Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Steal the Wind

SERIES:  Godstone Saga #1

AUTHOR:  Jocelynn Drake

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  404 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 29, 2021

BLURB:

Everything Caelan knows about his world is a lie.

A war is brewing. As the crown prince of Erya, it’s only natural that Caelan is sent on a secret diplomatic mission to support one of the kingdom’s allies. With his advisor, his bodyguard, and his best friend as traveling companions, what could go wrong?

Everything.

Everything goes wrong.

Now they are on the run, dodging assassins, setting secret meetings, and even making deals with a sleeping god.

So, this is probably a really bad time to cave to feelings he’s been fighting for his best friend. But Drayce has owned his heart for more years than he can count and if he’s going to die, shouldn’t he have just one kiss?

The fate of the world is on the line, and only Caelan holds the power to save them all.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: True Order

SERIES: Prosper Woods Chronicles (Book 4)

AUTHOR: Patricia Logan

PUBLISHER: Westburg Publishing

LENGTH: 296 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2021

BLURB:

Bloodthirsty vamps. Dire Wolf royalty. The Prince of unicorns. What’s next? All out war of course. 

When I came to Prosper Woods, the last thing I expected was to be walking into a world of magic. Horror movies at the theater hadn’t prepared me for the realization that vampires, werewolves, witches, shifters, and ghosts were real. After six months, I’ve learned to live with it and I count many odd creatures as friends, not to mention my soulmate, a vampire who makes me tremble when he kisses me.

I’m hopelessly, helplessly in love.

When I came to Prosper Woods, my expectations were low. I brought Robert’s bones, numerous possessions, and regret for my role in my maker’s sheer bloodlust. I also brought Robert’s ancient tomes. When Sergio showed up demanding I give him the books, I banished him with the help of a spell and a friendly witch. I never expected those books to be the source of danger to my man and our life together.

I’m hopelessly, helplessly in love.

When the vampire came to town, I knew things were going to change. What I didn’t expect was to become alpha of my pack and fall in love with my best friend. Werewolf royalty moved into town, bad vampires were about to go to war with us, and the biggest surprise of all…the unicorns had a king of their own. I don’t know what’s about to happen, but I want to avoid war. With Sam by my side, I’m pretty sure I can face anything.

Because I’m hopelessly, helplessly in love.

Reviewed by Cindy

TITLE: The Barbarian’s Vow

SERIES: Barbarian Duet book 2

AUTHOR: Keira Andrews

PUBLISHER: KA Books

LENGTH: 316 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2021

BLURB:

He claimed an innocent prince—and surrendered his heart.

Cador only married a pampered prince from a faraway land to save his people. He never expected he’d grow to respect Jem. He never expected to find comfort with him. He never expected to want him with a fierce passion.

He never expected to fall in love.

Now Cador must secure his people’s future and win Jem’s heart. For without it, he has no future at all.

The Barbarian’s Vow by Keira Andrews is a gay romance fantasy featuring enemies to lovers, an age gap, forced proximity, first times, and of course a happy ending. This is the second and final action-adventure romance in the Barbarian Duet. Wed to the Barbarian must be read first.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Dearest Malachi Keogh

SERIES:  Dearest Milton James #2

AUTHOR:  N.R. Walker

PUBLISHER:  BlueHeart Press

LENGTH:  39 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 15, 2021

BLURB:

Julian Pollard never believed in love at first sight. That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.

Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget.

The only problem is, Christmas at a mail distribution centre is the busiest time of the year. It just might take the whole team to make it happen.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Jerk Next Door

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 209 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2021

BLURB: 

He might look like a daydream, but he’s anything but.

My life is perfect. No, really. Dream career, great social life, a fantastic condo, and I’m easy on the eyes. It’s just that I’m a little bored with it all. 

Until my new neighbor moves in. He’s unfriendly, uptight, and unwilling to compromise. Looks like annoying him just became my new hobby. 

Poor guy has no idea who he’s up against. The Jerk Next Door just met his match.

The Jerk Next Door is a standalone romance featuring two warring neighbors, unexpected favors, an awakening of epic proportions, and very thin walls. It is low angst, high heat, and even higher snark.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Strawberry Moon

SERIES: Wolf Moon Rising Book 5

AUTHOR: Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

PUBLISHER: Self-published

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2021

LENGTH: 234 pages

BLURB: 

He lost everything, and the only person who can give him what he needs is the heir of his greatest enemy

Ford McKesson lost his joy when his mate died of the mysterious Condition. Werewolves spent two decades watching their most vulnerable packmates wither and die, and now Ford’s own pack has unmasked the culprit. For many, it’s been a time to celebrate the end of a dark period of werewolf history, but Ford can’t let go of his grief. He watches his pack move toward a brighter future while he’s left behind.

Archer Sterling’s life was built on a rotten foundation. After his grandfather tried to destroy werewolves as a species, Archer is left scrambling to make things right. But a new beast is howling in his head, and he no longer fits into the human world of his youth.

The past year has changed Grovetown—and the world—and neither Archer nor Ford know where they fit anymore. Together, maybe they can make a new kind of home, where everyone belongs.

Strawberry Moon is an enemies-to-lovers romance with two hardheaded wolves—one a grieving widower, and the other an heir to a blighted corporation that nearly destroyed werewolf kind—in the one place with a home for them both, in a non-mpreg ABO world. This is the final book in the Wolf Moon Rising Series.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Sexted by Santa

SERIES:  Thrust Into Love Holiday Romance

AUTHOR: DJ Jamison

PUBLISHER: Self-published

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2021

LENGTH: 365 pages

BLURB: 

Christian Kringle: College professor, reluctant Santa, and…fake dating my neighbor?

I’m a grinch and proud of it–but this year, there’s no avoiding the Christmas cheer.

First, I get roped into playing Santa. Shudder. Then, while trying to dodge a setup with my boss’s brother, I somehow promise to attend a holiday party with my boyfriend–who doesn’t exist.

Next thing I know, my (soon-to-be former) best friend has set up a profile on a hookup app to find me a date. With the username of….wait for it…SantaWantsYourChimney.

Go ahead and laugh. He sure did, the traitor.

Before I can delete the profile, I match with an easygoing guy with amazing photos. His teasing about Santa kink makes me laugh, and blush, and feel things I haven’t since my divorce. For the first time in years, I look forward to dating.

Until we meet, and he turns out to be my neighbor. My very young, very off-limits neighbor who I’ve clashed with for years. Only now I know just how sexy, charming, and sweetly devoted to his daughter he is.

I should walk away, but I still need that fake boyfriend. The only problem? Jaxson’s so convincing I can’t tell where the pretense ends and real feelings begin.

Falling for him is easy. Loving his daughter? Effortless. Trusting that I can keep them is the hard part.

It’ll take the magic of love, family, and yes–even Christmas–to teach this old grinch new tricks.

Sexted By Santa is a standalone holiday romance set in the Thrust Into Love universe.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Remember When

AUTHOR:  B.L. Maxwell

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH:  192 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 11, 2021

BLURB:

A night to remember, a confession, and a lifetime of love in this small town, friends to lovers Christmas romance.

Andrew Lawson’s life in Sacramento has turned from being everything he dreamed of growing up, to a lonely place where finding someone special to share his life with is impossible. When the first person he meets on returning home for Thanksgiving is his childhood friend Link, it’s a reminder of happier times when his whole future lay in front of him. Agreeing to a drink before heading to his parent’s place is a way to reconnect, and a great way to start the holiday.

Link Stanton never considered leaving the small farming town he grew up in, but he misses Andy more than he’ll ever admit. Secretly lusting after a friend is bad enough but being in love with him is so much worse. One drink with friends seems harmless enough, after all, catching up on old times can’t be a bad thing, until beers turn to shots, and Link reveals how he really feels.

Everything could change, and if Andrew doesn’t remember Link’s heartfelt confession, they could carry on as friends. But, if he does remember, this could be either the worst, or the best, Christmas of all.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Best Gift

AUTHOR: Eli Easton

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 153 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 16, 2021

BLURB:

With help from a Christmas miracle, two bruised hearts find joy again.

Greg Cabot is the third generation to run Cabot’s Christmas Wonderland and tree farm in rural Vermont. But this year will be his last. Since the death of his son, Sam, in Afghanistan, Greg no longer has the heart to run a business based on holiday cheer. When he picks up a hitchhiking soldier on a snowy night, he finds the help he needs to get his farm through the holidays—and maybe much more.

Sergeant Robbie Sparks doesn’t have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Badly wounded in Afghanistan, he’s spent most of the past year in recovery and was discharged after ten years of service. When fate lands him at Cabot’s tree farm, he feels like he’s fallen into a snow globe reality. Friendly people, gorgeous trees, lots of Christmas kitsch… and Greg Cabot.

Greg believes he’s too heartbroken for romance, but those we love never truly leave us. A little nudge from heaven may help build a bridge for these two men trying to heal. If only they are willing to take that first step.

This stand-alone, long novella is a small town, Christmas cornucopia, May-December, hurt/comfort , military romance stuffed full of family and holiday feels.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Dreidels & Do-Overs 

AUTHOR:  Kim Fielding

PUBLISHER:  Tin Box Press

LENGTH:  67 pages

RELEASE DATE:   November 16, 2020

BLURB:

Caleb Stern was the high school hotshot, but a bad attitude and poor decisions led to years of misery. Now he’s trying to do better, and a job on the cleaning crew at a holiday craft fair could be a new beginning. What he didn’t expect was that his new start might be tangled up with ties from long ago.

Jasper Adams left an unfulfilling career and unsupportive boyfriend to follow his dreams. His handmade journals are a big success at the craft fair, which is great, but the real holiday miracle turns out to be a blast from his past.

Hanukkah nears, and both men yearn for holiday happiness. But moving forward often means first making peace with where you’ve been.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Twice In A Lifetime

SERIES: Sheltered Connections #1

AUTHOR: R M Neill

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 251 Pages

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2021

BLURB:

One is suffering through a fog of grief. The other crushing feelings of inadequacy.
Fate knew they needed each other.

Dominic
For the longest time, I believed we get one shot at true love. A single person that sets our soul on fire. I had that with my wife until she died, then I was lost in a dark sea of grief. In need of companionship, I decided to adopt a dog.

What I found at the shelter was so much more. Micha, the volunteer, is insanely cute and ridiculously funny. He awakens feelings within me I never knew existed. Is it possible I may get a second chance at real love?

Micha
Love just isn’t in the cards for some people. And I’m among those unfortunate few destined to be alone. I trusted the wrong man with my heart once and had it shattered into a million pieces. I won’t make that mistake twice. Instead, I pour every ounce of my energy into building my business and trying to convince myself I’m not lonely.

But Dominic could be the one to tear down the walls I hide behind. He’s the most handsome man I ever met and unbelievably kind. I know he experienced a horrible loss. Is that what’s behind his attraction to me? Or has the connection between us led to his bisexual awakening?

Twice in a Lifetime is the first book in the Sheltered Connections Series. This book involves themes of hurt/comfort, bisexual awakening, and an age gap. Swoon-worthy moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching chemistry make up this 70k word story. Oh, and don’t forget the cherry flavored icing.

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Savage Rivals: An MM Enemies to Lovers High School Romance

AUTHOR: Becca Steele

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 256 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2021

BLURB:

Asher Henderson.
Captain of the Highnam Academy football team, and the bane of my existence.
As Alstone High’s team captain, I’ve been pitted against him from the beginning, but our conflict isn’t only reserved for the pitch.
Everyone knows we’re enemies. From our first encounter, our rivalry has been escalating, spiralling out of control.

Until one night when everything between us changed.
He pushed me too far, and we crossed a line that should never have been crossed.
Now, I can’t get him out of my head.
Can we ever be more than rivals, or are there too many obstacles in our way?

One thing I know for sure.
Things between us will never be the same again.

Savage Rivals is a standalone M/M new adult high school romance with enemies to lovers and gay awakening themes. This book contains mature situations and content.

*Originally included in the Brutal Boys on Devils Night collection. This edition of Savage Rivals has been expanded with additional content.

Reviewed by Cheryl K

TITLE: Love for the Holidays

SERIES: New Adventures in Love #2

AUTHOR: RJ Peterson

PUBLISHER: Wanderlust Publishing

LENGTH: 141 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 16, 2021

BLURB:

Ben and Rob are in love. They met in Barcelona a year ago and fell for each other on a Mediterranean cruise. Since then, they’ve spent as much time as possible together, and that’s no easy task since they live on opposites sides of the country.

After celebrating Thanksgiving together and deciding to spend Christmas at Ben’s family home in England, Ben and Rob start rethinking their long-distance love story. But what’s a family holiday without drama?

When Ben’s brother brings an important issue to light, the result may be the next step Ben and Rob are waiting for. And what better way to celebrate the Christmas season than with family, good friends, special gifts, and a decision that could change Ben and Rob’s lives.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Totally Schooled

AUTHOR: Nicole Dykes

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 242 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2021

BLURB:

Nolan
I’m a teacher who has only one thing missing from his life: a healthy relationship. I have a plan in place. This should be easy. No more toxic men. No more casual hookups. I want something real. A love that’s equal, not lopsided. I’m a fixer at heart, but I’m done with the hopeless and the selfish.

Rafe
I’m a dad. Pure and simple. The only thing I want is for my daughter to be happy and healthy. I keep my head down. I work like crazy, and I found her a great school in a new place. I don’t have time for anything else but her. She has my heart, leaving little for anyone else.

When this kindergarten teacher and single father come together, something has to give. Lines are crossed. Secrets are shared. Hearts shatter. Who knows? Maybe they can teach each other something.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Moonstruck

SERIES: Necessary Evils #3

AUTHOR: Onley James

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 298 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2021

BLURB:

Atticus Mulvaney is the eldest son of eccentric billionaire, Thomas Mulvaney—a role he takes very seriously. Atticus takes everything seriously. Like his brothers, Atticus is a psychopath, raised to right the wrongs of a broken justice system. Unlike his brothers, he’s not very good at it.

Jericho Navarro is no psychopath, but he is a vicious killer. Like Atticus, he also has a secret life. To most, he’s just a mechanic. But to a ragtag group of social misfits, he’s Peter Pan, teaching them to eliminate those who prey on the weak with extreme prejudice.

When Atticus and Jericho come face to face over a shared enemy, their accidental meeting ends in an explosively hot hookup neither can forget. But they have nothing in common. Atticus is a buttoned-up closeted scientist and Jericho is a man on a mission, determined to find and punish those responsible for the death of his sister. Still, Jericho can’t stay away. And, truthfully, Atticus doesn’t want him to.

As Jericho’s mission begins to bleed into Atticus’s life, two separate but equally brutal families will need to learn how to fight together to take out a common enemy. But no amount of brute force can show Jericho how to scale the walls of a psychopath’s heart. Can Jericho convince Atticus that, sometimes, the couple who kills together stays together?

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Merry Elf-ing Christmas

AUTHOR:  Beth Bolden

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH: 208 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 18, 2021

BLURB:

Aidan might be a bad elf, but he’s never been naughty.

Aidan has always landed on Santa’s nice list, thank you very much. But that doesn’t mean he’s cut out to be a North Pole elf; instead of worrying about the dwindling magic of Christmas, he’d much rather be back in Tir na Nog, calculating where the next end of the rainbow is going to land.

Instead he’s freezing his butt off in Santa’s sleigh.

His situation seems grim despite all the decking the halls, until on Christmas Eve, during a milk and cookies run, he meets Dexter, an engineering student.

They couldn’t be more different, and Dexter couldn’t be more forbidden, but Aidan is drawn to the handsome human anyway. Over the next year, their emails start out as a entertaining way to pass the time in all his interminable elf meetings, but soon, hearing from Dex becomes the very best part of his day.

And when they meet up on the next Christmas Eve? Aidan and Dex discover that their infatuation is so much more than just attraction. If they believe in each other and in the love they share, together their magic might be powerful enough to save Christmas.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Hound of the Burgervilles

SERIES:  Quest Investigations #2

AUTHOR:  E.J. Russell

PUBLISHER:  Reality Optional Press

LENGTH:  214 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November  14, 2021

BLURB:

This case is really going to the dogs…

After I try a little off-the-books interrogation to locate my selkie almost-boyfriend’s nearly-ex-husband (don’t ask, it’s complicated), I’m in the doghouse again with my bosses, who bust me back to surveillance. Ugh. So when another human inexplicably storms into Quest Investigations—something our security spells ought to prevent since I’m supposed to be the only human admitted to our offices—I’m reduced to staking out local fast food restaurants to check out the guy’s alleged sighting of a giant, glowing-eyed, dumpster-diving spectral hound.

Ridiculous, right? Humiliating, too, not to mention boring. But at least they didn’t fire me.

Imagine my surprise when there actually is a giant, glowing-eyed, dumpster-diving spectral hound—one of the Cwn Annwn, Herne the Hunter’s traitor-tracking dog pack, to be exact. Jeez, who let this dog out? It’s my case, though, so it’s up to me—Matt Steinitz, aka Hugh Mann—to return him to Faerie. But while Herne’s normally hopping kennels are inexplicably unpopulated by pups, they’re playing host to one extremely dead body.

Uh oh. Looks like someone’s bite was a lot worse than their bark.

Guess my love life will have to take a back seat again while we nose out the truth.

Dammit.

The Hound of the Burgervilles is the second in the Quest Investigations M/M mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance. The series is best read in order.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Ginger Snapping All the Way

AUTHOR:  Gabbi Grey

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  304 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 15, 2021

BLURB:

Maddox

I’m not a fan of Christmas. I’m happy to stay up in my mountain cabin and let the silly season pass me by. But when a friend asks for a favor, I can’t say no. Now I’m stuck in my cabin during a snowstorm, trapped with the most beautiful man I’ve ever met—who can’t wait to get away. He just might break my heart when he goes.

Ravi

I’m racing to get home for the birth of my goddaughter when mechanical troubles force my plane’s emergency landing. There are no beds at the inn due to a horrendous storm, but a friend says she knows a guy who won’t mind putting me up until the bad weather passes. Now I’m trapped with that man, and I must decide if I stay, hiding from the rest of the world, or go and face my past to earn a shot at my happily ever after.