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…
Any Given Sunday by Mercy Celeste
REVIEWED by Caroline
TITLE: Any Given Sunday
SERIES: Southern Scrimmage Book 6
AUTHOR: Mercy Celeste
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 68,000 Words
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2017
BLURB:
Mind the gap.
Any Given Sunday is the story that takes place in the gaps of Six Ways from Sunday.
Six Ways from Sunday was NEVER supposed to be part of a series.
Six Ways from Sunday was written in five days and was supposed to be a standalone short story.
As the Scrimmage series evolved and the story grew I realized that I needed to know Bo and Dylan’s whole backstory.
Any Given Sunday started out as Sunday Schooled. It retells Bo and Dylan’s story from the day they met until the ending of Six Ways from Sunday. Including the flashback scenes from Sidelined and certain aspects of Bootleg Diva from Bo’s POV.
Any Given Sunday explores the time gaps in Six Ways from Sunday, in greater detail.
Any Given Sunday is a companion to the Scrimmage Series and can be read in any order.
Any Given Sunday is an original story, the scenes from Six Ways from Sunday are not repeated in this companion edition.
Certain details and characters from this expanded story will return in Blindsided.
Warning:
Readers sensitive to the perceived cheating in the original two books should avoid…Read More »
Enemy Within (The Executive Order #3) by Tal Bauer
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Enemy Within
SERIES: The Executive Office #3
AUTHOR: Tal Bauer
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 485 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 28th, 2017
BLURB:
The White House, infiltrated.
The president, running for his life.
A traitorous general, intent on burning the world to the ground.
When everything falls apart, who do you trust?
President Jack Spiers fled Washington DC on the heels of a devastating attack on CIA headquarters, masterminded by one of America’s own, former General Porter Madigan. While the world believes Jack was killed in the bombing, he embarks on a wild infiltration mission, smuggling himself into occupied Russia to rescue the love of his life: former Secret Service Agent and First Gentleman Ethan Reichenbach.
Reunited, Jack, Ethan, and deposed Russian president Sergey Puchkov, along with President Elizabeth Wall—the only person left in Washington DC who Jack trusts—must work together. They piece together a desperate plan, hunting Madigan to the ends of the earth and the bitter frigidity of the Arctic, where Madigan’s world-shattering doomsday plan comes together.
Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Jack, Ethan, Sergey, and the rest of the team struggle to put a stop to Madigan and his army. In the desolate extremes of the Arctic, their resolve, their strength, and even their love is tested, pushed to the absolute limits as choices must be made: choices that pit the fate of the world against the love in their hearts, and the loves of their life.
As the world crumbles around them, Jack and Ethan find themselves waging a war on two fronts—against an enemy they can see, and another, hiding within their ranks.
Who can be trusted when the enemy is within you?...Read More »
Imagines by N.R. Walker
Reviewed by Louisa
TITLE: Imagines
SERIES: Imago #2
AUTHOR: N.R. Walker
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 184 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 10th 2017
BLURB:
Jack Brighton and Lawson Gale have been together for six months and are very much in love. Lawson’s work ensuring the survival of the Tillman Copper is demanding as ever, and Jack’s work with the regeneration of the bushfire-ravaged national park is just as hectic.
When Jack suggests they take a short trip, Lawson agrees. But then he is offered a two-week research position in tropical Queensland to help determine why the Ulysses butterfly is on the decline. Figuring they could combine work and pleasure, Jack and Lawson go on their first vacation together.
Working alongside renowned professor Piers Bonfils isn’t easy. But personal and professional differences aside, Lawson is offered a more permanent role in Queensland. Torn between his new life in Tasmania with Jack and a dying species of butterfly he feels compelled to save, Lawson has to decide where his fate lies.
But fate changes the rules. On a research expedition into the depths of the rainforest, suddenly it’s not only the butterflies’ existence that hangs in the balance
A butterfly’s life cycle never changes. From larvae to imago, their course is plotted by design. Jack and Lawson need to determine where they stand, if they live through it. Because the only thing more incredible than one imago is two….Read More »
Revelation (The Protectors #7) by Sloane Kennedy
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Revelation
SERIES: The Protectors #7
AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 280 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2017
BLURB:
“I trusted once. I won’t make that mistake again…”
An ugly childhood and devastating betrayal have left 25-year-old Cain Jensen scarred inside and out. Protecting himself means keeping everyone at arm’s length and protecting others means never getting emotionally involved. In the three years since he’s joined an underground vigilante group, every life he saves helps ease the guilt of the ones that were lost to him so long ago. So when he’s sent to a remote cabin in the Cascade Mountains just north of Seattle to follow up on the disappearance of his boss’s co-worker, his only thought is to see that justice is served, no matter what the circumstances.
Ethan Rhodes has been running for six months, but it’s never fast enough, it’s never far enough. At 30 years old, the talented ER Doctor should be spending his days saving other people’s lives, not worrying about his own. But he knows that the four years of physical and emotional abuse he’s suffered at the hands of his volatile ex are nothing compared to what will happen when Ethan runs out of places to hide, especially after taking something from the man he once was sure would be the love of his life.…Read More »
Goodbye Paradise (Hello Goodbye #1) by Sarina Bowen
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Goodbye Paradise
SERIES: Hello Goodbye #1
AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 266 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 21st, 2017
BLURB:
Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home.
In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world.
But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves.
It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.
Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires.
Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?...Read More
Brush With Catastrophe (The Aloysius Tales #2) by Tara Lain
REVIEWED BY: Christie
TITLE: Brush With Catastrophe
SERIES: The Aloysius Tales, book 2
AUTHOR: Tara Lain
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2017
BLURB:
Sammy Raphael is a crappy witch, and on top of that, he can’t seem to get a boyfriend. Where other supernaturals can bring down lightning and manifest wealth, Sammy can paint. Granted, the “prophetic” paintings he creates at night always come true, but they never predict anything important. Sammy feels like a total loser with a worthless ability.
One night he paints a gorgeous guy who turns out to be his secret crush, the human Ryder, but Ryder’s changed so much he’s almost unrecognizably beautiful. Then Sammy paints an angel who turns out to be a witch. But is that witch also a devil—a devil who can bring down Sammy’s whole community and everyone he loves? And why the hell does Ryder keep changing? Aloysius, the black cat familiar, always backs a winner. So why is he backing Sammy?...Read More »
Personal Challenges (Personal #4) by K. C. Wells
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Personal Challenges
SERIES: Personal #4
AUTHOR: K. C. Wells
PUBLISHER: Island Tales Press
LENGTH: 250 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2017
BLURB:
Will and Blake couldn’t be happier. They have a beautiful little boy, Nathan, and Sophie finally has the little brother she’s been demanding. But all is not bliss in the Davis household. Coping with reality is going to change all their lives.
Rick and Angelo are sick and tired of trying to get a wedding organized. If it was up to them, they’d be married already, but Angelo’s mother has plans and they keep getting bigger. Angelo can see problems on the horizon: big, traditional Italian wedding and gay do not go well together. Something’s got to give.
Colin receives an unexpected call from an ex, with bad news. He feels compelled to help, regardless of the consequences. Ed loves Colin’s big heart and supports him in his efforts, but when the truth comes out, he finds it difficult to keep a lid on his emotions.
As the coming months unfold, the friends are going to need each other more than ever….Read More »
Goodnight My Angel (Angel Enterprises #2) by Sue Brown
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Goodnight My Angel
SERIES: Angel Enterprises Book 2
AUTHOR: Sue Brown
PUBLISHER: Sue Brown’s Stories
LENGTH: 249 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2017
BLURB:
Callum Ross has a tough decision to make. After years of working for the covert ops agency in the UK and owning his own security firm in the US, he’s forced to choose between the business he loves, and the new relationship with his partner, Josh Cooper.
A bottle of whiskey and Josh almost being killed helps Cal make the decision, and he moves to the UK with plans to set up his own security consultancy. Then the head of the covert ops agency where Josh now works asks Cal for help. Agency operatives and their families are being injured or killed, including Cal’s friends.
Cal is asked to investigate with Josh’s assistance. As the number of victims increase, they’re aware either of them could be the next target for the killer....Read More »
Accidental Hero (Sanctuary #8) by R.J. Scott
Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Accidental Hero
SERIES: Sanctuary #8
AUTHOR: R.J. Scott
PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books
LENGTH: 134 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2015
BLURB:
Book 8 in the Sanctuary Series
Chicago Cop Simon Grant and Sanctuary operative Cain Brodie, have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.
Everyone wants Chicago cop, Simon Grant, dead. Armed with an address, he is on the run and heading for Sanctuary, only to end up at the wrong end of a gun. Is it possible the tall amber-eyed man holding the gun is actually going to be able to help him?
Cain Brodie is in charge of Sanctuary’s new Chicago office, C-Tower. His well organised administration day takes an unexpected turn when he has a man wanted for murder right in his gun sights. Thrust into a situation he has no control over suddenly he needs to be the one in control.
Accidental or not, Simon and Cain have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.…Read More »
Tonight’s Encore: A Second Chance Gay Romance by Parker Avrile
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Tonight’s Encore: A Second Chance Gay Romance
SERIES: For the Love of Pup (book #1)
AUTHOR: Parker Avrile
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 206 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 13, 2016
BLURB:
A second chance steamy gay romance between a hot rock star and a hotter doctor.
“Reed was an experiment. A good time I needed to leave behind to focus on my music.” Zac was once Bobby, a small-town boy raised by his grandparents in a mountain cabin. But he had to leave Bobby– and Bobby’s best friend Reed– far behind if he wanted to claw his way to the top of the charts. Ten years later, bounced from the band he founded, he has nowhere else to go except back home. “Zac says we’re friends with benefits, but I wonder if I’m just a substitute for his old flame.” Reed hasn’t seen Bobby for ten years after making the hard choice to leave music to study medicine. When cult musician Zac moves into the old Mason cabin, Reed didn’t expect him to turn out to be his Bobby from way back when. And the freshly minted doctor certainly didn’t plan on so much attention from tabloid gossip sites who keep insisting Zac and his ex are going to be reunited at any moment. Can former friends find the love they lost, or will the paparazzi tear them apart for good?
This full-length standalone male/male contemporary romance novel includes the frank language and steamy situations you’d expect between two athletic men in their late twenties. It comes complete with a helpful Bernese Mountain Dog, an elopement, and a Happily Ever After. There are absolutely NO cheating incidents or cliffhangers involved in the making of this sometimes steamy, sometimes sweet small-town romance between a rock star and a doctor. Themes include rock stars, second chances, and best friends to lovers. All novels in the “For the Love of Pup” series are standalones centered around a different couple. Feel free to jump in anywhere.…Read More »
Equilibrium (Kingdom of Night #3) by L.C. Davis
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Equilibrium
SERIES: Kingdom of Night #3
AUTHOR: L.C. Davis
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 401 Pages
RELEASE DATE: August 28, 2016
BLURB:
Remus is still reeling from the unexpected betrayal of his best friend when he learns that there is more to Arthur than he or the rest of the pack ever imagined. As the hunter’s moon approaches, Remus must come to a decision that will change the Kingdom of Night forever. While his story reaches its resolution within this trilogy, Arthur’s journey is just beginning. Their stories intertwine in a tale that will unite brothers, kingdoms and destinies…if it doesn’t divide them first….Read More »
Heart Unseen by Andrew Grey
Reviewed by Tammy
TITLE: Heart Unseen
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2017
BLURB:
As a stunningly attractive man and the owner of a successful chain of auto repair garages, Trevor is used to attention, adoration, and getting what he wants. What he wants tends to be passionate, no-strings-attached flings with men he meets in clubs. He doesn’t expect anything different when he sets his sights on James. Imagine his surprise when the charm that normally brings men to their knees fails to impress. Trevor will need to drop the routine and connect with James on a meaningful level. He starts by offering to take James home instead of James riding home with his intoxicated friend.
For James, losing his sight at a young age meant limited opportunities for social interaction. Spending most of his time working at a school for the blind has left him unfamiliar with Trevor’s world, but James has fought hard for his independence, and he knows what he wants. Right now, that means stepping outside his comfort zone and into Trevor’s heart.
Trevor is also open to exploring real love and commitment for a change, but before he can be the man James needs him to be, he’ll have to deal with the pain of his past.…Read More »