Review: The Ranch Hand and the Single Dad (Farthingdale Ranch #3) by Jackie North

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Once again I started a series in the he middle but I don’t think it will make much of a difference here. It’s easy to understand the couples and I’ll be going back to pick up on each of their individual romances after this one.

Why? Because I so thoroughly enjoyed my stay on the Farthingdale Ranch and felt as though I’d actually been there , walking the grounds, riding the trails and being a part of that found family.

This story was so moving. Both men experienced such growth, one in particular had undergone such a bad relationship that he’d been badly damaged emotionally and that had resulted in Erectile Dysfunction, a subject matter treated here gently, lovingly, and focusing towards healing the man . It was amazing.

Interwoven with recovery was a remarkable Father/daughter relationship. You can’t help but love Bea. She was a force of nature.

The core is Clay and Austin finding a way towards a healthy, happy HEA … a true family. It’s a slow tentative path but one made through communication and adjustments. And a respect for each other.

What a great story and remarkable universe. Great characters, marvelous setting, moving plot lines. There’s three more stories to come and two prior books. Oh what joy!

I love it when I fall in love with a series! I believe you will too.

Head over to the Farthingdale Ranch and grab up all the books!

Synopsis:

“If Austin has forgotten what love is, maybe Clay can show him the way.”

Happy-go-lucky Clay keeps busy with hookups at the local bar after working hard at the ranch. Those hookups used to be fun, but now they leave him empty.

Austin is reeling after a difficult divorce. His wife took everything, including full custody of his daughter, Bea, who is only nine.

Austin doesn’t know where his life is headed, but at least he’s got a roof over his head, and a new job as accountant at Farthingdale Ranch.

The job is exactly the kind of work he loves. The only problem is he’s distracted by Clay, who is gay. Austin is straight. There’s no way this can work.

A gay M/M cowboy romance with age gap, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, single dad, out for you, midnight rendezvous, friendship between men. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.

Out now:

The Foreman and the Drifter #1

The Blacksmith and the Ex-Con #2

The Ranch Hand and the Single Dad #3

Coming Soon – The newest book in the Farthingdale Ranch Series! soon…..

The Wrangler and The Orphan #4

The Cook and the Gangster #5

The Trail Boss and the Brat #6

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsThe Ranch Hand and the Single Dad … – Goodreads

Review: Out for the Holidays, Out for Gold by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4 🌈

Lane Hayes continues her Out of series for couple Gabe and Derek post college with two lovely, sweet short stories.

We meet again Hayes’ great characters, in tightly plotted storylines filled with romance and hope for their dreams, individually and as a couple.

We follow them through each man’s future plans, one for a restaurant and one for an Olympic spot, then to a wonderful romantic conclusion.

Both compliment each other and leave the reader happy and satisfied for the couple and with the stories.

What a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

Lighthearted, humorous, romantic and sweet. I loved it and recommend both. And Hayes Out of series. Check them all out.

Synopsis:Out for the Holidays

A Dream Come True…

Derek-

This is it! I’m finally opening my own bistro. I’ve spent the last two years getting ready for this moment. I can’t decide if the holidays are the perfect time to begin a new venture, but I’m excited. It would be nice if my family were on board too.

Gabe-

I play water polo. I don’t know anything about the restaurant business, but I want to make sure Derek’s grand opening goes according to plan. I’ll rally our friends, send out invites, and yeah…I’ll even deal with his mother. He’s my number one person and I’ll do whatever it takes to be sure we’re out for the holidays.

Out for the Holidays is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep…and a host of friends from the Out in College books!

Out for Gold

Chance of a Lifetime…

Gabe-

Winning a spot on the Olympic water polo team is my lifelong goal and guess what?…I made it! Of course, nothing goes smoothly. This is a bad time for a shoulder injury and an even worse time for my dad to show up out of the blue. I might be doomed.

Derek-

Family isn’t easy. Trust me, I know. But in my experience, ignoring obvious issues only makes them more challenging in the long run. I can’t solve Gabe’s problems with his dad, but I’ll help if I can. Win or lose, my man is going out for gold.

Out of Gold is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep in a full-circle quest for the ultimate prize…love.

*OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS was originally featured in the holiday collection, Gifts for the Season. Since the anthology is no longer available, I wanted to publish it on my own and add new content. OUT FOR GOLD is a brand-new novella that really brings the whole story full-circle. Both shorts feature Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep.

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsOut for the Holidays and Out for Gold by Lane Hayes – Goodreads

Review: Unforgettable (Vino and Veritas #16) by Marley Valentine

Rating: 4.5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I just adore this series! After all, how often Is it that I get a 18 book series written by multiple authors that shows no signs of stopping, remains energetic and fresh from couple to couple, plot to plot, and has given me new authors to follow!

Exciting, right?

The main elements remain the bar/bookstore that’s Vino and Veritas, the beautiful town of Burlington, Vermont, the surrounding areas such as smaller villages, farms and woods. From that great foundation, we continually meet and/or revisit the many citizens (established and newly arrived) that intertwine their lives and loves.

Unforgettable’s couple is comprised of two men we’ve met before.

There’s Oz Walker, one of the staff at Vino side of V&V. He’s been mentioned fairly often in the other stories. Doesn’t matter the authors, many of these couples and characters make appearances throughput the entire series.

So yes, we superficially know Oz and now get to meet the man in-depth as well as his family. All of them and they rock!

Reeve Hale, temporally ā€œpassing throughā€ Burlington for the summer is roommates with one of my fav people. That’s the effervescent Davey Murphy from Undone #17, here busy, supportive and looking for love. While it’s great to get a peak at ā€œShowgirlā€, the oh so delightful , duty minded adorable Reeve is a real great addicting character.

Add a marvelous fake boyfriend trope between these two and you have a story that just takes off and soars on a flight of romance, sexy romps, some angst, and a ton of heartwarming moments.

Just a heads over heels love fest that you will find so much fun to read. Well written, dialogue that feels real and hits the heart, and yes, filled with outstanding characters, both new and from the other series books.

Oz Walker and Reeve Hale are a great couple and make for a entertaining joyful romance. Add this one to your TBR pile. I definitely recommend it.

See the synopsis and entire series list below as well as the buying link from Goodreads.

Synopsis: One night with Reeve Hale wasn’t enough. I knew it when I kissed him, I knew it when I slept with him, and I was certain of it when I walked out of his motel room the very next day.

So when the shy, gorgeous man is introduced as our newest employee at Vino and Veritas, I can’t help but conjure up all the ridiculous ways to convince him to repeat that unforgettable night. Like asking him to be my fake boyfriend at my sister’s upcoming wedding.

Only, I didn’t expect him to say yes.

Playing pretend shouldn’t feel this real. Especially when Reeve is planning on leaving Vermont after the summer.

We agreed to one night. We negotiated a fake relationship. But I’m the one who broke our terms. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love and he was never supposed to be so unforgettable

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsUnforgettable by Marley Valentine – Vino and Veritas – Goodreads

Vino and Veritas series to date:

šŸ”µFeatherbed (Vino and Veritas 1) by Annabeth Albert

šŸ”µHeartscape #2 by Garrett Leigh

šŸ”µHeadstrong #3 by Eden Finley

šŸ”µUndercover #4 by Eliot Grayson

šŸ”µAftermath #5 by LA Witt

šŸ”µBooklover #6 by JE Birk

šŸ”µFlipcup #7 by Kim Hartfield f/f

šŸ”µHideaway #8 by Rachel Lacey f/f

šŸ”µTurnabout #9 by Laurel Greer

šŸ”µUnguarded #10 by Jay Hogan

šŸ”µInsatiable #11 by Rhys Everly

šŸ”µDaybreak #12 by Kate Hawthorne

šŸ”µHeartsong #13 by AE Wasp

šŸ”µStronghold #14 by Ana Ashley

šŸ”µLimelight #15 by E Davis

šŸ”µUnforgettable #16 by Marley Valentine

šŸ”µShowstopper #17 by Regina Kyle

šŸ”µUndone #18 by Leslie McAdams

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesWeb resultsVino & Veritas Series by Annabeth Albert – Goodreads

Review: Dawn’s Desire (Prairie Smoke Ranch #1) by VL Locey

Rating: 4 🌈🌈🌈🌈

I have been looking forward to this book and series since it’s origin story, A Brush of Blue, in her Colors of Love series. It’s there that we met Landon Reese, goalie/hockey player and his future husband, bandleader Montrell Pittman. And at the end they are facing a great future together, full of new journeys, including one that sees both at Landon’s large spread in Wyoming, the Prairie Smoke Ranch.

It was such an amazing story and that couple was so fascinating and diverse that I couldn’t wait to see how their lives continued and what happened next….on that ranch.

We get that here, although not as much as I had hoped to see of Landon and Martell. Here, we run across Landon most often as the carryover character. He owns the ranch after all. Of the complex , musical cross dressing Martell, we catch just glimpses.

No the focus of this novel is the Prairie Smoke ranch foreman, Nate Pearson and Dr. Bishop Haney, associate professor of Paleontology at UWW. It’s their love story, with heavy overlay plot lines of theft, bigotry, feuding ranches, rustling and more.

And that mixture of elements and storylines is both a blessing and , well not a curse then definitely a frustrating point, reader and review wise, about this novel.

Writing a series, authors can format their stories in various ways. There’s a main foundation or universe, here it’s the Prairie Smoke Ranch and it’s location near the Tetons as well as surrounding communities, town and Native tribes.

Locey has established a great setting and niche community here. We have the larger towns and citizens referenced and secondary characters from there who make appearances.There’s the smaller found family the author is slowly creating at the ranch itself that’s a combination of owners, ranch hands, and support staff. New people already situated or are soon to arrive within this group are those who’s relationships will be launched in the forthcoming books.

As I said, this series looks to follow the pattern of individual romances emerging from the ranch family that is growing before us on the page instead of following through on the couple already presented.

From foundation universe and main couple romance, then a author can layer on more themes or plots that get threaded through the narrative to further tie books and series together.

For me this has always been a somewhat tricky format to balance and have each tale remain satisfying in and of itself while moving the series objectives forward.

As a reader, I want to come to the end of each novel I read and feel happy (if it’s that sort of fiction) as well as satisfied that some if not most of the plot lines raised have been concluded , even if it’s not the arc storyline . That’s more so the case because it’s a anticipated smaller percentage in novels from a series because yes, you allow for a certain number of storylines to carryover into the next novel. I still emotionally need closure on something! Please don’t leave me with more questions then answers or spending hours wondering why I didn’t even connect 100 percent to our couple. More on that.

When that happens. Even if there’s no real cliffhanger (something I abhor in a series), having multiple major elements left dangling at the end , well frustrating is a nice way to put it. Then I start to look at every aspect of the story with askance.

That includes what seems to be a happy, loving main couple . Here after some thought, even their romance here feels just as unfinished as everything else. Definitely a HFN book. An air of uncertainty hangs ever present over all elements.

For me that perfectly frames out how Dawn’s Desire reads and comes across at the end. I done nothing but think about this story and why I just felt unsettled and yup, frustrated by the end.

Let’s tackle the romance first of all.

It’s very well written, especially when creating and defining the men who become lovers in this HFN story.

Nate has a tragic history which is easy to emphasize with and feel a part of this man’s life story. I connected with Nate. And even now he stands out so clearly in my head. I know this man.

Bishop, all energized, nerdy yet capable, messy man bun and long limbs, is equally amazing and relatable. From his California great looks to his positive outlook, Bishop feels as real as Nate.

Their chemistry is off the charts hot and I can even believe they love each other at the end.

The author did such a thorough, great job in giving both men not only a layered history but each has an emotional richness to them. Nate speaks hauntingly and with deep conviction of his connection to the wide spaces of Wyoming and his almost sacred bonding to the land. As he spoke at times during the story of his need and emotional ties there , it was so moving and natural.

Bishop too has equally meaningful layers to him. Not surprisingly, these strong ties run from his joy and passion for paleontology . But on the same level as Nate’s great need and love for the land surrounding the Tetons is Bishop ā€˜s innermost connection to the ocean, it’s waters , smells, and sounds that speak to Bishop of his heart. It’s a immense part of his soul, one that he says feels empty when he’s away from it. Yes, I understood Bishop too on a visceral level.

Soooo… anyone seeing a potential issue here for a HEA? Because yes, Bishop is a associate professor at UWW, that’s a both a field that calls for major time spent on digs (wherever they may be found) but he likes the city and his oceans.

This may be a case where these men are so well crafted as to feel real. We understand their inner emotions and can then see past a simple relationship whereas love here being everything. For me instead of focusing on their HFN status, all I could think of is this relationship has a real time limit realistically speaking. That sometimes love isn’t enough.

While realistic, probably not the tone Locey was going for in this romance.

The story doesn’t address my concerns about the romance feeling like a summer ranch fling however much they declared their love.

Add that to the fact that none of the other storylines (entertaining and suspenseful major threads) come to any fruition . Each one is left to continue through to the next book. Not one is resolved.

I got to the end of Dawn’s Desire feeling as though I’d read the first half of a book where the rest of it was missing.

I’m sure more information about each mystery and plot will be featured in book 2 in this series. However, that story doesn’t center around Bishop and Nate but another couple entirely.

And unlike Landon and Martell who communicated and worked , in that novel, how the complications from each man’s job would fit into their newly domesticated lifestyle, here between Nate and Bishop we get nothing. Just a declaration of love.

Just not very satisfying, at least for me.

So finally, Dawn’s Desire does a great job in setting up the foundation and conflicts going forward in the series. It does nothing to resolve any thread just a setup and move forward.

It does give us a age gap, layered realistic quick romance between Nate and Bishop, running from lust to love. We understand and come to love each man, easy to do as they’re intelligent, funny, poignant, and sexy.

But is this a romance built or written in a way that feels lasting? Not so much. More like Nate’s first step out of emotional hibernation than a HEA. And I could see Bishop, at another dig, thinking about Nate as the one thing he left behind. That feels believable.

Will the upcoming stories change them and my general feelings about this couple? Remains to be seen. Along with the conclusions to some of the mysteries started here.

I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next novel to see what it brings.

Great cover btw that’s absolutely Nate.

Prairie Smoke Ranch series:

Dawn’s Desire # 1- Nate and Bishop

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56646975-dawn-s-desire

To be released….

Twilight’s Touch #2 – Perry Willow and Will Abbot

Dusk’s Devotion #3- Kyle and Shepard

Review: Stronghold (Vino and Veritas #14) by Ana Ashley

Rating:4🌈🌈🌈🌈

Stronghold is a sweet, heartwarming romance. A second chance at love tale, we watch a reunion between chef Judson and maple sugarer Skyler after being best friends growing up then driven apart for a decade. One , Skyler who remained in Burlington to help with his family’s dairy farm. The other , Judson, fleeing Vermont for Paris and culinary school.

Alternating POV (standard for the series) guide us into complete understanding of each man and their complicated relationships, painful pasts, and tenuous plans for the future. I quickly grew to love them both.

Ashley characters are engaging, layered, and easy to connect to. The families that also are closely connected are equally charming and realistic. And the interplay between each man and their mothers seem so spot on that you feel as though you could be sitting on stool in the kitchen along side them as they chat. Plus all that maple syrup and recipes to drool over.

As with all the stories, characters and couples you’ve gotten to know and adore make appearances here, from slight mentions to full secondary character status. It takes a village to build this series and you really feel like you know these people and Burlington itself. Go Moo U!

Yes there’s some angst on the low end of the meter, and a lovely ending. What a terrific new installment!

I love a great series. There’s nothing better then to read one story, fall in love with the setting, people, atmosphere….everything and then see you don’t have to stop at book one.

If the literary gods and goddesses are watching over you, the series will be lengthy and one that keeps building on the foundation and layers of the stories before.

Vino and Veritas is that series. Written by multiple authors, starting with Annabeth Albert, each sweet, heartwarming romance has added more texture and richness as well as characters to an already amazing central element.

That would be Vino (the all inclusive bar) and Veritas (the connecting/neighbor bookstore).

From that great center has sprung book after book with diverse characters (dairy farmers, bloggers, former hockey players, chefs, you name it) with their personal issues, often challenging family dynamics, and fascinating albeit stumbling journeys to love and HEA.

I mean look at that list of authors! I have put the full list of books to date (18 of them and growing) at the end of this review. Feel free to use it as a personal check list.

And because the books are written by a variety of authors this series always feels fresh and exciting. Plus if you’re unfamiliar with some of these authors, what a great way to discover someone new.

I have been reading them all in the order listed below because once I found the first book, Featherbed, then I just couldn’t stop. Like eating chocolates, one naturally leads to the next snd then the next…..

Haven’t found one yet that isn’t a true delight and great read.

Check this and all the ones out for yourself. I absolutely recommend eqch and every one.

Synopsis:

Stronghold

by Ana Ashley

A second chance at love? Or a second chance to ruin everything?

When Skyler spots the new bartender at Vino and Veritas, his body responds before the guy even turns around. But when he does, it takes only a heartbeat for recognition to set in and for sparks to fly. Judson’s been gone for ten years, but he’s the man Skyler never forgot. Or forgave.

The last place Judson wants to be is back home in Burlington, living with family. Not so long ago he was a world-class chef with the lifestyle to prove it. Now he’s serving drinks and flying under the radar until he can get the hell out again. But when his childhood best friend reenters his life, looking finer than any entree at a five-star restaurant, he wonders if it’s time to update his menu of life choices.

Working through past wounds with Skyler won’t be easy, though, especially with family obligations–and the occasional dairy cow–interfering. When their loyalty is tested, will their newly built stronghold be sturdy enough to withstand the storm?

Stronghold is a sweet and sexy Vino & Veritas romance with some creative use of maple syrup.

Vino and Veritas series:

šŸ”µFeatherbed (Vino and Veritas 1) by Annabeth Albert

šŸ”µHeartscape #2 by Garrett Leigh

šŸ”µHeadstrong #3 by Eden Finley

šŸ”µUndercover #4 by Eliot Grayson

šŸ”µAftermath #5 by LA Witt

šŸ”µBooklover #6 by JE Birk

šŸ”µFlipcup #7 by Kim Hartfield f/f

šŸ”µHideaway #8 by Rachel Lacey f/f

šŸ”µTurnabout #9 by Laurel Greer

šŸ”µUnguarded #10 by Jay Hogan

šŸ”µInsatiable #11 by Rhys Everly

šŸ”µDaybreak #12 by Kate Hawthorne

šŸ”µHeartsong #13 by AE Wasp

šŸ”µStronghold #14 by Ana Ashley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58375849-stronghold

šŸ”µLimelight #15 by E Davis

šŸ”µUnforgettable #16 by Marley Valentine

šŸ”µShowstopper #17 by Regina Kyle

šŸ”µUndone #18 by Leslie McAdams

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesWeb resultsVino & Veritas Series by Annabeth Albert – Goodreads

Review: The Red Zone (Riptide series 3) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 4,5 stars 🌈

I really liked this story. For one, Borden’s series about the LA Riptide NFL team is marvelous and any new installment is exciting.

Two, Bolden brings into her Riptide universe, characters and couples from her other terrific series (Kitchen Gods , Kitchen Wars, and Food Truck Warriors). These couples are intertwined with each other’s stories and seeing them again here is a total pleasure.

Third and best reason? Bolden loves and knows the sport of pro football, every angle and aspect. From the Sports announcers/broadcasters like Terry Bradshaw , sitting crafty and country in his booth, to draft day to the locker room dynamics, it’s all here.

That’s understood immediately as we dive into the opening scene and mindset of defense end Spencer Evans. The Stars opponent has the ball and now it’s up to the defense to stop them. He’s in the zone…game’s on…he’s mentally focused as the field and action unfolds before and around him. We are THERE with him, seeing it all and waiting for him to act.

What an awesome way to jump into the story and character.

From that scene Bolden takes the reader and her characters on a moving emotional journey of self growth, acceptance and love. But not before putting them and us through some real turmoil.

That’s perfect and realistic when you have as tightly wrapped a person as Spencer and as deeply self protective as Alec Mitchell, the gay Sports super agent who’s had feelings for Spencer since the msn was first drafted. Each man has rejected, then been rejected over the course of a decades long complicated relationship. Spencer choosing to be drafted and then play for a decade for a team so toxic (the fictional LA Stars) that he’s buried who he is so deep he no longer knows who he is. And Alec Mitchell has watched knowing the man Spencer was.Tough dynamics through a decade of complex emotions.

The journey for both men restarts afterSpencer decides to change…everything.

It’s a moving read. Spencer, with the help of not only Alec but the surprise support of those he’s hurt in the past, decides to tear down the walls he built, and find himself again.

We see the maneuvering to get trades done, team dynamics (both great and ugly), while feeling intimately part of this new path Spencer is taking along with Alec.

Great stuff. I was totally in the game as they say, with him all the way.

The romance? Just as complicated and rewarding. I love this couple. The chemistry is hot.

The story comes so close to perfect. But it contains one element that always makes the reader wonder and yes, something I find irritating. Probably because it’s so correctable.

I call it the ā€œmissing main animal character ā€œ element. I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen this happen and it takes me right out of the narrative because I’m too busy wondering where the hell Soarky, Fluffy or what have you went.

In this case, it’s a one-eyes black cat called Ignatius or Iggy for short. He belongs to Spencer. How that came about and their adorable relationship is a fairly big part of the story. Iggy acts as a fulcrum for a specific meeting. He also is used to show Spencer’s vulnerability and ability to change. So yes, Iggy’s a big deal.

However, the last , important, third of the story? No Iggy. Not even a mention of someone taking care of him, introducing him to Alec…nada. Iggy disappears.

Now I understand that the author has goals, narrative stages she wants to tell and/or hit as the storylines start to come together and the book heads toward The End. However, at least IMO, better to either never have such a animal character in the first place, use another device to accomplish the same meeting, then to create (extremely well btw) and then dump said animals.

It’s noticed. And in my case bothers me enough every time I see it to deduct rating points. šŸ¤¦šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø. Just no.

So yes, great story, wonderful characters and romance. Missing cat.

Maybe Iggy will find a home in the next book. Which I will surely read because I do love the Riptide team and it’s players.

Unfamiliar with the inter workings of pro ball? Don’t worry because you’re going to feel like a football veteran after reading this, as well as her other books. Enjoy!

There are 3 terrific books in this series, I recommend them all.

Riptide series:

The Rivalry #1

Rough Contact #2

The Red Zone #3

The Red Zone

Synopsis: Spencer’s deep in the Red Zone and it’s time to even the score.

Nine years ago Spencer Evans became the first player out of the closet to be drafted into the NFL. Everyone believed he had aspirations to change the world but all Spencer ever wanted to do was play football for a team that accepted him wholeheartedly. But they never would, and Spencer began to conceal all the parts that made him different.

When a terrible injury forces him to re-evaluate his life and his choices, he realizes there’s only one man who can help him.

The very first gay sports agent, Alec Mitchell has given his life and his career to making queer athletes’ dreams come true. He can’t help but think of Spencer as the one who got away—professionally and personally.

Alec thought he’d buried his desperate longing for Spencer ages ago but it turns out it was just lying dormant, waiting for the right spark. When he begs Alec to take him on as a client, everything they’ve been burying for years surfaces once again.

With Alec’s help, Spencer can change everything about his life he’s come to hate. An extraordinary future—and an undeniably extraordinary man—are waiting for him. The play has been called. All he has to do is catch the ball and score

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesThe Riptide Series by Beth Bolden – Goodreads

Review: His Fairy Share (Starfig Investigations #3) by Meghan Maslow

Rating: 5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

All Quinn wants is his fairy share of happiness. Is that so much to ask?

Now on book 3 of Meghan Maslow’s Starfig Investigations series and, as they say, the plots just keep getting thicker! Much to my total delight and absolute entertainment.

I say plots because this series and each story contains multiple storylines, each as convoluted and mysterious as the next.

And with each new case and adventure (or should that be misadventures) our stalwart found family and couple set out on, we get more! More of the questions each book asks, more enhanced landscape of the world map and cultures, and yes, new characters and relationships.

We are left joyfully panting for answers as well as the next book and case. So are our couple, Twig and Quinn.

His Fairy Share has to be the most poignant and moving story yet of all the three tales. Needing answers to the questions about their potential mate bonding and Quinn’s powers, and with a Witches Council summon in hand, they head to the last place Quinn ever wanted to return…the human realm.

Is there ever any element more fraught with dread anticipation, pain, anger, and the ability to bring forth the worst as well as the hopes of the past then returning home? Especially a home that helped sell you into sexual slavery?

Maslow does an incredible job of getting into the emotional state and mind of Quinn as he enters back into the quagmire that is this realm.

The author creates a place of ritual, magic, rigid regulations to go along with a Witches culture so hidebound and structured that it’s claustrophobic almost to read certain passages. We are truly there in spirit and it’s awful.

Such a place is lightened by some new splendid characters like Two Toes the Tavern keeper, librarian Beckett, and , of course, that irrepressible younger brother Zak!

Honestly this story belongs in the movie theater! There’s sea battles to take your breath away, pirates, ghosts, more amazing heart racing action than you can imagine.

All executed beautifully and with great passion by Maslow.

The most magnificent is towards the end… something I will absolutely not spoil for any reader but it will have you cheering. Just warn the neighbors if your walls are thin.

The ending is just the right touch after all the high action that went before. Instead of blasting, fire, and hells a blazing, we get subtlety, mischief, love, and a whole lot of more questions, in the very best of ways.

To sum up! Magnificently written, fantastic moving storylines, and characters to die for. My favorite yet.

Don’t miss out on this book or this incredible series. They should be read in the order they were written for full plot development and characters/relationships growth.

I consider all three must reads and can’t wait for the fourth installment coming out in September!

Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.

Starfig Investigations:

By Fairy Means or Foul

Be Fairy Game

His Fairy Share

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15284043.Meghan_Maslow

Fairy Impartial – coming in September

By Fairy Means or Foul ( Starfig Investigations #1) by Meghan Maslow

Rating:5🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Meghan Maslow is a relatively new author for me. I just discovered her story from a recent multi-author fantasy series and really enjoyed it. So I was wondering what else she had written.

Imagine my joy to find an entire series to dive into.

Maslow’s Starfig Investigations series offers up a wealth of characters, some truly funny dialogue, a rich universe to explore and storylines that combine mystery, comedy, romance, fantasy with more than a bit of horror.

Zombies and Orcs, cyclops and ghost ships! Plus sexy supernatural beings of all types and temperament. It’s great when a story and it’s characters can make your puls

Half fairy half dragon Twig Starfig runs Starfig Investigations. His latest client? Brandsome Nightwind , magnificent sparkly unicorn with his pet human slave,Quinn Broomsparkles, in tow.

The unicorn has an object he wants Twig to recover. What seems to be straightforward is anything but and a twisting, amazing adventure ensues.

Plus an equally strange and amazing relationship between Twig and Quinn.

There’s father issues, unholy family dynamics, bogs, yes zombies, secrets, and some just amazing characters and great scenes. I laughed, sighed, felt a little heartbroken for each in turn at points in the narrative and wholly fell in love.

I adore this story and can’t wait to see what the second installment has in store for our heroes and her readers.

Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.

Starfig Investigations:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/216331-starfig-investigations

By Fairy Means or Foul

Be Fairy Game

His Fairy Share

Review: Operation Meet Cute ( Operation HEA #1) by KM Neuhold

Rating: 5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

If you’re looking for something sweet, light hearted, filled with laughter and love, then grab up Operation Meet Cute, the first book in KM Neuhold’s new Operation HEA series.

Adorable Harlow , his parents ugly divorce haunting him, decides the way to HEA and his true love is through a movie ā€œmeet cuteā€ moment. And he’s been busy staging his own for years….to no avail.

Teddy, his neighbor upstairs, has been watching Harlow’s search go unrewarded for 4 years, the same amount of time Teddy has been Harlow’s best friend. Only his heart wants more.

This best friends to lovers story is funny, engaging, full of great lines and captivating characters. Alternative POV work beautifully to move both the storylines and romance forward.

By the time we’ve reached the ending, both the couple and reader are satisfied and ready for the next step.

Which is arriving in December.

I can’t wait.

What a winner and a truly wonderful read.

Operation HEA series:

Operation Meet Cute #1

Operation Meet the Parents #2- coming in December

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58027717-operation-meet-cute

Review: Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4) by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

What can I say? What a outstanding story! And not the least of which because every element comes across as a fully adult intelligent relationship that’s being explored, grown, and in the end, committed to.

Hallelujah

Rainbow Cove is a terrific series, heartwarming, rainbow, and yes, kinky.

Hope on the Rocks delivers up the story of bartender/co owner of Rainbow Tavern, Adam Ringer’s, path to a very beautiful and somewhat kinky HEA.

His partner to be? Dr Quinn Strauss, the town’s GP who’s current heartbreak leads him to Adam’s bar, a load of cocktails and a drunken confession about his secret desire for a Daddy.

Which just so happens to fit beautifully in with Adam’s need to be a Daddy, especially to the appealing man before him so in need of being taken care of.

What follows is first an agreement for a summer friends with benefits arrangement, no ties, to help Quinn explore fully his sexual/emotional desire for a Daddy.

As with the previous story. Lumber Jacked, which explored rope kink, beautifully so, Hope on the Rocks focuses its men and their burgeoning relationship around their mutual desire/need for Daddy kink. Albert expertly uses her characters and their relationship to explain exactly what this type of kink means and how it fits into a committed partnership.

Far from any sort of sex tutelage into Daddy role play, we get a sexy, moving, and meaningful story, full of adult communication on each other’s needs, expectations, and secret desires. Safety and trust, patience and love. All seen and experienced by Quinn and Adam as their summer and relationship deepens.

What barriers there are to overcome are ones that are equally realistic and ones I appreciate as they affected their dynamic. Demands by family, fears generated by past history, even work schedules…..all that rings so true.

The men are so sympathetic and engaging, both separately and as a couple that I read this story from start to finish without stopping. That’s a true measure for me of how much I love a book and how fully I’m involved in that universe and couple.

Here? It was 100 percent, I was all in and didn’t want to leave them and Rainbow Cove behind at the end.

I have no idea how many more stories the author intends to write in this series but here’s hoping that Rainbow Cove’s future is bright, as shiny and wonderful as this story and all those before it.

Consider this and them highly recommended!🌈

Rainbow Cove series:

Trust with a Chaser

Trust with a Twist

Lumber Jacked

Hope On the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4)

Hope

Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4)