Category: Contemporary fiction

A Lila Release Day Review: Southernmost Murder by C.S. Poe

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Aubrey Grant lives in the tropical paradise of Old Town, Key West, has a cute cottage, a sweet moped, and a great job managing the historical property of a former sea captain. With his soon-to-be-boyfriend, hotshot FBI agent Jun Tanaka, visiting for a little R&R, not even Aubrey’s narcolepsy can put a damper on their vacation plans.

But a skeleton in a closet of the Smith Family Historical Home throws a wrench into the works. Despite Aubrey and Jun’s attempts to enjoy some time together, the skeleton’s identity drags them into a mystery with origins over a century in the past. They uncover a tale of long-lost treasure, the pirate king it belonged to, and a modern-day murderer who will stop at nothing to find the hidden riches. If a killer on the loose isn’t enough to keep Aubrey out of the mess, it seems even the restless spirit of Captain Smith is warning him away.

The unlikely partnership of a special agent and historian may be exactly what it takes to crack this mystery wide-open and finally put an old Key West tragedy to rest. But while Aubrey tracks down the X that marks the spot, one wrong move could be his last.

Southernmost Murder is a perfect mix of mystery, quirky characters, and romance. I was captivated by Aubrey since the very beginning. I remember him from the Snow and Winter series, just like Jun, and I’m glad the author took the time to give these two their own story. It’s not necessary to read the other two books though.

I loved how Aubrey’s narcolepsy was part of him and not a prompt to make him more interesting or create conflict. It’s an integral part of the story and it’s relevant to the plot and the relationship. We get to know all the characters through their actions and each of them had their personalities and backstories.

The book has a solid ‘whodunnit’ plot with many twists and turns. Yes, Aubrey makes several dumb decisions during the story but those don’t take from it. I enjoyed the way the author brings the reader into the setting and the different locations. Together with all the historical facts, items, and side characters.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the romance arc take a central part of the story. Jun’s and Aubrey’s chemistry was intense but their friendship really added to it. I wish we could have seen them together during their courtship, but we get little glances of it. Jun’s POV would have been nice too. The secondary romance is heartbreaking.

Overall, this is a great mystery and love story. I hope to see more about these two and some of the other characters. Perhaps the detective? Adam?

The cover by Reese Dante shows Aubrey and Jun together with some of the elements of the story.

Sale Links: DSP| Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 200 pages
Published: January 9, 2018, by DSP Publications
ISBN: 9781640800779
Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Tangled Up in You by Emily Carrington

Rating:  3.5 stars out of 5

Retired SearchLight agent Jason Campbell stumbles into intrigue in Kansas. Never attracted to women or men, he finds himself compelled by a fox demigod who gets to him through the magical medium of music. As Jason falls deeply in love with Reynard, he discovers an awful secret: Reynard is slave to a monster. As Jason struggles to free both Reynard and the fox-god’s son, he must do so without weapons, without backup, and without all the facts, which could lead to death’s retirement.

It was nice to read another story in the SerchLight universe however even though this doesn’t need to be read in order with any other story I felt as if there was a lot of little information missing.  Jason doesn’t know what to do with himself when is forced into retirement by SearchLight.  Reynard has been captive for so long he doesn’t know how to react to the confusing human who stumbles upon him.

I felt as if I was watching this story from a distance and didn’t really get to understand the characters.  I loved that Jason wanted to help Reynard but never felt as if these two really connected and they didn’t seem to get it either.  It also didn’t make sense to me how Reynard is a demigod but doesn’t always know when he is using his powers.  There was just so much talking in circles and around topics that while I liked the story it just seemed disjointed.

Cover art by Fiona Jayde is nice and follows the style of other SearchLight stories but the models seem way too young for two guys in their forties.

Sales Links: Loose Id | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 127 pages

Published: November 20, 2017 by Loose Id

ISBN: 978-1-68252-444-2

Edition Language: English

Series: SearchLight Universe

A MelanieM Review: Carol of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #1) by Astrid Amara

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Paralegal Seth Bellski is tired of being the secret lover of his boss, Lars Varga, founding partner of Finch & Varga Law. So when he asks Lars to spend Hanukkah with Seth’s family at their kosher B and B in Whistler, B.C., and Lars refuses, Seth realizes he will never get his self-conscious boss out of the closet.

So Seth prepares to spend his Hanukkah holiday alone in the B and B. Instead he finds himself running the place, as his aunt and uncle are missing, and seven demanding, peculiar, and danger-prone guests have arrived. To make matters worse, Lars shows up, begging forgiveness. Lars’s touches remind Seth of why he put up with his boss’s behavior in the first place. If only the words that came out of that beautiful mouth were as sweet as his kisses.

But how can Seth find time to fix his broken relationship when the guests are demanding kosher, gluten-free diets, losing their pet terriers, and hitting their heads on the ice? Seth and Lars find themselves put through the paces of being a married couple, all while still broken up. But then again, if they can survive this Hanukkah, maybe they’ll be singing a carol of the Bellskis.

Astrid Amara likes to release holiday stories and in 2009 started this Hanukkah trilogy.  It took her until 2017 to finish it but I’m so happy she did because it’s heartwarming, beautifully written,  full of suspense, mystery, romance, and love of all types.  And it all started here with Carol of the Bellskis.

When reading an Astrid Amara story, you can’t just pick out one strength because her stories are so amazingly well rounded and beautifully written.  That shows here.  Her characters are strong, believable, and so are their relationship dynamics, as faltering as they are in the beginning.  With Seth Bellski, you get his formidable Jewish family, their strength in their belief in their family and their religion, yes, more.  It never tips over into caricature as it could so easily, but these people come across with love and care, if at times a bit of fond exasperation with knowledge of their foibles.  Then there is Lars and his side of the family. Reserved, cold…well, I will let the story speak to the Vargas. They remain, however, authentic and real.  That becomes something of a element of slow growth (very slow) over the course of the series, ending only with Wedding Bellskis this  December.  But I’m getting way ahead of this couple now at their breaking point.

The author sets out so many tough goals here and meets them all.  There’s a romance and some very difficult relationship decisions that  have to be worked through here by Lars (especially Lars) and Seth,.  There’s an inn that can’t run itself where everyone seems to keep disappearing, so mysteries to solve,  Hanukkah to celebrate, and much, much more.  And it all meshes so well, like one of life’s tapestries.  You will leave wishing you knew these people and wanting to be a part of their lives.

This story is full of so much emotion, action, color, and wit.  It’s lively, poignant, sad, angry, lusty, romantic, funny, and a great read.  I relished my time with Seth, Lars, and all the many Bellskis, and couldn’t wait until the next Hanukkah rolled around because that’s when Astrid Amara promised to roll out the next installment.  Ah well,  it was worth the wait even if it took until 2011.

Carol of the Bellskis rang in this series, this couple!  It’s not to be missed.  The Trilogy is on the top of my recommendations, not just for the holidays, but anytime of the year.  But grab up all three now and read right through!  What a treat is in store for you, starting with this remarkable story.

Cover art by April Martinez is strong, on target, and not only brands the series by the use of the menorah on all 3 titles but that’s also my idea of both characters.  Perfection.

Sales Links:  Loose id | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 1st Edition, 100 pages
Published December 14th 2009 by Loose Id
Original TitleCarol of the Bellskis
ISBN139781607375272
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesHolidays with the Bellskis

A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Smitty’s Sheriff by Cardeno C and Ezekiel Robison (Narrator)

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

Smitty’s Sheriff was a story I both a slow time getting into and warming up to.  The rambling introduction to Richard, and , honestly imo, his quick to judgement attitude towards Todd and others, made him a character that was hard to connect with. It wasn’t that Cardeno C hadn’t made him a believable human being, no, he was that all right.  It was that I just didn’t like him very much.

That took a while to come and it was lukewarm at best.  How does someone look at another person after three years and not think they’ve had a chance to change and grow?  No, this character seems happier with his personal judgements right up until the end. Poor Todd carries the burden of this relationship, which is odd because the story seems to be that Todd needs structure and is too “scattered” without someone to look after him.  Which is strange because other than the total breakdown in communication here, Todd was doing great on trying to make it work.  Go figure.

Loved Todd.  Todd had my heart.  His misjudgement, imo, was picking the Sheriff.  Oh well.  The heart wants what the author says the heart wants.  And clearly Todd wants Richard.  It takes a while, more major miscommunication ensues til I wanted to throttle them both and then the air clears and they get their HEA or HFN, depending upon how you look at it.

The narration of Ezekiel Robison also took a while to warm up.  It started out a little bland and atonal.  You had to work at differentiating what characters were talking at the time.  However, about a third, maybe less, into the story, that changed, and the narration took a decided turn for the better.  Robison eased into each character, assuming their personality, and gave them voice with a strength I wish he had assumed at the beginning of the story.  By the end I  forgot it was one narrator, listening to the multiple personalities that came across as the story flowed.  I’ll certainly look for more stories narrated by him.

Overall, I enjoyed the listening experience, mostly due to the narrator and the character of Todd.  I liked seeing him get his HEA.  If you love May-December romances, Cardeno C, and contemporary loves, check out this audiobook, It’s short and sweet.

Cover art is  adorable and works for the characters and storyline.

Sales Links: Amazon | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Listening Length: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook

Audiobook, Unabridged, 4 pages
Published August 1st 2017 by The Romance Authors, LLC (first published July 17th 2017)
ASINB074CMKHWK
SeriesHope #3 settingArizona (United States)

An Alisa Prerelease Review: Forever With You By Londra Laine

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Kelly Brooks Montes is only nineteen years old and just starting college in New York City when tragedy strikes, and he becomes a single dad to his toddler brother. Four years later, Kelly and his baby brother, Jaylen, are doing well, though Kelly leads a double life to make ends meet. He’s a high-level administrative assistant by day and a racy go-go boy by night. Between raising his brother, dancing, and trying not to run afoul of his new boss, Kelly doesn’t have time for a boyfriend. Even if he did want a man in his life, a past trauma makes him question whether he can ever trust a man with his body or his heart. But then Kelly receives an unexpected but steamy birthday kiss from his boss, a man he was sure hated him, and he begins to wish for things he knows he shouldn’t.

Andrew Whitman knew from the moment he held Kelly’s hand that the man was special, and it both annoyed and terrified him. Kelly makes him feel a little out of control and Drew is a highly controlled man. He has to be to keep his sexuality a secret from his father, a conservative politician. And he is OK with that. He has a perfectly good, mutually beneficial, life plan with his best friend, Lex. A long time ago, he’d made his peace with the fact that he’d never find a man worth turning his life upside down for. Then he ends up with his capable and gorgeous assistant under him on top of his desk, and his life plans change. Drew can’t seem to get out of his own way when it comes to the quiet, sexy, and surprising single dad, but he can’t stop himself from falling for Kelly and his sweet baby brother. And just when it seems that Kelly has worked through his past hurts enough to let Drew into his body and his heart, manipulative family and words unspoken threaten to tear them apart. But after getting a taste of a life he never thought he could have, Drew won’t let anything tear his fledgling family apart.

I enjoyed this story.  Andrew is attracted to his assistant immediately and doesn’t react well to it, causing Kelly to think that he is hated by his boss.  Kelly is attracted to his boss but know even if something were to come of it he can’t let anyone get too close and risk damaging his routine.

Once Andrew got his head out of his ass and figured out how to act like a real human being they both seemed to get along great.  We could see Andrew’s frustration with his own actions and how much he wanted to change them but couldn’t seem to until he sees Kelly outside of work.  I could see Kelly’s reluctance to let anyone into his life, not just for his own sake but also his brother’s.  I liked how both characters’ had support from friends but not how the MCs followed through with everything.  Both of them could run hot and cold at times, which is always frustrating but the book didn’t seem nearly as long to me while reading it as the page count indicates; which always tells me it’s a well written story since I don’t read many long books.

The cover art by Resplendent Media is great romance cover of the MCs cuddling.

Buy Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 324 pages

Expected Publishing: January 9, 2018

Edition Language: English

Tour for the Release of Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox (excerpt )

Cover Design: Angsty G

Photographer: Wander Aguiar

Model: Andrew Biernat

Buy Links:
Amazon | Goodreads

 

BLURB

Felix

Things I expect to find at Gadleigh Castle:

– Rare stained glass, the subject of my dissertation.

– Peace and quiet, to finish said dissertation.

– An escape from the paparazzi swarming around my starlet mother’s latest blockbuster release.

Things I don’t expect to find:

– A hidden door leading to a secret room.

– The most gorgeous man I’ve ever set eyes on.

– Love.

Lio

Things I know are expected of me in life:

– One day soon I will become the King of Liorland.

– I will marry a nice woman who will become queen.

– I will provide heirs to my family’s monarchy.

Reasons that might be difficult

– I’m gay.

– I’m falling in love with Felix Wilde.

– He has no idea I’m royal.

While it can definitely be read on its own, Felix and the Prince is the second novel in the new Forever Wilde series about the huge Wilde family from Hobie, Texas, whose patriarchs aren’t above a little meddling if that’s what it takes to help their grandkids find true love. Beware: nekkid man parts touch. Let’s just say, Felix gets royally screwed in the very best way.

     

EXCERPT

After gathering up my courage, I peered back at the stained glass in the lion’s crown. All of the glass pieces were level with the floor once more.

Woah.

I crawled forward to touch the glass again, pressing down as gently as I could until I felt the button give.

Sure enough, the panel in the wall slid open a few inches.

A hidden room in Gadleigh Castle. Hot fucking damn.

I stood and approached the narrow opening, careful to ease it farther open as gently and quietly as I could. I wondered idly if I was doing something illegal or off-limits. Mari had told me I had the run of the house excluding the royal wing of bedrooms, but did that include hidden passages and rooms?

God, I hoped so.

I glanced through the opening and saw colored bands of light fading in and out across a simple set of bookshelves. Before I knew it, I’d taken a few steps into the room to investigate what was making the light reflect in those familiar colors. I’d only walked partway into the little hidden study when I noticed them.

Hundreds of colorful glass balls hung from the low ceiling. They twisted slowly in the glow from the setting sun coming in through the clear, leaded-glass windows. What hidden room had windows to the outside, and how was it possible I’d never seen these particular ones from the gardens surrounding the house? They were uniquely round and set in elaborate wooden frames with decorative carvings.

The room was magnificent. A hideaway rich with moving glass in every imaginable color. I sucked in a breath and stared in awe at the pieces I’d never in a million years expected to find.

It wasn’t until I noticed some of the light in the room was coming from a crackling fire in a stone fireplace that I realized I wasn’t alone.

About the Author

Lucy Lennox is the creator of the bestselling Made Marian series as well as the maker of three sarcastic kids. Born and raised in the southeast, she is finally putting good use to that English Lit degree.
Lucy enjoys naps, pizza, and procrastinating. She is married to someone who is better at math than romance but who makes her laugh every single day and is the best dancer in the history of ever.

She stays up way too late each night reading M/M romance because that shit is hot.

For more information and to stay updated about future releases, please sign up for Lucy’s author newsletter on her website www.LucyLennox.com.

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