Tag: Sutter’s Bay series by Shawn Lane

A Lila Review: Tempted to Taste (Sutter’s Bay #5) by Shawn Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

tempted-to-taste-by-shawn-laneRyan Callahan’s parents died in a boating accident off Sutter’s Bay when he was five years old. Now Ryan is back in the bay ready to live in the Victorian reproduction house his father built for his mother. And ready to get his dream job a chef in a restaurant. The job of head chef seems to fall into his lap when Mabry’s is short staffed, but when the sexy as sin owner, Chris Mabry, returns from vacation he fires the inexperienced Ryan on the spot.

Ryan’s dream seems to be over before he gets a chance to prove himself, but when Chris realizes how bad his restaurant’s situation is, he rehires Ryan. As Mabry becomes a success, things sizzle between Ryan and Chris and soon Ryan is cooking for Chris personally.

Tempted to Taste is more of a spinoff than part of the original series.  We do see characters from the previous books, especially Adam and Galaxy, but even so, this book exists on the outside of the others’ friends and family circles. It does have the Sutter Bay setting which helps to bring them together.

This story has a faster pace, which I enjoyed. The plot is simple and the main plot revolves around the main characters’ relationship. There’s no angst or unnecessary misunderstandings. The story has the right amount of fluff and smexy scenes to get the reader to forget about anything else but the story.

Ryan doesn’t waste any time getting settled or looking for a job. He knows what he wants and that includes Chris. From the start, both established an understanding about mixing work and pleasure and this fact never becomes an issue. They are direct and to the point even when they are falling for each other. Chris first impression isn’t a positive one, but he more than makes up for it.

If you’re looking for a quick read between stories or a distraction from the world, this is your story. Don’t expect a piece of literary fiction. This story is a simple romance with interesting characters and a beautiful setting. Plus, it can be read as a stand-alone.

As always, the cover includes the main characters and a view of Sutter’s Bay.

Sale Links: JMS Books | Amazon | Nook

Book Details:

ebook, 49 pages
Published: January 14, 2017, by JMS Books
ISBN: 9781634861489
Edition Language: English

Series:  Sutter’s Bay
Book #1: Sweet Reunion
Book #2: Twice in a Lifetime
Book #3: Galaxy’s Heart
Book #4: Finding Forever
Book #5: Tempted to Taste

 

A Lila Review: Finding Forever (Sutter’s Bay #4) by Shawn Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

finding-forever-by-shawn-laneFor years, Nolan Young has tried to deny he’s gay. With an abusive, homophobic father, who is also the mayor of Sutter’s Bay, Nolan has no choice but to ignore that part of himself.

Until he meets Leo Winthrop on the beach one day. Leo is exactly the kind of guy Nolan would want … if he could allow himself to act on his desires.

Leo has been dealing with demons of his own. His older brother brought him to Sutter’s Bay hoping it’d help Leo put his past behind him. The quaint town hasn’t been much help … until now.

Meeting cute and innocent Nolan changes Leo’s outlook and brings hope to his life for the first time in years. But can he convince Nolan to stand up to his father and take a chance on forever with him?

Finding Forever has a younger vibe than the rest of the stories, but it’s as heartfelt nevertheless. The things the main characters dealt with are part of who they are and how they became better young men in the end. For a novella, there’s an extensive amount of background and past headaches that follows Nolan and Leo. 

I enjoyed the way they met and how they get brought back together afterwards. The author did an excellent job being true to the characters’ ages. They were mature, of course, but they retained that sense of wonder that allowed them to rebound again and again. The pace is fast, but they became protective of each other in a way that felt realistic; even if fueled by lust and fear. 

Their relationship felt effortless and most of the conflicts in the story were external. We get to see how the main characters from the previous books rally around the youngster and help them succeed. By now, Sutter’s Bay is familiar territory and it’s easy to visualized the places the couple visits. 

Perhaps the only drawback is the extra time the main characters spend musing about each other and their problems, together with some areas in which the story pace slow. But other than that, this is a nice addition to the series. 

Another similar cover for this issue; still mainly generic with the two main characters and a view of Sutter’s Bay.

Sale Links: JMS Books | Amazon 

Book Details:

ebook, 97 pages
Published: December 3, 2016, by JMS Books
ISBN: 9781634861458
Edition Language: English

Series:  Sutter’s Bay
Book #1: Sweet Reunion
Book #2: Twice in a Lifetime
Book #3: Galaxy’s Heart
Book #4: Finding Forever

A Lila Review: Twice in a Lifetime (Sutter’s Bay #2) by Shawn Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

twice-in-a-lifetime-by-shawn-laneFive years ago, British transplant, Jude, left San Francisco after the tragic murder of his lover, Martin. Heartbroken, he settled in Sutter’s Bay and opened a small flower shop, hoping that surrounding himself with bright colors and pretty things — living things — would somehow lessen the anguish he felt over his loss.

Jude never expects to find a love like he shared with Martin ever again. Certainly a love like theirs won’t come along twice in a lifetime. But then Jude meets sexy Rex Warner, the new veterinarian in Sutter’s Bay, and he can’t help but wonder if his luck has changed.

Will Rex be able to stop Jude from dwelling on the painful past and look toward a promising future instead?

Twice in a Lifetime is a solid romance story. We first met Jude in book #1 in the series, Sweet Reunion. There was an air of mystery about him that make him interesting enough to have me reading this story; to learn more about him. Plus, I can’t resist a man with an accent. 🙂

I loved the opening scene. The author did an excellent job letting us in Jude’s past without breaking our hearts over and over again. I’m glad the angst didn’t carry on. The reader’s able to appreciate the relationship between Jude and Martin without taking away from Jude and Rex.

Both MC have bigger than life personalities that blend well. They might look like polar opposites, but in the end, they complemented each other. They didn’t try to change the other. They loved their differences and celebrate their quirkiness. The way they first met marks the tone for the rest of the story–sexy, funny, and interesting.

The plot twists and scenes made the book flow quickly and keep the reader engaged. There are several smexy scenes that go with the overall structure of the romance. And, many more funny, everyday moments in which we see the characters interact with family and friends.

This series is growing on me. Twice in a Lifetime is definitely better than the first book. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

The cover for this story is beautiful and goes well with the theme. The colors are soothing, but I don’t think the models resemble the characters’ descriptions.

Sale Links: JMS Books | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 97 pages
Published: October 8, 2016, by JMS Books
ISBN: 9781634861410
Edition Language: English