Texas Wedding by R.J. Scott

Texas Wedding by R.J. Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Scott takes us back to Texas for the final installment in Jack and Riley’s life together. No, their tale does not end tragically. This is merely the last book that Scott has planned for the couple and it’s a great way to finish out the series – with the guys fighting for what’s right and using the advantages of their fortune (both financial and emotional) to try to make Texas a more level playing field for couples like them.

Within the first chapter, the author reminds us why Jack and Riley have stayed strong over the years together. They pay attention to each other, what their partner says and doesn’t say, what their partner does and doesn’t do, and each man will take whatever action he feels necessary to keep the line of communication open between them and their connection strong. Fortunately for my voyeuristic tendencies, this means that not only do Riley and Jack talk, they are not shy with their physical affections for one another. Not at all. And they just get sexier and sexier with each book. But beyond that, Jack is Riley’s anchor and Riley is Jack’s rock. There is no doubt that they have one another’s back and the support and encouragement Riley gives Jack to move forward with his idea for the ranch, to make it a safe place for young men like Liam to live and work, is merely one of the ways that demonstrate how well they understand one another. Their bond is also vital to them getting through Hayley’s first date. I chuckled several times over the course of the book as Riley and Jack had to face the fact that their little girl was growing up.

As with the previous books in the series, we get a chance to catch up with the other characters and see how their lives have changed since the last book. It was nice to see that Lisa was finally moving on and finding happiness, even if her revelation nearly gave Riley and Jack a heart attack. Being as I work with children and adults with autism, I really, really liked how the author shows Jack and Riley constantly striving to do more for Max and their willingness to learn all that they can about autism and how it affects Max as an individual. One of the things that made Texas Wedding interesting was watching Jack and Riley’s responses to the impending SCOTUS decision regarding same-sex marriage. Watching Jack remain hesitant about Texas’s reaction regardless of what the high court said was realistic as we’ve already seen in real life how government officials have ignored the law. At the same time, Riley’s enthusiasm for what it would mean – that their home state would have to recognize their marriage – and the plans he hoped to follow-through on WHEN (because there was no IF in Riley’s opinion) the decision came down were heartwarming and trailblazing. Riley’s enthusiasm for making Texas a better place for same-sex couples is inspiring, as is his willingness to use his resources to do what he can to make it happen. Obviously there’s a wedding, so make sure you have your tissues handy because Hayley made me bawl when she talked about what it meant to her to have two dads. Texas Wedding was the perfect way to wrap up the series, with tears and laughter and lots of love, but I won’t lie – I would happily read more about the Jack and Riley and the rest of Campbell-Hayes family.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Texas Wedding (Texas #7) by R.J. Scott blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Rain Shadow by L.A. Witt

Rain Shadow by L.A. Witt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s always a lovely day when I get to spend time in Bluewater Bay. Okay, seriously, I did not mean to make that rhyme, but it’s no less true. Bluewater Bay is one of my favorite fictional towns to visit and Rain Shadow was no exception. Witt re-immerses readers into what brought us to Bluewater Bay to begin with – Wolf’s Landing – and does so as we follow Jeremy as he guards Anna, one of the show’s more well-known producers – hence the need for a body guard. While a return to the set means series fans get to catch up with characters from previous books (Levi & Carter), it also means a front-row seat to Anna and Leigh’s relationship (which has been rocky from the beginning of the series) as they go through couples counseling and related activities in an effort to save their relationship.

Lots going on in this installment because Jeremy’s job is also an excuse to avoid his ex-wife and disgruntled kids, especially his daughter, who is beyond pissed off at him for “deciding to be gay” and abandoning them. And while I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, Jeremy’s family issues dictate how he approaches relationships. Or I should say, avoids relationships, because he still feels guilty for not being able to make it work. But when he learns that the first man who really flips his switch since his divorce avoids relationships even more than he does, well let’s just say it made for one heck of a hot scene when they have their one nighter. So when Scott phones for a repeat performance, Jeremy is surprised and goes straight into avoidance mode. Yet fate has a better idea and when their paths cross again, Scott makes it clear that he’s not looking for a relationship, but would be very amenable to a friends with benefits arrangement. Because of their arrangement, there is quite a bit of sex in Rain Shadow and yet it didn’t feel overdone or gratuitous because each time the men scratched their itch, they spent more time together, getting to know one another, moving from being just friends to a bit more. And when the proverbial excrement hit the fan, Jeremy realizes who and what is important in his life and has to put his pride and prejudices aside if he has any hope of keeping them in his life.

I really liked how Witt moved Jeremy and Scott’s relationship forward so subtly that I too had a hard time pinpointing when friends with benefits became more. While the implosions in Jeremy’s life made it obvious that things had changed, the transitions were not at obvious. As for the implosions, Jeremy excelled at making a mess of his personal life, but he was honest enough with himself to realize it and was willing to put in the effort to right what he had wronged. I actually found that to be quite refreshing and it made me like Jeremy that much more. I loved the ending and that Scott was willing to help Jeremy out with repairing his relationship with his children. A lot going on in the book meant a lot for me to love and I enjoyed it all. Rain Shadow was a great addition to the Bluewater Bay series and I’m hoping to get my hands on the next book in the series soon because although I’m not a big fan of F/F reads, I am a fan of Anna’s.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Rain Shadow (Bluewater Bay #10) by L.A. Witt blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Whirlwind by Bailey Bradford

Whirlwind by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Whirlwind was a fun and sexy way to round out the Southern Spirits series. I don’t know that the author has ended the series officially, but as it’s been a couple of years since this installment’s original release and no new characters were introduced as potential leading men, I’m assuming this is the final book in the series and I must say that Bradford certainly went out with a blast. After Conner found love in Ascension, it was only fitting that our other long-term and interactive spirit, Stefan, find his happiness in the ever after. And Stefan’s tale reads like the best case of karma ever.

In life, Stefan was born with brain damage that resulted in him having both mental and physical delays. In Aftermath we learned that his condition contributed to his being murdered because he fell prey to a high school bully who used him sexually and then tricked him into going to the place of his murder. However, in death, Stefan was no longer afflicted as his limitation had been physical and the lack of a corporeal body equated a “normal” existence in the spirit world. This “new” and “improved” Stefan made for an extremely entertaining first encounter with Jordan and Gideon, two recently deceased soldiers who traveled to McKinton to be near Jordan’s mother. Once the three men deal with their initial misunderstanding and spend a little time together, the sparks fly and Stefan finds himself in the best place possible – between Jordan and Gideon. But when Jordan’s mom lets out a secret that sends Jordan into hiding out of fear from the fallout, Stefan once again finds himself alone and on the outside looking in. The knowledge of what he’s missing out on leads Stefan to make some rather poor choices that have him questioning if there are indeed things worse than death and heartbreak. Fortunately for Stefan, the most important men in his death are well trained and adore him, and have no qualms about putting themselves between Stefan and the danger he’s courting.

I absolutely loved this installment. It’s no secret that a well written ménage is one of my favorite types of relationships to read about and Bradford did a wonderful job creating a fledgling relationship between Jordan, Gideon and Stefan and then building upon it. There is some serious heat among this trio and their ability to ignore the laws of physics made for some scorchingly hot sex scenes. I also enjoyed how she handled Stefan’s disability and the explanation for his life and death differences seemed quite feasible. Conner’s continued presence as a protector in Stefan’s life was perfect and made sense as Conner always saw Stefan as a kid due to his age at death, and not his disability because Conner didn’t know Stefan when he was alive. Whirlwind was an extremely enjoyable read and as much as I hate to see the end of the series, I like how the author brought it to a resolution with all of the main players having their stories told. Fortunately for me, Bradford has many, many other series for me to read.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Whirlwind (Southern Spirits #8) by Bailey Bradford blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Articles of Release by B.A. Tortuga

The Articles of Release by B.A. Tortuga

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Despite the fact that scenes within this book nearly gave me a heart attack more than once, Tortuga has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her writing is smooth, her characters are authentic, and the love between them is beautiful. The Articles of Release was no exception and I found myself falling in love with Eric and Troy – even as I wanted to throttle Troy on several occasions. His siblings were lucky he was the baby because had he been the firstborn, at least half that brood wouldn’t have been born.

Tortuga wastes no time in getting to the meat of the story with Eric’s introduction. In a matter of pages we learn that this career-military man suffered a life-changing injury, his family turned their back on him when they learned he was gay, and he has only one person he THINKS he can call on for help as he transitions from the military to civilian life. Fortunately, that person is Adam Winchester and Adam doesn’t even hesitate to offer his and Sage’s help and home to Eric. This not only gives fans of the series a chance to catch up with the pocket cowboy and his husband, but Sage’s own physical condition puts Eric at ease because Sage and Adam understand him in ways most people cannot. It’s also beneficial because Sage is able to introduce Eric to his personal trainer, Troy, who is helping him recover from the knee surgeries. And while Eric makes a complete and utter arse of himself during their first meeting, Troy gives Eric a second chance while he himself is recuperating from an injury. As the two men take down their walls and get to know one another, their initial antagonism fades rather quickly and the sparks begin to fly. But when Troy’s tendency for reckless behaviors puts him in harm’s way more than once, Eric has to decide whether or not he can live with the risk of loving an adrenaline junkie.

I loved this book. Thanks to some socially influential people of this decade, the injuries that service men and women suffer while protecting our country have been celebrated (for lack of a better term on my part). While this doesn’t make it any easier physically for the person who suffered the injury, I believe that at least some of the social stigma that was once attached to prosthetics and burns has been lessened. In The Articles of Release, Tortuga takes it one step further by not only addressing the injuries sustained by veterans, but also those of the civilian population as it is Troy who uses prosthetics due to an accident that occurred in his teens. With both of our main characters in this novel living with injuries that changed their lives, we get to see how their day-to-day activities are affected, how their relationships are affected, and how their sense of self is affected. For me, this proved to be quite an emotional read and I found myself holding back the tears more than once. But Tortuga doesn’t allow her characters to wallow for long and uses humor to break the tension within a heavy scene several times. The chemistry between Troy and Eric was palpable and I adored that the men could be both affectionate and raw – depending upon what their partner needed. The airport scene broke my freaking heart because I was at a total loss of how that was going to play out and I thought it was a perfect ending for the couple. I look forward to more books in the series and am hopeful that we’ll get to catch up with Sage and Adam, and Troy and Eric in the next installment because I’d love to see how they’re all faring.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The Articles of Release (The Release #2) by B.A. Tortuga blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Blowback by Lyn Gala

Blowback by Lyn Gala

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve mainly read Gala’s M/M sci-fi romances, with Turbulence being the only M/F romance of hers that I’ve read prior to Blowback. So I was excited to read this book. In fact, I was anticipating reading it so much that I waited until the review was due to read it because I wanted it to last as long as possible because once I finished it, I had no idea how long I would have to wait for another of Gala’s sci-fi romances. I am both kicking my own metaphorical arse for not enjoying Blowback sooner, while at the same time, basking in the afterglow of a story that was so worth the wait that the anticipation was worth it.

This is not your typical romance and not because there are aliens involved. The animosity and distrust Tom has for Da’shay is so strong, you feel it through the pages. When a mission goes bad and a “concerned” party approaches Tom with information about Da’shay that reinforces his ill-feelings toward her, he does the wrong thing for the right reason and ends up having to choose between charges of treason or death. Once he makes peace with his choice, Da’shay steps in and prevents his death, leaving Tom bewildered as he’s made no secret of his feelings toward her. After a series of events ends up with Tom being relegated to slave status with Da’shay claiming ownership of him, Tom’s dislike ratchets up to hate as he tries to figure out whether to kill Da’shay or himself. But when Tom is forced to listen to Da’shay and really hear what it is she is trying to say, his opinion of her takes a 180 and the woman he would have taken pleasure in killing, is now the woman he wants to make happy. But with war looming and Tom, Da’shay and the crew of the Kratos finding themselves smack dab in the middle of it and a possible conspiracy, can Tom trust his newfound faith in Da’shay and his need to protect her outside of the ship, while submitting to her in the bedroom?

I loved this book. Not to spoil the story, but due to a procedure that was performed on Da’shay, her pattern of speech is not normal – not even for a genta. The way she talks in riddles reminded me of the Firefly character, River Tam. As Firefly was one of my favorite television shows, I loved how Da’shay’s character was reminiscent of River – although as the book was written before the television show was aired, it should be the other way around, but I “knew” River first. Once I learned to speak Da’shay’s language, it was much easier to understand what she was trying to communicate. Even though Tom was basically forced to listen to Da’shay, I liked that once she finally got through to him, he was willing to reassess the situation and his feelings toward her changed – for the better. I’m sure that the fact the sex between the two of them was scorchingly hot did not hurt his position one bit. I’m not big on the whole submissive male storyline, but I loved it in Blowback and felt like Gala did an excellent job of balancing Tom’s alpha male tendencies outside of the bedroom, with his willingness to submit to Da’shay inside the bedroom. Blowback was an excellent sci-fi romance with just the right amount of action, intrigue, and erotica that kept me glued to my Kindle.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Blowback by Lyn Gala blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Ascension by Bailey Bradford

Ascension by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


While I enjoyed Ascension, it required more of a suspension of reality than the previous installments in the series. After all, we’re looking at a relationship between Conner, who we’ve only known as a spirit, and Sev’s nephew Rogelio. Without spoiling the book for potential readers, this means you are either going to have a relationship between a spirit and a living being OR two spirits if Ro were to pass away during the book. As the blurb intimates of Conner feeling desire for the first time in many, many years, it’s pretty much a given that we’ll be treated to some hot sex regardless of the nature of the pairing. So either way, you should be prepared for even more of a paranormal angle to the story than we’ve seen in previous installments because living or dead, Bradford brings the heat to McKinton.

Ascension takes place quite a few years after What Remains and we’re meeting a 28 year-old Rogelio, who still resides in McKinton with his parents as his mother’s health has been failing over the years and his father can use the help in caring for her. When Alma passes sooner than expected, we are given the first glimpse within the series of what happens to those spirits not bound to the world and it scared the bejeezus out of Conner because he didn’t want to leave Laine, Sev, or even Rogelio behind. Having been close to his mother, Ro took her passing hard and spiraled downward into a depression that had him engaging in some risky behaviors. Ro’s apathy made it easy for him to fall victim to a man whose treatment of him was abusive and even though the author is kind enough not to make the reader watch the man we last knew as a boy be mistreated, there is enough information provided that you have no doubt of what happened to Ro. When one thing leads to another, Conner finds himself claiming the young man he has fallen in love with over the years, surprised to learn that the feelings of affection are returned. And the two men embark upon a relationship that knows no bounds.

Whereas the previous books in the series have had more of a contemporary romance feel with just a little paranormal twist to them, Ascension is a full-fledged paranormal romance. As much as I hated what Ro endured when his mother passed, I liked that he was able to find comfort in Conner and that the two men were finally able to express their feelings for each other. The time frame within the book is hard to pin down, but that seems intentional because Conner’s concept of time is more fluid as a spirit. That combined with the shared history between Conner and Ro kept it from feeling like an insta-love situation when Ro’s psychic ability finally manifested. True to form, Bradford insures that the men are able to consummate their relationship and it is heavenly (pun intended). I was surprised that more didn’t come of the JD angle, especially considering the man approached Ro’s father and Laine found out about it. Ascension was an enjoyable addition to the Southern Spirts series and I’m looking forward to reading Stefan’s story in Whirlwind as the little bit I saw of Stefan at the end of Ascension hints at a rather interesting dynamic.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Ascension (Southern Spirits #7) by Bailey Bradford blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The CEO Buys In by Nancy Herkness

The CEO Buys In by Nancy Herkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An author, a quarterback, and a businessman all meet in a gentleman's club and make a wager…

What at first sounds like the set-up for a joke is actually the premise for Herkness’s Wager of Hearts series, in which the three men meet for the first time on a night when they each seem to be on the precipice of a major decision or event in their lives and agree to wager a priceless possession against the challenge of meeting and falling in love with a woman who sees him as a man and not as a wallet or name. Unlike many wagers, this is not one in which the first man to find that special someone with whom he can spend the rest of his life with wins the bet. Rather, the bet serves as a motivator for each man to take the search for his other half seriously, with the ultimate prize being love. And first up is our businessman, Nathan Trainor.

I loved the way the author set up our introduction of Nathan because, for me, it allowed me to connect with him as a man looking for love and companionship, rather than as just another billionaire playboy. As we learn about Nathan’s past, I found it easy to forget about his bank balance because the man grew up as a military brat and only occasionally did his actions or behaviors come off as elitist. This is where Chloe comes in, because not only is she more than competent at temping as Nathan’s administrative assistant, she’s neither intimidated by him nor interested in his money or name. Chloe has family obligations that guide many of her decisions and while she’s not above asking to be paid what she’s worth, she is only interested in the money she can earn as Trainor’s assistant and no more. Until the sparks begin to fly and she’s unable to deny the physical attraction between her and Nathan. Chloe doesn’t believe she’s in Nathan’s league and decides that she will enjoy the time she has with him before he gets bored and leaves. And let me tell you, there are some VERY enjoyable times in The CEO Buys In because Nathan Trainor is even more capable in the bedroom than he is in the boardroom. But when the lines between their personal lives and their professional lives begin to blur too much, Chloe has to decide who and what is most important in her life.

Herkness has created an interesting cast of characters in The CEO Buys In. Not only did I connect with both Nathan and Chloe, I found Archer and Miller to be interesting in their own rights as the author provided just enough information about each man that I can’t wait to read their stories. But it was Grandmillie who I absolutely adored. The relationship she and Chloe had was so full of love and support and it made Nathan’s desire to win Grandmillie over so believable (and endearing). The fact that Grandmillie wasn’t afraid to tell Chloe the truth about her father’s bitterness so that Chloe could get out of her own way was perfect. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Chloe and Nathan as they were good for each other, challenging one another when they needed it. That the chemistry was off-the-charts hot made for one heck of a bonus. The CEO Buys In was a great book to kick off the Wager of Hearts series and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series already.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The CEO Buys In (Wager of Hearts #1) by Nancy Herkness blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Retribution by Dana Delamar

Retribution by Dana Delamar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, Delamar had no problem sucking me back into the world of the Luchessis, the Andrettis, and the rest of the Italian ’Ndrangheta. But she really amped up the stakes and the action in Dario’s personal vendetta against Enrico by luring Enrico’s illegitimate son, Nick, to Italy. And we learn that Nick’s little boy lost mentality causes him to fall right into Dario’s trap – again and again and again. Seriously, for an Interpol agent, Nick really isn’t that savvy when it comes to dealing with the criminal element and he fails miserably when it comes to learning from his mistakes. While his ineptness endangers him, it’s also probably what saved him because no one really saw him as a threat – because he wasn’t.

Dario’s daughter, Delfina, is struggling against the strictures of the family business. She has no desire to marry someone of her father’s choosing just so that he can strengthen the family’s standing. Especially as his choice is her best friend’s brother, who is a drug addict. Especially when what she wants to do is design clothing. Especially when all she really wants is to not be a part of the ’Ndrangheta. To live her own life. To be free. When she first meets Nick, she knows exactly whose son he is and, due to his age, she despises him because of what he represents – her uncle’s infidelity to her beloved Aunt Toni. But as she spends time with him, she understands why her aunt was so drawn to her Uncle Enrico – the Luchessi men possess a natural charm. As it becomes obvious that Delfi will soon be engaged to a man of her father’s choosing, she hatches a plan that will either save her from her father’s machinations or get Nick killed.

I was blown away by just how well Delamar subtly reminded the reader that Nick was British and not raised in the ’Ndrangheta way. There was a definite difference between the Italians and Nick in their mannerisms, speech, and how they saw the world. Honestly, I’m still amazed that Nick made it to the end of the book still living because some of the stunts he pulled should have gotten him killed. As with the previous books in the series (which you do have to read before Retribution), there are plots, deals, lies, and subterfuge aplenty, and just when you think you know what’s going on, you find out that there is even more going on than you as the reader are privy to. I’m intrigued to know if Delamar is playing it that close to the vest or if her muse is as secretive as her characters are with one another. Or maybe I’m just as paranoid as Dario – who, by the way, was a major arse at the end when he revealed the “supposed” truth about Toni’s feelings for Enrico. I, for one, don’t buy it – but it certainly shook Enrico up and that alone made me dislike Dario even more. Ultimately, Retribution was another excellent addition to the Blood and Honor series, keeping me up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it and leaving me salivating for Redemption to find out what the author has in store for the families.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Retribution (Blood and Honor #2) by Dana Delamar blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C.

Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Being a fan of Cardeno C.’s writing in general and the Hope series in particular meant this was a no-brainer for me. I didn’t even bother to read the blurb before saying yes to the review opportunity. While I wasn’t the least bit surprised that I loved Jesse’s Diner, I was surprised with why I loved it due to the elements the author included (some of which I cannot tell you as they’re potential spoilers) – not because they were elements I don’t tend to enjoy in a book, but because there were some rather personal-to-me issues brought up that I wasn’t expecting to encounter. For me, this generally translates into a personal connection with the characters that tends to make a book even more enjoyable and meaningful and this was certainly the case with Jesse’s Diner.

I suspect the fact that I spent a large part of my childhood with my maternal grandparents who had a 12 year age difference between them is why I don’t focus on the age difference between characters. That is, unless the characters make a big deal of it themselves. Fortunately, in Jesse’s Diner the age difference was addressed a time or two, but was not the focal point of the book. Instead CC keeps the focus on the relationship that develops between Tanner and Steve. What at first presents as a convoluted relationship with Steve being Jesse’s widower and the father of Tanner’s best friend, Mike, and Tanner being Jesse’s protégé (of sorts) and recipient of the diner when Jesse died unexpectedly a year earlier, ends up being far less complicated as the story unfolds. When he goes to check on Steve at his friend’s request, Tanner unintentionally establishes a nightly dinner date with Steve in an effort to make sure the man isn’t suffering from depression. While we don’t know a lot about Tanner’s past initially, it’s clear that he’s far more mature than his twenty-two years and although he’s been crushing on Steve since meeting him almost six years ago, he manages to keep his thoughts and actions toward Steve strictly platonic out of respect for Jesse and Mike. This is what made the scene in which Steve “comes onto” Tanner so amusing – the young man had no idea that the attraction was mutual.

I loved watching the relationship develop between Tanner and Steve. It was sweet how their mutual respect and love for Jesse was a source of unification rather than something that kept them apart. I found Steve’s insistence that Tanner consider all the ramifications of a relationship with him instead of allowing the young man to dive head first into his first actual relationship without doing so refreshing. Granted, Steve’s past affected the future of their relationship and certain aspects of it heavily, but he acted like a mature adult and this is something I see missing all too often in books when adult characters embark upon a relationship, especially a sexual one, regardless of their age. In doing so, Steve also provided Tanner the opportunity to show that he was mature enough for such a relationship. Not surprisingly, the sex scenes are hot – but because of Tanner’s complete lack of experience, they are also tender as Steve takes his time with Tanner. Although the ending made me cry when Mike revealed that Jesse’s death wasn’t quite as unexpected as everyone believed, I love, love, loved the rest of that scene as it obliterated any hesitations Tanner had about getting involved with his best friend’s father. Jesse’s Diner is yet another 5-star read for me from the talented Cardeno C. and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for Hope, Arizona next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Jesse’s Diner (Hope #2) by Cardeno C. blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn by Mia Marlowe

The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn by Mia Marlowe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


To begin, I have not read the previous books in this series and while I was not the least bit lost, I was left wanting to go back and read them as the Duke of Camden has assembled quite the interesting group of individuals and I suspect I would quite enjoy reading their tales as well. As it was, Meg’s story proved to be fascinating on its own as we learn that the young miss is not the wellborn lady she appears, but rather a commoner who possesses the gift of “finding” and whose male guardian forced her to use her gift to steal from others before she found her way to the Duke’s care.

While it is quite possible one of the previous books may have shown how Meg came to join Camden’s Order of the M.U.S.E. (Metaphysical Union of Sensory Extraordinaires), it doesn’t lessen the impact of Meg’s fright at discovering the very men she’s been hiding from – her uncle and cousin – have located her and are lying in wait to abscond with her and force her back into their nefarious service. Nor was it surprising that Camden arranged for her to go into hiding in order to insure her safety. What was surprising was that her “hiding place” was full of its own set of dangers that could prove to be as equally harmful to her continued existence should she succumb to her attraction to Lord Badewyn. And as the son of a fallen angel, what chance does she have at being able to resist such a handsome man, regardless of his attempted aloofness?

I quite enjoyed that while Meg was trying to do what was right and act as a lady in accordance with the instruction she’d received from Lady Easton, we were treated to the true Meg as her personality came through more and more as she spent time with Lord Badewyn. I found Lord Badewyn’s refusal to act upon his attraction to Meg in order to protect her to be rather refreshing, especially as the facts about his parentage were revealed over the course of the novel. In the end, it was Lord Badewyn who succumbed to his attraction to Meg, but not before he does all that he can to insure her safety. When he finally does give in to his attraction, well let’s just say thank goodness for a well-stocked library and a well-read man. The sex scenes were steamy without being overly erotic and felt true to both the historical genre and the paranormal genre, but for entirely different reasons. It was Marlowe’s ability to combine the two genres while creating such engaging characters that made me enjoy The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn so much. The ending was rather all encompassing in the various characters that it affected and this left me wanting more of the series. Hopefully I can find time to squeeze books one and two in before book four is released. Fingers crossed.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn (The Order of the MUSE #3) by Mia Marlowe blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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What Remains by Bailey Bradford

What Remains by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


While I have enjoyed all of the books in the Southern Spirits series to date, What Remains may be my favorite. Where When the Dead Speak focused on Laine and how his relationship with Sev developed, this book is more about Sev and his ability to communicate with the spirits. Set three years later, Sev and the other residents of McKinton are taken aback when they realize that the spirits of their friends and family are no longer present. While this is upsetting for all of the residents affected as they take comfort in knowing that the spirits in their lives are watching over them, their disappearance is especially devastating for Severo because a large part of his identity is tied to speaking with the spirits.

That the disappearance coincides with the arrival of Chris’s mother’s coven and an unexpected visit by one of Sev’s sisters has Laine’s cop instincts pinging. Truth be told, after what happened with Zeke’s sister, I didn’t blame Laine one bit for being wary over an out-of-the-blue phone call to mend the family ties. Yet when Alma, her husband, and their kids arrive, it is clear that the concern was for naught as they have finally broken from the financial ties Sev’s parents hold over his siblings. Oh yes! We learn just how despicable Severo’s parents are in this installment and as bad as I thought it was based on the previous books, I found out it was even worse than that. But when Severo learns what the final straw was that helped Alma cut ties, my heart warmed and broke at the same time for Alma and Rogelio. All the while that Sev is renewing his relationship with his sister’s family, he and Laine are trying to figure out who is behind the disappearance of McKinton’s spirits. I must say that I was just as shocked as they were when they figured out who was responsible.

I suppose it’s because all of the spirits were missing that this installment felt more all-encompassing of the town’s residents. While the focus was on Severo, Bradford gives readers the opportunity to catch up with each of the couples from the previous books, which is something I almost always enjoy when reading a series. Even though Sev has played a big role in several of the books, I felt as though I got to know him so much better as a man instead of just as Sev, The Ghost Whisperer. And I was so happy that his sister’s visit turned out so well. The inclusion of Miriam’s coven in bringing the spirits back to McKinton made for an interesting facet of the story and I really enjoyed how that played out. I loved that the chemistry between Laine and Sev is just as strong after three years together, and perhaps even stronger. What Remains was an excellent addition to the Southern Spirits series and I am already looking forward to reading Ascension.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the What Remains (Southern Spirits #6) by Bailey Bradford blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Subs Club by J.A. Rock

The Subs Club by J.A. Rock

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really, really liked this book. The Subs Club was a two-pronged story for me. The primary storyline is the romance between Dave and David and how both men “find themselves” as they let each other in. The secondary storyline is a more honest approach to BDSM then I typically find in romance novels and whether it was the author’s intent or not, I believe it delves into why BDSM romance novels have become so popular in recent years. Of course, the storylines do intertwine because Dave is a central player in both of them…after all, this is his story.

If you read the blurb, then you know that Dave’s best friend Hal died a year ago at the hands of an incompetent dom and the book opens with Dave and his circle of friends returning to Riddle, the club that Hal died at. Upon discovering that said dom has been allowed back to Riddle, Dave feels as though their safe haven is no longer safe and, in a fit of outrage, establishes The Subs Club – an online community for subs to talk about safety issues, compare notes on their experiences, and rate doms in an effort to identify “unsafe” and “dangerous” doms. A great idea in theory, not so much in reality. But Dave resolves to take on the dom whose Fetmatch profile contains danger sign after danger sign in his opinion – The Disciplinarian aka Pornstache aka David – and reveal him for the heavy-handed irresponsible dom his profile indicates he is. Despite Dave’s antagonistic attitude and a rough start, he finds that The Disciplinarian isn’t as bad as he expected and comes to realize that he severely misjudged David. As David pushes Dave’s limits and “forces” him to open up to the submissive experience, Dave is breaking down David’s walls and forcing him to see a future past the agreed upon six sessions. Rock does an excellent job of showing how their relationship gradually shifts from the strictly D/s sessions to more friendly interactions between sessions until they begin to “see each other” and agree that they want more than the D/s sessions. Of course, it wasn’t a big surprise when Dave’s worst fear about The Disciplinarian learning of The Subs Club was realized, but Dave’s handling of the fallout did surprise me – in a good way.

As for the secondary storyline, I loved what Dave was trying to do with The Subs Club blog. His reasoning behind it was sound and it could have been a great resource for subs in their community. However, he and his friends underestimated how much work would be involved in moderating such a forum and what started out as a resource, quickly devolved into a gossip group that gave the “mean girls” within a place to be snarky with little consequence. But it is during Dave’s presentation at Riddle about what they had intended The Subs Club to be that one of the doms makes a statement that I felt is revealing as to why BDSM romances are so popular: “How about bottoms ask for what they really want?” Even in this day and age when we’re supposedly more open about sex, people still have a hard time talking about sex, especially about what they want from their partner. But in BDSM romances, the dom almost always knows what the sub wants and/or needs and gives it to him or her without lengthy discussions. Obviously we know this isn’t how it works in the real world, but in romances the sub doesn’t have to ask for what he or she wants because the dom just knows and I think this is what most of us want – an intuitive partner who knows us better than we know ourselves and is not only willing to give it to us, but wants to. And while Dave loses control of the meeting a time or two as the audience engages in heated discussions, it serves to point out what we already know about relationships in general and BDSM in particular – the importance of communication by both parties. Although this is not an uncommon theme in BDSM romances, I really like the way that Rock presented it. I thoroughly enjoyed The Subs Club and am looking forward to the next book in the series as I want to know more about this group of friends…and hopefully catch up with Dave and Pornstache to see how they’re doing.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The Subs Club (The Subs Club #1) by J.A. Rock blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Reap by Tillie Cole

Reap by Tillie Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am ashamed to admit that I have not read Raze yet. I had planned to read it before reading Reap, but I got my review schedule confused and didn’t have a chance to do so. That said, I didn’t feel the least bit lost at what was going on in Reap. There is a possibility that I missed some of the series thread nuances, but as far as Zaal (221) and Talia’s story goes, I had no problem following along. And what a story it was.

Not being familiar with what was done to Raze/Luka, I got to witness the horrors of Zaal’s time as 221 without any preparation. It is appalling to think that there are people in the world capable of the cruelty that Jakhua and the other Bratva bosses engage in over the course of Reap – yet, I know there are. That what was done to Zaal started when he was EIGHT is horrifying. But there is no doubting that 221 was a finely tuned killing machine. Thankfully, when Luka learns that his friend’s twin brother has been found, he stops at nothing to rescue him from the monster that has turned him into a mindless killer. Unfortunately for Luka’s sister, Talia, the only place Luka can secure 221 is at the family’s home in the Hamptons – the place Talia has gone for two months in order to escape the pressures of being a Bratva boss’s daughter. Although Talia is at first disgusted by her brother’s actions to save a Kostava, she soon finds herself drawn to him. Much like Kisa calms Luka, when Talia is forced to make physical contact with him, we find that she calms 221. As they spend time together, Talia finds that her hatred for all things Kostava is soon replaced by feelings of compassion, affection, and attraction for Zaal. When Jakhua returns to collect his “dog,” Talia finds out just how much Zaal returns her feelings.

I really enjoyed Reap. I’ve read books where drugs were used to create super-soldiers and mercenaries. I’ve read mafia books. But this is the first I’ve read that combines the two and Cole makes it work wonderfully. Watching the relationship that develops between Zaal and Talia is very sweet in its own way. To see the Bratva princess tame the savage beast within (literally), and help him learn to live in the world as a free man was actually heartwarming – not something I’d expect from a mafia book, even if it is a romance. But Cole does a great job of off-setting all that sweet with some seriously action-packed scenes as Luka taps back into Raze to rescue Zaal – twice – and make Jakhua pay for Anri’s death. The final scene in the Epilogue is an excellent hook for the next book because I have to know what happens next. Until then, I get to backtrack and read Raze and I am really looking forward to it.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Reap (Scarred Souls #2) by Tillie Cole blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Unmasking Zach by Edie Danford

Unmasking Zach by Edie Danford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having loved Uncovering Ray, I jumped at the chance to read Unmasking Zach. Unlike book one, there is no doubt as to Zach’s or Kirby’s gender or sexuality – at least not for the reader. What there is doubt about, is whether or not these two guys can get along well enough to work together, much less form the relationship the blurb suggests. And while the straight-laced boy-next-door, Zach, and the free-spirted hippie, Kirby, seem to have nothing in common, the sparks certainly fly once Kirby learns that Zach is gay and the guys begin to spend time together outside of work. But with Zach leaving for college in the fall, will their time together be simply a summer romance or the start of something more?

I loved both of these guys. They come from completely different socioeconomic backgrounds and while Kirby assumes that Zach has it easier because he lacks the financial woes Kirby has, he comes to understand that money really isn’t everything when he realizes that he has more freedoms in his life than Zach does. Although they embark upon a friends with benefits arrangement due to Zach’s college plans, the guys find themselves feeling more for one another than they should for a summer fling. Watching their relationship develop was both sweet and hot as heck. Seriously, can we get a camera in that yurt? We are talking about two men in their early twenties here and while there is a good amount of sex, it flowed with the storyline. Seeing how Zach backed away from Kirby after his first accident was heartbreaking, especially when the reader is given a chance to see the withdrawal from Kirby’s point of view. It’s also what makes Zach’s handling of Kirby’s recovery after the second injury so enjoyable and entertaining – especially when Zach introduces the compromise. Again with the hotness! Holy heck!!!

Because they were doing so well, I was shocked by the actions Kirby took to insure that Zach went off to college when the time came. I understood why Kirby did what he did and I thought his heart was in the right place, but how he went about doing it shocked me because I didn’t see Kirby willing to ask others for that level of help – even if it were for Zach and not him. But it absolutely ripped my heart out on both Zach and Kirby’s behalf. While I hated that Kirby endured what he did with his mother, taking yet another emotional hit, I liked that it enabled Zach to be there for Kirby when he needed Zach the most. The ending was great because the author lets you know where the couple is headed while leaving it open ended enough that I suspect we’ll see the guys in a future installment in the series. Kudos to Danford for including Ray and Wyatt in this installment and keeping the lid on Ray’s sexual identity so that should someone pick up book two first, they can read it as a standalone without the secret of book one being spoiled. Unmasking Zach was a great addition to the Ellery College series and I can’t wait to see who the author has set her sights on next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Unmasking Zach (Ellery College #2) by Edie Danford blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Forbidden Secrets by Liberty Lace

Forbidden Secrets by Liberty Lace

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m a bit torn on how to review this novella. There are parts of it that I enjoyed and parts of it that annoyed me. Having read the book’s blurb, I knew that this was an M/M twincest book, so obviously that aspect of the storyline wasn’t an issue. I actually enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Tristan and Thad – both the glimpses into their past as teens who couldn’t get along and their current arrangement which forced them to either live together for a year or lose their family home. That’s not even taking into account the taboo aspect of their relationship as the story progresses – which I am not ashamed to admit was hotter than I expected it to be.

However, what annoyed me was WHERE the taboo liaison occurred once Tristan and Thad were on the same page. While I did not grow up in the Louisiana bayous, I did grow up in the Florida Panhandle – literally right next to a swamp that had a gator or two (or more depending upon the water levels in the river) and on more than one occasion did a 180 to walk right back into the house because there was a gator sunning at the end of the road. With that in mind, I found the scene in which the gator attacked to be annoying because it’s not characteristic behavior of the reptile. Yet I gave the author leeway for artistic license as the scene was written with a very effective suspenseful air to it and I suspect a lot of readers won’t find fault with the scene because they didn’t grow up “aware” of gators in the same way. BUT, and that’s a big but, the idea that the twins would then flee to safety, away from the water, only to embark upon their twincest relationship while still in the swamp was a bit too much for me to swallow. No. Just no. You don’t have sex in the swamp immediately after surviving a gator attack, especially out in the open where ANYONE can walk up on you…having sex with your twin brother. Heck, you don’t have sex in the swamp, period – snakes, bugs, turtles, spiders, and other creepy crawlies make it one of the most unattractive places to have sex I can imagine, especially on the ground. Granted, the sex scene is hot, but I just couldn’t get past the location, especially as they could very easily have finished walking home and gotten down to business in a much safer environment.

Despite that, the rest of Forbidden Secrets was well-written and I enjoyed it. Lace does a nice job of giving enough background that you can feel the tension in the relationship between the twins in the beginning, and then unfolds the story in such a way that the shift in their feelings and attitudes toward each other is believable. That’s not to say that I believe twincest is a commonly occurring phenomenon in our society, but rather that I began this novella expecting it to occur and found the way in which the author took Tristan and Thad from estranged siblings to bed partners believable. As this is the first installment in the series, the question becomes – will I read the next book in the series? Honestly I don’t know. With Forbidden Secrets being my first twincest read, I don’t know how it compares to others in the genre. While I’m not dying to read the sequel, I did enjoy the writing style and would be interested in seeing where the author takes the guys as long as my schedule allows.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Forbidden Secrets (Forbidden Glades Book 1) by Liberty Lace blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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