Pandora Shifters Books 1-2, Ulysses LeMolina

This was definitely not easy to read at times.  It was harsh, awful, frustrating, and appalling at so many moments.  But that wasn't a comment on the book as a whole.  There was a lot of "reality" to the story; not everything can be prevented, not every rescue will go as planned, not every laboratory of torture won't actually perform torture.  You just can't have a believable story, no matter the genre, without some of the harsher sides to the tale.  The Hunt was a great example of that.

And yet despite all the instances of depravity and bloodshed, there was hope, softness, and love.  The interactions with Luna were my favorite.  There's something immensely honest and sweet about the affection given to and received by an animal.  I do wish there was more of a romantic build between Liam and Micah because it seems we jump very quickly from attraction to love.  The more sensual moments felt out of place and not really cohesive to not just the story, but to the evolution of the relationship.  Especially in the beginning when they felt incredibly awkward and disconnected.  And while I'm absolutely NOT saying Micah should take the opportunity to experience things with other men, I felt slightly uncomfortable with how it's mentioned that Liam is the first and only kind person he's met and so that feeling quickly becomes love.  It colors their love with something immature and desperate.  There was probably a better way to write their relationship.  Where they ended up though, that was getting them onto solid footing for anything more we learn and see of them as the series continues.  I'm eager to see more from this.  3.5 stars.

So when I say it was more intense than book 1, I totally mean it.  I found it to be quite a lot darker, more depraved, more difficult, and a whole lot more disturbing.  Some of that is a good thing, some not so much.  This story would have benefited from an objective beta reading team or even a proofer to find consistency issues with the plot and character reactions.  Overall though, this story is right on point for the tone of the series and is a good follow-up to The Hunt.

I prefer Nikolai to Ben and it's surprising to me since the whole book is in Ben's POV.  I don't feel connected to Ben, I don't really enjoy reading his thoughts, I find his interest in Nikolai to be predictable and the actions that follow that interest edge on the side of creepy (which he actually comments on himself but doesn't really alter thereafter) and it's only made slightly better when he finds a way to actually interact with him, and his brilliance seems to be unused throughout most of the story.

Where Ben is disappointing Nikolai is intriguing.  His situation is very similar to Micah's and yet so much more horrible because of the doctor in charge.  Nikolai was easier to feel for mainly because of his situation, but also because of how he and his reactions to everything are described.  I wanted to know him, I wanted to learn about him.  3 stars.

The series could end at this point and I would be okay with that because most of the loose ends are tied up even with a little hint of more at the end of this story.  If it does continue, however, I'd be okay with that too.  I now know what to expect with the drama, gore, and romance.  While I'm not really blown away by what we get here, I do appreciate the story and how all the characters and drama unfold together because all the pieces seem to fit well together.

Redemption: Hidden Creek Season 4 Book 6, E. Davies

I think I have a serious thing for heartbroken heroes.  Chad has definitely pulled so many awful stunts in his life that redemption is more than just a need, it's a soul-deep desire that he finds within himself.  I adore how hard he works to change himself, that taking responsibility for his actions sets him on a path to finding love, but more than that, he finds the peace and forgiveness only he can give himself.

Jasper rubs me the wrong way at first, not because of his general personality, but because of his underlying motives for taking Chad on with the self-defense class.  I'm always bothered when someone uses other peoples' hate or meanness as an excuse to be just as awful in return.  Setting out to hurt someone because they hurt someone you know, and not because you know what actually went down between them, is appalling to me.  Thankfully Jasper sees very quickly that, beyond their chemistry, there's something sweet, earnest, and so very vulnerable about Chad.  Jasper's own issues throw a wrench in their budding relationship, but at no point does it seem like Jasper is trying to change who Chad fundamentally is, he just has a not-so-great way of helping him which gets painfully misconstrued.  It's when Jasper finally becomes honest with himself and others that I truly enjoy him.

Because of Chad I spent most of the book with tears in my eyes.  It was a bit much to read his negative thoughts over and over, but I can't deny that I was always moved by it.  He was so hurt repeatedly and his self-sabotaging behavior never helped him either, but his yearning for love made him so redeemable for me.  Seeing him evolve into someone capable of standing up for himself and others when it really matters, growing to love himself in spite of what he came from and all the bad things he did...it was beautiful.

The relationship was more of a slow-burn in that it took them longer than expected to find themselves more sensually linked.  Their thoughts were spicy enough, but when they finally got down to clothing removal, the embers had grown hot enough to set of some serious sparks.  In their intimacy they were also able to discover new things about themselves, mainly Chad, and it gave an extra layer of sweetness to his life change.  Overall I was so pleased by the story and all the hope that was there carrying Chad and their relationship.  There's nowhere safer to find their place in life and in love than in Hidden Creek.

*$3.99 on Amazon

“I’ll make up my own mind about you.”

Months after he was mugged in Houston, legal secretary Jasper Barnes is still hiding out in Hidden Creek. Self-defense classes would boost his confidence. Problem is, the guy offering them is Chad Allaback, and he has a reputation, to say the least. So why does Jasper feel an irresistible pull toward him?

Six months after his wakeup call, Chad is too afraid of his past to reach out to those around him in his hometown. Accepting help from Jasper when he finds out he’s about to lose his home is the hardest thing he’s done. Can he really change now?

Self-defense lessons quickly turn into a sizzling, secret connection. When neither man is sure if they can trust their heart to the other, they hit a breaking point all too quickly. It’s going to take a Hidden Creek miracle to heal their scars and find redemption in each other’s arms.

Completely Changed: DiverCity Book 1, Kamisa Cole

There are a lot of nice things about this book.  There's honesty, reality, tension, steam...none of those things are to be discounted in this story of two men, damaged in different ways, trying to find a way to love someone others think they shouldn't.  What I like less is the pacing, the push and pull, and the many instances of forced progression in the story and the individual conflicts.  But overall, we're given a good story with two men who obviously need one another and despite all the difficulties, they find a love that fits.

All the pieces of the story had their place, but the way they were put together only kind of fit.  They worked chronologically, but most of the progression between them felt forced.  Instead of allowing them to move forward organically some conflicts were thrown in to give them somewhere to go, something to push them forward too strongly, too quickly.  The way things started with the instant attraction and element of protection was a good start.  It's just when the very next thing that happens is pages and pages of vehement denial, pushing one another away, immature decision making and reactions...none of it really bodes well for a functional relationship.  And when the things that make them give in are constantly thwarted by conflicts that don't really feel natural I'm hard-pressed to say I was eager to find out where they went from there.  I wasn't compelled by the overall story unfortunately.

Kash was the more interesting of the two men with a personal history that was believable and, from start to finish, felt like it added depth and was something that could be reconciled fully in a meaningful way by the end of the story.  A couple surprise revelations worked to bring the family concept full-circle, but it also seemed a little bigger than simply keeping it with his mother and realizing that families can be chosen by virtue of love and support and not merely by blood and paperwork.  Alec embodied his age and maturity level at virtually every turn.  While I admit that he had some horrendous things happen in his young life, those experiences may have taught him about cruelty and also healing, but they don't necessarily bring maturity.  I never truly felt like he became anything more than a 19-year old boy who loved an older man and was at the cusp of life.  His own personal evolution was a bit lacking though he does have great potential with someone like Kash at his side.

Tenderness and steam eventually came together once all the drama was behind them.  Before that point there was either one or the other, but not a whole lot of the two combined.  Both elements were held back at different times for one reason or another and once everything was all on the same page, the intensity that should have been there all along finally culminated into a really sweet ending.  So while I can't really say this is my favorite story, there were some things that really did work that will likely speak to a whole lot of other readers.  I'm mildly intrigued in the rest of the series because there are some truly interesting side characters and hints at connections that I'd really like to see pan out in the end.  In that respect, drawing interest for more from their world and their real family, I'd say the story achieved its aim.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Never fall for a broken, younger man…

Then again, I don’t think love happens accidentally anyway. You pick who you love. It’s what my adoptive mother taught me.
It’s what I believed all my life.
Until Alec McGowan walks in.

As head of security of the bar we work at his safety is my responsibility. But it’s more than that.
He buries himself under my skin, and no matter how much I fight it, I cannot stop thinking about him—or wanting him.
It’s when tragedy strikes that I realize Alec might be all I ever needed.

But… Is it already too late for us?

Ride the Whirlwind: Love Across Time Book 4, Jackie North

Soft and sweet, this had so much healing, love, exploration, and tenderness that I think it's my favorite of the series.  We got a chance to check in with John and Laurie, Layton and Zach, and to watch Trent realize the balance he can find between love and duty.  And watching Maxton deal with his less-than-awesome upbringing and embrace the soft, loving version of himself he previously only felt free to be with Laurie was fantastic.  There's not much more beyond this that I could hope for these men.

Maxton's story was a long time coming.  We knew him to be the surly, sarcastic, prickly roommate to Laurie except there were so many other parts of him we hadn't known about until now.  The reasons for his attitude are heartbreaking and while I kind of feel like I wanted more explanation and detail, what we were given was enough to grasp the depth of his hurt and damage.  And in his softer moments I fell in love with him.  I don't know that I'd call him fully healed from his past trauma and reformed of his salty behavior, but he promised it best when he promised Laurie he'd try.  He made so many strides to showing his best self and believing that he would no longer be punished for it that I couldn't help but feel for him and see that he'd be just fine in the end.

For Maxton's partner we could have had someone "alpha" who could be the strong hand Maxton needed to call him out on his behavior, we could have had someone just as abused and hurt as he was so they could find comfort in and empathy for one another, or we could have had Trent.  Trent was the  strong, silent, infinitely kind man who needed the brightness Max buried deep and could give Max the patience he needed to figure himself out.  It was the perfect pairing and while both men really did need one another, they served more as a catalyst for their individual self-reflection and turnaround that was essential to them finding their future happiness.

If we had gotten a little bit of an epilogue or some closure to Trent's family situation I would have really liked that, but since this story was more focused on the relationship between Trent and Maxton, I didn't think it diminished the overall story by being omitted.  What stuck for me was all the small things that made my heart tighten and swell: the rocking chair, the little yellow house, the tender touches, the sweet confessions, the softness, the love...and really, it's always all about the love.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Soulmates across time. Two hearts, stronger together.

In present day, Maxton is good at finding trouble and bad at everything else.

In 1892, Trent Harrington, sheriff of Trinidad, Colorado, lives a respectable but lonely life, devoid of any closeness.

Trying to escape a past that keeps chasing him, Maxton drives south to avoid getting arrested. When his car spins off the road, he is swept up in a desert whirlwind and finds himself in the year 1892. Lost and alone, unused to the laws of the wild west, Maxton gets arrested anyway.

Trent is tasked with escorting Maxton to Trinidad. The request isn’t unusual, but the miscreant is. Maxton draws Trent’s heart out of its shell with his flashing green eyes and lush head of hair. It isn’t right. It isn’t natural. It’s illegal. Yet Trent cannot resist the impetuous young man.

As the two men travel through the vast, empty desert to their destination, will they find in each other the love and companionship they never thought they’d have?

A male/male time travel romance, complete with the scent of desert roses, brilliantly colored sunsets, starlit nights, bitter campfire coffee, growing honesty and trust, and true love across time.

A Crown of Iron & Silver: Soulbound Book 3, Hailey Turner

In a world where nothing is sacred and yet everything is sacred and grudges are long, Patrick finds himself embroiled in yet another Godly tug-of-war.  Old friends are just as prone to secrecy as he is and old enemies are still tossing his world into chaos.  Amidst all the crazy, he and Jono are settling into their bond and finding where true strength really lies.  The gods of a trillion pantheons might not be done screwing with them, but they'll stand their ground together and prove yet again that they'll screw with them right back.

This is a much softer story in the Soulbound world.  Well, there's nothing soft about the battles, the Wild Hunt, the Sluagh, or the vast number of warriors of the fae, but the overtones were ones of all the bonds that can be shared and the complicated emotions that accompany them.  Patrick and Jono are feature characters and yet also take a backseat to bonds in general.  As they settle into their own and grow to appreciate and utilize it fully, the tender aspect of what they can be together as lovers comes forward.  Bonds between parents, children, family, pack...all of them are fought for and are what's at stake if Patrick, Jono, and the Hellraisers fail their missions.

Poor New York.  So many of the paranormal trouble that follows Patrick centers on this particular city and while its had more than its fair share of collateral damage, the biggest battle is taken to another field and it finally gets a little break.  I really thought it fit extremely well, this scene change, and not only gave New York a tiny respite, but also showed that there's nowhere that's immune to the havoc Gods and Ethan can cause.

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While not a completely new pantheon in this series, the specific pantheon featured in this story was given center stage with very little crossover from other meddling gods and showed incredible focus as well as integration of all the various threads tangled around Patrick and Jono.  A particular artifact was mentioned in the end of All Souls Near & Nigh and that was the thread picked up here in A Crown of Iron & Silver.  Though I will say that this thread is given zero closure and we're left pretty much exactly where we started, this story gave background, depth, and layers to the series that I believe will be necessary as we move forward.

Kind of like those epic anime that are hundreds of episodes long and then a few times there are side story arcs that are related but not central to the story but can still be considered important, that's more what I'd categorize this story in the whole series so far.  It provided new allies, a growth in their pack and all the immense tension that will come as a result of that, and all the tenderness of deepening feelings.  I'm still crazy addicted to this series and can't get enough of the world that I'm immediately drawn into and all the characters that I've fallen in love with.

*$4.99 on Amazon!

Never promise a life that isn’t yours to give.

New York City is decked out for the holidays, and Special Agent Patrick Collins is looking forward to a reunion with his old team when he gets assigned a new case. A human child is missing, and the changeling left in her place causes a prominent witch family to demand justice from the fae.

Meanwhile, continued harassment from the New York City god pack forces Jonothon de Vere to formally establish his own with Patrick. Doing so will mean a civil war within the werecreature community—a war they risk losing from the start without alliances. Making bargains with the fae is never wise, but Patrick and Jono have nothing to lose when a fae lord comes asking for their help.

The Summer Lady has been kidnapped from the Seelie Court, and if they can find her, Patrick and Jono will cement an alliance with the fae. But the clues to her disappearance are found in Tír na nÓg, and the Otherworld has never been kind to mortals.

Venturing past the veil, Patrick and Jono risk losing territory, time, and their very lives while searching for answers. Because the Queen of Air and Darkness knows they are coming—and the ruler of the Unseelie Court has an offer for them they can’t possibly refuse.

About Hailey...

Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing.  She's been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.  Hailey loves stories with lots of action, gritty relationships, and an eventual HEA that satisfies the heart.

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Rise: Men of Hidden Creek Season 4 Book 5, J Hayden Bailey

Hidden Creek has a way of bringing unlikely pairs together and making it stick.  Todd and Charlie seem like complete opposites, but their love of baking and their insecurities are two things that unite them.  This was a sweet story that had some great moments and a public shaming that's well-deserved.  And with all the sweetness you can handle, Todd and Charlie are another nice addition to the Hidden Creek family.

Baking definitely rules this story.  It was all the detail and explaining so much of the process, flavor combinations, and dough lamination that dragged the story out far too long in many places.  It fit, but it was just too much.  Some of it was repetition and very little of those descriptions actually added to the story or the enjoyment of their competition.  It pulled focus from the couple that mattered.  Baking also played a huge role in the fairy godmother solution that solved every problem for their relationship, location difficulties, professional situation, and story wrap-up.  It was nice, but it was far too simple for just how many things it covered.

Todd and Charlie together were sometimes sweet, sometimes frustrating.  They both really had insecurities and with Todd they came out with his constant second-guessing and doubting and emotional lows in response to Charlie's actions and he came across as very juvenile.  Feelings and reactions that I would expect from a high school kid rather than a grown man with his life experiences were jarring to the more confident man we caught mere glimpses of.

For Charlie it was almost a Jekyll/Hyde situation where he was painfully insecure in some moments and then a fierce mama bear in others.  Both sides spoke to his upbringing but there was no real evolution there either, just a short phone conversation that was supposed to show his new backbone to the man who pretty much destroyed his self-confidence up to this point.  His new-found strength wasn't fully believable and seemed far too quickly achieved considering all the upheaval his life had gone through.

One thing that also bothered me was the insistence that they couldn't wait a week to pursue something.  And really, it wasn't even a full week either.  Where there could have been a gradual build of respect, admiration, appreciation, etc. it was a constant push/pull with a demand for immediate emotional answers to their attraction, relationship status, romantic secrecy, and competition rules.  The conflict between them could have had a better balance between the relationship and the competition.

But the sweet moments were so fantastically tender and adorable that it nearly makes up for the more frustrating parts.  I really enjoyed when they were open about their feelings and desires.  The moments when Charlie stood up for others were pretty powerful because he was able to say things that were so truthful, so righteous, and they were also all the things that should have been said in his defense.  If there had been a bit of internalization of his moments of strength where he saw that he could be his own champion I would have been so incredibly pleased.  Ending the story where it did was a little rushed in terms of timeline, but very perfect for the Todd and Charlie and fit with the happy feeling of the overall story.

*$3.99 on Amazon

“You’re the sweetest thing at the Fair.”

After leaving the military, Todd Hudson has avoided putting down roots, living with his best friends in Hidden Creek. Entering the Summer Fair baking contest sounds like a sweet time. The cute guy he takes home the night before the competition runs away, but he hasn’t seen the last of him.

Charlie Deacon never puts himself first—in bed, at work, or in life. His rescue dog, Geri, is his only company at home. Pressured to enter the baking contest, he doesn’t expect to find the hunk he regrets ditching. The competition forbids fraternizing, but their bubbling feelings are rising to the surface.

Charlie and Todd couldn’t be more opposite, and they fit together like chocolate and caramel… but they only have a week together. When Charlie’s bullying father and Todd’s career call, can they make it work when the Fair packs up for the year?

Claiming Bite, Silvia Violet

Not your average shifter love story, Emerson and King muddle through finding their path forward together amidst all the conflict and tension between them and between King and the shifter community.  I can't say this was truly effective because quite a few things were lacking, but there were some highlights here.  Side characters are a great draw, as is the potential for the world the story is set in and I wish there were enough between King and Emerson to back it all up because there were some awesome bones to build on.

First is the less-than awesome points.  The moment of connection between Emerson and King is great, but very soon after that it's as if the mate connection becomes a burden and something to hide rather than come to grips with and to develop.  It gets resolved later, but only after King does what he does and makes decisions on behalf of others.  Which leads me to something else that bothered me.  I totally get the power exchange and the inherent respect that should exist between D/s couplings and I just didn't feel King's commitment to true training.  Instead it was more that he was domineering and kinky and more concerned with bending Emerson's obedience to his will rather than delving into Emerson's true needs.

That was something else that was a concern.  From their first discussion about Emerson's needs it was clear there was an underlying need in his restlessness and felt bigger than merely being drawn to a possible mate and should have been given its due.  Either make it about the mate bond drawing them together so their sexual needs can be met, or resolve the why of why Emerson needs the domination beyond fantasies.  There was also something incredibly lacking in the background of both men.  We're given a clear picture of King's community and business motivations, but beyond that I have no idea who he really is.  And even less about Emerson is given.  Sure he had a dick of an ex, but that's the sum total of his background.  Because we get so little about these men their D/s dynamic feels more about lust than a lifestyle and their actual connection lacks depth.

On a high note was the world built around them.  It was far more compelling than the MC's unfortunately, but it's a world that I was pretty drawn into and wonder if there's a potential for a series to come from it, especially because there are a few characters and possible relationships we're given a glimpse of and they're definitely tantalizing.  The steam is definitely there despite lacking the punch of a deep connection to ground it.  With a great cast to support Emerson and King as well as the story there's a well of interest to draw on and I do hope for more from this world.  I wish the story were more effective, more powerful, but there are some things to enjoy, particularly if we get more in the future.

*$4.99 on Amazon

What if the one thing you wanted most was forbidden?

Alpha werewolf King Howler seems to have everything he could want: power, wealth, and his own club where he can act out his dominant fantasies. But the one thing he lacks is his fated mate.

Shy loner Emerson has always craved submission, not to another human—to a shifter. Handing over control to anyone could be dangerous, but with a shifter, it might be deadly. Yet all his fantasies star a werewolf who can make him beg.

When King and Emerson meet, the bond between them is instinctive and undeniable. King can't resist the pull he feels toward the younger man, even though giving Emerson what he longs for is risky. Emerson doesn't care how vulnerable he is. He knows he belongs with King, and he's willing to do anything to prove it. As longing turns to love, King knows he must find a way to keep Emerson safe, both from his enemies and from himself, because in the end, nothing can stop an alpha from claiming his mate.

The Rutledge Brothers, Piper Scott

Tragic in the life Seth is forced to lead, and triumphant in how that part of his life ends.  The beginning and end of the story were just right, each giving the exact right feeling for where we began with Seth and where we ended up with him together with Tad.  It was the middle that suffered however, from the length of the story.  There wasn't sufficient character development and with only a basic knowledge of who these men are, there wasn't enough to connect me to them.  I enjoyed both of them on a surface level and appreciated what they brought to one another.  If the dramatic confrontation weren't forced and a "flash-in-the-pan" moment it would have really been powerful with seeing Seth really win against what held him captive both in circumstance and inside him.  This really needed to be reworked into a novel because I just wanted so much more.  3 stars.

By far the best story in the trio, Save Me was full of character depth, relationship growth, self-sacrifice, and the best parts of love.  I believed so much in Elijah and Silas' evolution and in them individually.  What occurred between them was exactly right to allow for Elijah to achieve his potential.  Being so completely brainwashed for much of the story as well as seeing his motives that stemmed from that, it would have cheapened anything he shared with Silas and would have spelled disaster for any kind of mental and emotional healing.  I still wanted more, especially from Silas and why he is who he is, so that I could call the story complete.  4 stars.

Sadly, this was the least developed story of the bunch.  I was incredibly intrigued by Harrison but got no answers as to why he chose a celibate life.  There was a story there and we got literally nothing about it.  Nathaniel was definitely young and I did feel like he knew himself, but there's so much individual growth he needed to achieve.  He kind of straddled the line between being an independent omega and a stereotypical one and I don't think both sides blended well enough.  There was a ton of the "first" moments when people find themselves attracted to someone, but nothing beyond an ill-timed heat to really bring them together.  Where in the previous stories the other brothers played a little role to tie them all together there was nothing here and that was a missed opportunity, especially since it could have served as a bridge to discuss Harrison's history or to guide him through accepting a future with Nathaniel.  Compelling is not the word I would use for the characters, the relationship, or the story overall, which is immensely sad since this was the end cap to the series.  2 stars.

Dark Wind: The New Ancients Book 1, Crista Crown

Shifters, magic, power, and mates...all things that have me diving in with both feet.  I enjoyed the introduction to this world despite feeling like I was lost when everything really got going.  I'll be adding the preceding series to my TBR list in preparation for the next book in this new series to be available.  There was a fair bit of character growth which I like to see in stories where sometimes lust and the supernatural can trump depth.  Definitely not recommending it as a standalone, but it's a great start to something that is promising to be exciting and interesting with a lot of twists, turns, secrets, and discovery.

While it was an interesting start to this series, I really wouldn't say it's a standalone.  It leans heavily on everything that happened in The Outcast Chronicles nearly halfway through this story and I highly recommend reading the parent series to fully grasp all the implications and the follow-through for all the story threads brought up here.  Especially because those threads aren't given any kind of conclusion at all, just a whole lot more questions and implications.  Pivotal characters and "educational" moments come from beings that play significant roles in why Sage, Gideon, and everyone else are now experiencing all the crazy so yeah, definitely not meant to be read all by itself.

As for Sage and Gideon themselves, I liked both men though I could have used a lot more individual background.  There are basics there and if you've read Outcasts I'm sure there's more about Gideon to satisfy that, but I didn't sink as deep into either person as much as I hoped to.  Powers and learning control were given a basic place in the story, though the importance of those things was given quite a bit of thought and page time in the beginning.  The focus was kept on the denial of feelings and the overall mystery that's going to carry the series.  Like I said before, this was a great start, not a comprehensive one, but a appetite-whetting kind that interests me to continue but doesn't inspire a craving to have more right this second.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Sage Wilkins had no idea he had secret super powers until he lost his temper and almost blew down his family home. After a week on the run with this curse spiraling out of control, he’s started to wonder if it wouldn’t be safer if he didn’t exist.

Gideon Ward thought having a secret super power was great when he was a kid. Now, it’s just kind of one of those things. But even an amazing gift seems pointless when there’s no villain to fight, no evil to undo. The most he uses it for is to reduce inflammation in his furry clients at the vet clinic. He can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever be accepted as more than the strange kid that Caspar and Theo adopted ten years ago.

It’s random chance when Gideon is the one to help rescue Sage… or is it? When one of your dads can see the future, you never really know. Someone has to teach Sage to control his power, and that someone turns out to be Gideon. But Sage isn’t the only one who has something to learn. Before Gideon can find acceptance in his community, he has to learn to accept himself first, and to find joy in the magic that already exists inside him.

Reveal: Men of Hidden Creek Season 4 Book 4, HJ Welch

Whenever a geek scores a jock, or in this case a fireman, I just about melt.  There's a lot to unpack in Jason Miller's view of self-worth, but because Channing is patient, sweet, and kinda oblivious, they create a lot of magic together.  Reveal gives us a ton of my favorite tropes (ugly duckling, opposites attract, fake relationships...), an antagonist that actually sees his karmic return gift, a bit of danger, and a whole lot of tenderness and first time steam.

What I really appreciated about this story was the "love yourself first" concept.  Jason has spent his entire life trying to fit in with his peers or to just blend into the background.  His one bit of self-acceptance was when he got to live out his geeky imagination back in the day with a couple childhood friends.  There's a whole lot of "real man" talk that's pretty deplorable as well as over-the-top and because Jason is incredibly vulnerable he gets sucked into those ridiculous ideas of societal norms.  He has a big "A-ha!" moment in the salon where he gets completely schooled by his friends.  It brought to the forefront that his ideas about the LGBTQ+ community around him are just as hurtful as his ideas about himself.  It was a toxic mix of projecting his insecurities on the community at large as well as internalizing all the hate that can come from the ignorant masses.

I won't say that a few outfits, a haircut, some makeup, and a killer pair of boots will fix all the years of internalizing all the damaging rhetoric, but it can definitely give you the boost to see yourself beyond the box you've shoved yourself into.  For Jason, it gives him a glimpse through other people's eyes that they're suddenly seeing a glimmer of confidence and personal expression that was completely missing before.  It's a stepping stone to seeing himself as more.  When he was in charge of his own look, he was still too deep into the workplace abuse he'd endured to embrace any real change.  He needed the help of friends who saw the real him.

As for the relationship, it was mainly sweetness, exploration, and subtle revelations with a small period of them figuring their individual stuff out enough to realize they wanted to be together.  There was no real conflict there and certainly no real angst regarding sexual inclinations on Channing's part.  I'm not a fan of one character making decisions for the other, especially in regards to their own wants, needs, and desires, and Jason really fell prey to that.  And with the karmic justice, it was well-earned by the slightly cliched bully and I especially loved the reckoning coming from the spouse.  She, along with quite a few other side characters, gave a good base for Jason and Channing to find their way both alone and together.  I kept thinking about how I want friends like these ones...Hidden Creek gets all the good ones.

*$3.99 on Amazon

“I wish this were real with you.”

Geeky Jason Miller has never really been with a man, and his bullying colleagues at NASA know it. But when an innocent white lie gets out of hand, Jason never would have guessed his gorgeous-but-straight childhood friend would leap to his rescue.

Firefighter Channing Forster saves people every day, so when protecting his former next-door neighbor turns into faking a relationship for a work getaway, he doesn’t hesitate. As the weekend goes on, though, Channing starts to think that he doesn’t just see cute Jason Miller as a buddy anymore.

Are Channing’s feelings for Jason real enough that he could be his first? Jason needs to accept his true self before he can love another. But when his colleagues and boss discover his many secrets, will he lose everything forever, including Channing?

The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love: The Hitman's Guide Book 1, Alice Winters

Funny, irreverent, and so sappy sweet I felt like I died from sugar overload, but was revived by hilarity and general ridiculousness. I think this was definitely an awesome book. There were some moments that had me skimming, others that were disappointing, a few that were frustrating, but the majority of what I felt was happy.

Jackson's reluctance to positively reinforce Leland's utter ridiculousness was all kinds of funny to me. His dry humor snagged my attention and the utter silliness of Leland grabbed me just as hard. The camp and the evasive use of the humor can definitely be a lot for some readers, but for me it was just this side of good because of Leland's general bad-A persona when Sandman came out to play.

I won't say I'm all for the idea of a hero hitman in real life, but the ideas of justice are well-argued because I think most people will agree that the legal sense of the word doesn't always serve the moral sense of it. This point was made repeatedly and became something of a "point to ponder" moment quite a few times when the "victims'" actions became known. What made Leland redeemable for me was that once he freed himself of the harsh manipulator of his formative years, his focus became research and proof before he made the shot. His sense of morality was a bit skewed in the eyes of the law, but he never again went blindly after money or orders.

The "big reveal" part was pretty over the top and I have to say it was not my favorite. Leland's panic put him in a difficult situation with Henry and while Leland's actions were surprising in their manic overreaction, it was Henry's relentless harping on one circumstantial fact that annoyed me much worse. Surely Henry's sense of honor, justice, and empathy would keep him from using the same cruel yet empty rebuttal to all of Leland and Jackson's pleas and explanations, but no, he couldn't see beyond the one descriptor. And honestly, I personally find parallels more convincing than pleading over and over while reiterating the same remorse. Like, what about Jackson taking orders to take out targets without confirmation of proof during his military service? Doesn't that seem awfully similar to Leland's situation prior to his hard-won emancipation? And what about Henry having to have likely seen innocent people put in prison or killed in the line of duty? There were quite a few things that could have been said differently to make the scene more powerful, convincing, and, dare I say it, shorter.

And shorter is another thing I'll say that I'm on the fence about. The overall story length wasn't too much of a problem for me because I really loved getting to know everyone (except Jackson's mom...she should just really be cut off, I feel. I'm hoping she gets it together in the future because if not, she deserves every moment of Leland-style torture she gets). There were moments though, that could definitely have been truncated or more concise and to-the-point to improve their efficacy and overall flow. The biggest issue for me with this was the overkill with the confessions of feelings about Leland's mistake and Jackson's heart during the safe-house moment. It was just that...overkill. While the sentiments were wonderful, they just took 'beating a dead horse' to a new level. Saying the same things again and again while not really changing the actual words being said or the motivations behind them, just restating the same stuff just isn't effective.

But what remains for me is how the humor style of both Leland and Jackson just fit me. They're fantastic together and I love that it took them quite a while to give in to the sexual tension so they were truly based on something solid and honest...well, as honest as Leland could be. Jackson was intelligent, but his brain and investigative talents took a serious backseat to Leland's own prowess in that regard allowing him to become a multi-faceted character worthy of a second, third, and fourth look. Jackson's heart was so sweet, so effusive, so full of everything for every part of Leland. There was so much to love about this book that it gave me reasons to overlook the things that were less impressive. I'm in love with these men and can't wait for their next crazy adventure.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?

Leland
Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while he’s caught on a fence would be one of them. While it’s not exactly love at first sight, he’s captured my interest and won’t let go.

Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like he’s not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the city’s most ruthless criminals?

Jackson
Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I can’t help but admit that I’m drawn to him. He’s funny, charismatic, and attractive. There’s no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.

But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, I’m faced with a tough choice. It’s my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.

Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?

Abandoning Ship: Valentine's Inc. Cruises Book 7, Susan Hawke

From terrible puns to inappropriate nicknames for fun appendages to extremely small speedos, the awkward yet charming interplay between Ryan and Sawyer give credence to the idea that marrying your best friend can turn into the best kind of partnership.

I really wasn't kidding about the puns.  I'm a huge fan of them, but the sheer number of them in this story, no matter their cleverness or quality, was a bit much.  It was certainly a unique-ness thing for the not couple/couple though.  The relationship was just as obvious as the pun choices and it was both frustrating and humorous with how they eventually got together.  The shenanigans once they were on the same page is definitely a fine work of fiction.  It induced snickering, eye rolling, swooning, and fanning from the amount of chemistry they had.

While I know all was forgiven in the end with Julia I can't help but feel her forgiveness was given too easily.  She really was all kinds of selfish.  Though I am glad we got a few glimpses into how her chosen partner encouraged her to make amends and to see the effects of her choices.

And the family dysfunction was absolutely ridiculous.  While the homophobia and judging is horrible, it was all included in a slightly softer way.  By making the father an exceedingly caustic human being it lent more humor than pain to the situation.  Ryan still had to acknowledge that it wasn't a complete relief to see his father do what was predicted, so that was good, but it was still a far simpler matter because his dad was truly such an awful person.

Overall I think that's pretty much the way you can sum up all the confrontations and unions—simple and over the top in display.  It was definitely a humorous story with far less angst than the antagonists and friction could have played out so I'd definitely say this was more a light and fluffy story.  The feeling at the end was one of freedom, joy, and love and that despite so many setbacks and mishaps they all proved to be happy accidents that led them to the person and the life that was always meant to be theirs.

*$3.99 on Amazon

When the seas of love grow choppy, sometimes the best course is to abandon ship!

Two years ago, Ryan Abernathy was too tongue-tied, too introverted, and entirely too nervous to flirt with his hot but presumably straight new roommate. So when Ryan’s sister swooped in and scooped the hottie up for herself, he accepted his fate and kept his crush a secret.

Sawyer Muller never meant to find himself in a fake relationship with his sexy roommate's sister. And how was he supposed to know that Ryan would become his bestie and star in way too many of his dreams?

Things get complicated when Julia Abernathy strikes a deal with Sawyer to upgrade from fake boyfriend to groom, though they only need to stay married long enough for her to get her trust fund. They plan a fun cruise ship wedding with her entire family in tow. Sawyer figures it sounds like an adventure, and when they quietly divorce later, he’ll finally be free of all the fakery.

With Julia and Ryan’s homophobic, snooty family present, the pressure is turned up… especially when Sawyer finds himself jilted at the altar and drowning in a sea of blame. His only life preserver is the Abernathy sibling he can’t admit to wanting… Ryan.

Fate's Perfect Timing: A Collection of Strays Book 3, Toby Wise

Fated mates, knotty fun, and first times for everyone, this book has all the cheesy sweetness I've come to expect and enjoy about this series.  Isaiah is a non-binary unicorn who longs for their mate.  When YouTube and a best friend bring them Sam, Fate obviously has a handle on things.  Sam's smitten right away and it's clear from their meet-cute that things are going to end up with a pair of sparkly mated unicorns and really, what could be cuter than that?  Probably the tattoos...but you'll have to read the story to find out why =].

Speaking of cute, I have to say I'm a huge fan of Sam's favorite pick-up line.  "You're pretty, I'm cute.  Together we'd be pretty cute."  I think that's how it goes, but whatever, it's freaking adorable.  Is it also a good time to mention I'm a fan of clever dad jokes?  Anyway...

This story is quick and a whole lot of sweet with shy giggles, lots of blushing, and a fumbling first time for Isaiah and Sam.  I really enjoyed their dynamic, that despite their genetic assignments neither enforced any kind of authority over the other, and through their equally controlling upbringing they were able to recognize the uniqueness they had to offer one another.  Even better was their ability to appreciate and encourage it as well.

There was quite a lot of education about how a non-binary person may think and feel based on Isaiah's specific understanding of their identity.  It didn't take up a whole lot of the book, just a very public moment during the Con and a private moment when Sam used communication to understand his mate.  That moment was far more effective than others I've read and was far less preachy, which I completely appreciated.  It was simple, to the point, and heartfelt.

The whole plot is basically finding their mate, mating, and all the lovely consequences of enjoying a rather intense omega heat.  Definitely simplistic, but adequate for the short length of the book.  I especially loved getting to visit with the whole Burke pack and the teaser for Cameron's story (which I've been dying to get my teeth into!).  There's so much to love about this family and I'm definitely coming back for more.

*$2.99 on Amazon

I’m just your average non-binary unicorn, making a living as a beauty guru on YouTube, dreaming about finding my mate. I dream about the perfect meet cute and to my absolute delight, meeting Sam is just that. He’s everything I ever pictured in a mate; strong, broad, and bearded. But will our inexperience push each other away? ~Isaiah

I was shunned by my family after not going through with an arranged marriage. That night, I was positive I’d just met my soulmate and I was prepared to spend my life alone. That is, until I met Isaiah. All I wanna do is take care of them the way they deserve, but alpha instinct only goes so far. Lady Fate’s finally brought us together, but can we figure out the rest ourselves? ~Sam

An Arresting Ride: Survivors Find Love Book 2, Lissa Kasey

This was not an easy book.  There was trauma, recovery, PTSD, and a lot of judgment.  But what shone through by the end was the more societal messages of how we treat survivors of abuse of any kind, how we view their new state of being, and what truly constitutes "normal".

Graham and Jason shared a connection that set them on the paths that ultimately brought them together, but the situation was written with both understanding and confrontation.  For the confrontation, I really appreciated that what a real recovery looks like was given thorough consideration.  That not everyone will fully "heal" from trauma, certain things will never change, reactions may not disappear, and very few of us will ever be truly "normal" are ideas that most people don't understand because of adages like "time heals all wounds" and other similarly trite sayings.

The understanding part came when the tables turned and Graham was in need of support and compassion.  Jason's experience with his own journey helped open avenues of healing for Graham that he never would have considered on his own.  Together they were able to find something unique and special together that wasn't based on codependency or grief.  It was far more powerful than that and their relationship evolution started out realistically and the comfort and warmth built gradually.  How they jumped from becoming friends to more was where I felt like something was missing.

In the beginning it was as if Jason read slightly on the spectrum with how he was described, how he reacted to others, and his altered perceptions of consent and himself.  I didn't see a real changing point in him before he was very, very clear to Graham that he was fully in control of his choices and the consent portion of their changing relationship.  I liked both versions of him but would have liked to see his growth.  Because of the disparity I felt slightly disconnected from him as a whole.  A dual POV would have really helped with this.

There were a lot of preconceived notions that Graham had that needed to be reevaluated and altered to accept a life with Jason.  I felt that those ideas were really well-expressed by Bastian and Charlie and I cheered with how it really gave Graham a hard look at how he was treating and judging Jason and all victims.  Despite his innate sense of compassion he still fell prey to society's views just like the vast majority of humans in the Western world.  There was a little too much emphasis on the word "normal" though, and it wasn't really a fluid confrontation, it was thrown in so many times with very little variation on when, why, and how it was harped on or mentioned that it became something I almost wanted to skim over.

Similarly was the conflict with Clark, the IAD investigation, and the former employees of Jason's ranch.  The pieces didn't really connect completely and none of them felt concluded either.  It's like we got to the end of the story and the author was like, "oh shoot, I gotta write in the villain.  Villains?  Meh, whatevs."  So aside from feeling like all of those threads were throwaways, the overall messages in the story were unique and well-formed.  I enjoyed the story and felt the connection between Jason and Graham was real though not fully supported.  I was drawn into their lives and appreciated the setting, the whole cast, and the animals with distinct and memorable personalities.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Graham Church began career as a police officer with a case so gruesome it sent many officers into early retirement. That day he helped save the lives of children and began a long crusade of protecting the residents of Friday Harbor from the worst of humanity. But brutal car accidents and the discovery of a dog fighting ring have taken their toll on Graham. Returning to an over-crowded apartment where his room is a closet, and working sixteen-hour shifts, have left him emotionally exhausted and in need of a quiet place to call home.

Jason Wullcot is a horse breeder and a mystery to the island he lives on, but is in need of a roommate for human contact. His therapist recommends Graham Church, who also happens to have a "white knight" syndrome. When Graham discovers his new roommate was one of the children he helped save twelve-years prior, Graham’s need to protect and save kicks into high gear. Only Jason has no interest in being saved. In fact, Graham realizes that Jason may not be the one in need of saving at all, but maybe, just maybe they can fill the broken pieces of each other.