Review: Midnight Riff: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 by Lynn Michaels

Rating: 2.75🌈

Midnight Riff (great title) is another story in the multi author collection, The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023. Written by Lynn Michaels, it’s a follow up to a book published in 2022, Midnight Reunion-Road to Rocktoberfest 2022. I’m not sure if reading that would have helped understanding the characters or dynamics in play here, but for me, something more than what was written was needed to make this work.

Primarily, the main issue is the character of Wolf and his troubled romance with the lawyer Harrison. That’s the drama that the story opens up with.

For me to stay invested in a book and whatever themes the author has planned for their characters, I have to like or at least find in them something worth exploring. A big flag is a main character whose personality is that of a narcissistic personality, or one that borders on it. Especially if the author asks us to commit to him as a main character and not as a protagonist.

But as with Wolf, the rockstar we meet. It’s immediately clear, he’s a clueless , self involved personality. One, that admittedly, isn’t interested in what’s going on emotionally or even, at the most superficial level, in what happened with the man , Harrison, who’s is/was a relationship with him.

He acts like a child while telling everyone he’s finally acting like an adult. And continues with this behavior for chapters.

Moreover , when the author’s narrative involves him putting the blame on the other person or persons , the lack of introspection is astonishing. The use of personality traits such as these in a main character, especially when it’s not seen as being avoidance tactics, or other self absorbed behaviors, and then include a another main character with a lackluster personality that feels just sad.

“I couldn’t believe it. I stood there staring at the hotel door, unable to internalize what happened. Sure, Harrison had complained before, but he’d never left. Why would he do that?”

— Midnight Riff: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 by Lynn Michaels

That’s Wolf. The rockstar with not a thought about the person he’s been having an affair with, not a clue as to how that person has been feeling. Or even who that man really is. Wolf’s not certain if he cares to make an effort. Even as he whines about Harrison being it for him.

That’s the story and relationship. It’s all Wolf , indecisive, self involved, all the time. While Harrison keeps coming back for more punishment in the form of “do you know what you want, is it me?” Sort of stuff. And he’s supposed to be a great lawyer. Not believable.

I couldn’t actually finish. Came close though. But this type of character, relationship, and plot just isn’t something I wish to invest my time in.

Perhaps it’s something someone else might, someone who read and liked the previous book. I’ll leave that up to you.

The Road to Rocktoberfest-12 books

✓ Rocking Karma by Kage Harper

◦ Axe to Grind by Gabbi Grey

◦ Key Change by Ari McKay

◦ More Than October by Blake Allwood

◦ Faded Dreams by BL Maxwell

✓ Midnight Riff by Lynn Michaels

◦ Damaged Saints by Layla Dorine

✓ Music & Dreams by JP Sayles

◦ Seltzer’s Taylor: Embrace the Fear book 3 by TL Travis

◦ Loose Strings by Christie Gordon

◦ Killer Notes by CJ Barlowe

Buy Link

Midnight Riff: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023

Blurb:

Rocktoberfest 2023 was coming, bringing either romance or chaos to Midnight Hunt

Wolf thought everything was going fine with the sexy entertainment lawyer, Harrison. Just because he used to date his bandmate didn’t mean they couldn’t rock it out. But Harrison seemed to be tired of all his hijinks.

Harrison wanted a serious relationship, and he thought Wolf could be ‘the one’ but something wasn’t working, and chasing his man across the country and back was wearing him out.

Get ready for a rockstar rendezvous romance! It’s a back-and-forth will they/won’t they filled with music and a killer rock festival!

Midnight Riff is a follow-up to Midnight Reunion, The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022.

Midnight Riff is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

• Publisher: Blue Eyed Dreams, LLC (October 24, 2023)

• Publication date: October 24, 2023

• Print length: 176 pages

Review: Scene Queen (The Court Book 2) by Charlie Novak

Rating: 4.5🌈

Eva Nessence

“If they ever put me on trial for murder, the temptation to burst into a rendition of ‘The Cell Block Tango’ from Chicago would be impossible to resist.”

So begins the wonderful Scene Queen , the second book in The Court series by Charlie Novak, about a fabulous group of drag queens.

Scene Queen is Eva Nessence, goth drag queen: she/ her in drag, he/ him out of it. In fact he’s Evan, overworked paramedic, babysitter to his sister’s kids, and generally stressed out over trying to make all the areas of his life work.

Novak’s Evan has so many layers to his personality, all of them making him vulnerable, emotionally relatable, and a character that the reader can invest in. He grows so strong through his relationships in this book, not just with the one he starts with his neighbor, Rhys, but also with his other queens. It’s a great journey to go along with.

Rhys, marathoner, pole dance instructor, with a twin brother who he’s always been attached to, until his brother found love. Now he’s lonely, a bit lost, and, with the complex nature of character Novak gifted him with, looking for trouble next door.

I admit it took a chapter or two for me to realize what the author was doing and really commit to the type of journey these men were going to take. But the author invited us into their heads and the emotional connections they were making with each other, and I was hooked.

Add to Evan and Rhys’ evolving (and very sexual) relationship, there’s the wonderful dynamics of the different queens of the Court and how they support Eva and her man. It’s sassy, warm-hearted realness served up in high heels and glam.

I love this book and its entire cast of characters. Somehow I missed the first and will grab it up while waiting for Baby Queen to be released. I’m highly recommending you read this and do the same.

The Court:

◦ Drama Queen #1

✓ Scene Queen #2

◦ Baby Queen #3 – May 23,2024

Buy link

Scene Queen (The Court)

blurb

Note to self: just because he’s hot and funny doesn’t change the fact he’s annoying AF.

Hooking up with my irritating as hell neighbour wasn’t on my agenda for the week, even if he is ridiculously gorgeous with a smile that lights up my life. His music is too loud, he’s too nosy… but I can’t stop myself from wanting more than a taste.

It was only supposed to be a one time thing, but now Rhys seems determined to charm his way into my world. And when he gets his nose broken at a rock concert, I’m the one who comes to his rescue.

But there’s no time in my life for a relationship. Juggling drag, a paramedic career, and helping with my sister’s kids has already pushed me close to burnout, and I’m walking a fine line between survival and exhaustion.

I’ve always been the one helping everyone else and I can’t remember the last time I put myself first.

Maybe it’s time to cause a scene and go after the thing I really want: a chance with the sparkling man next door who has terrible taste in music.

• Notes:

• Publisher: (February 22, 2024)

• Publication date: February 22, 2024

• Print length: 289 pages

Review: Music & Dreams: MM Rockstar Romance by J.P. Sayles

Rating: 3.75🌈

Music & Dreams by J.P. Sayles is another entertaining story in multi-author The Road to Rocktoberfest collection.

This time the band, Grambo, is a lesser element in the narrative, than the development of the relationship between the two main characters. That would be lead singer and single dad, Lorcan Swain, and the tutor, Rogan Hanlon , he’s employed to teach his 7 year old daughter,Amy.

Rogan or Ro was born with a cleft palate and harelip, both of which have since been surgically repaired. But the consequences of growing up with these impairments and the bullying that came with it, Rogan has self esteem issues and fears of hospitals.

Sayles does a terrific job with the characterizations when it comes to Rogan’s issues with his past and emotional distress over his scars. I think most readers will find him very relatable. Add in his dynamic with the daughter and he’s a lovely person.

What doesn’t work or isn’t as well layered into his personality is the music. It’s supposed to be a major part of his life and his storyline. But even as a hidden talent, it’s development is a superficial aspect of Rogan’s story. We don’t know about his guitar, songwriting or singing until after the halfway point. And even then, it feels more like a light afterthought than a well defined one.

What does work is the way the three of them, Lorcan, Ro, and the daughter come together as a family. Then comes the band and an out of nowhere drama that feels false.

But the family and romance elements are heartwarming and truly lovely. If the rockstar part feels like an afterthought, well, that’s ok.

It’s still a good contemporary romance.

The Road to Rocktoberfest-12 books

✓ Rocking Karma by Kage Harper

◦ Axe to Grind by Gabbi Grey

◦ Key Change by Ari McKay

◦ More Than October by Blake Allwood

◦ Faded Dreams by BL Maxwell

◦ Midnight Riff by Lynn Michaels

◦ Damaged Saints by Layla Dorine

✓ Music & Dreams by JP Sayles

◦ Seltzer’s Taylor: Embrace the Fear book 3 by TL Travis

◦ Loose Strings by Christie Gordon

◦ Killer Notes by CJ Barlowe

Buy Link

Music & Dreams: MM Rockstar Romance

Blurb:

Can one man’s dreams help him reach another man’s heart?

Lorcan Swain has the world at his feet. Apart from his music and his daughter, Amy, there is no room in his life for anything or anyone else—until an accident makes him see what has been right in front of him all this time: Rogan.

Rogan Hanlon is passionate about two things—music, and his boss, Lorcan, lead singer of Grambo. A birth defect forces him to keep both passions hidden and his heart protected.

Who would want a disfigured man?

Once Lorcan sets his heart on something, he goes all out to get it. The two weapons in his arsenal to help him achieve his goal are Amy and his music. And if that means using them both on the biggest stage at Rocktoberfest to prove how he feels?

Bring. It. On

Music & Dreama is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

• Publication date: October 31, 2023

• Print length: 227 pages

Review: Rocking Karma : The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 by Kage Harper

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s great to have another collection of books and authors to enjoy reading, this time the theme is a multi-band rock concert called Rocktoberfest.

Rocking Karma by Kage Harper has the band Corvus Rising as the center dynamic. The main characters are Dax Crow, mixer, songwriter, and half brother to the lead singer Jameson Crow. The other is the new bass player Lane Bennett, younger, naive, and surprisingly, with a hidden talent.

Harper creates in Dax a man whose life has been hard, his survival based upon his own ability to make tough decisions, be , as another man calls it ‘resourceful’ , doing whatever it takes for him to make his way. The wonderful element here is that the narrative allows Dax to change and develop, slowly revealing more of himself and his background as the relationship between himself and Lane continues.

Lane, while not as tough or as damaged, is still got the depth of personality. His character is another that’s slow to see all the many dimensions of his life and his heart. Together, with a tiny flop of a dog called Princess, they absolutely stole my heart.

There’s plenty of drama in this story, a storyline that concerns control, a side character taking advantage, and I enjoyed how that plays out.

The other characters, primarily the other members of this band, they are people I actually would have loved more information about. Whether it’s Brody, or the brother Jameson, or those fabulous women, they weren’t just supporting cast but vividly alive important characters of this book.

If the rest of the collection is half as strong and great as Rocking Karma : The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 by Kage Harper, I can’t wait to read more.

I’m highly recommending this story and author. It’s a fantastic read.

The Road to Rocktoberfest-12 books

✓ Rocking Karma by Kage Harper

◦ Axe to Grind by Gabbi Grey

◦ Key Change by Ari McKay

◦ More Than October by Blake Allwood

◦ Faded Dreams by BL Maxwell

◦ Midnight Riff by Lynn Michaels

◦ Damaged Saints by Layla Dorine

◦ Music & Dreams by JP Sayles

◦ Seltzer’s Taylor: Embrace the Fear book 3 by TL Travis

◦ Loose Strings by Christie Gordon

◦ Killer Notes by CJ Barlowe

Buy Link

Rocking Karma : The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023

Blurb:

Dax

I’ve cut and run on my life more than once in my thirty-one years, leaving everything behind, even my name. Now I’m Dax Crow, long lost half-brother and mixing technician for Jameson Crow, the lead singer of Corvus Rising. I’m using my hard-won skills to help my brother make it big. The rest of the band are incidental to me, although new bass player Lane Bennett is a hot mess of young talent who urgently needs someone to take him under their wing. Not my job. I never get close to anyone. Until some douche of a boyfriend begins jerking the kid around, and I’ve been there, done that. Maybe I can at least give him some advice.

Lane

Playing with Corvus Rising is my dream come true, and I can’t believe in October we’ll play for sixty thousand fans at Rocktoberfest. I just hope I can measure up. The last six months have been a steep learning curve, but I have my secret boyfriend to encourage and direct me whenever he’s around. I wish we could go public, but he’s with the record label and it wouldn’t look good. I also have my secret joy— performing drag as Ms. Fox, when I get the chance. It’s hard juggling everything while touring with the band, but I think I have it under control. Then my worlds collide and my boyfriend shows his true face. I find myself getting surprising advice and support from Dax, the gorgeous, secretive guy behind Corvus’s sound. But I doubt even Dax can turn this disaster into a triumph.

content warning: emotional abuse, coercion

Rocking Karma is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

• Publisher: (October 3, 2023)

• Publication date: October 3, 2023

• Print length: 375 pages

Review: Curio by C.S. Poe

Rating: 4.5🌈

I simply don’t read enough stories by this remarkable author. Curio by C.S. Poe is an excellent way to find your way to this wonderful storyteller.

This short story really resonated with me as I just had someone drop off a dilapidated cardboard box full of old photographs, mostly mine, from the past. No dates, and haphazardly thrown in there, saved from the trash.

So a story that tackles the possibilities that lie behind forgotten old discarded photos hits home.

Poe’s characters, so vividly real and grounded in a place the author calls home, brings the humor and emotional layers so important to this. Llewellyn “Lew” Cooper with his aunt Julia run Curio Cabinet in New York City’s West Village. It’s a hodgepodge of Julia’s interests and antiques, including old photographs.

Then a handsome man comes, buying the photographs on a regular basis. Why? Who is he?

Poe beautifully builds this quietly emotional story of buried history revealed and love in all its forms. Curio comes to a happy ending leading forward for Henry and Lew that makes sense and leaves me absolutely satisfied.

This is a terrific read and the author is one you should have on your auto buy list.

Buy link:

PURCHASE

Blurb:

Llewellyn Cooper and his aunt Julia run Curio Cabinet in New York City’s West Village, where the clientele is as strange as the junk being amassed in their secondhand shop. Llewellyn and Julia have been as thick as thieves his entire life, and Llewellyn can’t imagine being anywhere else six days a week—even if Julia’s bizarre habits and inappropriate conversations drive him crazy. That’s family, though, right?

When Llewellyn drums up the nerve to chat with a routine customer—in part due to curiosity, as Henry McLaughlin returns time and again to purchase nothing but old photographs, but also because the bearded and bow tie–wearing man is the finest thing to ever step foot inside Curio—it seems like Llewellyn will finally have a plus-one for future RSVPs. But just when things start looking up in the romance department, it turns out Henry might be too strange for the Cooper family.

And that’s saying something

Emporium Press
February 05, 2024
Cover art: Reese Dante
Genre: Contemporary romance

60 pages

Review: Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand

Rating: 4.25🌈

“It was on. Number one against number three, battling it out in a tight race for the top spot in the Premier League.”

— Be My Endgame: An MM Rivals-to-Lovers Sports Romance by Zarah Detand

It thanks almost totally to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series about buying Wrexham, a Welsh football (soccer to us in the US) team, I do know a bit about the pyramid shaped structure of the football league abroad. And a smidge of the other aspects of the game that’s so central to the story that Detand’s Be My Endgame tells, that of two players in the game of their lives and the relationship that comes with it.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel that I felt was as quintessentially British as this was. I do read a lot of authors who are from the UK but their books haven’t been grounded in a world as British and non American as is the world of what’s known as football there and soccer here. Add to that the element of aristocracy in the form of one of the main characters, Earl Alex Beaufort, whose father is a Duke of not whatever Alex is an Earl of. Ah, rules of the peerage! There’s Lords, seats in Parliament, and issues of class.

The other main character is Manchester United’s top striker, Lee Taylor, a “commoner” with a mum who has battled mental illness and has raised his sisters when she’s been unable to cope. In top of class issues to deal with, each has sexuality issues that have affected their lives and past relationship, both being in the closet.

Enforced proximity as teammates for the World Cup is a perfect format for bringing multiple themes into the mix as well as action on the field as the team’s fight up towards their goals.

Detand’s characters are well defined, the issues each faces laid out in emotional scenes that pull the readers in, and the supporting cast are charming and engaging personalities we enjoy spending time with.

There’s several unexpected dramatic events towards the end, one expected and well conceived. The other like as though it was a distraction from the main story. And never got a full explanation.

Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand is my first by this author but won’t be the last. I’m off to explore more Detand has released. Until then, this is a definite recommendation.

Buy Link

Buy the ebook & paperback

Blurb

Sometimes the endgame is only the beginning. In the heated world of the Premier League, Earl Alex Beaufort, a charming Liverpool midfielder, collides on-pitch with Lee Taylor, Manchester United’s top striker. But when England’s World Cup dream brings them to sunny Spain, the real game unfolds: sharing a room. Rivals to teammates to … more?

Dive into this banter-filled MM sports romance where football meets unexpected feelings. A tale where a “pretty boy” comment isn’t just playful teasing, and a kiss isn’t just a kiss. As the tension of the World Cup escalates, so does the connection between Alex and Lee.

But amidst the drills, goals, and growing team camaraderie, shadows of family legacies and personal battles loom large. Can Alex, struggling with duke-sized expectations and his bisexuality, embrace his true self? Will Lee learn to dribble past his trust issues? Get ready for emotional offsides, family fouls, and a journey of self-discovery as thrilling as a last-minute goal.

With doses of British humour and heartwarming honesty, Be My Endgame serves up a pitch-perfect contemporary MM romance against the electric backdrop of the World Cup. Expect the unexpected—because when it comes to love and football, anything can happen in 90 minutes (plus injury time).

Review: Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1) by Davidson King

Rating: 4.5🌈

I have to admit that early on, my thoughts were that Slay Ride was just one more story about a group of psycho revenge killing brothers, a trope gaining popularity in LGBTQIA romance. The elements haven’t varied enough, 5 brothers, killing, torture, etc, so that only one or two authors have made it really fascinating.

But Slay Ride turns into something else that is side adjacent but still makes this storyline its own. The brothers here have a compelling history that King eventually weaves further into a larger plot line that gives the characters and this book a different feel and direction emotionally.

King does surprise me with the choices that are made narratively with the romances and themes. Mason, a vulnerable man whose attack begins the novel, starts a sexual relationship immediately with Gabe, one of the brothers. For me, that was problematic. Except that King starts to roll it back with more focus on the actual storyline, action, and finally, when Mason’s deep trauma over his ordeal surfaces, the real need for just contact and then therapy is recognized.

King has an Authors note at the beginning stating that this fiction is perhaps more in a gray area, than that of actually being dark fiction. After reading this, that’s pretty accurate. Any discussion of childhood trauma, sexual abuse, assault is off page, left to the reader’s mind, as well as any real torture is along those same lines.

I have included King’s trigger warnings below.

Slay Ride was a real surprise for me. It took my narrative expectations and gave them a great twist with the characters and plot. I connected with all the characters, I found myself invested in the multiple storylines, and, although I could have wished for a worse ending for the villains, I was satisfied with that ending.

Now I’m wondering if the next book will feature all of them or just one couple. Either way, I’ll be there to find out.

This is a definite yes !

Saint Brothers:

✓ Slay Ride #1

“TRIGGER WARNING This book contains on-page violence, torture, attempted rape, and off page mention of child abuse.”

Buy link

Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1)

Blurb:

Christmas is a time for joy, family, and friends to gather around the tree and fill their hearts with love. Unfortunately, there are some people who don’t deserve happiness during the holidays.

Mason keeps to himself. His best friend, JJ, is the only one he chooses to be close to, plus his job keeps him busy. Excitement isn’t something he needs or wants in his life. One night, that all changes when he’s cornered, and his life is threatened. His saviors? Well, they turn out to be just as dangerous, and the mysteries surrounding them soon flip Mason’s world upside down.

Gabe and his brothers spend their lives making sure those who deserve death get what’s coming to them. The one person they never see coming is Mason. What for them should have been a simple rescue turns into even more chaos than they ever thought possible.

Enter the Saint brothers’ dark and twisted world on a slay ride that will have you on the edge of your seat, swooning for the bad boys, and trying to survive the fall of revenge.

**This was originally a short story that was part of the Christmas Anthology O Deadly Night Vol 1. It has since been expanded to a full-length novel. No Cliffhanger!

— Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1) by Davidson King

• Publisher: (October 4, 2023)

• Publication date: October 4, 2023

• Print length: 220 pages

Review: Lay it Down by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3🌈

Lay It Down is what the author calls her billionaire/grad student romance, an opposites attract story about a twin ending up with his brother’s ex lover under the worst possible circumstances.

The framework of the novel is a good one. One twin has come to see his happily “engaged to a billionaire” brother only to find himself drugged, and without his passport by his same brother who’s left for parts unknown. Now stranded on the resort island of Ibiza, Hudson has to figure out what happened and make right the damage his twin has caused.

Sounds good, right?

And for many elements of the story it is. Hudson is a lovely character. Unlike his irresponsible , and honestly, unlikable, twin, Dalvon, he’s easily someone that the reader can relate to and admire. A man who’s used his history as the protective older responsible brother as the boys navigated the foster system, he used it to better himself and get an education, which he’s still pursuing.

Calmes spent a lot of time building this character and it shows. Unlike his brother which appears here only through phone calls and by the many times he’s mentioned by others, never favorably. Even his actions are those that swing from negligence to one’s absolutely criminal.

Which means his twit of a brother? That’s where much of the problem with this story comes from.

Hudson awakens from a drugged sleep to find his brother has scampered off with his passport, stranding him in the ruins that he’s made of his life there. Doesn’t seem to matter what he’s done to anyone who has to depend on Dalvon. Off he goes.

Everything this other twin does and says is deplorable. But the author seems to think we’re going to think he’s just so helpless and a bit selfish but it’s ok. Those actions are forgivable

Nope it’s not. And to have a main character who’s constantly either being victimized by his brother or being his brother’s “savior “ doesn’t make for a satisfying story. It makes for a frustrating experience, especially since that pattern seems to continue forward at the end.

I like reading how Hudson runs around using his knowledge to help the people and businesses his brother was ruining. That worked. Especially since the characters that are grounded in the villa are wonderful.

But the instant love with Miguel , his brother’s ex was less successful a believable aspect of the book given the timeframe of a few days. Had there been more time to give their relationship growth and depth, I’d been on board.

Then there’s the whole criminal enterprise thing. That threw the story right over the top. And made no sense.

I really like Mary Calmes but this wasn’t among my favorites. Too bad because it had a lot of potential.

Buy Link:

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com › Lay-Do…Lay It Down – Kindle edition by Calmes, Mary. Romance Kindle eBooks …

Blurb:

Paradise can be hell.

Most people would say being stranded in the villa of Spanish shipping magnate Miguel García Arquero on the beautiful isle of Ibiza wasn’t such a bad deal. But Hudson Barber isn’t one of them. To him, being stuck without a passport in a foreign country far from home is a nightmare, made worse by the fact that the person who did the stranding was his flighty twin brother.

Unwilling to turn Dalvon in for identity theft, Hudson is forced to wait, but meanwhile he discovers the chance to rehabilitate Miguel’s failing local businesses—enterprises left to Dalvon’s inexperienced care. The flagging ventures are a badly wrapped gift from heaven, and if Hudson can turn them around, he might be able to leverage the experience to finish his MBA.

Then Miguel returns to Ibiza, and instead of finding a boy toy, he discovers Hudson has turned his cold villa into a warm, welcoming home. Miguel’s path is clear: convince Hudson to lay down his defenses and let love in.

Mary Calmes’ other billionaire romance is Parting Shot.

Review: Wintering with George (With George Book 2) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Wintering with George , the second book in the With George series by Mary Calmes, is hard to be defined as a standalone series as its main characters are supported by and has its foundation knowledge based in two of this author’s most popular series (see list below).

However, Wintering with George is set two years after the events of the first novel and Calmes is able to give George and Kurt’s relationship a depth only time makes realistic. There’s still plenty of struggles and doubts, especially when George is still being unexpectedly called to duty for missions he can’t talk about.

That strain feels raw and the fear real. This is when the one person POV becomes intuitive because Calmes narrative has to include Kurt’s complex feelings, but from George’s perspective. That’s a difficult thing as Kurt has a tendency to want to psychoanalyze events and knows the boundaries where they should stop. It’s a great dynamic that we need to see more of.

It’s time to meet Kurt’s small family. Another great background story here and that turns into the main narrative going forward.

There’s plenty of action. Dogs and George’s cat, Bub. Kids to break up the adult action and add to the heartwarming atmosphere. Calmes has the best elements down pat here.

Except one.

We really need one more book to complete the trilogy and series. I hope we get it. This is too good to leave at two stories.

A definite recommendation!

Love this.

With George:

✓ Just George #1

✓ Wintering with George #2

Connected Series:

A Matter of Time – 6 books

Marshals – 6 books

Buy Link

Wintering with George

Blurb:

George Hunt is certain that spending time with his boyfriend’s family over the holidays will be a disaster. How can it not? For starters, he knows nothing about families, never having had one, as for the rest…talk about pressure. What if he messes up, says the wrong thing, and ends up losing the most important person in his life? Dr. Kurt Butler is his miracle; George can’t afford any missteps. But if he’s careful and does everything right, perhaps they’ll see his good qualities instead of the lethal ones.

Sometimes, though, fate lets you put your best foot forward, and George gets to show off how handy he is to have around when bullets start flying. If he can keep everyone alive long enough to do some wintering, maybe he’ll discover that a family is something worth having after all.

• Publication date: January 28, 2024

• Print length: 126 pages

Review: Just George by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4🌈

It’s hard to put a rating to this book and mini-series about a beloved character that’s an important part of two popular series from Calmes.

If you’re a reader unfamiliar with this author and her series, this story won’t have the same appeal as it does for most of the readers who are bringing a wealth of background information , series history, and built in affection with George Hunt, military sniper, blk ops, and now security bodyguard.

For us, we’ve been there as he’s been assigned to Hannah, daughter of US Marshal Sam Kage and Jory Harcourt, niece of billionaire Aaron Sutter , George’s boss, and witnessed all their personal travails and relationship growth in true friendship. George is a strong personality and, even narratively, when his physical absence is noted, it’s made use of by the author in the various plot lines.

Scary competence is attractive. So it’s not surprising that everyone was clamoring for George’s story.

Parts of the beginning of the story have been mentioned or a part of other stories, but from other main characters perspectives. Now it’s flipped over to George’s point of view.

We get to see the moment George, through Hannah, really connects with

Kurt, Hannah’s therapist from a recent attempt on her life. It’s a little rocky at the beginning but as Calmes’ story reveals more of George’s past experiences and adolescence, how he relates to people becomes realistic.

Kurt, feeling one dimensional, adds depth and detail to his character as the events and story progresses. I go from not immediately connecting with Kurt, to liking him more and more by the end.

As always, Just George comes to a finish way too soon. All it’s proven is that George and now his relationship with Kurt need much more than one book to satisfy our need to know what happens next.

Love this.

With George:

✓ Just George #1

✓ Wintering with George #2

Connected Series:

A Matter of Time – 6 books

Marshals – 6 books

Buy Link

Amazon

Blurb;

George Hunt can think of nothing he’d like more than to skip the high-society fundraiser where he has to guard a precocious seventeen-year-old girl and her judgmental therapist, but there’s no way out of it. If anything bad were to happen and he wasn’t there to stop it, he’d never forgive himself. So even though she’s grilling him about his dating life and the good doctor is psychoanalyzing him, he’s going to soldier on, because protecting his charges is what a knight does.

What he doesn’t count on is having to use both his training and his gun to make it through the night, or finding the last thing he ever expected… someone who actually sees him, not for the man he is, but for the man he could be with just a little bit of love.

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