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…
Axios: A Spartan Tale by Jaclyn Osborn
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Axios: A Spartan Tale
AUTHOR: Jaclyn Osborn
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 334 Pages
RELEASE DATE: July 20th,2017
BLURB:
I am Axios of Sparta, and I was born to kill. At age seven, I left home to train with other boys where we were taught obedience, solidarity, military strategy, and how to withstand pain. My harsh upbringing stripped me of my weaknesses and forced me to become strong. Ruthless.
But, I craved something greater—a life I could never have.
Against all odds, and the toughest training a warrior could endure, I found an unexpected love in the arms of a fellow Spartan. He was the very air I breathed and the water that sustained me. Fighting side by side with him, we were invincible. Where he went, I followed.
However, there was no place for love in Sparta. Feelings were for the weak. The only life for a Spartan was one of battle and brutality with no guarantee of tomorrow. In times of war, all men were put to the test, but the greatest challenge for us was not one of swords and spears, but of the heart. Read more
The Summer of Us by Lily Morton
![The Summer of Us by [Morton, Lily]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qAwJujTML._SY346_.jpg)
Reviewed by Danielle
TITLE: The Summer of Us
AUTHOR: Lily Morton
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 229 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2016
BLURB:
It’s going to be a long hot summer
John is an exceptionally good lawyer. He’s driven, arrogant and hides a warm heart underneath a façade of cool politeness. He’s used to people disliking him but for some reason when meeting Matt in London the other man’s open dislike of him bothers him. He’s therefore surprised to find himself offering Matt a place to stay in his villa in the South of France while he’s working nearby. He’s surprised because he’d actually planned to spend the summer working on his book and plotting to get his ex-wife back.
However, his perfect plans take a blow as the long hot summer progresses and the two men get closer, and John starts to nurse an unexpected attraction to his houseguest from hell.
Matt is John’s polar opposite. He’s warm, funny, sociable and scruffy. He loves people and they love him back. However, to his consternation he hates John more than he hates Marmite, and Marmite makes him vomit. He hates his arrogance, his public school voice and the air of superiority that he carries around. The idea of staying in his home with just him for company sounds torturous and not in a good way.
However, as the hot, lazy days slip by he’s forced to realise that maybe he’s not such a good judge of character after all, because underneath that arrogance is a warm, funny, vulnerable man who’s incredibly sexy. The only problem is that while Matt is gay John is completely straight and Matt now wants him more than he’s ever wanted anything in his life.
See what happens when two men who think that they have nothing in common apart from a past mutual hatred find out that they might actually be each other’s future.
From the author of the popular Beggar’s Choice series comes another scorchingly hot romantic comedy.
This is a spin-off from the Beggar’s Choice series. It features characters from the series but can be read as a complete standalone. Read More »
Deeds and Confetti (Mary’s Boys #4) by Brandon Witt
![Deeds & Confetti (Mary's Boys Book 4) by [Witt, Brandon]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51s9wZz8yoL._SY346_.jpg)
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Deeds and Confetti
SERIES: Mary’s Boys Book #4
AUTHOR: Brandon Witt
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 100 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2017
BLURB:
Steven Conley loves the excitement of owning his own Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and his chosen family of coworkers makes life even better. Steven never regretted leaving the corporate grind behind until his father’s harsh deathbed words leaves him doubting himself.
Ryan Fuller abandoned a lucrative career to start his own party-planning business, but he keeps afloat by coordinating funerals for the local mortuary. When Ryan bumps into Steven—his best friend’s uncle and the man Ryan has secretly crushed on forever—the attraction explodes into a night of passionate abandon for both men.
Steven is blown away by the care and deep connection he feels for the hot young mortician—until Ryan admits who he really is. Reeling from the recent upheaval in his life, Steven must decide whether to give Ryan a chance. To find love, they must risk it all…. Read More »
Bart Goes To Brentwood (The Robbie Day Duology Book 1) by I.M. Flippy
Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: Bart Goes to Brentwood
SERIES: The Robbie Day Duology Book 1
AUTHOR: I.M. Flippy
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 256 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 23rd, 2017
BLURB:
Bart Healey has been chasing his acting dream around Hollywood for eleven years and all he’s got to show for it is an eviction notice. It wouldn’t be so bad if he only had himself to worry about, but back home in Texas, there’s his sister and his mom who never have enough cash to get by. Bart’s right on the verge of giving up the ghost and moving back home when a chance encounter while delivering groceries to one of Hollywood’s biggest names changes everything.
Bart’s had a crush on former child star, former teen heart-throb, and current studio mogul, Robbie Day, since he was a kid, watching his many tragedies unfold across televisions and tabloids. Robbie Day is driven, funny, charismatic, and ravenous for friendship from his lonely mansion up in Mandeville Canyon. When Bart saves Robbie’s life during a particularly dark night of the soul, Robbie is eternally grateful. Of course, Bart has no choice but to fall in love, even against all his best instincts. Read More »
Rim Shot by Skylar M. Cates
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Rim Shot
AUTHOR: Skylar M. Cates
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 227 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 29, 2017
BLURB:
Can college roommates go from friends to lovers?
Kyle: I’m confident that with hard work, my position as point guard can carry me from rural Indiana to the NBA. I also know I’m attracted to guys, but admitting it might disappoint my father, who is all I have in this world. I have big dreams, so I’ll stay in the closet. As long as my life remains scandal-free, I have a shot.
Micah: My large family can’t spare the money to help with my education, but that won’t stop me from studying medicine. I needed to get out of the house I was sharing with my ex before I went insane. Luckily, I heard about a guy looking for a roommate. Living with a straight jock won’t be easy, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. Read More »
A Royal Craving (Royal #1) by Elaine White
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Royal Craving
SERIES: Royal #1
AUTHOR: Elaine White
PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink
LENGTH: 323 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2016
BLURB:
Poor and deaf, Spencer struggles to live in a new world. In search of hope, aged just thirteen, he defies the city and his parents, to visit the prophetess. After promises of a struggle between a path to death and a path to love, he’s left with a token of the risk he took.
Five years later, Spencer chooses a path that leads him straight into Prosper’s arms. Disfigured, the vampire King sees himself as nothing but a monster to haunt Spencer’s nightmares.
Can a simple human bring Prosper out of the shadows and back into a world that desperately needs his guidance? Read More »
First Season (Harrisburg Railers #2) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: First Season
SERIES: Harrisburg Railers #2
AUTHOR: R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books
LENGTH: 229 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2017
BLURB:
Layton wants success, Adler wants family, how can love make both these things possible?
Layton Foxx works hard for what he has. The condo, the career, the chance to make his mark, is all down to the sacrifices he has made. With tragedy in his past, he doesn’t want or need love. Then he meets Adler Lockhart, the extroverted, sexy winger for the Harrisburg Railers and abruptly he can’t avoid love even if he wanted to.
Adler Lockhart has had everything handed to him his whole life. Cars, villas, cash, college tuition at the finest Ivy League schools. The only things he doesn’t have are parents who care or the love of a good man. Then Layton walks into his privileged life and shows him what real love can be like. Read More »
Once Bitten (Darker Hollow #2) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Once Bitten
SERIES: Darker Hollow #2
AUTHOR: Shannon West and T.S. McKinney
PUBLISHER: Painted Hearts Publishing
LENGTH: 189 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2017
BLURB:
When Mason comes back to Dark Hollows, he doesn’t quite get the homecoming he’d hoped for.
Mason, who has become something not quite wolf and not quite vampire, has new powers of his own that he’s still trying to figure out, not to mention a complicated relationship with his new mates. He knows his brother Jax will be shocked to find out he’s still alive, and he’d expected some resistance to his new mates, Finn and Valerian, but not the open hostility he meets when they arrive.
The Dark Hollow alphas, Marco and Cade, are not at all pleased to have another alpha like Finn in their territory. And as for the beautiful vampire, Valerian, only Mason’s sudden display of his startling new powers forces an uneasy and tentative truce among them. Meanwhile Mason is still struggling to forgive Finn and Valerian for what they did to him in the past, and his mates are growing impatient for him to make a decision about their lives together.
The sudden reappearance of an ancient, evil vampire named Cassius makes the entire pack hyper-vigilant and uneasy. When Mason and Finn discover the creature is Valerian’s sire, they fear Cassius’s influence over him. Read More »
Up for the Challenge by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack
![Up for the Challenge by [Hart, Riley, McCormack, Devon]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51JtmYqYt%2BL.jpg)
Duoreview by Cinnamon & Danielle
TITLE: Up for the Challenge
AUTHOR: Riley Hart and Devon McCormack
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 246 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 18, 2017
BLURB:
ETHAN:
I’m not used to anyone having the upper hand over me, and in a single night, Sean Wright rescues me twice. That’s why he intrigues me–why for the first time, I want another man. I’m used to getting what I want, and I don’t plan to let anything stop me. Only…he continues to get the best of me, and it only makes me want him more. When I start to see Sean’s not just good looks, hot sex, and constant competition, I realize I’m in over my head…and I might like it. He makes me laugh, and he understands the pain I feel over my past, a pain we share. Even more than that, somehow, Sean gets me, but I’m not going to lie and pretend that giving my heart doesn’t scare me.
SEAN:
The night I rescued the presumably straight Ethan Harris…twice, I figured that would be the last time I saw him. However, he keeps finding his way back into my life and into my bed. Guess he wasn’t as straight as I thought. Ethan’s full of surprises, though, and being bi is just one of them. As cocky as he can be, he’s also sharp and witty…and even when he’s being his most arrogant self, he’s charming as hell. He likes to win, but so do I. However, as we get to know each other, I realize there’s more to us than the games we play in and out of the bedroom. It’s a game neither of us have played before–one we could both wind up losing. And with our hearts on the line, the real question is, when push comes to shove, are we both up for the challenge? Read More »
Rank & File (Anchor Point #4) by L.A. Witt
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: Rank & File
SERIES: Anchor Point #4
AUTHOR: L.A. Witt
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 272 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2017
BLURB:
Senior Chief Will Curtis is as straitlaced as they come. While his fellow Sailors have partied their way through their enlistments, he’s had his eye on the prize—making master chief and retiring after thirty years of service.
Lieutenant Brent Jameson is a Navy brat turned Annapolis grad. He’s lived and breathed the military his whole life, and he knows he’s destined for great things—once he’s done paying his dues at the bottom of the ladder.
When their paths cross, both men know better than to give in to temptation, but that doesn’t stop them. It also doesn’t keep them from coming back for more, even though being discovered would sink their careers. Something has to give—Will can retire, Brent can resign, or they’ll both face court-martial.
But there’s also the option neither wants to acknowledge: jump ship and walk away from each other instead of ending their careers over a fledgling relationship. And they should probably decide before they fall in love.
Except—too late. Read More »
Prophesy (The King and Alpha #1) by AE Via
Reviewed by Caroline and Jen B
TITLE: Prophesy
SERIES: The King and Alpha Book 1
AUTHOR: AE Via
PUBLISHER: Star Wings Books
LENGTH: 294 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 23, 2017
BLURB:
An Enemies to Lovers
Shifter, Vampire True Mates story.
Justice Volkov is the youngest Alpha Zenith to ever lead the wolf shifters. Following in his father’s large paw prints was a responsibility he met head on. Now at age thirty-three, he is alpha of the alphas. As a direct descendant of the original Siberian pack, his wolf is bigger and stronger than Justice, himself is sometimes able to control.
His wolf howled long and hard but Justice kept it inside. It felt like a bass drum beating against his rib cage. The harsh breaths, angry snarls and the determined pacing inside him was overtaking him.
Justice takes his role of leadership and his legacy very seriously. He has little time for romance, not to mention a true mate. His packs are his priority. With a human government trying to regulate them, an uprising of rogue shifters, and a violent team of scientists trying to experiment on them, Justice has his hands way too full.
Chadwick ‘Wick’ Bentley is not enthusiastic when the captain of his escort tells him he has to leave his comfortable London home and go back to the States. As the Vampire King, he has no choice but to get his species back in line before they cause anymore chaos. At over one-hundred years old, Wick is no one to trifle with, but his smooth, charismatic manner makes him quite unique, despite the negative reputation vampires have. Wick has had nothing but time up to this point. He doesn’t feel the need to make issues pressing. Nothing is urgent in his life. Until he meets Justice. His beloved.
“Natural enemies can’t be mates.” Or so Justice thought. He knows his skepticism and rejection is hurting his mate, so while he fights their connection, Wick gets help from a source very close to Justice to help him win his beloved’s heart. Wick is a force all on his own, but when he’s blessed with a special gift from the Mother herself, not even Justice’s powerful wolf can prevent the prophesy from being fulfilled. Read More »
Praline Goes to Washington: or, the Erotic Misdeeds of a Newly Native Californian in Our Nation’s Capitol (The Perils of Praline #2) by Marshall Thornton
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Praline Goes to Washington: or, the Erotic Misdeeds of a Newly Native Californian in Our Nation’s Capitol
SERIES: The Perils of Praline #2
AUTHOR: Marshall Thornton
PUBLISHER: Kenmore Books
LENGTH: 211 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 19, 2017
BLURB:
In the long-awaited sequel to The Perils of Praline, TV reality star Helmut Dump is unexpectedly and illogically elected to the presidency causing an epidemic of politically induced impotence. When Praline’s boyfriend Jason falls victim to the malicious malady, our hero must find a way to cure it. Meanwhile, Jason’s mother, actress Yolanda Grimes, has been invited to perform at Dump’s Inauguration. After she invites Jason and Praline to attend with her, Praline sees the opportunity he’s been looking for—all he needs to do is get to the new president and convince him to start being nice to people and stop scaring them. Along the way, Praline encounters a collection of bizarre and sometimes sexy characters, some old and some new. Will Praline meet the new president and convince him to turn over a new leaf, or will he find another way to rescue his sex life? Read More »
His Dark Reflection (Heart and Haven Book 3) by Heloise West
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: His Dark Reflection
SERIES: Heart and Haven Book 3
AUTHOR: Heloise West
PUBLISHER: Loose Id LLC
LENGTH: 253 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2017
BLURB:
Disgraced FBI agent Nick Truman has failed to save his sister, held hostage by a drug cartel until he could give them Alex Crow, who eluded him. His epic downfall lands him in witness protection, where he plays by the rules and keeps to himself. But the murder of his neighbor brings danger to his door. He unexpectedly finds himself the champion of innocents and helplessly attracted to the homicide detective in charge of the case.
This can’t end well.
Homicide Detective Hank Axelrod is good at digging out secrets, maybe because he hides a big one of his own. He also suspects his husband has one foot out of the door of their marriage and the specter of single life looms unpleasantly on the horizon.
A murder with similarities to another brings Nick into his world, a man who claims to be a mystery writer looking for a real life resource. Hank’s instincts say he’s more than that, and he’s rarely wrong.
Torn between the errant soon-to-be-ex husband and the distracting, sexy stranger, Hank needs to focus all his attention on his murder case before he becomes the next victim. Read More »
Oh my! So many good ones this week! Brandon Witt, AE Via, Rj Scott and VL Locey, all in one list should not be allowed! How can I choose? Okay..here I go..
So happy that Jaclyn Osborn is on this list! Definitely well deserved!