Review: Cop vs Capo (Hitman vs Hitman #4) by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.75🌈

I was absolutely wondering how these authors were going to work this book (Cop Chandler and Mafia Silvia’s romance) into the series structure of the ongoing glorious mayhem that is August and Ricardo’s romance without letting the main characters fade into a secondary storyline.

No worries. Cari Z and Witt managed to juggle the needs furthering the relationship of the series couple with that of this very complex, troubled, enemies to lovers romance beautifully.

Cop vs Capo has all the narrative aspects that are indicative of the series. Fast paced, suspenseful, murderously entertaining multi faceted storylines that are intertwined with a great relationship between fascinating characters. In this case, it’s relationships and four men.

We have gotten the haunting back stories of August and Ricardo. We understand the impact their pasts have had upon their lives. But we haven’t seen the trauma that’s driven David Chandler to become a police detective or been able to dwell on why a mob underboss like Pedro Silva has a obvious attraction to a male cop , especially given that Silva has a connected ex wife. Silvia’s been a great personality, complicated, ex Army, at odds internally with the mafia persona he wields. Chandler, too, has, in the glimpses the authors have given us, demonstrated a wry humor, acceptance to think less rigidly than his companions, and follows his instincts. They were fabulous men we wanted to see more of.

Now , in the midst of a gang war, one this group started, the authors reveal the damage and trauma of each man’s history that surfaces throughout the events here to bring them closer together. Yes, high body count, trigger warnings, death, all of that.

It’s done through the company of August and Ricardo, to great comedy relief, incredible action, and the occasional moments of serious reflection.

If I had a favorite in this series (and I don’t) this would rank among the top. There’s another one coming. August and Ricardo are getting married.

That should be a even higher body count.

No release date yet for In-Laws Vs Outlaws. However, I’ll be waiting.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Cop vs Capo but only if you have read the rest of the series first. Read them in the order they are written to understand the men, relationships, and events.

Hitman Vs Hitman series:

✓ Hitman Vs Hitman #1

✓ Sniper vs Spotter #2

✓ Killer vs Kingpin #3

◦ Cop vs Capo #4

◦ In-Laws vs Outlaws #5 – TBD

Buy Link Amazon :

Cop vs. Capo (Hitman vs Hitman Book 4)

Description:

Wherever August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba go, chaos is sure to follow. The authors certainly know this, since their “standalone book” has now turned into a series with no end in sight, because…UGH. These two. We give up.

Anyway.

Detective David Chandler had no clue what he was getting into when he and his partner decided they were going to nail August for murder. They didn’t realize it was one of the few murders August didn’t commit, or that their homicide investigation would lead them into the middle of a mob war.

Cavalcante underboss Pedro Silva knew asking August and Ricardo for help was a terrible idea. Just mentioning their names is bad for Pedro’s blood pressure. Owing them a favor? Oh Lord. He still asked, though, because he was out of options, but he can’t say he didn’t know he’d regret it.

Neither man expected things to blow up this badly.

Now they’re both on the run from the mafia, the cops, and everyone in between… except for August and Ricardo. On one hand, that means they have two expert assassins in their corner. On the other, it means they have the biggest troll on the planet heckling them at every turn. And sticking them in a safehouse together. With only one bed.

And if August or Ricardo make one more comment about how Dave and Pedro should just hook up already…

Cop vs. Capo is 67,500 words long, and is book 4 of the Hitman vs. Hitman series.

CW: combat PTSD, alcoholism, on-page violence, discussion of abuse of a sex worker.

Review: Killer vs. Kingpin (Hitman vs Hitman #3) by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.75🌈

I really love absolute narrative lunacy! That’s Killer vs Kingpin pretty much from start to finish. A murderous Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that expands on its initial theme of killers for hire into assassins antiheroes thwarting double crossing cartel minions, doing deals/breaking bread/being insane with all sorts of criminals, agencies and with as many weapons as possible.

It’s absolutely glorious fast paced mayhem. With relationships and character growth.

And death, blood, and a poodle. Nothing bad at all happens to the poodle.

If I had a wish though, I sorta wish that Eve and August’s classy, tough as nails sister, Elodie, would get together. Unfortunately, as she’s already married to the doctor, Paschal, also an important character within the series, it’s unlikely. I can dream, can’t I?

Mafia consigliere Pedro Silva and Police Detective Chandler, two fascinating ongoing personalities, come powerfully into action here. The chemistry and dynamics are fantastic. Their book is next.

I love it when a series keeps the original high energy but is able to expand and improve on the original by adding depth and complexity to the relationships and themes.

That’s exactly what the authors are doing here.

And why I’m recommending the book and series.

Read them in the order they are written.

Hitman Vs Hitman series:

✓ Hitman Vs Hitman #1

✓ Sniper vs Spotter #2

✓ Killer vs Kingpin #3

◦ Cop vs Capo #4 – Jan 4, 2023

Buy Link : Amazon

Killer vs. Kingpin (Hitman vs Hitman Book 3)

Description:

August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba would really like to live a quiet life—as quiet as life can be for a couple of eccentric hitmen, anyway. Unfortunately for them, they pushed their luck with the authors and demanded a second book. So now, whether they like it or not, they’re getting a third installment.

Yes, this is a revenge book. Because we’re the authors, that’s why.

This time, August and Ricardo are in way over their heads, because there are few things more dangerous than owing a favor to the mafia. When that favor gets called in, though, it’s not to kill anyone—it’s to save them. Time is running out to find the source of tainted street drugs poisoning innocent people.

Now they’re caught in the middle of a deadly war between rival families, all while trying to dodge suspicious police and merciless drug cartels.

Maybe this time, August and Ricardo will learn their lesson and not demand another book… assuming they survive this one.

Killer vs. Kingpin is book 3 in the Hitman vs. Hitman series that seems to have evolved from an alleged “standalone” to “yeah, we don’t even know.” They’re just too much fun to torture! Err, write. Too much fun to write.

Review: Sniper vs Spotter (Hitman vs Hitman #2) by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.5🌈

Sniper vs Spotter passes the tough second book hurdle with flying colors, amid explosions, flying debris , and blood splatter!

Cari Z and Witt continues moves the relationship between hitmen August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba forward, opening the novel with the men living together, adjusting to a different lifestyle and emotional state.

It’s that latter that’s really causing the introspection and , glimpses into their pasts.

Which the authors use as the major source for the drama on multiple levels within the storyline with huge success.

Family is key. Or the keys to unlock the history and personalities of August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba. For August, it’s his sister and their shared traumatic experiences. For Ricardo, it’s his ex-wife Eve (an extraordinary woman, real, grounded in her bitterness and love), their complicated relationship, and the person from the past that now connects them.

Eve is someone who’s so well crafted that it’s no wonder the authors couldn’t leave her to just one story (yes, she’s going onto the next book).

Kudos to both authors for not demonizing the ex in a marriage. That’s one of my pet peeves in writing. I acknowledge that there’s unlikable ex problems but too often I read ones where it’s a simplistic, cardboard throwaway approach to a character and story element than a realistic human approach.

Sniper vs Spotter’s plot(s) and character development and relationship growth, which happens between not just the main couple but between other people as well, is just as compelling and interesting to watch unfold as the fast action sequences that accompany it.

The authors says these characters are talking to them? I say they are laughing, shouting, snarking their way through an entire series.

If we’re lucky.

Especially as they keep drawing more fabulously complicated people in around them.

So yes, I’m definitely recommending this series and probably even the ones that follow.

Look for more reviews to come.

The books must be read in the order they were written to understand the events and relationships development.

Hitman Vs Hitman series:

✓ Hitman Vs Hitman #1

✓ Sniper vs Spotter #2

✓ Killer vs Kingpin #3

◦ Cop vs Capo #4 – Jan 4, 2023

Buy Link Amazon

Sniper vs Spotter (Hitman vs Hitman Book 2)

Description:

Mortal-enemies-turned-furniture-breaking-lovers August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba have found a groove that suits them both. They’ve teamed up as hired guns, they live together, and by some miracle, they haven’t killed each other. It’s the closest to normal they’ll ever have, and they love it.

But their guns-and-roses future is thrown into chaos when Ricardo’s past comes crashing into their present. What begins as a favor for an old friend—well, “friend,” but don’t tell August—quickly spirals into something far bigger than they anticipated. Now they’re in way over their heads with powerful people on both sides of the law, and it’s going to take more than snark and explosions to see them through.

Nevertheless, there will be plenty of snark and explosions, because this is August and Ricardo, and no one would expect any less. In between the smoke and sarcasm, though, they are determined to bring an evil operation crashing down… no matter who they have to work with to get the job done.

And no matter who they have to kill.

Sniper vs Spotter is the sequel to the apparently-it-doesn’t-want-to-be-a-standalone Hitman vs Hitman, which absolutely was supposed to be a standalone, but August and Ricardo (predictably) refused to be contained. Our audiobook narrator also shares some of the blame, Michael. So here we are.

Review: Hitman vs Hitman by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.5🌈

No idea why, but I’m fascinated by hitman romances. It’s a trope that’s been written by many authors and each one has a different interpretation of the assassins, their lifestyles, backgrounds, and, of course, professionalism.

Are they psychopaths? People lured inside the profession by expediency or blackmail? Or perhaps something in their pasts now causes them to kill. Or any number of combinations.

All of which makes for dark, entertaining reading and curiouser relationship dynamics between assassins.

Hitman vs Hitman by Cari Z and L.A. Witt is, imo, a delightful “assassin light” romantic story.

What torture there is here is minimal is in the past and off page. The killings, while often and with a “boom, explosions, boom” high body count, aren’t gruesome. Those that might sound as such, well, they are off page again.

It’s bang, boom, shots, flash bangs, quick action sequences, dead bodies sort of assassin type of story.

What Witt and CariZ did so splendidly here was in giving both the assassins such divergent personalities and backgrounds yet their characters were so alike in beliefs and values that the romance actually made sense.

There’s the sarcastic humor, snippy bits of dialogue, witty jokes, and incredibly good scenes that interspersed action with past memories and relationship growth.

I remained absolutely committed to the men, the storylines, and their relationship.

I could use several more tales with this newly adjusted killer couple in the future. Oh wait, they do. And I’m onto it next!

Such a excellent story! One I’m highly recommending.

Hitman Vs Hitman series:

✓ Hitman Vs Hitman #1

◦ Sniper vs Spotter #2

◦ Killer vs Kingpin #3

◦ Cop vs Capo #4 – Jan 4, 2023

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Hitman-…Hitman vs Hitman – Kindle edition by Z, Cari, Witt, L.A.. Romance Kindle eBooks @ …

Description:

Ricardo Torralba and August Morrison don’t agree on much besides the fact that they hate each other. According to Ricardo, August is a spoiled brat who really needs to knock off the sass once in a while. August insists that Ricardo needs a sense of humor, a good lay, or a well-placed bullet. Maybe all three.

Fortunately, the assassin’s profession is a solitary one, and they can go about their lives without getting in each other’s way.

Usually.

When a contracted hit turns out to be a setup for both of them, they narrowly escape with their lives. Now, even if they don’t like it (spoiler: they don’t), August and Ricardo have to work together if they want a shot at survival.

In between firefights and questionable interrogation methods as they hunt down their would-be killer, the cranky assassins discover that under all that mutual loathing is a spark of chemistry they can’t ignore. They want to ignore it, they probably should ignore it, but August can’t help flirting to annoy Ricardo, and Ricardo can think of at least one way to shut him up for a while.

But they need to focus, damn it, and figure out who’s gunning for them and why.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

Hitman vs Hitman is a standalone* gay romantic suspense featuring two men who’d rather chew glass than fall for each other, a whole lot of inappropriate comments, and some buttons that will need resewing.

* Okay, it was supposed to be a standalone, but August and Ricardo refused to be contained, so now they have a sequel, Sniper vs Spotter.

—-

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

Review: Just Say When by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 4.5🌈

I have been waiting for Chief Mendoza’s story since Walker started her teasers and hints throughout all the rest of the Savannah series about Mendoza’s attraction to his longtime friend, Sheriff Abraham Beecham.

Chief Mendoza’s been a rock solid presence at the Savannah PD , a favored , strong personality that’s as much a part of the family and lives of all the main characters we love . He is a central figure in the foundation of this ongoing series universe.

No surprise that Beecham started to work his way up and into the same role , via his relationship with Mendoza and that of Sgt. Royce Locke (of the partnership in every way of Locke and Key).

Just Say When finally pulls back the curtains on their long relationship, their friendship, and the passion for each other that’s finally gone from hidden to unrestrained.

I love that Mendoza’s back history includes a great mixed modern family dynamics. His combined family includes his teenage son, Alex, who he shares with his ex. In a totally appreciated departure from the norm in other stories, his ex wife , a well rounded character, is still very much a friend. Also in law enforcement, she’s strong, great at her job , smart and loving, has a terrific marriage with her husband. Their family includes Mendoza and Uncle Abe Beecham, who’s known everyone for years.

This quartet of personalities and relationships drives the multiple storylines forward with a narrative heft that includes compelling acceptance of sexuality, bigotry within a family framework, and a healthy modern mixed family culture.

Walker’s characters flow through a mystery and dramatic setup that’s got its own twists to satisfy any reader.

I love her Savannah universe and all the characters and stories that have come out of it. Just Say When is simply one more in that rich line of storytelling that you will never tire of and always be sorry to leave.

I’m highly recommending it and all the books around it.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showJust Say When by Aimee Nicole Walker

Description:

Someone wants Police Chief Emilio Mendoza dead. And if his unknown assailant doesn’t kill him, pining for Sheriff Abraham Beecham just might.

Abe and Lio’s thirty-year journey has taken them from heated rivals to best friends with countless labels and pit stops along the way. Romance is the only avenue left unexplored but not from lack of love or desire.

Abe pushes people away before they can get too close, and Lio doesn’t engage in situations he can’t control. They’ve reached an impasse, and neither are willing to risk their friendship until fate intervenes, forcing them to reassess their priorities.

But when an unhinged enemy targets Lio, will their gamble be too little too late, or will their love truly conquer all?

Just Say When is a standalone romantic suspense novel within the author’s Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is attended for adults.

—-

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

Review: Felix (Boyfriend for Hire #5) by R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell

Rating: 4🌈

I haven’t read the other books in the Boyfriends for Hire series, but that didn’t keep me from reading and enjoying Felix, the fifth installment.

Felix is very much a holiday story and it works somewhat well as a standalone novel. While I was unfamiliar with the characters from the agency that Felix works for, there’s just enough background information that a new reader has a good idea of the universe we are falling into.

That said, while I had a good grasp on the character of Felix, the character of Ethan, the scientist, came about more slowly. I wasn’t sure what to attribute certain aspects of his personality to. Was his scattered thoughts and inability to focus on social situations part of being on the spectrum or something else. Else as it turns out.

But it leaves him as a lesser formed individual than say Felix who we have a firm grasp of.

Their relationship and it’s path is slow but sweet. It has some dramatic moments that turns Ethan’s character into one grounded in a believable, painful journey to healing, new hopeful future for them both.

Felix is a sweet, loving, heartwarming holiday tale. Even without the other books, it’s a lovely read and one I enjoyed immensely.

Add it to your holiday TBR list!

Boyfriends for Hire:

◦ Darcy #1

◦ Kaden #2

◦ Gideon #3

◦ Jaden #4

✓ Felix #5

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showFelix (Boyfriend for Hire, #5) by R.J. Scott

Description:

Hiring a fake boyfriend for a school reunion seems to be the only solution, but love was never part of the equation.

Felix has enough on his plate looking out for his parents, let alone agreeing to being hired for a date with the friend of a friend. His instant attraction to the scatter-brained scientist has him making impulsive decisions he hopes he won’t regret. But, somehow, he’s agreeing to more dates, and more time with sexy Ethan and his non-stop talking. When stolen wintry kisses turn to love, and Christmas works its magic, Felix knows he’s losing his heart.

The science of chemistry makes more sense to Ethan than connecting with potential boyfriends, and he’s wary of romance. Unsettled by a string of failed hookups, he knows it’s on him when everything goes wrong and he can’t help but wonder what has made him this way. His friend Jared says that Ethan needs to close metaphorical doors on past hurts—whatever that means—and that the school reunion might just be step one. Determined to show himself as confident and happy, he hires Felix to be his date for the night, but a kiss to make up for the one he missed at prom, and abruptly, it’s not the past that is consuming his thoughts.

Now all Felix has to do is show Ethan that it’s okay to love and be loved in return, and that chemistry can lead to a happily ever after.

—-

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

Review: Merry Christmas Cupid (Hartbridge Christmas #3) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.25🌈

N.R.Walker takes us back to that incredibly beautiful and charming place, Hartbridge, Montana, supposedly for the last time, in Merry Christmas Cupid.

No Aussies this time, except for newly transplanted Gunter Zuniga’s interactions with our couples from the past two stories.

Gunter Zuniga, 44 years old, grieving the loss of his father and a breakup of a longstanding relationship on the day of his father’s funeral, relocates to a small town he’s never forgotten for their kindness and support towards his father and himself towards the end of his father’s life.

The old heritage home calls out to him, and that’s how he meets Clay Henderson, a man whose generosity sparks a friendship, a ease into the town, and a new journey forward for both.

Merry Christmas Cupid is a slow, lower angst romantic tale. Clay learns to fully embrace his bisexuality and come out to those that matter. Gunter gains a new found family and close knit set of friends.

Hartbridge, Montana is picturesque and Hallmark descriptive. From the citizens we’ve met before in previous books to new ones that call out for new romances of their own, Merry Christmas Cupid is a lovely holiday gift for fans of this author and lovers of seasonal fiction.

I’m certainly sorry to see this series end if Merry Christmas Cupid truly marks a ending to the Hartbridge Christmas stories!

Pick it up and enjoy Walker’s trademark well crafted characters, heartwarming plot, and heartfelt moments!

Hartbridge Christmas:

✓ Tic-Tac-Mistletoe #1

✓ Christmas Wish List #2

✓ Christmas Cupid #3

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showMerry Christmas Cupid (Hartbridge Christmas, #3) by N.R. Walker

Description:

After a year of tragedy, forty-four-year-old Gunter Zuniga is leaving heartbreak behind and moving to the peaceful and picturesque town of Hartbridge, Montana. He buys an old house in need of some work, which he naively thinks he can manage now that he’s single and retired—he has nothing but time.

Clay Henderson runs the local sawmill with his dad, and it’s the busiest time of year. Firewood and Christmas trees are in high demand, and a delivery of firewood to the old house on Cedar Bark Road leaves him curious about the new man in town.

Clay has never had time for romance and Gunter certainly isn’t looking, but Hartbridge has a way of working its Christmas magic; the jingle of Christmas bells, snow, and love are ringing in the air. And Gunter and Clay are about to get the best Christmas gift they never asked for.

———-

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

Review: Cowboy Healing (Cowboy Wanted Book 1) by B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 3🌈

Cowboy Healing has some good narrative elements to it. The basic storyline is good. The characters with the children are very well written. And while it took me a hot minute to connect with a cowboy whose sole aim for working for a overwhelmed widowed parent is to ingratiate himself into his good graces in order to get his family off the ranch, well, yeah. I bet I’m not the only one.

Caleb , a well crafted character, starts off as a unlikable cowboy, who’s aiming to take back his family’s ranch that was sold out from him, partly out of his negligence, partly because of a agent’s criminality.

Patrick, a orthopedic surgeon, is a widower and father of two children. He’s a bit obsessive about his practice and out of his comfort zone on the ranch, which was his husband’s dream.

I liked Patrick but, again, major events occur that should propel him towards more introspection and character growth. That really doesn’t happen. Instead, it’s Caleb asking for change, even short term. It’s Patrick’s character that’s seems to have a unformed foundation, as though the author isn’t as sure of this character as they are of the cowboy.

Patrick complains of the “lost years” due to his profession. Yet is oblivious of his drive and it’s effects upon his family. Even when Caleb asks for help, it’s a ranch hand , not a orthopedic assistant which is intended.

Is the author unaware of the character’s issues that she’s writing into the story and relationship?

That part of his character, added to the elements below just keeps me from totally investing in the story, the future for the family, and the relationship.

Issues:

1. Editing issues. See example below:

““That’ll be up to them. We’ll see.” The doc didn’t seem too convinced on that front. “Maggie is more interested than Caleb.”

That should be Mason. Not Caleb. A easy edit/error catch. Especially given the very next sentence below.

“Caleb bit back a grin. Yeah, he might be a bit scary if they were city kids.”

2. Second larger issue: The disappearing dogs. Four to be exact.

“He agreed, although the dogs were becoming off-leash beasts now that there were only two. “I would be fine with that, then.””

And with that small, throwaway line, the author disposed late in the book of a fairly significant story element. That of 4 husky puppies that were hugely loved and important to Mason, son of Patrick. The fact that Mason loved, trained, named,and spent most of his hours with these 6 dogs , (now only 2 as 4 have vanished into thin air with no explanation) during the story . The author made them a integral family element only to carelessly discard them in this way towards the end of the book. Where’s Ginger? All the rest? Honestly, it’s is something I can’t understand.

It changes a deeply held belief about Mason’s character and promises made ( he built structures, spent hours on researching sleds, training) only for the author to trash this part of the story for no discernible purpose. All Tortuga had to do, basically, was not mention them other than to say dogs versus the individual husky names.

Why eliminate a beloved book aspect and something we deeply associated with not only Mason, but the family as a whole?

This is where a great editor would have stepped in and challenged these decisions. As well as corrected the easy editing mistakes made along the lines I pointed out earlier.

Most writers, well people in general are aware of the unwritten rule . Don’t kill off the animal characters in films/books, etc. Because your audience/readers will take note. And be very unhappy.

Issues like these make a book come off as unpolished ,their odd narrative choices throwing a reader out of the storyline, never to recover.

I enjoy B.A. Tortuga as an author but the books lately have more a feeling of being piecemealed together instead of one that’s been finely tuned, beautifully edited with an eye towards hard decisions and fine details.

That’s a shame because she’s got one of the best ear for location, colloquialisms, and regional variations as far as culture when talking about Texas and certain parts of that country that I know of. From the rodeo to the raw dry landscape of New Mexico, when she’s in her element, there’s no one finer.

That’s the reason I’ll keep reading in hopes of finding that complete book again.

As for Cowboy Healing, maybe the things that bother me aren’t deciding factors for you. In which case, I’m sure you will be fine with it. It’s the first in a new series.

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Cowboy…Cowboy Healing (Cowboy Wanted Book 1) – Kindle edition by Tortuga, BA . Romance …

Description:

Patrick Kelly needs some help. His husband passed away a while ago, and now he has a thriving medical practice, two busy kids, and one ranch outside Aspen, Colorado that he’s not really sure how to run. Patrick doesn’t want to give up on any part of his life, but he knows he can’t do it all alone, so he turns to a service to hire a cowboy to help run the ranch and free up some of his time.

Caleb Warren wants his family ranch back. So he hires on to work as the foreman there through the Cowboy Wanted service, just waiting for the fancy doctor who owns the place to get tired of roughing it and sell out. The problem is, Patrick’s kids love the country life, Patrick is a good man, and Caleb can’t quite get past the guilt he feels about being on the road with the rodeo when his family had some real troubles to deal with.

The two of them find more common ground than they expect, and between everything from animals to parent teacher meetings, Caleb lends and hand and Patrick learns to lean on Caleb for help. Can the two of them give up the past and embrace the future together?

Review: Oberon (Christmas Sprites #2) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Oberon , the second in Blake’s Christmas Sprite’s series, is an even more enjoyable and engaging story than the the first. We’ve had our introduction to magical Mistletoe Falls, the family of four Sprites on course to find their forever mates, and the fantastic experience that awaits us and their mates as the romance begins.

Here is it’s a family of three, each one captivating and lively in their own way. There’s Dr. Miles Lane who has come to Mistletoe Falls to take over the veterinary clinic of Paws and Claus from it’s retired owner, a certain Nickolas Claus and wife 👀. He’s brought his adorable young daughter, Holly, and their Saint Bernard, Ivy. It’s a match made for the town and the spritely handyman, Oberon, who’s there to welcome them and make sure their new home is everything they envisioned for their new life.

This is a heartwarming story, full of family moments and charming scenes as Holly, Ivy and the Doc find themselves adopted by the sprites as part of their family and the town itself. Eldon especially finds himself in a situation where he adopts the entire Lane family and we get to see new sides to his personality.

Which sets him up nicely for the next installment, Eldon. His romance.

Christmas Sprites are low angst, full on magical romance holiday glow storylines. They are warm-hearted and full of cuteness and mysteries that aren’t very mysterious.

They are fast reads and a wonderful holiday Bon Bon to treat yourself to , especially if you’re a fan of Macy Blake.

Christmas Sprites:

✓ Nyall #1

✓ Oberon #2

◦ Eldon #3 – Dec 15, 2022

◦ Linus #4 – Dec 22, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showOberon (Christmas Sprites #2) by Macy Blake

Description:

Santa Paws is coming to town.

When Dr. Miles Lane purchases Paws and Claus, a veterinary clinic in the quirky town of Mistletoe Falls, he doesn’t quite know what he’s in for.

The small town offers a fresh start for Miles, his seven year old daughter, Holly, and their rambunctious Saint Bernard. What Miles doesn’t count on is his immediate attraction to the local handyman, Oberon, who he hires to do some work on their new home and clinic.

Oberon finds himself falling hard for the town’s new vet and his adorable family. There’s only one problem: Oberon is a sprite, a magical being tasked with bringing holiday spirit to the human realm. Every time he’s around Miles and Holly, his chemis-tree goes a bit haywire.

But when a pet-tastrophe strikes Mistletoe Falls, Miles and Oberon must team up to make sure the town and all of it’s furry residents have the ulti-mutt holiday.

If you love fated mates, pets who like to play matchmaker, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, you’ll have a pawsitively wonderful Christmas time with this holiday romance.

Review: The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lanes Hayes has written a heartwarming holiday story in The Humbug Holiday. One of my favorites this season, it’s has a gentle romance between two men whose histories include adolescent pasts with deep emotional pain associated with the Christmas holidays.

One, Cameron Warren, a famous author of mysteries, has escaped his LA home , family, and notoriety for a newly purchased old Victorian in small town Fallbrook, Vermont . He’s there to write and hide from the holidays.

However, his elderly aunts have temporarily accompanied him to make sure he’s settled, alive, and decorated in his new home. One that needs a ton of work.

Joe Linton, Handyman, is hired by one aunt to help make the beautiful old house livable for the winter, and start with the crusade to get their nephew to decorate.

Hayes’ characters are real in their faults, charming in their own ways of thinking about life and their feelings for the holidays, decorating and the town. Each man’s story will slowly come tumbling out , piecemeal, as one writes, the other puts the house in order, and their relationship grows.

It’s warm, like sitting next to a fireplace, chatting, learning about someone. It’s believable and grounded in small town culture and the strengths of that lifestyle.

My heart was easily invested and flowed with the story, right through to the end. So charming and wonderful.

Perfect for the holidays and one I’m absolutely recommending.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showThe Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes

Description:

Two grumpy bears and a holiday season neither will forget…

Joe

So this sexy silver fox rolls into my small New England town and buys a run-down old house in need of renovation. That’s where I come in. My job is to do some basic repairs, so he can write in peace. Yep, the hotshot is a bestselling author, but that’s not why I recognize Cameron Warren.

No worries, I won’t let a one-night stand make things awkward. I could use the work, but is he seriously asking me to help him buy a Christmas tree too?

No way.

Cameron

I’m a good-natured guy all year long, but I have to admit…I hate the holidays.

There. I said it.

This season, I’m hiding away on the opposite side of the country in a picturesque village. My family isn’t excited about my decision, and the only way to assure them I’m fine is to deck the darn halls. Or hire someone else to do it.

The handyman might not be the logical choice for an elf, but his grumpy act makes me smile. Which makes me think the holidays might not be so “bah-humbug” this year after all.

The Humbug Holiday is a bisexual, age-gap romance featuring two grumpy bears who find unexpected magic and learn to embrace everyone’s favorite time of year!

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