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…
The Rest of Forever (The Firsts and Forever Series – Book 16) by Alexa Land
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: The Rest of Forever
SERIES: The Firsts and Forever Series
AUTHOR: Alexa Land
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 308 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 25, 2018
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Does love stand a chance between two very different long-time friends?
Mike Dombruso’s life is anything but glamorous. He’s a shy, nerdy accountant and a widower with three young sons, whose world revolves around his kids.
In many ways, Yoshiro Miyazaki is Mike’s polar opposite. He’s a confident, sophisticated tattoo artist who seems to have it all, from his successful business to his stylish loft apartment and rock star boyfriend.
Their unlikely friendship has spanned more than a decade, and Mike is surprised when he realizes he’s fallen for the best friend he’s ever had. After Yoshi breaks up with his boyfriend, Mike sees a window of opportunity. But he has some decisions to make.
Should he risk their friendship for a shot at something more, and is he really ready to explore his bisexuality for the first time? Most of all, can the young widower let go of the past and take a chance on love again?
And even if Mike decides to give it a try, will Yoshi really be willing to trade life in the fast lane for kids and carpools?
This friends-to-lovers and opposites attract MM romance is part of Alexa Land’s bestselling Firsts and Forever Series, but each book is written to stand alone, so jump in anywhere. Please note: it contains adult content and is intended for mature readers.
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Alpha’s Submission (Irresistible Omegas #2) by Nora Phoenix
Reviewed by Becca and Kat
TITLE: Alpha’s Submission
SERIES: Irresistible Omegas #2
AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix
PUBLISHER: self-published
RELEASE DATE: May 26, 2018
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Four men, brought together by fate, connected in more powerful ways than they’d ever imagined.
Lidon, Vieno, Palani, and Enar are finding their way in their complicated relationship. For Vieno, it’s easy. He thrives in the care of his men, taking his place as their omega and focusing on rebuilding the ranch.
For Enar, it’s a lot harder to find his role…and himself. His struggles to accept himself and his place in the relationship create tension between him and his mates.
Palani keeps digging into the Melloni gene and the fraud case Lidon alerted him to. His investigation reveals a conspiracy that is bigger than any of them expected, and it endangers them all.
Lidon discovers powers he never knew he possessed. When his mates and his home are threatened, he steps into a legendary identity. With the help of new friends that become family, Lidon vows to protect what’s his.
Alpha’s Submission is an MMMM mpreg romance and the second book in the Irresistible Omegas series. It is not a stand-alone but continues the story from the first book. It ends with a HEA for our four men, but the suspense storyline will continue in the next books.
My Fair Captain (Sci-Regency #1) by J.L. Langley
Reviewed by Tori (Vicki)
TITLE: My Fair Captain 
SERIES: Sci-Regency #1
AUTHOR: J.L. Langley
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 244 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 29th, 2018
BLURB:
When Intergalactic Navy Captain Nathaniel Hawkins goes undercover to investigate the theft of an IN weapons stash, the mission raises painful memories from his past. Using a title he fled nearly two decades earlier, Nate once again becomes the Earl of Deverell, heir to the Duke of Hawthorne, in order to navigate the ins and outs of a Regency world. But planet Regelence—where young lords are supposed to remain pure until marriage—has a few surprises for Nate, not least of which is his attraction to Prince Aiden.
A talented artist, Prince Aiden Townsend isn’t interested in politics and the machinations of society gentlemen, and he adamantly rejects the idea of marriage and a consort. Aiden wants the freedom to pursue his art and determine his own future. But the arrival of the dashing and mysterious Deverell awakens feelings of passion and longing the young prince can’t deny.
As Nate uncovers a conspiracy reaching far beyond the stolen weapons, his future is irrevocably altered by the temptations of a life he never thought he could have. Drawn into the web of intrigue, Aiden is in danger of losing his life… and his heart.
First Edition published by Samhain Publishing Ltd., June 2007
In the Requiem (Metahuman Files #5) by Hailey Turner
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: In the Requiem
SERIES: Metahuman Files #5
AUTHOR: Hailey Turner
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 432 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 22nd, 2018
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Never let go.
Weighed down by scandal, Captain Jamie Callahan must choose between saving his family’s reputation and his father’s political aspirations, or taking down the enemy once and for all. Choosing one over the other will have lasting repercussions he can’t escape. Whatever path Jamie ultimately picks, Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan will be right by his side to face the consequences. Kyle knows in a situation like this the only way out is through. Together they can make it to the other side, but surviving that journey will take everything they have.
One last chance.
Agent Sean Delaney is learning what it means to be part of Alpha Team through trial by fire. He wouldn’t change it for the world, nor would he give up the life he’s building with Staff Sergeant Alexei Dvorkin. But their time together is threatened by outside forces they can’t outrun. Having put the nightmare of Boston behind him, Alexei is focused on keeping his family safe, but he can’t have eyes on everyone. Alexei knows he can’t ignore the danger on the horizon, and when it strikes, he is unprepared for the tragedy it leaves in its wake.
Risking it all.
The odds are stacked ever higher against Alpha Team, and outmaneuvering a precog is a daunting, almost impossible task. Jamie knows something has to give, and when it does, it just might break him the way nothing else in his life ever could.
The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: The Henchmen of Zenda
AUTHOR: K.J. Charles
PUBLISHER: KJC Books
LENGTH: 196 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2018
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Jasper Detchard is a disgraced British officer, now selling his blade to the highest bidder. Currently that’s Michael Elphberg, half-brother to the King of Ruritania. Michael wants the throne for himself, and Jasper is one of the scoundrels he hires to help him take it. But when Michael makes his move, things don’t go entirely to plan—and the penalty for treason is death.
Rupert of Hentzau is Michael’s newest addition to his sinister band of henchmen. Charming, lethal, and intolerably handsome, Rupert is out for his own ends—which seem to include getting Jasper into bed. But Jasper needs to work out what Rupert’s really up to amid a maelstrom of plots, swordfights, scheming, impersonation, desire, betrayal, and murder.
Nobody can be trusted. Everyone has a secret. And love is the worst mistake you can make.
A retelling of the swashbuckling classic The Prisoner of Zenda from a very different point of view.
Purgatory (Bound Gods #7) by Adrienne Wilder
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Purgatory
SERIES: Bound Gods #7
AUTHOR: Adrienne Wilder
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 167 Pages
RELEASE DATE:
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Purgatory is where gods go to die, imprisoned for their violent crimes, sentenced to never see the light of day again. Trapped within the stone catacombs are impossible, dangerous, barely human gods.
Gods of legend.
And with the potent ambrosia Aaron produces, those gods might soon walk free. If they do, blood will rain and hell will be unleashed.
Falling Together by Shae Connor
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Falling Together
AUTHOR: Shae Connor
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 53 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2017
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Mitch Jackson took a temporary job wrapping gifts at a Manhattan department store so he’d have some extra cash during the holiday season. He didn’t expect to get a bonus in the form of Austin Payne. Austin starts out as just another customer, though a particularly good-looking one, until he asks Mitch to dinner. Their whirlwind romance, touched by the magic of New York in December, soon grows from what could have been only a fling into something more—something like falling in love.
A Tested Love (Spartan Love #2, Apollo’s Men #3) by Kayla Jameth
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Tested Love
SERIES: Spartan Love #2, Apollo’s Men #3
AUTHOR: Kayla Jameth
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 350 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2016
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Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.
All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold but honorable duty will be his new lover.
Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron’s loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.