Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Obsessed

SERIES: The Protectors #13

AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy

NARRATOR: Michael Dean

PUBLISHER: SK Publishing, LLC

LENGTH: 7 hours and 49 minutes

RELEASE DATE: July 09, 2020

BLURB:

I wanted him from the moment I laid eyes on him and from that point on, the question wasn’t if I’d have him but when…

Thirty-five-year-old Matias de la Vega is good at one thing and one thing only. Though he doesn’t officially carry the title of killer when it comes to his role in an underground vigilante group, he’s got no problem getting his hands dirty if it means getting justice for those who can’t get it on their own.

Such is the case when single dad Sam Wittier is confronted by a stalker bent on murder. While neutralizing the threat is all in a day’s work for Matias, what comes after is anything but. Although Matias isn’t particularly surprised by his attraction to the older Sam, his inability to walk away from the still-grieving widower is a complication.

An unexpected and dangerous complication…

Nothing about the mysterious Matias makes sense to me. The emotionally distant soldier says what he means and takes what he wants. And for whatever reason, what he wants is me. That should have me running for the hills. It should, but it doesn’t…

For 50-something Sam Wittier, life is as good as it’s been since he lost the man of his dreams more than two decades earlier. After handing the reins of his successful business over to his older son, Sam is happy to settle into the quiet, simple life of being a full-time single dad to his newly adopted little boy.

Unfortunately, life didn’t get the message. After nearly losing everything to a deranged stalker, Sam finds himself face to face with a man who is anything but quiet and simple. There’s no reason he should want the unpredictable, take-no-prisoners Matias in his life or his bed, but just like life, his body isn’t getting the message.

One night with Sam is all I need to get him out of my head for good. One night will be enough to end my obsession with him. It has to be…

While Sam and Matias share a white-hot chemistry that neither has ever known before, that’s about all they have in common. But as one passionate encounter leads to another and the line between obsession and need begins to blur, will Matias and Sam find that maybe they aren’t so different after all? And what will that mean for the ghosts of the past that have haunted each man for so long?

The ghosts that are willing to be buried as well as the ones that aren’t…

Although not required, it is highly recommend that you listen to Protecting Elliot: A Protectors Novella prior to listening to Obsessed. The audiobooks feature separate couples but overlap when it comes to timeline/plot.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Free Me

SERIES: Tattoos and Temptation, Book 3

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

NARRATOR:  Kale Williams

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 6 hours and 17 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 15, 2021

BLURB: 

Only his ropes can unravel the past. 

I never thought I’d see him again, but when my former best friend shows up ready to make amends, it becomes clear just how tied to the past I am. He disappeared when I needed him the most, leaving me to navigate my truth alone. Now he’s back. 

Nixon’s art leaves me vulnerable, defenseless – and I like it. Bound by desire and past hurts, giving him complete control might be exactly what I need to set me free. What neither of us expected? The ropes free him, too….

Free Me is a sensual second-chance, former-friends-to-lovers, bisexual awakening story featuring shibari. It is book three in the Tattoos and Temptation series, featuring hot Miami nights, Latin desserts, and guys with ink.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Redemption

SERIES: The Protectors #8

AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy

NARRATOR: Michael Dean

PUBLISHER: SK Publishing, LLC

LENGTH: 8 hours and 7 minutes

RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2020

BLURB:

My job is to save lives. But what if the one that needs saving is the one I was sent to take?

At 33 years old, Phoenix Jones once had a stellar military career ahead of him. But when tragedy struck his family, he walked away from the path he’d chosen to be there for the one who needed him most. Except fate is a bitch and when she once again takes Phoenix’s future in the cruelest of ways, he must find a new path.

When a former army buddy introduces him to Ronan Grisham, the leader of an underground vigilante group, Phoenix knows he’s found a new family and nothing and no one is going to take that from him again. So when Ronan asks him to shadow a young man who participated in a brutal crime against Ronan’s husband, Seth, when he was a child and appears to be targeting him again, Phoenix doesn’t even hesitate for a second.

Even knowing what he must do if the young man proves to have gone back to his old ways.

Because family is everything…

I can’t come back from what I did. I’m not sure I even want to…

An ugly childhood left Levi Deming with little to do but dream of a day when he’d be free of his tormenters so he could carve out a simple life for himself, preferably somewhere far away from the family who never let him forget he was less than human. But one terrible choice at the tender age of 16 changed everything…

Wracked with guilt for the role he played during a home invasion gone horribly wrong, a now 24-year-old Levi is trying to piece together a life where he can maybe do a little bit of good, even knowing it won’t make up for the lives he helped take and it definitely won’t give back the future he stole from the young man whose agonized screams still haunt him night after night. If it were only about him, he’d walk into the nearest police station and happily tell them to lock him up and throw away the key.

But it isn’t just about him anymore…

I expected to find a hardened criminal. What I found was something else entirely…

With Ronan’s orders to terminate young Levi if he so much as even jaywalks, Phoenix expects an easy job with one clear outcome. But when a violent encounter forces Phoenix to interact with Levi, he quickly realizes the case might not be as black and white as he thought. Instead of finding a criminal with no conscience, Phoenix discovers a young man battling impossible odds and near crippling guilt.

When his feelings of disgust and anger begin to fade and turn into something else, the would-be hitman is forced to make a terrible decision between the family he needs and the young man more intent on seeking judgement than redemption.

Trigger warning: This audiobook contains multiple triggers which could also be considered spoilers. It can be read as a stand-alone story – no cliffhangers.

The Protectors series crosses over with some of my other series, so for the most enjoyment, they should be listened to in order, but it is not required. You can find the correct order at the beginning of each audiobook. I’ve also bundled all my series in the correct listening order under the title of A Family Chosen: The Protectors and Barrettis.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Revelation

SERIES: The Protectors #7

AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy

NARRATOR: Michael Dean

PUBLISHER: SK Publishing, LLC

LENGTH: 7 hours and 52 minutes

RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2020

BLURB:

“I trusted once. I won’t make that mistake again…”

An ugly childhood and devastating betrayal have left 25-year-old Cain Jensen scarred inside and out. Protecting himself means keeping everyone at arm’s length and protecting others means never getting emotionally involved. In the three years since he’s joined an underground vigilante group, every life he saves helps ease the guilt of the ones that were lost to him so long ago. So when he’s sent to a remote cabin in the Cascade Mountains just north of Seattle to follow up on the disappearance of his boss’s co-worker, his only thought is to see that justice is served, no matter what the circumstances.

But nothing he’s ever experienced has prepared the cold-hearted and very straight Cain for who he finds on that mountain…or the intense need to suddenly offer more than just protection.

“I’ve finally managed to break free, but I’ve never felt more trapped in my entire life…”

Ethan Rhodes has been running for six months, but it’s never fast enough, it’s never far enough. At 30 years old, the talented ER Doctor should be spending his days saving other people’s lives, not worrying about his own. But he knows that the four years of physical and emotional abuse he’s suffered at the hands of his volatile ex are nothing compared to what will happen when Ethan runs out of places to hide, especially after taking something from the man he once was sure would be the love of his life.

A violent episode that has Ethan narrowly escaping death leads to a quiet cabin in the mountains where his battered body will have time to heal before he and the young girl relying on him need to run again. But everything changes with the arrival of a mysterious stranger who threatens to give Ethan something he’d finally accepted was gone forever…hope.

“I didn’t see this coming. I don’t think he did either…”

To get to the truth, Cain must first get through Ethan’s defenses, but watching the other man’s walls start to come down forces Cain to face his own past. And as the tremulous connection between the two men grows and gives way to something more, both will need to decide if they’re willing to risk giving each other the one thing that has cost them so much in the past…trust.

Will two men who’ve vowed never to let someone close again let down their guard long enough to find each other, or will they let their pasts determine their future?

Trigger warning: Triggers for this audiobook can be seen ahead of purchase by utilizing the “Look Inside” feature or downloading the sample and scrolling to the specified page.

Can be listened to as a stand-alone story – no cliffhangers.

The Protectors series crosses over with some of my other series, so for the most enjoyment, they should be read/listened to in order, but it is not required. You can find the correct reading/listening order at the beginning of each book. I’ve also bundled all my series in the correct reading/listening order under the title of A Family Chosen: The Protectors and Barrettis.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Fix Me

SERIES: Tattoos and Temptation, Book 2

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

NARRATOR:  Kale Williams

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 6 hours

RELEASE DATE:  December 1, 2021

BLURB: 

My crush has Daddy written all over him.

The minute I laid eyes on him, he became my new hobby. I turned on the charm to win him over, only to get friend-zoned. The more time we spend together, the more glimpses I get of the Daddy he’s hiding under his no-dating-allowed exterior. Unfortunately for Saint, a Daddy is exactly what this boy is looking for.

I have no intention of staying friends with him, but with every platonic interaction, I start feeling things I never have before. And not just about the sexy Scottish object of my affection.

I wasn’t looking for someone to fix me, but if I let him in, we might have something amazing here. 

If we can just shake the ghosts of the past….

Fix Me is a Daddy/boy story with a doting but reluctant Daddy, a bratty party boy in need of some structure, and fun times with a kilt. It is Book Two in the Tattoos and Temptation series, featuring hot Miami nights, Latin desserts, and guys with ink.

It can be listened to as a stand-alone.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Fluke and the Faithless Father

SERIES: The Fantastic Fluke Book 2

AUTHOR: Sam Burns

NARRATOR:  Zachary Johnson

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 7 hours and 55 minutes

RELEASE DATE: November 16, 2021

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.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Coddiwomple

AUTHOR:  S.E. Harmon

NARRATOR:  Nick Hudson

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  10 hours

RELEASE DATE:  September 22, 2021

BLURB:

As a wildlife photographer, Journey “JJ” Sutton never stays in one place too long. The world is his classroom, and he’s living his dream. His only regret is that he had to sacrifice the love of his life to do it. But as the saying goes, you can never go home again. That’s until there’s a family emergency, and he has to…well, go home again. His easy breezy lifestyle gets complicated fast. It certainly doesn’t help that his ex-fiancé has bought the house next door. 

After an unstable childhood, Cameron Foster loves small-town life. He has everything he needs in his vet practice, his friends, and his animals. Despite what numerous exes seem to think, he’s not still in love with Journey. And so what if they add “benefits” to their friendship? As long as he keeps his heart out of the equation, everything should be fine. 

Too bad Journey’s not onboard with that plan. With summer ending, he has to convince Cameron that this is more than just a fling. This time around, he knows what he wants. He wants a second chance. He wants forever. Most of all, he wants Cameron’s heart. 

Journey may have put away his passport, but things are just getting interesting.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Against the Grain

SERIES: Auckland Med Book 4

AUTHOR: Jay Hogan

NARRATOR:  Gary Furlong

PUBLISHER: Southern Lights Publishing

LENGTH: 11 hours

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2021

BLURB: 

I don’t like labels and I’m happy that way, but it’s taken a long time to get here. A jerk of a father, too many bullies to name, and a string of dipshit boyfriends whose interest in me rarely made it past the skirts I sometimes wear. Suffice to say, my faith in men runs a little thin.

The last thing I need is a gruff, opinionated, fiery, closeted, Paralympian jock messing with my hard-won peace. Miller Harrison is a wrinkle in my life I could definitely do without. I have a job that I love at Auckland Med, a boss who understands me, and a group of friends who accept me as I am.

I should walk away.

But Miller knows a thing or two about living life against the grain, and that hope I thought I’d buried a long time ago is threatening to surface.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Forever Wilde in Aster Valley

AUTHOR:  Lucy Lennox

NARRATOR:  Michael Dean

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  5 hours and 42 minutes

RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2021

BLURB:

When Miller Hobbs finds himself on a winter vacation in Colorado with the giant, exceedingly loud, Marian and Wilde families, he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. He’s not really a Marian or a Wilde despite having DNA ties to both.

So every morning before the rest of the family wakes up and fills Rockley Lodge with holiday merriment (and noise), he escapes to the quaint downtown of Aster Valley where he spies a man through the bakery window kneading dough and dancing to music only he can hear. Miller is entranced by the dancing baker, and when Darius looks up and catches Miller staring, the interest suddenly goes both ways.

Can two strangers find love among the quaint chaos of an Aster Valley Christmas? Even if it includes the two most overwhelming and meddling families vying for the title of greatest matchmakers of all time?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Geek who Saved Christmas

AUTHOR:  Annabeth Albert

NARRATOR:  Tim Paige

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

LENGTH:  7 hours and 1 minute

RELEASE DATE:  December 14, 2021

BLURB:

His grumpy neighbor needs some holiday sunshine….

Gideon Holiday is the perfect neighbor. Need a cup of sugar? Spare folding chair? Extra batteries? He’s always ready to help. And he’s waited years for his hot, grumpy, silver-fox neighbor, Paul, to need him. For anything. But right now, Gideon would be happy if he could just get the Scrooge-like Paul on board with the neighborhood holiday lights fundraiser.

Paul Frost has no intention of decking his halls or blazing any Yule logs. Even if his spunky bowtie-clad neighbor does look perfect for unwrapping, Paul would prefer to hide away until December is done. But when his beloved younger brother announces an unexpected visit, Paul needs all the trimmings for a festive homecoming – and fast.

Luckily, Gideon is there with a color-coded plan to save Christmas. Soon Paul’s hanging lights, trimming trees, and rolling out cookies. And steaming up his new flannel sheets with Gideon. How did that happen?

It’ll take some winter magic to preserve their happiness and keep these rival neighbors together longer than one holiday season.

Contains mature themes.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Stubborn Boys

SERIES:  Perfect Boys #3

AUTHOR:  K.M. Neuhold

NARRATORS: Tim Paige, Liam DiCosimo & Wayne Carter

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  6 hours and 18 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 9, 2021

BLURB:

Alden has always liked a challenge, and what could be more difficult than not one, but two stubborn boys?

Five years ago the military returned me home short one leg with scars covering one side of my body. I learned to live with it, I built a new life for myself, and I found a way to love the new body I was given… there’s just one thing I can’t accept.

I have no right to want someone as vibrant and beautiful as Nolan, not when a very vital part of my anatomy doesn’t want to work anymore. What use would a man like that be to him?

Alden can’t seem to stop meddling between the two of us, and I hate to admit it, but there’s something about him that manages to fix what’s broken in me.

Has anyone else ever developed a Daddy kink after getting blown to smithereens, or is it just me?

More importantly, are the three of us going to be able to find a way to fit together?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Life Lessons

SERIES:  Life Lessons #1

AUTHOR:  Kaje Harper

NARRATOR:  J.F. Harding

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  8 hours & 47 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 2, 2021

BLURB:

Tony Hart loves teaching, even though he’s not much older than his high school students. Between his profession, a few good friends, and plenty of books, he’s content with his quiet life. Then, the murdered body of another teacher falls into the elevator at his feet, and Tony’s life becomes all too exciting.

Jared MacLean is a homicide detective, widowed father to a young daughter, and deeply in the closet. But, from the moment he meets Tony’s blue eyes in that high school hallway, Mac can’t help wanting this man in his life. Mac’s not out and can’t afford to be out, but Tony makes him want the impossible.

Mac isn’t the only one with his eyes on Tony, though. As the murderer tries to cover their tracks, Mac has to work fast or lose Tony, permanently.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Sniper vs. Spotter

SERIES:  Hitman vs. Hitman #2

AUTHORS:  Cari Z and L.A. Witt

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  8 hours and 4 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 29, 2021

BLURB:  

Mortal-enemies-turned-furniture-breaking-lovers August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba have found a groove that suits them both. They’ve teamed up as hired guns, they live together, and by some miracle, they haven’t killed each other. It’s the closest to normal they’ll ever have, and they love it.

But, their guns-and-roses future is thrown into chaos when Ricardo’s past comes crashing into their present. What begins as a favor for an old friend – well, “friend”, but don’t tell August – quickly spirals into something far bigger than they anticipated. Now, they’re in way over their heads with powerful people on both sides of the law, and it’s going to take more than snark and explosions to see them through.

Nevertheless, there will be plenty of snark and explosions, because this is August and Ricardo, and no one would expect any less. In between the smoke and sarcasm, though, they are determined to bring an evil operation crashing down…no matter who they have to work with to get the job done and no matter who they have to kill.

Sniper vs Spotter is the sequel to the apparently-it-doesn’t-want-to-be-a-stand-alone Hitman vs Hitman, which absolutely was supposed to be a stand-alone, but August and Ricardo (predictably) refused to be contained. Our audiobook narrator also shares some of the blame, Michael. So, here we are.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Getting Friendly

SERIES:  Never Just Friends, Book 3

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

NARRATOR:  Alexander Cendese and Kirt Graves

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

LENGTH:  6 hours and 31 minutes

RELEASE DATE:    December 14, 2021

BLURB:

Leon

When I’m looking for a hookup, I want three things: big, thick, and rough. So it doesn’t make sense that I can’t get my new hire out of my head. He’s a tiny guy with big ideas…and he’s my apprentice, which means he’s completely off-limits. But he’s already under my skin. And for the first time with any guy, I don’t think I can hold my own against him. Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.

Auggie makes me weak.

Auggie

Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad’s footsteps. Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream. No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site. And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him.

Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview, and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream. He’s hot as hell, self-made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I’ve always seen in myself. But I’m not dumb enough to throw away this one chance, not even for him. Not even if I really, really want to.

Contains mature themes.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  King of Thieves

SERIES:  Frat Wars, Book 1

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

NARRATOR: Iggy Toma and Alexander Cendese

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  6 hours and 45 minutes

RELEASE DATE:    December 9, 2021

BLURB:

We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying. 

Chad

Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility. 

Parties, pranks, and frat politics – college life has never been sweeter. 

Until I meet Bailey Prince. 

He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed. 

But I do know he’s a Kappa. 

And our houses have a rivalry that’s written into legend. 

Bailey

At Rho Kappa Tau, I’m a legacy. 

It’s a lot of pressure, but I’ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat – and I like it that way. 

But after a party at Sigma – the jock frat – I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life, I want to step outside my square. 

Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I don’t know why. 

He’s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me. 

I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here. 

But I can’t help myself. And, it seems, neither can he.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Ghost of Lies

SERIES:  Medium Trouble #1

AUTHOR:  Alice Winters

NARRATOR:  Greg Boudreaux

LENGTH:  11 hour and 22 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 6, 2021

BLURB:

Hiro
Though I was born with the ability to see the dead, I struggled with it until my brother was killed and his ghost was left behind. Now, I’m determined to figure out who is responsible for his death… the problem is that Detective Maddox Booker, the one working the case, is a grumpy and stubborn man who wants nothing to do with me and definitely doesn’t believe in ghosts. It doesn’t help that I keep finding myself looking ridiculous in front of the detective, thanks to interfering ghosts who enjoy laughing at my expense. Still, the more I’m around Maddox, the more I realize that beneath that surly exterior is a kind and caring man who will do anything to help.

Maddox
When another man dies, I know we have a serial killer on our hands—the same murderer who has remained elusive for a year and a half. To add to my frustration, I keep running into Hiro at crime scenes only to hear him claim that he can talk to ghosts. The words of the dead could lead us to the serial killer and even tell us who is next, but ghosts? There’s no such thing as ghosts. Hiro is determined and charming, and no matter what I do, I can’t stop letting him get involved. He’s definitely snagged my attention, but when he nearly winds up dead, I know he’s getting closer to the truth—and if I don’t do something soon, he might be next.

Ghost of Lies is full of action, mystery, humor, and romance. Though more is planned for this couple, the mystery is solved and there is a happy ending.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  A Touch of Fever

SERIES:  Arcane Hearts, Book 1

AUTHOR:  Nazri Noor

NARRATOR:  Zachary Johnson

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  7 hours and 18 minutes

RELEASE DATE:    December 1, 2021

BLURB:

What do you do when you can’t cast spells? You make your own magic.

Jackson Pryde was never great at wielding magic. Instead, he works as an artificer, crafting enchanted devices in the Black Market, a shadowy bazaar of wonders. But Xander Wright, the mouthy, pretentious mage next door, hates all the hammering in Jackson’s workshop. 

When a chance assignment forces them to team up, they discover a terrifying predicament. Something is driving members of the magical community into murderous rages. Jackson and Xander must combine might and magic to find the source of the Fever and stop it. Can they put aside their differences long enough to end the Fever, or will they succumb to its bloodthirsty curse?

A Touch of Fever is a 73,000-word M/M urban fantasy romance with a happy-for-now ending. Join a fast-talking artificer and a snarky sorcerer, best friends-turned-bitter enemies, as they navigate an adventure filled with strange flora, mythical fauna, and magical murders. If you like your urban fantasy with humor, horror, and a whole lot of heart, you’ve come to the right place. Experience A Touch of Fever today.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE: Operation Meet the Parents

SERIES:  Operation HEA #2

AUTHOR:  K.M. Neuhold

NARRATOR:  Nick J. Russo

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  2 hours and 19 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 29, 2021

BLURB:

Teddy is ready to pop the question, but can he find the perfect movie-moment proposal for Harlow? And, more importantly, will Low survive meeting the parents? Oh, the joy of Christmas. A missed connecting flight, inappropriate winter attire, and a kitchen fire…it wouldn’t be Christmas without some complications, right?

I know Harlow is desperately trying to impress my family, but I’m a lot more concerned about coming up with a proposal worthy of his Hollywood dreams. That is, if he doesn’t burn the house down first. There’s nothing like the holidays with family. Fa la la la la….

Operation Meet the Parents is a 25K-word novella companion to the full-length novel, Operation Meet Cute. Don’t miss this warm and fuzzy, all-the-Christmas-feels, steamy story.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Holiday List

SERIES:  The Script Club, Book 4

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

NARRATOR:  Alexander Cendese

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 3 hours and 44 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 10, 2021

BLURB: 

The Mars maestro, the single dad, and a wish list….

Chet

Boy, am I lucky! Finding a living situation with a houseful of passionate scientists just before the holidays is ideal in every possible way. As the newest member of the Script Club, I feel it’s important to step up and tackle the to-do list my friends would prefer to avoid. Item one: Address the tutoring request from the neighborhood-hottie-slash-single-dad on the next block. I’ve got this!

Or do I?

Handsome, older, sporty gentlemen intimidate me. And Mr. McSwoony doesn’t like the holidays. This may be a daunting task. 

Sam

What do you do when a new neighbor shows up on your doorstep with cookies and a wacky plan to spread holiday cheer? I don’t need cheer, but I could use help with some of the experiments my son wants to try. I know football, not science. Hopefully, I can talk Chet into a mutually beneficial trade. The only snag is that I’m seriously attracted to my local Mars expert. He’s unintentionally charming…in the very best way.

Don’t quote me, but maybe this holiday elf with thick glasses and a mile-long list might be exactly what I need.

The Holiday List is an MM bisexual, geek/jock romance with a holiday twist featuring a lovable scientist and a single dad who’s probably on the naughty list!

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  A Very Genre Christmas 

AUTHOR:  Kim Fielding

NARRATOR:  Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER:  Tin Box Press

LENGTH:  3 hours and 9 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 2, 2021

BLURB:

Very little is merry in a private dick’s world.

Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.

With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: Yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something, too – a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal.

Review by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

SERIES:  The Hitman’s Guide spinoff

AUTHOR:  Alice Winters

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  10 hours

RELEASE DATE:  November 24, 2021

BLURB:

Cassel

When I gave up life as a hitman, I thought everything was going to be better. I was going to become a PI, help people, and live normally…and then I met Jeremy, the most perfect man to have ever saved my life (I mean, he might be the only one who has saved my life, but he’s still the best at it). From that point on, it was all over for me – I knew we were meant to be. The issue is that he doesn’t…quite seem to realize that. But when he’s targeted by criminals (literally, someone just shot at his head), he needs to rely on someone, so why not me? He might not know about my past as a hitman or that I don’t need to be protected, but I’m prepared to do everything I can to save the day.

Jeremy

When my past comes back with a vengeance, I’ve never felt so alone and out of my element. That is, until Cassel offers me information that I desperately need, forcing me to drag him straight into danger. The issue is that he’s too sweet and innocent for this world, and I’m not sure that I’m strong enough to protect him, but I can’t bring myself to push him away. As truths come to light, I realize that maybe Cassel isn’t quite who I thought he was, and maybe we’re not so different after all.

While you can listen to The Former Assassin’s Guide on its own, you’ll get maximum enjoyment by listening to The Hitman’s Guide series first. This book contains speedy car chases and not-so-speedy ATV rides, a wager Cassel is determined to win even if it kills him, and way-too-tight sparkly spandex suits.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Handmade Holidays

SERIES:  Little Village #2

AUTHOR:  Nathan Burgoine

NARRATOR:  Giancarlo Herrera

PUBLISHER:  Dominant Trident Books

LENGTH:  2 hours and 25 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 16, 2021

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At 19, Nick is alone for the holidays and facing reality: This is how it will be from now on. Refusing to give up completely, Nick buys a Christmas tree, and then realizes he has no ornaments. A bare tree and an empty apartment aren’t a great start, but a visit from his friend Haruto is just the ticket to get him through this first, worst Christmas. A box of candy canes and a hastily folded paper crane might not be the best ornaments, but it’s a place to start.

A year later, Nick has realized he’s not the only one with nowhere to go, and he hosts his first “Christmas for the Misfit Toys”. Haruto brings Nick an ornament for Nick’s tree, and a tradition — and a new family — is born. As years go by, Nick, Haruto, and their friends face love, betrayal, life, and death. Every ornament on Nick’s tree is another year, another story, and another chance at the one thing Nick has wanted since the start: someone who’d share more than the holidays with him.

Of course, Nick might have already missed his shot at that one, and it might be too late. Still, after 15 Christmases, Nick is ready to risk it all for the best present yet.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Not So Sincerely, Yours

SERIES: For Him, Book 2

AUTHOR:  A.M. Johnson

NARRATOR:  Kirt Graves and Aaron Shedlock

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

LENGTH:  10 hours and 17 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  October 19, 2021

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Ethan,

About last night . . . I could blame the bourbon. I could say I let things get out of hand, that I should have never called you, but I’m done lying to myself-to you. I know what you’re going to say. You’re not very good at keeping your opinions to yourself, but this can’t happen. It’s inappropriate, at best. I’m your boss. Not to mention, you’re clearly still hung up on him. I’m not a consolation prize.

Anders~

Anders,

You didn’t think it was inappropriate when you had your tongue down my throat, but I digress. As for your accusation, I’m not the only one stuck in the past, but at least I’m not running from it. I can’t believe I’m about to say this . . . Maybe you’re right. You shouldn’t have called me. Especially if you never intended to own it. Own that you wanted it to happen. Admit that you wanted me.

Not so sincerely, Yours

Contains mature themes.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Ginger Snapping All the Way

AUTHOR:  Gabbi Grey

NARRATOR:  Michael Dean

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH: 8 hours and 2 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 15, 2021

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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.

This is a 72,000-word, hurt/comfort, lumberjack/nurse, grumpy/sunshine, forced-proximity MM romance novel with a moderate amount of angst.