Review: Nixing the End of the World by Alice Winters

Rating: 3 🌈

I love Alice Winters. I love urban fantasy. I usually love Alice Winters urban fantasy romances. So why was Nixing the End of the World by Alice Winters, while entertaining, not wholly enjoyable?

That’s a question that has really been bothering me.

The story has Winters usual elements. A interesting plot, a likable main, albeit clueless character in Nix, some fascinating other beings the circle around him. But for me I believe the issue started immediately, and it’s built within the story. It’s that old problem of honor, trust, friendship, and betrayal.

Here it becomes my issue with the book. Why? Because fundamental to this story is breaking the trust of someone who is supposed to be so close to you, they’re almost a sibling. It’s is done here often, with all the processes at times of a person crumpling a bag of chips, and with the expectations that that person will immediately forgive you. Every single time.

Knows a person for most their lives, lies to them about the things that are essential to saving them, puts them in danger. Says basically oops. Over and over.

A number of characters. To Nix.

So what’s the message here a reader is to take away? While absorbing all the stuff about the new fantasy world, the characters, travel and Nix’s mission… we get that everyone close to Nix essentially lies to him all the time, betrays him, has since he can remember. And the reader is supposed to connect with any or all of them?

Um no.

I don’t find anyone of them, outside of the cat and so called horse with antlers halfway personable.

His best friend since early childhood is probably the worst of them all. She consistently betrays his trust, has actually been a fraud in all their lives, and then no matter what she’s done, expects their relationship to continue on the same and instant forgiveness.

Which she gets.

The author apparently discarding the impact all the revelations would actually make on a person. Instead treating these issues as trivial notions, or something to be given mention but emotionally impactful? Narratively not.

There’s exciting battles, mages and magic. A touch of romance. And the journey continues on with the note that Nix will still need to save the world.

All very well.

But first, there’s a foundation that needs to be fixed and more then a few characters in need of a make over in order for me to find this a place to be comfortable in.

I left this story, as I entered it. Unconnected and uninvolved in anyone’s lives and how the journey will out in the end.

If they don’t care that they can’t depend on those closest to them, why should I? Therein lies the crux.

If this seems like a story for you, continue forward. For me? I’m stopping here.

https://www.goodreads.com › showNixing the End of the World by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Nix
“You are the savior of mankind” are the last words I ever expected to hear while nibbling on fries. The thing is, I’m not mankind saving material. I don’t even have magic (and just found out it exists). I’m the most boring, normal(ish) human ever.

Suddenly, I’m being tossed right into the middle of a fight that started years before I was even born, and then I get partnered up with Alastair, a quirky magical Guardian. He is rather attractive and sweet when he’s not into the whole “woe is me, I can’t let myself fall in love with you” nonsense. I mean, the moment he took my annoyingly judgmental grandma hostage, it was all over for me. I was hooked.

Now the only problem is… what exactly are we saving the world from?

Alastair
The moment I laid eyes on Nix, the naive yet easygoing human captivated my attention, and now I’m determined to protect him. But despite my amazing and majestic abilities, we might not make it out of this mess. Still, there must be a reason Nix was chosen. No, he doesn’t have pizazz and maybe he really doesn’t have magic, but he’s also one of the strongest and kindest men I’ve ever met.

Now if I can just get him to stop throwing blankets at enemies, we might have a shot at this.

Nixing the End of the World contains a flaming “horse” with antlers who inexplicably appears when needed (or not), an interfering BFF who didn’t really mean to light the trunk on fire, a six-toed cat that looks like he put a claw in a socket, and an incubus who just wants a smoothie without anyone losing their clothes.

Review: Mongrel (Outcast Mates #1) by Lee Colgin

Rating: 3.75🌈

Several elements drew me to this story. The dramatic cover, a new to me author, and the attraction of seeing how another writer would handle the popular supernatural mate/bonding coupling of a vampire and werewolf. Throw in a historical aspect and a mystery? The book seems ideal.

I enjoyed Mongrel. Lee Colgrin has so many great ideas and terrific story themes here.

Starting with Mongrel who’s name is Andreas. He’s a member of a pack that views him as a freak due to his genetic makeup and treats him accordingly. Except for a wonderful character named Ava, who stands in as a grandmother to him. The scenes between the two are done with heart and real warmth. In fact most scenes involving any family members are believable and heartwarming. This is a wonderful element for this writer.

The brief scenes with the Alpha reinforce the pack’s view of the inferior status the Mongrel plays there. Yet the Alpha insists that he be returned to the Pack after the mission is completed. More on this later.

The time period chosen is 1610 Hungary. Or what that area approximates. Colgin nicely included the political factions and wars into the narrative along with a fantastic literary/historical surprise that I absolutely adored.

I won’t spoil that, but major shout out here to her for that inclusion. It fit in so well here.

The main characters of Andreas and Bowie were well defined, their well crafted personalities and past histories helping to connect us to them and their relationship.

I liked their romance, thought they fit together well , especially as Andreas needed a pack, but the deep “love” as opposed to a mate bond felt a little quick here, given the timeframe.

The mystery of the missing girls , adding in Bowie’s emotional tie in, was a terrific one that I felt wasn’t quite played out to all its promises. The author missed a nice chance at the end to give her readers and several of her characters a cathartic moment of happiness because she forgot to deliver a promised character back home. It was an important part of the story.

And Colgin did this twice. Once for a child who started the mission. And lastly to finish off on any repercussions by not delivering Andreas back to his pack . An entire element about the Mongrel is never satisfied here but left dangling. The Alpha is determined to keep the Mongrel hidden, yet Andreas comes back, leaves again. Never confronts his Alpha about his status. However, the story seems to be finished.

Without actually finishing up some important storylines.

So I’m glad I read this book but I’m not giving it as high a rating as it could have had.

There’s at least two more novels. I’m onto the second about a incubus we meet in this story. I’ll let you know what I find.

If you like supernatural romances with an historical bent and a mystery to boot, this is the one for you.

Outcast Mates:

✓ Mongrel #1

◦ Changling #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showMongrel (Outcast Mates, #1) by Lee Colgin – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Mongrel, a creature more wolf than man, leads a lonely life on the fringes of pack society—until the night a handsome vampire shows up with a mysterious request.

Bowie, a vampire cursed to a life of endless nights, maintains close ties with his human family. When young girls in their village go missing, he must act quickly. But to find them, he’ll need to convince the local werewolf pack to loan him their best tracker—a wolf known as the Mongrel.

Though he hates the slur, Andras is used to being called Mongrel. When Bowie refuses to refer to him by anything but his given name, Andras can’t help a flicker of unexpected trust toward the stranger. He volunteers to help Bowie, risking banishment.

Can two tenderhearted men overcome their traumatic pasts and work together to rescue the girls before it’s too late? Or will the world’s most prolific killer snuff the flames of their passion along with the lives of the captives?

***

This steamy love story spans the country of Hungary as Andras and Bowie journey through cities and wilderness on their quest to right a villain’s wicked wrongs. Mongrel features a sweetly possessive werewolf, a cinnamon roll of a vampire, and the worst killer in history. A surprisingly fluffy MM Paranormal/Historical Romance considering the subject matter.

HEA guaranteed with loads of laughs along the way and no cliffhanger ending!

Review: Charlie Sunshine (Close Proximity #2) by Lily Morton

Rating: 3.5🌈

Charlie Sunshine is the second in the Close Proximity trilogy and I probably didn’t do it any favors by skipping it and reading the infinitely better story After Felix next. It just plain suffers by comparison.

Several things worked against this I think. The author immediately linked books one and three together by the characters and couples themselves. Felix works in Zeb Evans’ employment agency and turns into a great friend of Jesse Reed, Zeb’s boyfriend. The quartet of men was a natural flow of wit, drama, and romance.

But Misha and Charlie? They are associated with the others but mentioned only briefly prior so where the reader felt a real connection to the couples in books one and three, Charlie Sunshine is already flat on the ground, or a bit behind.

Why that last? Unfortunately I think it has to do with the characters themselves. Charlie is almost too perfect. He’s an adorable , highly intelligent librarian who’s runway gorgeous. People walk into poles because they’re looking at him. That’s not exactly relatable. The author needed do something to make him fallible. The answer? Charlie has epilepsy.

This element is well done and well researched. Morton folded this aspect of the story into Charlie’s character realistically. How it effects Charlie and his life is believable. I think it did make me feel that I understood Charlie more. But I felt that I wish I had more of Charlie’s life pre accident so the fact that he had epilepsy now wasn’t just something to make him and the disease, idk , a way of inserting a vulnerability instead of letting readers see a character function beautifully within his diagnosis.

Let me know how you all feel about this. I’m curious.

Misha , the hedge fund banker, is the best friend who suddenly realizes the man he loves is right beside him. It’s a great trope and I’m not sure why again I didn’t get 100 percent into this romance and couple.

There’s the usual lack of understanding, lack of communication until there isn’t.

The characters around them are superb. Charlie’s family especially are tremendous, both dads and mother. So too are Misha’s family of a terrific mom and twin sisters. Plus his cousin Felix.

Morton’s ability to write characters that grab at your heart are scattered throughout this story, I’m just not sure the biggest is Charlie for me. Or Misha. They are good but I’m not sure they are great.

The end is very satisfying, you’ll be happy for the couple. It’s a great place to end for them.

I’m highly recommending the Close Proximity trilogy. Charlie Sunshine is a good way to fill in your knowledge of this group between the first and fantastic last novels.

Close Proximity series:

✓ Best Man #1

✓ Charlie Sunshine #2

✓ After Felix #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showCharlie Sunshine (Close Proximity, #2) by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sometimes love is a lot closer to home than you think.

Charlie Burroughs can’t keep a man. All he wants is a good relationship like the ones he sees his friends having, but none of the men he picks ever work out. Despite him trying to be the perfect boyfriend, the men are either threatened by his looks or his epilepsy or a combination of the two. It’s lucky that he has his best friend Misha to turn to. The two of them are closer than peas in a pod and fiercely loyal to each other. He can’t imagine his life without Misha in it.

Misha Lebedinsky is the complete opposite of his best friend. Being the support system for his mum and twin sisters leaves Misha with neither the time nor the inclination for a relationship. Quick and frequent hook-ups are his favourite means of communication and any other pesky emotional needs he has are met by Charlie, who he’s devoted to. He lives a life of happy compartmentalization with no intention of ever changing.

All of this changes when the two best friends move in together. Being in close proximity means that they suddenly start to see each other in a very different light. But Charlie struggles when his drive to be the perfect partner clashes with the fact that he’s in love with a man who knows every little thing about him. And even if he can get past that, can a relationship ever work with a man who’d need a dictionary to tell him what love means?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a love story about a sunny librarian who has relationship written all over him and a cynical banker who doesn’t even have it in his blurb.

Review: Wyrmwood (Poisonwood & Lyric #2) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

Rating : 4 🌈

Wyrmwood is a short story in the Poisonwood & Lyric series by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes. It’s romance between Augustine, a dragon who’s sure he’s finally found his mate and Declan Lynch, son of a incubus and a sea nymph , who’s equally sure he hasn’t.

A kidnapping, a starving incubus, a totally confused dragon, and a crisis to come makes for a tightly told fantasy romance.

Jasper from Poisonwood just so happens to be the younger brother to Declan, so we have one of several links that help we with the series overall theme.

But it’s the chemistry between August and Declan that makes this story. It’s just lovely. We get the arguments, the hesitation to believe that Declan is actually THE mate , and August isn’t just driven by the incubus’s beauty and magic.

The dramatic climax is scary, there’s a potential rape scene if that’s a trigger. But it’s a HEA story. And I hope to see this couple make an appearance somewhere in the series down the line. They are that adorable.

I’m recommending this!

Poisonwood & Lyric series:

✓ Poisonwood #1

✓ Wyrmwood #2

◦ Hardwood #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showWyrmwood (Poisonwood & Lyric #2) by Sam Burns – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A dragon searching for a crowning jewel for his fabulous hoard.

A misanthropic incubus who just wants to swim.

Declan might be the world’s only shut-in incubus, but with a father like Elrith, it’s little wonder his faith in people is nonexistent. He skates through life as a computer programmer, closed into his tiny apartment, only feeding by ordering sex workers to his door. But his mother was a water nymph, and occasionally, Declan can’t resist the need to sneak out and swim. This time, he’s in for a surprise.

Augustine is a water dragon who has spent years building the perfect hoard, and now there’s just one thing missing: someone to share it with. When he spots the stunning creature swimming just outside his home, he realizes the jewel he sought has come to him. But after centuries of little human contact, he’s out of touch with the meaning of the word consent. When the tempting nymph chafes his control, August can’t figure out how to win him over.

But word of August’s treasure has reached greedy ears, and all he cares for is under threat. Can a dyed-in-the-wool misanthrope teach August the true value of possession before he loses everything?

Review: After Felix (Close Proximity #3) by Lily Morton

Rating: 5 🌈

After Felix is the third book in Lily Morton’s Close Proximity series. I skipped over Charlie’s story because the characters of Felix and Max so spoke to me in Best Man that I needed their own story and to see how their romance played out.

I’m so happy I did because this is an amazing story. I have just continued to think over all its many storylines and elements, including the trips the characters make to various locations, and it all comes together in such an amazing romance.

We are with Felix Jackson Max Travers from the beginning of their journey when they meet at the bookstore, through their tumultuous romantic history and finally through the process of working their way back towards each other. Every scene , whether it’s funny or heartbreaking, shows such dimension to their personalities. We fall in love with them and their relationship. We’re invested in their happiness.

Then we get more. As the years pass, through excellent descriptions, we watch the characters undergoing change and growth as they figure out who matters to them, or especially if they can trust again.

Morton builds a heartwarming, believable, at times so painful story of two men who find each other, lose, then need to find a path back to each other again.

It’s truly a remarkable romance with incredible characters and a journey that’s staying with me.

I feel like I’ve found a story I’ll reread when I want a romance to curl up with. It’s in that pile of stories.

I’m highly recommending it. Enjoy!

Close Proximity series:

✓ Best Man #1

◦ Charlie Sunshine #2

✓ After Felix #3

After Felix (Close Proximity, #3) by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sometimes the best love stories come in two parts.

When Felix met handsome journalist Max Travers, it was lust at first sight. It was just his luck that he then had to develop a terrible case of feelings and got his heart broken.

However, two and a half years later, he’s over all of that. His job is going well, he has good friends, and he doesn’t lack for male company. Which, of course, is when Max has to come bursting back into his life.

Felix Jackson will always be the one who got away to Max. He’s spent their time apart regretting his actions and hoping for a second chance. When an accident lands him in Felix’s less than tender care, Max is determined to grab this opportunity. The only problem is that Felix is equally determined that he doesn’t.

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a story of missed opportunities, second chances, and two very stubborn men.

This is the third book in the Close Proximity series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Review: Security Detail By B. A. Tortuga

Rating: 3 🌈

Security Detail is one of Tortuga’s Cozy Romances and a side story to her last book, Trial By Fire.

That was a romance between a Texas rodeo cowboy and an Australian one, both from rich families with a stake in a child left a orphan when the parents, siblings of the main characters, died.

This book involves two men from the security team from the now married couple, who divide their time between the two countries and their two large holdings. Again one’s a Texan and one’s an Aussie.

The romance isn’t bad, in fact it’s sweet and hot. However, there’s other issues here that carry over from that first novel.

If you’re writing about characters from another country, especially one like Australian, then those characters need to behave and sound like they come from Australia. Even the certain part of Australia.

However, here there’s absolutely nothing to distinguish Ryan (Texan) from Dez (Aussie). Not Dez’s dialog, nothing in his casual chatter, or even the way a Aussie shortens certain words. There’s pages and pages, then a “Oi” gets thrown in the beginning of a sentence. And that’s it .

From a author who’s unbelievable talent lies in establishing the very heart and soul of a character as well as the culture of the land they walk on by just a regional throw away line, the lack of any color to the people here via the verbiage is disappointing.

Nothing especially says Texas either.

Could be anywhere West.

Then there’s the drama which is just , if I’m being kind, uncomplicated. It’s almost exactly the same as before. These are supposed to be extremely smart security professionals. Nothing here says that. So it’s very hard for a reader to engage in the storylines and main characters. Plus there’s no real resolution to the mystery behind the kidnapping. That’s left forgotten, and the reader unsatisfied with this aspect of the story. At least this reader.

Still, people like the intriguing Chrissie the tech guy make the book. You want more of him. And his background.

The conclusion is just odd. They basically decide to start a side office in Costa Rica because Ryan likes a beach and they needed a vacation. While that’s understandable, given past events, they hit their bosses and best friends with this out of the blue with no notice and with everything new , such as untried security just starting.

So again, no. A big SMH for this ending and really the entire story.

I like the cover .

To understand this book, you might want to read Trial By Fire beforehand.

https://www.goodreads.com › showSecurity Detail (AusTex, #2) by B.A. Tortuga – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Security experts Dez and Ryan teamed up to form a business after they worked together on the kidnapping of a friend’s daughter. Australian Dez and former Marine Ryan have amazing chemistry together, and for one amazing night they acted on it. But then Des got cold feet, and the two of them have never connected again in that way.

Ryan thinks Dez just isn’t that into him. Dez doesn’t want to mess up his friendship with Ryan over something that may or may not ever come to pass. In the midst of all this frustration, they also have to deal with a security crisis with their respective best friends, Holden and Lachlan. When they have to band together to get their friends back, Ryan and Dez are reminded why they work so well together. But can they solve their own problems, and find their way back to each other, as well as save the day?

Review : A Touch of Fever (Arcane Hearts #1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4🌈

A Touch of Fever is the first story in the Arcane Hearts series by Nazri Noor. He’s a new author for me and I’m definitely going to look forward to more from him in the future.

I enjoyed my time with these characters and this universe. Noor does an excellent job creating a world we want to know more about, especially the Black Market. It’s a place that moves itself, it’s new destination known only to itself. What a exciting concept.

Our main characters, which I think will grow over the next couple of books to include a sort of found family, is especially fascinating. We have a mage with a haunting future, Xander Wright. Our main hero, the artificer Jackson Pryde, who just might be something more. We have a witch Beatrice and a Guardian who I’ll let you read about. That’s part of the story.

There’s a small quest, a bigger mystery, some murders, and finally a larger adventure looming on the horizon.

If there wasn’t some on the page sex, very hot btw, I’d say this was the perfect YA series.

Noor has written terrific relatable characters, one’s dealing with issues of self worth, family responsibilities, the burden of duty, the pain of loss, and inadequacy. It’s tough being young sometimes. And Noor captures that.

Which is why I think that it’s a YA novel is everything but that it has sex scenes . It’s a terrific story either way.

I’m definitely on my way to the next in the series. And recommending this book now.

Arcane Hearts series:

✓ A Touch of Fever #1

◦ A Stroke of Brilliance #2

◦ An Iron Fist #3

◦ A Velvet Glove #4

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Touch of Fever (Arcane Hearts, #1) by Nazri Noor – Goodreads

Synopsis:

What do you do when you can’t cast spells? You make your own magic.

Jackson Pryde was never great at wielding magic. Instead, he works as an artificer, crafting enchanted devices in the Black Market, a shadowy bazaar of wonders. But Xander Wright, the mouthy, pretentious mage next door, hates all the hammering in Jackson’s workshop.

When a chance assignment forces them to team up, they discover a terrifying predicament. Something is driving members of the magical community into murderous rages. Jackson and Xander must combine might and magic to find the source of the Fever and stop it. Can they put aside their differences long enough to end the Fever, or will they succumb to its bloodthirsty curse?

A Touch of Fever is a 70,000-word M/M urban fantasy romance with a HFN ending. Join a fast-talking artificer and a snarky sorcerer, best friends turned bitter enemies, as they navigate an adventure filled with strange flora, mythical fauna, and magical murders. If you like your urban fantasy with humor, horror, and a whole lot of heart, you’ve come to the right place. Experience A Touch of Fever today.

Review: Bad at Love by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 5 🌈

I was so sry when I finished the absolutely marvelous Sinister in Savannah series by Aimee Nicole Walker. That stunner of a trio of storylines pulled together complicated, well defined characters, with equally complex romances, a murder mystery or three, a magnificent Drag Queen to center everyone as well as to bring greater emotional realness. The location of Savannah, Georgia adds a richness of culture and history unlike anything outside of New Orlean’s.

Yes, indeed. This author does dwell most emphatically so well down south in Savannah.

The only reason I didn’t completely lose it after the last story was the author’s promise to visit this universe again. With certain secondary characters everyone adored getting their story.

And here we go! First up with my favorite too!

Bad at Love is Kendall Blakemore’s story. He’s Jonah’s roommate, often seen tossing some gorgeous man out the door in the morning , often his stepbrother, Trevor, after a late late night at The Cockpit, a club he works at. Kendall is beautiful, sassy, and in so many ways you can’t even name, heartbreaking. And this was before he even got his own book. But he was definitely memorable.

Walker brings Kendall even more into focus here as he decides that it’s more than time for him to give the new loving couple, Jonah and Avery, their space and home, and move out on his own.

That’s when it becomes apparent just how scary such a move might be and how dark Kendall’s history has contributed to making this a fragile step. There’s a discussion of Kendall’s eating disorder. It’s well done but should be noted if that’s a trigger for anyone.

As we meet and are diving into the emotional maze that’s Kendall, the author gives us US Deputy Marshal Kurt Dandridge. We’ve tentatively met him before, when he was trying to deny his need for Asher’s chili. Here we see the consequences of that battle and the rest of the Marshals from that night.

It’s a great time for a new group of criminals, a regrouping of some terrific secondary characters, and a wonderful romance between two men who aren’t even looking for love.

Walker is amazing at writing people who feel so believable. Their vulnerabilities, their walls they raise to shield themselves, and even the lies they tell themselves. The author layers them all into the characters personalities and actions as they work their way through the barriers that separates them from each other.

Let us not forget the high action sequences, and humor! That’s all here too! It makes the story. I’m sure the different law enforcement agencies all have their favorites to tell.

But in the end, this is a love story and a outstanding one. I adore this couple, and i needed to see them happy. I absolutely got that. Sigh.

I’m highly recommending this and the connecting series listed below. Read them all.

Note. Not sure of that cover though. Looks a bit like a demented Siamese kittie…hmmmm.

https://www.goodreads.com › showBad at Love by Aimee Nicole Walker – Goodreads

https://www.amazon.com › Bad-Lov…Bad at Love – Kindle edition by Walker, Aimee Nicole. Literature … – Amazon.com

Synopsis:

Bad at making decisions or bad at love? Either way, Kendall Blakemore doesn’t trust his judgment. He falls too hard, too fast, and always for the wrong guy. Needing a major shakeup, Kendall moves into his own place for the first time and seizes a new career opportunity. But everything he thought he wanted turns out to be the last thing he needs. When loneliness threatens to derail Kendall’s good behavior, he decides to rent out his spare bedroom. What could go wrong? Try a tenant who’s temptation incarnate.

Bad at commitment or born to roam? Either way, US Deputy Marshal Kurt Dandridge feels trapped. Maybe staying in one place for too long is the source of his unhappiness, or maybe it’s because he’s engaged to the wrong person. Finding his fiancé in bed with another man takes care of one problem but creates another. Ridge needs a place to live. He’d leave Savannah altogether if not for his vow to apprehend an elusive fugitive. Renting a room from Kendall Blakemore seems like the perfect solution until Ridge finds himself falling for the alluring man. Would one kiss derail his course? And could he stop at just one?

Hurts so good. Chemistry burns between them—hot, consuming, and impossible to ignore. And why should they? Kendall and Ridge are consenting adults who know the score. Being bad has never felt so good, but it’s a slippery slope to navigate. One misstep could have disastrous consequences for both men.

Bad at Love is a standalone novel within the Sinister in Savannah universe where both characters first appeared. It is not necessary to read that series first. Bad at Love is a romantic suspense that’s heavier on the romance than the suspense.

Connected series:

Sinister in Savannah series:

✓ Ride the Lightning #1

✓ Mr. Perfect #2

✓ Pretty Poison #3

Review: Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem (Jon’s Mysteries #4) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 5🌈

Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem is the series finale and Sherwood really shakes things up in every way imaginable before seeing Jon and Donovan settling into domestic happiness.

As indicated by the title, it starts with bombs and explosions. Real ones and ones within their relationship. One major decision by Jon that threatens to derail everything they’ve built to date, and Jon’s completely, emotionally unprepared and equipped to handle the fallout.

In the final story, all the damage that Jon’s parents and stepfather, all the deeply felt pain his childhood has instilled over the years returns and in one instant,making him cut Donovan out of a life threatening decision. For them both.

Sherwood is able to bring us into the frightening turmoil of the situation, the fear and nausea inducing arguments that occur between the men. It’s so painful and intimate.

The fact that we’ve come to care so much about these men and their relationship makes this moment of angst, despair, anger, and desperation all the worse. That there’s a bomb and bomber waiting for them too while they haven’t resolved anything between them? Heartbreaking.

The tension, suspense, and life threatening situations here are so well written as are the emotional ones between Jon and Donovan.

There are explosions to diffuse everywhere and just when you think it’s over, another complication pops up.

This is such an excellent story and Sherwood wraps up the series and Jon’s emotional issues realistically and in an unexpected and gratifying way.

It’s not the last of Jon and Donovan as they appear in Brandon’s series.

But for now they’re happy and very very ever after!

Did I love this series? Why yes I did! I’m highly recommending it !

Read them in the order they are written.

Jon’s Mysteries series:

✓ Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case #1

✓ Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppon’ Mystery #2

✓ Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum #3

✓ Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem #4

Proposing vs defusing a bomb?

Defusing a bomb is much easier than proposing.

Defusing Donovan’s anger over getting on a plane to defuse said bomb? Harder than the bomb.

Jon is not liking these odds.

Is proposing supposed to be this difficult?

Tags:

Synopsis:

Jon and Donovan have a fight, as expected they’re very bad at it, things go BOOM, my kink is healthy processing and expressing of emotions, relationship lessons, life lessons, love is not based on worth, the dads are awesome, I put Jon on a plane, because I’m evil that way, personal space? What’s that?, cats, Jon has a new toy, no I’m not talking about Donovan, the bomb squad is ready to just keep Jon, roadtrip!, grandparents also rock, absolutely nothing goes according to plan

Now Available on Amazon

Review: Best Man (Close Proximity #1) by Lily Morton

Rating: 4 🌈

Fake boyfriend trope is a favorite of mine so when I saw a story written by a must read author, Lily Morton, with that as a factor, I was in.

It also was a age gap, no surprise, with humor, again, a usual hallmark of this author, and a curmudgeon of a fellow in need a of a bit of a change in perspective about himself and his path in life. So yes, I settled in for a Morton romance.

Best Man didn’t let me down. Indeed our first meeting with the irrepressible Jesse Reed walks into the offices of Zeb Evans’ employment agency for an unforgettable interview. It’s funny, full of the sparkling dialogue and warm chemistry that draws me over and over into Morton’s stories.

We then snap forward several years as Jesse ‘s become a mainstay employee at Zeb’s agency, if a bit of a occasionally over exuberant when carrying out his clients wishes. We fall right into a guffaw moment with Jesse and it’s instant love!

We see the type of relationship Zeb and Jesse have grown into, as well as the potential one that waits if Zeb could allow himself a lessening of the restraints that so tightly bind him.

A wedding and a promise to be the best man necessitate the need for a fake boyfriend for Zeb. Who better then Jesse?

Especially when it’s something both men want truthfully anyway.

Their romance starts remarkably full of exploration and joy but Morton shows that the past history that’s been ignored has a way of interfering until it’s dealt with.

I would have thought Zeb a tad more intelligent about his ex given his past experiences with him in this story so it made events here seem less believable.

But Jessie’s father was a wonderful element and the entire last section of the book warm, inviting, and wholly satisfying.

They made a great couple and I look forward to Charlie and Felix’s books. Especially Felix. I adore that man.

I’m recommending Best Man to all lovers of contemporary romance and Lily Morton. Have a wonderful read!

Close Proximity series:

Best Man #1

Charlie Sunshine #2

After Felix #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showBest Man (Close Proximity, #1) by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Zeb Evans doesn’t do messy.

The product of a disorganised and chaotic childhood, Zeb likes order and control, and as the boss of his own employment agency he can give that to himself. Life runs along strict lines and he never mixes business with pleasure. Everything in his life lives in neat, alphabetized boxes. Until Jesse.

Jesse Reed is Zeb’s complete opposite. He’s chaos personified. A whirling cyclone of disorder. He’s also charming and funny and a very unwanted distraction.

Which is why it comes as a complete surprise to Zeb to find himself asking Jesse to pose as his boyfriend for a few days in the country at a wedding.

Zeb doesn’t do impulsive, but as the time away progresses, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the merry and irreverent Jesse. But can he bring himself to break the hard-won lessons he’s learnt in life? And even if he can, how could Jesse be attracted to him anyway? He’s so much older than Jesse, not to mention being his boss.

From the bestselling author of the Mixed Messages and Finding Home series comes a warm and funny romance about one man’s fight for control and another man’s determination to circumvent it.

This is the first book in the Close Proximity series, but it can be read as a standalone.

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