Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Benediction

SERIES: Diversion #9

AUTHOR: Eden Winters

PUBLISHER: Rocky Ridge Books

LENGTH: 329 Pages

RELEASE DATE: January 15, 2021

BLURB:

“Are you afraid yet? You should be.”
Undercover narcotics agent and former drug trafficker Lucky Harrison paid his debt to society and now lives a law-abiding life, complete with a home, a man he loves, and their son.
An old enemy lurks in the shadows, threatening all he holds dear. A dead witness. A kidnapping attempt. Arson. All send the message: “I’m coming for you.” Hiding in Atlanta’s underbelly, always one step ahead of Lucky, the killer will stop at nothing to exact revenge on the man who thwarted his plans.
But if anyone thinks they’re going to take away the perfect world Lucky’s created, they’d better think again.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Roommate

AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen

PUBLISHER: Tuxbury Publishing LLC

LENGTH: 315 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 12, 2020

BLURB:

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: a room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread. 

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.

Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart…

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The First Boy I Ever Kissed

AUTHOR:  Suki Fleet

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  139 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 11, 2021

BLURB:

It’s been over two years since Tommy’s heart was broken. Two years since Kim vanished from his life without a word.

Kim was the first boy he’d ever kissed. The only person he’s been in love with. He’d thought they were starting something when he showed his feelings on prom night, and they shared their perfect messy kiss, but he’d been wrong. He never saw Kim again. Until tonight when joy riders crash into the warehouse complex where he works.

Kim’s life is a mess. For two years he’s been involved with a criminal gang, doing everything he can to protect his mum from harm. He knows he has nothing to offer. But seeing Tommy again gives him the strength to try. If only Tommy wasn’t leaving the day after tomorrow to go traveling around the world. If only tonight wasn’t all they had.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The World According to Liam

SERIES:  According to Liam #4

AUTHOR:  V.L. Locey

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:   210 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 15, 2021

BLURB: 

When you see the world through the eyes of a child, there’s magic everywhere.

And crumbs. Lots of crumbs…

But that’s not going to stop Mike and Bryn Kneller from traveling with their nephew Liam at their side. Not that deciding to take the lad to visit Bryn’s homeland was an easy decision for the two recently wedded men despite how much they adore the boy. This trip was supposed to be a romantic anniversary trip after all.

However, life, as it does, tends to lead us down a path of its own choosing. Combining an unexpected announcement from a family member with the not-so-subtle pleadings of Bryn’s parents, the decision was made. With lots of hand sanitizer and a heaping helping of patience, the journey begins, leading Bryn and Mike to discover a great deal about themselves, their marriage, and their plans for the future.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Knight and Day

SERIES: Magic Emporium #1

AUTHOR: Jacki James

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 137 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 14, 2021

BLURB:

Theodore Knight has a curious nature. Ever since he was a child, he’s loved books that are full of danger and adventure. In real life, he’s a simple bookstore owner. But in his imagination, he’s a hero who goes on great quests to save the princess, or in his case, the prince, from evil dragons.

Until one day, real life starts to look a lot like his imaginary world. . . and the fate of an entire kingdom rests on his shoulders. The world is more magical than he ever thought, and he will have to learn to accept the impossible as possible, if he and Samuel are to succeed.

Samuel Day had never journeyed to the human realm, and he sure didn’t mean to get stuck there. That said, he’s found it all incredibly fascinating. Especially Theodore, the adorable human who holds a piece of the puzzle necessary to stop an evil immortal and save the magic realm known as Evorea. His loyalty is to his king, but it doesn’t take long for Theodore to become equally important.

They come from different realms and are as different as night and day, but together they have everything they need to save Evorea from ruin. They just have to find their way back there.

Knight and Day is part of the Magic Emporium Series. Each book stands alone, but each one features an appearance by Marden’s Magic Emporium, a shop that can appear anywhere, but only once and only when someone’s in dire need. This book contains a magic realm, a handsome guardian, one clueless human, and a guaranteed HEA.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Faker Rulebook 

AUTHOR: Baylin Crow

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 191 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 3, 2021

BLURB:

The Faker Rulebook: A perfect guide to a successful fake relationship with your straight best friend.

Noah—Rook Oliveira stumbled into my life when I was eleven years old.

Being the scrawny new kid at school with a mouth full of braces, I never expected to become unlikely best friends with the most popular boy in seventh grade.

At eighteen, I gathered the courage to tell him I was gay and admitted I’d never kissed a guy. He offered to be my first. Straight or not, that kiss had burned with nearly tangible fire and tattooed the moment on my heart.

I’ve spent the last four years trying to forget it.

Now we’re seniors in college, and I’ve learned why secret relationships are a bad idea.

My brother is getting married, and my cheating ex is the best man. Honestly, Rook is more upset about it than I am. He comes up with this crazy plan to be my fake boyfriend for the week of the wedding.

If we’re doing this, then we need to set some rules. Between fake kisses and sharing a bed, things could get messy. Because I’m in love with my best friend—and he has no idea.

The rules are simple. I never expected Rook to be the one that started breaking them.

The Faker Rulebook is a high steam, low angst standalone novel.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Gangster

SERIES:  Magic & Steam #2

AUTHOR:  C.S. Poe

PUBLISHER:  Emporium Press

LENGTH:  242 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 12, 2020

BLURB:

1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton, magic caster for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, has recovered from injuries obtained while in Shallow Grave, Arizona. Now back in New York City, Gillian makes an arrest on New Year’s Eve that leads to information on a gangster, known only as Tick Tock, who’s perfected utilizing elemental magic ammunition. This report complicates Gillian’s holiday plans, specifically those with infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly, who promised they’d ring in 1882 together.

The two men stand on the cusp of a romance that needs to be explored intimately and privately. But when Gillian’s residence is broken into by a magical mechanical man who tries to murder him on behalf of Tick Tock, he and Gunner must immediately investigate the city’s ruthless street gangs before the illegal magic becomes a threat that cannot be contained.

This might be their most wild adventure yet, but criminal undergrounds can’t compare to the dangers of the heart. Gillian must balance his career in law enforcement with his love for a vigilante, or lose both entirely.

The novel-length follow-up to The Engineer, in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Defiant Alpha

SERIES: West Coast Wolves #2

AUTHOR: Susi Hawke

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 158 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 28, 2020

BLURB:

“Between the thick fur and my own nerves, it took longer than it should’ve to find the fluttering proof of his heartbeat. I’d known he was alive since he didn’t smell like death. No… he smelled like… home. Like my home. The one place where I would always belong. ”

Lucian Smith, unwanted at birth, is a defiant alpha who’d not only dare anyone to call him unclaimed, he’d proudly display the proof. He doesn’t want or need a pack other than the family he’s built with his crew—The West Coast Wolves. For so long, it was just them… an unlikely pack of alphas who took to the open road and helped where they could, doing random acts of kindness and expecting nothing in return.

Until the first of one of them stepped up when duty called and took his own pack to rule. This ended the brothers-in-arms’ days of riding wherever the road took them when fate conspired to give each of the brothers a pack to rule. Even Lucian… the unlikely defiant Alpha who would not only dare anyone to call him unclaimed, he’d proudly display the proof.

While out on a night’s ride, Lucian comes across a half-dead dog on the side of the road. After stopping to help, he discovers it’s no dog, it’s a shifter—an omega wolf. The true mate Lucian never dared hoped for is now in his arms, if he can just rescue him first. Little does he know there are a dozen more omegas who need saving, his mate is just the start.

With a secret over twenty years old and millions of dollars at stake, the people who stole innocent babies with plans for the ultimate payday won’t let go of them easily. Except… even omegas have hidden strength and their own ways to fight back. With the help of his crew, Lucian is in a unique position to help these lost young men and set right to old wrongs.

This is the second book about finding joy in a hard world, building a family, and discovering that life can surprise a person when they least expect it. Although this world has harsher themes than my previous books, it still has the same heart you’d expect. Plus a dose of my irreverent humor and all the naughty, knotty heat that comes with true mates. It wouldn’t be a Susi Hawke book without it. Note: possible trigger warning for mentions of stillbirth, medical abuse, and child abduction.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  A Shot at Perfect

SERIES: Vasquez Inc #4

AUTHOR: Lou Sylvre

LENGTH:  168 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 24, 2020

BLURB:

~New trauma threatens the love of a Dom and his sub. Investigating crime may threaten their lives.~

After a crash left him with new mental and physical scars, Jackie Vasquez has finally regained his focus, flair, and bright outlook. Though he’s letting Brian Harrison’s marriage proposal simmer, it’s not for lack of love. He’s set his sights on putting his life right first — a new job and a fresh start at graduate school. But Los Angeles — the city of devil winds — has new trauma in store for him. Another accident leaves him with the stump of a leg and defeated spirits, adrift despite Brian’s devoted attentions.

While Brian copes with his own emotional trauma, he hopes to break through Jackie’s apathy, but work at Vasquez Security takes more and more of his time and attention. Specifically “the Espen case,” which his boss — Luki Vasquez — has forbidden him to pursue. Help comes on all fronts from friends and family for both Brian and Jackie, but even as it does, danger mounts from outside. Can the two men find their way back to love as well as passion and fulfillment in their D/s roles? Can they survive the confrontation with danger that seems to loom closer and darker every time LA’s hot winds blow?