Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Chosen One Universe Volume One

SERIES: The Chosen One #.5 – #2

AUTHOR: Macy Blake

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 686 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2020

BLURB:

Have You Been Chosen?

For the first time, Macy Blake’s two bestselling paranormal fantasy series are being published in a three-volume mega-verse box set!

Each volume will feature three full-length MM novels with dragons, hellhounds, vampires and more, with never before published bonus material. All in reader-requested chronological order.

Volume One:

Sweet Nothings: The Chosen One Prequel

Middle school teacher Sam Baker’s life is turned upside down when he learns Vaughn, his former high school crush, is actually an alpha werewolf. When they rescue six orphaned shifter children, Sam joins forces with Vaughn to protect the children placed in their care. The future they dreamed of is now within reach, but only if they survive the sinister force out to destroy everything they hold dear.

All or Nothing: The Chosen One Book One

Sawyer Smith is completing his master’s degree and preparing to take on the world, and he’s hoping to take his best friend Draco along for the ride. There’s only one problem: Draco has a big, scaly secret, and it’s about to change Sawyer’s life forever. Sawyer is plunged into a fantastical world he never knew existed, filled with creatures of legend who are destined to be guardians of The Chosen One. When he finds himself attracted to all the guardians, Sawyer wonders if he should really be guarding his heart from the men he’s growing closer to by the day, or if he should give in and risk losing it all.

Nothing Ventured: The Chosen One Book Two

As a magical null, Sawyer Smith is woefully unprepared for the dangers that come with being part of the supernatural world. He’s human and vulnerable, even with the powerful, sexy guardians who have claimed him as their own. When a simple visit turns deadly, Sawyer’s mates whisk him away to the clan of the rich and powerful griffins. Danger lurks in close quarters and a new guardian is revealed. If Sawyer hopes to discover the ancient enemy hunting The Chosen One, he must survive the newest tests facing him and the magical creatures he’s grown to love.

Includes bonus short stories:

Santa Trouble

Santa Claus is coming to town, and the kids are determined to keep their pack safe from him. Can Sam and Vaughn clear up the misunderstanding before the big day is ruined?

The Trouble with Love

It’s Valentine’s Day with the Jerrick pack, and Vaughn has big, romantic plans for Sam. But making plans when you have six kids is just asking for trouble.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Pieces of Us

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

SERIES: Missing Pieces #3

PUBLISHER: Self Published

RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2020

BLURB:

As Justin’s recovery moves forward, Dallas dares to hope their lives are settling into their new normal. His money worries have eased, business is picking up, and best of all, Justin now laughs more than he frowns.

Justin’s memory still eludes him, but with each snippet or flashback, small pieces of his old life start to slot into place. He remembers more of Dallas and how perfectly happy their lives used to be, and with each passing day, Justin realises he can have that again.

But when someone from Justin’s past turns up, he discovers that not all the missing pieces are good, and sadly, he and Dallas also learn just what it means to live with a traumatic brain injury. If Dallas and Justin have to fight for their Happily Ever After, then Dallas will stop at nothing–nothing–to give Justin the life he always wanted.

“. . . as I tried to put the puzzle of myself back together, it was the pieces of us that made me whole.”

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Shortbread and Shadows

SERIES: Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #1, Dreamspun Beyond #41

AUTHOR: Amy Lane

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 222 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2020

BLURB:

When a coven of hedge witches casts a spell for their hearts’ desires, the world turns upside down.

Bartholomew Baker is afraid to hope for his heart’s true desire—the gregarious woodworker who sells his wares next to Bartholomew at the local craft fairs—so he writes the spell for his baking business to thrive and allow him to quit his office job. He’d rather pour his energy into emotionally gratifying pastry! But the magic won’t allow him to lie, even to himself, and the spellcasting has unexpected consequences.

For two years Lachlan has been flirting with Bartholomew, but the shy baker with the beautiful gray eyes runs away whenever their conversation turns personal. He’s about to give up hope… and then Bartholomew rushes into a convention in the midst of a spellcasting disaster of epic proportions.

Suddenly everybody wants a taste of Bartholomew’s baked goods—and Bartholomew himself. Lachlan gladly jumps on for the ride, enduring rioting crowds and supernatural birds for a chance with Bartholomew. Can Bartholomew overcome the shyness that has kept him from giving his heart to Lachlan?

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Unhallowed

SERIES: Rath and Rune #1

AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk

PUBLISHER: Widdershins Press

LENGTH: 279 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 17, 2020

BLURB:

Monsters. Murder. Librarians.

Librarian Sebastian Rath is the only one who believes his friend Kelly O’Neil disappeared due to foul play. But without any clues or outside assistance, there’s nothing he can do to prove it.

When bookbinder Vesper Rune is hired to fill the vacancy left by O’Neil, he receives an ominous letter warning him to leave. After he saves Sebastian from a pair of threatening men, the two decide to join forces and get to the truth about what happened to O’Neil.

But Vesper is hiding secrets of his own, ones he doesn’t dare let anyone learn. Secrets that grow ever more dangerous as his desire for Sebastian deepens.

Because Kelly O’Neil was murdered. And if Sebastian and Ves don’t act quickly enough, they’ll be the next to die.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Want Me

AUTHOR:  Neve Wilder

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE:  May 8, 2019

LENGTH:   304 pages

BLURB:

Two roommates. One calculus exam. A whole lot of extracurricular activity.

Nate:

Living with four other guys, it’s bound to happen.

Every guy’s been caught taking care of business at least once, right?

It shouldn’t be a big deal.

But I don’t know Eric as well as my other roommates, and things are a little awkward now.

He’s a loner. A mystery. Quietly confident. Smart.

Sexy as hell.

I’ve been happily subsisting on the typical frat guy diet of booze and sorority girls.

But the way Eric looked at me that night?

There was something there.

Something that’s got me curious.

Something that’s stirring up feelings I thought I’d left behind for good.

Something that’s making me think I’m not as straight as I thought I was.

I can’t get him off of my mind.

I don’t think I want to.

So when he offers to help me study for a midterm, I take him up on it.

It’s innocent.

Probably. Maybe.

There’s no way I could’ve known what it’d start…

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Secret Admirer

AUTHOR:  D.J. Jamison

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  223 pages

RELEASE DATE:  June 25, 2020

BLURB:

You deserve all the kisses you want …

Benji,
I want you to know how amazing you are. You won’t believe me, because I’m just your brother’s best friend, but it’s true. Each day my feelings for you grow, confusing but undeniable.

With a few anonymous love tokens, I finally have an outlet for all the things I can’t say. And with each gift and note, you smile. For me. Not your brother’s straight friend, but something new. Something more. Something that will change everything if we can both find the courage to believe.

All I have to do is confess who I really am:
Your Secret Admirer

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Thinking it Over

SERIES: True-Blue #4

AUTHOR: Becca Seymour

PUBLISHER: Rainbow Tree Publishing

LENGTH: 236 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 13, 2020

BLURB:

When a young teacher connects with the principal of his school, work and ex issues, the possibility of happiness, and a chocolate Labrador called Penny means they have a lot to think over.

Newly appointed teacher, Jasper Taylor, can’t believe his luck. After a year, he’s found a job with the possibility of a permanent contract, which finally allows him to put his teaching degree to good use. After meeting the silver-haired principal of the school, Jasper discovers his new position offers an additional temptation. He knows he should retreat, but who said avoiding attraction was easy, especially when the man he’s crushing on seems too good to be true?

Well-respected and focused on his career, Austin Harrison is at the top of his game. He’s turned a struggling school around, has finally put up boundaries with his demanding ex, and may just have secured full custody of his chocolate Lab, Penny. The appointment of the new English teacher, Jasper, threatens to unsettle the stability he’s been working towards. Austin’s attraction is immediate, heady, and oh so complicated. But does complicated mean he has to walk away?

Join Jasper and Austin in Becca Seymour’s low-angst, feel-good LGBTQ series, True-Blue Book 4. In the small town of Kirkby, there are busybodies, dogs who cause chaos, families who have the “best” of timing, and where good men have the opportunity to find their perfect match.

REVIEWED by Danielle

TITLE: Deacon’s Defender

SERIES: Protect and Serve #2

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 237 Pages

RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2020

BLURB:

Hot on the trail of a crazed arsonist, Fire Captain Ozzy Graves has been ordered to stick close to the number one suspect in the string of deadly fires; mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Deacon Fairbanks.

Spending time with Ozzy is a dream come true for Deacon, who’s been in love with the ornery captain from afar. Deacon’s wildest dreams become reality when Ozzy asks him out.

The new relationship burns hot, but there’s trouble in paradise. Each of the lovers is keeping a devastating secret that could not only threaten to send Ozzy and Deacon’s fledgling relationship down in flames, but the entire city as well.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: In the Line of Fire

AUTHOR: Jaxon Altieri

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 151 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2020

BLURB:

Shane is a man lost to depression and alcohol after the Giovanni family murdered his partner and lover, Thomas. Now, he finds that his career with the F.B.I. hangs in the balance as he is called upon to take a case that involves the same mafia family that stole everything he has cared for in his life.

Andrew is a Marine and witness to a gruesome shooting that has left him in the crosshairs of the crime family that Shane is trying to bring to justice. Placed in protective custody, he must depend on the broken, yet handsome man that the agency has charged with protecting him.

As Shane’s past and Andrew’s present collide, both men find that their lives aren’t the only things at stake. With hitmen, violence, and a mole in the agency, they will come to depend on each other and start to heal wounds, but risk falling in love, in hopes it’s not too late.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Man From Milwaukee

AUTHOR: Rick R. Reed

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 237 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 20, 2020

BLURB:

It’s the summer of 1991 and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer has been arrested. His monstrous crimes inspire dread around the globe. But not so much for Emory Hughes, a closeted young man in Chicago who sees in the cannibal killer a kindred spirit, someone who fights against the dark side of his own nature, as Emory does. He reaches out to Dahmer in prison via letters.

The letters become an escape—from Emory’s mother dying from AIDS, from his uncaring sister, from his dead-end job in downtown Chicago, but most of all, from his own self-hatred.

Dahmer isn’t Emory’s only lifeline as he begins a tentative relationship with Tyler Kay. He falls for him and, just like Dahmer, wonders how he can get Tyler to stay. Emory’s desire for love leads him to confront his own grip on reality. For Tyler, the threat of the mild-mannered Emory seems inconsequential, but not taking the threat seriously is at his own peril.

Can Emory discover the roots of his own madness before it’s too late and he finds himself following in the footsteps of the man from Milwaukee?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Twin Souls

SERIES: The Aztec Alphas #3

AUTHOR: F.R. D’Angelo

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 197 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 7, 2020

BLURB:

The Aztec Alphas

Twin souls.

Zain surprises Azkin with a honeymoon in the city, Zain knows his mate needs a break from the recent rescues. The Omegas in the pack are finally settling and healing from their traumatic rescue.

Azkin surprises Zain while on honeymoon. Upon their arrival the Pack surprises the Alphas, welcoming them in spectacular style, does this all prove too much for Zain?

Zains life is at risk, as he slips into a coma, Azkin turns to the ancestors for answers. The pack is devastated as one half of the Aztec alphas is at death’s door. Can Azkin find a way to heal his mate?

The cause of the illness rocks the pack, bringing with it lasting and troublesome issues for others. As cubs are lost and some of the recently rescued omegas are failing to thrive. Alpha Protectors, Angel and Brad, realise the issue lies within the pack itself.

Azkin begins to wonder where it will all end. Protectors vow to exact their revenge. The revelation and depth of betrayal shocks them all. The newly established Aztec pack should be celebrating, their lives were looking up, with so much of their future now resting upon Azkins ability to heal Zain, how many more lives are on the line?

Follow the Aztec alphas as the Prophecy deepens and continues to rock their lives.