The Roommate Proposal: Perfect Opposites Book 2, Jace Hadley

Aleksei and Logan seemed very much on the opposite of everything and maybe that's why they fit together so well. I was drawn to both men, but for very different reasons. With Aleksei it was his struggle. His struggle to accept himself openly, while not always necessary for everyone, it was vastly important for him. Mainly because he had all his true acceptance buried beneath the weight of blackmail, control, close-mindedness, fear, and familial piety. Through his determination to be with Logan he found his strength to live his truth.

But it wasn't as simple as just wanting to be with Logan, it was a taste of freedom, love, passion, and happiness that opened to door to his own transformation. And without their brief separation he wouldn't have been able to see what he wanted for himself for the long term and not just until he could graduate.

Logan's charm was in his earnestness and his lack of guile. I can't say that his initial "invitation" to change their dynamic made me feel really comfortable, but with Aleksei's eager acceptance and initiation later on it got a little better. But Logan's general demeanor, honesty, and encouragement felt sweet and not manipulative and predatory. When we get to see Logan's heart, his way with family, and his understanding of Aleksei's personality quirks I really fell for him and new he was right for Aleksei.

Sometimes when the hurtful break comes each MC spend their time unequally feeling the hurt, realizing where they went wrong, and then planning or hinting at the grand gesture...nothing wrong with that, but it's predictable. What I really enjoy is when they use the time away to see, really and truly see, what they are and what they want to become and then go about making the changes necessary to enact their own transformation. When Logan and Aleksei came back together they had each found the thing inside them that would compel them to find and move toward their best selves so that when they reconciled they could really make the best foundation for a happy future together.

So it's pretty clear that I enjoyed the book. There were definitely a couple things, a few moments that had me nervous or frustrated about what might happen next, but I found that there were quite a few moments that overrode them and won me over. I want to read more in the series right away, especially our lovely misunderstood jock's story...

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Bound to Happen: AirB&D Book 4, Olivia Joy

I know these stories are short in this series, but a couple of them have still managed to win me over with their honesty, connection, and chemistry.  This story didn't manage to do that.  While there was chemistry, a really decent amount, that played well to their mutual desires, it didn't translate to a relationship in a real way for me.  Overall it was a nice story, a fairly okay addition to the series, but it wasn't my favorite.

Will was a little easier to know as we begin with his POV and his internal commentary on his life, relationship status, job, and feelings about the situation as well as about Mitch.  Mitch on the other hand, was bland to me.  There wasn't a good enough explanation of his motivations, his redemption for the bet, or a real connecting moment between him and me as a reader.  I just didn't care about him and wasn't convinced that he deserved Will.

The outcome was a tale of two men who got a second chance at a college attraction turned sour and all the spice you'd expect from this series.  It wasn't fully successful for me by the end, but it wasn't an entirely unenjoyable reading experience either.  It was just...meh...and a bit disappointing.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Will Simpson figures he’s the epitome of boring. He works in a cubicle, goes to the beach for vacation every year, and even the ex who only wanted sex once a week left him. So when he gets an invitation to spend a weekend at a B&B in Maine with a bunch of his old frat buddies, Will figures why not do something totally out of his comfort zone. He knows he might see Mitch again, but with enough guys around, it wouldn’t have to be awkward.

Mitch Archer thinks a weekend with his old buddies might be fun, too, but when he gets to Maine, he surprised to find Will is the only one who made it. He’s also surprised to discover that the house itself is more than just a fun place to vacation in small-town New England. He’s always wondered what he and Will could have had together, so he grabs at the chance to test things out between them. He’s ready to explore, and he’s bound and determined to show Will how adventurous he can be.

Snow Time for Love: Tales of the Circle Book 3.5

After becoming curious about the slightly off-putting realtor in Heart from the same series, I was weirdly interested in reading his story.  What we got could be sweet so some, sexy to others, but mostly it was rushed and disturbing to me.

To start, did we have to read about Ralph boning his FBuddy with only about an hour and a half of reading in the whole book?  Couldn't we have just started with the morning after?  It was so uncomfortable for me to read the rest of the short story because I was already having a graphic display of what he got up to with one guy in the morning and am expected he comes to love another guy by the end of the night.

Sure, he knew the guy he fell for and was always attracted to him, but the transition from attracted business colleagues to lovers and more felt jarringly abrupt and icky.  Add in the flashback to Ralph's initial come-on to Bo and I'm seriously anti-Ralph on the basis of his behavior just not being okay no matter how much his heart yearns for love.  He's constantly making inappropriate and over-the-line propositions that I can't take him seriously.

Bo, on the other hand, was a bit different because he was sweeter, more earnest, and was in a position to give in to his attraction and did so in a way that was more genuine.  I just liked him better.  That's not to say I didn't feel that "love" came too soon, it just felt more organic from Bo's end.

But honestly the whole thing felt like we were racing to the finish and the subtleties and growth were lost in the rush.  There was so much time spent on reminiscing and describing the moments of attraction that I wondered for nearly the whole story if all their feels were just in their heads.  Overall it was sweet, lots of steam, and while it wasn't a bad story, it just made me uncomfortable for too long, was followed by a rushed romance, and then it ended...nicely.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Lonely for company, Realty-Man Ralph seeks to celebrate a pricey property flip with his favorite contractor, Bo. But Bo is afraid Ralph will discover he’s squatting in the house they’re currently renovating. A winter storm is coming, and the forecast is heavy snow… with a chance of tequila, Chinese food, and love.

Royal Line: Tattered Royals Book 1, Carrie Ann Ryan and Nana Malone

From the start it was easy to tell that London wasn't truly a pampered royal and it was easy to like her right away.  I grew to love her when it was clear that even under duress, while stressed, feeling vulnerable, and nearly blindsided by an unexpected lust for her savior, she didn't run in fear and was absolutely in control of her reasoning.  She knew not to be an idiot about her safety.  While not wanting to give up everything about her life, she could also admit when it was far too dangerous for her to continue and again, not be an idiot about her safety.

Of course, she chafed at the restrictions, but that was completely understandable under the circumstances.  And not just because of the threat nipping at her heels.  I applauded her for chafing at the high handedness of all the men in her life and especially calling Kannon out numerous times about his astonishingly awful behavior.

In fact, I am so, so sad to say that I didn't like Kannon and he never grew on me.  Not even a little.  His attitude was more than just growly lion with a thorn in his paw, a tortured hero with a traumatic past, or even just a plain ol' jerk in unnecessarily large quantities.  He was disrespectful and patronizing and hurtful on so many occasions that not even his groveling near the end nor his confession enough to redeem him for me.

So the romance didn't just fall flat for me, it tanked and I'm incredibly sad about that.  And honestly, everyone except for London, Sparrow, and Rian were Judgy McJudgersons in virtually every aspect and at every opportunity.  I got really tired of that.  Adding in the very, very obvious villain (way, way too many references to how good and obligated they were smacked of trying too hard to direct attention elsewhere) with a lackluster confrontation (insanity and monologuing and a far too descriptive fight scene?) and you've got a 2.5 star story for me.  I rounded it up because London was a woman worth knowing.

The epilogue was incredibly predictable, I mean, the only surprise was the hair color(s).  I can't say I'll be reading the brothers' stories because they really didn't wow me in any way, it was London that was memorable.  Though I will admit that the chemistry was definitely there, it needed a balance of tenderness and affection, not a wishy washy, fickle, woe-is-me martyr of a dude who suddenly decides London is worth a forced plane trip and no counseling to get his issues taken care of before attempting to win her back.

I love Nana Malone and her writing, her characters are usually compelling, the action well-written and complex enough to draw interest, and the love just as palpable as the physical chemistry.  This story did not live up to what I know I'll get from her books.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I never asked for my tiara.

My dreams were always bigger than a palace. They're as big as the world.

Being fourth in line for the throne should have guaranteed me freedom.

I thought I was one step from walking away forever, but a long-forgotten rule forces me to run instead.

I refuse to marry a Duke and bear an heir to save our titles.

I trust my brothers to find a way to save my future, but first I need to save myself.

Only I never expected to meet danger...and Kannon Adams along the way.

I never asked for her.

My security business has secured all the clueless princess types I can handle.

Princess London Waterford of Alden is a whole other level of trouble.

Not to mention gorgeous and tempting as royal sin. Too bad she's also in danger.

When the bullets fly, I trust no one else to protect her, even if she pushes me away.

Together, we must find who's behind the threat to her life and try not to get caught in the crossfire.

One night together might never be enough, but if those who want her dead have a say, it'll be our last.

Nixing the End of the World: Phoenix's Quest Book 1, Alice Winters

Alastair and Nix...a good mix of tame, bewildered, crazy, and outrageous, I was alternately sedate and on the edge of my seat with the pacing of the story. I found Alastair to be a cross between Leland from Hitman and Marcus from VRC with his weapon wielding and snark in the face of his denial of past guilt and current interest in Nix. In this particular instance, it's the story surrounding him that assisted with being a unique character, but I found a whole lot of similarities to past Alice characters so he felt familiar even if I knew nothing about him.

In fact, I can't say I really learned all that much about him by the end of this first book in this new series. We do find out where his guilt comes from and his hesitance around his bond with Nix, but other than to give context, it wasn't much in the way of really knowing him. I'm eager to find out more and to watch him really open up to Nix. I want to see more of his power, what it can do, and how Nix can balance it out.

Speaking of Nix, his own power is an unknown until pretty much the end of the book. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Nix taking the entirety of the story to get only a clue about what his power is and how to use it before he's thrust into the crazy with the villain. I really look forward to seeing him train and grow with his own magic in addition to the bond building he and Alastair really need to get working toward.

Together they work for me. It's a slow growth between them and I'm glad that they didn't really act on their attraction until it felt right because there were so many unknowns, so much going on with and around them, that it would have distracted from the story and felt forced. They've got a long road ahead of them and I want to be with them every step of the way.

The cast surrounding them is quite varied, though the ones directly involved were...interesting. Some were introduced with a bang and then kind of left off to the edges of the goings-on until near the end and I wasn't exactly liking that. Another, the BFF, was actually my least favorite character out of everyone introduced. I'm guessing she'll grow on me as the story continues though. The villain surprised me. Not in who they were, but how it all played out and what they did. I'm super stoked to see where things go from the cliffhanger bomb that was dropped.

Even though this wasn't a resounding five hilariously awesome star story, I have a feeling I'm going to love the whole series. Between the shenanigans of creatures, humans, and guardians and the plot that's barely getting off the ground, there's a whole lot to look forward to and I seriously can't wait to jump back in as soon as book two is available.

$5.99 on Amazon

Nix
“You are the savior of mankind” are the last words I ever expected to hear while nibbling on fries. The thing is, I’m not mankind saving material. I don’t even have magic (and just found out it exists). I’m the most boring, normal(ish) human ever.

Suddenly, I’m being tossed right into the middle of a fight that started years before I was even born, and then I get partnered up with Alastair, a quirky magical Guardian. He is rather attractive and sweet when he’s not into the whole “woe is me, I can’t let myself fall in love with you” nonsense. I mean, the moment he took my annoyingly judgmental grandma hostage, it was all over for me. I was hooked.

Now the only problem is… what exactly are we saving the world from?

Alastair

The moment I laid eyes on Nix, the naive yet easygoing human captivated my attention, and now I’m determined to protect him. But despite my amazing and majestic abilities, we might not make it out of this mess. Still, there must be a reason Nix was chosen. No, he doesn’t have pizazz and maybe he really doesn’t have magic, but he’s also one of the strongest and kindest men I’ve ever met.

Now if I can just get him to stop throwing blankets at enemies, we might have a shot at this.

Masters of Romance, Emma Alcott

Side Character

https://amzn.to/3to2Oc2

Quick and dirty, that's what I was expecting and that's what we got.  What I didn't expect was the subtle cuteness or the awkwardness or the two-way pining that happened.  Sawyer's friends were hilarious and I had no idea they'd even play a role, but the role they played actually made this short story much better.  I have to admit, the synopsis really turned me off, but since I like this author I was willing to give it a shot and I'm actually glad I did.  The set up for what's to come was the tiniest thread so I'm not sure what we'll get with Bad Boy, but if there are moments of cute like here in Side Character, I'm all in.  There was a lot of depth missing as well as an actual promise of transition from crush to real, but if you only focus on the funny side characters and the awkward cuteness that was endearing, then I think you'll probably like this prequel just fine.  3 stars.

Bad Boy

https://amzn.to/3xS3Lww

A tattooed reclusive ex-con and an imaginative, skittish, young man...on paper neither of them belong together, unless that paper is in a romance novel, then all bets are off and they're a match made in literary heaven.  I liked Colton and Russ together when the moments were good and not awkward and I mostly enjoyed Russ' POV.  Aside from that, the story was hit or miss for me and I'll be back because the group of authors are more intriguing than this particular coupling ended up being.

I think what bothered me the most was Colton's reactions and thoughts.  There were so many moments that I rolled my eyes and either skimmed through or longed to skim through his portion of the story.  Juvenile can be appropriate and amusing and endearing, but in Colton's case it was inconsistent and made me uncomfortable.  Especially the jumping in the sack thing right away...way too soon and on the heels of some disturbing thoughts racing through Colton's brain.

It's Russ that saved it for me and while I wasn't a fan of everything he did, thought, or said, he was the character that I gravitated to from the very beginning.  I like a bit of redemption with my romance and while I believe Russ had nothing to prove to anyone, he needed to show for himself exactly the type of man he was; a good man deserving of the young man that captured his attention and his heart, not to mention other bits of his anatomy.

There was some contrived drama that pushed the story forward but was honestly overkill and inappropriate, so I feel that could have been beta-read out of there, but I can't say I didn't understand why the author went in that direction.  It was kind of an easy road forward conflict-wise and seemed ready-made for overreactions and prejudice to overcome.  I wish it had been less predictable and more organic though.  Other than that, I enjoyed reading this story and am definitely coming back because my curiosity has been piqued with the group of authors that deserve their own HEAs.  3.5 stars.

Press One for Fake Boyfriend: Dial A Man Book 1, Joe Satoria

This was a new-to-me author and I have to say I don't think their writing style completely worked for me.  Awkwardness abounded in the writing's flow, the MC's individually, the retreat, and most of the interactions between each and every character other than Vik.  And Chef Espy?  Yeah, I just really didn't get it.  He was a caricature and made me uncomfortable on a number of occasions to say nothing of his own sketchy interactions with the MC's.

There were a few moments that I thought I might enjoy myself, but those weren't as often as I would have liked.  I just didn't connect with the characters at all, probably because I didn't see or feel a deeper connection between Wyatt and Kane either.  Their chemistry felt scripted more than organic both platonically as well as when things finally became intimate.

Juvenile behavior was one thing, but it was the immaturity from Kane that really threw me.  I didn't believe most things in the story and while Kane's manner was okay in the beginning, his dramatic flight from the retreat showed that all the professionalism he spouted at every opportunity was just lip service in the end.  It was like watching teenagers instead of grown men.  Even with surprising feelings being thrown into the mix there had to be a better way to write their conflict.  Wyatt on the other hand started out truly annoying and uptight and even if he didn't actually have a lot of character growth himself, he ended up less annoying as the story went on because he became less of a robot.

I didn't really dislike the story, it just really didn't work for me and I struggled to finish.  The only bright spot was Vik and his ridiculousness; he was truly a character.  I think the story suffered mainly from trying too hard.  It wasn't a bad story, the synopsis was good and the premise really held promise, it just needed a whole lot of finesse and some objective editing.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Opposites attract when Wyatt hires Kane to be his fake boyfriend.

Wyatt Scott is a highly strung pastry chef who owns a patisserie with dreams of expansion. He always gets what he wants, the exception being a boyfriend.

Kane Dixon is an easy-going creative soul who moonlights as an escort. He's saving to open a pottery studio and continue to make phallic ceramics.

Hired for a weekend retreat, Kane's three rules are going out of the window. No kissing, no drinking, and definitely no overnight stays. Can he pull it back even after going so far?

With a shared bed and close proximity, will they let lust take over? Or quit while they're ahead?

Adler's Hart: Briggs Ferry Bay Book 2.5, Misty Walker

Really short and a little too simplistic, but gruff older men who hide a soft, vulnerable, gooey middle seem to bypass any reservations I had regarding the story's basic plot.

Adler is gruff and surly and all the best kinds of hotness when we first meet him.  His fragile heart is there for us to see despite all the bearish behavior that's trying to hide it.  His reaction to Hart is just as described in the synopsis, but Hart sinks deeper than I expected and while the timeline is super short to seem to feel so much for the younger man, there's a long reflection that makes Adler's change of heart believable.  It's still tentative though, so what follows makes me feel better about how his offer is presented.

Hart is vivacious, caring, insightful, and just right for Adler.  His youth is quite apparent in some of his reactions and I'm mostly glad that we got to see him acting his age most times.  Having fantastic parents and a stellar friend helped him to see beyond what his unseasoned life experience didn't allow him to see about Adler and led him to reciprocating Adler's grand gesture with one of his own.

The confessions were sweet and straightforward as well as simple with very little to complicate an already complicated situation between them.  Their reactions to hurt were expected and their reunion was still simple but managed to pack some really good feels in there as well.  This story really covered a lot of ground despite being so short and I was happily surprised with how it played out.  Made me wish I discovered the series sooner, actually, so you can bet I'm adding the others to my TBR list.

*$2.00 on Amazon

I'm a loner.
Never getting too comfortable or allowing anyone to get too close.
So when I log onto the hook-up app on my last night in Ketchikan, Alaska,
I assume it'll be a quick lay before I go south for the winter.
Until I see the man who shows up at my door.
He's young, wide-eyed, and perfect.

All I want is a one-night stand with no attachment,
I should have known things would be different with a man named Hart.
After the best night of my life, I'm desperate to run.
Except we're snowed in.

I try to keep him at a distance.
But there's something about him that has me opening up,
letting him in against my better judgment.

Suddenly I don't want to be alone anymore.
I want to be with him.
My Hart.

All Kidding Aside: Magical Mates Book 1, Macy Blake

Jumping back into the world of The Chosen One and the Hellhounds gives us all the after, all the children, and all the crazy that follows every single individual.  There are happy surprises, interesting discoveries, an alpha lion who never met a four-letter word he didn't like, and a murderous fae who nearly ruins everything.  If you're looking for a crazy world, adorable shifter children, and a pair of mates who need a miracle to get on the same page then look no further.

Victor is a prickly griffin with a big job to do.  And when a cute little red panda cub sets his sights on him his life is instantly changed.  No white shirts will survive, but neither will his heart; it now belongs in the little grubby hands  that have just as tight of a grip on his vintage Hermes tie.  But it's when the giant bear shifter enters his life that everything makes sense...and scares him beyond imagining.  I liked Victor, even his little escape fits him to a T and is actually quite tolerable because aside from distance, he doesn't do idiotic things to truly ruin everything as one might expect from many other stories with characters like him.

Riggs is baffled by the beautifully fractious Victor and their attraction is definitely present.  My favorite moment between them was definitely the half-asleep kitchen shuffle that started everything steamy between them.  It was adorable and spicy all at the same time and endeared me to him more than nearly every other moment in the story.

Both men coming together for the project of housing everyone showed a pretty competent team and then when they worked together to care for and about Gus I was sold.  That's not to say they were perfect or awesome, they didn't truly meet those descriptors.  They were pretty simplistic characters, good ones, but not especially deep or compelling.  It was how everything worked together as a whole family unit within a rambunctious pack that made it all fit.  This was definitely a fitting story to add to the Chosen One Universe and I'm absolutely coming back to it to see more magical mate pairings because I can't seem to get enough of their world and the children that need so very much.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Building houses for a pack of orphans might lead one griffin to find his heart’s home.

Victor Eastaughffe knows three things for a fact:
-He does not have a mate.
-He does not like children.
-His duty is to his griffin clan.

When Victor meets Orsen Riggs, a scruffy bear shifter, and little Gus, an orphaned red panda cub, his orderly, structured world becomes messy and chaotic. All the things he once held true suddenly don’t make sense.

Asked to help the Smith pack navigate the difficult world of shifter politics, Victor realizes he might not know himself as well as he thought. Magic is in the air, and it’s making him long for things he never wanted before. But duty comes before all else, even at a price Victor no longer wants to pay.

How to Lure a Hunter: VRC Book 3, Alice Winters

I'd been waiting for Karsyn's book for quite some time and knew we'd be in for a bit of a ride with him.  Originally I thought it'd be him paired with DeGray, but once Claude made himself known, quite loudly and ridiculously, it was clear there was going to be another "odd couple" bit.  I'm happy with the pairing, definitely, and felt they worked really well together once all the truths were out and the walls knocked down, it just wasn't as compelling or hilarious as I'd found Marcus and Finn's story.  I'm still every bit invested with the VRC and am looking forward to more and interested to see how the next story works to give us new dynamics and shenanigans.

Claude was every bit as sweet and colorful as his clothing and his complete oblivious honesty about his clothing choices was well-played.  His belief in his outrageous combinations were unshakeable.  I liked that he was different from every other character we've gotten from Alice Winters thus far which gave a sweet, almost naive quality to the story that keeps the overall series feeling fresh with new perspectives and talents for ridiculous.  That Claude can also kick some major tail is a bonus.  He doesn't like letting the violent side of him out and it seemed a hardship unless Karsyn was requesting or needing it.  And his dynamic with Marcus was endearing.  We'd been led into an understanding of someone manipulative and possibly violent and yet what we got is someone childish in all the best and most humorous ways.  I liked him.

Karsyn on the other hand, didn't really end up as I thought he would.  Most of that was a good thing with his incredible vulnerability and softness.  I really liked his affection masked as snobbish disdain in his interactions with Finn and while many of his barbs were a bit too pointed at Claude, his softness compelled him to feel badly about it and either make amends or almost fall over himself to pretend like it never happened.  Only Claude would be able to see the innermost part of him and enjoy every bit of all of him, the prickly and the soft.

Based on the title and after the first murder scene I could guess very clearly where we were going with the dramatic elements of the story.  The depth to which it was taken however, was the surprise.  It was painful and I could see why Karsyn ended up acting the way he did.  I think the resolution worked because we got to see a lot of Claude in his moments of badassery, but some of it was a little over the top and slightly confusing in a "I don't really see why that was important to include" way.  One character ended up crazy in a way that worked despite being overly dramatic, and another was kind of an overly exaggerated non-issue.  They didn't really matter to any part of the story at all besides a certain creation bit and I feel they should have been excluded from after that moment.

This story was absolutely a departure in the overall feel and relationship dynamic in the first two VRC stories.  Not so far that it doesn't fit, but enough to know we're not reading recycled characters and plots.  I liked most of the changes in the story and really enjoyed the flashback scenes that gave us Karsyn's heartbreaking past in bits and pieces as present moments triggered them.  It was a great way to get a full picture of the past without an excessively long info-dump conversation scenario.  Claude's part of the background was amusing and where we know him through Marcus, a few holes were filled in, but nothing as detailed as Karsyn's detailed history.  I'm truly interested to see where we go from here and whether we'll get the answer to our curiosity about DeGray's compromising situation.  A more subtle win of a story from Alice Winters.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Alexei
When Marcus Church brings his brother Claude in to help solve an unusual murder, I’m positive he did it just to disrupt my monotonous life. None of my coworkers in the Vampire Related Crimes unit seem to understand that I want to keep a wall between me and everyone else—especially Claude, who does everything he can to break through it with an annoying smile.

After more vampires begin to die, Claude pinpoints the actions of the killers to a group of vampire hunters, leaving us in a race to stop them. When I discover that I have a target on my back, I’m surprised that Claude insists on staying by my side, even when things go from bad to worse. I’m determined to keep him out—I’ve lost enough people in my life—but I can’t stop feeling something every time he breaks through.

Claude
When I reunited with my brother, I never imagined it’d throw me right into Alexei Karsynov’s path. He’s short-tempered, stubborn, and dangerously adorable whenever he smiles—he just doesn’t realize it yet.

When Marcus asks me to help with a case, it gives me the excuse I need to get closer to Alexei, but what I discover threatens to change everything. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to do anything to protect Alexei and to see him smile, despite his efforts to keep his distance from others. I’m determined to show him that he can’t live in the past when his future is so much brighter.

People Like Us: Winsford Greene Book 2, Ruby Moone

A prickly popsicle and a warm and tender bear...who could expect a love that fit so perfectly?  With an intense snow storm forcing two unlikely men together they find much more than love, they find the other half of their desires, their hopes, and their lives.  At first I wasn't sure if I wanted things to work out as they did, but very quickly I fell in love with both men and knew they'd have a chance at something real if their ideas for the future could be changed just enough to see the possibilities of more.

Their affection grew by degrees and while their more lusty thoughts were kept to themselves until one very explosive moment, their relationship was working its way to being a solid connection that I was growing quite attached to.  Arthur's willingness to work hard and contribute was a great way to add depth to his prudish mien.  He was someone you needed to get to know, quite unlike Joseph.

Even though he seemed to be a bit of a conundrum to Arthur, his heart was so visible in everything he did, his pride in his work, the depth of feeling for his place in life, the respect and affection he had for many in the town, how much he cared for other people, all of it was obvious and drew me in in a very different way than Arthur.  I ached for him when Arthur got his back up and said and did things that he was later ashamed for, and I don't mean his ingrained shame for his particular proclivities.  Arthur's groveling is as unique as him and more believable for it.  They find their way out of shame, out of their bleak outlook on the future and into a spicy, sweet, and freeing existence that I can't seem to get enough of.

Between them they had a fire, a tenderness, and a future that I was very much invested in.  With cameos from individuals from Dances Long Forgotten we were given a wonderful sense of the village they had and just how well they fit.  And then there's a certain character we're introduced to that I hope becomes book three in the series...  Overall this was a wonderful book and my favorite of the series so far.  I truly hope it develops into more stories, more men finding love and acceptance in their little town with such big personality.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Arthur Fitch clawed his way out of the violence and poverty of the slums of London to become a valet to the aristocracy. His ambition to secure a higher position led him to a disastrous appointment with a cold, brutal man, and when things come to a head, Arthur is forced to flee into a snowstorm to find safety.

Joseph Wilkinson is the Winsford Green blacksmith. He has a good life, good friends, owns a thriving business, but at the end of the day when he goes home, loneliness consumes him. When he stumbles upon a small man determinedly trudging through the snowstorm, he invites him into his home to shelter.

Arthur Fitch is older, smart-mouthed, and as prickly as hell. But, as Joe peels back the layers, he discovers a warm, funny, vulnerable man whose tastes in the bedchamber leave Joe gasping and desperate for more. Trouble is, having found the real Arthur Fitch, how can he convince him that life in a small town can be infinitely better than working for an Earl? That love really is possible for people like them? Particularly when Arthur’s past catches up with him in horrifying fashion.

My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!

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Smash & Grab: RELIC Book 1, Maz Maddox

Seriously, dinosaur stuff and paleontology?  Pink mohawks?  A deep love of kids?  Why has no one yet written a dinosaur shifter that is both cute and fierce?  Dalton is absolutely adorable as well as being a punk.  He's thoughtful and considerate even while pushing Simon's buttons.  Well, to be honest, he pushes everyone's buttons, but he knows when enough's enough.

His pretty Simon takes a little while to come around to things, but when he does his devotion to Dalton is just as strong as Dalton's is for him.  I'm completely in love with this story, not just because of the novelty, but also because it was well-written, the pacing was right for the characters and the situation, the relationship was believable, and the set up for a series was really well done. I'm just sold. I cannot wait to see who finds their person next!

*$4.99 on Amazon

My standard issued lab badge reads 'Simon' but it really should say 'unexciting nerd with no social life'

Don’t get me wrong -- I love what I do with a passion, but it doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else.

Especially romance.

While chipping away at my work, I’m suddenly the person between hired cartel muscle and the fossil that will define my career.

Which isn’t the most insane part of the story.

My savior is a chaotic, bat-wielding punk with a bubble gum pink mohawk and a killer smile.

In a mad dash to escape the thieves, my knight in studded armor sweeps me across the country while hitting every tourist trap along the way.

While smuggling a fossil, might I add.

Oh, and did I mention this pink punk can shift into a dinosaur?

Duking it Out: Royal Powers Book 1, E.J. Russell

So not a meet*cute kind of story, more like a meet*antagonize/judge story, which actually works in making you feel something for both men.  There's so much to start the story with, a huge chip on the shoulder, an isolated man with a good heart, a confrontation to sort out, instant attraction, a power no one understands, political intrigue...just so much to jump into and while it seems like a huge assortment of things to tackle by the end of the story, it all works out satisfactorily.  A bit simply, but with a shorter story that focuses on the bonding of two men in a forced proximity situation and misunderstandings that really center on them more than anything else, it was well balanced and needed that external simplicity.

I really, really enjoyed the time they spent on the island and when the prickly handsome Tarik is the first one to look closer into Sander, it's that turnaround, patience, and care that truly clinched the story for me.  Sander was gentle and so sweet that he was my favorite at first so watching Tarik become what Sander needed through being open and kind I was all about being in love with them.

Where things went from the island was a little regrettable, but it did give them a chance to sort out their hearts to really decide if it was just a proximity/loneliness/survival thing enhancing their feelings or if it was based on something deep, something real.  When they came back together it was all kinds of awkwardly adorable and I thought the conclusion was just right for Tarik, Sander, and the countries' situation.  This was a wonderfully sweet story that I'll likely add to my re-read shelf for when I need a superpowered pick-me-up.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Royal dukes from rival countries, shipwrecked on a deserted island. The grudge match of the century—or a love story of super-heroic proportions?

Sander Fiala, Duke of Roses, is fourth in line to the South Abarran throne, even though his rogue power earned him the nickname “The Monster of Roses” and got him banished from the Castle. But right before he’s about to set off on his annual birthday sailing trip, the Queen asks him to meet with the notoriously volatile North Abarran Duke of Arles.

Tarik Jaso, Duke of Arles, expects the worst from people because—let’s face it—people are the worst. His superpower bombards him with any and all electronic transmissions, which…yeah, people suck. So when he’s attacked and wakes up in the cabin of a stranded boat, he knows he’s royally screwed. Because the man looming over him—the man he’d gone toe-to-toe with right before the attack—is the infamous Monster of Roses.

Tarik is positive the Monster is behind his kidnapping. Sander is sure the whole thing is Tarik’s fault. As they work toward rescue, Tarik realizes that the disturbingly hot Sander is no monster, and Sander discovers that Tarik’s temper masks a caring soul wrapped in a cantankerous (though undeniably sexy) body.

For their burgeoning connection to endure, they’ll have to duke it out with political factions, dark conspiracies, and centuries of traditions that keep them on opposite sides of the border.

But first? They have to get off this damn island.