The Stopping Place by Lily Morton is such a lovely short story. Originally written for Heart2Heart charity anthology, the author edited it and enlarged it to incorporate a epilogue here.
Many of my favorite Lily Morton elements are at play here. Thereâs age gap, past trauma to overcome, and men who will find themselves in the midst of a sea change, unknowingly so.
And it starts , as do all her chapters and books, with a memorable quote.
âI am no traveler; you are my world.â
Daphne du Maurier
My Cousin Rachel
Yes, Iâm sunk immediately.
So opens the tale of Simeon Frith and Ziggy Tuesday.
We see thatâs Simeon had an injury and his friend has placed an ad for a companion to help with things and walk his dog.
Yes dogs or a cat are another element with Morton.
We see that. Then Simeon and Ziggy having sex. From there , time folds in and around as we see what brought Ziggy into Simeonâs life, their life togetherâŠ. And the decisions when it gets closer to the cast coming off and time for Ziggyâs departure.
These are layered, real people. The scenes emotional if quiet. And the air filled with the sounds of the sea .
Such a beautiful journey, such lovely menâŠ. And dogs.
Even a brief story like The Stopping Place by Lily Morton will fill you with a quiet joy.
Simeon Frith is recovering from a car accident at his house in Cornwall. Heâs a successful man and usually very self-sufficient, but after attempting to open a can of baked beans with a brick, he realises that he needs help. However, he never imagined that putting an advert in the paper for an assistant would result in the gorgeous Ziggy Tuesday sauntering into his life.
The much younger Ziggy is fun and free-spirited, and an attraction quickly grows between them. When they finally sleep together and Ziggy insists that it be completely strings-free, Simeon canât believe his luck. However, to his horror, he develops unforeseen feelings for the laidback surfer, and he canât stop them, despite knowing that Ziggy will always leave. Itâs what heâs done all his life.
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a short story about a summer fling that is going to change two menâs lives forever.
This story originally appeared in the third Heart2Heart charity anthology. It has had a new scene and an epilogue added to it.
Iâve always found Aimee Nicole Walker to be an excellent author so I was happy to find a series of hers I hadnât read yet. From just the first book Iâm in for an outstanding , exciting journey!
Ride the Lightning is the first novel in Walkerâs Sinister in Savannah series and itâs amazing. Located in the historic southern city of Savjannah, Georgia, the author makes full use of Savannahâs well known haunts and southern charm as a solid foundation for her characters and their lives which are as deeply seated within that community.
Sinister in Savannah is a crime podcast run by three friends, one of which is Jonas St Johns , a criminal analyst for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
Jonas is truly a mesmerizing character. Tall, scarred , highly intelligent, and haunted by his past, Jonas is half the heart of this story. The other half? That belongs, not to the romantic interest, although heâs quite wonderful, but to Jonasâ neighbor, Marla.
Marla, the magnificent drag queen, who let Jonas into her life and now has some decidedly serious favors to ask of him.
Marla and her pug, Betty (named after the fabulous Betty White of course) are everything! Sheâs captivating, poignant, flamboyant, and magnificent. Itâs her touching, intimate, close relationship with Jonas that immediately connects the reader to them and this story. Within that duo , and then within Jonasâ house, we see a odd but wonderful found family start establishing itself.
Thereâs Kendall, Jonasâs roommate, Avery, the love interest and Jonasâ intern, Felix and Rocky, the other two men who run the podcast with him. By the time the story has ended , the found family and community has swelled around him, due in part to the murder mystery he was asked to investigate.
The old murder mystery touches off all types of revelations and reverberations. Including ones that bring up old memories that have traumatized Jonas for years.
This story is about growth and healing as it is about leaving and letting go.
And found families and forgiveness.
Iâm so happy to have found this novel, new characters and series. Itâs such a joy to have been on this first journey with Marla . How I love her.
I canât wait for you all to meet her and everyone else here. Iâm highly recommending this story.
By day, Jonah St. John is a criminal analyst for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. By night, he produces Sinister in Savannah, an investigative podcast, with his two best friends. Jonahâs life revolves around three principles: a manâs word is his oath, friendships are priceless gifts, and love is for other people.
When the Sinister in Savannah team delves into the thirty-eight-year-old murder of a drag queen, they quickly discover that the story doesnât end with the alleged killerâs confession in 1995. Continuing the investigation could have fatal consequences for Jonah and everyone he holds dear, including his irresistible intern.
To love is to lose: a lesson Jonah has learned the hard way. For a decade, he has embraced solitude as his penance for a past mistake. Then came Avery Bradford, a man whose warmth and sunshine infuses Jonahâs battered soul and challenges his resistance. Over the past eight months, Jonah has soared closer and closer to Averyâs flame until the thing heâs feared the most becomes the one he canât live without.
The chill of danger merges with the heat of desire, forming a deadly superstorm. Will Jonah seek shelter or ride the lightning?
Sinister in Savannah series is a fictional podcast exploring the cityâs most nefarious crimes with Southern-fried snark. The books explore friendship, love, loss, and the irrepressible human spirit. Ride the Lightning is book one of three. While each book is written about a different couple, the series should be read in order. Sinister in Savannah is an LGBT romantic suspense series with mature language and sexual content intended for adults eighteen and older.
Tangled in Clouds is a heartwarming, sweet romance from the same universe as Loceyâs The According to Liam series. Both Jamie Parker and Pittsburgh Ravens D-man Heikki Keto are from that series and now get their own love story.
Itâs a romance thatâs barely a mention there but here it gets the authorâs full attention. Jamie Parker is one of Mikeâs good friends and a trans man whoâs had awful luck with relationships. The readers have gotten to know and care about Jamie (enough to ask for this story) so itâs wonderful to be able to have such a direct connection to him now.
Heikki Keto is plain out adorable. That Finnish D-man who ran home after finding himself attracted to Jamie is now ready to admit heâs bisexual. Finding that pushing his attraction to Jamie away doesnât make it less so, heâs back in Pittsburgh to play hockey and figure out exactly where his future lies.
Locey packs a lot into this small novella. I often wished for a longer book because Jamie and Heikki are a great couple that I enjoyed seeing together. Having them go from 60âs rom com movie night to declarations of love seems fast. Although Locey is good at it.
Morton the hamster was a hilarious addition. As was Grandpa.
Jamie communicating his insecurities about their relationship and the expectations for sex was realistic and believable. It made what they had feel grounded.
I just wish we had some of that same detail given towards Heikki coming out to his team and teammates, still a big deal in the NHL. That was passed over a bit quickly.
Iâm recommending this as a terrific sweet romance and the entire According to Liam series.
According to Liam series:
â Life According to Liam #1
â Christmas According to Liam #1.5
â Love According to Liam #2
â The World According to Liam #3
â Family According to Liam #4
â Tangled in Clouds (an According to Liam novella)
Will it be too late to find love or are they destined to be âjust friendsâ forever?
Jamie Palmer has been waiting for Mr. Right for a long time. Heck, heâs been waiting forever for a decent man just to date! Given the shy looks of appreciation heâd been getting from a certain Finnish defenseman for the Pittsburgh Ravens he thought perhaps he had found him. But itâs been months since Heikki has returned to the States, and theyâre still trapped in the friend zone. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on Jamieâs part to imagine a rough-and-rowdy hockey player could fall for a trans man who has a deep affection for 60s movies and well-crafted sneakers.
Heikki Keto is having a rough time of it as his team starts the painful process of a rebuild. The Ravens are having trouble finding the back of the net, and his new defensive partner is a joker who never knows when to stop fooling around. His personal life isnât much better. For months, heâs been flailing around mentally trying to work out just who he is. As he battles with himself, the man who has captured his heart is talking about dating apps and having dinner with a new client. Can Heikki find the courage to admit to the worldâand to Jamieâthat heâs tired of living on the edge of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime romance?
Vet Shop Boys is a series that I adore. Each vet and their search for their HEA is layered and emotionally satisfying. And Iâve said with each book, itâs my favorite.
Sigh.
Got Me Looking, the third in Casey Coxâs Vet Shop Boys series is my favorite.
Casey turned two characters I wasnât entirely sure of into two of the characters I canât get enough of. Itâs as though theyâve been kept purposely a tad out of focus for the last two books, just waiting for the author to pull them both into her narrative spotlight and make them heartwarmingly brilliant.
Gus, the owner of Vet Shop Boys Vet Clinic and recently dumped groom, has been a very lovely but secondary personality so far. Here Gus is revealed in all his joyous layers! His love of daytime tv, his dancing, the pain and loss of his first love, everything is finally exposed. The man is a huge wonder but missing someone and incredibly lonely.
Tate is a smart influencer and cammer on 4Fans Only whoâs now trying to find a publisher for Gus story. Heâs also someone who âsparksâ with Gus when they get together with their mutual friends. Tateâs childhood has been one of constant parental marital struggles, leading him to believe that monogamy isnât the best lifestyle, especially for himself.
Gus is 20 years older and a monogamist. While as someone whoâs pan, the age difference isnât a factor, Tate identifies as poly.
This story of how their romance begins is so sweet, and sexy yet so grounded in the issues that keep people stuck if they donât communicate. Gus and Tate talk, think, communicating through obstacles big and small, perceived and actual, to find their way to each other.
How wonderful. How adorable and adult.
While I donât have favorite couples here, no, really, Gus and Tate come close. But really with Fulton wearing a âI shih tzu Notâ t-shirt, how could I ignore him and his honey? It was fantastic having everyone involved here, including Tyler the newest Vet.
Thereâs another story in the works but nothing on title or release date. Iâll be waiting!
Until then, Iâm highly recommending Got Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys #3) by Casey Cox. Not familiar with this series? Start at the beginning! Iâve listed them below. Each one is a gem!
A jilted groom and a guy who doesn’t believe in monogamy fall in love? Yeah. Right.
After getting cheated on at my own goddamn wedding, I’m through with men. I’m approaching fifty, and all I’ve ever wanted is to settle down, get married, and live happily ever after. But yeah, that hasn’t exactly worked out great for me.
The last person I expect to understand me is Tate. Sure, he’s cute, curious, and clever. A firecracker with no filter who somehow manages to stay friendly and genuine at the same time. But he isn’t exactly a settle-down kinda guy. Oh, and did I mention he’s also twenty years younger than me?
There’s no way something could ever happen between the two of us, so how is it possible that Tate has got me looking at loveââand himââin a whole new light?
I have loved this series from the beginning. Itâs full of outrageous humor, over-the-top action, and, frankly, just plain hilarious dynamics between two widely different yet charming characters who oddly fit each other perfectly.
Now itâs coming down to their wedding so of course someone wants to murder one of them.
And while the expected zaniness is enthusiastically embraced, narratively speaking , what was less apparent was that this novel was going to be emotionally moving and explore just how damaged Lelandâs past has truly left him.
Thatâs erupts out here in the most traumatic way imaginable.
This aspect of the story allows us to see other depths of characters personalities not yet portrayed as well as bringing another warmth and element of humanity to Leland.
Is this my favorite story. I think so. Itâs added Sarge as well. Adore that dog. And that whole out of control element. Hilarious.
We get to delve into Jacksonâs past and his character further then before which is another fantastic situation here. Jackson has never had his past history given more than a few mere mentions here and there. Now we get a solid look at Jackson, the complete and complex man whoâs the match for Leland.
Outstanding.
The Hitmanâs Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot is a tremendous way to send these two off to get their wedding vows. If thereâs not another story, while Iâll be sad, this is still a great way to go out!
Iâm highly recommending this story and series. But read them in the order they were written in to understand the progression of relationships development and characters personalities.
Definitely one of my favorite series of this authorâs. So well written, great plots, sharp dialogue, humorous, moving, and characters to , well, almost die for.
Love it and them.
The Hitmanâs Guide series:
â The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
â The Hitmanâs Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
â The Hitmanâs Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
Side Story:
đThe Former Assassinâs Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
Is a nice little wedding with Blow-up Randy and Jackson My Love too much to ask for? Clearly, because someoneâs trying to kill one of us⊠again. Generally, this would be my thing and I would jump right in singing my murder song, but they want Jackson dead and I will do anything (and I mean anything) to keep him aliveâincluding and not limited to: ten Dobermans, bulletproof glass, and dragging Cassel in with the promise of more Jerebear. These people have no idea what theyâve done targeting the man I love because Iâm coming after them. But when it feels like everything might be lost, I start to understand that I have a family now who will stand by my side and do everything they can to make sure we end this on our terms.
Jackson
When someone attacks me, itâs clear they want something from me. The issue is that I have no idea who they are or what theyâre after. And if I donât figure it out soon, Iâm afraid Leland is going to smother me with his overprotectiveness (or put me in a bubble at the top of a tower). The issue is that time is ticking and with the price tag on my head, thereâs no telling who is coming for me or when.
Together, Leland and I have to decipher who is telling the truth in this game of life or death because I have plans to marry the man of my dreams and no one is going to stop meâespecially with Leland by my side.
This 100k word book contains humor, action, romance, bad behavior on a golf course, sort of abducting a child who lacks kung fu power, enough car chases and shooting to make even Leland happy, and spontaneous singing.
I donât know how I missed this the first time it was released but Iâm all caught up now on a new favorite pair within the Arizona Raptors. Thatâs Tate Collins and Captain Vladislav Novikov. I do love me a Russian goalie ! If not Stan than definitely a Vlad!
Vlad with a potty mouthed parrot and a need to dominate? So hot. The scenes with Tate just about fog up the room. This is a couple whoâs chemistry is wildly successful and off the charts because they are able to connect emotionally too.
Sugar and Ice is a story that I wish was actually longer in length because both characters have issues that could use deeper scrutiny as well as I just wanted more time with them.
For Vlad, heâs got a twin who plays professionally whoâs as talented a hockey player as he is in Russia, along with the rest of his family. For a gay Russian , itâs safer politically, legally for his family in Russia for him to stay closeted. A sad and painful state of affairs.
For Tate, itâs a ex wife with mental health issues whoâs determination to hurt him in the media thatâs damaging him and his future.
Neither issue is examined to the extent it could be or as it was with Stan. With Tate , in fact, it was resolved extremely quickly. Both aspects of their pasts and story deserves a more detailed explanation.
However, this pair and their romance is so amazing that you take them to heart. Iâd love a follow up novel after Vladâs retirement. Or whenever. They are just that couple.
Colorado is a big character here and thatâs because the next story is his. What a flamboyant, adorable man he is! Emuâs indeed!
Sugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey is a terrific story with an incredible couple at its center.
When love is on the line, the worst decisions can end up having the best endings.
Tate Collins, an all-American hockey phenomenon, was the highly marketable face of Dallas hockey. Loaded down with endorsements and playing his best game, he was a superstar and a household name. No one ever expected him to fail, but overnight, after the worst decision of his life, everything spirals out of his control. Abruptly, his reputation is in tatters, and heâs traded to the Arizona Raptors in a shocking move. Brushing off the wild and unfounded accusations that he faces on social media, and stuck on the second line, he keeps his head down and works hard to earn his spot. Tate knows he can make a difference if only his teammates would let him. Something has to change for him to earn their respect, but falling for the captain might not be his best move.
Vladislav Novikov has been called many things over his long and illustrious career, but the new nickname of Iceberg seems to fit best. Perhaps itâs due to his icy blue eyes, or the way he rams into opposing players as he defends his goalie. Or maybe itâs because of his cool demeanor when not playing the game he loves. Whatever the reason, itâs why heâs the perfect team captain for this wild bunch of puck-pushers. His perfectly controlled life is smooth as ice until Tate Collins rides into Tucson with his apple pie ways and those damn dimples. The young superstar immediately catches his eye. Despite knowing better than to start something with a teammate, the big, bad Iceberg is about to have that chilly veneer around his heart melted away by Tate one sweet kiss at a time.
The fantastic insanity that is the Hitmanâs Guide continues with The Hitmanâs Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitmanâs Guide (#2) by Alice Winters .
Lelandâs found his true love, and Jackson, a PI, has made him promise to leave his former life of being an assassin behind. But Leland hasnât figured out what to replace it with, other than the daily adoration of Jackson. And Lelandâs gun collection.
Jackson has fallen in love with his scary, funny, reckless, and sexy former hitman. Keeping him safe and unidentified is everything. He thinks he is successful until a body is found with a note from the killer, using Lelandâs old , now abandoned name.
Game on to find the copycat killer and save their new relationship.
Winters brings new heights of hilarity as well as pathos to both the character of Leland and his abusive relationship under Lucas . We suddenly understand why he uses humor to mask his inability to voice what kindness and love does to him.
It hurts.
And we hurt for him, but only momentarily. Then comes blowup Randy, or some other moment of utter mayhem, and weâre gone. Lost to guffaws, cries of laughter as Leland and Jackson, in sync, maneuver their way through Lelandâs thorny personal past ( now present) dynamics to emerge stronger and happier.
Every character in the series, not just the main ones of Leland and Jackson, but those of Henry, Mason, Jeremy, Ava (Jacksonâs mother), are getting stronger as each book continues. They have more layers, more complexity so we value them just as greatly as we do the main couple.
Honestly, thereâs no secondary cast here. Including the animals.
The dialogue is sparkling, memorable, and hilarious. Each character is so well defined that , no matter how wildly unlikely or insanely nuts the situations Leland and Jackson (mostly Leland) creates, the reader goes, ok, I get it. Itâs Leland.
Just like a character would in the story.
Iâm so in love here.
Winters has done an outstanding job with this book and series. The characters resonate with their dissimilar backgrounds, but totally in love grand chemistry. All the people in the story, no matter how outrageous feel believable. Plus with the storylines thereâs always the possibility that you could veer off to cry as well as die laughing. Take your pick.
Now guess whoâs going to try to get married. This I gotta read.
The Hitmanâs Guide is a must read series, one to be read in the order they are written for story and relationships development.
Iâm highly recommending this and the series.
The Hitmanâs Guide series:
â The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
â The Hitmanâs Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
⊠The Hitmanâs Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
Side Story:
đThe Former Assassinâs Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
Now that Lelandâs decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, weâve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didnât know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but itâs not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Lelandâs gun shrineâor stop him from making our cases âmore excitingâ by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right? Wrong. Weâve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victimâs body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.
Leland:
I wasnât involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldnât do that to Jacksonâespecially after I promised him that I wouldnât take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. Iâm finally starting to learn that weâre stronger together, and Iâm not going to jeopardize that.Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesnât know who heâs dealing with. Gameâs on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but thatâs beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasnât my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)
This 110k word book contains: Disco ball piñata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named âMr. Cleanyface,â a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jacksonâs nemesisâthe fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Lelandâs chest might explode.
This is the second book in a seriesâwhile you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitmanâs Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.
Iâve been on a fantasy binge lately and when I realized I couldnât remember if a incubus character was one that needed a hug or shouldnât be touched, it was time to return to contemporary fiction.
I pulled up Alice Winters because sheâs a author I not only adore for her terrific well written tales but honestly, I know Iâm in for a rollicking hilarious great âgame onâ of a read when I grab for one of her stories.
Thatâs exactly what I fell into with The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love. Itâs one of three novels about a hitman and his hunny with a side story thatâs equally amazing.
But The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love is the beginning. A laugh out loud, gut wrenchingly hilarious book about a hit man named Leland whoâs career takes an unexpected turn when he spies a PI awkwardly scaling a fence to gain access into a house heâs monitoring.
I wonât go further. Thatâs definitely a scene to be savored in the book.
Much like their tangled relationship and Lelandâs oversized personality.
Every time I start a Winters story itâs almost a given Iâll end up at after 3am ⊠eyes still glued to the Kindle until it says⊠the endâŠ.
From the droll descriptions of the characters, current remarks dropped into snappy dialogue, and conversations that veer from pithy to deep emotions and back to full on hilarity with the speed of a Mach one racer, this story ( and all the rest) are flat out fantabulous!
Age gap, humorous action packed mayhem romance, complete with Randy the blowup Sex doll and adorable doggies.
Iâd only complain if there wasnât a follow up story but there is. Happy dance!
So this is an absolute must read if you love to guffaw with your contemporary romance, need spot on dialogue with characters so memorable that their staying power is all the way to 11 (movie reference).
Highly recommending the author and series! A must read!
The Hitmanâs Guide series:
â The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
⊠The Hitmanâs Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
⊠The Hitmanâs Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
Side Story:
đThe Former Assassinâs Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?
Leland Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while heâs caught on a fence would be one of them. While itâs not exactly love at first sight, heâs captured my interest and wonât let go.
Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like heâs not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the cityâs most ruthless criminals?
Jackson Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I canât help but admit that Iâm drawn to him. Heâs funny, charismatic, and attractive. Thereâs no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.
But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, Iâm faced with a tough choice. Itâs my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.
Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?
Contains: shenanigans on a swing that you would NOT find at a playground, a car chase that sadly doesn’t have flips or explosions, a horsey ride sans horse, cuddles, an exuberant mutt, a suspicious chief of police, and lots and lots of laughs
The Fix Is In is the fourth book in Mary Calmesâ Torus Investigations series and itâs probably my least favorite of the group to date.
Surprisingly because this one sort of breaks a number of patterns set out in all the previous novels and it includes a circle of friends and support characters that I really got into.
Shaw James, seventh son of a seventh Scottish son and Torus fixer, has been handed a new case from his bossâ idea of helping people who canât normally afford their expensive services by doing pro bono work on a selective basis.
His new assignment involves rainy Oregon, and a paranormal investigator that someone seems to feel might be in danger.
The character of Shaw James is splendid . Heâs not what I term a typical Calmes golden boy but I do love the character traits she gave him and the personality as well as family history that makes Shaw so interesting and attractive. Heâs terrific and incredibly likable immediately.
The small town he arrives at feels realistically sodden and uncomfortable (Iâd leave). And the towns citizens are what Iâd expect of some of the Pacific Northwest small townshipsâŠquirky, interesting, a patchwork of humanity. Calmes really does a excellent job here in getting a feel for life as in this area and itâs people.
Even the investigations into the potential âghostly scaresâ that the other main character, Benjamin Grace and tiny crew, are inquiring about, are done with equal amounts of respect, seriousness, and a smidge of humor.
So my issue? Sigh. Itâs that for the majority of the story, I felt that Benjamin Grace is or was an absolute dunderhead. A twit of the biggest proportions! Honestly, there were so many times I just wanted to smack him myself. The man was as clueless as can be. A kindergartner would have glommed onto the facts around him, seen the lightbulb going off over his head, and not been a total nit about things! And not once did any of the supposedly sane people around him, at any time, ever speak up and announce âBenjamin Grace, you great doofus, thatâs the dumbest thing Iâve ever heard or seen anyone ever do or utter outside of a Adam Sandler movie. â!!!!
He withholds important information from everyone all the time!
Outside of Monty Python, when did idiocy become so attractive?
Good thing everyone and everything is so good that I worked overtime to ignore Benny there. Heâs not even one of the typical âgolden boysâ but a cousin. Many, many âŠâŠ many times removed.
Trust me, Benjamin is a character I feel just didnât work. Why even write a character this dim?
Calmes does break a pattern here with her formula for the series which makes me think sheâs setting up her next novel in the series and itâs couple.
Needed to get them out and away.
I look forward to that one.
Iâve enjoyed this series and if youâre a Mary Calmes fan, I know you have too. Iâve listed the series below in case youâve missed any. Check them out.
How can a man who doesnât believe in things that go bump in the night possibly protect a man who does?
Itâs safe to say that Shaw James is a pragmatist who has no patience for anything but the facts. He is good at assessing threats and focusing on a clear objective when he goes out on a job for Torus Intercession. But he hasnât had to be a detective before, itâs all brand new, so why his boss chose him to figure out who may, or may not, be trying to kill Benjamin Grace is beyond him. Protecting a paranormal investigator from whoeverâor whateverâmay be trying to kill him is completely out of Shawâs wheelhouse, and how is he supposed to help find an attacker when the guy heâs sent to protect maintains that the threat is ghostly in origin? Itâs insane, and Shaw does not do insane. Benjamin Grace is going to be a problem.
But Benji is nothing at all like Shaw imagined heâd be, and the fixer is spellbound from their first meeting. Benji is kind and can laugh at himself, doesnât take things too seriously, and, more than anything, he wants to help everyone. The man is inarguably Shawâs polar opposite, and he brings out every protective instinct in Shaw. Best of all, though, is that Benji seems every bit as enchanted by the man sent to protect him.
Together, Benji and Shaw must work to figure out whatâs happening in the small town of Rune, Oregon, and it quickly proves more difficult than it should be to keep Benji alive. When it goes from difficult to seemingly impossible, Shaw packs Benji up and takes him back home to Chicago where the most frightening thing is Shawâs own big, loud, loving, and overly-invested-in-his-love-life family who canât seem to resist meddling in his affairs.
Or not. Turns out the scariest thing might just be Benji, the guy who seems perfect for Shaw.
With Lily Morton I find I have to look at her stories as I would a rare treat. Something I need to remind myself not to binge on, but rather a gift I give to myself a little bit at a time. Mostly when I know I need to laugh during unexpected moments, or lie in bed giggling over scenes that rear vividly back to life, along with their characters to make me feel warm and happy.
Last night it was Endof romping hilariously out of control through a park, to Laurieâs endless amusement (and mine) and everyone elseâs dismay.
Just one small scene and Iâm instantly transported back into the world of Mags and Laurie and Beautifully Unexpected.
And it made me want to pick up their story and start their journey all over again.
Lily Mortonâs books have a way of making me want to do that. It becomes a Sisyphusian task to get by a Morton library!
Key Morton elements include making any location not just a mere setting but a rich aspect of her stories. From well known historical sites that get a new perspective to out of the way pubs and galleries, the way the streets and structures look in a certain light during a seasonâŠThereâs a love and affection that flows through all the descriptions to the places where the men walk, the stops they make from the bingo hall, to the parks. So that each stop becomes an integral rich part of them and their relationship and story.
In every book, I itch to get a ticket and retrace their steps.
But itâs Mags, Magnus Carlsen, the magnificent Dane himself. And Laurie Gentry who will sneak up on you and slowly send their way into your heart as they do each otherâs. The men are deeply layered, believable human beings. You delight in them, even as you find them grumpy or outrageous. So itâs falls in line that as a reader youâre pulled immediately into their lives and growing relationship.
Itâs funny, often hilarious, sneaky, so clever, sexy, loving, and heartwarming.
Itâs very hard to describe such a strange path these two take towards a relationship and HEA. They are both later in life, neither has looked to have a relationship, each has an extremely rewarding career.
They are totally different. Yet absolutely perfect for each other.
Such a joy and fun , and poignant, because thatâs life and this author doesnât forget that part too.
And when the ending comes, it stays true to who these men are. I loved that too.
Once again, Lily Morton has given us an brilliant opportunity to peer into a unique romance and relationship between two unforgettable men. One that still has me smiling. Or laughing.
As her stories so often do.
Itâs why this one is another Iâm recommending. So lovely. And honestly, Endof is just as unforgettable as well!
Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.
Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesnât believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, booksâeverything gets jettisoned, eventually. Heâs divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms. He fills his nights with a parade of handsome young men who want to make him happy. Why date someone his own age to discuss back pain, retirement-planning, and corns, when he can date men who donât care to discuss anything at all?
However, when one of these sunny young men shows an inclination for dramatic scenes, Magnus meets his new neighbour. And his whole world implodes.
Laurie Gentry is nearly the same age as Magnus, but thatâs where the similarity ends. Heâs messy and creative and nosy and mysterious. Heâs everything that Magnus has spent a lifetime avoiding. So, why canât he get Laurie out of his head?
Luckily, Laurie is only in London for the summer. Magnus can uncover Laurieâs mysteries and indulge their annoyingly hot attraction, and Laurie will be gone before complications arise. A few months isnât long enough to lose his heart. Is it?
From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two footloose older men and how one summer in London brings something quite beautifully unexpected into their lives.
