Book of the Week Poll
Welcome to the Love Bytes Book of the Week Poll!
Here are the books which achieved a 4.5 or 5.0 review last week from our reviewers.
As a reminder, the top two books from each week’s poll will roll into our Book of the Month poll at month’s end. Happy Voting!
Please scroll to the very bottom for the voting section.
POLL SCHEDULE:
This poll will remain open until at least 6PM, Amsterdam time next Friday. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules…
When First I Met My King (Arthur Trilogy, #1) by Harper Fox
Reviewed by Tori (Vicki)
TITLE: When First I Met My King
SERIES: Arthur Trilogy #1
AUTHOR: Harper Fox
PUBLISHER: FoxTales Publications
LENGTH: 138 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 30th, 2017
BLURB:
Once upon a time, there was a winter that wouldn’t end. And all that’s standing between the people of White Meadows and starvation is a young man called Lance.
He’s sixteen years old, and for all his courage and hunting skills, he’s running out of fight. His family has been wiped out in a border raid, and he’s drowning in loneliness. When strangers arrive at White Meadows, all Lance can think of is using his last strength to drive them away.
But these men have come in peace, not to burn and destroy. Among them is a hot-headed, utterly charming prince-in-training named Arthur.
For Lance, Arthur’s arrival is like the return of the sun. The prince has everything – learning, battle skills, a splendid destiny. But as the days unfold in the remote northern settlement in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall, it soon becomes clear that Arthur needs Lance, too. Read More »
Five Dares by Eli Easton
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Five Dares
AUTHOR: Eli Easton
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 247 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2017
BLURB:
Andy Tyler has been the class daredevil since middle school. Over the years, he’s convinced his best friend, Jake Masterson, to perform some dangerous-looking stunts with him. But the dare they attempt on the night of their college graduation goes sideways. The firecrackers explode too soon and both of them end up with badly burned palms.
But hey, nothing gets the “terrible two-o” down for long, and they recuperate in style at Andy’s family cottage in Cape Cod. As the weeks go by, both Andy and Jake grow frustrated over the inability to use their hands for all sorts of daily activities–including getting off. So Andy begins a new series of dares that don’t just cross the friendship line, they obliterate it.
But what might be mere sexual relief to Andy is serious business to Jake, who only recently got over years of secret pining for his straight best friend. Inevitably, the burns heal, summer ends, and hearts are broken. To fix things, Andy will have to face the greatest dare of all. Read More »
Gardens of Hope by Michael Holloway Perronne
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Gardens of Hope
AUTHOR: Michael Holloway Perronne
PUBLISHER: Chances Press LLC
LENGTH: 192 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 22, 2016
BLURB:
Can two men from the same city but segregated worlds maintain a connection during a time in US history that not only brands one of them as the enemy but denies that a love such as theirs exists?
On the surface, Jack appears to have all a man in World War II era 1941 could want with his solid middle-class background, upcoming college graduation, and the perfect, devoted fiancee. But one night when he accidentally stumbles upon a shadow life of men who desire other men in a Downtown Los Angeles park, he begins to realize exactly what has always left him with a feeling of emptiness.
Despite the constant danger of being arrested by vice cops, Jack continues to visit the park every chance he has to feel a connection, no matter how fleeting, with another man. One night he meets a handsome and charismatic Japanese-American, Hiro, who appears to want more than a quick encounter, and Jack surprises himself by starting to truly fall in love for the first time.
However, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt issues Executive Order 9066 and orders the mandatory relocation of over 100,000 Japanese-Americans, who have never been charged with a crime, to far flung internment camps sites. Jack and Hiro suddenly find themselves torn apart before their secret, fledgling romance can blossom.
Desperate to find and reconnect with Hiro, Jack accepts a high school teaching position at an internment camp in the California desert, Manzanar. There, surrounded by armed guard towers and a prison-like environment, Jack begins to fully realize the injustices being faced by Japanese-Americans during one of the most controversial times of United States history and shifts his world view- forever. Read More »
Dragon’s Hoard (Dreamspun Beyond) by M.A. Church
![Dragon's Hoard (Dreamspun Beyond Book 5) by [Church, M.A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jGFofECIL._SY346_.jpg)
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Dragon’s Hoard
SERIES: Dreamspun Beyond #5
AUTHOR: M.A. Church
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 234 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2017
BLURB:
To be loved by a dragon is to be treasured.
A hundred years ago, werewolf Alpha Montgomery took a risk driven by desperation—he borrowed money from the ancient dragon Warwick Ehecatl, putting up the pack lands as collateral. Now the debt is due, and dragons don’t forget—or forgive. Warwick demands Montgomery’s son, Avery, and three businesses as compensation. As an Omega, Avery knows he is basically useless to his pack, so he might as well agree. He soon has second thoughts, though. Warwick is fearsome, and he’s free to do as he likes with Avery.
Warwick knows his race’s reputation, and he even admits some of it is deserved. But he’d rather cut off his tail than let his innocent mate’s light go out. It won’t be easy, but buried deep, there’s something between them worth safeguarding. Read More »
That Doesn’t Belong Here by Dan Ackerman
Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: That Doesn’t Belong Here
AUTHOR: Dan Ackerman
PUBLISHER: Supposed Crimes
LENGTH: 170 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2017
BLURB:
That Doesn’t Belong Here begins when Levi and his friend Emily discover an impossible creature in an abandoned pick up. The thing is wounded, frightened and the two friends cannot leave him to the mercy of rubberneckers and tourists. This novel explores what it means to be a person, as the creature, Kato, begins to display not mere intelligence or friendliness but what can only be explained as humanity. The question of who we are allowed to love arises for Levi and Kato, as they are not just crossing the boundaries of gender or sexuality, but of species. Read More »
Tender with a Twist (Rainbow Cove #2) by Annabeth Albert
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Tender with a Twist
SERIES: Rainbow Cove #2
AUTHOR: Annabeth Albert
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 264 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 2nd, 2017
BLURB:
One kinky wood carver. One younger chef looking to try new things. A series of lessons that bring both men more than they bargained for…
Curtis Hunt has made a name for himself as a chainsaw wood carver, winning national competitions and operating a small business in Rainbow Cove, Oregon. As winter whittles away his tourist traffic, his goal is just to survive the season and try to not get lost in grief for his dead lover. It’s been two years, but he’s sure he’ll never be over the love of a lifetime. However, his body has a certain restlessness that he doesn’t quite know how to calm.
Logan Rosner knows a thing or two about restlessness. It’s what drove him to Rainbow Cove to be a chef at a bar and grill run by his friends. And it’s what drives him to a single sizzling encounter with the local legendary lumberjack. Both men get far more than they expected and learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate…
But when Logan proposes a series of sexy lessons, Curtis must decide how much he’s willing to risk. He knows he can’t afford to get attached to Logan’s good cooking, his easy smiles, or his caretaking, but he keeps going back for more, even as deeper emotions become involved. Soon, Curtis must decide whether to risk his heart again or risk losing Logan for good. Read more
A Royal Promise (Royal #2) by Elaine White
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Royal Promise
SERIES: Royal #2
AUTHOR: Elaine White
PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink
LENGTH: 419 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2017
BLURB:
An anthology of short stories, relating to characters from A Royal Craving.
Did you ever wonder what happened after Jaycob was born? Did you question how successful Prosper would be as the leader of an expanding kingdom?
Meet Wayward Son, Prosper’s uncle Henric, who was once a lover to Jael. Rejoin Parry and Davian in His Master’s Touch for a spot of wishful thinking and find out if Sienna can change in Kiss of the Hunter. Finally, spend some quality time with the Prince of the Manor, to find out if Spencer and Prosper can really have a Happily Ever After. Read more
Jigs and Reels by Leigh M. Lorien
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Jigs and Reels
AUTHOR:
PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC
LENGTH: 58 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 16, 2017
BLURB:
Elijah works in a cubicle, lives with his parents, and never goes on dates. It isn’t an exciting life, but it’s safe and easy and that’s good enough.
Then he meets Peter, a whirlwind of a man who leads a traveling renaissance band. Peter represents everything Eli usually avoids, but his boisterous enthusiasm is infectious… and his band needs a fiddle player.
When Eli agrees to fill in for a weekend, he awakens a part of himself he thought long gone. With Peter’s help, he shakes off the dust that has settled on his soul and remembers how to have fun.
But when the band asks him to join them permanently, is Eli’s newborn sense of adventure — and insane crush on a man he barely knows — enough to make him leave the safety of a life he’s clung to for years? Read more
Jackalopes & Woofen-Poofs (Offbeat Crimes #5) by Angel Martinez
Reviewed by Tori (Vicki)
TITLE: Jackalopes & Woofen-Poofs
SERIES: Offbeat Crimes #5
AUTHOR: Angel Martinez
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 225 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 3rd, 2017
BLURB:
Hoax animals and a consulting vampire on the prowl—Jason never thought having a cop boyfriend would be this hard.
All Animal Control Officer Jason Shen ever wanted was a quiet life of rescuing lost kittens and helping animals in need. Having a paranormal cop boyfriend guarantees an end to the quiet part. What at first seems a random encounter with jackalopes in the park might be more than chance and when State Paranormal sends a handsome, charming vampire to consult with the Seventy-Seventh, he finds his relationship with Alex on shaky ground.
Officer Alex Wolf hoped his humaning skills were improving but now he can’t unravel the strange politics at State Paranormal or why Jason’s family seems to hate him. There’s no time to puzzle things out either. Bizarre animals are loose in the city, Jason’s acting strange, and is the vampire captain from State flirting with him? Wolf’s going to have to keep his head in the game if he’s going to have any chance of putting the pieces together and keeping the city safe from the strange critters terrorizing its streets. Read More »
Bitten by Mistake (Regent’s Park Book 1) By Annabelle Jacobs
Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Bitten by Mistake
SERIES: Regent’s Park Pack Book 1
AUTHOR: Annabelle Jacobs
PUBLISHER: Self -Published
LENGTH: 341 pages
Release Date: July 28, 2016
BLURB:
From animosity to searing passion in a lunar cycle… but can their bond survive?
Wolf shifter Nathan Kohl’s pack is his whole life. Arrogant and handsome, he avoids commitment to anything or anyone outside of his pack. He works hard, plays hard, and pursues humans as lovers because there’s little to no chance of him forming a permanent bond. However, when Jared Taylor comes into Nathan’s life, every rule is broken.
After a bad experience, Jared vowed to never get involved with another shifter, no matter how much they got under his skin. Despite being physically attracted to Nathan, who’s all kinds of hot, Jared only sees an arrogant, domineering bastard.
A disastrous case of mistaken identity throws Nathan and Jared together until the next full moon. Forced to spend the next twenty-eight days in close proximity, they can no longer ignore the powerful attraction between them. Passion ignites, and their relationship takes a turn neither of them wanted.
But when the full moon comes, everything might change again. Read More »
As Sure As The Sun by Elle Keaton (Accidental Roots)
Reviewed by Tori (Vicki)
TITLE: As Sure As The Sun
SERIES: Accidental Roots
AUTHOR: Elle Keaton
PUBLISHER: Dirty Dog Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 30th, 2017
BLURB:
The universe is trying to tell Sacha Bolic something. A fire escape collapses under him, he lands in crap, and a killer barely misses his target… all in the same few seconds. That’s on top of a long list of mishaps and job dissatisfaction. Not one to ignore signals when they’re shoved in his face, Sacha retires and uses his savings to buy an old building in Skagit, Washington. With a little help from DIY videos, he’s going to bring it back to its former glory. And, yeah, it’s a metaphor. If he makes one change, others will follow…
Seth Culver avoids entanglements, romantic or otherwise. Who needs them? He’s learned the hard way that people betray you or leave. Still, Seth finds people compelling. He kind of collects them, learning their secrets before letting them go their own way. His commitment to no commitments may have met its match in Sacha. Handsome and hot, Sacha seems to offer a permanence that scares Seth more than anything ever has. Seth will have to decide if he’s going to grab life by the balls or keep watching from the sidelines.
A box of inconsequential belongings hidden for decades in the old building hints at lives imagined but not lived, reminding them both there are no guarantees in love, or this thing called life. Read More »