Category: Contemporary fiction

Review: Dallas: MM Mafia Romance (Light & Shadow Book 2) by N. N. Britt

Rating: 3.75🌈

Is it so incredibly contradictory to say i enjoyed this despite myself? There were so many aspects to this storyline that vexed me because they and the characters actions felt illogical or clueless.  And that doesn’t address the plot holes left dangling at the end of the story never to have resolution if this is a duology. 

But I did end up getting snared in the messy, enemies to lovers relationship between the mob boss son trying to hold his territory and the undercover agent sent in to neutralize him and his criminal element. Britt’s intention isn’t to write a realistic law enforcement thriller that mirrors current real life scenarios or even alphabet agency procedures, but in her words “to tell a love story “.  Which she does.

This second book contains the most detailed aspects about the characters, the horrific abuses in Isaac’s background and family history, including vague references to his prison life. 

It’s also where we see a more rounded version of Agent Dallas Bradley, aka Hawk, now a man so conflicted about his duty and where his loyalty is based that he’s hesitant about his own personal feelings and future.  This is where a two person POV really excels in getting a reader into the mindset of the main characters, especially in situations where they are so diametrically opposed.

The relationship between Dallas/Hawk and Isaac has a vivid raw realistic connection.  Britt has done a great job in making this a passionate, love hate romance that’s so overwhelming that some of the plot’s underwhelming elements get overlooked. 

This includes the resolutions to the storylines left dangling at the end of the book.  These plot holes relate only to this couple and these two books, at least from what I understand, ties up their relationship and storylines.  Not totally satisfying but they do get a HFN. 

The third book has a completely different story and couple. And, I expect, follows the same unconventional narrative concerning law enforcement code and policing. 

I enjoyed this duo, found it entertaining and the pair dramatic and interesting.  Is it in the top of my mafia romance list? No. But if this is a trope that you enjoy, pick it up and see what you think.  Read them in the order they are written.

Great cover.

Cover Design by Sarah Kil

Light & Shadow series:

Isaac #1

Dallas #2

Forbidden #3 – different set of characters 

Buy link

        Dallas: MM Mafia Romance (Light & Shadow Book 2)

    

Blurb

Prepare for Betrayal and Redemption in Sin City.

As the leader of the Hellhounds and a valued member of the notorious Thoreau crime syndicate, Isaac has it all: power, money, fear. Falling for someone has never been on his radar. But for the first time in his life, Isaac thinks he’s found someone he can truly trust—the mysterious security guard who shattered through his icy defenses and became the one person Isaac could be himself with.

Until everything goes up in flames.

Dallas Bradley has been treading an unstable line of deceit between righteousness and criminality. Isaac Thoreau’s world is slowly turning him into Hawk, the man who doesn’t exist, the man who’s ready to do bad things to survive and remain close to Isaac. But when a dangerous deal goes south, in order to save Isaac’s life, Dallas is forced to reveal the devastating truth—he’s a Special Agent sent to infiltrate the Hellhounds and bring down Isaac.

Heartbroken and enraged, Isaac can’t stand the man who betrayed him so deeply. However, when it’s clear Isaac’s fate is prison, Dallas strikes a bargain with his boss: help save Isaac from life behind bars and keep Dallas undercover to clean up the mess.

Isaac hates Dallas more than ever, but to escape the crosshairs they must work together once more. As tempers and stakes flare in the streets of Sin City, Dallas will risk everything to redeem himself in Isaac’s eyes. But can their undeniable connection survive when trust has turned to ash?

***

Dallas is the second installment of Light & Shadow Duet. It should be read after Isaac. This is a dark MM mafia romance that explores various sensitive subjects like violence, abuse, PTSD, etc. Length: 65,000 words. Alternating POV.

Review:  Ice Around the Edges by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3🌈

Ice Around the Edges by Mary Calmes is a perfect example of how a story written years ago (December 2010) and re-released just doesn’t hold up in present times.  At least not without making some major changes and narrative length. 

I’m a fan of Calmes and her characters but this storyline is full of elements that demonstrate how certain aspects of a relationship has changed over time.  Things now that raise flags and are considered warning signs for a person weren’t really well known fourteen years ago. Or elements that would have factored into contemporary romances.

The basic story is that this couple broke up because one of them, the one who had the most money and wealthiest family heard his father and grandfather arguing over his “friend” saying he wasn’t good enough.  So without further information or arguments on their behalf, the rich son , Dixon Bain, immediately broke up with the other man Evan Kano, and never saw him again. Years pass. 

Evan goes on to live a full and eventful life. Gets shot, ends up hospitalized. He’s handling it well and responsibly. But out of nowhere comes Dixon, steamrolling Evan with plans for Evan to immediately leave Chicago, his apartment, go to NYC, etc. After no contact with Dixon in years. What follows is a prime example of what’s now termed “love bombing “.

Doesn’t leave when asked. Hides in a room. Brings his mother with him to make excuses while the person is fragile in a hospital bed.  Honestly, more flags. 

There’s some honesty here but very little. The story itself is only 62 pages.

Had Calmes rewritten it, extended the narrative to include time for these men to explore who they had become  after all this time? Give the men and readers a chance to see and relate with the story and men as they reconnect as adults with new experiences and maturity.  That would have given this the missing depth and relevance that it’s lacking. 

Instead the story we or they got here is the one from 2010.  There was a lot of potential to update this but it didn’t happen. 

Read it because it’s by Calmes and you just read everything of hers. 

Buy Link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › …Ice Around the Edges – Kindle edition by Calmes, Mary. Romance …

Blurb 

Evan Kano’s life is on an even keel until the night he’s shot at the homeless shelter where he works. The resulting turmoil is not caused by a bullet but by a blast from the past: Evan’s first lover has returned to visit him in the hospital and deliver some big news.

Ten years ago, Dixon Bain walked out of Evan’s life because he thought his family didn’t approve of him having a male lover. But Dixon has discovered that what he thought he knew could not be further from the truth, and now he’s returned to claim the only man he’s ever loved… if he can melt the ice around the edges of Evan’s still-wounded heart.

2nd edition, previously published December 2010.

  • Publication date: October 25, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 62 pages

Review:  Newly Tied (Marshals Book 7) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.5🌈

I have loved this series for a long time and was so happy to see another story and couple added to this expanding law enforcement community and universe. According to the author, this is just the beginning of the journey for Del and Lang in terms of books which is appropriate because the beginning of their partnership and romantic relationship is exactly what Calmes delivers here.

We enter as relocated Texan, Delroy “Del” McCabe, begins a new chapter of his life. Del’s in Chicago as one of a group of law enforcement officers on probation as they hoping for the permanent assignment as US federal Marshals. They’re on probation and training under the office of Sam Kage, the deputy chief of the Northern District of Illinois, basically head of all the Marshals in the area. 

Another member of that group is a local Chicago officer, Langston “Lang” Ross, a man whose family and roots run deep and whose connection with Del is instantly apparent and solid.

Calmes delivers an emotional journey of friendship, and emotional connection as Del and Lang go from action packed case to case, exploring their own experiences as relationships as regards to their careers and each other. 

Of course, other Marshals and their partners and families are also involved in this journey and story, a wonderful aspect of the series and Calmes’ writing that sees crossover characters. 

Other elements of the story include Lang’s discovery of his bisexuality or pansexuality because of his love for Del. Del’s recognition and acceptance of the need for therapy for the parental abuse he suffered during his childhood, and Lang’s support for his own PTSD issues. It’s sensitively written and folded realistically into their characters and storylines. 

I love Calmes’ novels and her characters tend to be heroes. Right now I needed to read this.  And I definitely want to read more about this couple and their relationship going forward.

Highly recommended.

Marshals series to date:

🔹All Kinds Of Tied Down #1

🔹Fit To Be Tied #2

🔹Tied Up In Knots #3

🔹Twisted and Tied #4 – Miro Jones and Ian Doyle (1 through 4)

🔹Balanced and Tied #5 – Eli Kohn and Celso Harrington, ballet dancer 

🔹Tied Over #6 – Josiah Redeker and Bodhi Callahan 

🔹Newly Tied #7 – Delroy “Del” McCabe and Langston “Lang” Ross

Covers by Reese Dante

Buy link

        Newly Tied (Marshals Book 7)

    

Blurb 

For the last six months, Deputy US Marshal Delroy McCabe has been secretly pining for his partner, Langston Ross. He’s kept his desires to himself because he wants to do a good job and prove himself at work. More importantly, if Lang were to find out his true feelings, maybe the person he cares for the most might walk away.

Between the understanding and support Lang gives him, as well as time with his family, Del can’t afford to slip up. But then, why does his partner and best friend care who Del sleeps with? Why, if given a choice, would Lang prefer to do anything with him? Maybe Del’s been missing something important, and perhaps Lang’s not the only one who’s not seeing what’s right in front of him. 

Because sometimes the strongest ties are the ones that bind our hearts.

  • Publication date: November 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 246 pages

Review:  Winnie Takes Paris (Love and Travels #2) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 5🌈

I just love this and fell deeply under the spell of Winnie Rodriquez as he conquered not only Paris but his wonderful, brilliant professor, Dr. Alistair Creighton.

One of the many things I appreciate about this novel is the absolute joy I can see the author took in writing this. It’s everywhere, in every aspect of the book. The places that Winnie and Alistair travel to and visit while in Paris are all museums, shops, and special spaces that Hayes herself has been and the affection and love shines in her descriptions.  Her views of Paris and the surrounding areas mirror Winnie’s in so many ways in the wonderful outlook and appreciation.  

I can also see the creativity and passion for this story in the outright hilarity of the conversations, dialogue’s between Winnie and Alistair as they learn about each other, that joyful and deeply rooted in how special each is. 

These characters are beautifully real, aware, vividly written, gorgeous characters. I couldn’t look away from the pages and their journey into a relationship and love. And Paris was a stunning background for them to discover that they were perfect for each other and fit together. 

I could see both Winnie and Alistair so clearly, their personalities and clothes were as finely detailed as everything else. 

My one quibble is I wanted more. One book isn’t nearly enough for this couple who’s spread across multiple countries. I would love to see them together again in books to come. 

Highly recommended, along with Raine’s story. 

Love and Travels :

Falling for Raine #1

Winnie Takes Paris #2

Buy link

Winnie Takes Paris

Blurb

The fabulous stylist, the absentminded professor, and a Parisian adventure…

Winnie

Someone once said, when life gets you down and you’re feeling blue, brush yourself off and go to Paris!

Okay, maybe that was me. 

Hey, I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and style guru in LA. The only worrisome snag is that the professor is determined to do everything on his own. 

Not acceptable. I’m here to help the impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss.

No, I don’t know nothing about history, but I’m nothing if not resourceful. What could go wrong?

Alistair

I’ve been called an absent-minded professor more than once. I don’t mind at all. My work is important and living on a diet of biscuits and tea while delving into ancient civilizations doesn’t seem so terrible. But Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.  

Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—

Oh no. This can’t be happening. I swore I’d never fall for anyone again. 

Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart. 

Or can he?

Lane Hayes

November 7, 2024

220

pages

Review: Isaac: MM Mafia Romance (Light & Shadow Book 1) by N. N. Britt

Rating: 3.75🌈

Im a fan of the dark mafia romance trope, including a sub group where one of the main characters is an undercover agent and the other is the mafia boss or something similar.  So when I ran across an author I hadn’t read before and this series with a great cover, I had to check it out. 

I normally have an issue with stories where the law enforcement officers or their agencies don’t come across as being particularly realistic. Especially when the agent is undercover and there’s intelligence and support staff involved. Having a writer take this element and treat it carelessly usually takes me out of the narrative.

But N. N. Britt chooses to go a different route from the beginning and state upfront that her goal isn’t a “gritty authenticity” but instead a love story about “passion, betrayal, and redemption.” She’s not incorporating real basic law enforcement protocols here, let that be understood. The author is letting the reader know that upfront. So don’t go looking for any.  She also places her trigger warnings in the description, which I like. 

So a reader is well informed before they read the book. No looking for something that the author never said you should expect to find. And don’t. 

What I did find was a good story. Dramatic, half a tale actually, about a two men starting towards a relationship in a highly dangerous situation and unstable world.  

Britt sets it up as the undercover agent gets his assignment with a minimum of intelligence and time frame to get in and get the job done. 

Special Agent Dallas Bradley has his doubts but accepts the job and his target. And becomes Hawk.

His target is the recently released from prison, Isaac Thoreau, the son of a notorious crime boss. His crime? That involves the fact his father is no longer the crime boss but he is. 

Isaac had a brutal, abusive relationship with his father that’s revealed in past memories throughout the story. A new mafia boss in an unsettled state, Isaac is someone whose layers are constantly being peeled off.  The two person perspective narrative helps create the complex connection/relationship that’s building between them. 

The hellhounds, the bodyguards surrounding Isaac, are memorable in their own right, especially Jeremy.  He helps cut into some of the more overly descriptive passages and wordy thought processes of Hawk/Dallas with his concise statements and ill-concealed dislike for the agent in disguise. 

To read the book you have to “go with the flow “ narratively speaking and not look at the mafia, law enforcement, or legal systems for any realistic scenarios.  Like Britt said, it’s not there. There’s plenty of emotional moments, action sequences, and doubts of self awareness to make the storylines work.

Britt does get overly descriptive and sometimes makes the passages a bit repetitive in the wordings chosen but she’s telling a passionate love story, one that will have its end in the second book, Dallas. 

I enjoyed this, it’s entertaining but not so dark that it feels realistic or that dramatic as much happens “off the page “.  I’m definitely heading to the next book to see how the characters and plot plays out.

Great cover.

Cover Design by Sarah Kil

Light & Shadow series:

Isaac #1

Dallas #2

Forbidden #3 – different set of characters 

Buy link

        Isaac: MM Mafia Romance (Light & Shadow Book 1)

    

Blurb 

In the heart of Sin City, two men on opposite sides of the law collide in a dangerous game of power, passion, and betrayal.

Isaac Thoreau, the son of a notorious crime boss, has spent nine years behind bars for his father’s murder. Driven, cunning, and unfeeling, he’s now back to claim what’s rightfully his. But when an enigmatic security guard named Hawk is hired to work at his nightclub, Isaac finds himself distracted… and inexplicably drawn to Hawk, despite his best efforts to resist.

Special Agent Dallas Bradley’s mission is clear: infiltrate the Hellhounds and bring their leader, Isaac Thoreau, to justice. Posing as Hawk, Dallas is determined to uncover the secrets of the Thoreau criminal empire. But as he delves deeper into Isaac’s world, the lines between right and wrong blur, and soon an undeniable attraction grows between the two men, forcing Dallas to question everything.

Walking away before he’s compromised would be the smart choice, but Dallas can’t resist Isaac’s magnetic pull, even if it means risking his life.

As love and duty clash, only one question remains: will Isaac and Dallas survive the fallout?

***

Isaac is the first installment of the Light & Shadow Duet. It can not be read as standalone. This is a dark MM mafia romance that explores various sensitive subjects like violence, abuse, PTSD, etc.

Review:  Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating:4.75🌈

I came into this book absolutely not having read any of the many connected series and books in this complicated black ops universe but I still found myself throughly invested in the gripping story and the complex characters.

Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone is part of a black op universe of multiple stories, series and characters that cross over into each others lives and missions as they often work together and for the umbrella agency. 

While not having a deep understanding about how the foundation of the universe works or all the various aspects of the characters dynamics, Stone lays down the basic concepts and gives the reader a clear explanation of how they interact and work in the field so it’s believable and meaningful.

Whether as a lone operative or as part of a team, these men come across as exactly what Stone is trying to accomplish. 

Throwing the reader right into a tense undercover black ops mission seen first hand from both perspectives of Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore, in Afghanistan because of a caravan on its way to a fragile peace mission. Inside one of the trucks is CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, escorting tribal leaders to a peace meeting he helped broker. 

The tension starts building immediately, then everything goes explosive. The scenes are realistic without being raw , gritty and suspenseful.  From then on out these men are on the move, danger is literally everywhere, and nothing is safe. 

There’s a mystery, escape, battles, and a red hot romance between Travis and Elijah that develops as they travel through Afghanistan , back to the US, and as the plot gets more complicated, beyond the US boundaries.

Stone brings in characters and teams from all parts of the agency which helps solidify the relationship and world that’s being created around Travis and Elijah.

If I had a quibble, it would have been to have drawn out the dramatic scenes at the end so it felt as though the villain(s) were fully aware of the situation as well as taken down.

I definitely can’t wait for the next book in this series to be released. 

I’m definitely recommending this and will be running back to catch up on it other series.

Cover Design: Golden Czermak

Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

🔹Don’t Come For My Operator #1

🔹Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2 – Feb 28,2025

See all connected series below.

Buy link

        Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1)

    

Blurb

If you come for him, you deal with me!

Former Navy SEAL, and current Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative for the elite agency, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore has spent most of his adult life running ops and working solo missions in some of the worst places on earth. Working alone adds the edge of danger he craves to keep his life interesting. He has one last mission to complete, overwatch for a peace talks convoy at a border crossing on the notorious AfPak border, then its crunch time. He must decide if he takes the offer to rotate into a desk role, or if he hangs up his weapons and walks away from the world of Special Operations which defines who he is. This mission on a border which has cost him so much over his career, may take that decision out of his hands, by sneaking temptation right into his world.

Former SEAL and CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, has one final task to complete before he’s up for promotion. Escorting tribal leaders from Afghanistan to peace talks in Pakistan sounds doable. But peace talks have the potential to stop wars and stopping wars costs arms dealers’ money. When Travis’s mission goes to hell in a handbasket because someone is determined his convoy will not make it through the Hindu Kush, rescue comes from an Overwatch Operative who calls to the one thing Travis has always guarded—his heart.

Blindsided by an attraction neither can resist; Elijah and Travis need to make it to safety, and they need to do it without compromising, their jobs, their teams, and most of all their hearts.

Can these Tier One Operators find it within themselves to say, ‘when the battle stops, let me love you.’

  • Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (October 16, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 16, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 372 pages

Full list of Crossover Series of Connected characters/couples and Agencies in the same universe in order:

🔹DELTA FORCE: TEAM PANTHER Jonah’s Compass 

Tied Up In Steele 

Malik’s Redemption 

Micah’s Promise 

Christmas-Panther Style 

Grif’s Salvation 

Jason’s Justice 

🔹TAGS OF HONOR: RED SQUADRON 

Zenko 

Noble 

Don’t Let Go 

Drax 

Roman  

Saxon 

Rees

🔹DELTA FORCE TEAM LYNX Salvation’s Sinner 

Redemption’s Rebel 

Temptation’s Tango 

🔹THE GHOST PROTECTORS 

To Love A Ghost 

To Claim A Ghost 

To Tame A Ghost 

🔹Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

🔹SHORT STORIES 

They Won’t Ask If We Don’t Tell (Delta Force Team Panther)

Review:  Just Bromantically Invested (Accidental Love, #4) by Saxon James 

Rating: 3.5🌈

Saxon James Accidental Love series is drawing to an end, with the penultimate book, Just Bromantically Invested.  As one by one the “lost boys” of Big Bertha are finding their partners and HEA, it’s time for Madden and Penn to get their own story.

Madden, with his free wheeling approach to life, aversion to clothes, and large heart, has been a challenging character for me to connect with.  For some reason I just haven’t found him as interesting as the others. This book does help give Madden the depth of character and background into why the nudity is so important to him that’s been lacking. 

James’ narrative has a number of other elements to bring to the table. It’s got a best friends to lovers relationship with one of them discovering that he’s not exactly straight but bisexual. I’m not sure the author makes the full  argument for this quick turnaround on Penn’s behalf. They may have been friends but based on the behavior seen Penn’s clueless mostly so it feels more importantly based on the needs of the plot line.  They work together fluidly as friends, lovers not so much. 

But probably because the romance needs more exploration as the other aspects of their lives and struggles that need so much clarification. That house dynamics is a mess, Madden’s inability to separate himself from the others to see a separate role for others is an issue that continues past that ending.  And has an impact on the rest of the characters, especially Penn.

I do love the support and communication that finally comes when Madden is able to convey what he needs going forward, including explaining why being naked is so important as a major part of that.  

Penn , anxiety prone and introvert that he is, however, is the one that is repeatedly given the reduced role here.  In Madden’s head, Penn comes in after his relationships with his found brothers/family members of Big Bertha.  Even at the end, that feeling that Penn is not as much of an embedded player in Madden’s life as he is in Penn’s seems clear.

So it left me tentatively connected to both and actually feeling irritated by the continuing drama with Xander, who’s still refusing help.   Xander has the last book and that’s the wrap.  Should be interesting.  

I enjoyed the earlier stories better than I have the recent ones . I look forward to seeing how James closes out the series.

Accidental Love:

  • The Husband Hoax #1
  • Not Dating Material #2
  • The Revenge Agenda #3
  • Just Bromantically Invested #4
  • Not Catching Love #5 – Jan 30,2025

Buy link

        Just Bromantically Invested (Accidental Love Book 4)

    

Blurb

Madden

My best friend is uptight, gorgeous, the greatest person I know … and I might be a smidge in love with him. Just a small amount. Barely worth the mention. 

Which is a stupid choice on my part when the guy is straight. 

Starting a landscaping company with him was the perfect mix of doing what I love and an excuse to spend time with him, only it hasn’t completely taken off yet and now he’s telling me he’s lonely. 

Lonely. 

Apparently having one friend in your life isn’t enough.

So I’m determined to help him find love. With someone other than me. Maybe if I can pull that off, it’ll mean my heart will finally get the message and move on. 

Or finish breaking into a hundred pieces. 

Same thing, right?

Penn

Being besties with an overenthusiastic, gold-hearted, nudist of a man is a challenge sometimes. Madden makes everything sunshine when he’s around. 

The problem is that he hasn’t been around as much lately. We work together, sure, but he’s got his roommates and I have … no one. Just him. So I feel the distance acutely. 

My one reassurance is that we have work tying us together, but when an old client calls with a proposition for us, it feels like our once solid friendship is unraveling fast. 

He wants Madden to help him open a nudist resort, and if Madden’s doing that, he won’t be working with me. 

I’m trying not to panic over the thought of losing him, which is a typical, common best friend reaction. Nothing out of the ordinary. 

And neither is the way my body has been reacting to him lately. 

Everything is totally, completely normal between us. 

While there’s still an us at all.

  • Publisher: May Books (October 17, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 17, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 268 pages

Review:  Composed at Randy’s (a Diner Days story) by Zile Elliven 

Rating:4.5🌈

Zile Elliven is one of those terrific authors who I so admire their writing. I was really happy to see a new release from Elliven that also came with a new multi-author series to explore as well. 

Composed at Randy’s by Zile Elliven is among the eleven books of the new Diner Days series, centered around a LGBTQIA friendly diner.  The covers are colorful and an absolute delight as are the stories and characters if this one is an indication of what I’ll find here.

I’ve read other reviews where these wonderfully crafted, so engaging characters were called “himbos” and the reviewers meant that in the best sense. But, imo, Wren, an artist, and Bael, the rock singer, come across as having brain synapses that just fire differently than any one else’s.  Wren is unlike any other character I’ve read recently. He understands that he’s unable to self care and needs the support system that’s been established for him (Marty, Shelly and Kai).  We get glimpses of Wren’s past, the journey taken to become his true self, and his understanding that being trans is a situation that requires extra awareness.  Wren feels so real in depth of personality that reducing him to a “himbo” seems unfair.  To Wren , the author’s work, and this book.

Same goes for Bael.  His glimmering of deeper awareness of what might be possible in various situations is a developing element.  Part of revealing more about him, their journey, and the formation of a larger group of found family and friends.

Bael, his friends (and band members) which are the equal counterparts to Wren’s support group, are marvelous. Big in personality, interesting in a multitude of ways, they cry out for their own stories.  How I love Mel!

In fact, my biggest issue is that there’s so much great work here, fabulous characters with backgrounds we need, additional stories going forward, just more, that it’s almost more than this book can convey or indeed cover.

I’m highly recommending Composed at Randy’s (a Diner Days story) by Zile Elliven and looking forward to seeing what the rest of the series brings.

Cover Art by Cormar Covers. Love it!

Diner Days series -11 books:

🔷Written at Randy’s by Katherine McIntyre

🔷Final Boy at Randy’s by Loren Leigh

🔷Cramming at Randy’s by Alex Silver 

🔷Temptation at Randy’s by Emily Alter

🔷Hitched at Randy’s by A. E. Madsen 11/14

🔷Gaming at Randy’s by Duckie Mack

🔷Striking a Chord at Randy’s by K. C. Carmine 

🔷Composed at Randy’s by Zile Elliven❤️ 

🔷Roleplay at Randy’s by Rikki Leighton 11/7

🔷Finding Home at Randy’s by Abrianna Denae 10/24

🔷Aftercare at Randy’s by R.A. Frick 10/31

Buy link

        Composed at Randy’s

    

Blurb

How do I tell the guy I like that I’m not homeless, just a dumbass?

Wren:

Help! I accidentally got kidnapped by a hot rock star who thinks he’s doing the right thing by housing and feeding me. He thinks I’m homeless because my absent manager is the one who remembers petty details like my home address, and my broken phone is the one who knows the numbers of anyone who can prove I am who I say I am. What do I do?


Bael:

Help! My impulse control issues made me kidnap an adorable homeless guy who’s too proud to accept my help. He keeps trying to get away, but I’m pretty sure he’ll starve to death if I let him go. He’s tiny, so I don’t think he’ll take up too much space on the tour bus. I just need to convince him to stay. What do I do?



Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy’s Diner.

Composed at Randy’s is a ‘dumbasses in love’, cis male/trans male pairing with a smooth-brained (not remotely smart) genius, a goth himbo, and all the help they can get to achieve their happily ever after.

  • Publication date: October 10, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 179 pages

Review: Inheriting The Mafia (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection Book 2) by Aja Foxx

Rating: 4.5🌈

Aja Foxx just got me even more pumped about this series after reading the new book, Inheriting The Mafia.  

I’m such a sucker for a super competent character, even more for one that’s surprisingly so, both to the reader and the other characters in the storyline.  That’s one of the elements of the plot that makes this so easy to become involved in the characters lives and developing narrative.  The twists and revelations that Foxx has in store with regard to Anthony “Tony”  D’Angelo, a character that will still leave the reader wondering about him and his adolescence after the book is done. 

Much like the first series, Foxx is working through the major crime families, with each one represented by one of the main characters getting their own romance while connecting with the other families and couples. 

It’s a terrific format and helps establish a universe of relationships and foundation of histories that each story can use as part of their own story.  It enriches the narrative and makes the environment more interesting and immersive.

Vito as the one to usher Tony into his new role and life as the head of the D’Angelo mafia family is wonderful. A made man, brought up within the family, he’s flexible enough to give Tony the opportunity to reveal surprises of his own when the opportunity presents itself.

Tony is that author’s gift that immediately connects with the reader and then continues to show chameleon qualities that make him even stronger and intriguing.  Just know that I love him.

Foxx came up with so many great elements here that the story length wasn’t long enough to fully appreciate or explore some of the best of them.  That includes the uncle’s past, a few of the more engaging bodyguards, etc. 

Perhaps, those will be revisited in future books. I can hope.

Inheriting The Mafia (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection Book 2) by Aja Foxx is an absolute favorite.  I wonder what the next book will bring.  

Until then, I’m happy to recommend this series and definitely this story.

Mafia Mayhem (4 book series)

The Capo’s Boy #1 (Nicky & Vinni)

The Boss’s Boy #2 (Dimitri & Eiji)

The King’s Boy #3 (King & Spencer)

The Jefe’s Boy #4 (Alejandro & Delancy)

Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection :

Bound To His Oath #1 (Nico & Luca)

Inheriting The Mafia #2 (Tony & Vito)

Buy link

        Inherting The Mafia (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection Book 2)

    

Blurb

~ Anthony ~ 

They were dead, all dead, an entire mafia family…except me. The bastard son of mafia boss Anthony D’Angelo, and that made me the new head of the family. But inheriting the mafia is not all it’s cracked up to be. People want me dead. I don’t know if it’s the same people that killed my family or someone new, and I wasn’t sure it mattered. I had no plans to die anytime soon. I just wasn’t sure how to prevent it.

~ Vito ~ 

I was the underboss of a mafia family and when they were all taken out in a bombing, I wanted revenge. Before I could do that, I needed to track down the illegitimate son of my boss, a man I never knew about until now. I wasn’t sure what to think of Tony when I found him, but I did know I had to keep him alive. He was the head of the family now and I was duty bound to serve him. I just wished I wasn’t so attracted to him.

Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.

  • Publication date: September 29, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 202 pages

Review: The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance (The Hitman’s Guide 7) by Alice Winters 

Rating: 5🌈

I was so excited to see another book in Alice Winters’ The Hitman’s Guide universe.  It’s one of my favorite series from an auto read author and this new release is another confirmation of both.

The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance brings back Scottish assassin Tavish from a previous book and gives him a well deserved romantic journey to a loving relationship and a new home, complete with our usual gang of ex hitmen twisted heroes, partners and friends.

Tavish takes a deal that has huge implications for our gang when he inadvertently kidnaps an innocent man.  That’s Ellis, an utterly charming guy, a vet tech with an unusual past and, as created by Winters, a personality so winning that we can’t help but fall in love with him. 

We aren’t the only ones.

But there’s a bunch of saving to do, mysteries to solve, revelations to surface, and snappy dialogue that occurs while things go boom and crashes happen.  Yes, and the Fence is mentioned often!

I was absolutely entertained by Ellis and Tavish as they fought, survived , all while developing a strong relationship. Then finally getting a well written resolution to a multi-level mystery and HFN they deserve that’s totally satisfying. 

The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance (The Hitman’s Guide 7) by Alice Winters was a great read and had all of my favorite characters. I can’t wait to see more in this universe.

Highly recommended.

The Hitman’s Guide:

  • 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
  • The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend #4
  • The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem #5
  • The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains #6
  • The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance #7

Buy link

        The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance (The Hitman’s Guide Book 7)

    

Blurb

Ellis

Why is it that the first attractive man to look my way mistakes me for a bad guy, stuffs me in the trunk of his car, and ships me off to an island where I’m positive the only thing waiting for me is my own murder?

I mean… yeah, Tavish is charismatic and fun, but did I mention the whole trunk thing? Oh, maybe I forgot to mention his peculiar group of friends who keep promising to “help” me, but why are they running around with masks and weapons while praising fences?

Tavish and his friends are actually the bad guys, aren’t they?

If I (somehow) look past all of that… Tavish really does seem like a nice guy. He’s caring, funny, and willing to risk his life to protect me. It’s become quite clear that if I’m going to get out of this alive, I’m not going to be able to do it without him.

Tavish

So maybe I mixed things up a wee bit and took Ellis on a tiny road trip that he might not have been privy to. Ellis doesn’t seem to overly mind. I mean, yeah, maybe he tried blinding me with aerosol spray… or maybe I was just blinded by his handsome smile.

The problem is that Ellis is in danger, but he knows nothing about this world he’s been thrown into. He’s sweet, kind, and has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. And I’m prepared to protect it at all costs.

Contains a charming man who lays on a Scottish accent to get his way, a bewildered vet tech who’s wondering why everyone around him is so strange, a parrot who may or may not want to steal Tavish’s man, and the Hitman’s Guide crew up to their usual hijinks.

  • Publication date: October 3, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 379 pages