Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

Review: Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1) by Meg Perry

Rating: 4.25🌈

I love a mystery. So give me a new-to-me author, a mystery novel that represents not one but two connected mystery series and I’m in.

Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1) by Meg Perry is all the above. This is a first book by Perry for me and I was very entertained by the mystery and invested in the characters Perry has created for her series.

Academic librarian Jamie Brodie, yes, we have librarians as main characters, is delivered an envelope and mystery, both courtesy of a dead ex. Also we have so many librarians .

I’m so hooked.

There’s law enforcement officers as family and as romantic partners and many librarians as friends and fascinating colleagues. All are delightfully well-drawn and have balanced personalities as well as thoughtful roles to play in Jamie’s life and the mysteries that start to unfold.

Perry knows her subject matter and it shows in how the investigation evolves . It’s believable, the facts coming from various sources and at paces suitable for those networks. Perry’s people too have their flaws and strengths.

Jamie’s constant awareness of his severely compromised lungs and asthmatic symptoms is real. He treats his body with respect and his health as someone who acknowledges that he’s got a health condition that requires a certain diligence on his part and he does it. It’s a part of his personality and foundation. It centers us on who he is that he’s take a certain level of care and responsibility.

This type of characterization continues throughout the novel with other characters. And with the plot. There’s a tightness and depth of thought to every scene and storyline.

If I had a quibble, it’s that I saw a certain character was problematic to begin with. At what depth and to what extent, I didn’t know. But hints were there.

However, the characters and plots were entertaining, the ending suspense filled, and absolutely satisfying.

I’m on my way to Hoarded to Death .

For lovers of LGBTGIA murder mystery with a bit of romance, check it out. Especially mystery that’s more on the thoughtful side and less on the bloody aspect, this is the one that I recommend for you . I mean look at the series!

The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books

Cited to Death

Hoarded to Death

Burdened to Death

Researched to Death

Encountered to Death

Psyched to Death

Stacked to Death

Stoned to Death

Talked to Death

Avenged to Death

Played to Death

Filmed to Death

Trapped to Death

Promoted to Death

Published to Death

Cloistered to Death

Haunted to Death

Obsessed to Death

Deserted to Death

Drugged to Death

Resigned to Death

Snowed to Death

Enchanted to Death

Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)

Sequel series:

An Angeles Investigations Mystery

◦ Cheated to Death: Book 1

◦ Hunted to Death Book 2

Buy links:

Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1)

Blurb:

Academic librarian Jamie Brodie hasn’t seen old boyfriend Dan Christensen in years. When Jamie reads Dan’s obituary in the paper, he’s surprised. When he receives a letter from Dan, written just before his death, Jamie is shocked. Dan’s letter suggests that Dan was in danger, lists two article citations from medical journals, and asks Jamie to look into the citations. When Jamie requests the articles, strange things begin to happen. His computer is hacked, his tires are slashed, he thinks someone might be following him – and he uncovers two more deaths. The coroner’s report says that Dan died of natural causes – but did he? Is there something suspicious about the articles, or was Dan just paranoid? The closer Jamie gets to answering those questions, the more it seems that someone is trying to stop him…

• Publisher: Meg Perry; 2nd edition (December 4, 2012)

• Publication date: December 4, 2012

• Language: English

• Print length: 127 pages

Review: Under The Gun (Accidentally Undercover Novel) by Cari Z

Rating:3.75🌈

Part of a LGBTQIA espionage/spy thriller romance series, Under the Gun by Cari Z delivers the exciting action packed scenes and storylines we’d expect from this genre.

The romantic suspense plot line arrives in the form of museum art archivist, Joey Cole. He’s taken a side job for a Russian oligarch to catalog his private art collection for insurance purposes. However, everything about this job has Joey on edge and regretting taking it. From being on an isolated island to the man himself, who is making Joey uncomfortable.

Cari Z has an excellent setup and creates an empathetic character in Joey. He’s in trouble and everyone knows it.

The explosive energy and element that makes its way into the situation is the character of Adam, long ago ex-boyfriend and current spy with a complicated history of association with Joey’s family.

The author ramps up the explosive action and the emotional reunion as the story builds to a suspenseful finale.

It’s very entertaining and the characters are both engaging if not exactly grounded in their various careers. The grandmother, however, was exactly what she was supposed to be. Steely determination, cold intelligence, perfect.

While I had a few questions about the story, my real issue was the matter in which Joey’s hard won reputation and career was discarded. Or what happened with his career was better explained at the end, especially as it was such a big deal to Joey and the author made it a large part of the narrative. But we never find out if things were fixed with his friend, Melanie, the Museum, and the loss of the expensive equipment. Or what he’s even doing a year later. This is feels unfinished and unsatisfactory. Especially as we are told what happened to Adam’s career. And the grandmother.

Under the Gun by Cari Z is an enjoyable romantic suspense story that suffers from a ending that’s not exactly satisfying. Read it for the fun characters and action scenes.

Accidentally Undercover-6 books of a LGBTQ+ romantic suspense series.

✓ Under the Gun by Cari Z (m/m)

◦ Under Her Roof by Allison Temple (f/f)

◦ Under His Sheets by R.L. Merrill (m/m)

◦ Under the Table by Layla Rayne (f/f)

◦ Under His Name by MA Grant (m/m)

◦ Under the Radar by Linden Bell (m/m)

Buy Link

Under the Gun

Blurb:

Life is plenty exciting for Joey Cole. Everything that isn’t his day job revolves around having fun, but “fun” becomes complicated when Joey’s latest side gig turns into a gunfight between the handsy billionaire he’s working for and the ex-boyfriend who broke his heart and who’s now…smuggling drugs?

Turns out that Adam, Joey’s ex, is a spy for His Majesty’s government, and that Joey has fallen into a sting operation meant to take his shady employer down. Joey and Adam are hounded by assassins as they escape to a safe house in England, home to the woman who introduced Joey to Adam in the first place—his grandmother.

Who, it turns out, is also a spy. Huh, no wonder she made him get so good at untying knots with his hands tied behind his back.

Joey and Adam rekindle the romance that burned between them, but Adam is still a spy—he’s not his own man, and he’ll certainly never belong to Joey. The safest thing would be to break it off before Adam breaks his heart again…but the way they’re being hunted, safe is out of the question, and love may mean the difference between life and death.

Under the Gun is part of the Accidentally Undercover shared romantic suspense series.

• Publication date: April 2, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 166 pages

Join us for the tour and giveaway for Down the Line by AG Meiers (Other World Ink)

Down the Line - AG Meiers - Jake's Bar

AG Meiers has a new MM romantic suspense book out: Down the Line. And there’s a giveaway.

Revenge is a Dangerous Obsession.

Dean Hunt needs the story of a lifetime—Since his uncompromising attitude got him fired, the investigative journalist is hell-bent to expose the powerful and corrupt Conway family. It’s a career move, and absolutely not a vendetta against the oldest son Noel, who ghosted Dean after a mind-blowing weekend together.

Noel Conway needs a new start—After years away, Noel has come home to rebuild the bridges he’s burned. Too bad his past caused a ripple effect he can’t outrun. Now, he’s asked to save his family from the one man he never expected to see again but can’t forget.

Dean is chasing front-page news, and Noel is trying to protect the ones he loves. But the line between enemies and lovers gets blurred when a dangerous criminal from Noel’s past resurfaces. Will the truth shatter their tentative trust? Or do they have a shot at happily ever after?

But none of that matters when suddenly Noel disappears…

Down the Line, the final book in the award-winning Jake’s Bar series, is a spicy, M/M romantic suspense featuring a rainbow-colored bar full of quirky characters, and all the romance you can handle. So, download today, and get ready to fall in love with Jake’s Bar.

Warnings: smoking cigarettes and weed in the hot tub, kidnapping (on page scenes restrained), verbally abusive father

About the Series:

The award-winning Jake’s Bar series is a set of steamy, M/M romantic suspense novels, featuring a rainbow- colored bar full of quirky characters, and all the romance you can handle.

Universal Buy Link | Amazon

Giveaway

AG is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:

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Excerpt

Jake's Bar banner

As Dean reached the top of the staircase, a man stepped out of the shadows in front of his door. Dean straightened his shoulders. “Detective Conway.”

“Hunt.”

In a parallel universe, they might have been friends. They were fighting the same fight. Had the same enemies. In this world, they weren’t brothers in arms. In this world, Dean had been cast as the villain.

“How can I help you this fine morning?”

“Open the door. We gotta talk.”

“Look, it’s been a long night—”

“Just open the damn door.” Conway snarled, pushing into Dean’s personal space.

Dean stood his ground. “Are you here in an official capacity? Because then, the answer is no, I won’t let you in. You have no warrant, no permission to search my property. I don’t consent—”

“Just shut the fuck up. None of us wants this shitshow to be on the record,” Con growled.

Dean, curious, took a step back and raised his empty hand, palm up. “Okay.”

He fished for his key, pushed open the door, and quickly disarmed his alarm system. Conway didn’t wait to be invited in, just crossed the living room, dropped his shearling coat onto the sofa, then walked over to the large window overlooking the river.

The view was the only redeeming feature of Dean’s otherwise-generic apartment. The mess didn’t help. There were dirty dishes piled up in the sink, a pizza box on the breakfast counter separating the cramped kitchen from the living room, and an unmade bed in the other corner of the room.

“For a guy who anxiously waited at my doorstep, you’re awfully quiet.” Dean smirked. “Coffee?”

“No.” Conway turned his back, now studying the row of framed newspaper front pages Dean had hung on the apartment’s interior wall. His personal collection of historic headlines—headlines that changed the world.

The oldest was from July 6, 1776. The Pennsylvania Evening Post, printing the Declaration of Independence on its front page. Next to it, the Daily Telegram, declaring the end of the Second World War. The two most recent, the New York Times’ “OBAMA: Racial barrier falls in heavy turnout” and, of course, the front page the day after 9/11.

Dean had added a few more personal favorites, like Moneta J. Sleet’s photography of Coretta Scott King at MLK’s funeral. The first Black man to win the Pulitzer for journalism.

Conway took his time examining each framed newspaper. Dean already regretted allowing the intrusion into his space. He felt exposed—vulnerable—under silent scrutiny.

Irritated, he started banging around the kitchen. He was in no mood to explain that looking at those headlines every day fueled his ambitions and inspired his dreams. Dean believed with every fiber of his being in the power of a free and independent press.

He turned on the coffee machine and leaned against the counter. As if Conway felt Dean’s angry glare across the room, he finally turned and stared right back. For a moment, they engaged in a silent standoff.

Unease flittered through Dean. Camille had been right. Her brother was seething with anger. And Dean had no fucking idea what he’d done to piss him off. He sighed and shook his head, then took two mugs out of the cabinet and put them onto the island. “Miguel, have a damn coffee. You look like you need it.”

“Says the man who clearly slept in his party clothes and crept home at sunup.”

“Guilty as charged.” Dean shrugged.

Conway curled his lip. “I do not know what my sister sees in you.”

It wasn’t a question, so Dean didn’t bother with an answer. “You wanted to talk? So, talk.”

Instead of talking, though, Conway pulled out a stack of papers. Pushing aside the coffee cups to make room, he spread them out over the counter.

Dean froze. The first blurry photograph featured Dean in another man’s arms. In the next, the same man was pressing Dean against a white porch railing, his own hands tangled in the man’s messy curls. Conway fanned the stack, revealing nearly a dozen more.

Dean and Noel Conway, kissing.

Suddenly, he was there again, the ocean breeze tugging on his clothes. Noel’s warm skin, tasting like sunshine and a hint of salt, his eyes blown with desire. Goddamn, so fucking beautiful, with that shy smile, whispered promises—

Dean’s throat was desert dry. His ragged breath and the hissing of the coffee machine came together like a fucking symphony. “I—”

“Save it. My sister thinks you’re this hotshot journalist. Full of passion. Braving adversity. Motivated by a noble cause. Yeah, fuck that. You’re after my family because Noel pounded your ass, then dropped you like he does everybody else. Your pride—your precious ego—is hurt because you’re just another notch in my brother’s carved-up bedpost.”

Conway grabbed his jacket and walked to the door. He turned and added, “Watch it, Hunt. You got no job. No friends. No prospects. But if you think you’ve reached rock bottom, think again.”

Dean contained himself until he heard his door close with a soft click. Only then did he allow himself to swipe papers, cups, and the fucking photos off his counter. The cups shattered

on the tile floor.

Author Bio

Eighteen years ago, AG Meiers came to the US for adventure and stayed for love. Currently, she lives in New England with her husband and two awesome kids—balancing work, friends and family, and writing.

When she has some free time, her favorite thing to do is travel and visit new places. Her past trips have already brought her to a variety of countries on four continents. She never passes up an opportunity to experience different cultures, diverse people and amazing locations.

Even though she has been dreaming up stories all her life, she has only recently started to write them down and share them with the world. As a writer she loves to put her characters through a lot of challenges, conflict and heartbreak, before she allows them to find their happy-ever-after.

Author Website: https://www.agmeiers.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/ag.meiers.1/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agmeiers/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/AG-Meiers/author/B07MCHQH5B

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Review: Pet Delivery by Ofelia Grand

Rating : 3.25🌈

Pet Delivery is another tale from Ofelia Grand that showcases her ability to create and deliver characters and relationships a reader can connect with in a short story.

Her characters are usually outside of the main character format and often have body types that are also very relatable and realistic.

If there’s an issue, it’s that the story length doesn’t leave time for full development or attention to the characters resolving any drama that’s been introduced.

Both of that happens here but the characters are so engaging that the issues surrounding them with the plot (holes, etc) sort of but not completely make up for that.

There’s Gabriel Miller, recently a witness to a murder and now stashed by the cops in a freezing cold cabin in a small town where he is a stranger. Gabe is frightened, missing his cats and sister. He’s so scared and we connect to him immediately, no matter his actions.

Then there’s Chris Hart, whose family owns the cabin and comes to the rescue. Small town is written all over Chris but in the best of small town ways.

Grand’s writing lets us watch them connect and interact with each other over the situation and bond with each other as they grow together.

It’s a lovely story, plus cats and a sister we don’t see enough of.

Pet Delivery needs fleshing out, more development and details to really work and feel satisfying but the heart is there.

Buy Link:

JMS Books :: Amazon :: books2read.com/PetDelivery

Blurb:

Chris Hart owns the only grocery shop in Nortown, but he isn’t exactly overrun by customers. Some days he wonders why he bothers to open the doors at all. Spending his days smiling at the few people trickling in and his nights alone in bed isn’t the most interesting life a man could lead. But when Chris suddenly gets the excitement he’s been craving, it may be more than he bargained for.

Gabriel Miller loves his life. He’s close to his sister, has a job he adores and is the proud owner of one and a half cats. But all of it is taken away when he witnesses a murder. To keep him safe, the police place him in Nortown, of all possible locations.

Chris can’t believe they’re letting someone live in his gran’s old cabin in the middle of the winter. It’s too cold. When the poor man shows up in his shop looking to buy clothes, Chris’s heart melts, despite the freezing temperature. Gabriel notices the way the shopkeeper looks at him, but it can’t be right. No one looks at a heavyset man with heat in their eyes. Do they?

Review: Up All Night (Mount Hope Book 1) by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 3.5🌈

Up All Night begins a new series called Mount Hope by Annabeth Albert about a small town near Portland, Oregon and a close knit group of longtime friends who have recently come back together.

Up All Night is described as a low-angst, small town romance, and it does work on that level. The small town community is nicely represented, especially through the diner’s various clientele and hospital staff.

I like the newly divorced older former fire captain, Sean Murphy, that Albert has created as a main character. He’s a very familiar figure, the sort of guy who’s recognizable around in a community. The divorced dad of now adult offspring, who is trying to make his way into a future he didn’t expect and isn’t ready for. He’s returning home to help out a recently widowed friend and father deal with the aftermath of his husband’s death. That’s a wonderfully sweet, compelling storyline.

Everything about Sean feels very real. Except for the fact that his wife, a scientist, late in their marriage, both discovers she’s asexual, and, also has a shot at a dream job in Antartica. So she ends the marriage, making Sean give up his dream of his job, sell his beloved Craftsman home, and leave the area. That’s a lot. All that fallout from the divorce and he’s not mad or even mildly irritated. He’s sad and confused. That feels like a problem.

That’s just one of the issues I’m having with the story and characters here. It’s that Albert can’t stop with the complications and drama but the story itself is supposed to be low angst and sort of low drama, sweet small town romance. The author’s words.

It’s pulls in separate directions narratively because of the consistent heavy loads the author writes onto her characters and plots. This makes several of the storylines feel under explored and understandably cut short in important elements. Not just in certain aspects of Sean’s personality.

There’s considerably more along these exact same lines.

Denver Rucker, the ex foster kid with huge abandonment issues, who is now one of the short order cooks at Honey’s Hotcake Hut. He’s the other main character and his problems with commitment run deep. There’s a small Dom/sub element here within the developing relationship between Denver and Sean’s as Sean enjoys exploring his sexuality as a gay man for the first time.

Yes, it’s also a sexual coming out, first times, sexual experience storyline. So much is packed into this book.

Foster care, foster children, giving children up for adoption, all those delicate topics are major themes here. The well defined family of their widower friend,Eric, all his four children (each one with their own well defined personality from jock to “neurospicy”) came from the foster care system. But that’s not gone into detail here.

Then there is Denver himself, whose background is painful and left him emotionally vulnerable. And there is another , lesser established thread of substance abuse, that flows through several characters as too. Sometimes it’s just a sentence about no longer using/drinking something.

But again, in a low angst story, to introduce such emotional, and potentially triggering topics in a way that’s underwhelming or not thoroughly explored, doesn’t make sense. For me as a reader, either commit fully to a more complex story and well developed narrative. Or realize that, for a contemporary low angst, low drama romance, a little less complexity/issues in the characters history and relationships journey is just fine.

I like many aspects of the story, like the characters and relationships , whether it’s romantic or the friendship between the group of men. But for each of the pluses, I get a scene that will raise a question about the character or a relationship. Such as a feeling of homophobia that comes from Sean’s son but left unanswered.

Or, smh, that Albert has the younger offspring Wren, in the story, find and put a turtle in a small tank for observation purposes, possibly adding another. That’s my button being pushed.

If you can’t write animals in a manner that is satisfying (continuity in letting main animal characters exist right up to the end of the story) or in a way that’s realistic and respectful, please don’t. It might be a small thing, but reptiles ,especially native turtles, are increasingly endangered and it’s discouraged to take them for pets or any reason. PSA over

Up All Night (Mount Hope Book 1) by Annabeth Albert was on some levels, a nice romantic story, a good start on a new series . In the other hand, it was overpacked with too many sensitive issues, potentially triggering themes and emotionally charged scenes that were, imo, not fully explored or developed for this book and it’s overall low angst storyline.

Read it because you are a fan of the author, love a new series by, or any of the many themes here.

Mount Hope:

✓ Up All Night #1

◦ Off The Clock #2

Buy link:

Up All Night (Mount Hope Book 1)

Blurb:

What happened to my predictable life?

I had a stable life as a fire captain in Seattle, married to one of my best friends and raising two awesome kids. Now, my kids are grown, and my marriage is toast. I’m solidly past forty and back in my tiny hometown of Mount Hope, Oregon, filling in as a firefighter. My future is one big question mark keeping me up at night.

Also keeping me up? The short-order cook at Honey’s Hotcake Hut.

Denver might be close to my age, but we’re total opposites. The former rock roadie runs from stability, never puts down roots, and lives for the moment. Point in case, we barely speak before he invites me into his shower.

I’ve never been with a man, but my fresh start has me trying all sorts of new things—including Denver’s shower.

Our future? Hopeless.

Denver doesn’t do repeats, but I convince him to have a fling since we’re both in Mount Hope short-term. The more time we spend together, the deeper our friendship and bond grows. Our time together outside of the bedroom, reveals a caring side to the grumpy cook. Even better, my sunshine-y optimism softens him like butter.

Should a fling give me these deep feelings? Nope.

Worse, the feelings are mutual. Big decisions loom for both our futures, and our time together grows short. I might have Denver’s heart, but his trust is far harder to win. He’s the answer to all my question marks, and I need him to believe in us. Can I convince him to give our love a chance?

UP ALL NIGHT features a grumpy/sunshine pairing for a forty-something firefighter on a path of self-discovery with an UP ALL NIGHT short-order cook. It contains loads of first-time feels with sexual awakening and exploration with a heaping helping of personal growth and deep connection for this opposites-attract couple.

• Publisher: (March 28, 2024)

• Publication date: March 28, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 282 pages

Join Us for the Tour for “Earthquake Ethan” by R.L. Merrill (giveaway)

Earthquake Ethan - R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill has a new contemporary MM romance out, Forces of Nature book 3: Earthquake Ethan.

The Earth shook the morning actor Ethan Bradley arrived in Los Angeles looking for a second chance. He hoped his former producers Reese Matheson and Toby Griffiths meant it when they said to look them up if he were ever in LA because he had no other options. The pictures the paparazzi took at the wrap party for their London show made sure of that. What he wasn’t counting on was the reception he got from their manager, Arthur Frye. He was absolutely the kind of together guy Ethan wished would notice him, and for more than his pretty face and talent. Too bad Arthur only sees Ethan as a complication.

Arthur Frye has his hands full with his best clients—and best friends. The last thing he needs is another diva to care for, especially one who has a reputation for causing trouble. He has a strict rule against getting involved with the talent, no matter how pretty they are. Only Ethan Bradley shines for real, and when Arthur realizes his nice-guy innocence is genuine, he’s ready to do anything to help Ethan get his career back on track and get him out of LA. He’s too much of a temptation, and Arthur can’t afford to lose focus…not even for a chance at happiness for himself. Especially not when his star clients are about to risk their professional and personal happiness with their newest creation; a musical about two boys falling in love in the 1960s featuring music written by Reese’s grandfather, whose health is in decline.

Ethan Bradley shakes things up wherever he goes, and Arthur Frye is afraid he’ll be left in the wreckage if he gets too close. Can these two opposites find love on solid ground?

Warnings: implied sexual abuse off page

About the Series

Forces of Nature follows a group of talented men who are natural disasters, and the men who love them.

Amazon | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

Giveaway

R.L. is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card with this tour:

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Excerpt

The morning after Ethan Bradley landed at LAX the earth shook. Literally. Being from Iowa, he’d always been afraid of earthquakes. He remembered watching footage when he was a little boy of the one that hit Northridge and it stayed with him. He’d even turned down a part in the film San Andreas because he was terrified of the real thing.

Plus—at the time—he’d wanted to be considered a serious actor, and accepting a role in a Hollywood disaster blockbuster didn’t fit in with his professional goals. Instead, he’d ended up going to London to film a clever romantic comedy. Then came the stage and more accolades at the age of twenty-six than he’d imagined possible.

When his hotel room rattled his first morning in LA and sent him diving under the desk in the early hours, he’d wished he’d stayed.

But London had nothing to offer him after the paparazzi ruined his life, and he couldn’t go home. So there he was, back in the states, and ready to grovel before his former producer—and crush—for a role, any role, that would allow him to get back to doing what he loved…acting, singing, performing.

Love was a strong word. It was what he knew, what he was good at, where his God-given talents lay.

He’d come to LA with a plan. Sort of. Go see Reese Matheson. Pray he opened the door and took pity on him. And that he didn’t hold a grudge.

He plugged the Malibu address he’d gotten from his London manager’s office into the Lyft app and went outside to wait for his ride. And prayed.

If Reese wouldn’t see him, he had a plan B.

He’d go to see Reese’s business partner Toby Griffiths. Which was probably a terrible idea, but the best he had.

Because there was no plan C.

He had exactly fifty dollars cash on him and a credit card dangerously close to being maxed out. Rock bottom was flying up to meet him fast.

The Lyft driver dropped him off at the end of a long driveway leading to a quaint little house that backed up to the Malibu shoreline. He knew nine o’clock on a Sunday morning was early, but the earthquake had shaken him so much, he couldn’t wait to get out of his room at the Holiday Inn. He’d been to LA before to promote his films, but he’d never felt comfortable among the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Malibu had the scenery people thought of when they imagined Southern California. Palm trees, mountains that broke off into the sea, miles of sand with beautiful people jogging along the water’s edge. It was picturesque, and sometimes cliché. For Ethan, it represented his last hope.

He climbed the steps, cleared his throat, reached for that enthusiastic confidence that used to come so easy for him once upon a time—

The door opened before he even had a chance to knock.

The short Filipino man standing there in a pair of scrubs had one eyebrow raised and a hand on his hip.

“Can I help you?”

His tone didn’t come across as helpful, despite his words.

“Yeah, sorry. I’m looking for Reese Matheson? My name is—“

“I know who you are.” The man’s raised eyebrow turned into a frown. “Just a minute,” he said before closing the door with a little less force than a slam.

Breathe. It’s fine. Reese is a good guy. He won’t be angry that I showed up. He’s a generous, kind person—

Author Bio

R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill brings you stories of Hope, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll featuring quirky and relatable characters. Whether she’s writing about contemporary issues that affect us all or diving deep into the paranormal and supernatural to give readers a shiver, she loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after.

Winner of the Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” Best Contemporary award for Hurricane Reese, Foreword INDIES finalist for Summer of Hush and RONE finalist for Typhoon Toby, Ro spends every spare moment improving her writing craft and striving to find that perfect balance between real-life and happily ever after.

She writes diverse and inclusive romance, contributes paranormal hilarity to Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Universe, and works on various other writing and mentoring projects that tickle her fancy or benefit a worthy cause. You can find her connecting with readers on social media, educating America’s youth, raising two brilliant teenagers, trying desperately to get that back piece finished in the tattoo chair, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more Rock ‘n’ Romance.

Author Website: https://www.rlmerrillauthor.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/rochellerlmerrill/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/rlmerrillauthor/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828914.R_L_Merrill

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/r-l-merrill/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/R.L.-Merrill/author/B00PI6Q1LI

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Review: The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 5🌈

What a wonderful story and fantastic way to send off the series and this team.

The interactions between holdover player, defensive end Deacon Harris and the new owner of the Charleston Condors, security industry billionaire Grant Green, has been a subtle but significant part of the series and team’s dynamic. It was always clear that the two men had a strong connection and attraction to each other. But, throughout each book it was clear that they never actually had acted on it due to their roles in the organization. And we wanted them to have their romance.

The Play returns us to the beginning of their history together, back in college as student tutor and college football player needing help. The chemistry that’s never acknowledged but present is cut short by choices made for career reasons that will quickly separate them until years later. Because of the realness of these scenes we feel every bit of the pain and frustration of this unexpected change in this new relationship. And the startling moment when they meet once more.

Bolden’s writing has never been better. Her characters go from uncertain college youth with the future ahead of them to seasoned men who have been living full lives. One, Grant, now at the pinnacle of his career and the other , Deacon, ready to retire after a shattering year of betrayal and disappointment. Each has made big impacts in their professional careers but their emotional relationships haven’t been as successful. The reason is because they have been only interested in one person.

How Bolden works the past and present together, weaving the emotions that never left either man back together into a tight layered narrative of sports, team dynamics, partnership, and a deep bond between them is a read that can’t be missed.

We get the present day run for a playoff spot, as intense as can be and fantastically realistic. Bolden gives us boardroom NFL drama such as what might be likely to be played out across CNN and sports coverage alike, and then while all that is happening, layers into the story, all the human drama we love.

Grant and Deacon trying to find a way to each other in an organization where Grant is the owner and Deacon a player, albeit a retiring player who wants to continue to work with the club. This is a complicated situation that’s believable and loving. They are great, they communicate, and we love them.

And finally, as if I hadn’t just bawled my eyes out over Jason Kelce’s retirement speech, here comes another. Deacon’s speech was a fabulous second. And all the players from the other series who meant so much to the readers are there as well as the important individuals from this series. It’s a testament to Bolden’s ability to create great characters and deeply moving moments that everything about the scene is beautiful and real. And I was bawling again.

Tissues had a workout this week.

Read this book. But not without reading the stories that come before. It’s a great series. And Bolden’s an auto read for me. The Play is simply another example why.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

✓ The Play #4 – finale

Bolden’s connected Football series in order they are written:

✓ The Riptide

✓ Miami Piranhas

✓ Charleston Condors

Buy Link:

The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4)

Blurb

Last year, defensive end Deacon Harris witnessed the very worst of the Charleston Condors. After everything he and the team went through, he promised himself he’d walk away from football. But before he can retire, the team is sold to the last person he ever expected to see again.

Deacon stays because the Condors are going into major rebuilding mode. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.

But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t fall in love with the owner of your football team.

Grant might be brilliant and a billionaire, but Deacon only remembers Grant as his tutor in college—and as the one who got away.

In all his dreams about reconnecting, he never imagined that Grant would end up as his boss. Both his downfall, and also his salvation.

Or that they’d be forced into confronting the Condors’ most difficult challenge yet—but that they’d face it together, hand in hand, tackling their critics and proving once and for all that love doesn’t take sides.

• Publisher: (March 6, 2024)

• Publication date: March 6, 2024

• Print length: 391 pages

Review: Matrimonial Merriment (Valor and Doyle Book 7) by Nicky James

Rating: 3.75🌈

I had real trouble arriving at this rating. Matrimonial Merriment is the last Valor and Doyle book by Nicky James. It’s a 7 book series that I found incredibly strong and emotionally compelling at the start, only, imo, to chart a very strange path for the characters and their various storylines.

This story has its strengths and its weaknesses, much like its characters.

Quaid Valor was a tragic character. His young sister had been kidnapped while he and his father were ‘in charge’ of her during a parade. But he was a child himself and his father was a policeman at the parade occupied with security. It destroyed his family and him emotionally, as his mother left them shortly afterwards, abandoning him. Also the devastating betrayal by a man Quaid thought loved him. These events reverberate throughout the series, including finding out how the events happened and who the kidnappers were.

Then there’s Anslan Doyle who has his own personal demons to fight. That includes his professional reputation, the on the job abuse of alcohol, his alcoholism, his emotional recovery on and off the job. He is the opposite of Quaid. Where the Doyle clan is loud and boisterous, it’s just Quaid and his now retired father, quietly playing chess in a house that’s frozen in time.

The journey that takes them through the start of their relationship, the beginnings of understanding of each other’s faults , severe struggles and strengths , all while solving missing persons cases and murders, that’s what makes the series and this couple.

But then as the author wove their personal histories and solved their mysteries into the cases each book was featuring, certain things started to unravel. The very strengths and failures that led to them becoming more powerful and complete individuals were starting to be forgotten in parts of their dynamics . In their interactions the forward movement in overcoming certain obstacles or challenges now seems stalled or even moving back towards what they were in the books that were written earlier.

Especially the penultimate book when Aslan actually caused Quaid to have an emotional breakdown over a poorly thought out proposal. In fact most of that book came close to a DNF as it felt like the author had backtracked the relationship between the two characters and their understanding of each other. The astonishing lack of communication and understanding that brought about a crushing emotional breakdown of Quaid should have been unthinkable by this point in their relationship.

Now comes the finale story and a couple of different issues. Both seen here, one of word choice and another again of author’s characterization. The word is one that’s shown itself increasingly throughout this series.

Imagine a story where the author uses the term ‘purple orb’ every few sentences. Or at least, ten times a page when speaking with regard to a character. Now how distracting would that be?

Sneering is James’s purple orb. It’s everywhere. It’s a feature of Quaid. He sneers constantly. He even smiles sneeringly. It should have been retired. The “sneering”. The overuse of this word is beyond tired. It starts in the first book as a part of Quaid’s common facial expression.

“Can you bring the binder?”

“What binder?”

I stalled and sneered at my phone. “Please tell me you’re joking. It has been attached to my hip morning, noon, and night for a week.”

“Gross. Save it, Valor.” Jordyn’s sneer won a solid silver medal on the sneer-scale, but it would never surpass the master’s.

Quaid sneered back—proving my point—then closed his eyes and let me continue to work.”

So many sneers.

Also, although I get why, James turns Quaid from a thoughtful interesting layered character with issues to caricature bridezilla. For the majority of this book he’s beyond frantic over the wedding planning process . All due to the fact that Doyle decided they must be married before Christmas.

Solution? Don’t get married before Christmas. No one is forcing them to do this, except a whimsical decision (by Aslan and the author). But no, per the author’s storyline, it increases the stress on Quaid to the point he lands in the hospital, again.

Yet, it’s never acknowledged that at least some of the issues lie with the fact that the short deadline was his partner’s choice and could be changed.

It’s all on Quaid, here. The imbalance is stark. And while the push to have Quaid seek therapy is a good sign, there’s also another side that’s being ignored.

From men who fought to get a deep understanding of each other and their relationship dynamics to people who seem to forget they know each other and each other’s foibles.

There’s good elements here. The gardener’s who marrying them. Quade’s relationship with Ruiz, something that has greatly evolved over the series has Ruiz will talk about here. That’s a remarkable and heartwarming thread.

It’s also setting up the new sequel series, which will feature Ruiz’ cousin and a ex police officer.

So this raises the question. The rating. It’s a finale book. Yes, the final part of the story with Aslan and Quaid finally getting married was heartwarming and satisfying. I think it was the best part of the story and made me happy to see this come to an end. It was time.

The narrative before was a mix of lovely bits of storytelling that reminded me why I loved this series and couple entwined with sections of scenes and moments that made me want to stop reading, remembering why I thought it had lost its charm.

So read it for all the above. To finish the series, to see the couple off, and, if you’re curious, get an introduction to the new series to come.

Valor and Doyle:

✓ Temporary Partner #1

✓ Elusive Relations #2

✓ Unstable Connections #3

✓ Inevitable Disclosure #4

✓ Defying Logic #5

✓ Disrupted Engagement

✓ Matrimonial Merriment #7 – finale

Buy Link:

Matrimonial Merriment (Valor and Doyle Book 7)

Blurb

Quaid Andrew Valor and Aslan Ronan Doyle cordially invite you to be an honorary guest as they join their lives in matrimony. The ceremony is set to take place at Strongwind Castle on December 23rd. Save the date!

Time is short. Quaid has less than three months to plan the wedding of his dreams. A wedding that happens to land two days before Christmas. Don’t be fooled. It is not a Christmas wedding—at least not if Quaid has anything to say about it.

The wedding binder is fat and the list of things that need to be done is long, so when the department decides to implement a mandatory team-building Secret Santa event that will take up every one of Quaid’s available Saturdays, he is livid. There is no time for nonsense on his tight schedule.

When Aslan sees what the stress is doing to his fiancé, he calls in the cavalry to help plan the wedding. What could possibly go wrong with Ruiz and Torin on their side?

Relationships grow deeper. Friends and family come together to celebrate. And Quaid and Aslan finally tie the knot.

**Matrimonial Merriment is the seventh book in the Valor and Doyle series. Unlike the other books, this one does not contain a mystery and is wholly focused on our two favorite detectives finally getting married. It was meant as a bonus book but somehow came in at over 100k words. Oops. More of them to love.**

• Publisher: (December 7, 2023)

• Publication date: December 7, 2023

• Print length: 380 pages

Review: Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James

Ratings: 5🌈

When it comes fiction that’s categorized as vigilante justice thrillers or found family psychopathic vigilantes, author Onley James’ books are at the top of the list. They are there because of the depth of characterization, the complexity of their storylines, the inclusion of therapy when possible, and that the damage and trauma dealt out is met, if possible, by an equally powerful or more violent ending for those monsters involved. It’s dark fiction for a reason.

It starts with the seven dark fantastic books of the Necessary Evils series and then leads here to Jericho’s Boys, now on its second successful novel.

Jericho, married to Atticus Mulvaney, who became an adopted guardian to a group of troubled teenagers, now young men. They were a part of Jericho’s story in Necessary Evils and the subsequent books.

Paladin was Arseny Lebedev and Ever’s story. Rogue belongs to Levi Akira, a familiar character, and Shiloh

Mizrahi, who becomes the new addition to the growing found family of Jericho and Atticus.

As with each book, James reveals the deep emotional landscape of Levi Akira in every aspect of his personality and history. From his tortured childhood to his current deeply dysfunctional dynamic with his homeless, alcoholic mother, the author’s treatment of Levi is an raw painful , constantly evolving portrayal of a young man who’s never been able to express his complex feelings about himself and what he has been and continues to go through internally.

Add to that, James has created a new monstrous family comprised of a sadistic middle brother, and two other brothers each with their own unique sets of traits and issues. None of which I’ll mention because they are an integral part of the story. But all are so well crafted, cruelly real in one way, and heartbreakingly raw in another. As to the oldest? I’m hoping we get so much more of him.

It starts with a small surprising situation. And then continues to escalate until eventually the Mulvaney’s are involved as well,as they should be. After all, it’s one big family.

The epilogue is very satisfying because it’s HFN, as it could be given their ages and length of time together. They are a work in progress. Luckily we will see them again in the next book and whatever action the Mulvaney family gets involved with.

I’m highly anticipating both. And recommending Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James as a must read. But that’s including Necessary Evils as the foundation series.

Jericho’s Boys:

✓ Paladin #1

✓ Rogue #2

◦ Bard #3 – tbd

*Necessary Evils (7 book series) – this is the foundation series for Jericho’s Boys. Many ,if not all , of the couples and characters from this series play important roles in Jericho’s Boy books. So it helps to have read the books first.

Buy Link:

Rogue (Jericho’s Boys Book 2)

Blurb:

Levi Akira’s existence is far from ideal. His mother’s addiction consumes their lives, his academic standing is crumbling, and the convenience store he works at is a constant target for ruthless robberies. But amidst the chaos, Levi finds solace in only three things: his tight-knit group of friends, protecting his neighborhood as one of Jericho’s Boys, and streaming his favorite video game, where he assumes the role of Rogue—a hero who will break the rules for the greater good.

Shiloh Mizrahi’s hope has all but dwindled. With one brother unjustly imprisoned, and the other a sadistic puppeteer, he endures daily torment at the hands of the latter. And his latest demand? Get close to Levi at any cost.

In the midst of another ordinary night shift, Levi’s world is upended when a captivating and terrified stranger appears, brandishing a weapon and claiming he has been forced to kill Levi by his own brother. Levi, torn between self-preservation and an instinctive aversion to harming the vulnerable boy, takes a bold leap—he kisses him. And then, just like that, the boy disappears into the night, leaving Levi haunted by his memory.

Driven by an unshakeable connection, Levi’s path crosses with Shiloh’s once more, igniting a passionate bond that refuses to be extinguished. However, Shiloh harbors a labyrinth of secrets, torn between loyalty and desire. With his brother’s freedom dangling in the balance, can Levi and Shiloh navigate the treacherous path to be together, or will Levi forever remain a hero confined to the online realm?

• Publisher: (February 29, 2024)

• Publication date: February 29, 2024

• Print length: 364 pages

Review: The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3) by Brigham Vaughn

Rating: 4🌈

“Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?”

Faked engagement, best friends to lovers , bi-sexual awakening, hurt/comfort m/m hockey contemporary romance time! That’s a lot of tropes for a novel, and it’s not even close to covering the best elements that Vaughn includes in The Waiting Game.

This is the third in Brigham Vaughn’s Relationship Goals series, and I really enjoyed the two previous stories.

The Waiting Game has some great elements woven into its characters and narrative as well as some things I found a bit problematic.

Let’s dive into the positive aspects of this story first.

Korean Canadian history and culture that’s been used for the background and creation of Jonah Brewer , a Canadian Korean hockey player with a strong sense of community and a heartwarming grandmother who’s a great central figure in the novel. From the Korean food his grandmother, Jonah and Felix fix, to the house and gardens that mean home, the Korean culture is well established within the storyline.

Next is the story thread of Felix’s drunk driving, his temporary suspension from the team, and his ongoing treatment for alcoholism. Vaughn’s created in Felix a man still very much in the beginning stages of his recovery. This is Felix dealing with his sobriety and his alcoholism by going to his AA meetings, making those calls to his sponsor, Ismael, when he needs help, and generally within Felix’s storyline, making his journey as realistic as possible. His stress, fears, and doubts are all understandable.

Jonah too has some huge emotional baggage. His parents died in a plane crash when he was young and his life was uprooted from one culture to another. Loss upon loss. That deep seated fear of losing loved ones comes through, especially with his relationship with his remarkable Grandma Ji-min. The author’s making use of the three of them as the heart of this book is a great decision because as a family unit they are the best aspect of the story.

Now to the next part, the issues. It’s the romance that I feel wasn’t working as well. At least for about 20% of the book. From the 45 percent to about 65 percentage or over, where there’s almost no communication between them about what is happening between them, the book would have lost me except for Grandma Ji-min.

It was a great framework and friendship up to that point. Then fake engagement which was strange the way it was handled. Then more avoidance about talking. Then finally exploring new bisexuality and going forward at around 70 or so percent. When the romance felt grounded and believable.

There was, naturally, a several dramatic elements towards the end, and then moments to pull everything back together. That was terrific , and some of it was very moving.

But for me, that large passage of non communication almost derailed it. Which was a shame because, as I said, there’s so much that’s absolutely wonderful here.

The Waiting Game is a good book in the series, although not my favorite. I’m recommending it and it’s great to see diverse representations in hockey .

Great cover.

Relationship Goals:

✓ The Husband Game #1

✓ The Head Game #2

✓ The Waiting Game #3

◦ The Home Game #4 – June 2024

Buy link

The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3)

Blurb:

Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?

On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top D-pair.

The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”

Reactions are mixed.

An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”

One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”

While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”

PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.

TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.