Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  His Haven

SERIES:  His #3

AUTHOR:  Con Riley

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:    322 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 21, 2021

BLURB:

Once jilted, twice shy…

Keir Brodie is a lawyer with good reason for his trust issues. A year after his groom didn’t show up at their wedding, he’s still heartsore and hurting. Work has been his saviour, but a new project sets alarm bells ringing — his favourite client wants to buy a house for someone Keir thinks is a liar.

Mitch’s nice-guy act doesn’t fool Keir, and he can’t let sparks flying when they’re together distract him. That’s just the flare of opposites attracting, not the lifelong connection he misses. Besides, no amount of passion is worth risking his heart, especially with someone only down for onetime hook-ups.

Their shared project chips away at Keir’s first impressions. As the truth, and Keir, unravel, Mitch pieces him back together in ways Keir couldn’t have predicted. Trusting Mitch with more than his client’s money will take a leap of faith, in himself, and in a man Keir hopes won’t leave him waiting.

♥ Featuring opposites who attract, and passion in close proximity, His Haven is the third shared-world novel in the His Contemporary MM Romance series. Featuring a different couple each time, these books can be read alone, or enjoyed together. ♥

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Motorcycles & Teddy Bears

SERIES: Takoda Outreach Center #5

AUTHOR: Sammi Cee

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 136 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2021

BLURB:

Welcome to Takoda Outreach Center. Prepare yourself for open hearts, a full belly, and all the love you can handle.

Look, I know my life doesn’t look easy. I adopted the three children I fostered, and they keep me on my toes. My house is a little lived in, they eat constantly, and someone always needs a ride somewhere. It’s amazing, stressful, and exhausting, but mostly amazing.

When I took my daughter to get fancy braids for her first day of kindergarten, I wasn’t trying to make a new friend out of Austin, the hottie hair stylist. I have a perfectly good support system already. Yet, everytime I turn around, he’s right there ready to save the day. Including a little sexy-time stress relief.

While I appreciate everything he’s done for us, especially watching the kids so I can help set up a childcare care center at Takoda Outreach Center, I’m not interested in more. At least that’s what I keep telling myself…

Here in the fifth book of the Takoda Outreach Series, you can expect moonlight motorcycle rides, ill-timed knocks at the door, and a science experiment gone wrong. And as always in Sammi’s low-angst, super-sweet world, hugs are freely given and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Coaching the Nerd

SERIES: Nerds vs Jocks (Book #2)

AUTHOR: Eli Easton and Tara Lain

PUBLISHER: Easton Lain Publishing

LENGTH: 281 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 16, 2021

BLURB:

Super-bod meets super-brain

What happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what.

Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team.

Sean may be a supernerd, but to Bubba he’s funny, and wise, and kinda cute. He’s also the one person on campus who doesn’t see Bubba as a big, stupid jock.

One BIG problem. Sean’s motivation for getting into shape is to lose his virginity — and Bubba isn’t happy when guys start sniffing around.

But Bubba’s straight. Isn’t he?

Can a big, dumb jock from Nowhere, Wisconsin change his whole life for a genius who just wants to get laid?

COACHING THE NERD is a total makeover, opposites attract, My Fair Lady trope, bi awakening, campus romance – that grabs your flag. 

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Endgame

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  336 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 20, 2021

BLURB:

Weston
When I left home, I swore I’d never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I’ve done it all as an out gay man. So, when I’m in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don’t hesitate to proposition him…right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella.

Anson
I’ve always known I’m gay, but never acted on it. Pretending isn’t easy, but it means I can keep playing football. No one has ever guessed my secret until the gorgeous man at a bar in DC. At least he doesn’t know who I am—the best tight end in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Lightning. Though my identity doesn’t stay a secret from him for long.

Between texts and late-night phone calls, we get to know each other. West’s the only person who knows all the parts of me, just like I know his. When he asks for one night together so he can show me what it’s like to be with a man, I can’t say no. But once isn’t enough, and we keep sneaking around together—brief encounters, in California, Georgia, or DC, filled with passionate touches and whispered truths.

I never thought I’d have love. West never thought he’d want it. Now we’re all in with each other, but he still has time left in his Senate term. I have contract obligations to fulfill, and I’m closeted. We don’t even live in the same state. The odds are stacked against us, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to win. He’s the endgame in the biggest challenge of my life, the one I’m banking my future happiness on.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Sheltering Tree

AUTHOR: J.R. Lawrie

PUBLISHER: Carnation Books

LENGTH: 507 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2021

BLURB:

The heart of Alastair Harding’s life is duty. Becoming the first gay chief of the Metropolitan police has required certain sacrifices, but Alastair made them willingly. If his life now lacks human connections, he can’t exactly complain—and it’s a little too late for regrets.

Jay Fieldhouse knows all about sacrifice, too. Brought to London for his own safety by witness protection, Jay’s grassroots charity works day and night to save vulnerable kids from a life of crime. But getting close to other people is tough when no one really knows who you are.

When he meets Alastair one night at a charity event, Jay is intrigued by his glimpse of a gentle soul beneath the commissioner’s uniform. The two men decide to run their lonely paths side by side for a while—after all, life is short and good sex is hard to come by.

Then the shadows of the past begin to stir, and the words which go unsaid might be Jay and Alastair’s undoing.

The Sheltering Tree is J.R. Lawrie’s first full length novel, following her beloved debut anthology, Let Your Heart Be Light.

Reviewed by Stephen K.

TITLE: First Impressions

AUTHOR:  C. Koehler

PUBLISHER: NineStar Press

LENGTH: 333 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2021

BLURB:

When Henry Hughes and Cameron Jameson meet for the first time at a Coming Out Day party, it’s anything but love at first sight. In fact, it’s an unmitigated disaster, despite a scorching physical attraction.

Henry, whose social anxiety gets the better of him, humiliates Cameron, and when Cameron finds out about Henry’s past in adult films, he assumes he dodged a disease-covered bullet. Yet as Henry runs into Cameron again and again, he realizes he might have misjudged the younger man. He also realizes that Cameron won’t let go of his own initial view and thinks Henry is an unmitigated ass. First impressions are lasting impressions, and Cameron seems to misinterpret all of Henry’s words and deeds.

It’s not until Henry confronts Cameron that Cameron realizes just how wrong he’s been, but he thinks he’s lost his chance. Yet when disaster strikes Cameron and his friends, Henry rides to the rescue. Will Cameron be able to put aside his pride and shame to accept Henry’s help and his heart?

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Black Moon

SERIES: Black Moon Rising Book 1

AUTHOR: Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 330 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 22, 2021

BLURB:

An apple a day won’t keep this doctor away.

Linden Grove has always known that he’s not destined to be the next pack alpha. That position belonged to his brother Aspen—but then Aspen left the pack to join the military. When the unthinkable happens and the pack is left rudderless, someone has to step up and take care of it. Can a doctor go from “do no harm” to defending his own with his teeth and claws?

Colt Doherty is used to a certain kind of life. Glittering, picturesque, and . . . empty. As the youngest child of the country’s only werewolf senator, Colt has grown up in the spotlight, and he’s all too used to knot-headed alphas taking credit for the work of others, especially omegas like himself. When his editor sends him to write a story on the Grove pack, though, he finds something completely unexpected: Linden Grove in his unpolished perfection, as shiny and sweet as the apples his pack are known for.

A Grove pack omega has been kidnapped, and someone has to step up. The pack needs Linden to fill his father’s shoes, but no wolf can stand on his own. To save the day, sheltered Colt has to drop the politics and become the action hero he never thought an omega could be.

Black Moon is an 90k word standalone novel featuring one fiery journalist, one doctor with an obsession for hand knit sweaters, and the sweetest apple pies on the whole eastern seaboard, all bundled up in a non-mpreg A/B/O universe.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Holding onto Light

AUTHOR: Lucien Grey

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 150 Pages

RELEASE DATE: April 13, 2021

BLURB:

Two strangers running from their dark pasts find redemption in each other.

Harry, a former army doctor, lives in isolation after the devastating war between Rasacara and the Empire came to a bloody and violent conclusion. His lonely life is disrupted by a young, beautiful man surrounded by secrets and suspicion, who would likely destroy Harry if he knew who he was.

Kit, former member of the witch army’s Blue Crows, now on the run from his former master, must keep his identity a secret as his enemy is closing in and Harry, the gruff, mysterious woodsman, is all that stands between him and the man who wants him dead.

Forced together by Kit’s injuries, the two lonely men find comfort in each other, both scarred by the darkness of their pasts, but when Kit’s enemy catches up with him, they are forced to fight, revealing to each other the evils both of them have committed, and testing the strength of their new, fledgling love.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: A Soft Touch

AUTHOR: Laura Lascarso

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 269 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2021

BLURB:

Roman Reynolds needs a housekeeper and Ezra Powell is arguably the best. Despite their rocky start, Ezra is determined to set Roman’s house to rights without any distractions, if only the man would keep his shirt on and stop looking so damn handsome all the time.

An ex-NFL player and confirmed bachelor, Roman has been on a long losing streak when it comes to men. When his best friend (and notorious prankster) says he’s got someone who’s perfect for him, Roman knows it’s too good to be true. But then Ezra comes along with his shy smiles and thoughtful gestures and Roman’s hardened heart finally begins to thaw.

Both men have been hurt before, both are a little shy when it comes to love, but when the opportunity to form a deep and lasting connection arises, will they be bold enough to take it?

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: School of Fish

AUTHOR: Amy Lane

SERIES: Fish Out of Water #6

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH:  368 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2020

BLURB:

Jackson Rivers has been learning how to take care of himself so he can be there for Ellery Cramer, but after eight weeks of healing, body and soul, he’s itching to get back to work. Finally Ellery gives him a simple task: pick up a file on a kid who probably didn’t commit murder but who refuses to participate in his own defense.

Nothing is ever that easy.

A horrifying game of connect-the-dots leads one case to another, to the mob, to the local high school… and a bottomless list of potential suspects and victims. The case has a lot of moving parts, and Jackson and Ellery have to work fast to make sure the machinery of the mob doesn’t mow down everyone they care about—or rip them apart.

After a year of living together, Ellery is learning to accept that Jackson can’t let an injustice stand. Together they fight to keep kids out of jail while the streets of Sacramento threaten to explode. They’d better hope they’ve learned enough about each other to keep it together, because for this case, school is the most dangerous place to be.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Hold the Door

SERIES:  Open Doors #1

AUTHOR:  Vinni George

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  270 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 15, 2021

BLURB:

One hidden crush.
One bunch of plastic mistletoe.
One alcohol-fueled kiss.
One set of taillights as Max Martino left town.

Sixteen years later…

Sam Addison hates change, and his company’s new merger is stretching him to his limit. When Sam finds out an older, hotter, and amazingly talented Max Martino is part of the acquisition, he knows the only way to keep his sanity is to avoid Max—and their history—at any cost.

Max never planned to settle down, but recently he’s been pining for roots. A new job, a new city, and a second chance with Sam makes the thought of staying in one place exciting for the first time ever.
But the harder Max pushes, the farther Sam runs, sometimes literally, and Max begins to wonder if Sam can ever let go of the biggest mistake Max ever made—leaving.

But maybe a second chance at forever is as simple as holding the door open for love.

Hold the Door is an 80,000-word contemporary romance that features friends to lovers and a second chance at love, a sassy work husband, and surfing lessons that often lead to more. Hold the Door is the first book in the Open Doors series and can be read as a standalone.