of a bad boy but years later Jake is finally trying to pick up the pieces of his life. While getting his life back together he meets Tristan. The two have instant chemistry but people don’t trust Jake and warn Tristan away from him. These guys have a lot going against them and although the plot is predictable, I really loved the sweetness that underpinned the entire plot.

This is a totally enjoyable book. The pace was great and the chemistry between the guys was wonderful. I found myself relating to both MCs. I even found myself getting annoyed at Tristan’s brothers on his behalf while Tristan was battling the end of his abusive relationship.

I can’t wait to find out what is going to happen in the next book of the series. I really want to know who are going to be the MCs. I’m hoping that they will be some of the minor characters from Sweet Nothings, but at the same time I will be equally as excited for a book based in the same world but with new characters.

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