Book of the Month Poll December 2021
IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN! Welcome to our Book of the Month Poll for December 2021!
Here are your voter chosen top two from each week in no particular order. Please vote for your favorites and you can vote for as many as you want, but as with our Book of the Week Poll you only get one visit, so make it count!
Remember, the top two go through to the Book of the Year Poll!
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…
Lost at the Crossing (Rail Riders #2) by Nicky James
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Lost at the Crossing
SERIES: Rail Riders #2
AUTHOR: Nicky James
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 349 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2021
BLURB:
Two lost boys. Two long years. One path back to each other. Elian has lost two major anchors in his life, and he can’t figure out how to get back on track, so he takes to the rails, trying to outrun his struggles. The farther he runs, the deeper he sinks, losing himself more and more until a random phone call reminds him, he isn’t as alone as he thought. There is someone out there who still cares—Tyler. Two years ago, Tyler lost more than his best friend. He lost the other half of his heart. He knows Elian’s struggles, and he now knows Elian is alive. When his rider friends offer to help, he’s hesitant. They don’t know as much about Elian as they should, and it’s Tyler’s fault for shutting them out. Too many people might scare Elian off. Besides, how can he explain to his friends his desperation to find Elian when his feelings are so new and unexplored? Tyler is convinced he only needs one person to mend his wounded heart—Elian. ** Lost at the Crossing is a new adult gay romance story of first love between two inexperienced boys. It’s a story of found family and lifelong friendships. It explores tropes including hurt/comfort, friends-to-lovers, two virgins, second chance romance, and demisexual awakening. It has angst. Let’s be honest, it’s me. It’s inevitable. Lost at the Crossing is the second book in the Rail Riders series. It can be read as a standalone but may be better enjoyed after reading End of the Line. **
The Christmas I Know by Nicky James
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Christmas I Know Sundae’s Best (Briar County #2) by Riley Hart
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Sundae’s Best
SERIES: Briar County #2
AUTHOR: Riley Hart
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 269 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 8, 2021
BLURB:
Grady Dalton is in a rut. He’s thirty-eight, without a boyfriend, and has yet to find the place that feels like home. The closest he ever got was his best friend, Nathan. But it’s been seven years since he passed, and life isn’t getting easier. That’s how he ends up in Briar County, hoping to grow roots in the place Nathan had loved.
Deacon Sharpe spends his days serving homemade ice cream at Sundae’s Best and his nights alone, pretending he’s getting by after his wife’s death better than he is. His world is rocked when a man shows up who claims to have been his brother-in-law’s best friend and seems to miss Nathan as much as Deacon misses Patty.
Their losses connect them, but soon, the weight of their loneliness eases with laughter, making ice cream, and Grady reminding Deacon of what it feels like to be held again. Deacon tells himself it’s platonic. How can it be more when he’s forty and has never been with a man, never even been attracted to one? But then, he’d never felt those things about anyone other than Patty either. And when Grady touches him…kisses him…nothing else matters, and the rest of the world melts away.
Together they can deal with family drama, small-town gossip, and Deacon’s newly discovered feelings. But as it often does, life has one more curveball to throw their way…
Sundae’s Best is a small-town, bi/demisexual awakening romance, with characters who like to be held, swoony moments, a dog named Moose, and lots of ice cream. Sundae’s Best can be read as a standalone.
Late for Christmas by Amy Lane
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Late for Christmas
AUTHOR: Amy Lane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 121 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 30, 2021
BLURB:
Cassidy Hancock hates being late—he’s pathological about it. Until the crisp fall morning when he pauses to watch his neighbor’s handsome son chase his dog down the sidewalk… and gets hit by a tree.
Mark Taylor sees the whole thing, and as a second-year medical resident, he gets Cassidy top-notch care. In spite of himself, he’s fascinated by his mother’s stodgy neighbor, and as he strives to help Cassidy recover from a broken leg, he begins to realize that behind Cassidy’s obsession with punctuality is the story of a lonely boy who thought he had to be perfect to be loved.
Mark and his family are far from perfect—but they might be perfect for Cassidy. As the two of them get to know each other, Cassidy fantasizes about the family and happy-ever-after he never thought he’d have, and Mark starts to yearn for Cassidy’s wide-eyed kindness and surprising creativity. But first they have to overcome Cassidy’s fears, because there is so much more fun to be had during Christmas than just being on time.
It’s Complicated (A Reservation Story) by Kindle Alexander
Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: It’s Complicated
SERIES: A Reservations Story
AUTHOR: Kindle Alexander
PUBLISHER: Kindle Alexander LLC
LENGTH: 420 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 7, 2021
BLURB:
Nightclub manager Julian Cullen runs Reservations with impeccable precision and a deep sense of pride. But repressed memories from his abduction two years ago surface, leaving him struggling emotionally. Julian vows to reclaim his previous life but doesn’t factor in the biggest distraction of all: the handsome cowboy hanging around the club intent on gaining his attention.
Entrepreneur Beckett St. Clair built an industry-leading survivalist training company through hard work and dedication. The tough as nails outdoorsman can navigate any situation or so he thinks…When a chance encounter with a guarded night club manager leaves him tumbling head over heels into uncharted territory.
One man is lost to his past, the other dreams of a future.
Both men will soon find out love is never easy…it’s complicated.
On a Midnight Clear by Lily Morton
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: On a Midnight Clear
AUTHOR: Lily Morton
PUBLISHER: Serlf-Published
LENGTH: 212 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 17, 2021
BLURB:
It can safely be said that Lord Barnaby Greenwood is not having the best of Christmases.
He’s penniless, up to his eyeballs in debt, and about to lose his estate. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that when a local property developer offers a lot of money to buy King’s Wood from him, Barnaby is very tempted. But his father had always impressed on him that the green wood was sacred and must be protected at all costs, so he finds himself saying no.
He knows this will result in the loss of his home, but duty comes before everything. However, that fateful decision leads instead to a magical Christmas for Barnaby, complete with an old god who grants him a favour, and a beautiful statue that comes to life.
Cosmo is perfect for him. He’s funny and kind and completely enraptured with Barnaby, and for the first time in his life, Barnaby falls in love. But how can this lead to anything but heartache, when on the last stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Cosmo will go back to being a statue and take Barnaby’s heart with him?
Bad Ideas (A Firsts and Forever Stories #4) by Alexa Land
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Bad Ideas
AUTHOR: Alexa Land
SERIES: A Firsts and Forever Story #4
PUBLISHER: Self Published
RELEASE DATE: December 18, 2021
BLURB:
Doctor Theo Koenig is the most annoying man I’ve ever met, and hooking up with him was a terrible idea. It was so hot though that I can’t stop myself from coming back for seconds. And thirds…
Maybe there’s more to this gorgeous man than meets the eye. But will he ever show me what’s behind that cold, angry façade, so we can start building something real? Or is this destined to be nothing more than a regrettable fling?
Revolving Door (Open Doors #2) by Vinni George
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Revolving Door
SERIES: Open Doors #2
AUTHOR: Vinni George
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 270 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 18, 2021
BLURB:
Fletcher Morgan doesn’t like a single thing about Archer Waverly—not his pretty face, his wicked wit, or his perfect body. He especially hates the way Archer flirts with anyone and everyone. Everything about Archer reminds Fletcher of someone from his past he would much rather forget.
Archer thought Fletcher could be the silver fox of his dreams…until Fletcher opened his mouth and told Archer exactly how he felt about him. Now Archer is more than happy to rile Fletcher up and accept the consequences. Sparks fly every time they see each other proving hate is as potent as lust and enemies with benefits just might be hotter than friends with benefits.
When an unfortunate incident involving Archer’s aging drag queen housemate brings Archer and Fletcher together, they realize there might be more to the other than meets the eye and maybe there really is a thin line between love and hate.
Revolving Door is the second full-length novel in the Open Doors series featuring a slightly surly silver fox surf shop owner who refuses to fall in love again, a (mostly) reformed flirt who has never been in love, and a fabulous aging drag queen who has a penchant for platforms.
His Boy to Cherish (Naughty or Nice Season Two) by Colette Davison
Reviewed by True
TITLE: His Boy to Cherish
SERIES: Naughty or Nice Season Two
AUTHOR: Colette Davison
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 346 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 28, 2021
BLURB:
Dear Santa,
I’m going to be upfront and tell you that I feel silly doing this, but here goes nothing!
I’ve realised that I lean more towards being a Daddy, than a strict Dom. I’m kind and caring, and I want someone to spoil. I’ll always put my boy’s needs before my own. I’ll take care of him in every way he needs me to. I’ll discover what he wants, how to make him smile, laugh, and moan
As for what I’m looking for in a boy… I’d like someone who wants to feel special, and who enjoys being held by his Daddy. If I had to choose between a naughty or nice boy, I think I’d choose nice. I can put a naughty boy through boot camp, but I’d much rather praise a good boy.
What I really want, Santa, is someone to cherish this Christmas. I hope that’s not too much to ask for.
Sincerely,
ExCombatDaddy
His Boy to Cherish is an M/M winter romance with a disabled first-time Daddy, a little who loves stuffies, a twelve-year age-gap, nappies, a loud-mouth best friend, some familiar faces, hurt/comfort, and a lot of feels. Trigger warning for characters with PTSD.
Bachelor Hero (Lonely Heroes #7) by Sam E. Kraemer
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Bachelor Hero – A Lonely Heroes Holiday Story
SERIES: Lonely Heroes – Book 7
AUTHOR: Sam E. Kraemer
PUBLISHER: Kaye Klub Publishing
LENGTH: 71,000 words
RELEASE DATE: December 26, 2021
BLURB:
A Lonely Heroes Holiday Story
The heroes from Golden Elite Associates—America have put their plans and lives on hold for a year as they try to cope with the aftermath of Lawry “Casper” Schatz and Maxim Partee’s engagement party—the night Blue was bombed by an unknown assailant. The explosion impacted everyone’s lives, and recovery has been slow for the group.
In the spirit of turning the page on the incident, Shepard “Smokey” Colson and Parker Howzer decide to host a bachelor party at their lake house. They invite all of their friends to join them for a celebratory weekend, and what better time to have a big party than New Years!
Each couple is ready to move forward with their plans in one way or another—someone wants a baby; someone wants to live part of the year in another country; two have job opportunities that will be life changing; someone wants to make future plans that include starting a family; the desire for a forever home is important to another hero. How will they achieve their goals? That’s what they’re all hoping to figure out. Add in a few surprise guests with unclear agendas, and let the chaos begin!
One thing is certain—someone’s going to tie the knot!
This book is approximately 70,000 words in length and ends happily. It is the seventh book in the series entitled, “The Lonely Heroes.”