Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Shipping Orders

SERIES: Valentine’s Inc. Cruises #2

AUTHOR: Ashe Winters

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 283 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2019

BLURB:

A happy ever after is not in the cards for me. But a short fling aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic might just be exactly what I need.

When my friends suggest I take a much-needed vacation on their Valentine’s Inc. hosted cruise, I leap at the chance. I don’t have a lot of expectations for this matchmaking singles cruise—I’m certainly not looking for a future Mr. Chase Kelton.

What I’m not prepared for is walking into my assigned suite to find a man passed out on the first day. I recognized the shy barista immediately. He’s been serving me my morning fix for a year and driving me crazy with the hard shell he keeps locked around him. I want to break it. I know there’s an entirely different man beneath it that I’m itching to reveal.

Reign is the proverbial fish out of water, and when I learn the real reason he’s on this cruise, I see an opportunity I can’t resist. He needs a companion to show him the ropes—I can do that and so much more.

An introverted barista with a crush, a wealthy executive afraid to fall in love, and a twist on fake boyfriends. Shipping Orders is a full length, standalone novel in the Valentine’s Inc. multi-author series.

REVIEWED by Anna Lynn

TITLE: Endless Stretch

AUTHOR: Riley Hart

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 282 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2019

BLURB:

Lorenzo Moretti and Damon Blackwell have never met, but they’re tied together by the same tragedy. They were both there that night. They each lost someone they loved. They’ve been living as shells of their former selves ever since. Running into each other and realizing their shared pasts? Pure serendipity.

Being together is a tingle at the base of Enzo’s spine, a comfort that settles into Damon’s bones. No one understands what they went through the night the club caught fire–until now. For the first time, they have someone to lean on, someone who knows all the right things to say and when to say nothing at all. Neither of them has been with another man before, but their shared connection grows from friendship and explodes into something more, something raw and desperate and real. Now, they’re dealing not only with their pasts, but their new relationship, the one thing that calms their internal storms.

Enzo and Damon might not know much else, but with every touch, with every word, and every night spent exploring each other’s bodies, they know they’re in love. They keep each other going, show each other what happiness really is.

But love alone can’t get them through. Damon and Enzo must decide if they really have what it takes to work through their trauma and fight for the happily ever after that’s waiting just on the horizon.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Appeal to You

SERIES: Beyond the Cove #3

AUTHOR: Jaclyn Quinn

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 274 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2019

BLURB:

Will the demons of the past ruin any hope for the future?

If there’s anyone who knows how to have a good time—be it with a man or a woman—it’s Ryder Pearce. Master of the nail-it-and-bail-it theory, he lives his life for one person and one person only: himself. When a man enters Ryder’s life who challenges him on every flirtation, every sexual innuendo he can come up with, Ryder’s thrown off his game in a big way. Because there’s one thing the man has made perfectly clear—they’ve played this game before, and Ryder doesn’t remember the outcome.

Avery Hamilton has seen all of Ryder’s moves and has witnessed his sex appeal. He knows all too well about his cocky sense of humor and his penchant for one-night stands. There was a time in his life when he’d taken the bait, but this time around, he wants more. He’s seen Ryder’s act; what he hasn’t seen is Ryder—the real Ryder he hides from the world.

When both men come together to help a young boy, Ryder’s forced to face things from his past he’s blocked out. Things he never wanted anyone to know. Now, Ryder has one fear… Will revealing that side of himself be real enough for Avery? Or will it be the reason Avery walks away?

***Warning: This book contains off-page references to sexual/physical abuse of a minor.

***This book is the third book in a series. Reading the books out of order may result in spoilers.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Helter Skelter

SERIES: Fairground Attractions #3

AUTHOR: L.M. Somerton

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 93 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2019

BLURB:

Book three in the Fairground Attractions series

Life can slide out of control when you least expect it.

Of his group of friends, Zach is the only one yet to find his kinky-ever-after. The contract killer, Harlequin, is still on the loose, Zach’s dad is ill, a result of the stress caused by knowing the family amusement park is being used as an exchange point by drug runners, and Zach is faced with problems much tougher than the mathematical equations he’s used to.

Daniel Raynott has had his eye on Zach for some time. Now that Zach is no longer in his class at the university, he can act on his instincts and give Zach the guidance he desperately needs. As a Dom, Daniel demands obedience. As a man, he falls hard for Zach’s vulnerable innocence.

A boring summer has a lot of appeal, but Zach has about as much control over events as he does a trip down the helter skelter. He finds himself in danger more than once. Will Daniel be able to protect him or will the holiday season culminate in tragedy?

Reviewed by Becca & Jen

TITLE: Paint it Black

SERIES: Beneath the Stain #2

AUTHOR: Amy Lane

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 496 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2019

BLURB:

Everybody thinks Mackey Sanders and Outbreak Monkey is the last coming of Rock’n’Roll Jesus, but Cheever Sanders can’t wait to get out of his home town and make a name for himself where nobody expects him to fill his famous brothers’ shoes. He’s tired of living in their shadow.

Blake Manning knows the feeling. He’s been Outbreak Monkey’s second lead guitarist for ten years. He’s come to terms with the fact that he’ll never be Grant Adams, the guy he replaced, and that Kell Sanders will never love him like Mackey loved Grant. He got this gig on luck and love, not talent. So watching Cheever blow through Outbreak Monkey’s hard-earned money in an epic stretch of partying pisses him off.

Blake shows up at Cheever’s nonstop orgy to enforce some rules, but instead of a jaded punk, he finds a lost boy as talented at painting as Mackey is at song-making, and terrified to let anybody see the real him. It’s something he and Blake have in common.

Both men have to make peace with being second banana in the public eye. Can they find the magic of coming absolute first with each other?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Nothing Serious

AUTHOR: Jay Northcote

PUBLISHER: Jaybird Press

LENGTH: 154 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2018

BLURB:

What happens when “nothing serious” turns into something more complicated?

Mark O’Brien is finally being honest with himself. His relationship with Rachel is over and he’s moving out of the home they’ve shared for six years. They get along, but he can’t fix a relationship when the person he’s with is the wrong gender.

Jamie Robertson, one of the removal men, is huge and ridiculously gorgeous, and Mark is smitten at first sight. When a cardboard box splits, revealing items of a personal nature that Mark never wanted anybody to see, he’s mortified. But it sparks the start of a beautiful friendship with benefits.

As Jamie initiates Mark into the joys of gay sex, the two men get increasingly close and “nothing serious” turns into something rather important to both of them. But communication isn’t their strong point. Will either man ever find the courage to be honest about his feelings?

Please note that although this edition has been re-edited for publication, there is no new or additional content.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Boyfriend or Bust

AUTHOR: Claire Castle

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 231 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2018

BLURB:

When Carson Turner’s ex-boyfriend unexpectedly invites him to his destination wedding and presumes he’ll be there alone, Carson panics and invents a fake boyfriend to accompany him. That’s what happens when your greatest flaw seems to be to talk first and think later.

How can Sam Bixton say no to his little sister’s request for him to go to Greece with her best friend, who he’s only admired from afar? Who would turn down fun in the sun with the one guy that’s always been off-limits?

Carson and Sam have a lot to learn about each other, and very little time to do it. Will they succeed in convincing Carson’s ex that they’re devoted boyfriends, or is it all about to go bust?

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

Series: The Hitman’s Guide #1

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 343 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2019

BLURB:

Leland

Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while he’s caught on a fence would be one of them. While it’s not exactly love at first sight, he’s captured my interest and won’t let go.

Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like he’s not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the city’s most ruthless criminals?

Jackson

Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I can’t help but admit that I’m drawn to him. He’s funny, charismatic, and attractive. There’s no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.

But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, I’m faced with a tough choice. It’s my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.

Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: Where There’s a Will Deanes

SERIES: Get Out Book 4

AUTHOR: Sean Kennedy

PUBLISHER:  Harmony Ink Press

LENGTH: 206 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 16, 2019

BLURB:

Micah Johnson is coming back to Melbourne, and the story of him and his friends is coming to an end.

Or will it be a new beginning?

Will Deanes and Micah Johnson have a past, one that ranges from bitter enemies to best friends. There might be an undercurrent of something else, but Micah remains oblivious, and all Will can do is try to move on.

Except now Micah’s returning to Melbourne full-time, and that means they can’t avoid each other or the tensions that arise. Will is still dealing with an injury that ended his footballcareer, while Micah’s continues to thrive. As they face highs, lows, and family tragedies, they’ll have to get to know each other all over again. Will Micah see that Will means much more to him than a friend?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Checks, Balances & Manipulation

SERIES:  Wolves of Stone Ridge #48

AUTHOR:  Charlie Richards

PUBLISHER:  eXtasy Books Inc.

LENGTH:  108 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 17, 2019

BLURB: 

Jared Templeton has been mated to his wolf shifter, Carson Angeni, for over a decade. Having spent the first half of his adult life as a high-paid assassin, Jared thought he’d struck a decent balance with pack life. Everything changes when their beta takes a position on the Shifter Council. That forces Alpha Declan to hold a challenge for a new Stone Ridge pack beta, which draws in unfamiliar wolves. The way one of the contestants—Larson—watches Jared arouses his suspicions, but he tells himself he’s being paranoid. Jared wasn’t being paranoid, and Declan’s daughter Sara is kidnapped. Even though they manage to save her, Jared still blames himself and acts rashly in an attempt to catch the culprits. His choice puts not only him but Carson in a tight spot with their alpha and a few others in the pack. Will Jared remember that pack is there for each other and aren’t just people to protect? Or will Jared’s past catching up with him create too big a wedge to overcome?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Through the Tears

SERIES: Torn Between Worlds #1

AUTHOR: Leigh M. Lorien

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 241 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2019

BLURB:

Huge, horrid creatures with a taste for human flesh have been invading Seacliff Manor and its surrounding lands for years. Ghouls are coming from another world through portals made of magic. No one knows why or how, but nothing good ever comes with them.

During a hunting trip, Eamon encounters one such monster and falls through a portal into the ghoul’s hellacious desert home world. Separated from his home, his friends, and his lover, with no magic of his own and no sign of other life, Eamon expects to die there…until an encounter with a lone stranger gives him hope. There is a way home. But can Eamon survive alone in ghoul-infested terrain long enough to get there?

Worlds away, the Lord of Seacliff Manor is determined to bring Eamon home. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Rafe knows his human lover is alive. It’s just a matter of finding out where. To that end, Rafe has a plan. It’s dangerous, perhaps even suicidal, but he’ll do anything to save the man he loves.

From different sides of the galaxy, the lovers fight monsters and seek magic with one goal in mind: reunion. Monsters aren’t the only things they’ll have to defeat to find their way back to each other, and the horrors uncovered along the way may be more than they can handle.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Chiseled Wood

SERIES: Cedar Falls #19

AUTHOR: Shea Balik

PUBLISHER: Siren-Bookstrand Inc

LENGTH: 141 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2017

BLURB:

Kyler Prince is determined to find his place in this world. But with only the sheltered commune he grew up in as experience, his hope of finding somewhere he could fit in seems impossible. That is, until he ended up in Cedar Falls.

Aaron Garnett has dark desires. After he meets Kyler, he fears the innocent man would run if Aaron ever showed him what he truly wanted in a lover. But Aaron’s just not sure he has the strength to stay away from Kyler.

Can Kyler convince Aaron that his desires run just as dark, or will Aaron feel the risk is too high to give him a chance?

Warning: Interference from well-meaning friends may lead to uncontrollable laughter, especially when a mini-Jesse is introduced.

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