Review: The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 5🌈

What a wonderful story and fantastic way to send off the series and this team.

The interactions between holdover player, defensive end Deacon Harris and the new owner of the Charleston Condors, security industry billionaire Grant Green, has been a subtle but significant part of the series and team’s dynamic. It was always clear that the two men had a strong connection and attraction to each other. But, throughout each book it was clear that they never actually had acted on it due to their roles in the organization. And we wanted them to have their romance.

The Play returns us to the beginning of their history together, back in college as student tutor and college football player needing help. The chemistry that’s never acknowledged but present is cut short by choices made for career reasons that will quickly separate them until years later. Because of the realness of these scenes we feel every bit of the pain and frustration of this unexpected change in this new relationship. And the startling moment when they meet once more.

Bolden’s writing has never been better. Her characters go from uncertain college youth with the future ahead of them to seasoned men who have been living full lives. One, Grant, now at the pinnacle of his career and the other , Deacon, ready to retire after a shattering year of betrayal and disappointment. Each has made big impacts in their professional careers but their emotional relationships haven’t been as successful. The reason is because they have been only interested in one person.

How Bolden works the past and present together, weaving the emotions that never left either man back together into a tight layered narrative of sports, team dynamics, partnership, and a deep bond between them is a read that can’t be missed.

We get the present day run for a playoff spot, as intense as can be and fantastically realistic. Bolden gives us boardroom NFL drama such as what might be likely to be played out across CNN and sports coverage alike, and then while all that is happening, layers into the story, all the human drama we love.

Grant and Deacon trying to find a way to each other in an organization where Grant is the owner and Deacon a player, albeit a retiring player who wants to continue to work with the club. This is a complicated situation that’s believable and loving. They are great, they communicate, and we love them.

And finally, as if I hadn’t just bawled my eyes out over Jason Kelce’s retirement speech, here comes another. Deacon’s speech was a fabulous second. And all the players from the other series who meant so much to the readers are there as well as the important individuals from this series. It’s a testament to Bolden’s ability to create great characters and deeply moving moments that everything about the scene is beautiful and real. And I was bawling again.

Tissues had a workout this week.

Read this book. But not without reading the stories that come before. It’s a great series. And Bolden’s an auto read for me. The Play is simply another example why.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

✓ The Play #4 – finale

Bolden’s connected Football series in order they are written:

✓ The Riptide

✓ Miami Piranhas

✓ Charleston Condors

Buy Link:

The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4)

Blurb

Last year, defensive end Deacon Harris witnessed the very worst of the Charleston Condors. After everything he and the team went through, he promised himself he’d walk away from football. But before he can retire, the team is sold to the last person he ever expected to see again.

Deacon stays because the Condors are going into major rebuilding mode. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.

But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t fall in love with the owner of your football team.

Grant might be brilliant and a billionaire, but Deacon only remembers Grant as his tutor in college—and as the one who got away.

In all his dreams about reconnecting, he never imagined that Grant would end up as his boss. Both his downfall, and also his salvation.

Or that they’d be forced into confronting the Condors’ most difficult challenge yet—but that they’d face it together, hand in hand, tackling their critics and proving once and for all that love doesn’t take sides.

• Publisher: (March 6, 2024)

• Publication date: March 6, 2024

• Print length: 391 pages

Review: Fated: An MM Hanahaki Novella by Zile Elliven

Rating: 3.75🌈

“Hanahaki: A fictional disease popular in the fanfiction community. According to the lore, a person develops Hanahaki when they fall in love with a person so deeply that they can’t live without them.”

Well, this was just adorable. From the cover to the predictably cute HEA ending, Fated was a quick fun fantasy short .

Zile Elliven is a new author for me and immediately introduced me to the fictional disease of Hanahaki. Lovesickness in all its floral glory. Or is it gory? Hmmm.

Anyway. Max and his gamer friends are instantly recognizable, cheerful and funny. Max’s fated mate? A glorious fantasy that has been waiting for him.

And it’s even got a cute dog too.

I’m definitely seeking out more from this author and recommending this for all lovers of fantasy fiction.

Cute cover!

Buy Link

KindleFeb 25, 2024$1.99Buy now

Blurb:

Max:

Me? In love with a fictional character? Of course not! So why was I coughing up flowers every time I thought about the fictional character from my favorite video game?

Areth was a sexy, badass monster and utterly perfect, but none of that mattered because he wasn’t real. If I really was in love with him, I was going die, and there was nothing I could do about it.

This story contains:

• Unrealistic size difference resolved by magic

• Fated mates

• A very small dog

• Monster love

• Dimension hopping

• Wanton destruction of furniture

• So very many flowers

Fated is a ridiculous 16,000-word novella with super heckin’ gay monster sexy times.

• Publication date: February 25, 2024

• Print length: 60 pages

Review: Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James

Ratings: 5🌈

When it comes fiction that’s categorized as vigilante justice thrillers or found family psychopathic vigilantes, author Onley James’ books are at the top of the list. They are there because of the depth of characterization, the complexity of their storylines, the inclusion of therapy when possible, and that the damage and trauma dealt out is met, if possible, by an equally powerful or more violent ending for those monsters involved. It’s dark fiction for a reason.

It starts with the seven dark fantastic books of the Necessary Evils series and then leads here to Jericho’s Boys, now on its second successful novel.

Jericho, married to Atticus Mulvaney, who became an adopted guardian to a group of troubled teenagers, now young men. They were a part of Jericho’s story in Necessary Evils and the subsequent books.

Paladin was Arseny Lebedev and Ever’s story. Rogue belongs to Levi Akira, a familiar character, and Shiloh

Mizrahi, who becomes the new addition to the growing found family of Jericho and Atticus.

As with each book, James reveals the deep emotional landscape of Levi Akira in every aspect of his personality and history. From his tortured childhood to his current deeply dysfunctional dynamic with his homeless, alcoholic mother, the author’s treatment of Levi is an raw painful , constantly evolving portrayal of a young man who’s never been able to express his complex feelings about himself and what he has been and continues to go through internally.

Add to that, James has created a new monstrous family comprised of a sadistic middle brother, and two other brothers each with their own unique sets of traits and issues. None of which I’ll mention because they are an integral part of the story. But all are so well crafted, cruelly real in one way, and heartbreakingly raw in another. As to the oldest? I’m hoping we get so much more of him.

It starts with a small surprising situation. And then continues to escalate until eventually the Mulvaney’s are involved as well,as they should be. After all, it’s one big family.

The epilogue is very satisfying because it’s HFN, as it could be given their ages and length of time together. They are a work in progress. Luckily we will see them again in the next book and whatever action the Mulvaney family gets involved with.

I’m highly anticipating both. And recommending Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James as a must read. But that’s including Necessary Evils as the foundation series.

Jericho’s Boys:

✓ Paladin #1

✓ Rogue #2

◦ Bard #3 – tbd

*Necessary Evils (7 book series) – this is the foundation series for Jericho’s Boys. Many ,if not all , of the couples and characters from this series play important roles in Jericho’s Boy books. So it helps to have read the books first.

Buy Link:

Rogue (Jericho’s Boys Book 2)

Blurb:

Levi Akira’s existence is far from ideal. His mother’s addiction consumes their lives, his academic standing is crumbling, and the convenience store he works at is a constant target for ruthless robberies. But amidst the chaos, Levi finds solace in only three things: his tight-knit group of friends, protecting his neighborhood as one of Jericho’s Boys, and streaming his favorite video game, where he assumes the role of Rogue—a hero who will break the rules for the greater good.

Shiloh Mizrahi’s hope has all but dwindled. With one brother unjustly imprisoned, and the other a sadistic puppeteer, he endures daily torment at the hands of the latter. And his latest demand? Get close to Levi at any cost.

In the midst of another ordinary night shift, Levi’s world is upended when a captivating and terrified stranger appears, brandishing a weapon and claiming he has been forced to kill Levi by his own brother. Levi, torn between self-preservation and an instinctive aversion to harming the vulnerable boy, takes a bold leap—he kisses him. And then, just like that, the boy disappears into the night, leaving Levi haunted by his memory.

Driven by an unshakeable connection, Levi’s path crosses with Shiloh’s once more, igniting a passionate bond that refuses to be extinguished. However, Shiloh harbors a labyrinth of secrets, torn between loyalty and desire. With his brother’s freedom dangling in the balance, can Levi and Shiloh navigate the treacherous path to be together, or will Levi forever remain a hero confined to the online realm?

• Publisher: (February 29, 2024)

• Publication date: February 29, 2024

• Print length: 364 pages

Review: The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3) by Brigham Vaughn

Rating: 4🌈

“Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?”

Faked engagement, best friends to lovers , bi-sexual awakening, hurt/comfort m/m hockey contemporary romance time! That’s a lot of tropes for a novel, and it’s not even close to covering the best elements that Vaughn includes in The Waiting Game.

This is the third in Brigham Vaughn’s Relationship Goals series, and I really enjoyed the two previous stories.

The Waiting Game has some great elements woven into its characters and narrative as well as some things I found a bit problematic.

Let’s dive into the positive aspects of this story first.

Korean Canadian history and culture that’s been used for the background and creation of Jonah Brewer , a Canadian Korean hockey player with a strong sense of community and a heartwarming grandmother who’s a great central figure in the novel. From the Korean food his grandmother, Jonah and Felix fix, to the house and gardens that mean home, the Korean culture is well established within the storyline.

Next is the story thread of Felix’s drunk driving, his temporary suspension from the team, and his ongoing treatment for alcoholism. Vaughn’s created in Felix a man still very much in the beginning stages of his recovery. This is Felix dealing with his sobriety and his alcoholism by going to his AA meetings, making those calls to his sponsor, Ismael, when he needs help, and generally within Felix’s storyline, making his journey as realistic as possible. His stress, fears, and doubts are all understandable.

Jonah too has some huge emotional baggage. His parents died in a plane crash when he was young and his life was uprooted from one culture to another. Loss upon loss. That deep seated fear of losing loved ones comes through, especially with his relationship with his remarkable Grandma Ji-min. The author’s making use of the three of them as the heart of this book is a great decision because as a family unit they are the best aspect of the story.

Now to the next part, the issues. It’s the romance that I feel wasn’t working as well. At least for about 20% of the book. From the 45 percent to about 65 percentage or over, where there’s almost no communication between them about what is happening between them, the book would have lost me except for Grandma Ji-min.

It was a great framework and friendship up to that point. Then fake engagement which was strange the way it was handled. Then more avoidance about talking. Then finally exploring new bisexuality and going forward at around 70 or so percent. When the romance felt grounded and believable.

There was, naturally, a several dramatic elements towards the end, and then moments to pull everything back together. That was terrific , and some of it was very moving.

But for me, that large passage of non communication almost derailed it. Which was a shame because, as I said, there’s so much that’s absolutely wonderful here.

The Waiting Game is a good book in the series, although not my favorite. I’m recommending it and it’s great to see diverse representations in hockey .

Great cover.

Relationship Goals:

✓ The Husband Game #1

✓ The Head Game #2

✓ The Waiting Game #3

◦ The Home Game #4 – June 2024

Buy link

The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3)

Blurb:

Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?

On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top D-pair.

The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”

Reactions are mixed.

An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”

One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”

While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”

PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.

TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.

Review: How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 8) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

Need a smile? A absolutely feel happy to the , well , bones , reading experience? Look no further than A. J. Sherwood’s latest serialized book, How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy.

Now on chapter 8, the epic adventure is really about to start, especially since Tan, his necromancer brother Niran, and Devan, have accepted that their tiny charges, the powerful budding sorcerers-in-training, Lesia and Zi Rui, are coming with them.

That together, with a chatty sentient dragon skull, Steve, in search of his bone body. And barbarians everywhere! And it’s fabulous and funny! With fireballs.

And always over way too soon. But that’s the way of serialized fiction. It’s a quick, addictive tasty morsel that leaves you happy with the bite you had and wanting more. As this one does.

Bring on chapter 9!!!!

Love these covers.

💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books

💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice

💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit

Bone

Buy Link

How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 8)

Blurb:

Ribs located! Penalty activated if you refuse. Proceed with quest? (YES) (no)

Devan: But the ribs are in the middle of a barbarian village.

Tan: Historically speaking, fireball would fix–

Niran: Charred bone. No.

Devan: Time to do this the hard way.

Tags: BoooOOOooones, trekking through barbarian lands to find dragon bones is not as fun as it sounds, they marrowly escape, yes all the bad bone puns, Niran can’t help himself, dragon ribs are big, Niran has more bones in his workshop than a collector, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, and fireballs

• Publisher: (March 1, 2024)

• Publication date: March 1, 2024

• Print length: 58 pages

Review: Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts Book 6) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 4.5🌈

Prince of Agony ends Tavia Lark’s wonderful Perilous Courts fantasy series. It’s been a dark journey through several Kingdoms and different characters and couples to arrive at our final dark romance.

The Prince of Agony is House Dire’s Prince Kazia. It’s fitting that Lark is circling back to the beginning, Kingdom of Draskora , the Kingdom that produced the assassin Whisper (Prince and Assassin #1), has Scalestone the necessary mineral upon which their magic and the dragons cannot exist without.

Kazia has been an enigmatic peripheral character in the previous books that featured his family and Kingdom. But even in the smallest of scenes, Kazia, long purple hair, small stature, and with a bitter personality and conversation that matches that of the finest blade, took over.

He was a mysterious figure waiting to be revealed. Which Lark does in the most painful, dark way. This element contains on page parental physical abuse to the point of torture. So if this is a trigger, you will know that leading up should you want to read ahead.

It’s an important part of his life and character. And his treatment and the reason why he endures it , and circles back to another person and storyline. This was a great aspect of Prince of Agony and I can’t help but wish it had been explored further.

I thought that about so many different threads here that there easily could have been two more books in this series instead of this being the finale.

Lucien Vaire, and his own storyline was another one I both wanted more than what we had here. His well developed relationship and role in our understanding of Kazia’s tormented history is a remarkable part of this book. I wish we had more of his magical abilities than we do. To only bring them in at the dramatic climax is to shortchange his character. The other aspect which could have done more with, especially considering its powerful nature of bonding and the increased intensity to them as a unit, is the dragon herself. She is glorious. She’s a novel.

As it’s a finale book, all the couples from the previous books make their appearances. It’s good to see them together again and interacting with each other. Especially Whisper, who’s not only my favorite character but his storyline and book have remained my favorite of this series. His complicated, intense backstory with the Hounds , an infamous group of assassins, gets a resolution of sorts here as well.

I also have thought about that element of Whisper’s life as one of the greatest aspects and most compelling things that Lark created for the series. I only wish that it could have been explored more thoroughly. Even through its own series perhaps.

Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts Book 6) by Tavia Lark ties up most of the important storylines and gives all its characters a great ending. The Kingdoms are certainly better off than when we first encountered them.

I definitely enjoyed this series. I have my favorites and Prince of Agony gave it a good send off. It’s a definite must for fantasy lovers.

Perilous Courts:

Prince and Assassin #1

Prince in Disguise #2

Prince and Pawn #3)

Prince and Bodyguard #4)

Prince and Betrothed #5

Prince of Agony #6 – finale

Buy Link:

Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts Book 6)

Blurb:

The price of Kazia’s power is pain.

Prince Kazia Dire isn’t nice. Being nice lets people close. Letting people close risks revealing Kazia’s greatest secret—the power that condemns him to a lifetime of abuse.

Until opportunity appears in the form of a captive enemy mage.

Following a dragon across the border lands Lucien Vaire in chains, and matters only get worse from there. Lucien has hated House Dire since the last war. Now, he’s under the notorious brat prince’s direct control.

Yet beneath Kazia’s vicious mask, Lucien senses desperate vulnerability.

Painful experience has taught Kazia to fear mages. He needs to keep Lucien at a distance even as he uses Lucien’s talents. But that distance narrows with each careful kindness. Each accidental touch. Lucien acts more like a protector than a prisoner, and Kazia is tempted by the dangerous sweetness of trust.

But Lucien is still a mage, and Kazia is still broken. And Kazia’s cruel parents may still destroy them both.

Prince of Agony is a high fantasy gay romance, featuring captivity, hurt/comfort, and enemies hiding in a linen closet together. This is the final book in the Perilous Courts series, which is best enjoyed in order.

• Publisher: (February 28, 2024)

• Publication date: February 28, 2024

• Print length: 295 pages

Content Notes: This book includes captivity, coercive magic, physical abuse, and references to past child abuse. The abuse is not between the two protagonists. There’s also an age gap, but that’s really the least of their problems.

Review: The Revenge Agenda (Accidental Love Book 3) by Saxon James

Rating: 4.75🌈

I’m such a fan of Saxon James’ Accidental Love series. It’s centered around an old Victorian, Big Boned Bertha, and the found family of young men from disparate, often painful backgrounds that call her home.

Each roommate has slowly been finding their partner, either within the house or outside of it, experiencing and finding love with the support of their “adopted family”. It’s been great and certainly different paths for each one.

Now it’s Rush’s turn. Rush who was the first to move into Bertha, Rush who was the first of Aggie’s boys, the woman who stood in for family for Rush, and then the others. Rush who’s ADHD and how he approaches it is so much a part of both his personality and the storyline.

James’ has written a lengthy Authors note about writing sensitively about a neurodivergent character with diagnosed ADHD and Rush’s approach to medication and ADHD. I think James has done a wonderful job with Rush, especially as an individual making his own choices. Rush always comes across as a believable person, coping, messy, sexy, brave, confident, confused,all the feelings and fears. We connect with him and invest in him. Rush is amazing.

Hunter, the ex-fiancé whose world,along with Rush’s, is crushed in one night. He is a man of layers. James exceeds my expectations with Hunter. He could have been so easily a formula character. But instead, Hunter is one of a man whose personality opens up, revealing depths of vulnerability, acceptance , and generosity. As their relationship develops, the true nature of Hunter’s character that James has created starts to evolve, weaving powerfully into his and their storyline. I love him and them.

My only quibbles go back to the beginning. Whereas James has a long explanatory note about writing neurodivergent characters, there’s exactly a four word note on triggers connected to a SA and violence. That’s about a on-page event concerning a main character.

I think enough readers will see it coming so they can, if they choose, skip over this part of the story. It’s short but emotionally, realistically played out. Should an author say more about a plot point in a story when it involves a trigger? This is a question that’s very relevant and in discussion.

The Revenge Agenda (Accidental Love Book 3) by Saxon James is a fantastic read. It’s got compelling characters, an engaging story, and a satisfying ending. Big Bones Bertha has given us another great romance.

We still have another novel to come.

I’m highly recommending this and the series. Please do read the notes. It’s something I recommend no matter what the author’s subject, but in this case it’s about one of the characters and TWs.

Accidental Love series:

✓ The Husband Hoax #1

✓ Not Dating Material #2

✓ The Revenge Agenda #3

Buy Link:

The Revenge Agenda (Accidental Love Book 3)

Blurb

Rush

When I show up to surprise my boyfriend in a barely-there festive outfit, I’m expecting him to be alone.

Not hosting family.

His fiancé’s family.

Down one boyfriend and up a lot of embarrassment, I flee with my tail between my legs. The broken heart will fade. My humiliation, not so much, but my saving grace is the fact that I never have to see either of them ever, ever again.

Until I walk into work and come face to face with my new boss.

Hunter

I never, in a million years, would have guessed the man hiding under his desk at work would be the one person I hoped to never see again.

My ex-fiancé’s side piece.

Apparently I can’t fire the guy because of personal issues, so I try to play nice, which is a whole lot harder to do when I find out my ex is still texting Rush. The same ex I haven’t heard from since I walked out on his begging.

Rush tells me he didn’t know about me. He tells me there were others. He also tells me our ex still wants him and so, we come up with a plan. To show him what it feels like when you want someone who doesn’t want you back.

All we need is a camera. His number. And one shared kiss.

Revenge has never been sweeter.

• Publisher: May Books (February 28, 2024)

• Publication date: February 28, 2024

• Print length: 284 pages

Review: Falling For Raine: MM Age-Gap Romance by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Lane Hayes has written an absolutely engaging, tug at your heart romance with Falling For Raine. It’s all age gap, opposites attract relationship with a grumbling, closed off older(and very wealthy) man whose life is utterly shattered, by choice, by a sunny, brave hearted, extroverted younger man.

And yes, it’s a popular trope but Hayes takes it and makes it her own with great characterizations, wonderful locations, and a fast paced plot. But it’s really that Hayes gives the reader a sense of the real emotion that’s occurring here, a feel for the real intimacy and chemistry happening between the men so we get the tug they’re unable to resist.

And that starts immediately. So sexy and funny. Raine, the younger American, and Graham, the older British businessmen, just run the gamut of emotions here throughout the book and it’s wonderful to be a part of. Hilarious, heart stopping sensual, poignant, heartbreaking memories, and back to slapstick comedy. It’s a fabulous rollercoaster of romance between two men we will come to care about greatly.

What others might disagree with but I thought was very reasonable and business based, was the storyline with the person who is considered the “villain”. There was major character growth and moving forward instead of an unrealistic narrative ending. I appreciate that .

There’s some areas I wish the author had explored more fully. That of Julia’s character and her own elements here. I do have a small hope for this couple to get a couple of sequels shorts. One for a wedding! Viva, Wedding! And one for them to visit Raine’s friends in WeHo. Graham in WeHo would be hilariously wonderful and oddly fitting.

Falling For Raine: MM Age-Gap Romance by Lane Hayes is a romantic journey I loved being on from beginning to the end of this book, and the start of something wonderful for Raine and Graham. I truly hope to see them both again.

Until then I’m highly recommending this to all lovers of contemporary romance and if you’re not a fan of Lane Hayes, this book is going to make you one.

Buy Link:

Falling For Raine: MM Age-Gap Romance9Kindle Edition$0.00or $4.99 to buy

Blurb:

The gentleman, the hot mess, and a little British adventure…

Raine

Moving to London is scary and daunting, but I desperately need this new job–and a redo. Okay, so I may have oversold my qualifications. That shouldn’t be a big deal, though. I mean, being an assistant’s assistant seems easy enough, and I’m a fast learner.

Except…I’m already in over my head with spreadsheets, new pronunciations, and temperamental appliances. And just as I’m mentally preparing to face going home early, the big boss offers me an opportunity I can’t refuse. And I definitely should because Graham Horsham is an infuriating, complicated grumpy bear with a razor-sharp tongue, a wickedly dry sense of humor, and…I like him far too much.

Help!

Graham

I’ve been bamboozled. I’m not quite sure how I ended up with an assistant who spills coffee daily, wears wrinkled shirts, and chatters nonstop. He can’t stay, but I don’t want him to go either. That isn’t like me.

And the timing couldn’t be worse. The Horsham Group is about to close one of our biggest deals ever, and I won’t jeopardize it. This one is personal.

Yet so is Raine.

He’s a breath of fresh air—silly, impetuous, lighthearted, good-natured, and…quite lovely. I like him more than I want to admit.

But not to worry…I will not, under any circumstances, fall for Raine.

Falling for Raine is an MM, age-gap romance featuring a British gentleman, a desperate but adorable American, and a UK adventure!

• Publisher: (February 27, 2024)

• Publication date: February 27, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 1192 KB

• Print length: 219 pages

Review: Contested Crown (The Empty Throne Trilogy #2) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.75🌈

Contested Crown, the second novel in The Empty Throne Trilogy, hits so many high marks. It easily overcomes the usual second book syndrome in a series, by ramping up the multiple storylines Butler has already established in the first book. The author does a great job introducing new characters whose meaning and connections to the men on the run are clouded by the new dark mysteries forming. Some of these new storylines include elements that are of a wildly magical nature while others are deeply rooted within the supernatural drug-related crime world.

It picks up right after the shocking events of Exiled Heir, with mage Cade and werewolf Miles on the run after Cade , Prince of House Bartlett, was betrayed by those closest to him m, stealing his throne and his heritage. But Miles, whose real name is Miles Castillo, is also a dethroned Prince in hiding from the very man he’s on the run with.

Butler’s narrative explores this tangled relationship that’s full of potential conflict between two cruelly connected pasts , pasts with dangerous secrets . The author’s dramatic choice to make the suspenseful , angst filled , hunted run the driving force behind the story is a fantastic narrative springboard.

Emotionally, the forced intimacy, their continued dependency under these circumstances, the constant peril, and the growing affection/attachment towards each other that this trip is allowing them to feel, it’s everything the reader wants and the author’s storytelling is beautifully achieving. It packs a darkly magical, sexual punch.

Butler’s writing simultaneously moves into new areas here with Cade and Miles, especially with regard to their magic, the use of tattoos, and the return of a old friend. The new creativity here giving their world more depth and diversity in its magical history as well as using it in the current criminal scene.

There’s so many great twists and shocks here, ones to delight and horrify. This is a book once you get started it’s impossible to put down.

That ending especially is a killer.

Now everything is in place for the dramatic events and tumultuous times to come in Ascendant King. That can’t be here quickly enough.

One last note, Contested Crown, as magnificent as it is, is definitely a bridge novel. It doesn’t exist without the first book . Nor the one to come. As a reader you must have read that first book, and have the knowledge to go along with it to understand and appreciate the events and stories that happen here.

I’m highly recommending you read both because both are outstanding.

The Empty Throne Trilogy:

✓ Exiled Heir #1

✓ Contested Crown #2

◦ Ascendant King #3 – June 17,2024

Buy Link:

Contested Crown (The Empty Throne Trilogy)

Blurb:

I can’t give him up, even if it costs me my life…

Miles and Cade are on the run. Without money, protection, or allies they have only each other to rely on as they flee the most powerful mage house in the country. Unfortunately, the outside world is even more dangerous than the lion’s den they just escaped from.

No matter how right it feels to have the mage prince relying on him, Miles knows the closer they get to each other the more dangerous it is for both of them.

A new mage house is Cade’s only chance to survive the magical war he started. With House Morrison exclusively interested in Cade, Miles will be left out in the cold. And can he stay with Cade when every moment together risks revealing Miles’s deepest secret?

• Publisher: (February 26, 2024)

• Publication date: February 26, 2024

• Print length: 468 pages

Review: Miracle (Single Dads Book 7) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 3.5🌈

Miracle marks the end of R.J. Scott’s Single Dad’s series, a group of loosely related stories about single fathers and their journey to a romantic relationship and family life.

This finale novel is definitely more of a standalone story than some of the books earlier on in this series. Then those books were adhering to the series theme, see below:

“Introducing the single dads of La Jolla, and the first responders they fall in love with.

From surrogacy to adoption and everything in between, this series of books follows the highs and lows of being a single father.

For these men finding love might seem impossible but sometimes it’s as easy as meeting the doctor next door, finding the firefighter who makes you feel beautiful, or learning that a cop can be trusted to keep you safe.”

But that’s been left behind by Listen Book 5 as the main characters have other professions as careers and different types of issues to work through.

There’s several main themes or narrative components to Miracle, only two of which are well developed. The main characters, Jax and Arlo work together in Jax’s construction business. Both are secretly in love with each other but are unable to approach each other about their feelings, even though they’ve known each other for a long period of time.

Jax has a complicated past. He’s adopted (great adopted family) but he’s a twin and has hunted for that twin since he found out about his existence. Arlo has raised his siblings since the unexpected death of his parents, giving up his own dreams to help them grow up and achieve their own.

Those are two great storylines by themselves. And Scott’s narrative dives deep to explore the emotional layers that exist within a person who is still dealing with issues of grief, loss, frustration over the past, and acknowledging that the change of dreams for oneself that happens when you devote your own life to your family. This is where the book and characters feel grounded and believable. Each man and their respective families feel real.

The pathway to a romantic relationship is a tad frustrating for me as I value communication highly, especially between adults and adults who have a long history with each other, in the books I’m reading. When there’s excessive dithering of the “tell him you care, he doesn’t care, yes , he does “ variety, then it’s hard to go forward.

Luckily, Scott throws in a third element here to push the reader through. That’s the appearance of Zach’s baby , Jax’s missing twin brother little boy. The little baby is adorable and he’s the glue that pulls the main characters together and, honestly, the story as a whole. But he’s also part of the story’s issues. Or his father is.

Because the entire “Zach is the father” aspect of the story is just a mere mention here and there. A throwaway line or two, along with the mysterious Kai, his partner. What we do know is that they leave the baby’s status legally in a shaky state. It never stated who is the actual guardian, who has rights to this child. Zach pops in, and out. The baby calls Arlo and Jax papa and Daddy both as they are his stable home figures but also as Zach wants his enemies to think they are his parents. It’s never said that they are now legally so because Jax couldn’t go on record about how he got him.

This entire thread is just needs more context, or thought, or something. And it leaves me feeling as though it was intentionally vaguely written because the author has a new series out and Zack and Kai’s story is book 3. So this narrative was left with holes to lead towards that one. A formula I can do without.

To wrap up, Miracle (Single Dads Book 7) by R.J. Scott has some good heartwarming elements to it as the finale book. The main characters get a lovely romance that includes a baby and meshing of two families. However, there’s an odd other aspect to this with a mysterious twin brother and his partner that really doesn’t work. It feels exactly what it is, a preview for a new series and story to come instead of a well developed part of this book.

Single Dads:

Single #1

Today #2

Promise #3

Always #4

Listen #5

Pride #6

Miracle #7 – finale

Buy link

Miracle (Single Dads Book 7)

Blurb:

An abandoned baby, a poignant note from his long-lost twin, and unexpectedly, Jax’s world is turned upside down.

Despite being adopted by a loving family when he was a child, Jax feels part of his life is missing, and driven by dreams of his brother being in danger, Jax is consumed by his search for his biological twin. Shocked to find a surprise delivery on his doorstep, Jax discovers that not only is he an uncle, but apparently, he’s a legal guardian to baby Charlie. He calls on the unwavering support of his friends and family to solve the mystery surrounding the new arrival, but also finds help from an unexpected source — Arlo, the enigmatic bear of a man who works for him.

Arlo is no stranger to caring. When his parents passed, he dropped out of college to care for his siblings, working construction to pay the bills. With his brothers grown and having left home, it’s Arlo’s turn to live, but when the next stage of his life means owning up to his love for Jax, he can’t find the words to be honest about how he feels. The problem for Arlo is that he’s been in unrequited love with his boss for three years and can’t bear to not be part of his life. Is it too much to wish for a miracle to make Jax fall for him too?

• Publisher: Love Lane Books Ltd; 1st edition (December 22, 2023)

• Publication date: December 22, 2023

• Print length: 302 pages

Zack and Kai’s book (#3) is found in the new series,

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