Category: Contemporary fiction

Review: Got Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys #3) by Casey Cox

Rating: 4.75🌈

Vet Shop Boys is a series that I adore. Each vet and their search for their HEA is layered and emotionally satisfying. And I’ve said with each book, it’s my favorite.

Sigh.

Got Me Looking, the third in Casey Cox’s Vet Shop Boys series is my favorite.

Casey turned two characters I wasn’t entirely sure of into two of the characters I can’t get enough of. It’s as though they’ve been kept purposely a tad out of focus for the last two books, just waiting for the author to pull them both into her narrative spotlight and make them heartwarmingly brilliant.

Gus, the owner of Vet Shop Boys Vet Clinic and recently dumped groom, has been a very lovely but secondary personality so far. Here Gus is revealed in all his joyous layers! His love of daytime tv, his dancing, the pain and loss of his first love, everything is finally exposed. The man is a huge wonder but missing someone and incredibly lonely.

Tate is a smart influencer and cammer on 4Fans Only who’s now trying to find a publisher for Gus story. He’s also someone who “sparks” with Gus when they get together with their mutual friends. Tate’s childhood has been one of constant parental marital struggles, leading him to believe that monogamy isn’t the best lifestyle, especially for himself.

Gus is 20 years older and a monogamist. While as someone who’s pan, the age difference isn’t a factor, Tate identifies as poly.

This story of how their romance begins is so sweet, and sexy yet so grounded in the issues that keep people stuck if they don’t communicate. Gus and Tate talk, think, communicating through obstacles big and small, perceived and actual, to find their way to each other.

How wonderful. How adorable and adult.

While I don’t have favorite couples here, no, really, Gus and Tate come close. But really with Fulton wearing a “I shih tzu Not” t-shirt, how could I ignore him and his honey? It was fantastic having everyone involved here, including Tyler the newest Vet.

There’s another story in the works but nothing on title or release date. I’ll be waiting!

Until then, I’m highly recommending Got Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys #3) by Casey Cox. Not familiar with this series? Start at the beginning! I’ve listed them below. Each one is a gem!

Vet Shop Boys series so far:

Got Me Hoping #1

Got Me Wishing #2

Got Me Looking #3

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showGot Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys, #3) by Casey Cox – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A jilted groom and a guy who doesn’t believe in monogamy fall in love? Yeah. Right.

After getting cheated on at my own goddamn wedding, I’m through with men. I’m approaching fifty, and all I’ve ever wanted is to settle down, get married, and live happily ever after. But yeah, that hasn’t exactly worked out great for me.

The last person I expect to understand me is Tate. Sure, he’s cute, curious, and clever. A firecracker with no filter who somehow manages to stay friendly and genuine at the same time. But he isn’t exactly a settle-down kinda guy. Oh, and did I mention he’s also twenty years younger than me?

There’s no way something could ever happen between the two of us, so how is it possible that Tate has got me looking at love––and him––in a whole new light?

Review: Loving Layne (A Hockey Allies Bid #2) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.25🌈

Hockey, V.L. Locey, age gap
done well and hot? Plus an intelligent nerd with a thing for great hats, Mel TormĂ©, and a classic car? I’m all in!

Part of a 6 book-series, Hockey Allies Bid M/M Romance Collection from six different authors, Loving Layne is V.L. Locey’s addition to this terrific series.

A fan both of the game, the players, and LGBTQIA+ hockey romances, I loved a series about a group of Hockey Allies at a charity event and the romances that sprang from it.

Locey didn’t disappoint with two amazing characters here.

Roman Kennedy, a journalism major, who’s very background oozes ink for the presses, is on a mysterious road-trip with his college roommate and best friend to Chicago.

Ah , Roman. He’s the one with the beloved newshound grandfather in his past. The one who left him the stylishly older fashioned hats Roman wears, the music tracks and vinyl of music he listens to, and the classic car Roman inherited that he drives. Roman is that character you adore immensely.

The other main character is Layne Coleman, NHL hockey player, one year away from retirement. A ten year age gap but actually mentally and emotionally
 no separation. They click! Like two pieces that immediately get each other.

Locey writes them as two souls who as they talk , it’s not just physical chemistry, but a meeting of two like minds
 and hearts. So the reader is so on board with their romance and relationship.

Roman and Layne are great together. I love their section of this story.

There’s a drama that plays our quickly and a mystery that most will have figured out almost immediately.

The elements that I find , well if not likable, but then perhaps less dimensional, are Dillon, Mrs. Coleman, and Mrs North.

Maybe they have just less “page time” but whatever the reason they come across as less fleshed out then the main couple. Especially Dillon. He’s nothing but action and emotion. There doesn’t seem to be any real depth to him.

Which was fine, it was Layne and Roman I really cared about and they had a wonderful ending. I could even do with another story about them. I liked them that much!

Here’s another hockey romance winner from a author who’s great at both writing hockey and romance.

Grab it up and enjoy!

Here’s the entire series:

Hockey Allies Bid M/M Romance Collection:

◩ Guarding Garrett #1 by R.J. Scott

✓ Loving Layne #2 by V.L. Locey

◩ Keeping Kyle #3 by Jeff Adams

◩ Scoring Slater #4 by Susan Scott Shelley

◩ Absolving Ash #5 by Chantal Mer

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showLoving Layne by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

All Buy Links

Sometimes the last thing you expect to happen might turn out to be what you needed all along.

Roman Kennedy’s first trip to the Windy City isn’t going quite as planned. Mysteries intrigue him, and his best friend Dillon seems to be sitting on a whopper. So, with his grandfather’s favorite hat on his head and his notebook in hand, the journalism major starts digging. Sadly, getting his bestie to spill the beans on what the secret is isn’t as easy as Roman had hoped.

Now, through no fault of his own, he’s stuck in an expensive hotel attending a bachelor auction of all things. He’s surrounded by lumbering jocks who, he’s sure, are just waiting for the chance to poke fun at the skinny, gay Jewish guy. Imagine his surprise when one of the big lugs sits down with him and talks Bernstein and Woodward.

Layne Coleman is sexy as sin, smart as a whip, considerably older, and has the same passion for investigative journalism as Roman does. His deep blue eyes and dark hair make concentrating on anything but the soft kisses they’re now sharing difficult. Roman’s keen instincts are understandably clouded by romance, so when Dillon reveals his secret in a highly public way, it’s hard to say who is more stunned—Roman or Layne, the man at the center of it all.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot (The Hitman’s Guide #3) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5 🌈

I have loved this series from the beginning. It’s full of outrageous humor, over-the-top action, and, frankly, just plain hilarious dynamics between two widely different yet charming characters who oddly fit each other perfectly.

Now it’s coming down to their wedding so of course someone wants to murder one of them.

And while the expected zaniness is enthusiastically embraced, narratively speaking , what was less apparent was that this novel was going to be emotionally moving and explore just how damaged Leland’s past has truly left him.

That’s erupts out here in the most traumatic way imaginable.

This aspect of the story allows us to see other depths of characters personalities not yet portrayed as well as bringing another warmth and element of humanity to Leland.

Is this my favorite story. I think so. It’s added Sarge as well. Adore that dog. And that whole out of control element. Hilarious.

We get to delve into Jackson’s past and his character further then before which is another fantastic situation here. Jackson has never had his past history given more than a few mere mentions here and there. Now we get a solid look at Jackson, the complete and complex man who’s the match for Leland.

Outstanding.

The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot is a tremendous way to send these two off to get their wedding vows. If there’s not another story, while I’ll be sad, this is still a great way to go out!

I’m highly recommending this story and series. But read them in the order they were written in to understand the progression of relationships development and characters personalities.

Definitely one of my favorite series of this author’s. So well written, great plots, sharp dialogue, humorous, moving, and characters to , well, almost die for.

Love it and them.

The Hitman’s Guide series:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

Side Story:

😎The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showThe Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot by Alice Winters

Leland

Is a nice little wedding with Blow-up Randy and Jackson My Love too much to ask for? Clearly, because someone’s trying to kill one of us
 again. Generally, this would be my thing and I would jump right in singing my murder song, but they want Jackson dead and I will do anything (and I mean anything) to keep him alive—including and not limited to: ten Dobermans, bulletproof glass, and dragging Cassel in with the promise of more Jerebear. These people have no idea what they’ve done targeting the man I love because I’m coming after them. But when it feels like everything might be lost, I start to understand that I have a family now who will stand by my side and do everything they can to make sure we end this on our terms.

Jackson

When someone attacks me, it’s clear they want something from me. The issue is that I have no idea who they are or what they’re after. And if I don’t figure it out soon, I’m afraid Leland is going to smother me with his overprotectiveness (or put me in a bubble at the top of a tower). The issue is that time is ticking and with the price tag on my head, there’s no telling who is coming for me or when.

Together, Leland and I have to decipher who is telling the truth in this game of life or death because I have plans to marry the man of my dreams and no one is going to stop me—especially with Leland by my side.

This 100k word book contains humor, action, romance, bad behavior on a golf course, sort of abducting a child who lacks kung fu power, enough car chases and shooting to make even Leland happy, and spontaneous singing.

Review: Sugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.25🌈

I don’t know how I missed this the first time it was released but I’m all caught up now on a new favorite pair within the Arizona Raptors. That’s Tate Collins and Captain Vladislav Novikov. I do love me a Russian goalie ! If not Stan than definitely a Vlad!

Vlad with a potty mouthed parrot and a need to dominate? So hot. The scenes with Tate just about fog up the room. This is a couple who’s chemistry is wildly successful and off the charts because they are able to connect emotionally too.

Sugar and Ice is a story that I wish was actually longer in length because both characters have issues that could use deeper scrutiny as well as I just wanted more time with them.

For Vlad, he’s got a twin who plays professionally who’s as talented a hockey player as he is in Russia, along with the rest of his family. For a gay Russian , it’s safer politically, legally for his family in Russia for him to stay closeted. A sad and painful state of affairs.

For Tate, it’s a ex wife with mental health issues who’s determination to hurt him in the media that’s damaging him and his future.

Neither issue is examined to the extent it could be or as it was with Stan. With Tate , in fact, it was resolved extremely quickly. Both aspects of their pasts and story deserves a more detailed explanation.

However, this pair and their romance is so amazing that you take them to heart. I’d love a follow up novel after Vlad’s retirement. Or whenever. They are just that couple.

Colorado is a big character here and that’s because the next story is his. What a flamboyant, adorable man he is! Emu’s indeed!

Sugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey is a terrific story with an incredible couple at its center.

It’s one I’m definitely recommending!

Arizona Raptors series:

✓ Coast to Coast #1

✓ Across the Pond #2

✓ Shadow and Light #3

✓ Sugar and Ice #4

✓ School and Rock #5

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showSugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors, #4) by R.J. Scott | Goodreads

Synopsis:

When love is on the line, the worst decisions can end up having the best endings.

Tate Collins, an all-American hockey phenomenon, was the highly marketable face of Dallas hockey. Loaded down with endorsements and playing his best game, he was a superstar and a household name. No one ever expected him to fail, but overnight, after the worst decision of his life, everything spirals out of his control. Abruptly, his reputation is in tatters, and he’s traded to the Arizona Raptors in a shocking move. Brushing off the wild and unfounded accusations that he faces on social media, and stuck on the second line, he keeps his head down and works hard to earn his spot. Tate knows he can make a difference if only his teammates would let him. Something has to change for him to earn their respect, but falling for the captain might not be his best move.

Vladislav Novikov has been called many things over his long and illustrious career, but the new nickname of Iceberg seems to fit best. Perhaps it’s due to his icy blue eyes, or the way he rams into opposing players as he defends his goalie. Or maybe it’s because of his cool demeanor when not playing the game he loves. Whatever the reason, it’s why he’s the perfect team captain for this wild bunch of puck-pushers. His perfectly controlled life is smooth as ice until Tate Collins rides into Tucson with his apple pie ways and those damn dimples. The young superstar immediately catches his eye. Despite knowing better than to start something with a teammate, the big, bad Iceberg is about to have that chilly veneer around his heart melted away by Tate one sweet kiss at a time.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitman’s Guide (#2) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

The fantastic insanity that is the Hitman’s Guide continues with The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitman’s Guide (#2) by Alice Winters .

Leland’s found his true love, and Jackson, a PI, has made him promise to leave his former life of being an assassin behind. But Leland hasn’t figured out what to replace it with, other than the daily adoration of Jackson. And Leland’s gun collection.

Jackson has fallen in love with his scary, funny, reckless, and sexy former hitman. Keeping him safe and unidentified is everything. He thinks he is successful until a body is found with a note from the killer, using Leland’s old , now abandoned name.

Game on to find the copycat killer and save their new relationship.

Winters brings new heights of hilarity as well as pathos to both the character of Leland and his abusive relationship under Lucas . We suddenly understand why he uses humor to mask his inability to voice what kindness and love does to him.

It hurts.

And we hurt for him, but only momentarily. Then comes blowup Randy, or some other moment of utter mayhem, and we’re gone. Lost to guffaws, cries of laughter as Leland and Jackson, in sync, maneuver their way through Leland’s thorny personal past ( now present) dynamics to emerge stronger and happier.

Every character in the series, not just the main ones of Leland and Jackson, but those of Henry, Mason, Jeremy, Ava (Jackson’s mother), are getting stronger as each book continues. They have more layers, more complexity so we value them just as greatly as we do the main couple.

Honestly, there’s no secondary cast here. Including the animals.

The dialogue is sparkling, memorable, and hilarious. Each character is so well defined that , no matter how wildly unlikely or insanely nuts the situations Leland and Jackson (mostly Leland) creates, the reader goes, ok, I get it. It’s Leland.

Just like a character would in the story.

I’m so in love here.

Winters has done an outstanding job with this book and series. The characters resonate with their dissimilar backgrounds, but totally in love grand chemistry. All the people in the story, no matter how outrageous feel believable. Plus with the storylines there’s always the possibility that you could veer off to cry as well as die laughing. Take your pick.

Now guess who’s going to try to get married. This I gotta read.

The Hitman’s Guide is a must read series, one to be read in the order they are written for story and relationships development.

I’m highly recommending this and the series.

The Hitman’s Guide series:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

◩ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

Side Story:

😎The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showThe Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Jackson

Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Leland’s gun shrine—or stop him from making our cases “more exciting” by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right? Wrong. We’ve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victim’s body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.

Leland:

I wasn’t involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldn’t do that to Jackson—especially after I promised him that I wouldn’t take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. I’m finally starting to learn that we’re stronger together, and I’m not going to jeopardize that.Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Game’s on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but that’s beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasn’t my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)

This 110k word book contains: Disco ball piñata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named “Mr. Cleanyface,” a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jackson’s nemesis—the fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Leland’s chest might explode.

This is the second book in a series—while you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love (The Hitman’s Guide #1) by Alice Winters

by Alice Winters

Rating: 5 🌈

I’ve been on a fantasy binge lately and when I realized I couldn’t remember if a incubus character was one that needed a hug or shouldn’t be touched, it was time to return to contemporary fiction.

I pulled up Alice Winters because she’s a author I not only adore for her terrific well written tales but honestly, I know I’m in for a rollicking hilarious great “game on” of a read when I grab for one of her stories.

That’s exactly what I fell into with The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love. It’s one of three novels about a hitman and his hunny with a side story that’s equally amazing.

But The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love is the beginning. A laugh out loud, gut wrenchingly hilarious book about a hit man named Leland who’s career takes an unexpected turn when he spies a PI awkwardly scaling a fence to gain access into a house he’s monitoring.

I won’t go further. That’s definitely a scene to be savored in the book.

Much like their tangled relationship and Leland’s oversized personality.

Every time I start a Winters story it’s almost a given I’ll end up at after 3am 
 eyes still glued to the Kindle until it says
 the end
.

From the droll descriptions of the characters, current remarks dropped into snappy dialogue, and conversations that veer from pithy to deep emotions and back to full on hilarity with the speed of a Mach one racer, this story ( and all the rest) are flat out fantabulous!

Age gap, humorous action packed mayhem romance, complete with Randy the blowup Sex doll and adorable doggies.

I’d only complain if there wasn’t a follow up story but there is. Happy dance!

So this is an absolute must read if you love to guffaw with your contemporary romance, need spot on dialogue with characters so memorable that their staying power is all the way to 11 (movie reference).

Highly recommending the author and series! A must read!

The Hitman’s Guide series:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

◩ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

◩ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

Side Story:

😎The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showThe Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?

Leland
Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while he’s caught on a fence would be one of them. While it’s not exactly love at first sight, he’s captured my interest and won’t let go.

Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like he’s not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the city’s most ruthless criminals?

Jackson
Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I can’t help but admit that I’m drawn to him. He’s funny, charismatic, and attractive. There’s no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.

But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, I’m faced with a tough choice. It’s my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.

Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?

Contains: shenanigans on a swing that you would NOT find at a playground, a car chase that sadly doesn’t have flips or explosions, a horsey ride sans horse, cuddles, an exuberant mutt, a suspicious chief of police, and lots and lots of laughs

Review: Never Stay Gone (Big Bend Texas Rangers #1) by Tal Bauer

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I’ve been so busy with fantasy and contemporary romances that I’ve neglected one really great action suspense author. Tal Bauer.

Tal Bauer writes just amazing stories. Ones that might include such elements as government agencies and military spies, secret missions, and any number of inside sub terrorist organizations to deal with. Along with folding in a wonderful romance to boot.

Never Stay Gone is the author’s first story in his new Big Bend Texas Rangers series and it’s great. Jam-packed with so many of my favorite tropes, it’s a fast paced murder mystery and a second chance at a revived passionate relationship as two men race to find a killer. All throughout the unforgettable location of Big Bend Texas.

It’s starts with a terrifying find of a body dump by Deputy Shane Carson out in the desert wilds of Big Bend country Texas. It’s our initial introduction to the murder victims and one of the main characters.

Shane Carson is a small town’s native son who’s never lived up to its and his family’s huge expectations for him. He carries the years of his “failures” heavily. But Bauer’s created a more damaged man then evidenced on the outside.

Only by flashes of his past and glimpses into bits of his relationships with those outside of work does the reader realize Shane’s floundering there too.

It’s a realistic, painful portrait of a man deeply in trouble.

The reason why appears in the form of Texas Ranger Dakota Jennings, who’s been pulled by the Governor herself to handle the investigation into the multiple murders.

One reason? His history with the region and people. Second? One of the bodies worked for the Governor.

Dakota Jennings is as complex a man, albeit in a completely different way then Shane. Each man was damaged by their past with each other. Neither has ever moved forward.

How Shane and Dakota handle their reunion amidst murder, multiple investigations, heartbreak, forgiveness and redemption is a remarkable story.

It’s so compelling from just the personal elements alone as each man grapples with the past and the trauma it’s done to them. Add to that the police work as they track the killer and trace the identities of each victim. So gritty and tough.

This has first/only love, coming out, lovers reunited, second chance at love, hurt/comfort
all set in the dry open spaces of Big Bend country in Texas as a murderer tries to escape justice. It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, and an amazing suspenseful read!

I can’t wait to see where the series takes us!

If you’re not familiar with Tal Bauer, this is a wonderful place to start. I’m highly recommending this!

Big Bend Texas Rangers series:

Never Stay Gone #1

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showNever Stay Gone (Big Bend Texas Rangers #1) by Tal Bauer – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Six bodies in a single grave
 in the same West Texas country where Dakota left everything behind.

Every beat of my heart belongs to you.

Thirteen years ago, Dakota Jennings thought he’d found his forever when he fell in love with Shane Carson. But one afternoon shattered their love story, and both Dakota and Shane left Rustler, Texas, with broken hearts. Even now, Dakota is still feeling the agony of losing Shane. Sure, he’s a Texas Ranger, but that’s not how he wanted to live his life. All he ever wanted was to love Shane.

Loving you is the only time I feel alive.

Shane’s life was supposed to be different than this. There’d been a plan, ever since he was knee-high to his father. But falling for Dakota spun Shane’s world upside down, and for years, Shane has had nothing but the memories of all that he lost: Dakota’s gentle touch, and the sweetness of his lips, and the star-strewn nights they spent wrapped in each other’s arms.

West of the Pecos, there is no law.

When the Rangers get the call about six bodies being pulled out of a mass grave in West Texas, the governor sends Dakota to run the investigation. Dakota heads back to his hometown and comes face-to-face with the last man he ever expected to see again: only now, he’s Deputy Shane Carson
 Dakota’s local partner assigned to the case.

There’s nothing Dakota wants more than a second chance with Shane, but so much is stacked against them: six corpses, a murderer on the loose, and history that refuses to stay buried. And the bodies keep piling up as Dakota and Shane try to run the killer down across the West Texas plains.

In a moment, everything changes: the hunters become the hunted, the past fractures, and all Dakota thought he knew comes tumbling down. Secrets break wide open as Dakota remembers–

This is West Texas, and out here, nothing is as it seems.


Big Bend County is a place of beauty and desolation, of secrets and small towns. Where the past and the present collide, and where nothing stays hidden forever.

This MM romantic suspense is the first in the new Big Bend Texas Rangers series. Come along for the West Texas sunsets, the heart-pounding thrills, and the hard-won Happy Ever Afters.

Review: O Hell, All Ye Shoppers by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3.5đŸŒˆâ›„ïž

A slightly revamped edition of a short story Louisa Masters released in 2017, O Hell, All Ye Shoppers is a meet cute, sexy holiday romance.

Everything happens quickly, from the “meet cute” to the idea that they are ideal for each other to the ending.

A holiday Bonbon you partake of before settling in with a more fulfilling meal of a novel.

If a cute holiday contemporary Is on your menu, this might just be your choice.

See how Ethan Hall plans to fill Saturday
.

http://mmgoodbookreviews.com â€ș o…O Hell, All Ye Shoppers by Louisa Masters – MM Good Book Reviews

Ethan Hall plans to fill Saturday, December 23, with junk food and bad TV, a day just for him amid the holiday chaos
 until his baby sister calls and begs him to go collect a present for her. At the biggest shopping center in Australia. On the busiest shopping day of the year. Hell no. Right?
Ethan’s soft heart gets the best of him. He battles through the parking lot, and in the main shopping concourse, he’s trampled, elbowed, and bombarded with terrible holiday music. Then he enters hell itself, a specialty store aimed at women
 where he meets Ty. They bond in a sea of estrogen and manic shoppers, fighting together to attain freedom, only to find they’re not quite ready go their separate ways.

This novella was originally published in 2017. Some scenes have been revamped and an epilogue has been added.

Review: The Fix Is In (Torus Intercession #4) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3.5🌈

The Fix Is In is the fourth book in Mary Calmes’ Torus Investigations series and it’s probably my least favorite of the group to date.

Surprisingly because this one sort of breaks a number of patterns set out in all the previous novels and it includes a circle of friends and support characters that I really got into.

Shaw James, seventh son of a seventh Scottish son and Torus fixer, has been handed a new case from his boss’ idea of helping people who can’t normally afford their expensive services by doing pro bono work on a selective basis.

His new assignment involves rainy Oregon, and a paranormal investigator that someone seems to feel might be in danger.

The character of Shaw James is splendid . He’s not what I term a typical Calmes golden boy but I do love the character traits she gave him and the personality as well as family history that makes Shaw so interesting and attractive. He’s terrific and incredibly likable immediately.

The small town he arrives at feels realistically sodden and uncomfortable (I’d leave). And the towns citizens are what I’d expect of some of the Pacific Northwest small townships
quirky, interesting, a patchwork of humanity. Calmes really does a excellent job here in getting a feel for life as in this area and it’s people.

Even the investigations into the potential “ghostly scares” that the other main character, Benjamin Grace and tiny crew, are inquiring about, are done with equal amounts of respect, seriousness, and a smidge of humor.

So my issue? Sigh. It’s that for the majority of the story, I felt that Benjamin Grace is or was an absolute dunderhead. A twit of the biggest proportions! Honestly, there were so many times I just wanted to smack him myself. The man was as clueless as can be. A kindergartner would have glommed onto the facts around him, seen the lightbulb going off over his head, and not been a total nit about things! And not once did any of the supposedly sane people around him, at any time, ever speak up and announce “Benjamin Grace, you great doofus, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard or seen anyone ever do or utter outside of a Adam Sandler movie. “!!!!

He withholds important information from everyone all the time!

Outside of Monty Python, when did idiocy become so attractive?

Good thing everyone and everything is so good that I worked overtime to ignore Benny there. He’s not even one of the typical “golden boys” but a cousin. Many, many 

 many times removed.

Trust me, Benjamin is a character I feel just didn’t work. Why even write a character this dim?

Calmes does break a pattern here with her formula for the series which makes me think she’s setting up her next novel in the series and it’s couple.

Needed to get them out and away.

I look forward to that one.

I’ve enjoyed this series and if you’re a Mary Calmes fan, I know you have too. I’ve listed the series below in case you’ve missed any. Check them out.

Torus Intercession series:

No Quick Fix #1

In A Fix #2

Fix It Up #3

The Fix Is In #4

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showThe Fix Is In (Torus Intercession, #4) by Mary Calmes – Goodreads

How can a man who doesn’t believe in things that go bump in the night possibly protect a man who does?

It’s safe to say that Shaw James is a pragmatist who has no patience for anything but the facts. He is good at assessing threats and focusing on a clear objective when he goes out on a job for Torus Intercession. But he hasn’t had to be a detective before, it’s all brand new, so why his boss chose him to figure out who may, or may not, be trying to kill Benjamin Grace is beyond him. Protecting a paranormal investigator from whoever—or whatever—may be trying to kill him is completely out of Shaw’s wheelhouse, and how is he supposed to help find an attacker when the guy he’s sent to protect maintains that the threat is ghostly in origin? It’s insane, and Shaw does not do insane. Benjamin Grace is going to be a problem.

But Benji is nothing at all like Shaw imagined he’d be, and the fixer is spellbound from their first meeting. Benji is kind and can laugh at himself, doesn’t take things too seriously, and, more than anything, he wants to help everyone. The man is inarguably Shaw’s polar opposite, and he brings out every protective instinct in Shaw. Best of all, though, is that Benji seems every bit as enchanted by the man sent to protect him.

Together, Benji and Shaw must work to figure out what’s happening in the small town of Rune, Oregon, and it quickly proves more difficult than it should be to keep Benji alive. When it goes from difficult to seemingly impossible, Shaw packs Benji up and takes him back home to Chicago where the most frightening thing is Shaw’s own big, loud, loving, and overly-invested-in-his-love-life family who can’t seem to resist meddling in his affairs.

Or not. Turns out the scariest thing might just be Benji, the guy who seems perfect for Shaw.

Review: Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton

Rating: 5🌈

With Lily Morton I find I have to look at her stories as I would a rare treat. Something I need to remind myself not to binge on, but rather a gift I give to myself a little bit at a time. Mostly when I know I need to laugh during unexpected moments, or lie in bed giggling over scenes that rear vividly back to life, along with their characters to make me feel warm and happy.

Last night it was Endof romping hilariously out of control through a park, to Laurie’s endless amusement (and mine) and everyone else’s dismay.

Just one small scene and I’m instantly transported back into the world of Mags and Laurie and Beautifully Unexpected.

And it made me want to pick up their story and start their journey all over again.

Lily Morton’s books have a way of making me want to do that. It becomes a Sisyphusian task to get by a Morton library!

Key Morton elements include making any location not just a mere setting but a rich aspect of her stories. From well known historical sites that get a new perspective to out of the way pubs and galleries, the way the streets and structures look in a certain light during a season
There’s a love and affection that flows through all the descriptions to the places where the men walk, the stops they make from the bingo hall, to the parks. So that each stop becomes an integral rich part of them and their relationship and story.

In every book, I itch to get a ticket and retrace their steps.

But it’s Mags, Magnus Carlsen, the magnificent Dane himself. And Laurie Gentry who will sneak up on you and slowly send their way into your heart as they do each other’s. The men are deeply layered, believable human beings. You delight in them, even as you find them grumpy or outrageous. So it’s falls in line that as a reader you’re pulled immediately into their lives and growing relationship.

It’s funny, often hilarious, sneaky, so clever, sexy, loving, and heartwarming.

It’s very hard to describe such a strange path these two take towards a relationship and HEA. They are both later in life, neither has looked to have a relationship, each has an extremely rewarding career.

They are totally different. Yet absolutely perfect for each other.

Such a joy and fun , and poignant, because that’s life and this author doesn’t forget that part too.

And when the ending comes, it stays true to who these men are. I loved that too.

Once again, Lily Morton has given us an brilliant opportunity to peer into a unique romance and relationship between two unforgettable men. One that still has me smiling. Or laughing.

As her stories so often do.

It’s why this one is another I’m recommending. So lovely. And honestly, Endof is just as unforgettable as well!

Check it out to find out exactly who that is!

https://www.goodreads.com â€ș showBeautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.

Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesn’t believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, books—everything gets jettisoned, eventually. He’s divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms. He fills his nights with a parade of handsome young men who want to make him happy. Why date someone his own age to discuss back pain, retirement-planning, and corns, when he can date men who don’t care to discuss anything at all?

However, when one of these sunny young men shows an inclination for dramatic scenes, Magnus meets his new neighbour. And his whole world implodes.

Laurie Gentry is nearly the same age as Magnus, but that’s where the similarity ends. He’s messy and creative and nosy and mysterious. He’s everything that Magnus has spent a lifetime avoiding. So, why can’t he get Laurie out of his head?

Luckily, Laurie is only in London for the summer. Magnus can uncover Laurie’s mysteries and indulge their annoyingly hot attraction, and Laurie will be gone before complications arise. A few months isn’t long enough to lose his heart. Is it?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two footloose older men and how one summer in London brings something quite beautifully unexpected into their lives.