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…
PLEASE NOTE: IF ANYONE IS FOUND TO BE RIGGING THE POLLS BY UNFAIR VOTING/VOTING MORE THAN ONCE – THEIR BOOK WILL BE EXCLUDED!!
How to Be a Movie Star (How to Be #2) by T.J. Klune
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: How to Be a Movie Star 
SERIES: How to Be #2
AUTHOR: T.J. Klune
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 350 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2019
BLURB:
Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he’s on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break. And that break may come in the form of a novelist who goes by the enigmatic name of Q-Bert.
Q-Bert, who is ready to make his directorial debut in a film Josy would be perfect for. Q-Bert, who Josy may or may not have a friend-crush on, and potentially something more. Being demisexual can be confusing.
From the City of Angels to the small mountain town of Abby, Oregon, Josy will give his all to make sure his dreams come true—even the ones he never thought possible.
Familiar Demon (Familiar Love #2) by Amy Lane
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Familiar Demon
SERIES: Familiar Love #2
AUTHOR: Amy Lane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 250 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 12, 2019
BLURB:
For over a century, Edward Youngblood has been the logical one in a family of temperamental magical beings. But reason has not made him immune to passion, and Edward’s passion for Mullins, the family’s demon instructor, has only grown.
Mullins was lured into hell through desperation—and a fatal mistake. He’s done his best to hang onto his soul in the twisted realm of the underworld, and serving the Youngblood family when summoned has been his only joy. Edward concocts a plan to spring Mullins by collecting a series of items to perform an ancient ritual—an idea that terrifies Mullins. He can’t bear the thought of losing Edward and his brothers to a dangerous quest.
But every item in their collection is an adventure in brotherhood and magic, and as Mullins watches from the sidelines, he becomes more and more hopeful that they will succeed. When the time comes for Mullins to join the mission, can he find enough faith and hope to redeem himself and allow himself happiness in the arms of a man who would literally go to hell and back—and beyond—to have Mullins by his side?
More Than Ever (More #3) by Sloan Parker
Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: More Than Ever
SERIES: More #3
AUTHOR: Sloan Parker
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 323 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2019
BLURB:
Matthew, Luke, and Richard return in this third installment of the MORE series.
These three men have weathered a lot, and their love for one another is as strong as ever. Yet Matthew Stewart, the youngest of the threesome, can’t help but feel like he’s made one too many mistakes lately, both with his men and his future. His perfect life is starting to crumble around him. Haunted by a past he’s never truly faced and struggling to find his place in the world, he sets his sights on a new dream job at a wildlife rehabilitation center. With more than just a great job on the line, he refuses to turn his back on someone in need. A favor morphs into danger as Matthew, Luke, and Richard face a week alone in the wilderness, looking for evidence of either an accident or a crime. With no hiking experience and armed strangers trying to hunt them down, these three men will learn to lean on each other more than ever. And in the process, they just might heal more than one old wound.
Rebound by Andrew Grey
Reviewed by Tammy
TITLE: Rebound
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 194 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2019
BLURB:
Professional basketball player Bri Early needs a physical therapist after an injury, and he’s heard that Obie is the best. Bri takes an immediate liking to the out-and-proud man with the magic touch, and even though Bri isn’t openly gay himself, he’d never let anything stand in the way of something he wants.
Obie can’t deny that the sexy athlete presses all his buttons, but he’s a professional and has no intention of getting involved with a client. While they’re working together, it’s hands off, no matter how great the temptation.
But being a pro athlete isn’t easy. Bri has enemies, and one of them is making his life hell. When his house is set ablaze, Bri can no longer pretend the threatening messages he’s receiving are jokes. He needs a safe place to stay, and Obie can’t turn his back. But the two of them in the same house is a recipe for combustion that could burn them both….
Noble Hops (Trouble Brewing #3) by Layla Reyne
Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Noble Hops
SERIES: Trouble Brewing #3
AUTHOR: Layla Rayne
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
LENGTH: 320 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2019
BLURB:
So much for the quiet life. Just as assistant US attorney and brewery owner Dominic Price is settling into a comfy new chapter with his partner, FBI agent Cameron Byrne, the sudden death of Nic’s father puts their happily-ever-after in jeopardy. Nic immediately suspects foul play, his prime suspect a notorious gangster his father was indebted to—only now the loan shark is out for blood. Cam has been longing for Nic to finally let him in on this very personal case. But when Nic’s belief that he’s the sole Price heir is upended, the line between personal and professional starts to blur, leaving Cam unsure of where he stands. Nic is depending on Cam’s kidnap and rescue expertise to save his recently discovered family member before it’s too late. But with a dangerous threat closing in, the ghosts from Nic’s past cast long shadows. Any relationship could crack under the pressure, but for Nic, finding his family might mean losing the love of his life.
#BURN (Fevered Falls #2) by Devon McCormack
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: #BURN
SERIES: Fever Falls #2
AUTHOR: Devon McCormack
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 316 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 2, 2019
BLURB:
DAX:
My job is putting out fires–PR fires, that is. Partner in one of the most prestigious PR firms in Hollywood, I’ve lived most of my life helping others stay in the spotlight but keeping as far away from it myself as humanly possible.
Enter Jace Kruse.
#HottieFirefighter is the hashtag everyone is using for the overnight Insta-star who made headlines when a pic of him with a pooch he saved from a runaway vehicle went viral. Doesn’t have anything to do with my life until a major potential client shows interest in an endorsement deal with the internet sensation, and Jace becomes my ticket to stomping the ass of one of my company’s fiercest competitors.
Problem is: Jace isn’t swayed by dreams of fame and fortune. He prefers his down-to-earth life in Fever Falls and has turned down every company who’s approached him to leech off his recently acquired celebrity status.
But where others have failed, I’m confident I can succeed. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s persuading. And after a few encounters with Jace, the easy-go-lucky, ever-charming, sexy-as-hell, and surprisingly #topcurious firefighter has me persuading him about more than signing on for an endorsement deal.
He may be good at putting out fires, but Jace sure knows how to start them in the bedroom…and then in my heart. However, between his rising star power and the intensity of my feelings, I know where this inferno is leading, and if we don’t put it out soon, someone’s gonna get burned.
Damaged by Tricia Owens
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Damaged
AUTHOR: Tricia Owens
PUBLISHER: Tricia Owens
LENGTH: 133 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2019
BLURB:
One is a victim. The other is guilty.
After Detective Jack Beckam’s partner is killed during the line of duty, Jack retreats to a small Indian casino in the Colorado mountains to deal with his guilt. There, he encounters the mysteriously hostile casino manager, Taylor Brant.
Jack is on a downward spiral. Unfortunately for him, the strange forest surrounding the casino only increases his desire to do something reckless. Something desperate. Taylor Brant is not only dangerous, he’s broken. He’s someone Jack should steer clear of. Yet Jack, bruised inside and out and needing to find absolution, tumbles into a series of dark, highly charged encounters with Brant which could shatter them both.
Kissing Booth (Valentine’s Inc. #7) by Pandora Pine
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Kissing Booth
SERIES: Valentine’s Inc #7
AUTHOR: Pandora Pine
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 93 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2019
BLURB:
Newspaper reporter, Granger Galloway, is in charge of the Valentine’s Bazaar, an annual fundraiser for the LGBTQ community of Salem, Massachusetts. This year, no one has volunteered to man the Bazaar’s hottest attraction: The Kissing Booth. After being turned down by every gay and straight man he knows, Granger does the unthinkable and hires the pros at Valentine’s Inc. to send him the perfect fake boyfriend to man the booth. The problem now is how to explain the gorgeous man kissing the mayor’s lips off is a Rent-A-Hunk!
Lennox MacArthur looks like a model straight off the cover of a Highland romance novel, kilt and all. When he’s hired by Granger to be his Valentine’s weekend boyfriend and man the kissing booth for charity, he figures it will be an easy gig. He never counted on losing his heart to the awkwardly adorable reporter. His conundrum is that he’s kissing every cop, fireman, witch, bored housewife, and granny in town except the one man who stole his heart on sight.
When Granger mistakes Lennox’s true feelings for part of their fake boyfriends act, will it ruin his one chance at true love or will Granger land the man of his dreams if he sets aside his pride and takes his turn in line at the kissing booth?
In Case You Missed It (Love Him #5) by S.M. James
Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: In Case You Missed It
SERIES: Love Him #5
AUTHOR: S.M. James
PUBLISHER: May Books
LENGTH: 365 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2019
BLURB:
Brooks is convinced his life is totally, one hundred percent happy.
Until Darien tracks him down.
Darien was supposed to be the guy he kissed once and remembered forever, but now he’s back in Brooks’s life, with easy smiles and big ideas.
The first of which … show the homeschooled Brooks everything he’s missed out on. But as the pair work through a spring of playing catch up on life, it becomes obvious to Darien that Brooks has a secret.
And as things heat up between them, Brooks’s secret might just be Darien’s worst fear.
Because Darien has always lived in the moment.
But Brooks has always lived for the future he knows is inevitable.
When life is set to tear them apart, will love be enough to keep them together?
Hat Trick (Harrisburg Railers #8) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Hat Trick
SERIES: Harrisburg Railers
AUTHORS: R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books
LENGTH: 101 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 10, 2019
BLURB:
Stan Lyamin has seen many of his dreams come true. He’s found his soulmate, loves Noah like his own, hoisted the Cup, and has his Mama living with him in his new country. But his fantasies of a loud, loving, madcap home overflowing with childish laughter linger. When a distant family member passes, Stan and Erik immediately agree to take in the two orphaned children, but that means a trip back to Russia for Stan, an idea that both exhilarates and terrifies him.
Erik’s world tilts on its axis when a phone call wakes him and Stan in the middle of the night. Abruptly, Stan is returning to Russia, making deals, working with people who know people, and fully intending to bring two orphaned children home. The red tape is overwhelming, and Erik is alone in Harrisburg with the nearly impossible task of finding a nanny who can speak fluent Russian. Being on his own is one thing, but add in fears about Stan’s safety and team issues, and Erik is finding everything hard to balance; not least of which is spending quality time with Noah.
When their family expands from three to five, the journey won’t be easy, but love can always find a way.
Devouring Flame (Enchanted Occasions #2, Dreamspun Beyond #35) by E.J. Russell
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Devouring Flame
SERIES: Enchanted Occasions #2, Dreamspun Beyond #35
AUTHOR: E.J. Russell
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 230 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2019
BLURB:
Reunited and reignited.
While cutting through the Interstices—the post-creation gap between realms—Smith, half-demon tech specialist for Enchanted Occasions Event Planning, spies the person he yearns for daily but dreads seeing again: the ifrit, Hashim of the Windrider clan.
On their one literally smoldering night together, Smith, stupidly besotted, revealed his true name—a demon’s greatest vulnerability. When Hashim didn’t return the favor, then split the next morning with no word? Message received, loud and clear: Thanks but no, thanks.
Although Hashim had burned to return Smith’s trust, it was impossible. The wizard who conjured him holds his true name in secret, and unless Hashim discovers it, he’ll never be free.
When their attraction sparks once more, the two unite to search for Hashim’s hidden name—which would be a hell of a lot easier if they didn’t have to contend with a convention full of food-crazed vampires on the one day out of the century they can consume something other than blood.
But if they fail, Hashim will be doomed to eternal slavery, and their reignited love will collapse in the ashes.
Luckily Smith is the guy who gets shit done. And Hashim is never afraid to heat things up.