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…
Aftermath (Sin City #11) by Tricia Owens
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Aftermath
SERIES: Sin City
AUTHOR: Tricia Owens
PUBLISHER: Tricia Owens
LENGTH: 204 Pages
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2018
BLURB:
Maxmillian Poole now runs The Elite Poole Worldwide. Thanks to a lucrative partnership with the billionaire venture capitalist, Axelrod Randolph, Max and his husband Ethan are prepared to expand the company across the globe. But with this bigger business impact comes more personal exposure, and Max and Ethan are unprepared to be thrust beneath the public eye. Painted as the faces of the company, Max and Ethan begin to experience the strain of unwanted celebrity, and Max isn’t happy about it.
When Ethan’s ex-lover, Merrick Felix, comes to town and requests Ethan’s services as a bodyguard, Max is wary of his motives. He can tell that Felix still has feelings for Ethan. But Ethan sticks up for his old flame and demands that Max trust his judgment. With their relationship already under strain, Max reluctantly agrees in hopes of avoiding more turmoil. But it turns out to be a devastating mistake. Unbeknownst to them, outside influences seek to tear them apart and will stoop to terrible lows to achieve it.
The Second Time Around by Rowan McAllister
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: The Second Time Around
AUTHOR: Rowan McAllister
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2018
BLURB:
Though born into wealth and privilege, Jordan Thorndike can’t keep pretending. He’s never going to become the lawyer his parents hope for… or provide the daughter-in-law and two-point-four grandkids they expect. Faced with an ultimatum—carry on living the lie or get out—Jordan leaves with only what he can pack in his BMW.
Homeless, jobless, directionless, Jordan heads to one of his mother’s pet charities: Better the Second Time Around Rescue ranch. With his family name and charm, he has the staff eating out of his hand in no time—except for one man.
Russ has never been handed anything, and he resents the spoiled rich brat using the ranch to live out a fantasy. Though Jordan is determined to prove himself to Russ through hard work, family and old wounds complicate matters. Will Jordan realize that what he sees as an escape is real life for most people? And can Russ accept that Jordan can grow—and that he wants him?
Shaker of Earth (SPECTR Series 2, #5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: Shaker of Earth
SERIES: SPECTR Series 2, #5
AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 117 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2018
BLURB:
Charleston is reeling beneath the onslaught of demons unleashed by the vampire spirit Drugoy and his human host Yuri. Alone and drained almost to the point of death, Gray and Caleb must make their way across a city gone mad in hopes of putting an end to Yuri and Dru. But the other drakul isn’t the only enemy they have to worry about.
After the death of a rogue agent at Gray’s teeth, John’s faith in his lovers has been badly shaken. But when SPECTR Chief Barillo orders the vampire destroyed by any means possible, John and his allies find themselves in a race to find Gray and Caleb before their fellow SPECTR agents.
Because their only hope of stopping Yuri and Dru is by working together. And if they fail to unite, the streets of Charleston will run red with blood.
Circle of Trust (Genesis Circle #2) by Nicholas Bella & Aimee Nicole Walker
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Circle of Trust
SERIES: Genesis Circle #2
AUTHORS: Nicholas Bella & Aimee Nicole Walker
PUBLISHER: Chasing Rainbows Press LLC
LENGTH: 261 Pages
RELEASE DATE: August 7, 2018
BLURB:
Lorcán Kennedy is a take-no-prisoner vampire whose grit is tested when slain vampires start showing up in his sector. His investigation reveals a blessed weapon was used in the slayings, which leads him to a rogue hunter with a grudge against vampires.
Christian Wolfe is a no-nonsense hunter who believes the only good vampire is a dead one, but his code of honor keeps his hatred in check. When his integrity is questioned, he will do anything to defend it, including work with his enemy.
Vampire and hunter unite to solve the case, although for very different reasons. Lorcán wants to prove he is worthy of his Regent title once and for all. Christian wants to uncover who is framing him for the vampire deaths. It sounds easy enough, but neither are prepared for the desire that arcs between them when their eyes meet for the first time. When longing glances give way to passionate kisses and scorching touches, these powerful beings will learn that their bond goes beyond mere attraction. It is fate.
Life at the Death House by Sean E. D. Kerr
Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Life at the Death House
AUTHOR: Sean Kerr
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 410 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 20, 2018
BLURB:
The locals call it the Death House, but Carol and Marco designed the New Life House as a home for kids to live, safely removed from the stigmas and judgments of the outside world. Seventeen-year-old Tyler arrives on the doorstep, hoping that he’s finally found a safe place to die. His arrival causes the other kids to question the futures they’ve been promised, and Carol and Marco must convince them there is life after diagnosis. Even through struggles with addictions and questions of sexuality, the residents could come to believe in the possibility of living.
Circle of Darkness (Genesis Circle #1) by Nicholas Bella & Aimee Nicole Walker
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Circle of Darkness
SERIES: Genesis Circle #1
AUTHORS: Nicholas Bella & Aimee Nicole Walker
PUBLISHER: Chasing Rainbows Press LLC
LENGTH: 291 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2017
BLURB:
There isn’t a monster D’Angelo Kumar can’t destroy or a crisis he can’t manage until he meets Angel Bai. The insane attraction he feels toward the sexy waiter is unwelcome because D’Angelo doesn’t have room in his life for relationships. A solitary path is the only option for a man like him, but fighting his growing feelings for Angel may be the first battle he can’t win.
Angel’s abilities extend beyond memorizing the menu at D’Angelo’s favorite Italian restaurant, but he knows better than to trust anyone with his secret. When a vision reveals that D’Angelo’s life is in danger, he will risk everything to save him. The only thing scarier than monsters and demons to Angel is never knowing D’Angelo’s touch.
To say the demon hunter is reluctant to form a partnership with the psychic is putting it mildly, but D’Angelo needs every advantage he can get when the world’s very existence is threatened. As darkness looms nearer, D’Angelo and Angel’s unexplainable connection grows stronger. For a chance at happiness, the two men will need to call upon unlikely allies for an epic showdown between good and evil.
Darcy (Boyfriend For Hire #1) by RJ Scott & Meredith Russell
Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Darcy 
SERIES: Boyfriend For Hire #1
AUTHOR: RJ Scott & Meredith Russell
PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books
LENGTH: 139 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2018
BLURB:
Darcy’s newest assignment is to play the role of boyfriend to a wealthy socialite, but never expected the intense attraction to his date’s brother. Falling for Adrian is dangerous and certainly not part of the plan.
Adrian has been as unlucky in love as his sister, but he doesn’t approve of hiring a boyfriend, whatever the reason. Until he meets Darcy. Then he comes to realize that love can happen in the most unexpected of ways.
One week. That is all the two men needed to fall in lust, but will they have a lifetime to fall in love?
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Ferry of Bones & Gold
SERIES: Soulbound #1
AUTHOR: Hailey Turner
PUBLISHER: self-published
RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2018
BLURB:
When the gods come calling, you don’t get to say no.
Patrick Collins is three years into a career as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency when the gods come calling to collect a soul debt he owes them. An immortal has gone missing in New York City and bodies are showing up in the wake of demon-led ritual killings that Patrick recognizes all too easily from his nightmares.
Unable to walk away, Patrick finds himself once again facing off against mercenary magic users belonging to the Dominion Sect. Standing his ground alone has never been a winning option in Patrick’s experience, but it’s been years since he’s had a partner he could trust.
Looking for allies in all the wrong places, Patrick discovers the Dominion Sect’s next target is the same werewolf the Fates themselves have thrown into his path. Patrick has been inexplicably attracted to the man from their first meeting, but desire has no place in war. That doesn’t stop Patrick from wanting what he shouldn’t have. Jonothon de Vere is gorgeous, dangerous, and nothing but trouble—to the case, to the fight against every hell, and ultimately, to Patrick’s heart and soul.
In the end, all debts must be paid, and Patrick can only do what he does best—cheat death.
The Mystery of the Moving Image (Snow & Winter #3) by C.S. Poe
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: The Mystery of the Moving Image
SERIES: Snow & Winter #3
AUTHOR: C.S. Poe
PUBLISHER: DSP Publications
LENGTH: 214 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2018
BLURB:
It’s summer in New York City, and antique shop owner Sebastian Snow is taking the next big step in his relationship with NYPD homicide detective, Calvin Winter: they’re moving in together. What should have been a wonderful week of playing house and celebrating Calvin’s birthday comes to an abrupt end when a mysterious package arrives at the Emporium.
Inside is a Thomas Edison Kinetoscope, a movie viewer from the nineteenth century, invented by the grandfather of modern cinema, W. K. L. Dickson. And along with it, footage of a murder that took place over a hundred years ago.
Sebastian resists the urge to start sleuthing, even if the culprit is long dead and there’s no apparent danger. But break-ins at the Emporium, a robbery, and dead bodies aren’t as easy to ignore, and Sebastian soon realizes that the century-old murder will lead him to a modern-day killer.
However, even with Sebastian’s vast knowledge of Victorian America and his unrelenting perseverance in the face of danger, this may be the one mystery he won’t survive.