Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Promises: Part 5: The Next Generation

SERIES:  Bounty Hunters #5

AUTHOR:  A.E. Via

NARRATOR:  Aiden Snow

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

RELEASE DATE:  April 7, 2020

LENGTH:  9 hours and 3 minutes

BLURB:

Duke Webb has run the most successful bail recovery agency in Atlanta for over 20 years. That’s because he has a team of trained, competent hunters backing him up to keep his name feared on the streets. But Duke knows that nothing can go on forever. That’s what leads him to start his new training program.

Kellam Knight has studied martial arts under his sensei, Quick, since he was 8 years old. A tossed-out reject from high-society, Kell has a problem fighting on the right side of the law. When Quick offers Kell the opportunity to join Duke’s training program, he’s all in. Except he’s not prepared for the straight, over-confident, extremely disciplined, sexy man Brian has recruited to be his partner.

Tyrell Jenkins’ world was flipped upside down when his father never returned home from his last deployment. He’d been Ty’s teacher, mentor, his guide to living a righteous life as a good man. When Brian King – his father’s most trusted comrade – finally comes to him with the truth, he doesn’t come alone. He comes with trained men hidden in the shadows…and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a brotherhood unlike any other.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: The Extraordinaries

SERIES: The Extraordinaries #1

AUTHOR: TJ Klune

NARRATOR: Michael Lesley

PUBLISHER: Macmillan Audio

LENGTH: 12 hours, 56 minutes

RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2020

BLURB:

Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Secret at Skull House

SERIES: Secrets and Scrabble #2

AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon

NARRATOR: Matt Haynes

PUBLISHER: JustJoshin Publishing

LENGTH: 6 hours, 2 minutes

RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2020

BLURB:

Ellery Page is back–and in hot water again!

Unlike everyone else in Pirate’s Cove, Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, reigning Scrabble champion, and occasionally clueless owner of the village’s only mystery bookstore, is anything but thrilled when famed horror author Brandon Abbott announces he’s purchased legendary Skull House and plans to live there permanently.

Ellery and Brandon have history. Their relationship ended badly and the last thing Ellery wants is a chance to patch things up–especially when his relationship with Police Chief Jack Carson is just getting interesting. But then, maybe Brandon isn’t all that interested in getting back together either, because he seems a lot more interested in asking questions about the bloodstained past of his new home than discussing a possible future with Ellery. What is Brandon really up to?

Ellery will have to unscramble that particular puzzle post haste. Because after his former flame disappears following their loud and public argument, Ellery seems to be Police Chief Carson’s first–and only–suspect.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Collared

AUTHOR: TA Moore

NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 3 hours, 45 minutes

RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2020

BLURB:

When ex-priest Jack finds a dead man nailed to his bed, he knows it’s going to be a bad night. He just has no idea how bad. Now he’s been recruited by his own personal demon to find the thieves who killed a man, kidnapped his family, and stole something of indescribable value from the demonic Math. To find answers he has to delve deep into the infernal underbelly of his town and face his own past. Jack’s been promised his soul back if he succeeds. As local cop Ben Ambrose risks his own soul by following too closely in Jack’s footsteps, and with a child’s life on the line, Jack has to decide if it’s a deal he’s willing to make.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Nothing Special V

SERIES:  Nothing Special #5

AUTHOR:  A.E. Via

NARRATOR:  Aiden Snow

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

RELEASE DATE:  October 20, 2019

LENGTH:  12 hours and 29 minutes

BLURB:

Atlanta’s notorious narcotics task force is at it again. They are stronger, bigger, and better than ever. Especially when a city councilman sends RECON Marine Edwin Steele – who’s been blacklisted from his Oakland department – to join the team.

Steele was ready to hang up his shield. He was done fighting with bigoted bastards that couldn’t respect the job. He was good at fighting; he just needed the right team to fight with. When his uncle – City Councilman Rasmus Steele – shows him a video of God’s team in action, he knows right away it’s where his nephew belongs in order to restore his faith.

Steele was skeptical about his new placement, but when he meets God’s technology specialist/computer genius, “Tech”, he’s willing to give it his all, and he definitely shows and proves.

Tech is stunning. His sweater vest and khakis, a stark contrast to the blue-jeaned roughnecks he works with. A beautiful sheep amongst the wolves. Steel thinks there’s no way the brilliant man would be interested in a hardhead like him, but Tech has a few badass hidden talents of his own and manages to surprise him…surprise all of them.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Rag and Bone

SERIES: The Henry Rios Mysteries #8

AUTHOR: Michael Nava

NARRATOR: Thom Rivera

PUBLISHER: Audible Studios

LENGTH: 9 hours, 21 minutes

RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2020

BLURB:

In Michael Nava’s final Henry Rios mystery, the Latino lawyer faces his most daunting personal and professional challenges as he comes to terms with his past—and a cache of family secrets

Henry Rios was dead for fifty-seven seconds when he suffered a heart attack in the courtroom. While he recovers, his sister, Elena, stays with him at the hospital, and they begin to repair their strained relationship, finally airing their thoughts and regrets about their childhood in an abusive home. But Elena has an extra surprise for Rios: Thirty years ago, when she was in college, she had a baby and gave her up for adoption. The girl, Vicky, grew up in foster homes, but now seeks out Elena for help escaping an abusive husband.

Despite Elena and Rios’s efforts, Vicky returns to her husband—but not long after, he’s shot dead in a motel room and Vicky claims to have blown him away. Rios doesn’t believe her confession, though, and finds evidence that suggests she’s innocent. Rios’s search for the facts leads him into a thicket of secrets and lies. As he fights for a niece he never knew he had, he must also combat the ever-present shadow of his own mortality and the truth about his past. A possible judgeship and a new love give him hope for the future in this stellar conclusion to the acclaimed Henry Rios series, about love, loss, and the enduring power of family.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: The Two Gentlemen of Altona

SERIES: Playing the Fool #1

AUTHOR: Lisa Henry & J.A. Rock

NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

LENGTH: 5 hours, 11 minutes

RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2016

BLURB:

Mischief, thou art afoot.

Special Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness is having a rough week. Not only is he on a new diet, but he’s also been tasked with keeping Henry Page — the world’s most irritating witness — alive. Which is tough when Mac’s a breath away from killing the Shakespeare-quoting, ethically-challenged, egg-obsessed Henry himself. Unless killing isn’t really what Mac wants to do to him.

Con man Henry Page prefers to keep his distance from the law . . . though he wouldn’t mind getting a little closer to uptight, handsome Agent McGuinness. As the sole witness to a mob hit, Henry’s a valuable asset to the FBI. But he’s got his own agenda, and it doesn’t involve testifying.

When evidence surfaces of a mole in the FBI office, Mac and Henry are forced to go into hiding. Holed up in a fishing cabin, they’re surprised to discover that their feelings run more than skin deep. But as the mob closes in, Henry has to make his escape. And Mac has to decide how far he’s willing to go to keep Henry by his side.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Damage Control 

SERIES:  North Shore Stories

AUTHOR:  Lynn Van Dorn

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:   18 hours and 58 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  June 19, 2019

BLURB:  

Everything to lose.

Tyler’s worked hard to kick the dust of the Chicago suburbs off his heels and move on with his life as Hollywood’s newest up-and-comer, burying his demons and hiding his scars from the world. Just as everything seems to be going his way, a scandal from his past threatens everything he’s worked for. Now, he’s stuck back home, where his family of lawyers can maybe help sink the scandal and find out who’s behind it.

Afraid to love.

Josh doesn’t know what to think when his ex’s little brother falls into his arms, other than that Tyler is trouble with a capital T. But when Tyler’s publicist suggests that an adoring fake boyfriend might be just the ticket to saving Tyler’s acting career, Josh doesn’t mind playing along. It’s not like he has anything else going on, and faking a relationship with someone you’ve known your entire life can’t possibly be that difficult.

A second chance for two damaged hearts.

Now, they’re stuck together for the foreseeable future, and neither can deny their mounting attraction. Why should they? They’re supposed to be in love, at least out in public. But in private, when no one is watching, Tyler and Josh grow closer in a way that has nothing to do with their agreed upon arrangement. What do they do when make-believe becomes real, and how can two men with such different lives have a shared future?

Damage Control is a steamy, stand-alone gay romance with no cliffhanger and an HEA.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Slow Birth

SERIES:  Heat of Love #2.5

AUTHOR:  Leta Blake

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  5 hours and 14 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  June 1, 2020

BLURB:

Jason and Vale are back in this side story set in the Heat of Love universe! 

A romantic getaway turns dramatic when an unexpected heat descends on Vale, leaving Jason with no choice but to act. The resulting pregnancy is dangerous for Vale and terrifying for Jason, but with the help of friends and family, they choose to embrace their uncertain future. Together they find all the love, joy, and heat they need to guide them through!

While this story follows the characters from Slow Heat, it will be most enjoyable if listened to directly after Alpha Heat, as it takes place contemporaneously with that book.

This is a gay romance novella by Leta Blake, consisting of 50,000 words of bonus material with a strong happy ending for the characters of Jason and Vale from Slow Heat. This bonus story is set in a critically acclaimed, non-shifter omegaverse, with alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Nailed

SERIES:  Four Bears Construction #2

AUTHOR:  K.M. Neuhold

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  6 hours and 35 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  June 3, 2020

BLURB:

My new neighbor is a total tool.

He hated me from the second he laid eyes on me, and I don’t have the first clue why… But, if he wants to hate me, I’m happy to give him a few reasons: mowing the lawn at dawn on the weekend, leaving garbage cans in front of his driveway, renting a petting zoo for my backyard…making a list of ways to drive him crazy is half the fun.

He deserves it with the way he’s driving me crazy right back without even trying— walking around without a shirt on, sweaty rippling muscles on full display, well-worn denim jeans perfectly molded to his…well, you get the idea.

My point is, if he wants a war, I’ll give him one.

***Nailed is an enemies to lovers, neighbors who can’t stand each other, omg the anger banging, drool worthy, low angst story, which happens to be the second in my Four Bears Construction series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Imago

SERIES: Imago #1

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

NARRATOR: Antony Ferguson

PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio

LENGTH: 4 hours, 47 minutes

RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2020

BLURB:

Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a quest from an old professor to find an elusive species that may or may not even exist.

Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton, is an ordinary guy who loves his life in the sleepy town of Scottsdale. Along with his Border collie dog, Rosemary, his job, and good friends, he has enough to keep from being lonely.

But then he meets Lawson, and he knows he’s met someone special. There’s more to catching butterflies, Jack realizes. Sometimes the most elusive creatures wear bow ties, and sometimes they can’t be caught at all.

Lawson soon learns there are butterflies he can’t learn about it in books. They exist only in a touch, in a kiss, in a smile. He just has to let go first, so these butterflies can fly.

Imago is the story of finding love, bow ties, and butterflies.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE: Starting From Scratch

SERIES: Starting From #2

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

NARRATOR: Michael Dean

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: November 6, 2019

LENGTH: 8 hours, 22 minutes

BLURB:

Charlie Rourke is an ultra-fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero. Promoting a rock band and finding gigs shouldn’t be hard. They’re a talented group with a ton of star power. If Charlie can find the right record label, he’s sure he can help them get to the next level. The only problem is the skater boy slash bassist with a quirky sense of humor. He’s annoying and silly, and he’s exactly Charlie’s type. Except, he’s straight.

Ky Baldwin isn’t afraid to switch things up. He loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature with a razor-sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a no-nonsense attitude. Ky can’t stop thinking about him. Winning over Charlie becomes Ky’s pet project.

But, when the ice between them thaws, neither is prepared for the intensity of going from enemies to lovers. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to start from scratch and take a chance on the unexpected.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Misfits

SERIES: Urban Soul #1

AUTHOR: Garrett Leigh

NARRATOR: Craig Beck

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

LENGTH: 6 hours, 43 minutes

RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2016

BLURB:

Restaurant owner Tom Fearnes has loved his partner Cass for as long as he can remember, but their work often keeps them apart. When he meets a striking young man named Jake on the vibrant streets of Camden Town, their heady first encounter takes an unexpected turn.

Jake Thompson can hardly believe his luck when he wakes up in Tom’s bed. Tom is gorgeous, kind, and . . . taken. Tom’s explanation of his open relationship leaves Jake cold, but Tom is too tempting, and when hard times force Jake to accept Tom’s helping hand, he finds himself between two men who’ve lost their way.

Cass Pearson is a troubled soul. He loves Tom with all he has, but some days it feels like he hasn’t much to give. Jake seems like the perfect solution. Cass risks everything to push Jake and Tom together, but Jake resists, wary, until the darkness of Cass’s past comes to call. Then Jake finds himself the last man standing, and it’s time to dig deep and shine a light for the men he’s grown to love.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Wonderland City

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 3 hours, 11 minutes

RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2020

BLURB:

Xander Spade fled to Wonderland to escape the devil who took his soul, and fell prey to the Queen of Hearts instead. Now he has a chance to go home – but first he must find a missing girl before all Hell breaks loose.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Seeker of Truth

SERIES: SPECTR Series 3, #3

AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk

NARRATOR: Brad Langer

PUBLISHER: Widdershins Press

LENGTH: 4 hours, 12 minutes

RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2020

BLURB:

Federal agent John Starkweather’s parents are dead. Or at least – the people he remembered as his parents. With his very identity in question, John must look elsewhere for answers.

The now-defunct Center for Loving Redemption may provide the clues he needs. But as John’s true memories begin to resurface, the answers prove worse than he ever imagined.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Police Brutality

SERIES:  Hazard & Somerset: A Union of Swords #2

AUTHOR:  Gregory Ashe

NARRATOR:  Tristan James

PUBLISHER:  Hodgkin and Blount

LENGTH:  11 hours and 57 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  May 7, 2020

BLURB:  

For the first time in a long while, Emery Hazard’s life is good. His new business as a private detective is taking off. Things are good at home. He loves his boyfriend, John-Henry Somerset; he loves their daughter. He might even love the new friends they’ve found. There’s only one problem: Somers has been talking about marriage.

When a former colleague, Walter Hoffmeister, comes to Hazard and hires him to look into a series of anonymous death threats, Hazard eagerly jumps on the distraction. Hoffmeister might be a jerk, but he’s a paying jerk, and Hazard isn’t convinced the threats are serious.

Until, that is, Hoffmeister is almost gunned down on Hazard’s doorstep. As Hazard investigates more deeply, he learns that more than one person in Wahredua has a reason to wish Hoffmeister dead. His search takes him to the Ozark Volunteers, reincarnated as the Bright Lights movement, but it also leads him into a sanctuary of radical Christianity. Meanwhile, an antifa activist has arrived in town, calling for Hoffmeister’s death and threatening total war with the Bright Lights.

As Hazard continues to look for answers, he becomes a target, too – and not just because he’s helping Hoffmeister. The Keeper of Bees is still at large, and the killer hasn’t lost interest in Emery Hazard. Not yet. Not, Hazard begins to suspect, until the Keeper has taken everything Hazard holds dear.