Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: With a Friend’s Strength

SERIES: Badges and Bullets #2

AUTHOR: Brittany Cournoyer

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 2571 kb

RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2019

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After surviving two brutal attacks that nearly killed him, Bradley Danforth was determined to put them behind him and move on with his life. He moved into a new house on the other side of town and made a new resolve to live his life to the fullest. Only, Bradley can’t seem to get the one person out of his mind who let him down the most, Max Donohue. When he starts receiving threatening messages, Max is the first person Bradley turns to for help.

Max is a homicide detective who quickly learned that the job is about more than catching the bad guy and being a hero. When he’s assigned a cold case he’d rather leave alone. Max knows he must face a past he buried a long time ago so he can close it once and for all. Max is soon immersed in more than just a murder as he discovers evidence of corruption and a massive cover up. The combination of working the cold case and battling his demons is enough to send Max into a downward spiral, but when Bradley comes to him for help, Max finds the strength to do whatever he can to keep him safe.

Will Max step up to the challenge he failed to overcome before, or will someone succeed in ending Bradley’s life once and for all?

With a Friend’s Strength is the second installment of the Badge and Bullets series featuring the same two characters. It is a suspenseful murder mystery that depicts detailed crimes, strong language, and adult situations. While this series will include a romance, it’s a slow burn that develops throughout the series.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Patron of Mercy

SERIES: Lords of the Underworld #3

AUTHOR: Sam Burns & W.M. Fawkes

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 272 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2019

BLURB:

Lach has spent the last few thousand years counting only on himself. What he needed, he took. What he wanted, he won with charm. All except a god he turned his back on an age ago, when he had a different name and didn’t know what he was giving up.

Thanatos, god of merciful death, is one of the gentlest gods in the pantheon—easing the transition between life and death for billions of mortals. But he has faced eternity alone. After breaking his heart on the sharp words of a fisherman’s son, he hasn’t been able to connect with anyone.

Now, Lach is crashing back into Thanatos’s life, dragging him into an adventure that could save the world . . . or kill them both.

PATRON OF MERCY IS THE THIRD BOOK IN A SERIES, BUT CAN BE READ AS A STAND ALONE NOVEL.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Scarecrow & George C

AUTHOR: Mia Kerick

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 214 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 3, 2019

BLURB:

High school senior Van Liss is barely human. He thinks of himself as a scarecrow—ragged and unnerving, stuck and destined to spend his life cold and alone. If he ever had feelings, they were stomped out long ago by his selfish mother and her lecherous boyfriend. All he’s been left with is bitter contempt, to which he clings.

With a rough exterior long used to keep the world at bay, Van spooks George Curaco, the handsome new fry cook at the diner where he works. But George C senses there is more to the untouchable Van and refuses to stop staring, fascinated by his eccentricity. When Van learns that George C is even more cold, alone, and frightened than himself, Van welcomes him to his empty home. And ends up finding his heart.

Their road to trust is rocky and, at times, even dangerous. And looming evil threatens to keep them apart forever.

Fair warning: You may want to strap in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Slayer

SERIES: Demonica Origins #1

AUTHOR: Pelaam

PUBLISHER: MLR Press

LENGTH: 27,000 words

RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2019

BLURB:

During the 17th century, the Holy Church trained and employed Slayers to eliminate preternaturals. They were often provided with an intermediary who served as a combination of servant and sparring partner.

Slayer Alessandro and his lover, José, have devoted over two decades to the cause. During that time, Alessandro has learned that most non-humans just want to be left alone to live in peace—something he dreams of himself.

When a preternatural threat arises close to home, something previously unheard of, Alessandro decides this mission will be his last.

Unfortunately for Alessandro, someone else has the same idea.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Touching Vida~Vince

SERIES: The Dominion of Brothers #7

AUTHOR: Talon P.S. and Tarian P.S.

PUBLISHER: TSP Publishing

LENGTH: 561 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

BLURB:

Vida had spent a good part of his life in a whirlpool of depression and it all rooted back to his parent’s rejection of him. He likely would have withered away if it weren’t for his brother, Dane. His rock and chariot. The person who had touched him and made him feel so loved and adored. If only Vida could find his happy ever after with someone who also made him feel that same way Dane did.

The biggest hurdle was finding himself again. And who knew the discovery would be brought on by a little mouse?

There was something to be said about having the Dominion of Brothers as his family; they’d loved him and watched over him as he stumbled around trying to reinvent himself until finally coming to the spot they knew all along. Who he was. Now, Vince did too.

Oh, and there was also something about the handsome doctor fellow whose eyes lit up when he looked at him.

Pavle Laszkovi felt like a school kid fumbling about for the right words to ask the androgynous man for tea. He’d never laid eyes on someone so beautiful. Like an angel unspoiled by the world. Such protection probably had a lot to do with the older brother who watched over and guarded him like a Doberman Pincher. A formidable man Pavle would have to win over if he was planning on touching Vida~Vince.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Below the Belt

SERIES: Cedar Falls #16

AUTHOR: Shea Balik

PUBLISHER: Siren-Bookstrand Inc

LENGTH: 132 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2016

BLURB:

Macon Roxley feared his scars would forever mark him as a risk not worth taking. Tyge Drost used to believe he had all the answers, until he lost someone under his care.

Misunderstandings and past wounds have driven this pair apart despite their undeniable attraction. Can either of them find a way to give love a chance, or will they give up on a future of promised happiness to protect their damaged hearts?

Warning: In typical Cedar Falls fashion, the citizens gather together to interfere through means of kidnapping, handcuffing, and general mischief in order to force Macon and Tyge to see what was right in front of them—love. Enjoy, but you have been warned.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Escaping Solitude

SERIES: Escaping Trilogy #2

AUTHOR: Sara Dobie Bauer

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 111 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2018

BLURB:

Ancient vampire Andrew escaped his tropical island exile with his beloved human sailor, Edmund. They’ve now returned to Andrew’s home in nineteenth-century New Orleans and must navigate not only their developing relationship—and equally haunted pasts—but also a hungry coven of vampires Andrew used to call friends.

Desperate to stay by Andrew’s side forever, Edmund examines the impressive coven library in search of an Elder, the only creature capable of turning Edmund. Although missing for centuries, Andrew believes an Elder must still survive somewhere; they just have to find him.

The search is put on hold when Edmund receives word that his mother is ill in London, and the lovers set off on an oceanic journey surrounded by new friends and old enemies. When things go terribly wrong, Edmund’s fragile human life hangs in the balance, and an Elder must be found or Andrew will be alone forever.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Out in the Field

SERIES: Out in College #4

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 200 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2019

BLURB:

Max Maldonado loves baseball. He knows playing first base at a private college probably won’t get him to the big leagues, but he doesn’t mind. He loves the game and his teammates. If he has to stay in the closet until he graduates, that’s okay. Baseball comes first. Relationships are complicated anyway. And after his recent messy breakup, Max prefers to keep things simple.

Phoenix Bell is a fabulous theater geek. He’s excited about his recent transfer to a new school with an elite liberal arts program. Life has been on hold for a while, but this opportunity feels like the fresh start he was hoping for when he moved to California. And the chance reunion with the hot closeted jock is an unexpected surprise. The two men have nothing in common and their timing couldn’t be worse. However, when their unconventional alliance blossoms into friendship and perhaps something more, it may be time to make some hard decisions. And perhaps risk it all…out in the field.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Dreams, Memories, and Reality

AUTHOR: Edward Kendrick

PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC

LENGTH: 42,380 words

RELEASE DATE: May 18, 2019 

BLURB:

Philip lives alone with his dog Barnabas, miles from the nearest mountain town. Late one evening, while he and Barnabas are out running, they are attacked by a very handsome male. Philip shoots him, immediately regrets it, and brings him home to deal with his wounds. Soon he realizes there is something very different about the man, beginning with the fact he is unable to speak or understand English.

Adam is different. Other than recalling his name, Ád-hamh, he has no memories, including why he ended up naked in a cave high in the mountains above Philip’s house. He survived on the blood of animals he kills, until the night Philip finds him and brings him home.

Slowly, Philip teaches Adam about his new life. In the process, he discovers things about Adam that will change both their lives forever.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Santa is a Vampire

SERIES: Simon the Elf series

AUTHOR: Damian Serbu

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 247 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2018

BLURB:

Simon the Elf wants to tell you the true story behind Jolly Ole St. Nick. Yeah, he’s a vampire. But that alleged gift giver and lover of children hides more than that fact from you. And what about Mrs. Claus and Rudolph? Venture into a world of enslaved elves, enchanted animals, and death wrought by Santa himself. With his sharp wit, Simon will lead you into the darkest realms of Christmas. Warning: Simon cusses a lot. But you would, too, if Santa held you captive.