Book of the Week Poll
Welcome to the Love Bytes Book of the Week Poll!
Here are the books which achieved a 4.25 and up review last week from our reviewers.
As a reminder, the top two books from each week’s poll will roll into our Book of the Month poll at month’s end. Happy Voting!
Please scroll to the very bottom for the voting section.
POLL SCHEDULE:
This poll will remain open until at least 6PM, Amsterdam time next Friday. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules…
Gideon (Chosen Champions #2) by Macy Blake
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Gideon
SERIES: Chosen Champions #2
AUTHOR: Macy Blake
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 319 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2021
BLURB:
Gideon is a centuries-old vampire warrior with a broken heart…
Which is why he’s vowed never to risk it again. Instead, he’s channeled his passion and his legendary self-control into becoming a skilled protector — one who’s promised to wield his sword alongside a young wolf shifter leader on a mission from the mysterious Oracle to protect the human realm against the broken magic that threatens its very existence. He’s doing just fine without love, thank you very much… at least until his incubus ex reappears in his life.
Taj is an incubus without a home…
And that is every bit as unpleasant as it sounds. Banished to the human realm, Taj is learning the hard way that survival is for the fittest and, um… he’s not as fit as he thought he was. Not when his past keeps coming back to haunt him. Still, it’s only when another incubus is involved in a series of brutal attacks and Taj’s ex, Gideon, rides to the rescue that Taj learns just how dangerous this human realm might be to his life… and to his heart.
But although the fire between Gideon and Taj burns hotter than ever, they’ll need to break through the wall of secrets that divides them if they want a chance to set things right…
A second chance for the human realm.
A second chance at finding a home in the welcoming arms of their new pack.
And a second chance at building a future… together.
Forbidden: King (The Four #4) by Sloane Kennedy
Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Forbidden: King
SERIES: The Four #4
AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 335 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 28, 2021
BLURB:
King
My brothers think I have a lot of secrets. They have no idea…
My job is to rescue kids who’ve been stolen from their families. I’m good at it and it helps me forget my own ugly childhood, but I’m a grown man now and the family of my heart is all I need.
Except that I haven’t seen them in two years. I walked out of their lives without an explanation. I walked away from him without even saying goodbye. I know how much I hurt him. I know how badly I broke his trust. But even though we’re not related by blood, our family thinks of me as his uncle.
Yet there’s no part of me that thinks of young Giovanni Covello that way. Problem is, I shouldn’t be thinking about him at all, especially since my thoughts have become less and less innocent since Gio turned eighteen. He’s closing in on twenty now and there’s no escaping him anymore because he’s in New York, the place I rest my head. I don’t trust myself around him, yet I can’t stay away, not after learning about the painful nightmares and frightening memories he’s experiencing about his own abduction and imprisonment as a child.
He’s the son of one of my best friends and he’s had a crush on me for years. But I have to leave him alone. I just have to.
Not because I don’t want Gio, but because he shouldn’t want me. I can’t give him what he wants, what we both want.
Not now. Not ever.
Gio
Things didn’t make sense until he came along. Four years ago, he saved me from myself. Now he’s trying to do it again. But I don’t need saving. I need more than that. So much more…
I don’t remember much about the life I lived as a child after I was stolen from my family, but my doctor says I will. Apparently, the wall in my head will come crashing down one day and all the ugly memories of what had been done to me will come rushing back to me.
I haven’t told anyone, but it’s already happening. I just need to get through the computer course I’m taking in New York City so I can prove to myself that I can live an independent life before returning home to Seattle.
My plan is a pretty good one, but I forgot to include one important variable.
King.
He’s supposedly my uncle but I’ve never seen King that way and there’s not even one drop of shared blood between us.
Two years ago, he was my protector and my friend. And then he was just… gone.
He’s back now and wants back into my life, but not to resume our friendship or to act on the attraction he’s finally admitted to having toward me. No, he just wants to keep me safe.
But that’s a good thing, right?
What could go wrong with having the guy I can’t stop thinking about living with me under my own roof?
Answer: Everything.
Submitted (Star Marked Warriors Book 3) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes
Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: Submitted
SERIES: Star Marked Warriors Book 3
AUTHOR: Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 201 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2021
BLURB:
An alien bastard, a man without a home, and a war to end an entire planet…
Beau: I never had a place to belong. The only gay kid in my small town on the shores of the southern Mississippi River, I’ve spent my life hiding who I am. And the night I came out of the closet? Yeah, my dad kicked me out of his house. But there’s not belonging, and then there’s being kidnapped and whisked off the flipping planet and hanging out with huge, intimidating extraterrestrials.
Okay, given that I’ve been caged by a bunch of big blue aliens, I guess “hanging out” is an overstatement, but at least they’re feeding me. We get to an entirely new planet, and these warriors have more in mind for me than I’m prepared to give. Only, there’s one surly alien warrior who’ll put his life on the line to save mine.
Vorian: Son of Crux the Progenitor, self-proclaimed savior of Thorzan, I have spent my life outcast from Thorzi society, watching my princely half-brother Kaelum from the shadows. Hated by my human mother and a hybrid myself, the Thorzi see me as soft and weak. My father expects me to mate with one of our own kind, but I see my own weaknesses, hopes, and angers in the form of one beautiful human, trapped in one of my father’s cages.
To save him from the fate my father has in store, I’ll have to betray everything I’ve ever known, but I may need help from my people. And whether they know it or not, they’ll need Beau and me to survive the conflict with our greatest enemies.
By popular cowriting duo Sam Burns & W.M. Fawkes, Submitted is an M/M alien romance with a hybrid warrior who’s spent his life as an outsider, a homeless young man who’ll find a place to belong on a planet he never dreamed of, and a battle for all of Thorzan in the hands of a special bonded mate pair. This book is third in the Star Marked Warriors series. Please see content warnings on the copyright page.
Leather Head: Unmasked (sequel to Leather Head) by Matt Converse
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Leather Head: Unmasked
SERIES: sequel to Leather Head
AUTHOR: Matt Converse
PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink
LENGTH: 80 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2021
BLURB:
After escaping the death grip of Leather Head, Gable needs a weekend getaway in Palm Springs with best friend, Shawn.
In New York, Andr�s and Tyler take that trip to the West Coast they’ve talked about for so long.
In Arizona, Granger and his much younger boyfriend Liam head to Palm Springs to celebrate Pride weekend and decide to stay at a gay resort known to be the wildest in town.
After a narrow escape from the police, Leather Head battles the inner demons from his past that have molded him into the monster he is. But this doesn’t stop him from looking for more of what feeds his dark soul, even while on the run.
Fate draws all of them together for a climactic weekend in Palm Springs. For some, it was the wild weekend they needed. For others, things turn so dark that they wonder if they will get out alive.
It’s up to Leather Head to see who does. That is if he’s not caught first.
One-click the shocking finale of this MM thriller series today!
Hostile Takeover by Lucy Lennox
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Hostile Takeover
AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 302 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2021
BLURB:
It was supposed to be a prank. A silly frat boy dare.
One hot moment in a hidden storage closet. One kiss. No consequences.
But if you get that close to a man with fire in his eyes, you’re gonna get burned, and I was no exception. One taste of Grey Blackwood ruined me for life.
The way Grey sees it, I was the one who did the ruining. I humiliated him. Wrecked his life. Destroyed his future.
Doesn’t matter that he’s clawed his way back and then some. Doesn’t matter that he’s already top of the Wall Street food chain. The man’s ruthless. Heartless. And he likes his revenge served cold.
Now he’s taking down the companies owned by every frat boy who did him wrong. And when he comes for my family’s company, the quiet life I’ve built for myself far away from Manhattan comes crumbling down, too.
But when Grey’s standing in our boardroom, threatening a hostile takeover and demanding I negotiate on behalf of my family, I don’t see an enemy. I see the chance I’ve been waiting for.
The chance for another night in his arms, and hopefully a whole lot more.
Let the negotiations begin.
The Bromance Zone (The Good Guys #1) by Lauren Blakely
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Bromance Zone
SERIES: The Good Guys #1
AUTHOR: Lauren Blakely
PUBLISHER: Hot Men Books
LENGTH: 300 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2021
BLURB:
Two great friends. One road trip. And eight inches…
…of snow that night at the cabin.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. Friends don’t bang friends. I want my friends to stay in my life, especially that flirty, clever, outgoing best friend of mine. It’s a damn good thing Owen and I made a pact in college to never ever sleep together, or else I’d be tempted. Trouble is, eight years later I’ve been wondering what his kisses taste like. And I’ve been curious if our chemistry would extend into the bedroom. If he might feel the same risky pull. But I don’t want to lose Owen, and history says there’s no way a tryst between friends can end well. So as long as I avoid the bedroom with him, I won’t break that hard-as-steel rule.
Except the snow has other plans…
The Bromance Zone is a deliciously flirty, red-hot sexy, friends-to-lovers MM romance about the charming guy next door who’s sworn to never date a friend, the flirty hot nerd who’s been secretly crushing on that friend forever, and one night snowed in in a cabin. This book comes fully equipped for your reading pleasure with sexy banter, a super awkward dinner party, and a scene in front of a fireplace that proves just how dangerous the friend zone is.
Tide of Tricks (Shadows of London #2) by Ariana Nash
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Tide of Tricks
SERIES: Shadows of London
AUTHOR: Ariana Nash
PUBLISHER: Crazy Ace Publishing
LENGTH: 292 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2021
BLURB:
A darkness runs deep beneath London…
Reeling from recent revelations and forced to lie for Kempthorne, the unthinkable happens: Dom fails the latent competency test. One more strike and he’ll be deemed unstable, have his registration stripped, and the life he’s come to love at Kempthorne & Co will be over.
If that weren’t bad enough, someone is stalking him, taunting him. Someone who knows what Dom did all those years ago.
While Dom juggles Kempthorne’s lies and his own shady past, latents are being murdered. The police won’t help, so it’s up to Dom, Kempthorne & new-recruit Kage (Hollywood) to find the killer, before they strike too close to home.
Dom soon finds himself at the heart of it all with his control slipping, his trick breaking free, and the shadows rising.
He’s coming undone. And for unstable latents, there’s only one way out…
Ethan & Jag Destroy the World by Maz Maddox
Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: Ethan & Jag Destroy the World
AUTHOR: Maz Maddox
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 196 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2021
BLURB:
Jagmarith, Demon champion of the Blood Wars, detests festivities.
He’s certainly not a fan of humans or their ridiculous holidays.
Winter festivals. Celebrations of flowers. Misshapen hearts to symbolize love. All pointless and weak.
Unfortunately, his feelings are not taken into consideration when he’s summoned by ancient magic to the human realm.
Stolen from his home in Hell, Jagmarith is now at the mercy of a bumbling, adorable human named Ethan, who has accidentally bound Jagmarith to him. Now, Jag must endure grueling human holidays like Christmas and pretend to be a nice human boyfriend to the man who summoned him.
The fake boyfriend role has been very trying.
But along with the upcoming Halloween party and fuss over finding the perfect ghoulish decorations, not to mention the very odd feelings he’s developing for Ethan, there’s that little matter of the impending Armageddon to deal with.
Jag is not pleased.
***
This book includes short story Demon All the Way and continues Ethan & Jag’s adventure.
The Schoolmaster’s Spy (Winsford Green #3) by Ruby Moone
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Schoolmaster’s Spy
SERIES: Winsford Green
AUTHOR: Ruby Moone
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 349 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2020
BLURB:
The Mathesons Box Set (The Mathesons #1-4) by Declan Rhodes
Reviewed by Stephen K.
TITLE: The Mathesons Box Set
SERIES: The Mathesons #1-4
AUTHOR: Declan Rhodes
PUBLISHER: Independently Published
LENGTH: 896 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 18th 2021
BLURB:
The entire story of the Matheson brothers in one complete package.
Mason Matheson from First – The first-born of the family has been first in so many ways. Now, can he be his childhood buddy’s first-time with a man?
Tate Matheson from Cowboy – In the most unlikely of places, a party in Manhattan, Tate found his cowboy, the hero of his dreams. Unfortunately, Tate’s lasso failed, the cowboy escaped, and he found out that forever would require a second chance.
Benji Matheson from Hero – One of a pair of twins, Benji is the scholar of the family attending graduate school at MIT. Benji needs a new home, and his new roommate, Jax, needs a hero.
Jamie Matheson from Winner – The playboy of the Matheson clan, Jamie, is the last of the brothers without a partner. Can he settle down and find his man. Is winning everything when it comes to your heart, and can you fall in love with an enemy?
The books in this collection include first time gay, second chance, and enemies to lovers themes.
Camouflaged (The Bureau #8) by Kim Fielding
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Camouflaged
SERIES: The Bureau #8
AUTHOR: Kim Fielding
PUBLISHER: Tin Box Press
LENGTH: 180 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2021
BLURB:
Life isn’t always easy for a Bureau agent who’s also a dragon.
Ever since Ralph Crespo was trapped in human form, he’s been going through the motions at a job he once loved. Maybe that’s why the Bureau chief seems to have demoted him to messenger. But this time a letter delivery allows Ralph to meet Anton Steinmann, and Ralph’s life takes a turn toward the unexpected.
Anton loves his remote home with its extensive caves. He’s less fond of his leadership position, however, and definitely doesn’t want the offer Agent Crespo hands him. Then Anton is kidnapped and tortured. Someone wants him dead and he doesn’t know why.
How can anyone be true to himself in a world where he doesn’t really belong? Perhaps Ralph and Anton can find the answer together—if they survive long enough.
Arne (Love at the Haven#6) by Stella Shaw
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Arne
SERIES: Love at the Haven #6
AUTHOR: Stella Shaw
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 170 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2021
BLURB:
Friends-with-benefits is a practical arrangement—until it becomes something else.
Arne’s easygoing nature is sorely tried the night his kitchen’s almost set on fire. It’s the fault of admin assistant Simon, a man Arne’s treated with suspicion ever since Simon joined the Haven Hotel team. But when he has Simon in his arms, injured, vulnerable, yet full of sexy, prickly spirit to match Arne’s own—he starts to rethink.
When Simon confesses he’s struggling with intimacy, and Arne offers his practical help as an escort, it’s only meant as a joke. Until Simon accepts. He’s inexperienced and nervous despite his confidence at work, and embraces Arne’s sensual, unashamed instruction very eagerly. Alongside the passion, a friendship blossoms—and the vulnerability becomes emotional, too.
But Arne’s always been too generous with both his time and his money. When he’s betrayed by someone he trusted, it hits him hard, and halts his plans to launch a cookery vlog. All Simon wants to do is help him in return, but Arne rejects him.
Maybe it’s time for Simon and their friends at the Haven to unite on behalf of Arne’s ambitions and dreams. And help both Simon and Arne decide if there’s a new direction they can share.
A novel in the Love at the Haven series. Each novel is a standalone romance and HEA, but the characters may make brief appearances in other books. And watch out for additional fun short stories in the series!
Skeletal Equation (Prequel to Spoonful of Sugar) by AE Lister
Reviewed by True
TITLE: Skeletal Equation
SERIES: Prequel to Spoonful of Sugar
AUTHOR: AE Lister
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 135 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2021
BLURB:
A Dark and Deadly story
What do medical kink, pup play and Halloween have in common? Scott Vernier. A visit to the local leather bar offers an unexpected treat!
Scott Vernier is lonely and bored, but he’d rather sit at home and mope than go out. A promise to a friend forces him to attend the annual Halloween party at Sonny’s, his local leather bar. Amid the tacky costumes and seasonal desperation, Scott meets two people he never expected to encounter.
Can a man well-versed in medical kink and his leather-pup boyfriend introduce Scott to a whole new world of illicit pleasure?
When Dr. Jericho Griffin gets down to business, Scott finds himself responding in explosive ways.