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…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Somebody to Die For

SERIES: Requiem #3

AUTHOR: Kris T. Bethke

PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC

LENGTH: 174 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 16, 2020

BLURB:

Avery Wagner quit ghostwalking when he lost his beloved anchor to cancer. Now teaching others who have the ability, he’s beginning to live again — but he’s not looking for another lover, not now, maybe not ever.

But then he meets Jameson … younger, talented, dedicated, almost perfect, even though his mouth sometimes opens ahead of his brain. And Jameson wants Avery desperately, though he’ll settle for friendship if he can’t have more.

When an emergency demands they work together in the field, Avery discovers just how perfect Jameson is. But he had a perfect love once before, and he’s scared to even consider that he might have a chance at another. Can he trust Jameson with his newly healing heart?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Zale

SERIES: Brotherhood of Ormarr #2

AUTHOR: Michelle Frost

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 135 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2019

BLURB:

Davis~

It was just another job—at least it was supposed to be—but snaring the feisty blue dragon I’d been contracted to collect and her rider in my trap changed everything. Hunting dragons was my job, and I was damn good at it. I’d never missed a target. Never failed to make a delivery. So why was every step toward turning over my bounty suddenly a struggle? No quarry had ever managed to get under my skin, but something in Zale’s haunting blue eyes called to me like nothing ever had before.

Zale~

When Itsaso and I were kidnapped, we fought like hell but found ourselves at the dragon hunter’s mercy. He locked my dragon away, leaving me to face captivity alone. Now, all I have to rely on is the training that’s been drilled into me every day for as long as I can remember and biding my time, waiting for Davis to make a mistake. Or my brothers to find and rescue us. But something happened the first time I truly looked in Davis’s eyes, dark pools as deep and enchanting as the sea, and I realized I was in so much more danger than I thought. How could a ruthless dragon hunter be my perfect mate?

Zale is the second book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc continues in the next installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Zale is a m/m romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: A Granted Wish

AUTHOR: Lily Michaels

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 87 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019

BLURB:

A workplace romance can melt the heart of a real estate mogul Scrooge.

Over the three years Adam Meade has worked for Grant Alexander, his crush has steadily grown, until the annual holiday party, where he finally musters the courage—both actual and a touch of the liquid variety—to dare push their professional relationship in a vastly different direction. A tentative kiss ignites a blazing inferno and begins a stream of steamy hook-ups that the men soon recognize may extend into something much more than just physical.

However, nothing worth keeping is easy, and Adam will need a hefty dose of trust to avoid falling into the trap a scheming co-worker has created to destroy their new bond and allow him to salvage the Christmas of his dreams.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Blue Valentine

SERIES: Blue Elvis and Jonah #2

AUTHOR: Viva Gold

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 3548 kb

RELEASE DATE: February 9, 2019

BLURB:

ELVIS AND JONAH RETURN IN A SASSY, SEXY VALENTINE’S DAY DRAMA (let’s face it, where there’s Elvis, there’s always going to be drama!)

Elvis is convinced that Jonah has a Valentine’s Day surprise all lined up, and he’s pretty sure he knows what it is.

Jonah does indeed have something spectacular arranged, and he knows that Elvis thinks he knows what it is. But he doesn’t.

Follow Elvis and Jonah’s entertaining journey from Kent Village Outlet Mall to Vegas where plenty of sinful shenanigans ensue. Elvis has packed his furry tail, (because he thinks they’re going to a CosPlay Con) and Jonah has packed something far more in keeping with Valentine’s Day (because he thinks Elvis will say, yes).

This short story will have you laughing, crying and reaching for the wipes.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Open Water

SERIES: Scandinavian Comfort #2

AUTHOR: Sophia Soames

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 338 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 20, 2019

BLURB:

Meet Lukas Myrtengren, Mentor Teacher in Biology and Maths at Östra Real Senior School in Stockholm. This isn’t how his life is supposed to turn out. In your late thirties you are supposed to have your life figured out, right? Somehow, Lukas has lost his compass, his life spinning aimlessly out of control. He still gets up in the morning and goes to work every day without fail, making sure his students pass his classes and that his schedule is right on track. His love life is a shambles, his head is a mess, but he is trying to sort it all out. Honestly. He can’t keep living like this.

Meet Tom Andersson. Emergency room doctor and single dad. He has no idea how he has managed to mess up parenthood this bad. He tries too hard, has no patience and can’t even hold a normal conversation with the seventeen-year-old son he loves to the point of insanity. Tom knows that he is drifting out to sea without a paddle, he just doesn’t know how to stop it.

Meet me, Max Andersson. Seventeen. Gay AF. An emotional wreck with no future, no skills and no clue. All I know is that I am in love. Helplessly. Desperately. And, unrequited, of course. What else can you expect from a loser like myself? It’s not like my life is going to get better. The truth is, I’m just another disaster waiting to happen. A ticking time-bomb full of stupidity. That’s just the way it is.

Welcome to Open Water.

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Need for Speed

SERIES: The Elite Series #2

AUTHORS: Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 178 Pages

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2020

BLURB:

Need for Speed is the continuation of Solo and Panther’s story and should only be read after book one, Danger Zone.

They train to serve their country.
They strive to be the best.
But only a select few can be…
The Elite

* * *

MATEO MORGAN
CALL SIGN: SOLO

Reckless, arrogant, and bold, Solo is as known in the U.S. Navy for his bad-boy reputation as he is for his skills as a fighter pilot. It’s a surprise to his peers, then, when he’s chosen to train and compete at the most prestigious naval aviation academy in the world.

MISSION RULES:
1.Kick everyone’s ass.
2.Do whatever it takes to win.
3.Do your best to distract the competition.
4.Especially when that competition is a gorgeous blue-eyed perfectionist who makes your blood run hot.

* * *

GRANT HUGHES
CALL SIGN: PANTHER

Disciplined, smart, and confident, Panther can’t afford not to play by the rules. As the son of a top Navy commander, all eyes are on him, and being anything less than number one is unacceptable.

MISSION RULES:
1.Keep it safe in the air.
2.Prove you’re more than Commander Hughes’s son.
3.No distractions. Stay focused.
4.Don’t fall for your competition—especially not the rebellious heartbreaker with lips made for sinning.

In the heat of the hot California sun, tempers flare and desires ignite as Solo and Panther try to resist their attraction while fighting to be number one.
With passion this intense, the question remains:
Who’s gonna come out on top?

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Last Kiss

AUTHOR:  Sally Malcolm

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  254 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 26, 2020 

BLURB:

A tender and triumphant story of forbidden love in the aftermath of war

When Captain Ashleigh Dalton went to war in 1914, he never expected to fall in love. Yet, over three long years at the front, his dashing batman, Private West, became his reason for fighting—and his reason for living.

For Harry West, an ostler from London’s East End, it was love at first sight when he met complex, compassionate Captain Dalton. Harry knew their friendship wouldn’t survive in the class-bound world back home, but in the trenches there was no point in worrying about tomorrow…

Now, gravely wounded, Ash has been evacuated home to Highcliffe House, his father’s Hampshire estate. Bereft of Harry, angry and alone, Ash struggles to fit into the unchanging world he left behind. Meanwhile, Harry, broken-hearted, doubts he’ll ever see his beloved captain again.

But when the guns fall silent and Harry finds himself adrift in London, a desperate hope carries him to Highcliffe House in search of work—and of the officer he can’t forget…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Temporary Insanity

SERIES: Temporary #2, Temporary: Paul and Indy #1

AUTHOR: H.L. Day

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 216 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 29, 2019

BLURB:

Sleeping with the enemy never felt so good.

When Paul Davenport comes face to face with the man he caught in bed with his boyfriend years before, it’s hate at first sight. Well, second sight. Indy should be apologizing, not flirting. Except the gorgeous barman is completely oblivious to their paths ever having crossed before.

Despite his feelings, Paul’s powerless to resist the full-on charm offensive that follows. It’s fine though. It’s just sex. No emotions. No getting to know each other. Just a bout of temporary insanity that’s sure to run its course once the simmering passion starts to wear off.

Only what if it’s not? Indy’s nothing like the man Paul expected him to be from his past actions. What if they’re perfect for each other and Paul’s just too stubborn to see it? Forging a relationship with him would require an emotional U-turn Paul might not be capable of making.

There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Paul’s about to discover just how thin it really is. He can’t possibly be falling for the man that ruined his life. Can he?

Warning: This book contains hate sex—sort of, lots of banter, and a pink elephant. No, really it does. Actually, two elephants.

Please note: Although this book is in the Temporary series, it occurs during the same timeline as A Temporary Situation. Therefore both books can be read as standalones and in any order.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Dark Rivers

SERIES: Witchbane #2

AUTHOR: Morgan Brice

PUBLISHER: Darkwind Press

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2018

LENGTH: 238 Pages

BLURB:

One hundred years ago, a sheriff’s posse killed dark warlock Rhyfel Gremory, but his witch-disciples escaped, and their magic made them nearly immortal. To keep their power, each year one of the witch-disciples kills a descendant of one of the men in the posse, a twelve-year cycle that has cost dozens of lives, including that of Seth Tanner’s brother, Jesse.

Seth Tanner uncovers the cycle of ritual killings that feeds the power of the witch-disciples, and he’s hell bent on getting vengeance for Jesse and stopping the murders. His fledgling romantic relationship with Evan Malone complicates his mission, but Seth can’t walk away. Seth and Evan are learning to navigate their partnership—as lovers and monster hunters—while they chase down the next witch-disciple and avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention.

When the hunt takes Seth and Evan to Pittsburgh on the trail of the next killer, they’ll have to save the intended victim and take down the powerful witch. If the skills they possess and the bond between them isn’t enough, the evil will remain unchallenged, and more people will die…

Dark Rivers contains sexually explicit materials intended for adults 18 and over. Note: Includes mention of past domestic violence and stalking.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Vincent

SERIES: Boys of Brighton #8

AUTHOR:  M. Tasia

PUBLISHER: Boroughs Publishing Group

LENGTH: 155 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2018

BLURB:

ONLY THE STRONG

When he moved to Brighton, novelist Tristan Michaels was thrilled to leave his past behind. Trauma and danger had shattered his world and almost ruined his life. When everything finally seems to be settling down, he becomes embroiled in his best friend’s drama, which leads to more danger and…Vincent. And while love at first sight had been the stuff of Tristan’s books, when he meets Vincent fantasy became reality.

SURVIVE

Vincent Greyson has spent his life fighting for what’s right, first as a Navy Seal, and now as a member of the elite team known as the Sentinels. When he meets Tristan Michaels, Vincent knows his heart will always belong to this magnetic, special man. But love and patience is tested when horrible fates keep befalling Tristan, and Vincent vows that he’d do anything for his love, even leave the Sentinels.