Book of the Month Poll June 2018
IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN!
Welcome to our Book of the Month Poll for June 2018!
Here are your voter chosen top two from each week in no particular order. Please vote for your favorites and you can vote for as many as you want, but as with our Book of the Week Poll you only get one visit, so make it count!
Remember, the top two go through to the Book of the Year Poll!
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.
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.
Frankie – Unforgettable (Man Up #3) by Felice Stevens
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Frankie – Unforgettable
SERIES: Man Up #3
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
PUBLISHER: self-published
RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2018
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Frankie
No one understands why I love him.
Why I need him.
Why I took him back.
But they don’t have to.
I know.
Despite the hurt and the heartache, I see beneath his skin.
And I’m different now.
No more Flirty Frankie. I’m done with being King of the club.
My dreams have changed, and so have I.
I’m stronger.
I believe in myself.
And I’m a hell of a lot smarter than a year ago.
Now it’s his turn to show me the man he really is.
To prove it.
I’ve always loved him.
But that’s not enough.
I need to learn to trust him.
Aaron
No more excuses.
No more chances.
I make this right or lose him for good.
I have to do this.
No one has ever believed in me but him.
No one has ever wanted me but him.
I can’t let him down.
I won’t.
I can’t let myself down.
I’m trying, but it’s so damn hard.
No matter what they throw at me, I’m stronger.
And I’m going to make it.
I’m on my way.
With Frankie by my side.
I can see the future.
I have a future.
Us. Together.
Forever.
BFF by K.C. Wells
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: BFF
AUTHOR: K.C. Wells
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2018
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I’m about to do something huge, and it could change… everything.
I met Matt in second grade, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We went to the same schools, studied at the same college. When we both got jobs in the same town, we shared an apartment. And when my life took an unexpected turn, Matt was there for me. Every milestone in my life, he was there to share it. And what’s really amazing? After all these years, we’re still the best of friends.
Which brings me to this fragile, heart-stopping moment: I want to tell him I love him, really love him, but I’m scared to death of what he’ll say. If I’ve got this all wrong, I’ll lose him—forever.
The Alcove (Lavender Shores #7) by Rosalind Abel
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: The Alcove
SERIES: Lavender Shores #7
AUTHOR: Rosalind Abel
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 303 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2018
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Jasper Getty is living his dream as the owner of the charming bookshop, Lavender Pages. For seven years, he’s enjoyed the safety and freedom to be himself, selling books by day and curling up and getting lost in novels by night. But a dark page from the past comes back to haunt Jasper as his ex begins stalking him. Russell Wallace hit reset on his life in Nashville and became a bodyguard after decades of living according to family expectations. But even years later, he doesn’t believe he deserves happiness. When Russell is asked to travel to the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Shores to protect a friend’s brother, he expects nothing more than a job and a paycheck. But Lavender Shores reveals a world Russell never imagined, and his immediate attraction to the adorably geeky Jasper complicates an already difficult job. Jolted by the memory of a shared moment and paths that crossed years ago intensifies the sparks into a bonfire of passion and hope. When danger comes pounding at the door, Jasper is in danger of losing his life… and his heart.
(Contains Lavender Shores maps and family trees.)
Catch Me (Kitchen Gods #2) by Beth Bolden
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Catch Me
SERIES: Kitchen Gods #2
AUTHOR: Beth Bolden
PUBLISHER: self-published
RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2018
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Chef Wyatt Blake is finally ready to move on from his thankless job. He gets no wiggle room, zero praise, plenty of abuse, and on a good day, he might only spend twelve hours in the Terroir kitchens. A friend of his recommends a private chef position, but despite the boost in pay, Wyatt doesn’t want to babysit some spoiled, rich LA family.
Imagine his shock when the family isn’t a Kardashian clone, but Ryan Flores, the only professional baseball player to ever come out of the closet.
Ryan is also at a career crossroads. His team’s management wants to see his more responsible side, which means no more late night hookups and no more adrenaline-charged stunts. When his agent suggests he find a fake boyfriend to give him an air of domesticity, he’s only reluctantly interested.
Until Ryan goes to a local bar and spies the cute private chef he’s supposed to be interviewing the next day. Maybe a quieter life wouldn’t be so bad, as long as Wyatt is part of it?
Wyatt believes Ryan could be more than just a crappy boss, but he isn’t sure about leaving the kitchen for the life of a professional boyfriend. Especially when he wants the reality so much more than the fantasy.
Catch Me is a 85,000 contemporary m/m romance, and while second in the Kitchen Gods series, can be read as a standalone.
This Time Around (Road to Blissville #4) by Aimee Nicole Walker
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: This Time Around
SERIES: Road to Blissville #4
AUTHOR: Aimee Nicole Walker
PUBLISHER: Chasing Rainbows Press
LENGTH: 218 Pages
RELEASEDATE: May 3, 2018
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At the café Milo Miracle co-owns with his twin sister, coffee and pastries are served up along with his unique blend of sass and snark. Milo knows that small-town life often means that every day is the same as the one before, and excitement can only be found in the gossip that travels faster than the speed of light. When the dark-haired Adonis who broke his heart returns home after a twelve-year absence, Milo unhappily finds himself at the center of Blissville’s favorite pastime.
Andy Mason was practically a kid when he left home to pursue big-league ambitions, but the man who returns to Blissville is humbled by shattered dreams and secrets he’s not ready to share with Milo. Andy’s no stranger to grit and determination, and he’ll need both to win back Milo’s cynical heart.
Strong wills clash with stubborn hearts, triggering combustible passion once Andy starts renovations at the café. Milo would like to keep Andy’s hands busy doing something other than construction. Andy would like to suggest what Milo can do with his wicked tongue besides trade barbs with him. Neither man is willing to budge until they get a little shove from an outside force. Will Andy and Milo learn that trust is a two-way street, or will this time around end as disastrous as the first?
This time around is a witty, sexy, and endearing love story about two men who learn how to balance push and pull, both in and out of the bedroom. It is the fourth book in the Road to Blissville series but can be read as a standalone book. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adults eighteen and over.
The Wulf Chronicles (WulfChron Book 1) by Wulf Francu Godgluck
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: The Wulf Chronicles
SERIES: WulfChron Book 1
AUTHOR: Wulf Francu Godgluck
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 273 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2018
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What if werewolves were real?
What if one of them was different?
What if you were a defective werewolf?
This is not the story of how one night I got bitten and my life changed. Nor is it the story of how I went on a savage killing spree that left me tormented with guilt and dread the next morning.
No.
This is the story of a boy, a boy who’s spent his life running from the shadows of monsters. A boy who never understood why the world hated him with so much odium. Why his mother would throw away her only life to protect his. Why he was never allowed to have friends. Why he never had the childhood every child should. Why he was never allowed to cherish happiness.
This is the story of a boy becoming himself, embracing his vulnerability and learning to accept and love.
This is a story about a werewolf, trying to find the answers to why he was born defective.
And maybe that’s the very reason I become the main course on the menu.
Galaxies and Oceans by N.R. Walker
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Galaxies and Oceans 
AUTHOR: N.R. Walker
PUBLISHER: Self Published
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2018
LENGTH: 313 Pages
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Seizing his one chance to escape, Ethan Hosking leaves his violent ex-boyfriend, leaves his entire life, and walks into the path of a raging bushfire. Desperate to start over, a new man named Aubrey Hobbs walks out of the fire-ravaged forest, alive and alone. With no ID and no money, nothing but his grandfather’s telescope, he goes where the Southern Cross leads him.
Patrick Carney is the resident lighthouse keeper in Hadley Cove, a small town on the remote Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. After the tragic death of his lover four years ago, he lives a solitary life; just him, a tabby cat, the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a whole lot of loneliness. He’s content with his life until a stranger shows up in town and turns Patrick’s head.
Patrick never expected to be interested in anyone else.
Aubrey never expected to be happy.
Between Aubrey’s love of the stars and Patrick’s love of the ocean, these two fragile hearts must navigate new waters. If they can weather the storm of their pasts, they could very well have a love that eclipses everything.
Day of Wrath (Taking Shield Book 5) by Anna Butler
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Day of Wrath
SERIES: Taking Shield Book 5
AUTHOR: Anna Butler
PUBLISHER: Glass Hat Press
LENGTH: 370 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2018
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In less than a week, Bennet will finally return to the Shield Regiment, leaving behind the Gyrfalcon, his father, his friends… and Flynn. Promotion to Shield Major and being given command of a battle group despite the political fallout from Makepeace the year before is everything he thought he wanted. Everything he’s worked towards for the last three years. Except for leaving Flynn. He really doesn’t want to leave Flynn.
There’s time for one last flight together. A routine mission. Nothing too taxing, just savouring every moment with the best wingman, the best friend, he’s ever had. That’s the plan.
Bennet should know better than to trust to routine because what waits for them out there will change their lives forever.
Hudson’s Luck (Forever Wilde #4) by Lucy Lennox
Reviewed by Kimberley
TITLE: Hudson’s Luck
SERIES: Forever Wilde # 4
AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox
PUBLISHER: Self Publishing
LENGTH: 349 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 24 , 2018
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Hudson:
Don’t ever accidentally propose to your girlfriend. In front of her family. Especially if her dad is your boss. Because when you make it clear you’ve made a mistake, he’s likely to send you out of the country to get you as far away from his broken-hearted daughter as possible. It happened to me. Now I’m stuck in Ireland trying to redeem myself so I can get promoted and have the life I’ve planned for: successful career, loving wife and kids, a comfortable, financially-secure home life in Texas.
But all of that seems to evaporate the moment I walk into the historic pub and see the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Only, he’s not a woman.
Charlie Murray is most definitely a man—the kind of man who causes me to take a second look for the first time in my life. And a third look, and fourth. I can’t help but want to get to know him better… to get close to him, touch him, maybe even kiss him. But I’m straight. Or so I’ve always thought. Even if I’m not, how in the world could a feisty Irishman ever fit into the safe, predictable life I’ve always planned for?
Charlie:
Don’t ever accidentally fall for the straight guy. Especially when he’s trying to pry your family’s business right out from under you. I should know. Because when Hudson Wilde walks into my family’s pub and begins babbling so adorably, I can’t help but fall just a little bit in love. But I’m looking for Forever Man, and the sexy American is certainly not him. He’s so confused about what he wants, even choosing something from the dinner menu throws him into a fuddle. But those eyes… how can I resist?
So maybe I’ll give in. One steamy night before he heads home and I go back to life at the pub. We’ll never see each other again.
Until, of course, his business deal sends me to Hobie, Texas, right into the middle of Hudson’s steady life, more gay Wildes than can fit on a dance floor, and an ex-girlfriend who may or may not be content remaining an ex. But the more time I spend with Hudson, the more I think he might be my Forever Man after all. And I may be his. Is it possible we could both be so lucky?
Play it by Ear (Replay #2) by K.M. Neuhold
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Play it by Ear
SERIES: Replay #2
AUTHOR: K.M. Neuhold
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 290 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 2, 2018
BLURB:
Lando
My muse is gone and I haven’t written a word of music in over a year. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is Dawson. Nine years ago, just before Downward Spiral’s first major tour, I met my soulmate and then I walked away. Now that I’ve finally tracked him down again, things have changed. I’ll have to make him fall for me all over again. But is it possible I put our single weekend together on a pedestal or could Dawson really be The One?
Dawson
A traumatic brain injury nine years ago left me deaf and with spotty memory of the first twenty years of my life. When one of the biggest rock stars in the world shows up and seems to know me, I’m not sure what to believe. Is it possible he’s telling the truth when he says he’s been in love with me for nine years, even if I can’t remember ever meeting him?
***Play it by Ear is the second book in the Replay series, featuring a deaf main character, a rock star who’s lost his music, and a HEA. Each book in the series will focus on a different band member getting a second chance at love. Each book can be read as a stand-alone.