Review: A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magic Accounts 4.5 (The Magi Accounts Companion Stories) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4.75🌈

A Heart To Revitalize Me is the penultimate book in Michele Notaro’s fantastic dark fantasy series, The Magi Accounts. In between the main novels, Notaro has been writing companion stories, narrative side journeys through different characters lives or scenarios from the series . Each companion piece has been so distinct. One looks back on previous happenings, but seen from another important character’s perspective, giving the reader insights into those horrifying moments from his POV. Others take ongoing events of the current timeline and revolve around developing certain characters relationships further.

That happens here in A Heart To Revitalize Me, where mage Logan and tiger shifter, Haiden, finally get their story and the romance the readers have been waiting for.

In this dark, torturous dystopian world that Notaro has been creating, not even a long awaited journey to first love is going to happen without the harsh realities of that world crashing into the sweetness and light of love discovered.

And that’s both the horror and the beauty of this series (and story). The author has crafted characters we have grown to love, watched them develop and change, moving through the trauma and grief of their lives as they age and became family, some bonded mates.

Logan and Haiden have been two of the younger members of the Ono-Nai tribe, each has been through unbelievably torturous, traumatic and tragic experiences. Especially Logan, as a compound-raised mage.

Notaro frames out their path to a new romantic relationship , giving it all the gestures and scenes that make it utterly sweet, realistically halting and funny, perfect for their age and yet taking into account, their horrifying backgrounds.

However, we can never forget that there’s something larger looming ahead. All around the , Ono-Nai tribe home, and everywhere in the country, the violence against non-humans is escalating. New attacks from the Rift are rising as well. Everyone is under siege, from humans and aliens alike.

Horrors lie just outside the gate or even doorway.

A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magic Accounts 4.5 (The Magi Accounts Companion Stories) by Michele Notaro reminds the reader that there is darkness next to the light. For every high, there is a deep lower point awaiting. This is a roller coaster of emotions and a great read.

But the hints the author has left behind are very clear that perhaps the darkest elements are yet to come in the finale.

See you all there.

All the stories, see the lists below, are highly recommended. But they must be read in the order they were written.

The Magi Accounts:

✓ The Scars That Bind Us #1

✓ The Shackles That Hold Us #2

✓ A Purpose That Restores Us #3

✓ A Ruse To Unchain Us #4

◦ Only Unity Will Spare Us #5 – Series Finale on Sept. 20, 2024

The Magi Accounts Companion stories:

✓ Our Hearts That Tie Us: The Magi Accounts Prequel

✓ A Kiss To Revive Me: The Magi Accounts 1.5

✓ A Date to Impress Him: The Magi Accounts 2.5

✓ A Holiday to Sustain Us: A Magi Accounts Holiday

✓ An Embrace To Hearten Me: The Magi Accounts 3.5

✓ A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magi Accounts 4.5

Buy Link:

A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magic Accounts 4.5 (The Magi Accounts Companion Stories)

Blurb:

Lately my straight best friend has been very… handsy, which is killing me because I’ve been in love with the idiot for years.

I love my best friend, I always have, but I never wanted him to realize just how much. He’s never seemed to notice before, but since he broke up with his girlfriend, he’s been really clingy. Like way more than I’ve ever seen.

I love it. And it’s killing me.

What I really want is all those cuddles and sweet touches to mean more than they do. I have to keep reminding my heart that everything Haiden is doing is platonic, even if it feels like it isn’t. Unfortunately for me, my stupid heart doesn’t stop hoping for more.

A Heart To Revitalize Me is a MM urban fantasy romance companion novel meant to be read AFTER A Ruse To Unchain Us (The Magi Accounts 4). This is Logan and Haiden’s story and takes place between books 4 and 5 of the main series. It’s the last Magi Accounts Companion Stories novel and is meant to be read as part of the series, not by itself, although the love story is resolved in this book.

The Magi Accounts Companion stories:

✓ Our Hearts That Tie Us: The Magi Accounts Prequel

✓ A Kiss To Revive Me: The Magi Accounts 1.5

✓ A Date to Impress Him: The Magi Accounts 2.5

✓ A Holiday to Sustain Us: A Magi Accounts Holiday

✓ An Embrace To Hearten Me: The Magi Accounts 3.5

✓ A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magi Accounts 4.5

The Magi Accounts:

✓ The Scars That Bind Us #1

✓ The Shackles That Hold Us #2

✓ A Purpose That Restores Us #3

✓ A Ruse To Unchain Us #4

◦ Only Unity Will Spare Us #5 – Series Finale on Sept. 20, 2024

• Publisher: (December 27, 2023)

• Publication date: December 27, 2023

• Print length: 308 pages

Trigger Warning:

Violence, gore, mentions of past abuse, mentions of past sexual assault (nothing on-page).

— A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magi Accounts 4.5 (The Magi Accounts Companion Stories) by Michele Notaro

Review: Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 4 🌈

Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert is this author’s annual Christmas story and it’s a heartwarmer!

Albert writes to two of her strengths, the military and gaming community, which are combined in Atlas Orion and Zebediah Seasons. They are the reason to read this book.

The main characters are Atlas, a Navy SEAL support Chief , and Zeb, a gamer who’s a successful streamer and influencer, able to turn his passion into a business.

The location is Kringle’s Crossing, the same town from The Geek Who Saved Christmas, and centers around the Seasons family store and drama. Atlas is the best friend of Zeb’s older brother, Gabe, and was a fixture at the Seasons house growing up due to his parental dysfunction.

It’s a two person perspective, with a bi-awakening and a multiple plot lines about the struggling family and their dynamics . Some of these, like everyone’s love and concern for Gabe’s expectant wife are wonderful. We see everyone function as a loving unit. But other aspects that are just as important got a limited amount of attention to the detriment of the narrative imo. That happens when the story is jam packed with characters with issues and layered with multiple elements.

Atlas is a terrific character. With his family background and current status as in SEAL support, he was realistic. Especially since Albert let us have glimpses into his career, action on the job (great helicopter moments), that grounded him. We got some of that with Zeb, interacting with his fans, but no actual gaming.

Zeb’s complicated. For the character of Zeb, it’s his long time crush on the seemingly straight Atlas. Did Atlas actually know Zeb was gay? And Zeb has decided that this holiday season is the time to see if there’s anything in his crush on a straight Atlas.

One frustrating aspect of Zeb’s character is the disrespect he constantly takes from Gabe over his successful career and passion for gaming. He works at Seasons part time to help out not for the money but to assist his brother and his business. But the same man willing to take a chance on Atlas is a doormat for the verbal abuse his brother constantly gives him until the book is about finished.

The excuses the author writes for this aspect of their relationship, the acknowledgment and somewhat “apology “ from Gabe to Zeb is astonishingly shallow and takes a mere sentence or two. Then it’s a throwaway line about the brother needing to see a therapist about anxiety and it’s done. So two impactful elements dismissed with little real depth or resolution.

Luckily, the remaining storylines are carried out in the narrative to a fully balanced conclusion. The men actually talk about what and how they feel , then act accordingly. Zeb and Atlas work beautifully as a couple, their relationship and romance is the reason to read the book. Also because you enjoy the author and Christmas stories.

There’s also several discussions about grief and loss, as every character here is very much mourning the loss of the parents of Zeb and Gabe, that includes Atlas who saw them as stand-ins for his own neglectful family.

I don’t feel that this was as fabulous as The Geek Who Saved Christmas, it’s still a good holiday story. More due to the main characters and not some of the secondary elements which in this case took away from the story.

Adorable cover as always.

Buy Link:

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com › Catered-…Catered All the Way: A MM Holiday Christmas Romance by Annabeth Albert

Blurb:

Tis the season for a hopeless crush on my older brother’s best friend…

This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.

However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.

Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.

The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.

Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?

CATERED ALL THE WAY is a brand-new, full-length holiday romance from the beloved author of THE GEEK WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Lovers of stand-alone swoon-worthy Christmas stories will fall for this geek + military pairing. Full of spicy first times, bisexual awakening, quirky small-town residents, and guest appearances from some fan-favorite characters, this only one bed, brother’s best friend romance is sure to find a place under many trees! Dual POV and the happiest of endings guaranteed.

• Publisher: (December 4, 2023)

• Publication date: December 4, 2023

• Print length: 250 pages

Review: Tied Over (Marshals Book 6) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Honestly, a tried and true hero Mary Calmes story was just what I needed at the moment. And that’s what I get in the sixth installment in Calmes’ Marshals series, Tied Over.

I’m a long time fan of this universe which started with another series I no longer rec (publisher issues) and continues into the Marshals series, run by Sam Kage. So many great and familiar characters are staples throughout the storylines that each book feels like a homecoming.

That’s a plus for fans of the series but perhaps a drawback for readers new to the universe and couples. There’s so much built in knowledge and background that accompanies a book in this universe. Even with the details the author provides into their backstory, a reader is still missing out on much of the depth of relationships and past experiences of the Marshals that’s built even into the mere flyaway sentences. Doesn’t mean, don’t read it, that simply means go back and enjoy starting at the beginning.

Why? Because of getting to enjoy the thrill of the journey to love and happiness with the Marshal or usually Marshals that make up the couple of the novel.

That glorious Mary Calmes knight in shining armor character who everyone loves, who in this case is US Deputy Marshal Josiah Redeker, aka Jed. He’s the perfect example of why I read and love this author. He’s a typical Calmes hero. He saves the day every time. He saves small children from bad men, he takes down really evil people, he saves dogs, and most importantly, he saves his partner and love of his life from making a bad decision.

And Calmes has Jed do all this with heart stopping action, poignant scenes, moving moments, children so realistic and fragile is scary, and scenes just plain raw that you know you’re going to be rereading the book as soon as it’s finished.

And it’s not just Jed, it’s his partner US Deputy Marshal Bodhi Callahan, the other half of him. This is not the first time that the reader has met this couple if you’ve been following the series as they’ve appeared in other books.

They’ve been partners for years, in love for years, in a relationship that’s been personally rough for them at times, but always partners, even when assigned babysitting duties to other baby Marshals. Both characters are fully realized, with a deep sense of connection that the author makes the reader feel so invested in.

Calmes pulls us in immediately into various dramatic scenes, giving the readers the details on the law enforcement scenes and the personal lives of the main characters so once we enter, it’s one fast paced read to the emotional satisfying end.

I was thrilled at the way the story went and how the couple had grown back together and gotten the ending they deserved.

Just exactly what I needed as well. This is why I read Mary Calmes and will continue to make her a go to author.

Haven’t read this series? Check out the list below.

Marshals:

✓ All Kinds of Tied Down #1

✓ Fit To Be Tied #2

✓ Tied Up In Knots #3

✓ Twisted and Tied #4

✓ Balanced and Tied #5

✓ Tied Down #6

Buy Link:

Tied Over (Marshals Book 6)

Blurb:

Josiah Redeker has been tied up, tied down, and just plain tied to Bodhi Callahan since the younger marshal was paired with him five years ago. It was an easy slide from partners to best friends, and though Bodhi wanted more, Josiah thought Bodhi could do far better than him. That made for a bumpy ride, and, of course, the moment Josiah realized that trying to live without the man he loved more than anything was not something he could do, that was when Bodhi broke the big news that he was getting married. Adding to that nightmare, they got reassigned as partners because other people needed them more.

It’s a disaster all around, and all Josiah sees ahead of him is pain—and not only from getting shot.

But what he thinks he knows for sure isn’t exactly all there is. Turns out, he’s not the only one who’s missing his touchstone, and Bodhi might be fraying at the edges, coming undone. When two people have been tied together over and over for so long, it’s not so easy to get loose. And maybe neither wants to be free of the other, and that could be their future, as long as no one comes between them… with a gun.

• Publisher: (November 28, 2023)

• Publication date: November 28, 2023

• Print length: 258 pages

Review: Silent Knight (a Christmas Falls novel) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 3🌈

Silent Night by Beth Bolden is a novel written for the Christmas Falls multi-author collaboration about a small town whose inhabitants live and breathe Christmas.

But it’s very much a mashup with her successful football series, the Charleston Condors, as one of the main characters, Jem Knight, is a famous Condor player currently on the injured reserve list.

We know Jem from his best friend relationship with Deacon, another character and teammate. Both men are going through some very difficult times, emotionally, mentally, and in Jem’s case, physically.

Sports (also food) is where Bolden’s writing excels. It’s in the team dynamics, the on-field team chemistry and excitement, and the ability to translate the author’s knowledge and love for each sport into a compelling narrative.

Here Jem is outside of his usual comfort zone and it shows in making him an outsider in his hometown. It absolutely works in his status and his emotional distance from the town’s citizens and events. We feel that outsider status from the minute he arrived back into town. He’s never emotionally home and that’s the issue, no matter what happens, he and Bolden never believably make him a viable choice to come back for us or him. It’s Told To Us. But nope.

The other man, local craftsman made famous, gnome carver , Murphy Clark, is also a terrific creation. He’s vulnerable, fearful of repeating the past, and insecure about his own attributes. Murphy is a very strong character. He belongs to Christmas Falls one hundred percent.

However, it’s the reality and relationship between the men, the parents (especially Jem’s) that just wasn’t there for me. The intrusive aspect where Jem’s parents decided they were the best judge of two grown men’s lives, including leaning against the son over another man, struck me as cold. Instead I found it completely natural for Jem to have stayed away from the town and family for years.

The author made a case, but not in the way she anticipated. And that negated most of the rest of her storyline. I could see a friendship rekindled but didn’t Bolden didn’t make me feel the chemistry that normally comes with one of her stories and couples. And so much of the deeper characters and depth, with the exception of Murphy’s best friend, was missing. Jem never felt a part of this town or family. It all seemed forced, unlike Charleston.

Run, Jem, run. How’s that for Christmas?

See you back at the Charleston Condors.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

Buy Link:

Silent Knight

Blurb:

Of all the things Murphy Clark loves about Christmas Falls, there’s always been one he loves a little more than the rest:

His childhood best friend, Jem Knight.

Doesn’t matter that Jem’s barely been home in years, or that he’s busy conquering football fields instead of hanging out at Jolly Java or admiring Murphy’s carved wooden gnomes. Murphy’s always loved him anyway.

But now Jem’s finally returned to Christmas Falls to be the honorary figurehead of the biggest holiday festival in the Midwest.

Murphy’s hoping to rekindle their friendship but he didn’t count on Jem not recognizing him. Or flirting with him. Or re-igniting the hopeless crush he’s always had for his best friend.

He definitely didn’t expect for his crush to no longer be hopeless at all.

Or for both of them to realize that all they want for Christmas this year is each other.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

◦ The Play #4 – March 31, 2024

Review: We Only Kiss At Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection) by Con Riley

Rating: 5 🌈

Con Riley regularly makes me cry at Christmas. Actually at Riley’s Christmas Collection stories. This year’s new edition to the series was a great sodden Kleenex wads worth of heartwarming moments and absolutely stunning moments of love and family.

Riley’s shared universe, between London and Cornwall, never disappoints in bringing us closer together with the characters and investing us deeply into their lives and journey.

Flatmates Sebastian Street (that heartbreaking name) and his best friend, Patrick, are heading into the holidays, a season fraught with emotional minefields. Their flat is freezing, they have one roommate less to help with the bills, and a stressful scene is upon them.

That’s the moment we open up the story. Emotions are high, exams are coming, rent is due. And while we have met Seb and Pat before, the intimacy is new. The hopes and fears is real.

Seb especially is so raw in his prickly voice that I could feel him emerging off the page, all past pain, and anger and rage against those who have hurt him and others. And made him afraid to have hope. And Pat, so gentle and mindful and patient. Pat is as believable as Seb however opposite of him he is emotionally.

Riley has done such a beautiful job with not only the characters but their backgrounds, weaving in the various interpersonal dynamics to the storyline unfolding throughout to become a richer emotional tapestry for all involved. From Seb to Patrick to Patrick’s family to Jack, a young man who has his own journey ahead, and the readers, who have been heavily invested into this story from the beginning.

This is what I think of when I look forward to my Christmas stories. It encapsulates all that good will, warmth, and love that stays with you after the book is over.

And it’s the reason I’m highly recommending not just this but all of Con Riley’s Christmas Collection. Enjoy!

Outstanding cover art .

Con Riley’s Christmas Collection:

✓ His Last Christmas In London #1

✓ We Only Kiss At Christmas #2

◦ His Until Christmas- Nov 12, 2024

Buy Link:

We Only Kiss at Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection)

Blurb:

Prepare for another snow-dusted, super-romantic and heart-clenching holiday gay romance from Con Riley.

All Sebastian Street wants for Christmas is justice. Oh, and some privacy to kiss his flatmate.

Heat shouldn’t sizzle between best friends like it does between me and Patrick. He’s my flatmate, not my boyfriend, a gym-bro powered by peace, love, and understanding. In comparison, I’m a yappy terrier fuelled by rage and sugary baked goods.

Expect a third flatmate to understand our opposites-attract dynamic?

No.

This could be our last December together. Our first alone in this flat.

I can’t share it. Or Patrick.

Not when we only kiss at Christmas.

Perfect for fans of friends to lovers and found families, visit London and Cornwall in We Only Kiss at Christmas, or double your festive enjoyment with His Last Christmas in London, the first standalone romance in this shared-world series.

Review: Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General (Legends of Lobe den Herren #1) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 5🌈

I don’t know how I missed this one when it first came out but I’ve read it now and what a fantastic story.

The first of a duology for this couple, Sherwood’s is a tale of two soldiers from different countries who became everything to each other over the course of a war. At the end , they then have to find a way back together outside of established relationships roles from wartime. This is a simply amazing epic that encompasses a number of countries, tenuous post war political realities, cultural differences and conflicts, found families, and sexual awakenings.

And the reader is able to intimately explore all those elements through the experiences of the characters in the story, Shiirei General Sho Renjimantoro and Aart General Arman Brahms.

Sherwood chooses to open the novel with a prologue, which captures the moment at the end of a long devastating war that Ren agrees to leave his country of Shiirei behind to follow General and best friend Arman Brahms to his home and country. It’s a highly emotional scene, full of drama and history about the men and their lives.

Ren, who’s always been open about his sexuality, has never accepted for it in his own country. But within his own company of soldiers and that of Arman, he’s been able to be open about his preference for the company of men. That freedom and deep connection with Arman is forefront in his decision for leaving for Aart as well as the fact his Emperor can no longer employ his army.

Arman is more a subtle character than Ren. Ren’s voice is more prevalent here both as a character and for the reader as the main POV. Arman is a man of few words, Ren being his interpreter in the relationship for others, and often the talkative one in their dynamic.

Sherwood uses Arman’s language to convey his love for others and ease in their presence. It’s extremely effective and becomes even an integral aspect of his personality in the second book, Zone of Action.

But here it’s Arman’s journey to understanding his relationship with Ren, its evolving stages from deep friendship to deepest romantic love. Sherwood makes it believable without us being in on all the emotional mental work Arman goes through. It works because of the discussions had between Ren and Arman about his feelings for Ren, and that realness comes through beautifully.

Sherwood lays in the background and foundation for Aart’s reigning family and the other governing bodies to make plans that the war they just fought and won won’t be repeated.

There’s political intrigue, assaults, assassination attempts, and more. All woven into the story of the evolution of the deep relationship between Ren and Arman.

I couldn’t put this down. Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General (Legends of Lobe den Herren #1) by A. J. Sherwood turned into a favorite of mine.

I highly recommend it to all readers of this genre and fans of this author if you haven’t discovered it already. It’s an absolute gem.

Legends of Lobe den Herren :

✓ Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General #1

✓ Zone of Action #2

Buy Link:

Fourth Point of Contact (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 1)

Blurb:

Ren’s fantasy wishlist includes:

A sexy lover (preferably of the male variety)

Peace inside of the palace

Possibly an onsen

His best friend never deployed again, and always beside him

It does not include:

Assassins inside of his palace

Far too many conspiracies

Being proposed to while hungover. In bed. By his straight best friend.

Arman Brahms falling in love with him is a fantasy Ren’s buried for over six years, so to have it come true seems unreal. He has questions. All the questions. Mainly because Arman is bad at using his words.

But the most important question?

Is the fantasy worth risking everything?

Tags:

Friends to lovers, GFY, Arman is the king of demisexual, Arman is absolutely done with this nonsense and lets people know it, no fainting damsels here, proposing is difficult, indecent proposal, Arman uses words, not too many, that’s what Ren is for, Ren’s up to rule twenty-five, Arman’s still violating three, five, and sixteen, too many potential conspiracies, too many assassination attempts, Ren would like less assassins please and thank you, being warden to a palace is not as much fun as it looks, Fourth Point of Contact doesn’t mean what you think, don’t mix alcohol with a teenage princess, accidental princess corruption, royal meddlers, fantasy world but no magic

Review: Like I Wished (Heather Bay, #2) by Charlie Novak

Rating: 4.5🌈

Like I Wished, the second in Charlie Novak’s wonderful Heather Bay series, is a friends to lovers, sexual awakening love story. Although the blurb states it can be read as a standalone, that’s really not the case. The foundation for this story and the men’s relationship starts there in book one.

We meet the close knit group of men that live and work in and around the historic seaside village of Heather Bay in that book. It’s in that first story we see the beginnings of the attraction in the sweet relationship that exists between teacher Noah and former football player/baker Spencer. Spencer is the older brother of Alex, Noah’s best friend and roommate. As such, he’s always been a bit on the edge of the circle of childhood friends due to his age and the fact he went off to pursue his dreams as a professional club player.

Novak treats Spencer genuinely sweetly here as a character. Whereas other authors would write him as the somewhat dim golden retriever in his inability to make connections between his past crushes on men due to their physicality and his current revelation about his sexuality, Novak uses his friends and Noah to help guide him through the process of understanding his own sexuality and self awareness. It’s just a little bit slower connections with Spencer, a man with a huge heart and sweet personality . I love the depth of his character, the pain of the loss of his passion of the game and the joy he’s feeling for baking. He has depth, not a lack of intelligence.

Same goes for Noah, a teacher who loves his students, the science he teaches, and has learned to love his body. There’s wonderful body positivity in his storyline, someone who’s been bullied for his own less than perfect body to someone who’s accepted himself and who is happy with what he’s doing. Noah has crushed on Spencer for a long while but always thought he was straight.

The author creates a very believable narrative for both men that begins a change in perspective for both of them. Then follows that through with the ripples of what that means for the members of their found family.

Not an element is forgotten, or storyline is lost. Just lovely. And sexy as Spencer discovers exactly why he’s been so enamored of the male form all these years. Gently funny, adorable, and extremely sexy as Noah and Spencer find love together.

Novak also starts to set up new characters for stories to come. Will the farmer overwhelmed with his single farm life, snarky younger brother of Spencer’s, Alex, with walls a plenty. Great people needing their HEA. Can’t wait for their romances.

But don’t believe the blurbs, not standalones. Read them in the order they are written for the characters relationships and events as they develop.

I’m highly recommending this and the series.

Heather Bay series :

✓ Like I Promised #1

✓ Like I Wished #2

◦ Like I Needed #3

◦ Like I Pretended #4

◦ Like I Wanted #5 – Sept 28,2023

Buy Link:

Like I Wished (Heather Bay Book 2)

Blurb:

Dreaming about my best friend’s brother is one thing, him actually falling for me is another.

Baking cupcakes for the science department bake-off shouldn’t strike fear into the heart of chemistry teacher Noah, but his previous record hasn’t exactly been glowing. In an attempt to stave off another year in last place, Noah turns to the one man who might be able to help him: his best friend’s older brother, Spencer.

Noah’s had a crush on the vibrant and sporty footballer turned baker for years, but the chances of anything happening between them are slim to none. Spencer is caring, funny, gorgeous… and totally straight.

Spencer has never thought about dating men before, but after watching Noah lick buttercream off a whisk he’s suddenly realising he’s not as straight as previously thought.

Revelations about his sexuality are one thing, but his footballing past being dragged into the present is another and Spencer isn’t sure which is more stressful. But he’s sure about one thing: he wants Noah in his life. Now all they have to do is figure out how to make their wishes come true.

Like I Wished is a hot and heart-warming best friend’s brother contemporary MM romance featuring adorable ghost cupcakes, a bisexual awakening over baking, gate-crashed first dates, gym-bro besties, and lots of hot chocolate.

It is book two in the Heather Bay series and while it can be read as a standalone, it’s best enjoyed as part of the series

Review: A World Away (Learning to Breathe #1) by Carole Cummings and Andy Gallo

Rating: 4.5🌈

I was immediately intrigued to hear about a new series being launched by two authors I respected. That’s the marvelous Carole Cummings and Andy Gallo and their Learning to Breathe series.

The series revolves around two young men, who’ve grown up together, in a world at war. I wish the authors would establish more of the current universe structure the characters inhabit but a huge part of the story and future books is parallel worlds, so I’m imagine comparisons will be added continuously, filling in more of this world’s foundational knowledge.

What we do know it’s a total East/West global war and it’s got the potential to annihilate everyone. The West is searching for a new way to get the upper hand in the fight, magical users are the key to the success and there’s a national conscript that tests all the children for their magical potential, read war usage.

Into all this , Cummings and Gallo have created two families and two sons who share several shattering events and one horrific experience.

Nathan Duffy and Cam Almenara have been together since the arcane magic camp Nathan attended , run by Cam’s father, a military man teaching and testing children for their arcane skills. It was a drunk driving accident that cemented their relationship and lives in a certain dynamic until another momentous magical event shatters status quo to change their lives and those around them.

It’s hard to discuss all the details and complex story threads here that Cummings and Gallo weave into their book and relationship. Military secrets, war machine intelligence, science fiction elements, parallel worlds, personal choices, guilt and love. It’s looked at on multiple levels, through varying perspectives. That of father to son, friends to friends, potential lovers to those that are already loved.

It’s done through some great writing, suspense filled scenes, scary scenarios, and some heart wrenching moments. Both Cam and Nathan are especially well defined, and show depth and emotional growth as the story develops. There’s so much past emotion and heartache, along with guilt and unacknowledged love between the two of them that they need to deal with.

While I felt the story had a slow start, it steadily gets stronger, more intense and action oriented as the narrative evolves. By the time we reach the climactic stage point, it’s full blown chaos, and craziness!

I love it.

Now that one element is settled, the authors set the couple and stage for the next adventure in the book to be released. I’m eager to read it.

I’m highly recommending this story. It’s beautifully written, great characters, and a complicated plot will keep you invested from start to finish.

Learning to Breathe:

✓ A World Away #1

◦ A World Apart #2 – Oct 10,2023

Buy Link:

A World Away: An MM Urban Fantasy Romance (Learning to Breathe Book 1)

Description:

Nathan Duffy knows how to keep things locked down so tight even he doesn’t know they’re there. Like his childhood trauma over the near-catastrophe he almost caused when his power manifested. His adolescent resentment over the near fatal injury he still hasn’t really accepted. His futile not-so-platonic love for his best friend Cam. And that one pivotal moment when the love and the power had merged to save Cam from the accident that left Nathan unable to walk. Nathan figures losing the use of his legs was a fair exchange for Cam’s life. He just can’t ever let Cam know why.

For Cam Almenara, life has been an ongoing cycle of questioning reality. What if his mother hadn’t died when he was ten? What if that drunk driver hadn’t almost killed him and Nathan? What if Nathan’s powers hadn’t protected Cam at the cost of Nathan’s ability to walk? What if Nathan had never convinced himself that Cam’s feelings for him are nothing more than attachment and survivor’s guilt? And what if Cam can never convince Nathan otherwise?

When Nathan is suddenly stricken by seizure like nightmares, his power slips its leash—again. Fearful his rogue abilities will hurt—or worse, kill—Cam, Nathan comes to the conclusion that it’s him or Cam. Nathan knows who he’ll choose.

Trouble is, so does Cam. And he’s just as willing as Nathan is to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the best friend he loves… and prove they belong together.

Check Out the latest Release from M. D. Grimm! A Priest, A Plague, and A Prophecy!

M.D. Grimm has a new MM fantasy romance out (ace, bi, demi): A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy. And there’s a giveaway.

“Orcs are the answer but what is the question?”

Elias is a priest at the Temple of the Divine Sibyl. When he becomes lost in the woods after his brother’s hunting party abandons him, it’s just his luck that he’d stumble upon an angry orc caught in a trap. Unable to stomach the suffering of others, Elias throws self-preservation to the wind and frees the orc. Then Gurrkk—that’s a name?—ends up leading him to safety.

Gurrkk finds himself rather smitten by the sweet, awkward human. He’s always been fascinated with his people’s sworn enemy, and now he has a life debt to fulfill to maintain his honor.

Hiding an orc among the temple’s crypts wouldn’t have been Elias’s first choice but Gurrkk is stubborn about leaving. As they learn each other’s languages and spend more time together, Elias realizes they’ve become friends… and maybe more. And when the dying sibyl gives her last prophecy, Elias knows it wasn’t chance that brought them together, it was the gods.

But why?

This is a sweet, ace romance, so no sexy times, but plenty of snuggles and cuddles!

Universal Buy Links | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Giveaway

M.D. is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:

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Excerpt

Elias closed his eyes and clasped his hands under his chin, sending a fervent prayer to the gods, asking for a sign. Any sign that would lead him home. Seconds passed. Minutes. He cracked open one eye to look around. Seeing nothing, he glared and set his fists on his hips.

So much for divine intervention.

“I’m one of your priests, and you don’t give me the time of day,” he mumbled as he set off down the left-hand path.

He was hungry again.

Even as he was contemplating the pros and cons of eating one of his last apples, he stumbled around a thick tree before halting in shock.

An orc sat on the ground, his greenish-gold skin glistening with sweat and his coal-black eyes glaring with menace. He was almost bald, except for a spiky strip of green hair running from his forehead to the back of his skull. The lack of hair accentuated his large ears that moved independently of each other. Two pronounced fangs jutted up from his lower jaw, which was square and blunt, and more sharp teeth showed when he growled.

Elias stayed frozen, taking in the long black tunic cinched at the waist by a gold cord. The short sleeves were trimmed with gold thread, baring muscled arms. The stately garb struck Elias, making him wonder as to the status of the orc. Did they have hierarchy as humans did? The tunic ended around his knees, leaving the rest of his muscled legs bare. Also, this orc wasn’t of monstrous size, so he couldn’t be of the mountain variety. He was certainly taller and broader than Elias, but also leaner, corded with muscle, like that big cat Elias had spotted earlier. And his face was… not horrible. Brutish and sharp but not hideous or even ugly. Those illustrators of tomes really set out to depict orcs as the most horrific creatures ever to grace the earth.

The urge to run made his palms grow damp and his breath to quicken. Not that he could run for more than a few steps before wheezing because he was so damn out of shape, and why the hell didn’t he train with his brother? I’m going to die, I’m going to die….

Then his gaze traveled down to the reason the orc was sitting on the ground and not eating his face. Vicious steel jaws had the orc by the ankle, piercing deeply into his flesh. The jaws were attached to a chain that was buried into to the earth. The fact the orc hadn’t freed himself meant this was one of the trick jaws. One specifically made for capturing orcs. The scoured earth around the chain proved that the orc had tried to dig himself free but clearly hadn’t succeeded. His ankle was a mess of torn flesh and caked blood, and only then did Elias notice the buzz of flies.

How long had he been sitting there, in pain? In fear?

Sympathy rose with anger not far behind. Elias and the orc stared at each other, and Elias found himself stepping closer without consciously deciding his actions. The orc growled deeper, eyes narrowed in warning. Elias stopped again, wondering what he was doing. This was an orc! The enemy! The beasts that kept trying to take their lands. Attius’s tirades whirled through his mind even as the battle songs about marauding orcs jangled in his memory.

He’d never joined in. He’d never had anything personal against orcs. He never thought one way or another about them. Fighting them wasn’t a part of his world. Most of his life had been spent ensconced in the Temple of the Divine Sibyl, which was safely behind fortified stone walls and separated from the general populace of the city.

He was sheltered and he knew it. To see such ugly pain in another living creature struck him to the core. That was one of the reasons he didn’t eat meat. He couldn’t reconcile killing just to feed himself when there were plenty of other things to consume if he simply looked.

At that moment, this orc was no different than any other wild animal caught in a trap. And would he let such a creature die so horribly? No, he would not.

Taking a deep breath, and with more courage than he would profess to have, Elias crouched before slowly pushing off his pack. He kept his eyes on the orc and opened the top flap before tilting it to show the orc that it only held medicines, plant samples, parchment, and ink.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said gently. “Can you understand me?”

The orc made no indication either way. He continued to growl and glare.

“I want to help you.” Elias took the one weapon he had, a long dagger, and showed the orc the blade before tossing it away. The orc stopped growling and blinked in apparent surprise. Elias shuffled closer on his knees, keeping his demeanor as non-threatening as possible. He almost snorted—as if a soft priest like him could be threatening. He kept speaking in low tones as he would to a frightened animal. He kept his pack held out in front of him, hoping the harmless items would convince the orc he wasn’t a hunter.

The orc’s large nostrils flared, and he squinted into the bag. He must have smelled the remaining apples, the plant samples, and the few healing ointments Elias carried with him everywhere. Elias set the bag within easy reach of the orc just in case he wanted to investigate. Then he took a good look at the steel jaws and winced.

The orc didn’t wear shoes, his sturdy, rough feet tough enough not to need them. His nails were more like claws, almost identical to those on his fingers. The trap would have been covered, and he’d stepped directly onto the triggering mechanism. The blades had barely missed his foot to cut into his ankle, probably scraping against the bones and tendons.

Elias took a moment to fight nausea.

“Damn. Once I free your leg it’s going to bleed profusely. I have to wrap it fast and tight.” He glanced up and met the orc’s eyes. Grim determination stared back at him and Elias blinked. “You do understand me.”

Author Bio

M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!).

Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier.

Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.

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

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574220.M_D_Grimm

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/

Review: To The Moon and Back by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.5 🌈

To The Moon and Back is N.R. Walker ‘s latest contemporary romance and it’s a must read for everyone who’s a fan of this author and wonderful low angst relationship stories.

Located in Sydney, Australia, it brings together two men at loose tethers. One, Toby Barlow, a professional nanny, has recently returned home after a stint in the UK. His last job he cut short due to the clients/family he had contracted with. Now he’s home and looking for a new job and finds it in a single father who has been left with a baby, overwhelmed, unable to work or sleep or cope.

That’s Gideon Ellery. Who had his ex leave when Gideon adopted his son, Benson. Now Gideon is overwhelmed by his work, his life and trying to be the best father possible without knowing what he is doing. Enter Toby Barlow!

This is a slow burn, day by day, melding of a family unit. By burnt toast, by sickness, walking in the park, baby steps and food, tv shows, and everything familiar and ordinary. The things that really matters. Walker creates a warm, happy and believable atmosphere of two men and a baby falling into love and a family.

And we fall right along with them.

There’s a big Italian family on one side I wish we’d seen more of. Great friends on another and surprise visitors from a fabulous novel of Walker’s at the end every fan will adore.

The drama, such as it is, is real and low key. And the ending lovely and leaves us wanting to see a sequel or holiday story for this family in the future.

If you’re a fan of contemporary romance and N. R. Walker, grab this up. It’s just a lovely read that will make you happy and leave you wanting more!

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Moon-B…To the Moon and Back – Kindle edition by Walker, N.R.. Literature & Fiction …

Description:

Gideon Ellery had the perfect life. Nice house, great job, and a long-time boyfriend. Weeks after adopting his nephew, his boyfriend splits, leaving Gideon a single father to a newborn. Overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and unsure how to navigate fatherhood, he’s asked to return to the office. He’s overwhelmed and at his breaking point.

Toby Barlow is back in Sydney after three years of studying, travelling, and nannying in the UK. He needs work and a place to live, and the perfect solution drops in his lap. After all, caring for a sweet baby in a beautiful home owned by a gorgeous single man isn’t exactly terrible.

Gideon isn’t too keen to share his life with a stranger, but his need for help is too great. Sunshiny Toby isn’t prepared for a grumpy Gideon or his utterly adorable son, Benson. Or how easily he slots into their lives. And Gideon’s not prepared for how much he needs Toby.

Or how much he wants him.

Neither is prepared for the complications of falling in love.

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