Tag: A MelanieM Review

Review: The Harvest Young: Bound by Fate (The Next Generation Book 1) by M.A. Church

Rating: 3 🌈

It’s been a while since I read M.A. Church’s series , The Harvest Taken (2014), but I do remember liking those stories.

Which I why , aside from the terrific cover , I picked up The Harvest Young: Bound by Fate (The Next Generation Book 1) by M.A. Church.

I’m not sure that I either enjoyed this as much or remembered the other very well. Because I found I had quite a few issues with it.

Most of the universe, various species, political setups, can all be found in the previous series. You need to be familiar with those stories or you’ll be completely lost here.

There’s no attempt to fill in a new reader and frankly, there’s probably no way to convey the complicated backgrounds and histories of all the people and worlds involved.

But my issues started with the characters. The twins, who I met in the other series, are now grown. And one, Szin , is unlike his brother in looks and feels extremely insecure. He’s about to be claimed by his fated mate, who he feels inadequate to. Unlike his brother, Szin looks more like his human father than his Tah’Narian other parent.

That’s the basics. But he’s grown up with and actually loves Takeo, his childhood friend and soon to be mate. Takeo has adored and listened to him all his life. But instead of talking to him about the problems he’s feeling, this character is whining and running.

Honestly, he’s royalty. He’s surrounded by people who listen to him , constantly. Not , imo, the most relatable.

Then there’s the sex scenes. When the couple finally decide to mate, one barely a virgin and one is. It’s instantly a bondage D/s pain scene.

Ok. They’ve barely decided they’re going to be mates but let’s dive right into a D/s relationship?

Yeah that’s believable. Not that they aren’t cute together but can there at least be some semblance of time to make that reasonable?

Then while they are strolling about Takeo’s home world I came across a scene that pulls me out of the story completely.

Here’s the issue.

One thing I’m very disappointed to see in a futuristic story is that continuation of stale non environmental ideals. Here are our main characters on a hot, arid planet with highly specialized flora and fauna that they take note of. But this is what their species built.

“They continued walking but didn’t speak until they reached a several-storied, light-gray-colored building with huge windows. A lush, well-manicured green lawn surrounded it. “This is the Sa-Ka.” “Wow. Of all the things I expected, this beauty in such an arid place wasn’t in it.” “There is a sprinkler system here, that’s why it’s so green. If you like that, you’ll really like this.” Takeo led Szin down a path that led to a garden.”

— The Harvest Young: Bound by Fate (The Next Generation Book 1) by M.A. Church

Green lawns, that need a sprinkler system. I was absolutely cringing. They aren’t even human. But the author’s choices were. Outdated , environmentally destructive even in our times, but now making an appearance in a sci-fy romance novel on a desert planet far in the future.

This is so disheartening. To see water wastage (with burbling fountains) made a thing to be appreciated. American lawns, sprinkler systems. What? No mow patterns?

For me, I look to science fiction for something fresh, and if it’s a repetition of old history, then it’s because there’s a lesson to be learned. Not held up as something wonderful in the future when we should have discarded it as a tired old element that should have been eliminated then because we learned our lesson about water preservation now.

Did I finish the book? Yes. But I was looking at everything differently. How much was outdated in terms of philosophy? I was now second guessing every choice the author was making with the narrative.

So would I recommend this? Honestly I’m not sure. I guess if you’re a fan of the author, or if you want to know where the series characters go next, then sure.

But for everyone else, you can decide for yourself.

There’s other books in this series but I’m stopping here.

https://www.goodreads.com › showBound by Fate – The Harvest Young by M.A. Church | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Half human and half Tah’Narian, Szin doesn’t fit with either race. His appearance is mainly human, but he’s able to have a young. Unfortunately, that’s his only Tah’Narian characteristic. He’s smaller and weaker than other young. Szin’s eighteenth birthday has passed and time’s running out. He has to stop his childhood friend, Takeo, from making the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Takeo deserves an equal who’s as fierce as he is, something Szin most certainly is not. Since before Takeo was born, he’s known Szin was his. Nothing and no one, not even Szin, is going to stand in the way of claiming his mate. He understands Szin feels he isn’t good enough, and he’ll do anything to convince Szin otherwise. Including taking drastic measures to ensure his mate listens. Takeo is the ultimate blend of human, Tah’Narian, and Onfrevian DNA. He’s pure predator, and his sights are set on his mate.

Review: Malicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Malicious Midpoint is the third of Alice Winters’ Demon Magic series and it’s my favorite to date. It’s a great mixture of the author’s signature snarky dialogue, quirky likable characters, which is combined with a magically twisted dark plot that’s pulled from all the previous novels. One that unexpectedly eschews the expectations of humor, ending up with emotionally moving scenes that deepen our connections with this very odd group of beings.

Not that humorous elements are left out! Far from it. There’s a scene or two that actually causes a spit take ! Waterbeds indeed! The growing family of Miles, Havoc, Menace, and others who often end up in their home or part of the peculiar intimate circle of friends are added to and, have their bonds tightened by the events here.

And it all starts so easily. With just a book and a boom!

Winters weaves a tale of love, darkness, tortured pasts, loss, family, and reclamation into something extraordinary. Just when you think the pain and darkness is unrelenting, there’s that aspect of humor to pull everything up before it’s plunging back down again.

Then there’s that ending. It’s weighing on me. Everywhere I see this is noted as 3 of 3 books in the series but this is very much an unfinished arc with so many storylines left unresolved.

It’s why this isn’t a 5 rating. Will there be more books? Another related series? I don’t know. I do know if you’re like me you won’t feel completely satisfied by this ending.

I’m still thrilled by Malicious Midpoint. But is it really instead the midpoint of this series? Is that my takeaway?

If someone has the scoop, please contact me.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Malicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters and all the books that preceded it.

Demon Magic series:

🔹Shadow’s Origin #0.5

🔹Happy Endings #1

🔹Familiar Beginnings #2

🔹Malicious Midpoint #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showMalicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Nothing can go wrong with being in love with a demon and having a dragon familiar whose idea of a fun time is watching me plummet to the ground, right? Now that things have settled down, I’m hoping to finally get some peace and quiet to spend with Havoc.

Instead, we get a guy who can walk the river of the dead, a centaur that seems allergic to pants, and an angel who has only one true love: himself.

This is the group of misfits I’ve been given to protect the district.

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how we stopped an unbelievably powerful dark mage.

After finding a strange book in the middle of the woods that seems to be connected to curse magic, I find myself in the presence of someone from my past… someone I never expected to meet again. As the clues lead us into a district on the brink of destruction, Havoc and I realize that in order to stop the district from collapsing and taking down our friends with it, we can’t do it alone. With the assistance of my chaotic crew, we are going to stop this darkness before it consumes those we care about.

But everything comes at a cost because when you work with magic, nothing is predictable.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Roommate Arrangement (Divorced Men’s Club #1) by Saxon James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Roommate Arrangement (Divorced Mens Club #1) by Saxon James was a lovely contemporary romance. The first in a new series revolving around a group of newly divorced men, James manages to set the foundation by introducing the group, grounding them in a interesting small hometown who’s abandoned penitentiary now serves as a tourist attraction, and a useful location for scenes to the characters themselves.

The first couple we meet begins with a man who’s returning to his hometown after a devastating discovery that his husband has been cheating on him for years. Now in the process of getting a divorce, he’s fleeing home to his friends and a place to recover.

That’s Payne Walker. Feeling lost, without a job, home, and until the apartment is sold, little savings. While his brother and family are acting as his support and cushion, we , through James’ lovely writing , empathize with Payne as he returns to Kilborough.

Waiting there, at the Kilborough Brewery , a town draw, are Griffin, Art de Almeida, owner of the brewery and startup of the DMC (Divorced Mens Club) and Orson. Plus Marty, Payne’s brother. The kil bro group of their adolescence years.

On the outskirts is Beau, Marty’s best friend and a successful fantasy writer. Beau has always harbored a deep crush on Payne when they were growing up. But his own social awkwardness and younger age always made him feel him unable to say anything.

Beau’s a terrific character. A socially awkward person, who’s passion for writing and own innate nature makes for a messy and lonely home life. When writing, he’s buried in his characters and plots, unaware of time passing. When blocked and unable to move forward, everything grinds to a halt, again forgotten.

When Marty suggests Payne as a roommate to help Payne get some needed breathing room from Marty’s overcrowded house, it looks to be a great way for both men to temporarily solve some problems.

James’s plot of a slow forming friendship that also turns into a romance is so charming. From a blanket fortress to a walk through the famous penitentiary, the men start to move towards something real and substantial.

There’s not a lot of deep angst after the beginning. But more a thoughtful removal of obstacles and a heartwarming romance that’s sure to engage you.

As this is just the beginning of the DMC series, it’s such an enjoyable start that I’m looking forward to the rest of the stories.

Need a new contemporary romance to read? Here’s one I’m recommending!

Divorced Men’s Club :

🔹Making Him Mine #0.5

🔹Roommate Arrangement #1

🔹Platonic Rulebook #2

🔹Budding Attraction #3 – Nov 23, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showRoommate Arrangement (Divorced Men’s Club, #1) by Saxon James – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Payne:

In search of: room to rent.

Must ignore the patheticness of a forty-year-old roommate.

Preferably dirt cheap as funds are tight (nonexistent).

There’s nothing sadder than moving back to my hometown newly divorced, homeless, and lost for what my next move is.

When my little brother’s best friend offers me a place to stay in exchange for menial duties, I swallow my pride and jump at the offer.

I need this.

I also need Beau to wear a shirt. And ditch the gray sweatpants. And not leave his door ajar when he’s in compromising positions …

Beau:

In search of: roommate.

Must be non smoker and non douchebag.

Room payment to be made in meal planning, repairs, and dumb jokes.

Since my career took off, I barely have time to breathe, let alone keep my life in order. I’m naturally chaotic, make terrible decisions, and scare off potential dates with my “weirdness”.

So when Payne gets back into town and needs somewhere to stay, I offer him my spare room with one condition: while he’s staying with me, I need him to help me become date-able.

And while he does that, I can focus on my other plan: ignoring that Payne is the only man I’ve ever wanted to date.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: A Shattered Silver Crown (San Amaro Investigations #4) by Kai Butler

Rating: 5🌈

What a moving, funny, and gobsmackingly magnificent book A Shattered Silver Crown is! It’s my favorite of four stories to date in Kai Butler’s fantastic San Amaro Investigations , a series that’s gotten more breathtaking in scope with each novel. Butler seems to be envisioning the future of the universe as well as character growth as something so wildly different, so unexpected that with every new case or turn in the story, the reader never knows what emotionally the impact will bring. On the characters and us.

It could be warm-hearted scenes between the growing found family living with Parker Ferro. It could be wildly humorous ones with brownies determined to have their be dazzling way, or heartbreaking ones as Parker deals with the emotional fallout of his past and his identity. All while investigating cases that could shatter worlds.

Butler’s writing here is just superb. The ramifications from the deep draining family issues that have come from the deaths and devastating events from the previous books are a major factor here. Lauren, Parker’s sister, isn’t right. How this is handled is incredible.

Love, whether it’s family or romantic, and it’s complications , especially when the Fae are involved is a enormous element here. Especially because Parker is Fae. The balancing act he has to make between his two lives is becoming more perilous and harder to do.

Butler’s ability to bring us inside Parker’s often anguished emotional state is heartbreaking and painful. We are so committed to him and want him to succeed even as the odds are increasing against him.

The magical scenes of battle are powerful and believable, imaginative and thrilling. You can feel the heat of the flames around the people you care about!

At the end, the case here has been resolved. But the cost has been high. And there’s hints of a high danger on the horizon. As well as one on the doorstep.

There’s another book, The Heart’s Blood Arrow, coming out Nov 7, 2022. It says it’s the 5 and last story in the series. But honestly, I can’t understand how this unbelievably complicated universe and themes can be wrapped up in one book. It seems unlikely.

I’m highly anticipating that book. But until then, this series is amazing. Read it in the order it’s written. They are not standalone books.

I’m highly recommending each and every one, especially A Shattered Silver Crown (San Amaro Investigations #4) by Kai Butler .

San Amara Investigations Series:

◦ A Haunting at Midnight #0.5

◦ A Debt Unpaid #0.75

✓ Wormwood Summer #1

✓ A Belated Burial #1.5

✓ The Oak Wood Throne #2

✓ A Gilded Iron Blade #3

✓ A Shattered Silver Crown #4

◦ The Heart’s Blood Arrow #5 – November 7, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Shattered Silver Crown by Kai Butler – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Parker Ferro is fine.

Sure, he’s still recovering from his last case and his sister has started keeping secrets, but that’s just another day in the life of the Windrose of San Amaro.

Then the local werewolf alpha calls in a favor when he’s turned on by his own pack and the last thing Parker wants to do is get mired in the city’s pack politics. Throw in the recent murder of a local cult leader with disturbing connections to the hidden fae in San Amaro, a long lost relative showing up to reconnect, and a group of brownies taking up residence in his car, and Parker cannot catch a break.

Hopefully he can solve this case and figure out some family secrets before everything blows up in his face, taking the city along with it.

A Shattered Silver Crown is a 120k MM urban fantasy with a HFN ending and an ongoing storyline. It cannot be read as a standalone.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Crazy Bookshop (Cadenbury Town #1) by E. Broom

Rating: 4🌈

E. Broom is a new author and I picked up this novel based on the reviews. It’s basically a light, humorous supernatural fantasy romp.

Nothing to take too seriously, but it has fun with its characters, using the typical trope of witch/werewolf instant mate elements, along with a hint of fairytale overlay!

Low on the angst, quick on the action and relationship, and it’s warm-hearted to boot.

There’s a bookstore that’s the center of a small village with all sorts of magical goings on. Naturally.

Ernest Turnball gets fired from one job then decides a change of career is needed. He answers a ad for help needed in a bookstore and finds himself in Cadenbury. A quaint village full of welcoming if a bit odd people and a terrific job at The Crazy Bookshop.

In the matter of one day, his perception of the world goes sideways and upside down. What a marvelous thing to happen.

Ernest is rather unflappable. He’s kind, and rather funny.

And it turns out he’s got a rather unique set of connections to Cadenbury. Not the least of which is the sparks going off between him and the hunky Mayor!

There’s a mystery, lots of magical fun, family, and a growing cast of characters to enjoy.

I found the story very entertaining and a quick read.

There’s a second novel out so I’ll head over to see what the author has in store for Titus.

If you like all the above elements mixed together for light fun fare, this might be the book for you.

Cadenbury Town series:

🔹The Crazy Bookshop 1

🔹Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way 2

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Crazy Bookshop (Cadenbury Town, #1) by E. Broom – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Who knew when I threw a latte in my boss’s face, my life would change forever?

After being fired from his job for Gross Misconduct, Ernest Turnball decided to try something different and applied for a job at The Crazy Bookshop.

Starting his new life as a bookshop assistant, Ernest meets some interesting characters, like Mollyanne, who looks like the wicked stepmother from Snow White, when she turns into the crone, but without the big nose. What she does have is a crow, owl, fox, and German shepherd. One of whom is always with her. Or his new boss Alfred, who reminds him of an excitable puppy.

A prediction from one of the town witches puts the town on it’s guard, but strange things are still occurring. It seems someone is spell casting and causing havoc to the town and its people.

Having found out he is a witch, Ernest is determined to find out who is behind spells, and if the town mayor and Alpha wolf shifter, Adhan Stone, wants to help him, who is he to say no?

With the town looking on, scorecards at the ready, can Ernest and Adhan save the town, and reach a perfect ten score?

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Hot Pursuit ( The Hot Cannolis #3) by Eli Easton

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Hot Pursuit is the third in The Hot Cannolis series being written by Eli Easton and Tara Lain about a large Italian family made up primarily of firefighters, with a few law enforcement officers scattered throughout.

It’s been about their sexual awakening and how that’s been handled within a highly machismo, heteronormative (and Catholic) family structure. What struggles the family has had to adapt to their son’s newly acknowledged sexuality and their new partners.

It’s had to include the fire department, which ever one the characters works for, as well as that close knit group our characters work within, into the main character’s struggles to define himself and come to terms with their identity as queer men. It’s not always been a easy journey as the Fire Departments are a bastion of straight, white, male hierarchy and to be anything other is often a tough lonely path.

Both authors have included the continuing bigotry and exclusion the out Canalis face in their jobs despite the fact that they were highly regarded for their “firefighter lineage “ and superb abilities before coming out. It makes for a believable story.

Due to illnesses, the authors split the last two stories.

Easton takes up Det. Rick Canali’s story. He’s the uncle to the characters we’ve meet so far and only recently admitted (in Hot Wings), to the two members of the family that he’s gay. It’s not anything new. Almost forty, he’s always known he was gay, but his family’s well known (at that time) bigotry, kept him silent.

A confirmed “batchelor” to the family, Rick’s recent partner has retired. His new one, John Rivera, is out and threatening his determination to stay in the closet.

Rick has always been such a quiet, strong character in the previous books. A bit of a mystery. So it’s a real pleasure to see this character get to show all the depths of his personality. From the love of his family to all aspects of his professional persona.

John Rivera is the troubled new person. So happy to finally get his Detective’s badge but he’s also got a very brutal history following him.

For those people for which domestic violence and/or gaslighting is trigger, just be warned as this is a major element here.

John is a wonderful, engaging character. His story and background just further pulls you into a connection with him, and helps understand his situation more fully.

While Rick and John try to determine the boundaries of their relationship, and learn to trust one another, they are also in the middle of a investigation.

Easton does a terrific job with unfolding the investigation while maintaining the tension between Rick and John. Everything and everyone is so tightly strung you don’t know what is going to pop first.

There’s plenty of charming , heartwarming scenes with the huge Canali family as well as frightening moments that occur within the investigation.

I hugely enjoyed myself and this novel. Rick and Tony rank right up there among my favorite Canali couples.

I believe there’s just one more left to go. Hot Lips from Tara Lain. No release date as yet.

I’m highly recommending Hot Pursuit and The Hot Cannolis series.

The Hot Cannolis series:

◦ Fireman’s Carry (The Hot Cannolis #0.5) by Eli Easton

✓ Hot Seat #1

✓ Hot Wings #2

✓ Hot Pursuit #3 by Eli Easton

◦ Hot Lips #4 by Tara Lain, date TBD

https://www.goodreads.com › showHot Pursuit (The Hot Cannolis #3) by Eli Easton | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Solving the case will be tricky. But keeping their hands off each other will be impossible.

Detective Rick Canali’s life is perfect the way it is. He loves his job with the Chico, CA police. He can get casual sex whenever he wants it, and for family vibes, he has his brother Angelo’s large family of hotheaded firefighters. He’s happy being a “perpetual bachelor.” But when he’s partnered up with a too-attractive newbie detective, all the neat boxes in his life threaten to collapse. Because the one thing this detective never saw coming—falling in love.

John Rivera always wanted to be a detective. He’s determined to succeed despite his ex trying to make his life hell and his new partner—the gorgeous Rick Canali—making it clear he’s not wanted. As a former foster care kid, he’s used to fighting his own battles and depending on no one.

When a firefighter dies under suspicious circumstances, Rick and John’s new partnership is tested. It turns out, they’re a pretty good team. But can they crack the case while dancing around their mutual attraction, dodging John’s ex, and trying to keep the Canali firefighters safe from a potential killer in the Cal Fire ranks?

HOT PURSUIT is a murder mystery wrapped in a romance with a big scoop of suspense, hurt-comfort, evil ex, and more Canali family feels.

EBOOK:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Killer Honeymoon (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem #3) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 5 🌈

Killer Honeymoon wraps up the second series for the detective couple of Sawyer Key and Royce Locke. Their story starts with the wonderful Zero Hour trilogy and now, temporarily at least, concludes with their wedding and a honeymoon almost to die for in this last story of the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy arc.

What a truly entertaining story Killer Honeymoon proves to be. Walker incorporates all the elements that we expect from the couple’s relationship, humor, thoughtful introspection, respect, and deep abiding love as well as a heathy sex life, and weaves a tale of murder carried out in a tiny resort town. One that they’re honeymooning in.

We get a moving wedding, a hilarious jaunt to their destination, and then a lakeside mystery and murder worthy of any fabulous cozy!

Walker never lets our focus off of the fact that it’s Sawyer and Royce’s honeymoon, with all the resplendent joy and happiness they have in the fact they are each other’s husbands, with a new future and family ahead of them. We get to revel in that along with them.

Whether they are investigating a element of the murder, or a break in, some aspect of the fact they are newly married threads into the picture. It’s lovely. Plus the manner in which they establish a pattern to investigate just says partners in every way. Walker’s writing is so amazing here pulling all the elements together on so many levels.

As always, the surrounding cast is a solid aspect of the story. They are well defined and just plain terrific characters. From the cranky Frank to the spiraling Evan, each is believable.

It’s a neat mystery and is wrapped up in a suspenseful, edgy climax. Outstanding.

The ending is so good. And leaves us and them in a great place with the ability to make a return sometime in the future. Honestly, we need now to see more of Dolly.

Walker has two more books in the works that relates to this universe, one specific to the end of this story.

The next will be Topher Carnegie’s story (and Julian Fine’s) in About Last Night. Expect to see that September 20, 2022.

Then finally Emilio Mendoza and Abe Beecham get their romance in Just Say When. That’s out on December 20, 2022. Be still my heart!

That’s two novels to look forward to!

And I expect Walker’s not done with these guys just yet.

I’m highly recommending this and all the series novels.

Read them in the order they are written for the full character relationship development!

❤️Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem series:

✓ The Magnolia Murders #1

✓ Marriage is Murder #2

✓ Killer Honeymoon #3

Same universe- pending releases

🔹About Last Night – September 20, 2022.

🔹Just Say When – December 20, 2022.

The Zero Hour Trilogy preceded this one.

https://www.goodreads.com › showKiller Honeymoon by Aimee Nicole Walker – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Honeymoon, happily ever after, and…homicide?

Newlyweds, Royce Locke and Sawyer Key, embark on a honeymoon road trip where their biggest threat should be dodging drunk tourists on golf carts. But their arrival on South Bass Island lands them in the middle of a contentious battle between lifelong islanders and a property developer who won’t accept no for an answer. Tempers soar as the barometric pressure drops, signaling a dangerous storm brewing on the horizon and across the street. Minding their own business becomes impossible when a homicide wrecks their vacation and puts Royce and Sawyer in the path of a twisted killer.

Will their honeymoon be two tickets to paradise or a one-way trip to the morgue?

Killer Honeymoon is book three in the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy, the second story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour trilogy before reading Matrimony and Mayhem. ** Killer Honeymoon is a continuation of Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the next phase of their lives—professionally and personally. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Rookie Move (Playing For Keeps #1) by Riley Hart & Neve Wilder

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I’m such a sucker for stories like this one. Sports romance, younger hot, super talented brother that ends up on the same team as brother’s friend. Who he’s had a crush on.

Doesn’t matter the sports.

This time it’s the NFL and a Denver team with a hot Quarterback, Warner Ramsey, who’s hiding his sexuality, his best friend & teammate,Houston, who’s the only person who knows his secrets. And Houston’s younger brother, Garrett, a talented player himself, who finds out he’s bisexual on the eve of his high school graduation at a professional player’s party.

It’s easy to see from the marvelous humor, great dialogue, and just plain out fantastic scenes, from high on the field action to sexy bedroom, that the authors loved writing this.

It’s both a romp and delicious romance. There’s plenty of heart, from Ramsay’s issues with his father to Garrett’s wrestling with wanting not to always be the McRae coming after his brother’s accomplishments.

Even the locker room problems and arguments are handled with moments of realness and believability.

Ramsey and Garrett are just chemical greatness. You love reading about them. Whether they are making things happen on the field or off, they are a captivating couple.

Hart and Wilder have a fabulous start to the series with these two. I’m highly recommending Rookie Move (Playing For Keeps #1) by Riley Hart & Neve Wilder .

And keeping my eyes peeled for the next in the series!

Playing For Keeps:

Rookie Move #1

https://www.goodreads.com › showRookie Move (Playing for Keeps, #1) by Neve Wilder – Goodreads

Falling for a teammate who also happens to be your brother’s best friend? Total rookie move.

McRAE: I’ve had a crush on my brother’s best friend since the moment I laid eyes on him four years ago.

Warner Ramsey is 225 pounds of pure hotness, a media darling, and one of the best NFL quarterbacks in the league.

Hell, he’s the reason I figured out I’m solidly bi.

It was easy to keep my crush under control when I was in college. Now, we play for the same team, and every time he talks smack, I want to shut him up. With my mouth.

But I’ve got other things I should be focusing on, like dominating my rookie year with the Denver Rush and finally stepping out of my brother’s shadow.

Besides, Ramsey’s straight.

RAMSEY: I’ve never tapped into my bisexuality—never told anyone except my best friend that I’m bi. All I want is to play football and not draw media attention like my dad, who got ousted from the league.

Garrett McRae is my biggest temptation. He’s gotten under my skin for years.

I’m supposed to be looking out for him, not thinking about getting him naked.

And definitely not the kiss we shared.

That I somehow instigated.

It was stupid, and not like me, but God, it was hot.

We’re teammates, with million-dollar contracts on the line. And yet…is a little experimentation really so bad?

Rookie Move is a low-angst, high-heat sports romance in the Playing for Keeps series.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Kite by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4 🌈

With The Kite, N.R. Walker dips her hand into the ever popular trope of the warring/competing top assassins who, for whatever reason, have to work together in order to survive.

Their relationship goes from enemies who admire each other’s skills to friendship then love as they fight for survival. It’s a great trope. And it works for so many reasons. Whether it’s in the movies, being streamed through a series, or through the various novels I’ve read recently.

There’s action, suspense, two hot highly skilled people at the height of their careers , in this case men. Gorgeous, of course. Each damaged by their pasts, albeit in different ways.

It’s how each author takes this trope and puts their spin on it that interests me.

Walker’s assassin are hit men for the government, instead of being private contractors. Well, one is. Taking on assignments that eliminates the “bad guy”. He thinks he’s being the good guy.

Tim “Harry” Harrigan, a truly giant of a man, works for the Australian government. Not that he’s been home for a while. For years he’s been the sniper called on to take out high level targets. Make a hit, move on.

But now he’s getting tired, not slow, but the lifestyle is wearing on him. Harry’s weary frame of mind coupled with setting up a hit gives the reader a good idea of his personality at the moment.

Especially when it looks that Harry is now the hunted instead of the hunter.

The assassin to come to Harry’s aid is Asher Garin. Asher is a hitman for hire, top in his field. The reason he’s there is because they are both targets on everyone’s list now.

The exciting way they are brought together, the high action and swift acknowledgment of each other under extraordinary circumstances is so much fun to read.

Their personalities are less defined, very much the Grumpy/Sweet tag that’s employed. The layers come later as the men flee from one destination to another, trusting each other, and the real reason behind their names on a kill list gets revealed. It’s betrayal, greed, and , double crosses.

The story moves rapidly. The sex is of the angry/hot type, and the dynamics between Harry and Asher go from slow to incendiary, dislike to love.

There’s more to this, including another main-ish character that’s an enigma for most of the story. Totally charming, however. We could have done with more of him in his “Charlie” voice stage.

Overall, I found this entertaining and a quick romance/adventure read. Walker’s characters never actually came across as heartless professional assassins. So making Henry a ex-soldier who believes he’s acting for the benefit of his government helps in her character creation. Same goes for Asher. It’s never laid out exactly what he does and who he kills for. Just he has a talent for languages and a very damaged childhood. So he too doesn’t feel like a hitman for hire. Are they killing people? Yes, but those are the bad guys. That’s expected.

I believed in the men, if not exactly their professed careers as it were.

One other odd element. Walker throws in a reoccurring dream (twice) from Asher, a weirdness who’s reappearance at the end is just so out of the type of story this was supposed to be that’s it’s immediately noticeable. It almost had a narrative whiplash effect. A spiritual woowoo, yes, we were always supposed to be together thing. What? In a killers find love action story? This paranormal aspect doesn’t happen anytime except this once so why do it at all?

It’s like Walker couldn’t help herself, was writing a whole other book. That was a SMH moment here. Took me right out of the story.

So, elements like those aside. The Kite has a satisfying ending for the criminal and a heartwarming HEA for the couple.

If anyone could make them disappear, Four could.

And if Walker wanted to make them all reappear for a sequel, well , that works too.

If you’re a fan of this author and a lover of this type of storylines, here’s a book for you.

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Kite by N.R. Walker – Goodreads

Description:

Ex-Australian Specialist Response Group leader, Tim “Harry” Harrigan, has been running covert ops for almost a decade. A lone wolf, he’s single-handedly taken down terrorists and national security threats, or so he thinks. He’s been in the game far too long, and when he sees a familiar threat, he knows his time is up.

Asher Garin is a dangerous man. A man without loyalty, a man without a nationality, without a country, without a home. He’s also a mercenary for hire to the highest bidder. His next job is a face he recognises, and after a tip-off, he learns he too is a marked man.

It’s a different game now, and Harry and Asher have a better chance at surviving if they stick together. But it’s not just the game or the rules that have changed. The stakes have too.

Because on their own, they had nothing to lose. Together, they do.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Rarely Pure and Never Simple (Varient Configurations Book#1) by Angel Martinez

Rating: 5🌈

Angel Martinez is a auto buy for me for a reason and Rarely Pure and Never Simple (Varient Configurations Book#1) is a fantastic example why.

We get a taste of the world the events take place so quickly. So typically Martinez. Breathtakingly simple in her ability to deliver a picture of a world rendered apart, catastrophically environmentally destroyed in the not too past, by some stark concise phrasing.

Same goes for the Varients. Humans , that appeared during the chemical wars, with genetic alterations that allowed each to have specific, if undetermined or not understood talents.

Varients are feared , misunderstood, and of course, used by various governments for their talents. Yes, the Varients vs Real Human movement should strike many nerves. It’s right on point.

This is outside or rather flows around the main plot of variant Damien Hazelwood. He’s a locator, only of humans. Damien’s a very damaged soul. His brutal background is one that will be revealed slowly over the story.

I love Damien. He’s broken, has so many layers, and yet still reaches out, despite himself. What an amazing character.

The other person to accompany him on the mission is another infamous variant. Blaze Emerson, a tracker and a person capable of handling dangerous situations they might come into contact with. Blaze has a reputation that precedes him as a angry personality and someone who’s hard to get along with.

It’s justified. He’s also had a past where he’s been unfairly judged , he’s been left, and hurt. He’s a complicated man. Blaze is so undeniably believable that you feel the anger and mistrust radiating off of him.

Their mission? Find 40 missing varient kids.

It’s a chilling mission made more so by the fact the men need to find a way to at least work together, tolerate each other’s differences, especially when things start to go wrong.

I really don’t want to say too much here. There’s another character that’s intriguing that’s brought into the mix. The dynamics that begin to grow between Blaze and Damien is halting and slow, as it should be due to each man’s tumultuous history and emotional damage.

But that ending. So full of hope. I need that next story. And I need it now. These are compelling people. And Rarely Pure and Never Simple (Varient Configurations Book#1) by Angel Martinez is proving to be one of those quietly moving but addictive starts to a new series I can’t and won’t resist!

So I’m highly recommending it! And anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

Varient Configurations :

🔹Rarely Pure and Never Simple #1

🔹From the Noblest of Motives – fall 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showRarely Pure and Never Simple by Angel Martinez – Goodreads

Description:

Variant children are vanishing at an alarming rate. It will take a uniquely mismatched pair of trackers to untangle a web of conspiracy and misdirection to find them.

In his isolated cabin, variant Damien Hazelwood avoids human contact as much as possible to prevent attacks of blind berserker panic. But his rare talent as a locator makes him the go-to contractor for tricky missing person’s cases and when agents bring him a troubling contract involving missing variant children, he finds it impossible to refuse.

Licensed tracker Blaze Emerson can’t help being irritated when he’s expected to follow the strange, twitchy locator’s lead on his latest case. He works alone, he’s damn good, and as a variant sparker, he has both the fire and the firepower to take on anything out there. Though he has to admit there’s something intriguing about a man who can find people with his brain.

With vastly different temperaments and backgrounds, Damien and Blaze need to negotiate quickly how to work together if they’re going to crack this case. Add in the sudden appearance of Blaze’s outlaw ex, the perils of tracking in the wilds, and a maddening lack of discernible motive or method, and they soon find themselves in as much danger as the kids they’re trying to rescue.

Variant Configurations takes place in a future Earth where humanity is reclaiming its spot in a gradually healing world. This book contains mentions of past abuse, action-adventure style mayhem, and the beginning sparks of a slow burn, series-spanning relationship.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.