Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Heal

SERIES: White House Men #7

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 393 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2021

BLURB:

Del feels broken. Can Issa be the person to help him heal?

President Delano “Del” Shafer is grieving the loss of his wife, Sarah. Now that the culprits behind the Pride Bombing and all the killings are caught, everyone has been able to move on…except Del.

His friends have all found love. Even his son is happier than Del could have ever imagined. Yet he is stuck, unable to move past the grief, the loss, and the loneliness. He has the most coveted job in the world, but he’s tired of it all. If not for Issa, his twenty-year-younger body man, he wouldn’t even make it out of bed most days.

Issa, with his unfailingly sunny disposition, his infuriatingly stubborn optimism, his endless care for Del. Issa, who becomes the sole reason Del is still standing, is still smiling, is still clinging to the hope that things will get better. Issa, who is making Del feel again, laugh again, live again.

But can he also make him love again?

Heal is the last book in the White House Men series, a continuing MM romantic suspense series that needs to be read in order. It contains a sunshiney assistant, a slightly grumpy president, sweet hurt/comfort, an age gap, and the happiest of happy endings. 

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Nautilus Than Perfect

SERIES: Sucker for Love Mysteries #4

AUTHOR: K.L. Hiers

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 200 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2021

BLURB:

Detective Elwood Q. Chase has ninety-nine problems, and the unexpected revelation that his partner is a god is only one of them.

Chase has been in love with Benjamin Merrick for years and has resigned himself to a life of unrequited pining. But when they run afoul of a strange cult, Merrick’s secret identity as Gordoth the Untouched slips out… and so do Chase’s feelings. The timing can’t be helped, but now Merrick thinks Chase only cares about him because he’s a god.

Even more unfortunately, it turns out the cultists want to perform a ritual to end the world. Chase’s mission to convince Merrick his feelings predate any divine revelations takes a back seat to a case tangled with murder and lies, but Chase doesn’t give up. Once he finds out there’s a chance Merrick feels the same way, he digs in his heels. Suddenly he’s trying to court a god and save the world at the same time. What could possibly go wrong? 

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Cross

SERIES:  The Formicary #2

AUTHOR:  S.E. Harmon

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  299 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 3, 2021

BLURB:

I thought getting shot, losing my memory, and being hunted by people I didn’t know for reasons I couldn’t remember was rock bottom. Turns out I was wrong. I found a shovel, dug a little deeper, and found a whole new sublevel of suck.

Apparently, I took something from the Formicary that doesn’t belong to me. The boss, Petar Dobroslav, is willing to do just about anything to get it back. Making an enemy of a super-secret organization of assassins might seem like a bad idea and…well, it absolutely is.

To be honest, it was inevitable that Grayson Laurie would get dragged into my mess. In my line of work, love is a luxury, a vulnerability I can’t afford. But I couldn’t stay away, and now we’re both paying the price.

But I can fix this. I will fix this. Everyone knows the Formicary is a formidable adversary. It’s time to remind them that so is Christian Cross.

Reviewed by Cheryl K

TITLE: Ghost Ship

SERIES: Haunted Souls #10

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

PUBLISHER: Self published

LENGTH: 244 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2021

BLURB:

Lovers separated in death. A family terrorized for generations. Can Jude and Cope solve the mystery before it drags them under?

Cope, already plagued by dreams of a watery death aboard the Titanic, is asked to help a haunted family in Nova Scotia. The Bennett’s assisted in the recovery efforts following the Titanic disaster more than a century ago and have been tormented by an angry spirit ever since. Taking the job would mean travelling, and Cope doesn’t want to miss a moment with his husband and son.

Countless families were destroyed, loved ones gone forever when the Titanic sank. Tierney O’Rourke lost his lover Rian Shaughnessy in the disaster, but when he dies many years later, his spirit is devastated to still be alone. When he asks Jude to help him find his lover’s ghost so they can at last be at peace, it’s clear fate wants both investigators working the White Star Line tragedy.

If they fail, the Bennett’s will shatter under the strain of the century-long haunting. And if Jude and Cope can’t help Tierney and his true love reunite, what hope do they have for an eternity together of their own?

Ghost Ship is the tenth book in the thrilling Haunted Souls series. Jude and Cope will suck you in with their amazing mysteries and love that fills your soul. Come back to the folks at West Side Magick today!

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Wrapped in Screams 

SERIES: The Yakuza Path #6

AUTHOR: Amy Tasukada

PUBLISHER: Macarons and Tea Publishing

LENGTH: 184 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2021

BLURB:

A gunshot. A bloody note. And a relationship that might not survive…

Now that the war with the Korean syndicate is behind him, all Nao Murata wants is a vacation and a chance to nurture his new relationship with Aki Hisona. They can punish those who abandoned the family later.

After six weeks trapped in a hospital bed, a quiet vacation is the last thing Aki wants. Ready to prove himself to Nao and the rest of the family, Aki’s desperate for some action. And not just the Yakuza kind…

When Aki hears a gunshot, he knows the dust has far from settled. Nao says it can wait, but Aki’s unable to understand why they can’t tie up those loose ends.

Between Aki’s constant pushing and Nao’s uncompromising focus on what he thinks is best for them both, are they too stubborn for their fragile relationship to last?

Find out in The Yakuza Path: Wrapped in Screams, the sixth installment of The Yakuza Path thriller series. If you like gritty Japanese crime, complex characters, and a high dose of gay romance, then you’ll love Amy Tasukada’s latest novel.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Merry & Sprite

AUTHOR:  Dani Lakely

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  177 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 5, 2021

BLURB: 

Opposites attract in this hilarious and sexy holiday romance with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of heart.

Jonathan’s to-do list:
1. Deck the halls
2. Throw Forrest off the nearest cliff

Jonathan Thomas moved across the country to escape his ex, only to end up planted next to a guy who drives him even further out of his mind. Forrest Wilde has no problem doing every little thing he can to work Jonathan’s last nerve, crashing into his tidy life and well-built walls with obnoxious flirtations and merry mischief.

When Jonathan is mysteriously hit with a spell that forces him to grant the wishes of the local townsfolk, he strikes a deal with Forrest to help him find a cure. As the saying goes, keep your friends close, and the impossibly hot guy who may just be an imp closer.

Toeing the line between naughty and nice, Jonathan and Forrest work together to break the spell. But as the tension between the two nears its breaking point, Jonathan is forced to decide if it’s really hate he feels — or something he’s willing to risk everything on for the greatest wish of all.

Merry & Sprite is a slow-burn contemporary MM Christmas romance set in a small beach town on the Southern California coast. The story features enemies-to-lovers, hijinks and banter, rival Christmas tree farms, and a little black cat. This warm-hearted romantic comedy is sure to cast its spell on you this holiday season!

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:   Off Limits

SERIES:   Secrets Kept #1

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:   Self Published

LENGTH: 272 Pages

RELEASE DATE:   November 4, 2021

BLURB:

It started out as a little fun. When there was a man in my building on a hookup app, why not message him?

Only we didn’t meet. We just texted—one night after the other, after the other.

GoodWithHisHands was the perfect escape from my life, where pressure was always on my shoulders: my father’s expectations, the worry about my sister, Maddy, getting sick again and her ex-husband, Ryder Lynwood, suddenly back and volunteering at the same hospital as me.

It would have been smart to keep my distance from the man who came out as gay, tearing our close families apart and breaking Maddy’s heart. Except Ryder intrigues me. I like talking to him, same as I enjoy chatting to GoodWithHisHands.

They weren’t supposed to be the same person.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. To want him. To need him. Maddy didn’t deserve to get hurt again, and I didn’t need another reason to feel like an outsider in my own family. Ryder was off-limits. I knew that. Still, I couldn’t make myself stay away.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Ice Angels

SERIES: A Holiday Hockey Story

AUTHOR:  Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood

PUBLISHER:  Wainscott Press

LENGTH:  165 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 29, 2021

BLURB:

Drew and Cleevs love hockey, but they love each other more. How can the men find a way to save what matters most?

Todd Cleever and Drew Simon are crazy about each other. They started dating three years ago when “Cleevs” was a rookie defenseman for the Chicago Ice. Drew, the team’s captain, was a few years older than Cleevs. Both men were deep in the closet, but it didn’t take long for them to fall in love.

Cleevs was traded to the Bethesda Barracudas a year later, causing a heartbreaking separation. Ever since, they’ve skated around the problem with occasional stolen nights together and brief vacations under the guise of “friends,” but two years of living apart have taken their toll.

As the holiday approaches, Drew and Cleevs decide things have to change. Still, with their careers and two professional hockey teams in the way, how can they score the game-winning goal and save everything they cherish most?

If you like fierce love, a smallish age gap, exciting hockey, and a steely determination to make things work—not to mention enough steam to fog up all your windows and a fantastic HEA—this is the book for you. The novella contains about 43,000 words of sparkling holiday romance.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Not So Silent Night

AUTHOR:  H.L. Day

PUBLISHER:  Self-Pubblished

LENGTH:  236 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 1, 2021

BLURB:

One grumpy patient. One unconventional nurse. Twenty-two reindeer later.

Things aren’t great for Xander Cole. It’s Christmas, he’s fractured his pelvis on a skiing trip he never wanted to go on, and his on/off boyfriend is most definitely off. No wonder he’s not exactly full of festive cheer.

Ferris Night isn’t having much luck either. His plan to take a break from work before starting a new job has been wrecked by a flooded flat. With nowhere to stay, he grabs the opportunity for a job as a live-in nurse with both hands. After all, how hard can it be?

Xander doesn’t need a nurse. Especially one who’s far too flirty, far too attractive, far too into Christmas, and far too good at getting his own way. But Ferris has never faced a challenge that couldn’t be overcome with a bit of charm and perseverance. It doesn’t matter how attractive Xander might be. He’s immune. Maybe.

As banter and sparring between the two men turn into more, a nurse might not be needed, but both men could be in for a fresh start to the new year.

*Please note that this story was originally released as a single POV short story as part of the Winter Wonderland Prolific Works giveaway. The story has been revised and is now dual POV with over 40k of added content*

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Love at Fourth Sight

SERIES:  Suite Dreams #3

AUTHOR:  Ariella Zoelle

PUBLISHER:  Sarayashi Publishin

LENGTH:  279 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 14, 2021

BLURB:

When Luca’s job brings him to a small town for business, he quickly discovers the magic of falling in love with a feisty local.

Luca Revello

As someone who grew up in the city, I experience some culture shock when I travel to the picturesque, small town of Wintervale to help an older couple launch their new ski resort. While almost everyone warmly welcomes me, I seem to rub the owners’ son the wrong way. While Albie seems determined to chase me away, his feisty nature makes him irresistible to me, despite our fifteen year age difference.

It may not be love at first sight, but by the fourth time we meet, I feel like I’m starring in my very own romantic comedy with Albie. Can the magic of a small town bring us a happily ever after worthy of the best schmoopy movies?

Albie Farnese

I want to hate Luca with everything I have. An outsider like him should have no business telling my family how to run our business. But instead of the stuffy, obnoxious know-it-all I expect to show up, Luca has the audacity to be charming, handsome, hilarious, and ridiculously perfect, making it impossible to hate him. Ugh, he’s such a jerk.

If I can’t hate him, I guess that means I have to love him for being the living embodiment of my dream boyfriend. The man even bakes like a master pastry chef! Who could resist a baking god? Certainly not me. Honestly, his only flaw is not being a permanent resident of Wintervale. But I can be very persuasive when it comes to getting what I want, so why should I let that pesky little detail stop us from being together?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE: Three’s a Crown

SERIES:  Royal & Reckless #2

AUTHOR:  Isla Olsen

PUBLISHER:  Moonwalker Press

LENGTH:  174 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 14, 2021

BLURB:

Lennox

As a member of an elite private security firm, I’ve hunted killers, taken down crime rings, protected high profile figures, even helped thwart a couple terrorist attacks. But now one little mistake has seen me exiled to Siberia. Or close enough…

I’ve been assigned as a new security guard at the Royal Palace of Korova, and instead of being in the midst of all the action, where I’m most useful, I now spend my days trailing after the young prince and princess during their various lessons: horse riding, ballet, painting…the banality goes on…

There’s one silver lining: Lachlan Boyd, the palace head guard and my new boss. Smart, sexy as hell, and a Scottish accent? Yeah, I’ll take that combination, thanks.

But when the king’s younger brother, Prince Aleksandr, returns to the palace, it doesn’t take any of my investigative training to figure out there’s a history between him and Boyd. And that Aleksandr’s back with one mission: to rekindle their old romance.

I’m not entirely sure what Boyd ever saw in the guy. Aleksandr is a spoiled, immature smartass who insists on getting under my skin at every turn. He’s not even that attractive. Or, maybe he is, but only if bratty twinks are your thing. And they’re not mine. At all…

If he’s my competition for Boyd’s affections, I’ve got this in the bag.

Three’s a Crown is a poly romance with three gorgeous guys and a happily ever after.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Avarice

SERIES: Reagalos #3

AUTHOR: Rebecca Cohen

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 334 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2021

BLURB:

Lornyc is good at keeping secrets, because secrets can get you killed.

Lornyc hates politics. The small talk, backstabbing, and the attempts to undermine his marriage make his blood boil and his head ache. But what he really hates is someone kidnapping his husband. The suspicion that the Valen is somehow involved is confirmed when the truth about Methian’s real parentage is revealed.

But there are other fights ahead, this time with the mage when Lornyc discovers that they were not only behind his mother’s family being stripped of their magic, but have been trying to limit the Reagalos family powers for centuries.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Brick

SERIES: Fire Lake #1

AUTHOR: M. Tasia

PUBLISHER: Borough Publishing Group

LENGTH: 141 Pages

RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2021

BLURB:

ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Ahhh, the good life. Goodbye Navy SEALs, hello rehabbing a rundown lake house he inherited. Being a former Lieutenant Commander will come in handy for Brick Matthews. He gets to boss himself around while tearing down a dilapidated shed and re-roofing his new home, among a hundred other things.

First he has to get rid of the smarmy real estate agent who’s been trying to buy the property for years. Sounds easy, until Brick uncovers layers of secrets, including attempted murder.

In the middle of the intrigue is a buttoned-down CEO with amazing blue eyes.

Roman Furrow is so far from the type of man who hits Brick’s radar, he doesn’t see what’s coming until it’s almost too late.

Having never given away his heart before, Brick is damn sure not going to let anyone or anything hurt the man he’s fallen for. He’s been trained for this – he’ll protect him with his life.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Secrets We Whisper to the Bees

AUTHOR: Sam E. Kraemer

PUBLISHER: Kaye Klub Publishing

LENGTH: 242 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 31, 2021 re-release

BLURB:

What would you do to protect someone you love?

Would you give your life to save theirs?

Would you kill to protect them?

Whom would you trust with your secrets?
***

Hilda Wickersham was the proprietress of the Wickersham Inn, a seasonal bed and breakfast located on the Delaware shore, and she needed assistance for the upcoming summer season. When a young man began squatting on her beach, she remembered her biggest regret in life. That memory stopped her from reporting him to the local chief of police to have him removed. As she observed the young man, Hilda could see the redhead was troubled, and her motherly instincts, which she thought buried long ago, nudged her to extend a helping hand.

Jex Ivers was running for his life. He’d managed to escape from a madman and found himself working for a kind old woman who owned an inn on the coast of Delaware. He could tell the widow was suffering from a broken heart, just like Jex, and she needed his help as much as he needed hers. The two of them found a natural kinship with each other, and Jex believed his life might just turn around if he could stay under the radar for a little while longer. When he met Elijah Moore, Jex hoped it was a sign that his bad luck was changing.

Elijah Moore, the chief of police of Haven’s Point, lived a quiet life. He had a job he loved, good friends, and a cottage on the beach. And…he was lonely. When a stranger showed up and caught Eli’s attention, something about the redhead triggered Eli’s protective nature. When he learned more about Jex’s situation, the chief determined he’d do whatever it took to keep the young man from harm.

An old woman looking for redemption. A young man looking for a new life. A lonely man looking for happiness. What would each of them do to protect the ones they loved? When everything was said and done, what secrets would be whispered to the bees?

***

Please Note: This book contains material which may be offensive to some readers. It includes graphic language, adult situations, and descriptions of sexual activity between two, consenting, adult males. TRIGGERS: There are references to human trafficking, child abuse, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and revenge. There are character deaths, but there is also love in many forms. If any of these things are a trigger for you, please be advised.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  TASTE

SERIES:  London Love #2

AUTHOR:  Sophia Soames

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  290 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 1, 2021

BLURB:

Finn Christensen doesn’t do feelings. He doesn’t do relationships. When he has an itch to scratch, there are always clubs and hook-ups. Quick, dirty encounters in dark places that feed the need that brews in the pit in his stomach. He works every hour of the day as the front office manager for the Clouds Westminster Hotel in central London. He’s a good boss, and he knows his shit.
Then Mark Quinton swans in like he owns the bloody place, and Finn’s carefully managed world starts to fall apart.

Mark Quinton is impulsive and stupid and childish. He’s the last person in the world who should be allowed to run the food and beverage department at the Clouds Westminster, however many brilliant ideas he has and somehow miraculously pulls off. He needs…something. He needs Finn Christensen.

It’s a match made in hell. A recipe for disaster. There will be a bloodbath one day. They both know that. Everyone knows.

TASTE is the second book in the London Love series, following four extraordinary ordinary couples living real fairy-tales in the city of London. TASTE is a hurt comfort, enemy to lovers romance set behind the scenes in a busy inner city business hotel. The books are all Standalone and can be read in any order, apart from EXHALE which is best enjoyed after BREATHE.

Trigger-warnings for off page mentions of domestic violence, depression, kleptomania, ADHD and culinary crimes involving cheese. HEA.