A MelanieM Review: Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

 

Can Connor show River a real family Christmas? H

When Connor finds River on the roof of the campus admin building, he doesn’t know what to do. His friend is drunk, and shouting into a snowstorm, a bottle of vodka in his hand. The easy part is getting River down; the hard part is insisting River comes home with Connor for Christmas.

River doesn’t have a family, or any place outside of college that he calls home. Not that it matters to him; he’s happy being alone for Christmas in his budget motel, watching reruns of Elf. Only, Connor keeps telling wildly improbable stories of the perfect family celebrations at his parents’ ranch in Texas, and it’s wearing River down. He didn’t ask to be kidnapped. He didn’t want to fall in love with the entire Campbell-Hayes family. But he does.

From one Christmas to the next. This is Connor’s year to rescue River, and himself, for them both to mess things up, make things right, fall in lust and finally, for Connor to show the man he loves what being part of a family can mean.

I have been a huge an of the Texas series since I read The Heart of Texas where playboy Riley Hayes meets and blackmails cowboy rancher Jack Campbell into marrying him.  That begins the saga of the Campbell-Hayes family,  and by association extended family and friends that is now up to book nine. We have gone through marriages, adoptions, all sorts of incredible angst, enough that this group now feels a part of us as well.

With Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott, the author now gifts her readers with an endearing holiday story that not only brings us up to date on all the family members current status but gives us a look at the  twins, all grown up.  And in Connor’s case, looking for his future and love.

He finds both in the troubled form of River, a fellow student from college struggling with the holidays, a dismissal from the diving team, and so much more.

I don’t consider any of the Texas stories standalone so perhaps I should have lowered the rating for that but the gift is the series itself.  You need to read the series. It’s like buying into a family of the person you want to date.  Turns out you not only adore the person but everyone they come with.  What a winning combination!!

That’s the way with this series.

You get to see Connor grow up so you understand the young man who is at the heart of the story here.  The one fighting for River to come home with him for Christmas, the fixer of the younger generation.  The layers to this character have been coming for eight books and are now firmly in place.    We know Connor, just as we know all the children now grown here.

As always with RJ Scott, I appreciated the realistic dynamics of the relationship between River and Connor.  A struggle at times to understand each other and communicate, to open up and become aware of inground perceptions and raised barriers, it’s an authentic emotional journey between the two young men. And it let’s us connect to them more intimately then if it had been a story of instant love.

Riley and Jack, one of my all time favorite couples, is also front and center, in their own still passionate love and as supportive dads to Connor.   How I love these two!

There is so much more to this story, most of which I don’t wish to give away.  You should discover it for yourself.  It makes for heartwarming reading, perfect for Christmas and the holidays.  Plus you get all the Campbell-Hayes holidays traditions and families all together in one story!

My only wish?  It was longer than a novella.  But I wish that   for all Texas stories.

Grab this one up, I highly recommend it for all lovers of the Texas series and the Campbell-Hayes clan.  They are home for Christmas and it’s not to be missed!

Cover art: Meredith Russell.  I love that cover!  That’s Connor in a nutshell.  Perfection.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Book Details:

ebook
Published November 28th 2018 by Love Lane Books
ISBN1 39781785641435
Edition Language English
Series Texas #9

Texas Series


Book #1 – The Heart of Texas – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – Texas Winter – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 – Texas Heat – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Texas Family – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #5 – Texas Christmas – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #6 – Texas Fall – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #7 – Texas Wedding – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #8 – Texas Gift – Amazon US | Amazon UK

An Alisa Advent Calendar Review: A Holiday Tradition by Chrissy Munder

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

Paul Carpenter has his life all planned out. Or at least his father does. The right school, the right degree, the right job. Paul is on track, until a bus accident has him sitting out a coveted internship, babysitting, or being babysat, by a grandfather he barely remembers during his holiday stay in a Florida RV park. His father’s reasoning? How much temptation can Paul find around a bunch of senior citizens playing bingo? There’ll be nothing to distract him from his studies.

 

It’s hard to muster his holiday spirit when Paul is used to snow and cold, not sun, surf, and plastic flamingos in Santa hats. But then Paul meets Kevin Lombardo, who offers to show him some new holiday traditions. Suddenly Paul’s fast track hits a curve.

 

I feel bad because a lot of the holiday stories aren’t really connecting with me this year, while I like them they aren’t blowing me away.  This one has done better than the others so far.  Paul is trying to make his father proud but it’s so hard when it makes him unhappy while Kevin is supporting Paul he wants him to be happy.  I was easily able to connect with Paul and could feel his frustration and unhappiness throughout his ordeal and was glad when Kevin finally knocked some sense into him.  I liked that they were able to work everything out and see them happy together in the future.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 58 pages

Published: December 17, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

Edition Language: English

The Holiday Story Season Continues with Operation Toy Rescue by Sarah Hadley Brook (excerpt and giveaway)

 

 
Length: 29,000 words approx.
 
Publisher: JMS Books
 
Blurb
 

When Jules Evergreen lands in trouble at the North Pole and gets shipped off to Snow Hope Island for ninety days, he never expects to take up the cause of the forgotten toys waiting for new homes. Falling for his new boss is not on the agenda either, but his heart has other ideas.


Felix Winterson has grown up on Snow Hope Island and now runs the place. He isn’t thrilled when party boy Jules arrives, and Felix tries hard to ignore the man’s charms. He has other problems, anyway. For years he’s tried to get Santa to look at the growing inventory of damaged toys in the warehouse, to no avail.


When Jules comes up with a plan to save the toys, the men find themselves working closely together. As Christmas Eve looms, there’s a lot at stake. Can they save Snow Hope, convince Santa to rescue the toys, and fall in love all at the same time?

 
Excerpt



He was surprised that no one else was in the building yet. Unless they were upstairs in the loft, or locked away in an office. He thought he’d seen Eve’s coat hanging from a peg up front.


Jules opened the laptop and logged in, ready to get started. He really wanted to take that trip to the warehouse with Felix and the quicker he finished logging things in, the quicker that could happen. As he carefully opened a rather large box, he heard a door open and turned to see Felix, Eve, and Zuzu hurry out of Felix’s office. All wore a look of panic and his heart jumped.


“What’s wrong?” he asked as Eve grew closer.


“The Big Guy is coming for a visit three days before Christmas! We just found out. He never does this. Never, Jules.” Her voice rose as she spilled the news.


Jules glanced at Felix and caught his eye, holding it for a moment. “Isn’t Santa coming a good thing?” he asked, confused.


“We don’t know. He never does this. Never,” Eve reiterated.


“She’s right. He doesn’t. What if he wants to make major changes? Or move us to the North Pole?” Felix asked.


Jules crinkled his brow. In his mind, moving to the North Pole would be great. Felix would be closer to Jules. “You don’t want to live at the North Pole?”


All three of them looked at him in shock, their mouths gaping open.


“What?” he asked.


“The North Pole is headquarters. It’s chaos,” Zuzu explained.


Okay, I’ll give them that. But there were good things, too.


“But you’d be closer to …” he flicked his gaze to Felix and felt his cheeks heat up. “The main operation,” he finished lamely.


“But we like it here. Our island is beautiful and we’re like a family. What if we’re torn apart?”


“I don’t think Santa –”


“You don’t know, Jules,” Eve broke in. “Maybe he thinks we don’t do enough to help these toys.”


Felix was vigorously nodding his agreement, so Jules shut his mouth and sat down in front of his laptop, considering the possibilities. He finally glanced back up, his lips curving up into a small smile as he eyed all three. “Then I guess there’s only one thing to do, guys. We need to show Santa how important the island is to children all over the globe.”


“How do we do that?” Eve asked quietly, her brow furrowed.


“By developing a kick ass plan to get these ‘inadequate toys’ into the hands of kids,” he explained, using air quotes. It was really just expanding what he and Felix had talked about last night. But calling it a plan made it feel more real. More promising.


Again, they gaped at him. Well, all but Felix. He was grinning. Happiness filled Jules’s chest and his heart raced as he grinned back, warmth spreading through him. Their gazes held and Jules felt like Felix was peering inside of him. Like he was seeing the real Jules. Not the guy that always screwed up. Not the guy that only thought of himself. But the one that finally — finally — wanted to do something worthy. Something that would bring others joy.


“Jules is right. We need to work together to show Santa we can handle the responsibility of taking care of the toys on this island. To prepare them for new homes. To convince him to take them with him on Christmas Eve.” Felix straightened his shoulders as determination flitted across his face and hope flashed in his eyes.


Jules couldn’t look away. The man was beautiful in every way.


Author Bio

Sarah Hadley Brook lives smack-dab in the middle of the Heartland and is the mother of two wonderful young men, as well as two cats. During the day, she works in the nonprofit world, but reserves evenings for her hobby-turned-passion of writing, letting the characters she conjures in her mind take the lead and show her where the story will go. When not working or writing, she can be found reading, working on dollhouses, trying her hand at new recipes, or watching old movies and musicals. In her ideal world, Christmas would come at least twice a year, Rock Hudson and Doris Day would have costarred in more than three movies, and chocolate would be a daily necessity. She dreams of traveling to Scotland some day and visiting the places her ancestors lived. Sarah believes in “Happily Ever After” and strives to ensure her characters find their own happiness in love and life.



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J.P. Barnaby on a Conversation with her Character and her new novel Saving Hannah (author guest blog)

Saving Hannah by J.P. Barnaby

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

Release Date:  December 18, 2018
Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press  | Amazon

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host J.P. Barnaby here today on tour for her latest novel, Saving Hannah.  Welcome, J.P.

 

A Chat with Hannah Aberthol

Saving Hannah, while a romantic suspense, is at its core—a love story. It’s a love story between two men and a little girl. Hannah has leukemia and her father, Thomas, will do anything to get her the medical care she needs. Aleks has loved Thomas since college and wants to help them both. Along with the suspenseful elements, there is a lot of love.

I thought it would be fun to sit down with little Hannah and talk about her role in the book, her relationship with her father, and how she feels about the developments in their relationship.

JP: Hi Hannah, thanks for sitting down with me today.

Hannah: Hello. It’s nice to see you again. Daddy said you helped us become a family.

JP: Well, I just wrote it down. That was all your daddy and Aleks.  They’re good guys.

Hannah: Meemaw said Daddy is a good man who did a bad thing. Aleks is a good man too. He helped me with the doctors and medicine and stuff.

JP: How are you feeling, Hannah?

Hannah: Way better. Daddy says I can go to school soon.

JP: That’s great! Are you looking forward to that?

Hannah: Yeah, I just wish my hair were longer. They’re gonna make fun of me.

JP: Tell them you were in a rock band and shaved your head.

Hannah: That’s silly. And a lie. Daddy said we’re only supposed to lie about certain things.

JP: That’s got to be a scary thing.

Hannah: Yeah. I’m scared I’m going to mess up and something bad will happen.

JP: Tell you what, if I don’t write it—it won’t happen. And I won’t write something bad happening to you. Does that make it better?

Hannah: You can do that?

JP: Yep.

Hannah: You’re the bestest ever! I’m gonna go tell Daddy and Aleks. See you later!

Blurb

Thomas Aberthol’s luck has run out. His daughter, Hannah, needs a miracle he can’t deliver. A hacker with a felony record, Thomas has little chance of finding work that will provide the care she needs. Out of money, out of options, and out of hope, he throws himself on the mercy of someone he never thought to see again.

Even after ten years, Aleksander Sanna still dreams of that drunken kiss. A perfect moment in time when Thomas wanted him. In his world of elegant code and high finance, the picture he holds of Thomas torments him in the dark of night.

Their worlds collide as Thomas interviews for the job he so desperately needs with the company Aleks inherited from his father. Thomas doesn’t get the position, but Aleks offers him a completely different kind of proposal, one suited to Thomas’s unique talents… one that will change the course of both their lives.

 

About author J.P. Barnaby

JP Barnaby is an award-winning contemporary romance and romantic suspense novelist with over a dozen novels. Her heart and soul, the Survivor Series, has been heralded by USA Today as one of their favorites. She recently moved from Chicago to Atlanta to appease her Camaro (Jake) who didnít like the blustery winters. JP specializes in recovery romance but slips in a few erotic or comedic stories to spice things up. When sheís not working on her latest novel, she binge watches superheroes and crime dramas on Netflix with her husband and Jack Russell Terror, Chase.

Sign up for her newsletter and try a free story: https://bit.ly/2xSB8kE

 

Love the Texas Series? Then Check out the Holiday Story Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 
 
Length: 45,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Meredith Russell
 

Texas Series


Book #1 – The Heart of Texas – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – Texas Winter – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 – Texas Heat – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Texas Family – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #5 – Texas Christmas – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #6 – Texas Fall – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #7 – Texas Wedding – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #8 – Texas Gift – Amazon US | Amazon UK

 
Blurb
 

Can Connor show River a real family Christmas?


When Connor finds River on the roof of the campus admin building, he doesn’t know what to do. His friend is drunk, and shouting into a snowstorm, a bottle of vodka in his hand. The easy part is getting River down; the hard part is insisting River comes home with Connor for Christmas.


River doesn’t have a family, or any place outside of college that he calls home. Not that it matters to him; he’s happy being alone for Christmas in his budget motel, watching reruns of Elf. Only, Connor keeps telling wildly improbable stories of the perfect family celebrations at his parents’ ranch in Texas, and it’s wearing River down. He didn’t ask to be kidnapped. He didn’t want to fall in love with the entire Campbell-Hayes family. But he does.


From one Christmas to the next. This is Connor’s year to rescue River, and himself, for them both to mess things up, make things right, fall in lust and finally, for Connor to show the man he loves what being part of a family can mean.

 
Excerpt
 
Chapter 1


Connor skidded to a stop.


The cold December wind whipped around his face, ice and snow knifing into his skin, and at first, he couldn’t make sense of what he was seeing.


Maybe he should have stopped, called 911, shouted for help, but it could’ve been too late, so he’d acted on instinct alone. He’d taken the four flights of stairs at a run, reaching the roof and throwing the door open. His lungs burned from the freezing air and his voice had gone. What now?


Why was River on the roof in nothing but jeans and a T-shirt, clearly drunk? Why was he standing on the ledge, his feet spread, his arms wide, and a bottle of vodka in his hand?


When the girl from his floor told him she’d seen River go up to the roof, he thought she’d meant something else. He often went up there to read or watch life go by. But not in a snow storm.


He didn’t expect to see River standing on the ledge in the snow.


Don’t scare him. He’ll stumble and fall. He might jump.


A gust of air slapped Connor. River swayed to the left but righted himself with the casual grace of a gymnast. River wouldn’t fall by accident. Hell, Connor had seen him balance on one hand on a diving board, perfectly still, before falling gracefully and accurately with spins and pikes into the water below. He’d never seen River falter.


“River?” Connor asked, only an inch from grabbing River’s shirt and holding him tight. He saw River tense, but he didn’t wobble in surprise or slip and fall to the ground.


“I canbalance. Look at me.” River sounded so damn proud of himself.


Connor took a small step forward, finally being able to hold River’s shirt, hoping to hell that would be enough to stop River from falling.


“Come down, buddy.”


River lifted the bottle over his head, sloshing alcohol over his hair, his tongue flicking out to catch any that ran over his face.


“Fuck,” he shouted.


Connor tugged at him, not knowing what else to do. “Come back,” he said, loud enough that River actually looked at him.


“Leave me alone,” he said.


“I’m not leaving you on the roof,” Connor snapped and got a better hold of River, hooking a finger into his belt. River wasn’t a big guy, a diver’s body, no more than five ten and a buck sixty soaking wet, but if he fell, would Connor be able to hold him long enough to save him?


River pulled against Connor’s grip, and for a second the world stopped turning as Connor had to use his entire body weight to keep him upright. Something about the action must have scared River. He cursed and rocked backward, but he still wouldn’t come down.


“Come down,” Connor pleaded. “You’re scaring me.”


“You think you gotta save me? Huh?” River threw his arms wide again, more alcohol sloshing over the top of the bottle. “I don’t need saving.”


“I want you to come down.” Connor tried for calm. What was he doing? He should have called the cops immediately when he spotted River. Or firefighters, negotiators? Or whoever the hell should’ve been here. He’d seen things like this on the television, the mediator knowing all the right things to say and do, standing by River and connecting him to his family or childhood or his faith. All Connor knew was that he needed to pull River down, use the only thing he had going for him; the fact that he was bigger and stronger.


“I like it up here!” River explained with another wide gesture. He wobbled a little but righted himself immediately.


“Come down, Riv.”


“Saint Connor tries to save everyone,” River shouted, ending with a hysterical laugh. He was clearly losing control of himself, and even if Connor did have the words to talk him down, he thought maybe he’d just yank River back onto the concrete roof of the building and worry about injuries later.


But River wasn’t finished. “Even if they don’t need saving!”


“River!”


“Who the hell cares if I can balance, huh?”


“I care,” Connor shouted back. This was so out of character.


“Yeah, right, telling me what Christmas and family is like for you, making me see it in my head, and then leaving me here alone.”


“River, please.” Connor tugged him, but River wouldn’t move back.


“Leaving me here, alone, because that’s all anyone ever does. They fuck off, leave me, and what happens when college is over, huh? What happens when I lose that?” He lifted one clenched fist to the sky. “Fuck you!”


Connor had never heard River curse like this, and he was done with holding on to him. So evaluating where they would end up if they fell backward and not caring how much it hurt, he yanked, hard. River tumbled with him, arms flailing and the vodka bottle slipping from his grasp and falling into the tub of snow-covered plants on the roof patio. The two of them fell onto the roof, Connor using his body to cushion River’s descent, getting his arms full of an icy cold man, the breath forced from his lungs when they hit the ground.


Connor enveloped him in his arms and locked his hands in place, fighting a frozen, wet, drunk River. He wouldn’t get free. Connor had his pappa’s height, a rancher’s build, and he was a solid anchor in the wind and snow. There was no point in River fighting, and somehow he must have realized he couldn’t get free and went still in Connor’s arms.


All Connor could think was that he’d wanted River back in his arms for a long time now, but he’d expected soft lighting and mood music, not driving winds and snow.


“What the hell are you doing?” Connor demanded.


“Let me the fuck go.”


“Jesus, are you trying to kill yourself?”


River attempted to wriggle free. Connor’s grip didn’t falter in his hold. With his arms securely around River, he shuffled them back so they were protected by the low wall. He wanted to get them back inside, but he wasn’t ready to let River go yet, and the door was at least ten feet away. What if River wriggled free and ran for the ledge? The idea of River on the ground, twisted in death, blood… Connor didn’t want to think about it. He opened his coat, one-handed, and then pulled River closer, trying to get as much of the material to go over him, attempting to keep them both warm. River’s skin was like ice. How long had he been standing up there?


“What were you doing?” he demanded, but River didn’t reply, only burrowed deeper into Connor’s hold. This was stupid. He needed to get them off the roof, or he needed help. His phone was in the car. The campus was emptying for Christmas. It was ten a.m., snowing. What the hell was he going to do now?


“I have no one,” River muttered, then laughed and buried his face deeper.


“What do you mean? Talk to me, River.”


“No.”


“We need to get inside.”


How the hell do I get River inside?


He imagined struggling with River’s weight, trying to get him down four flights of stairs and across to his room. Maybe if he could just get him to the car, with its heated seats and the warm air blower and the coffee in a flask that Connor had made for the start of his journey back to Dallas. Then he could call someone, the cops or a doctor? That seemed like a plan, a focus. He scrambled to his feet, bringing River with him, and stumbled inside. As soon as the door shut, warmth hit them, prickling at his exposed skin, and he moved toward the radiator, still gripping River’s belt. He let go of him long enough to remove his jacket and place it around the shivering man’s shoulders.


River buried himself in the coat, and Connor went into disaster assessment mode. He’d seen hypothermia back home at the D, and it wasn’t pretty. He remembered his pappa saying there were signs to look for, and when Jack spoke, Connor always listened. He pulled up the facts he could remember. Did River have hypothermia? His teeth weren’t chattering, and he wasn’t talking at all, so it wasn’t obvious if he was slurring. Then, even if he did talk and his speech was slurry, how could Connor tell how much vodka he’d drunk? Connor tried to remember the symptoms. The college hospital wasn’t far away. He could drive there, and they would help.


Why the hell did I leave my phone in the damned car?


“It’s okay. I’m okay.”


“No, you’re not.”


“You can go,” River said dully. He wriggled closer to the radiator.


“I’m not going anywhere.”


“But you are,” River murmured. “You kissed me, you got me off, and now you’re leaving today.” Then he hid his face in his hands. “Shit, shit, shit.”


Wait. Was this about what happened at the thanksgiving party?


Is this my fault?


Connor didn’t usually drink that much, but he’d had one beer too many at the party, to the point where he had all the courage he needed to wait for River to come out of the bathroom.


“Can I kiss you?” he’d asked, and River had stared at him, stone-cold sober and narrow-eyed.


But then, holy shit, River had pushed him back into the nearest bedroom, shut the door, and the kiss had turned into something more, hands tangled in hair, the two of them kissing and rutting against each other until they were coming in their jeans. Really unromantic. Nothing more than getting off, and River had left before Connor could even get his breath back. Not the best of outcomes. Then River had ignored him. Not returning texts, no more study sessions in the library, and he’d even missed the last lecture of the semester.


All of that told Connor on thing: River wasn’t interested in anything more with him. But that didn’t mean they weren’t still friends. They sat in silence for a few minutes, River’s face still buried in his hands, and he was clearly crying.


What the hell should I do now?

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.


RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.


The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.


She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

 

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A MelanieM Review: The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Jeremy Warsh has been in off-mode ever since his grandpa’s death a couple years ago. He set aside their shared passion, comic art, and hasn’t looked back. As an introvert from the other side of town, he fully expects to spend his boring life bagging groceries until, maybe one day, he’s promoted to store manager.

Yet, his two best friends, Kasey and Stuart, are different. They’re not afraid to demand more out of everyone. When Kasey comes out, Jeremy’s inspired. He picks up his colored pencils and starts drawing comics again, creating a no-nonsense, truth-talking character named Penny Kind. Who speaks to him. Literally.

The friend group set in motion Stuart’s plans for a huge Homecoming prank, and if they can get Penny’s comic trending, they might be able to pull it off. Could this be a stepping-stone to a future Jeremy’s only dreamed of? And after he kisses a boy at a college party, will Jeremy finally face what he’s been hiding from?

I don’t know why I  haven’t found or heard of this author before but Jess Moore is now firmly on my radar based on the absolute  brilliant storytelling I found in The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore.  This novel just blew me away on so many levels that I hardly know where to start and I’m certain not to do it justice.

All the trials and tribulations of high school can be found here, as well as the angst and anxiety that seniors face that final year going forward into an uncertain future.  All these unformed young humans, trying to figure out who they are, how to be not only the best person they can be but what type of person that is, including the sex of the person they are attracted to and want to date.   Frame that within the even larger framework of telling their friends, family, and horror, the school network finding out…all before the homecoming? It’s stress by the truckload on teenage shoulders trying to do homework, tame their hair, skirt bullies, and find love.

And Jess Moore has delivered us into a world full of characters that we recognize immediately as so realistic that we lose our hearts to them, bleed for them, and cheer them on as they slowly find their paths forward.  Sometimes it’s a wonder any of our young survive high school.

Jeremy Warsh is such a memorable young man.  When we first meet him, he’s still grieving over the loss of his grandfather, the other person, other than his mother, who really raised him, who was his foundation.  He’s got a white boy’s “fro” with his frizzy hair, sort of pudgy, tall, intelligent, responsible, kind, and about the change the course of his life.  He’s our narrator and window into his world and life.  I couldn’t have wanted anyone finer or more complex.  Kudoes to Moore on his creation.

Jeremy’s best friends Stuart and Kasey each have their own journeys to go on while still being part of Jeremy’s and he a strong partner in their decisions as well.  Especially Kasey’s. But Jeremy has an unusual support from a cartoon he’s started to draw, a sassy girl called Penny Kind.  She offers up all kinds of advice on herself, Jeremy’s life, and how the cartoon is being drawn.  How I loved this aspect of the story!

Another deeply moving and heartfelt portion?  The mother/son relationship between Jeremy and his mother.  It never feels anything but real. It contains its natural flaws of any such familial relationship , but the support and love that flows between them is something that’s a joy to read.  I just adore the dynamics here.  In fact that goes for all the relationships as laid out by the author for Jeremy and his family and friends.  It all has a truly vivid and authentic ring to every thread and character set down in the story.

That includes Jeremy finding Matt and his discovery that he’s gay.

And the manner in which he deals with his lifelong school bully.

This book is amazing!  This review  doesn’t begin to go into the many layers of storyline and the nuances of life these young characters face with determination, grit, tears, and laughter.  And the reader will be there with them every gripping step of the way.

Just be aware that once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down.  So pull out that ice cream, get comfortable and be prepared to settle in until this astonishingly moving story is over and you’re cuddling your Kindle close to your heart.  Because that’s how The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore makes you feel.  About Jeremy, his future, and this story.

It’s one of my top ten of 2018.

Cover art: Natasha Snow.  I like this cover and don’t.  Because both eye catching in its portrait of a teenager but clearly not Jeremy.    I ‘m not sure anyone could capture Jeremy or Penny KInd!

Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published November 26th 2018 by SunFire Imprint of NineStar Press
ISBN 139781949909487
Edition Language English

Best of 2018 – Week 2 and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best of 2018 – Week 2

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words continues to share its Best of 2018 lists with all of you, this time from our reviewer Ali.  Are you making your lists and checking them twice? I know I am.
Happy Reading and Listening from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words!

From Ali….

Favorite Books of the Year:

Favorite Audiobooks of the Year:

Infamous by Jenny Holiday/narrated by Michael Fell
They Both Die in the End by Adam Silveria/narrated by Bahni Turpin, Robbie Daymond, Michael Crouch
Family Man by Heidi Cullinan & Marie Sexton/narrated by Colin Darcy
How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune/narrated by Derrick McClain

Favorite Series of the Year:

Seven of Spades by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Death and the Devil by LJ Hayward
Big Bad Wolf by Charlie Adhara
The Woodbury Boys by Sidney Bell

Favorite Covers of the Year:

 

 

Pisces Hooks Taurus by Antya Sunday / Natasha Snow
Death of a Bachelor by M.A. Hinkle / Natasha Snow
Gray’s Shadow by K.A. Merikan / Artist: Natasha Snow
To See the Sun by Kelly Jensen / Artist:Garrett Leigh
Lights & Sirens by Lisa Henry / Artist:Natasha Snow
One Eyed Royals by Cordelia Kingsbridge / Artist: Garrett Leigh
Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 16:

  • Release Tour for The Strength of His Heart – Victoria Sue
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Advent Calendar Review: Make a Circle by Elliot Joyce
  • An ALisa Review: Strength of His Heart (Enhanced World #4) by Victoria Sue
  • A MelanieM Review: The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore
  • Best of 2018 – Week 2 and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, December 17:

  • Review Tour for Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott
  • Release Blitz  – Operation Toy Rescue by Sarah Hadley Brook
  • PROMO J.P. Barnaby on Saving Hannah
  • An Alisa Advent Calendar Review: A Holiday Tradition by Chrissy Munder
  • A MelanieM Review: Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Strength of His Heart (Enhanced World #4) by Victoria Sue

Tuesday, December 18:

  • Release Blitz – Full O’Festive Spirits by Zakarrie Clarke
  • From These Ashes by Davidson King Blog Tour
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review:  Tit for Tat by JS Harker
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Homebird by Amy Lane
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Saving Hannah by JP Barnaby
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The CEO’s Christmas Manny Series: Beyond the Boardroom by Angela McAllister
  • An Ali Advent Calendar Review: Once in a Lifetime by Cassie Decker

Wednesday, December 19:

  • Review Tour –  – Trusting by Ruby Moone
  • Review Tour for  Christmas Prince by RJ Scott
  • Book Blast – Little Harbour by Sophia Soames
  • A Stella Advent Calendar Review: Colina de Lavanda by August Li
  • An Alisa Review Something To Celebrate by Evelyn Benvie “Escape From the Holidays Story”
  • An Alisa Review : Trusting Jack by Ruby Moone
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Home for Christmas (Texas #9) by R.J. Scott

Thursday, December 20:

  • Release Blitz – Kink Aware (Kiss of Leather 9) by Morticia Knight
  • DSP PROMO JS Harker on Tit for Tat
  • An Alisa Review: Vampire with Benefits (Supernatural Selection #2) by E.J. Russell
  • A MelanieM Audio Review: Q*Pid by Xavier Mayne and Rudy Sanda (Narrator)
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Forbidden Pursuits (The Galactic Captains #2) by Harry F. Rey
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Calendar Review:Summer Santa by Ward Maia

Friday, December 21:

  • HARMONY INK PROMO Verity Croker on Jilda’s Ark
  • Review Tour – Sarah Hadley Brook – Operation Toy Rescue
  • DSP PROMO Sean Michael
  • An Alisa Review: Paradise Lodge by Riina Y.T.
  • A MelanieM Advent Calendar Review:Slow Summer Heat by Renae Kaye
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Tutus and Tinsel by Rhys Ford
  • A Stella Review : Operation Toy Rescue by Sarah Hadley Brook

Saturday, December 22:

  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Review:Season to Shimmer by Kim Katil
  • An Alisa Audio Review: Going Overboard (Anchor Point #5) by L.A. Witt  and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Chaos Moondrawn Advent Calendar Review: Make a Circle by Elliot Joyce

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Oliver surprises Lucas by asking him to come home for the holidays to meet his folks. It’s nice to see an established couple. The author makes it easy to feel Lucas’s nerves at meeting the Han family during an important holiday. Oliver seems just as nervous. Since a lot of them don’t speak English and Lucas doesn’t speak Mandarin, what could possibly go wrong? Apparently, quite a bit. The author is great at capturing the bittersweet torture of a large family gathering. I don’t want to spoil the plot, but not everyone acts respectfully, so it’s quite emotional, but heartwarming too. I really enjoyed this chaste short story.

The cover art is by Brooke Albrecht. I assume it shows Oliver and hints at Chinese culture.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 33 pages
Published December 1st 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781644050538
Edition Language English

An Ashlez Review: Dedicated (Rhythm Of Love #1) by Neve Wilder

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Our greatest hit is a love song I wrote for my bandmate. And he has no idea.”

Messy-haired, soulful-eyed, off-kilter lyricist Les Graves holds tight to the hedonist’s credo of consumption in every avenue of life. He has trouble staying still, trouble staying sober, trouble turning down a good time—but put a pen in his hand, and he’ll set a page on fire.

Music was Evan Porter’s ticket out of the backwater mud puddle he was born in, the passion keeping him warm as he busked on street corners, fueling him through a dead-end bartending job. Every chord, every song, every ounce of sweat has been devoted to making Porter & Graves a success. He’s the level-head, the quiet maestro, the seatbelt that keeps Les from flying too far out of control. And he’s getting pretty tired of playing savior.

Their chemistry onstage is electric, but offstage it’s another story.

Angst, snark, and nuclear levels of unresolved sexual tension combust in this tale of two rockers, a handful of secrets, a bombed album, and a publicity nightmare thrown in a remote cabin with one shot at redemption. Can Evan and Les find harmony or will they—and their music career—go down in flames?

Dedicated is a 92k standalone bisexual friends-to-lovers romance that also plays on the fake relationship trope, contains a cockblocking greenhouse, really poor decisions involving social media, and a borderline over-the-top HEA.

I loved Les – he was such a spunky personality to read – his troubles were relatable (have a brother that had the same issues) and holy man it was accurate (mostly, I think reality is a lot more rough) but damn what a good book to read.
Evan was a bit on the reserved and slightly too cautious side, I think he was a sweetheart in his own way but his emotions were just sometimes a bit weird to read.
The progression of the band, life on the road, being in the public eye, has to be hard for anyone – this shows just how hard it can sometimes be.
Steamy but not over the top – was so good to read.  Definite recommend.
Cover Art:  delicious – and 100% relevant and shows what the book is about
Sales Links:  Amazon
Book Details:
ebook, 340 pages
Published December 11th 2018 by Wilder Press, LLC/ Neve Wilder (first published December 9th 2018)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesRhythm of Love #1

 

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Calendar Review: Too Hot for Santa by Helena Stone

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Jonah Walsh, as Irish as the day he was born, lands in Sydney to take an acting job offer that came in the nick of time. He was caught on camera getting a blowjob and the clip went viral so fast his agent dropped him and he lost his acting job.  Fortunately, this offer to spend the summer months in Sydney came in just as he was despairing over his life choices.  Now all he has to do is get used to the unbearably hot summer temps in Australia and to ignore the equally hot Nick Claseman. 

Nick is technically Jonah’s boss, though his sister is the one who hired him for the play they are both producing.  And Nick’s not too happy that she offered Jonah the granny flat at his house.  But when he meets Jonah and the two get to know one another, he’s more than happy to spend time with him—in and out of bed. 

This is a pretty lighthearted tale of a grumpy Aussie who is positively affected by a happy-go-lucky Irishman. By the time they get to opening night, the two have become inseparable and the possibility of Jonah staying in Australia is something they both want.

I liked the characters and the tour of Australia readers get to see along with Jonah, but what bothered me is that Nick never seemed to work.  Though stated early on that he and his sister were producing the play, any mention of production and scheduling always revolved around her.  Though it may be a minor point, it took away plot substance for me. Nick’s role in the book was more of a roommate lover and less of a boss or authority figure. Others may not be bugged by this detail and it is, overall, a sweet holiday story.

The cover by Paul Richmond features a redheaded young man in dark T-shirt and jacket superimposed over what may be the Sydney Opera House.  There’s nothing remarkable about the cover, other than the star that indicates this is one of the Advent Anthology stories. 

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 59 pages
Published November 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB07L21Q433