Reviewed by Sammy

TITLE: Of Secrets and Wolves

SERIES: Winsford Shifters

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 328 pgs.

RELEASE DATE:  January 28, 2021

BLURB:

Rowan

My whole life, I’ve been taught to despise shifters. So when I’m hired to track two escaped convicts, I’m suddenly thrust into the world I hate—or thought I did. Yet I’m inexplicably drawn to the alpha of the pack whose land the convicts may be hiding on. He’s different than any shifter I’ve ever met—laid back and quick to laugh, caring and protective, and makes me feel complete for the first time in my life. As secrets are revealed, I start to wonder if everything I’ve been raised to believe was a lie, though it may not matter because it seems like someone wants us dead.

Quinn

I’m no stranger to prejudice from humans, but it’s different when Rowan comes into my life. Though I shouldn’t let myself be distracted, I’m captivated by him. At first, he’s stiff, fighting to keep his misconstrued beliefs intact, but as I break down the wall he’s created, I’m able to show him a place among the fun chaos of my pack. After one of my pack goes missing, it leaves Rowan and me racing to bring them home, but the only way we’re going to survive this is if Rowan learns to accept the bond that’s growing between us—a bond that could give us the strength to put aside our reservations and give in to what both of us want.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Right as Raine

AUTHOR:  Lucy Lennox

SERIES:  Aster Valley #1

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  296 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 2, 2021

BLURB:

Tiller

As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul.

And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds.

Mikey

I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town.

Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch.

But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all?

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Gravity

SERIES: Written in the Stars # 2

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER: self-published

RELEASE DATE: February 8, 2021

LENGTH: 258 pages

BLURB:

He was only meant to be a hookup. Until he became my coworker.

Only I could ruin the hottest potential hookup ever. One look at the gorgeous ginger, and I was done for. I summoned every bit of courage I had, then panicked. As is my way. I managed to put it behind me until he became my new coworker. Now, every day is a reminder of my insecurities and what might have been.

Working so closely together, Henry and I become fast friends. We have so much in common, but he’s very clear that relationships are not on his mind. The attraction though, that’s undeniable. When Henry offers friends with benefits, there’s no way I’m saying no. Did I mention I’m a virgin?

All I have to do is keep a level head and my feet on the ground. We have a blast together, but before long, the line between friendship and love blurs, and I’m drawn in by his gravity.

The question remains… Is he drawn in by mine?

Gravity is a steamy, low angst, hook up turned surprise coworker, friends with benefits, first time romance featuring a Sinatra-loving old soul, a sweeter than sugar virgin, nerding to the nth degree, and rain-drenched kisses. It is book 2 in the Written in the Stars series, featuring science-loving nerds and the men who fall for them.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem

AUTHOR:  AJ Sherwood

SERIES:  Jon’s Mysteries Case #4

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  237 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 7, 2021

BLURB:

Proposing vs defusing a bomb?

Defusing a bomb is much easier than proposing.

Defusing Donovan’s anger over getting on a plane to defuse said bomb? Harder than the bomb.

Jon is not liking these odds.

Is proposing supposed to be this difficult?

Tags:
Jon and Donovan have a fight, as expected they’re very bad at it, things go BOOM, my kink is healthy processing and expressing of emotions, relationship lessons, life lessons, love is not based on worth, the dads are awesome, I put Jon on a plane, because I’m evil that way, personal space? What’s that?, cats, Jon has a new toy, no I’m not talking about Donovan, the bomb squad is ready to just keep Jon, roadtrip!, grandparents also rock, absolutely nothing goes according to plan

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Grumpy Bear

SERIES: A Bear Camp Novel

AUTHOR: Slade James

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 294 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 28, 2021

BLURB:

Hooking up with an employee is not on my to-do list.

Making sure other men have a good time is my business, even if it means suppressing my own desires. It’s opening weekend at my clothing-optional campground, guests are starting to arrive, and I’ve got a pool party and a few hundred peoples’ vacations to save while battling Mother Nature’s tantrums.

The last thing I need is a temporary employee who can’t even put up a tent.

Luke Cody’s not my type. He’s too young, too pretty, and too much like my late partner. Another flaky musician? No thanks. But when a storm blows down his campsite, I can’t just leave him outside and soaked to the bone. Now he’s staying in my cabin, sleeping in my bed, and worst of all, he’s completely ignoring the proverbial sign over my head that says Grumpy Bear: Do Not Approach.

I’m not quite as immune to his charms as I want him to believe, but he’ll only be here for a few days.

Nothing’s going to happen…

Grumpy Bear is a boss/employee, grumpy/sunshine romance set at a gay campground full of bears. (Not shifters; the other kind of bears.) It’s the first full-length book in the Bear Camp series and can be read as a standalone.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Imagoes

AUTHOR:  N.R. Walker

SERIES:  Imago #2.5

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  73 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 16, 2021

BLURB:

When Jack receives a phone call from a colleague in the southeast of Tasmania with news of a newfound butterfly habitat, he and Lawson head off on another adventure. It’s not an easy trek to the location. The Franklin-Gordon National Park is famous for wild rivers, rainforests, and rocky cliff faces, and they’ll need to hike and abseil—in the dead of winter—to get to the site.

It’s no ordinary expedition because this is no ordinary butterfly, and Jack and Lawson aren’t an ordinary couple. Join Jack and Lawson on another quest in this short story of extraordinary butterflies and extraordinary love.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Ginger Kisses

AUTHOR: Gianni Holmes

PUBLISHER: Coco Nutz Publishing

LENGTH: 2566 KB

RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2021

BLURB:

The sweetest little and his doting Daddy.
875 miles and one year of college keeping them apart. 

Colin has the most awesome Daddy that any little could ever want. But, there’s one problem— Daddy has to move away to a new state. The only thing standing in his way of joining Daddy is finishing up his last year of college. Will Colin be able to survive the infrequent flights between them?

Frank’s lucky enough that his much younger boyfriend still wants him to be his Daddy even in a long-distance relationship. Now, all Frank has to do is find creative ways of engaging Colin’s little side virtually. Will he be able to pull off being a caregiver from almost a thousand miles away or will Colin’s little require more than Frank can give?

If you enjoy low angst age play with ABDL, Daddy bears, and smart littles, you’ll enjoy Ginger Kisses.

This book was expanded from the original novella which was published for Ms. Holmes’s newsletter subscribers. The full novel includes Daddy’s POV and is more than twice the original word count. 

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Fluke and the Faithless Father

SERIES: The Fantastic Fluke Book 2

AUTHOR: Sam Burns

PUBLISHER: Self-published

RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2021

LENGTH: 286 pages

BLURB:

After escaping a murderer and resurrecting his boyfriend, Sage figures he deserves a little time to recover.

Unfortunately, life is rarely fair.

So instead of a break, he gets to deal with a magical law enforcement rookie asking uncomfortable questions about his brush with death. The quaesitor is acting downright suspicious. Or is it suspiciously?

Things go from awkward to dangerous when the man who murdered Sage’s mother is released from prison, and soon after there’s a break-in at the bookstore. The situation escalates so fast that Sage is afraid he’s going to end up with whiplash. Or worse, end up dead. He wanted a break, but not a permanent one.

Fluke and the Faithless Father is a direct sequel to The Fantastic Fluke, and should not be read first. It is an ~85k word novel that follows the continuing adventures of Sage, Fluke, Gideon, and their whole family, found and otherwise.