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…
Bonfires by Amy Lane
Reviewed by Vicki & Amber
TITLE: Bonfires
AUTHOR: Amy Lane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 280 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 24th, 2017
BLURB:
Ten years ago Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He’s gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron—who thought life began and ended with his kids—is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.
Larx has been living for his kids too—and for his students at Colton High. He’s not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy’s steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx’s priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.
It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they’ve embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control….Read More »
Moving Maverick (Made Marian) by Lucy Lennox
Reviewed by Kimberley
TITLE: Moving Maverick
SERIES: Made Marian
AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 217 pages
RELEASEDATE: March 5, 2017
BLURB:
Do you remember what you promised?”
Maverick: I haven’t been back to Rabbit Island, South Carolina, since my parents died and my grandmother, Mimi, rejected me. I’m only returning now to attend her funeral and sell an estate I never wanted. But the moment I step foot on the island and fall into Beau’s arms, I realize it might not be so easy to say goodbye after all.
Beau Talmadge was always the boy next door, but now he’s no longer a kid. The man is hot as hell and pushes all my buttons in the very best way. I’m supposed to leave in a week. Sell everything, close the door on my past, and walk away forever. So why am I letting myself fall for someone who lives thousands of miles away? And how the hell am I going to break it off when it’s time to go?
“That I’d come back.”…Read More »
Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns (Cowboys Don’t #2) by Tara Lain
REVIEWED BY: Christie
TITLE: Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns
SERIES: Cowboys Don’t, Book 2
AUTHOR: Tara Lain
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 250 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2017
BLURB:
Cowboy Danny Boone—a name he made up one drunken night and has regretted ever since—harbors a big past and yearns for a small future. A short, bright career as a champion bull rider almost ended in his death when his homophobic father discovered Danny was gay. Now Danny longs for a plot of land he can build a ranch on, enough money to make up for some of the education he missed… and, secretly, a beautiful femme who likes to top—a combo rarer than a unicorn.
Then onto the guest ranch where Danny works drives San Francisco decorator Laurie Belmont, a young man so gorgeous he makes the horses gasp, and so ballsy he almost kills Danny’s attacker. Laurie’s trying to find his way out from under the thumb of a domineering mother, helpless father, and rich, privileged boyfriend. But no matter the attraction, their lives are worlds apart, and cowboys don’t ride unicorns….Read More »
Stolen Ink (Ink Born #1) by Holly Evans
Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Stolen Ink
SERIES: Ink Born #1
AUTHOR: Holly Evans
PUBLISHER: Chaos Fox
LENGTH: 199 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 10, 2017
BLURB:
I’m Dacian, a tattoo magician, and my life went from my biggest concern being finding a pretty guy to fall into bed with at the end of the week to everything falling apart around me.
There are two problems in my life.
Number one – I’m an ink magician, the thing of myths. A lot of very powerful people would love to get their hands on me, and I have no intention of letting that happen.
Number two – A tattoo thief came to my city, and the magical community has decided that I’m the guy to stop them.
Somehow, I have to catch the thief without letting my secret out of the bag, and that’s even harder than it sounds….Read More »
Tru Flame (Ember Peak #3) by Edie Danford
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Tru Flame
SERIES: Ember Peak #3
AUTHOR: Edie Danford
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 218 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 14th, 2017
BLURB:
In the final chapter of the Ember Peak series, Tru and Jones face an unexpected challenge on their road to happy ever after.
Tru and Jones never expected riding off into the sunset to be easy. Their relationship’s script has never been silver-screen smooth or shiny. But dealing with life’s boulders, washouts, and irksome little details seems downright easy now…because they’re facing each bump in the road together.
But when Tru’s sister announces she wants—and desperately needs—him and Jones to adopt her baby, the new couple’s notions of family, home, their upcoming marriage, and even living at Ember Peak are flung into chaos.
They’ve defined themselves as lovers, partners, and future husbands—but are they ready, and do they even want to be, fathers? If they are to form a forever family, Tru and Jones will have to help each other navigate a new path they never expected to travel….Read More
Taboo Book 2 by Kol Anderson
REVIEWED by Caroline
TITLE: Taboo Book 2
SERIES: Taboo
AUTHOR: Kol Anderson
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 41 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 13, 2017
BLURB:
Taboo (Taboo Book 2)
Life is never easy. It’s made worse when you’re thrown to the vipers by your own father.
Happiness was never promised to Jake, but he allowed himself to hope for it for a short time in his life. He’ll soon learn happiness is a privilege destined only for a select few, and he may not be one of the lucky ones….Read More »
Making the Play (Out of Bounds #2) by Megan Slayer
Reviewed by Tammy
TITLE: Making the Play
SERIES: Out of Bounds
AUTHOR: Megan Slayer
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 96 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2017
BLURB:
Sometimes switching things up really does mean getting the guy.
Allan Clark thought his life as a wide receiver for the Wildcats was over the moment he was told he’d be the new punt returner. He’d thought he didn’t want to be a special teams player. He’d rather have the limelight. But once he starts returning punts, he realizes this was where he should’ve been all along. Speaking of perks, he now gets to spend time with the sexy kicker, Tyler Leigh. Maybe this switch is the best thing that could’ve happened to him.
Unlike Allan, Tyler isn’t planning on going into the draft or playing football for the rest of his life. He’s got other plans, though a side trip in the sheets with Allan isn’t off his radar. He’s wanted Allan since he joined the team. But Tyler’s got baggage and an overzealous ex-boyfriend hell-bent on making his life miserable. With Allan, he sees a bright spot.
Will these two seeming opposites leave their desires on the field, or will they find common ground together and score?…Read More »
Paint the Stars (Free Fall #3) by Nyrae Dawn and Christina Lee
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Paint the Stars
SERIES: Free Fall #3
AUTHOR: Christina Lee & Nyrae Dawn
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 250 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 20th, 2017
BLURB:
Ezra Greene has made a pretty decent life for himself. He has a nice apartment and spends his days doing the one thing he’s always loved—creating art. Despite being somewhat of a grumpy recluse, he’s even made a few loyal friends. When he takes a side job painting a mural at a local holistic center, he can’t help being curious about a certain friendly and self-assured yoga instructor, even if he doesn’t buy into any of that Zen crap. His holier-than-thou family already tried fitting him inside a box, and he swore he’d never be molded into anybody’s belief system again.
For Daevonte Randall, adulthood has worked out pretty well. He’s close to his parents and lives with an awesome roommate. He’s content with weekend hookups, teaching yoga, and taking college courses. What he doesn’t expect is to be so intrigued by the brooding and reserved painter he’s been tasked to stay after hours with at the center. Something fascinates him about Ezra, even after Daevonte’s attempts at flirting gets him friend-zoned on the spot.
As weeks pass, Ezra and Dae get to know each other, and soon their friendship catches fire. But Ezra’s been burned pretty badly before so trust and intimacy has to be earned. Daevonte feels up to the task, but it proves difficult as Ezra continues to keep his emotions in check. Dae’s only willing to wait so long, and when they’re dealt a surprising blow, Ezra needs to decide if love is worth the risk, that is…if it’s not too late….Read More.
In The Wreckage (Metahuman Files #1) by Hailey Turner
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: In the Wreckage
SERIES: Metahuman Files #1
AUTHOR: Hailey Turner
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 341 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 19th, 2017
BLURB:
A Marine with honor.
After surviving a horrific chemical attack that turned him into a metahuman, Captain Jamie Callahan got a second lease on life. For three years he’s been working for the Metahuman Defense Force and leading Alpha Team—all against the wishes of his family. The job requires his full dedication, so it’s no surprise Jamie doesn’t have time for a relationship. An enticing one-night stand with a gorgeous stranger is all it takes to show Jamie exactly what he’s been missing. When a mission to take down a terrorist cell brings that same stranger back into his world, Jamie’s life gets complicated.
A soldier with secrets.
Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan was only looking to relieve some stress after a long mission. He didn’t know the hot guy he picked up at a bar was the leader of the MDF’s top field team. When Kyle and his partner get seconded to Alpha Team to help fight a terrorist threat, he has to balance his desire for Jamie against his duty to keep his secrets safe. That gets harder and harder to do amidst regulations both are tempted to break.
Two men trying to survive.
Giving into passion could cost both their careers. Abiding by the rules will only result in heartache. An attack on MDF headquarters brings with it a choice Jamie and Kyle can’t escape—duty, or love?…Read More »