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…
Tried & True (THIRDS, Book 10) By Charlie Cochet
Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Tried & True
SERIES: THIRDS Book 10
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 254 Pages
Release Date: Nov 24, 2017
BLURB:
Sequel to Darkest Hour Before Dawn
THIRDS Book Ten
When THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley met Team Leader Sloane Brodie, he couldn’t have imagined how slamming into his new partner—literally—would shake both their worlds. Now four years later, they’ve faced dangers, fought battles both personal and professional… and fallen deeply in love. Now their big moment is finally in sight, and they’re ready to stand up together and make it official. Unfortunately, as the countdown to their big day begins, an enemy declares war on the THIRDS….
With their family in danger, Dex and Sloane are put to the test on how far into darkness they’ll walk to save those they love. As secrets are unearthed, a deadly betrayal is revealed, and Dex and Sloane must call on their Destructive Delta family for one last hurrah to put an end to the secret organization responsible for so much devastation.
Dex and Sloane will have plenty of bullets to dodge on the way to the altar, but with happiness within their grasp, they are determined to get there come hell or high water…. Read More »
The Blacksmith Prince by Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: The Blacksmith Prince
AUTHOR: Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 290 Pages
RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2017
BLURB:
17th century Perigord is a county of sun-drenched villages and dark forests, languid rivers and moonlit lakes. It is a corner of France teeming with spirits, dryads and nymphs, and like everywhere else, witches are burned at the stake.
Born with the second sight, young fisherman Jehan wants nothing but to keep his head down, work hard, and stay out of trouble. Which works well enough until a suspicious string of bad luck befalls the village smith and his wife. Their adoptive son Giraud is everybody’s dashing darling, who behind his sooty smile and swashbuckling manners has buried a painful connection to the supernatural himself. Fearing that some evil is afoot, Giraud turns to the only other man in town who knows about the hidden world around them – Jehan.
Before long, they are embroiled in a quest involving brigands, witches and noble fey, while their friendship and attraction gradually shifts into something deeper. If they manage to survive ancient feuds and everyday prejudice, they might even have a chance to forge a Happily Ever After all of their own… Read More »
Merry and Bright by Joanna Chambers
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Merry and Bright
AUTHOR: Joanna Chambers
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 203 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 23, 2017
BLURB:
Three seasonal love stories from Joanna Chambers
Humbug
Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.
Mr Perfect’s Christmas
Sam Warren’s new job hasn’t been going so well so the last thing he’s in the mood for is the obligatory office Christmas party, particularly since Nick Foster’s going to be there. Nick–the guy whose shoes Sam has been trying to fill–seems to take very opportunity to point out where Sam’s going wrong. But when Sam receives an unexpected Secret Santa gift at the party, he’s forced to question his assumptions about his rival. Could it be that he’s been misinterpreting Nick’s actions all along? And is it possible that his reluctant attraction to Nick is reciprocated?
Rest and Be Thankful
Things haven’t been going well for Cam McMorrow since he moved to Inverbechie. His business is failing, his cottage is falling apart and following his very public argument with café owner Rob Armstrong, he’s become a social outcast. Cam needs to get away from his troubles and when his sister buys him a ticket to the biggest Hogmanay party in Glasgow, he can’t leave Inverbechie quick enough. But when events conspire to strand him in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm, not only is he liable to miss the party, he’ll also have to ask his nemesis, Rob, for help. Read More »
Summoner’s Dance (Elements of Dragonis #3) by Hannah Walker
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Summoner’s Dance
SERIES: Elements of Dragonis #3
AUTHOR: Hannah Walker
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2017
BLURB:
As the future of Dragonis balances on a knife’s edge, heroes of all kinds step forward, working together to fulfil the dragons’ lifelong dream.
Kitt, who has been overlooked all his life, suddenly finds himself the center of attention, which is a place he has no desire to be. Scared and unsure, he has no idea what he’s about to face and looks to cling to something… anything to help him come to terms with his new role as the Summoner. What surprises him most is finding a kindred spirit in one of the most powerful men who exists. Someone who truly sees him, understands him, and can help him.
Surrounded by love and a new sense of family and kinship, he becomes who he was always meant to be.
Sasha can’t believe he has found someone who can look past everything he is— his power, his age, his status— and see the real him, the part that he’s hidden from everyone for so long. Being one of the Powers That Be has kept him apart from the world, becoming isolated from both man and his fellow Powers as he straddles the two parts of his life.
With the coming together of heroes and the formation of rare bonds, Dragonis is getting closer than ever. Prophecies abound and the fear of what they predict lies like a heavy cloak on the kingdom. As more dragons seek out our heroes, they realize fate, the universe, and some mystical power must be guiding them.
As the past blends with the present to shape the future, failure isn’t an option.
Dragonis must rise if the dragons are to have a home.
The Summoner holds the key to everything, but does he have the strength to succeed and still hold on to the man that he loves? Read More »
Better Than Suicide (The Yakuza Path #2) by Amy Tasukada
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Better Than Suicide
SERIES: The Yakuza Path #2
AUTHOR: Amy Tasukada
PUBLISHER: Macarons and Tea Publishing
LENGTH: 376 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2017
BLURB:
cop. A mob on the verge of self-destruction…
Nao Murata is the new godfather of the Matsukawa syndicate. When Detective Yamada confronts Nao over a dead drug dealer, Nao knows his organization isn’t responsible. The Matsukawa doesn’t deal drugs… or does it?
When Nao discovers drugs in a locker owned by his syndicate, he no longer knows who to trust. With the police bearing down on the Matsukawa, Nao must make unlikely allies to find out the truth. Can he discover who is betraying him before time runs out, or will everyone suffer for a crime he didn’t commit? Read More »
Desperately Seeking Santa by Eli Easton
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Desperately Seeking Santa
AUTHOR: Eli Easton
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 50000 words
RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2017
BLURB:
Journalism student Gabe Martin gets his first professional assignment—to write about a Christmas charity dinner that benefits a children’s home. It sounds like a total snooze-fest until Gabe learns that the event’s Santa is a mystery man. He shows up in costume and no one has a clue who he is. Uncovering Santa’s identity sounds like the perfect angle to turn a fluff piece into serious journalism.
Mack “The Mountain” McDonall, at 6’10”, is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s enormous star wrestler. When Gabe first claps eyes on him at a wrestling match, it’s lust at first sight. Gabe’s friend, Jordan, sets up the pair on a date. But when Gabe chatters on about his plans for outing Santa, Mack goes cold, and their first meeting becomes an epic fail.
As Gabe researches the children’s home, he learns that Mack has secrets a guy famous for being a brute wouldn’t want the world to know. Can Gabe find his holiday spirit, write a killer article, win the heart of a surly giant, and give everyone a very merry Christmas? Read More »
The Unsuitable Heir (Sins of the Cities #3) by K.J. Charles
Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: The Unsuitable Heir
SERIES: Sins of the Cities #3
AUTHOR: K.J. Charles
PUBLISHER: Loveswept
LENGTH: 246 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2017
BLURB:
A private detective finds passion, danger, and the love of a lifetime when he hunts down a lost earl in Victorian London.
On the trail of an aristocrat’s secret son, enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz finds his quarry in a music hall, performing as a trapeze artist with his twin sister. Graceful, beautiful, elusive, and strong, Pen Starling is like nobody Mark’s ever met—and everything he’s ever wanted. But the long-haired acrobat has an earldom and a fortune to claim.
Pen doesn’t want to live as any sort of man, least of all a nobleman. The thought of being wealthy, titled, and always in the public eye is horrifying. He likes his life now—his days on the trapeze, his nights with Mark. And he won’t be pushed into taking a title that would destroy his soul.
But there’s a killer stalking London’s foggy streets, and more lives than just Pen’s are at risk. Mark decides he must force the reluctant heir from music hall to manor house, to save Pen’s neck. Betrayed by the one man he thought he could trust, Pen never wants to see his lover again. But when the killer comes after him, Pen must find a way to forgive—or he might not live long enough for Mark to make amends. Read More »
Walking on Water by Matthew J. Metzger
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: Walking on Water
AUTHOR: Matthew J. Metzger
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 341 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2017
BLURB:
When a cloud falls to earth, Calla sets out to find what lies beyond the sky. Father says there’s nothing, but Calla knows better. Something killed that cloud; someone brought it down.
Raised on legends of fabled skymen, Calla never expected them to be real, much less save one from drowning—and lose her heart to him. Who are the men who walk on water? And how can such strange creatures be so beautiful?
Infatuated and intrigued, Calla rises out of her world in pursuit of a skyman who doesn’t even speak her language. Above the waves lies more than princes and politics. Above the sky awaits the discovery of who Calla was always meant to be. But what if it also means never going home again? Read More »
Merry Gentlemen by Josephine Myles
Reviewed by Cinnamon
![Merry Gentlemen by [Myles, Josephine]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51wnZBq6QrL._SY346_.jpg)
TITLE: Merry Gentlemen
AUTHOR: Josephine Myles
PUBLISHER: Self published
LENGTH: 157 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2017
BLURB:
’Tis the season of goodwill to all men…even the one who dumped you.
Riley MacDermott’s ambitions are simple. Managing the annual Bath Christmas Market—which involves long hours in the cold and a whole lot of hassle—will secure the promotion he needs to afford to move out of his noisy, top-floor flat. Where not even his balcony is safe from an aggressive herring gull.
The last stallholder he expects to see is his ex. Riley never recovered from their break up, and five years on the old chemistry still sparkles. So does their habitual head butting.
Stan never wanted to leave the love of his life, but the pull of the woods was too strong—and Riley was firmly planted in the city. Reconnecting is painful, but Stan still jumps at the chance to stay with his old flame during the Market. And damn the consequences.
As the weeks pass, the two grow closer than ever. But despite scorching sex and cozy intimacy, they both know they face a cold and lonely future. Unless one of them can compromise. Read More »
Exchange by Bailey Bradford
Reviewed by Louisa
TITLE: Exchange
SERIES: Power #1
AUTHOR: Bailey Bradford
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 37 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 21st 2017
BLURB:
What’s a sub to do when the Dom he wants looks dejected? Hank’s about to find out when he works up the nerve to approach Master Thomas.
Hank has watched and wanted Master Thomas for a long time. When Master Thomas’ sub leaves him looking dejected, Hank wants to take a chance. Fear holds him back until his friend prompts him to take action and be more forward than he’s ever been before.
Thomas isn’t broken-hearted, but his pride sure took a hit. He’s sitting in the club, doubting himself, as his ex-sub is acting more like a Dom than not.
Then a sub wearing white leather approaches Thomas with some goading from a friend. Thomas has noticed Hank before, but the timing was never right for them to connect—until now.
With one daring move by a sub who knows Doms are only human, the future suddenly looks brighter than Thomas had hoped it could be. Read More »