Review: The Necromancer’s Prisoner (Hearts of Allaria Book 1) by Elric Shaw

Rating: 4🌈

Elric Shaw is a new author for me and I found Shaw’s new fantasy novel a wonderful story and enjoyable start to a new series.

Several elements drew me immediately to this story. A misunderstood necromancer, a Paladin with a mission, and a magical mystery. Yes, please.

It’s actually more complicated than that, the two men, Alistair, Knight of the Church, and Ignatius, necromancer, both has painful, emotionally traumatic wounds from their respective childhoods. Each tragic event that ended up causing the deaths of the other’s parents, while the men not being actually responsible, the Church and magic was.

Shaws made Alistair and Iggie so relatable with their own doubts about the lives they are living, building such depths into their characters. For Alistair, it’s living the life his father and the Church wanted for him without any real introspection. Until the mission, Iggie, and a snowstorm intervened.

The same for Necromancer Iggie, alone, almost starving in his temporary home with his animated skeletons as companions, hating the Church, its Knights for his tragic past and what they represent. Until Alistair charges into his life bringing light and a huge change.

There’s a mystery that needs investigating. A village known for its magical crystals at its heart and a relationship between two men that’s uncertain to resolve until the end.

Just a couple of elements I wish were fully explored. The magic itself here. I loved the crystal elements, and there’s one amazing scene where Iggie sings to a dull solitary crystal bringing it to unbelievable splendor. There was poignancy and wonder. Why? What happened? I wanted more of that.

Alistair was someone whose actions as an indoctrinated Knight of the Church made sense but also frustrating from a narrative standpoint. Poor Iggie.

Shaw just pulls it all together in a smashing (literally) battle and has a satisfying ending, with a touch of the sadness. As it should.

I’m looking forward to the next book and more from this author. It’s a definite recommendation.

Hearts of Allaria:

◦ The Immortal Covenant #0.5

✓ The Necromancer’s Prisoner #1

◦ The Prince’s Curse #2 – May 2024

Buy Link:

The Necromancer’s Prisoner (Hearts of Allaria Book 1)

Blurb:

Sometimes the real villain isn’t who it seems…

Alistair’s first solo mission as a paladin sounded simple enough: purge the undead terrorizing a remote mountain village and bring the wicked necromancer controlling them to justice. But when he’s captured, he begins to suspect that the village faces a far greater threat than a few skeletons…and that his strange captor might need protecting just as badly.

Paladins have hunted Ignatius his entire life. His crime—daring to be born with the wrong kind of magic. The mountains seemed like the perfect place to seek refuge for the winter…until an obnoxiously handsome paladin arrives on his doorstep. Ignatius expects to loathe Alistair like the rest of his arrogant kin; however, when a harsh winter storm forces them together, he finds himself opening up to the paladin in ways he’d never dreamed possible.

Alistair and Ignatius both have every reason not to trust the other. Yet, as mysterious magic threatens to eradicate the nearby village, they have little choice except to combine forces if they hope to survive.

Can a paladin and a necromancer set aside their differences for the greater good…or will the rift between them prove impossible to ever bridge?

A slow burn, fade-to-black M/M fantasy romance featuring forced proximity, hurt/comfort, enemies-to-lovers, and a hard-won HEA. Every book in Hearts of Allaria is standalone and can be read in any order. Perfect for fans of K. D. Edwards, Tavia Lark, and Ben Alderson.

• Publication date: November 27, 2023

• Print length: 309 pages

Review: Mr Mustachio is Falsely Accused (Mr. Mustachio Murders Book 1) by Dawn McKinnon

Rating: 4.75🌈

I’m utterly charmed by the new murder mystery I just finished. A story along the lines of a cozy mystery with a touch of the mysterious or perhaps mystical, I also found a new wonderful author in Mr Mustachio is Falsely Accused (Mr. Mustachio Murders Book 1) by Dawn McKinnon.

Honestly, it was that cover! Then the description. But first that remarkable cover with the auburn Persian cat with the white mustache looking so smug and intelligent!

Then once I got into it, I was hooked. The prologue belongs to Mr Mustachio’s thoughts as he wanders through his nightly routine of checking in on his renters and those that have come to visit Chez Celine, his mansion that now houses artists and their shops. Turns out the wealthy woman who owned the huge house left everything to him, land, house, and lots of money.

McKinnon does a fascinating job of keeping Mr Mustachio’s thoughts less anthropomorphic, more in the realm of what a cat, an extraordinary one however, might think.

The second and primary POV belongs to ex police officer, Sam Jones, who’s just rented rooms in Chez Celine hoping to start his next career as a mystery writer and part time detective.

Once interviewed, inside Chez Celine and accepted as one of this strange group, the mysteries start piling up on Sam immediately. One happens to be in the form of Algernon, the strangely naive, mysterious, and very lovely man of indeterminate age that’s Mr Mustachio’s guardian. That’s just the beginning.

McKinnon’s narrative weaves a tale of multiple mysteries, several murders, a household of artists of different ages and backgrounds, some very strange and mysterious, the most interesting and unusual are those of Algernon and the cat, Mr Mustachio. Sam Jones is pretty special as the not so hard boiled detective narrator who’s falling for Algernon, the cat and Chez Celine.

I’m so thrilled to have found this new author and series. I immediately have two more books to discover, one that was recently published. Be still my heart.

If you’re a lover of murder mysteries, slow heat romance, cozy mysteries, mysterious characters, or even some strange elements or animals as main characters, well, this book and series has all of the above. And done right.

Plus it’s got those covers! Highly recommended.

Cover: Cate Ashwood

The Mr. Mustachio Murders:

✓ Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused #1

◦ Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary #2

◦ Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared #3

Buy Link:

Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused (The Mr. Mustachio Murders)

Blurb:

What happens when a hard-boiled detective finds himself in a cozy mystery?

Sam Jones has left the force. Going forward, the only mysteries he’ll solve will be fictional ones as he pursues his dream of becoming an author. But he’s barely moved into Chez Celine, a former mansion repurposed as an artist collective, before two unfortunate discoveries demand his attention. One is the dead body of his new apartment’s previous occupant, found stuffed in a trunk. The other is an award-winning vase, found shattered on a storeroom floor.

The list of murder suspects is endless. Everyone hated Amelie. But when it comes to the broken vase, the perpetrator seems obvious. It must be Sam’s unlikely landlord—an unusually intelligent cat named Mr. Mustachio.

Sam has never made friends easily, but as he gets to know Mr. Mustachio’s human representative, Algernon, his feelings move beyond friendship. But Algernon seems to know more than an innocent man should. To find the true culprit, and perhaps true love, Sam must prove that both Algernon and Mr. Mustachio have been falsely accused.

Mr. Mustachio is Falsely Accused is book 1 in the Mr. Mustachio Murders.

Review: Dump and Chase (Watkins Glen Gladiators #3) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dump and Chase is such a sweet, low angst romance, that it’s easy to overlook its beautiful moments and great qualities because it’s so smoothly written.

This is a wonderful story of a young d-man from the Watkins Glen Gladiators and the widowed assistant pastor and single father of a small congregation who find themselves in a relationship that’s leads towards a HEA. To be honest, I avoid any novels that have religious content . Not my thing. But here it comes as a profession as well as the man’s desire to serve his community. Locey’s portrait is that of a multidimensional person.

Gabriel Hansley is a single dad with a rambunctious young son, a widower who loved his wife, a overwhelmed assistant pastor trying to move his church forward and a lonely man who’s becomes attracted to a younger hockey player. Everything about Gabe makes him someone we’d like to meet and connect with.

Deandre Jones, defensive man for the Watkins Glen Gladiators, is another of Locey’s gems when it comes to her hockey players. Young, talented, smart, trying to make a name for himself yet stay true to the upright, mannered person he was raised to be by his mother and close knit family. By dialogue and background, Deandre comes together with crystal clarity. That includes the issues he has of commitment that stem from a father’s abandonment.

Dump and Chase layers in a series of serious issues and elements, gently taking an opportunity to inspect, address and then, if possible, resolve them with communication and kindness. It’s not just obstacles that arise between the main characters, although that’s often the case, but other things as well. Things get wider audience as all sorts of allies and friends are drawn together for dialogue and discussions about things that need a closer look.

Super angsty? Perhaps not. Grownup with a lovely optimistic voice of adult reason with its underlying sense of humor and self worth.

And while the adults are finding their way into a relationship, it’s framed around Gabe’s changing life at his small congregation and Deandre’s role at the Gladiators. Change is happening, it’s how each of them will be able to deal with it and decide what to do with the new paths that open up.

The supporting cast of characters is a joy. Whether it’s Gabe’s son or Deandre’s teammates, Deandre’s mother or the wealthy winemaker who’s been Gabe’s biggest supporter at the church for changes, they are engaging and people I’m sure we will be seeing more of in future stories.

Dump and Chase (Watkins Glen Gladiators #3) by V. L. Locey is an engaging sweet romance and one of my favorites to date. I highly recommend it.

Watkins Glen Gladiators:

✓ Between The Pipes #1

✓ Defending The House #2

✓ Dump and Chase #3

Buy Link:

Blurb:

Working side-by-side on a charity project might just prove to be the foundation of a new romance.

Deandre Jones is enjoying his single life quite nicely, thank you. He’s a defenseman on the Watkins Glen Gladiators, gets to travel, dates frequently, and isn’t tied down to anything other than his mom and brother back in the windy city. He has time to do the whole family and kids thing. Right now he’s happy to be footloose, even if his mother has different ideas. As the playoffs near his focus should be on hockey, but for some reason, he can’t seem to give the sport its due. Ever since he volunteered to help the incredibly handsome assistant pastor of a local church work on an addition to the parish, his attention seems to be locked on curly hair and bright blue eyes instead of breakaways and body checks.

Gabriel Hansley has quite the full plate. Not only is he the first openly out bisexual assistant pastor for a small but highly active parish, but he’s also got his son to tend to as well as his work at the church, which keeps him hopping all day long. And that’s a good thing as the nights alone are hard for the young widower. Just when he’s about to give up on finding a person to share his life with—chaotic as it can be—he finds himself hammering nails beside Deandre Jones. As they work side-by-side under the bright spring sun, he’s getting warmer under the collar with each shared smile and terrible carpentry pun.

Dump and Chase is a low-angst, slow burn, age gap queer hockey romance with a not-quite-as-confirmed-as-he-thought bachelor, a harried single father, plenty of nosy but well-meaning parishioners and teammates, tons of joyous song, and a harmonious happily ending.

Review: A [Non] Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (Sorcerer’s Grimoire #1) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 5 🌈

I’m never quite sure which way one of Sherwood’s series is going to go , whether it’s a bit dark or lighter in tone, but I’m always excited to dive in for the journey .

A [Non] Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents could have gone dark so deeply with our introduction to how Sorcerer Adrien Danvers rescued not one but two young street boys who will become his apprentice and found family. There’s Julian, who’s extraordinary unschooled powers drew Adrien to him and MacMallin, a streetwise kid with a love for machinery, two kids who have endured heartbreaking pasts in their young years which led to the horrible/life threatening conditions that Adrien found them in.

Usually there’s some great humor or hilarity to be had in a Sherwood novel, but this series and its time frame doesn’t really lend itself towards that. From the scenes of rescue, the themes are serious, and heart heavy to immediately engage the readers.

Sherwood puts us into a scurvy, dirty alleyway in an English locale, London to be precise, around the 1930’s. Magic is real and regulated. There’s an alternative history so some of our history is along the same timeline. What’s also important to note that homosexuality is illegal, with consequences varying according to class and support groups.

The reader absorbs all that information just as much as they concentrate on the emotional scenes on the page. We will connect to the broken boy, Julian, and then his “brother “ by choice, MacMallin, as Adrien saves them. And then slowly learns how to let all three of them adjust to their new surroundings and relationship.

So, so many scenes that are well done and thought out that show exactly how much damage each character has suffered in their lives, whether it’s long or short. The cast of characters includes other sorcerers, twin siblings ,Cynric and Anastasia, who are fabulous. And there’s Huge, a terrific main character, who will be the romantic interest of this slow burn love story over the series. I am so excited to see how Sherwood is going to develop their relationship as it’s built into magical mysteries and a great understanding of Adrien’s wounded heart by Hugh.

The author has also given us two rough collies as characters, an ever growing number of different magical beasts to fight as well as human criminals to battle. Epic encounters and high sorcery are extremely powerful to escape into but Sherwood never forgets that it’s the people, their deepest fears and hopes that the reader really cares about. And so the author delivers moving emotional moments that have both the characters and readers in tears .

This is a very slow burn romance so nary a kiss to be had, and it’s quite wonderful that way. Every small step towards a recognizable flirtation is a remarkable journey and one I can’t wait to see more of. And these boys are growing so fast, physically and mentally.

I fear we won’t see book 2 until 2024 with all the series this author is juggling, but it will be well worth the wait.

I’m highly recommending A [Non] Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (Sorcerer’s Grimoire #1) by A.J. Sherwood for its excellence in characterization, plotting, and just making me feel like I wanted to both hug these people and join them on their adventures.

Fabulous!

Sorcerer’s Grimoire:

✓ A [Non] Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (#1)

◦ Dealing with Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers #2 – TBD

Buy Link:

A (Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (The Sorcerer’s Grimoire Book 1)

Blurb:

Two new apprentices. One charming engineer. A potential battle with both sea serpents and evil sorcerers.

When Sorcerer Adrien Danvers takes on a job that leads him into the slums of England, he never imagined he’d end up with not one, but two apprentices. Despite his doubts in himself, he’s the only chance the two pre-teens have to escape their hellish life.

When Sir Hugh Quartermain contracts him to deal with the mysterious circumstances surrounding his home on the Isle of Man, Adrien finds the more time they spend together, the more his walls come down around the beguiling engineer–an unusual occurrence and a terrifying prospect.

But as it turns out, this case is about to take a turn–a battle with both beast and man, the ultimate test of Adrien’s willingness to accept help. When he does, Hugh proves to be a fierce protector and friend, more so than Adrien could’ve ever bargained for, and he finds himself longing for something he shouldn’t.

Falling for his new friend is not a complication Adrien needs. (His matchmaking apprentices disagree.)

Tags:

Magical AU, Adrien’s way of dealing with bad days is to curse things, repeatedly, fortunately lots of targets keep presenting themselves, Hugh has precisely zero chill where Adrien is concerned, as people will learn the hard way, here we have Extremely Competent MCs because that is my jam, set after WWI, but no worries, I can’t write angst to save my life, curses, magic, bit of mystery, apprentices are acquired, something of a slow burn, Hugh’s a sweetie, right up until you endanger his boys, then he’s your worst nightmare, man’s a knight in multiple ways

Review: How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracle 3 By A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

A.J. Sherwood’s serial fantasy story continues with Miracle 3 as Tan and Devan ride off together on the back of Dan the Stallion to search for the thieving rapscallion adventurers who stole the powerful, magical Sword of the Sea from a mage friend of Tan’s who was its keeper.

Devan is needed, not just because Tan would have him with the Black Sorcerer 24/7 as he would, but because the Mighty Sword of the Sea can only be wielded by a Knight who’s heart is bright and true. That’s definitely Devante Salvino, First Knight of Goodwine. The Sword, which is a tad naughty, would actually consider Tan a enemy and number one target.

The journey to recover the Sword also leads to increased closeness between Tan and Devan as well as launching considerable introspection about Devan’s occupation and his happiness.

I love how this slow burn romance is starting to heat up through Devan’s realizing how much Tan has become a part of his life.

It makes my need for the next installment and step forward in their relationship even greater.

Plus we got a new look at the King, and a hint he’s as bad as the Princess.

All the stories are called the same , only the number of the Miracle changes.

What else changes? Subtle changes to the cover! Love this aspect too!

Yes, I’m highly recommending the series. Yes, they must be read in the order they are written.

It’s a quick, highly entertaining fantasy series! Start in and get caught up with us heading into Miracle 4 today!

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showHow I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 3

Description:

What’s Tan to do when he has to reclaim a holy sword he can’t touch? Call upon his White Knight to save him.

What’s Devan to do when he learns the sword was stolen in order to defeat Tan? Save the poor fools from utter annihilation.

Tan is not amused by this quest line. Devan can’t stop laughing.

Tags:

Tan’s turn to need help, what are they teaching these adventurers?, I’m not saying baby adventurers are stupid, but if you put a candle next to their ears their eyes will shine, Tan has all the plans, Devan laughs for the first time, Tan loves it, even if it’s at his expense, Tan is banned from Osedon Conclave, for reasons, Tan disguises himself as a girl, also for reasons, no one likes to be drowned, no one, even magic swords knows who’s boss

———-

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

Review: So What If I’m Your Chosen One (Not Your Chosen One #2) by Evelyn Benvie

Rating: 4.5 🌈

So What If I’m Your Chosen One (Not Your Chosen One #2) by Evelyn Benvie picks up right after the end of I’m Not Your Chosen One, the first one in the series.

Kell is in a emotional muddle. The stars are pushing him towards his “destiny” as The Chosen One without much guidance. There’s Ansel, patiently waiting for Kell to figure out what their relationship is exactly and let Ansel know . Slow burn it is! But the biggest issue is deciding what sort of Chosen , if any, Kell’s going to be and how he’s to achieve the very high goal of saving Allune.

Even if it’s from the gods themselves.

So What If I Am The Chosen One has a tremendous amount of action, new characters, and revelations.

It also has Kell doing a bit more whinging as my British friends would call it. I had thought Kell had settled some of these issues in the first book, but almost immediately they are raised again here. Kell has enormous questions about his destiny, all the beings that want a say in that (perfectly understandable), and not a lot of belief in himself in getting the job done.

I wish he would communicate more with his small group of friends/found family, as they are equally invested with hearts and bodies in his destiny too.

Still, Benvie’s engaging characters, lively , action packed scenes filled with remarkable , often moving moments keeps me fully connected to Kell and his band of heroes as they navigate their way towards the dark landscape of the Lich King.

As Kell continues to turn enemies into allies, or potential friends, and the revelations show the origin behind the magical catastrophe, Kell’s quest looms ever larger and more necessary then ever .

The author’s plotting is complicated, exciting, emotional, and magical. All the components that make a fantastic story so rewarding. That and these wonderful characters.

As the story ends , they’ve completed one mission, but the ramifications have yet to set in.

That comes next in “It’s Hard Work Being a Chosen One”, no release date given as yet.

I’m absolutely charmed by this story and series. I can’t wait to see the next story hit.

That means I’m absolutely recommending both books and this author to all lovers of fantasy.

And the cover is still everything!

Not Your Chosen One series:

✓ I’m Not Your Chosen One #1

✓ So What If I Am The Chosen One #2

◦ “It’s Hard Work Being a Chosen One #3 – TBA)”

Sales link:

https://www.evelynbenvie.comEvelyn Benvie

Description:

The stars don’t think Kell needs answers. He disagrees.

Having accepted his role as the Chosen, Kell plans to sail to Port Hull and seek answers no one seems willing to give him. Of course, the stars immediately sabotage him. They feel he’s ready to confront the allegedly evil Lich King and toss Kell and company directly into the Lich King’s territory with no way back. Instead of rushing heroically into battle, Kell retaliates by taking multiple detours on the way to his alleged adversary’s palace.

The roundabout route doesn’t end up being an easy one. With a demon tower, child ghosts, confrontations with the goddess and Ansel’s family, and serious talks about his relationship with Ansel, Kell has more than enough on his plate. But he can’t put off the destined battle with the Lich King forever, even though the odds of failure are high. Kell will need to draw on every ounce of non-traditional Chosen-ness or this might be the end of his time in Allune.

Review: I’m Not Your Chosen One (Not Your Chosen One #1) by Evelyn Benvie

Rating: 5🌈

Evelyn Benvie has,in one story, become a auto read. This author’s new series, Not Your Chosen One, includes the sorts of characters, storylines, and world building I look for in a fantasy novel. Then goes further to make sure there’s humor, depth, growth for relationships and emotional issues that the main characters are dealing with.

Also new areas for the universe to expand and enrich the plot.

That all occurs in I’m Not Your Chosen One, book one in this outstanding series.

It starts off darkly enough, with 26 year old Kell Hồ Sinh Porter desperate and depressed. Once again he’s run from his home life that threatens to pull him under.

Benvie’s vividly described portrait of a young man so despairing that he cries out to the night for help is so real it tugs at you emotionally.

Especially when he’s answered.

Then the journey of self discovery, acceptance , responsibilities, friendship, and romance (what that means if you’re demisexual) , all within the realm of fantasy.

What’s a hero? What’s destiny anyway? Who decides? What if the hero says no? The author’s storylines has so much fantastic elements to it, moments where I was filled with glee , living fully through Kell and the decisions he kept making throughout this journey.

It’s the people he starts to befriend, the ones he astonishes, or frustrates as he learns about himself and others.

I’m so invested in this growing found family of beings, especially Kell. Who have a world to save but don’t know yet exactly what the plan is.

Evelyn Benvie has created an exciting , well written, beautifully realized fantasy world, and filled it with multidimensional characters I’ve come to care about deeply.

I can’t wait to see where this journey is taking them all.

If you’re a lover of fantasy, I’m highly recommending this author and story to you . Pick up I’m Not Your Chosen One (Not Your Chosen One #1) by Evelyn Benvie today!

And the cover is everything!

Not Your Chosen One series:

✓ I’m Not Your Chosen One #1

◦ So What If I Am The Chosen One #2

https://www.evelynbenvie.comEvelyn Benvie

https://www.goodreads.com › showI Am Not Your Chosen One – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Kell Hồ Sinh Porter is twenty-six years old and desperate to leave his unhappy life and his dead-end town.

One night his wish is granted by a mysterious voice—though not in any way he would’ve imagined—and he finds himself in the semi-magical land of Allune where everyone thinks he’s the “Chosen One.” Kell politely disagrees, and absconds from his duties. On the search for an adventure that doesn’t come with world-saving responsibility attached, he’s joined by companions. Every adventurer needs them, but his turn out to be Ansel, a sheltered fallen angel, and Fre, a half-orlk who wants to be a hero.

Destiny, bad luck, and the gods conspire against him. The Dawn Goddess wants him to take up his Chosen One mantle, which Kell is sure means becoming cannon fodder in an ancient divine war. The Lich King’s demonic minions carry out sporadic attacks in an attempt to kill him and prove he is not the Chosen One. Temperamental elves, talking stars that aren’t all that helpful, image-conscious demons, maddening pieces of prophecy that everyone thinks Kell should already know, and his growing feelings for Ansel all mix in a frustrating stew as Kell tries to juggle his feelings, his duties, and all the things trying to kill him. No one asked him if he wanted to be anyone’s Chosen One, and he can’t begin to understand why he was chosen.

Kell needs to figure out who to trust and how to forge his own path before it’s too late for Allune and for him.

Review: Ride or Die (Food Truck Warriors #6) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 5 🌈

Ride or Die wraps up Beth Bolden’s Food Truck Warriors series. It’s a outstanding way to say goodbye to a great series and group of men and their partners.

Part of a interconnected universe that includes Kitchen Gods and Star Shadow, it’s hard to say if this is a complete goodbye as Bolden’s characters have a way of popping up in future stories. But if we don’t see everyone again, this is a remarkable sendoff.

Ren Moretti, the gorgeous chef of the one night stands, has met his match in Seth Abramson, security and former soldier, who’s looking for a long term relationship, not a hookup. No matter how hot the chemistry between them.

A two person pov means the reader is in Ren’s increasingly frustrated, and stymied head as he’s confronted with someone he wants who obviously wants him back but won’t have sex with him. It’s never happened before.

As the steam builds within him, so does the hurt and questions. Ren’s entire ability is shaken.

I love Bolden’s writing and characters because she’s able to make us feel that we’re there in their world with them. And when things , their perspective is being given a good toss up, we are there looking over their shoulder, a part of every minute of their growth and baby steps forward.

Seth has his own issues to work through. It’s not just how to reach a man seemingly committed only to not being committed to anything but his cooking but there’s something lurking in Seth’s history too.

How these men work through their individual issues to have a relationship that works and is one we all celebrate is a wonderful story, full of romance, laughter, and some angst.

At the end, Bolden pulls everything and everyone together for one huge anniversary party. All our couples. No loose ends. We get a marvelous and fantastic way to see everyone and say our goodbyes.

What a great run this has been. I’ve loved every story, each couple and romance. Hard to believe it’s over.

Ren and Seth are a great couple and their story makes for a fantastic finale.

I’m highly recommending Ride or Die and this series.

Food Truck Warriors:

✓ Drive Me Crazy #1

✓ Kiss & Tell #1.5

✓ Hit the Brakes #2

✓ On A Roll #3

✓ Full Speed Ahead #4

✓ Wheels Down #5

✓ Ride Or Die #6

https://www.goodreads.com › showRide or Die (Food Truck Warriors, #6) by Beth Bolden – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Can Ren’s bad boy heart be wooed and won?

Ren Moretti likes his life—and his hookups—just the way they are: fast and loose.

He only ever hooks up with someone once, and relationships? Forget it. Never gonna happen. No guy has ever persuaded him to bend, break, or alter his one date and one night rule.

Until Seth Abramson.

Seth has always tempted Ren—but it’s not a secret that Seth won’t settle for just one night. A few dates won’t cut it, and he’s not interested in playing around. He wants it all, and he intends to win Ren’s heart.

But that’s the one thing Ren’s never given up. He guards it closely and fiercely, until one day, when he realizes it’s no longer his to protect, it’s belonged to Seth all along.

Review: The Foreman and the Drifter (Farthingdale Ranch #1) by Jackie North

The Foreman and the Drifter (Farthingdale Ranch #1) by Jackie North

Rating: 5🌈

While I started this amazing series with the third book, this incredibly sweet, heartwarming romance is exactly the way to fall into this universe and found family.

It’s a slow burn, first love, first time romance that captures the essence of all that confusing, unsettling overwhelming feelings of true love . Set on a ranch where you can almost smell the wild fragrances coming through the tall meadow grasses, feel the heat pouring down as the men ride and go through their chores, it’s an old fashioned slowed down day in a modern world story. One to savor along with the very sweet, almost innocent nature of the relationship that’s beginning to form between Leland and Jamie.

The ranch, it’s full time staff which is also a family, it’s guests comes across as a real place. From the dining hall to the dusty tack room to the fire pit where the grasses need to be cut back for safety purposes, it’s described so clearly, easily such a deep integral part of the people there that it becomes a part of your heart too.

And as a worn, torn Jamie finds himself deposited at the ranch uncertain and almost beaten, you just hope he’s finally found home. Which he has.

Jamie is all young vulnerability, openness, and hope waiting for someone to want him. He’s an amazing character and you love him immediately. As the strait laced Leland does, even if he’s not sure what to make of his own feelings.

Leland we also understand and adore, in a totally different way. They gently spark, gaze, and as two men who’ve never had relationships, stumble towards each other.

How I love this and them.

Like sitting on that veranda in the summer’s evening, sipping root beer, listening to the owls call and holding hands under the blankets.

Sighing now. Perfection.

I’m so in love with this series. On to book two.

Need a new series to read and love? Start here. I’m recommending them all.

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

Synopsis: If only Leland would forget forget that Jamie was a drifter. If only he’d give their hearts a chance.”

With Farthingdale Ranch at risk, Leland Tate, ranch manager, has to get tough and make sure everyone on the ranch follows the rules he’s laid out. That means no handouts, no fraternizing, and no drifters.

But what happens when a young drifter comes looking for a job? What happens when that drifter makes Leland want to break all the rules?

A gay, m/m cowboy romance with age gap, hurt/comfort, first time, rescue, sunshine/grumpy, boss/employee, emotional scars, and opposites attract. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.

Buy The Foreman and the Drifter to fall deeply and forever today with the first book in the new Farthingdale Ranch Series

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsThe Foreman and the Drifter by Jackie North – Goodreads

Looking for Your Next Contemporary Romance? Check Out the Release Blitz with Excerpt Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold #1) by Colette Davison

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Hold Me Up (Chasing Gold Book 1)

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: January 29, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Second chance, sports, slow burn, hurt/comfort

Themes: Forgiveness, trusting others, dedication, self-care

Heat Rating: 2 – 3 flames

Length: 68 500 words

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Can second chance love survive past trauma?

Reece has one goal: to compete in the Olympic Games. With the gymnastics World Championships looming, his dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

When his childhood sweetheart, Alex, walks back into his life unexpectedly, Reece’s world is turned upside down. Alex was the boy who inexplicably pushed him away and broke his heart; the boy he still loves.

When the truth behind their break-up is revealed, Reece wants to hold Alex up and give him the strength to heal.

But can Reece be Alex’s rock, and remain focused on his training, or will his Olympic dreams suffer in the process?

Hold Me Up is a MM second chance romance, with a slow-burn relationship and lots of hurt/comfort. It’s the first in a series of books that follows male artistic gymnasts as they chase gold.

Trigger warnings: Hold Me Up features a character who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks due to a past event that is briefly described.

Excerpt

“Pizza and beer, as requested.”

Alex’s smiled deepened as he stood back, allowing Reece to enter.

“Are we eating at the table, or are we going to be uncouth?” Reece made eyes at the sofa and then frowned playfully. “How can you be uncouth when you can’t be couth?”

Alex chuckled. “You’re an idiot.”

“It’s true, though,” Reece pointed out, kicking the door shut behind him. “Just like you can be over- or underwhelmed, but you can’t actually be whelmed. The English language is weird.” Raising the hand carrying the beer, he pointed to the table and then the sofa. “Table or sofa?”

Alex considered the question. The sofa would be far more relaxed, but he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. In just a few days, most of his barriers regarding Reece had crashed down. He was enjoying having Reece back in his life, but he felt like it was for all the wrong reasons.

Reece took the decision out of his hands. “The table is occupied by your laptop. Let’s take the sofa.” He put the pizzas and beer on the coffee table before flopping down on one end of the sofa. He looked up at Alex expectantly. “Are you joining me?”

Alex glanced at the table, wondering if he should offer to move the laptop. It would have taken him two seconds to close the lid and prop it against the wall and only slightly longer to take it back through to his bedroom, but he didn’t want to. Instead, he wandered to the kitchen units and grabbed the bottle opener from the drawer.

“Good call,” Reece said as he pulled two bottles out of the cardboard pack. He held them both while Alex flipped the lids off, and then gave one to Alex. “I got us garlic bread,” he declared. “And I seem to remember that you’re not much of a fan of topping on pizza, so I’ve got a margherita for you and pepperoni for me.” He took a swig of beer before opening up the pizza boxes and handing Alex his. Then he reclaimed the bottle. “We should have a toast.”

Alex raised his eyebrows as Reece lifted his bottle.

“To you. Reporter extraordinaire.”

Alex felt heat creep up into his face. “I don’t—”

“I do,” Reece cut him off. “Like I said earlier, your article was amazing.” He glanced around the room. “You should cut it out and frame it.”

The heat swept up to Alex’s hairline and into his ears. “My boss already did.”

“Where is it? I don’t see it up anywhere.”

“At work.”

“On the wall?”

Alex shook his head.

“You need to bring it home. I’ll help you put it up, if you want?”

Alex dipped his chin. “I—”

“It’s your first article. It’s a big deal, Alex and you should be bloody proud of yourself.”

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

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