A Veiled & Hallowed Eve: Soulboud Book 7, Hailey Turner

 Everything has a price, every debt always comes due, and it's finally time for Patrick to pay his.

This.  Just so much this.  I'm in love, I'm in agony, I'm grieving, I'm elated, I'm soaring, I'm astounded, I'm just...overwhelmed.  I hate that the series is over and I feel that way each time I end a series by this author because they've sucked me in, chewed me up, spat me out, and enjoyed every moment of my torture, it seems, because they do it over and over again.  But honestly, I must love that too because I just keep coming back for more.

Patrick is everything.  He's come a long way and his heart has been maturing and growing and deepening up to this point of reckoning and I can't see any other way this should have gone.  I ache for him and for everything he's gone through and to come out triumphant in some ways and desolate in others is beyond my comprehension or ability to empathize.

And then there's Jono.  He is also everything.  Everything to Patrick, everything Patrick needed, and stunning in a way that was unique to this world and made him unlike any other.  No one else would do, no one else could get into Patrick's heart they way he has and no one else could support him or get him through everything that needed to be done.

There's nothing I didn't love about this story and am profoundly in awe of the world that has been saved and decimated and put through the wringer, for this masterpiece of a series to be written, and for me to be so moved.  I'm not sure anything I can say that would do it justice.  This author has abused and saved this world and the vehicles they chose to break it apart and remake it through their journey toward redemption.

A Veiled & Hallowed Eve by Hailey Turner is now live! 

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Death is the last lover you will ever know.

SOA Special Agent Patrick Collins has lived a life full of lies, and it has finally caught up with him. There's no denying his past any longer, not after giving up the truth to save himself from a murder charge. But truth alone can't set Patrick free, and time is running out to stop the Dominion Sect from turning his father into a god.

Jonothon de Vere knows survival isn't a guarantee, but he's desperate to keep Patrick safe, even as hope slips through his fingers. With the future unknown, Jono will follow Patrick wherever he goes, even to Salem, where a family reunion reveals a bitter secret that was never going to stay buried.

With New York City under control of their god pack, Patrick and Jono must fall back on every alliance they've brokered to fill the front lines of a war coming directly to the city streets. The veil is always thinnest on Samhain, and what awaits them on the other side is the stuff of nightmares. For when it tears, all hell will break loose, and the gods will be summoned to face a reckoning the world isn't ready for.

The stakes have never been higher, failure has never been so deadly, and the Fates have never been kind to heroes. Patrick knows that better than anyone--because everything has a price, every debt always comes due, and it's finally time for Patrick to pay his. 

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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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Huntsman: Fox Hollow Zodiac Book 1, Morgan Brice

A fox and a wolf, fated mates and good men, who never would have met if not for the danger of a hunter of lore used to scare children into keeping the shifter secret among a world of humans.  There was so much to enjoy in this story from the world to the chemistry between mates, side characters with loyalty and personality as well as tact, a self-sacrificing MC that is NOT TSTL, and a subtly sweet way of expressing grieving and healing from it.  With a strong start to this series I know we'll be in for a romantic and supernaturally chaotic ride that fits right in with this author's style.

Liam ran away from danger in the way that foxes do and I liked his character, the way he was invested in his job and was eager to make friends in a town he knew would become his home.  I'm glad he didn't fight his mating instinct though truly appreciated the way he tempered that desire with honesty and caution.  Just because they were mates didn't mean they had to rush into a claiming.  Sometimes we get the fated-mate = insta-love situation in these trope-based stories, but in this story we got something that used human sensibilities and a very believable progression...up to a point, of course.

In addition to being interesting on his own as a part of a relationship with Russ, Liam became my favorite when he dove head-first into the search for the Huntsman, both in determination and in logic.  Too many times we see one MC feeling guilty and then running headlong into danger with nary a thought to using their brain and embodying the TSTL heroines we see in bad horror B-movies.  Instead Liam tempers that guilt with intelligence, precaution, and common sense.

Russ was good in a more subtle way.  He was dealing with years of grief over the loss of his husband, though not his fated mate.  Attempting to reconcile those two types of love gave us a mature and sweet evolution for Russ as he came to accept his fated mate while balancing not forgetting his former husband and also not letting it be a reason to avoid Fate's guidance.

The overall danger that surrounded everyone and everything was pretty well hidden despite having predictable parts that moved the story along.  While having the villain doing the cliche monologuing wasn't exactly awesome, the rest was, as was the introduction of other nefarious foes that may come calling as well as other characters that are sure to get their own stories.  I'm really looking forward to watching the series grow and evolve as we get other stories from the little town's residents and newcomers.

*$5.99 on Amazon

A grieving wolf. A hunted fox. Fated mates, thrown together by chance, and the looming threat of a fabled Huntsman who might tear them apart forever.

Fox shifter Liam Reynard is running from a killer. He uproots his life to find sanctuary in Fox Hollow, deep in the Adirondack Forest in New York.

When his car breaks down, sexy wolf shifter Russ Lowe comes to the rescue, and one touch makes it clear they’re fated mates. Neither man was looking for love, and both are still mending from past heartbreak. When mysterious fires and disappearances threaten Fox Hollow, Liam fears the killer is hot on his trail. Can he protect the town and his fated mate from the evil hunting him, or will an ex-lover’s betrayal cost Liam everything he loves?

Flying Blind, Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga

There were a lot of directions this story could take in terms of the conflict and the journey of the relationship.  What was lovely was that while those more predictable elements were there, none of them were allowed to escalate to disastrous proportions.  Keeping the story simple and focused on the two men as they navigate their new "normal" and discover more about one another allowed a fantastic amount of depth to be achieved.  Well, mostly.  I'll get into that in a bit.  For the most part this was so full of all the lighter feels, sexual chemistry, and determination you could hope for in a story with these particular tropes.

Being totally upfront, there was very little about January that truly felt deep in terms of character background and growth.  He was the far simpler element of the story so while he played a central role, I felt the story really focused on Hawk.  Hawk was the one with a whole lot more to work out and through in the story.  Also, another reviewer said a content warning should have been included.  I'm kind of in agreement because there's a tragedy that occurs that can make you feel totally blindsided, though I will say there are hints that something pretty bad is going to happen to one of the characters.  So without giving a spoiler, just know that this is an incredibly dangerous sport and there are consequences, sometimes dire ones, that happen.  Everyone going in knows the risks and the outcome can sometimes be as devastating as often as they can be euphoric.

Any and all angst in the story was reserved for the big issues, no petty arguments, lack of communication, miscommunication, jealousies, or unreasonable reactions.  Most of that was for Hawk's specific situation regarding his health and his career.  What makes this story different, and happily surprising, is all the communication.  Every moment where something could have been said was expanded to true soul-opening conversations where nearly everything on the topic was hashed out.  Sometimes there aren't any clear decisions made after them, but they nearly always end them on a positive note about recognizing the process of evolving as a couple, that there are possibilities they're willing to explore...it was so different and full of warmth and honesty that I can't find myself complaining about any of it.

These men, especially Hawk, have the biggest hearts and they fit so well together.  Their sexual chemistry is absolutely there, though sometimes it gets a bit one-note, like they're just rewording most of their sexual encounters slightly and perhaps changing the location, but it's satisfying as a balance to the many, many in-depth conversations.  Everything is really out in the open for both of them.  Professionally Hawk is in the closet, but to everyone that matters he's completely out and only keeps things on the DL when in the cities and arenas of the competitions.  That was another refreshing aspect to the story.  Adding in compelling side characters that are varied, expressive, and supportive throughout everything and I'm crazy about the overall story.  I want to read Jax's story next!

*$4.99 on Amazon

Sometimes the best thing about living in New York is leaving it.

When January Bell takes a risk on a business trip to Denver and introduces himself to the hot as fire cowboy across the bar, he has no idea what he’s in for. Hawk is like nobody he’s ever met, and Jan finds he is intrigued enough to want more than just one night with the deceptively complex man.

Hawk Destry is working hard to wring every moment he can out of his bull riding career. He’s used to beating the eight second clock, but a life-long degenerative disease is causing him to slowly lose his sight and he doesn’t have a lot of years left in the sport.

None of that seems to matter, though, when Hawk meets January, who treats him like he’s worth more off a bull than on one, and who’s willing to work just as hard to be with him.

The two men have to deal with the distance, unexpected challenges when Hawk visits New York, family on both sides, and neither of them sees any of it coming. Eventually even Hawk’s dangerous job is thrown into sharp relief when tragedy strikes. How will January and Hawk find their way when they’re flying blind?

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.

High Heat: Hotshots Book 2, Annabeth Albert

Imperfectly perfect MC's, fantastically spicy, and endlessly tender.

Garrick and Rain are a wonderful pairing and these men meet one another at the right time in their lives to truly appreciate what each has to offer and for who they've become.  Learning to love someone very different from you is one thing, but adding that to learning to accept who you are with a sudden disability is a whole other basket of almost-too-much.  It'll definitely take some self-realization and swallowing enough pride to lay it all on the line for the two of them to make a forever work together.

There's been a lot dumped onto Garrick in the past year, a new normal that he desperately wants to quickly become his past.  I was glad to have read Burn Zone prior to this so I got a bit of background not only about the cause of his physical trauma, but to see what kind of man we were going to get to know here in High Heat (though it should be known you can totally read this story on its own).  Knowing he was a kind man, one who was open about his personal life without drifting into the oversharing type, someone optimistic and enthusiastic about life, he was someone I genuinely wanted to know more of and to find his own HEA.

Meeting Rain gives him a taste of a life he thinks he's ready for, but with his disability in his way and Rain's youth and professional aspirations as stumbling blocks he may not fight for that future with everything he has.  I pretty much adored how his journey with disability was written.  It was honest, frustrating, disheartening, and very real.  Not everything was bad, but the struggle was absolutely genuine and having watched my father never truly accept his physical limitations due to situations out of his control hurt so I saw every stage he went through as very real-to-life.

Rain was all about Garrick and all the fun they could find together because of and in spite of Garrick's injury.  The way he was so optimistic and upbeat about nearly everything was a bright spot in not only Garrick's life but in the story as well.  His reaction to Garrick's "selflessness" was less than ideal, but it was real and evidence of his age and life experience.  I had a harder time with his realization and then the almost reversal of his intention when he finally made time for Garrick than with his initial overreaction though.  Things worked out in the end, but it was one of the more frustrating moments in the story.

The pacing kept me reading and unable to put the story down.  There were a few laggy bits with some repetition, but the story maintained focus on the most important parts and gave us parallel journeys for both men while simultaneously weaving us a relationship that worked, one that was meant to be.  Rain constantly accepted Garrick in all his ups and downs and Garrick's openness and affection were so steadfast and tender.  With each couple and story improving in this series I absolutely cannot wait to see what we'll get with Feel the Fire!

*$4.99 on Amazon

Smoke jumping is Garrick Nelson’s life. Nothing, not severe injuries nor the brutal physical therapy that follows, is going to stop him from getting back with his crew. But when a lost dog shows up on his front porch, he can’t turn her away, and he can’t take care of her on his own. Thankfully, help comes in the form of his new sexy, dog-loving neighbor. As they work together, trying to re-home their little princess, Garrick can’t resist his growing attraction for the other man, even though he knows this guy isn’t the staying type.

Rain Fisher doesn’t take anything too seriously. He dances through life, one adventure at a time, never settling in one place for too long. When his hot, conveniently buff, neighbor shows up on his doorstep, dog in tow, Rain’s determined to not just save the adorable puppy, but her reluctant owner as well. He never expects their flirtation might tempt him into stay put once and for all...

Clean Up on Aisle Mine: A Spy Like Me Book 1, Patricia Logan

So many sweet feels!  The story was slow to start with a couple chapters filled with descriptions of scenery and quite a few things that didn't enhance the setting or push the story forward, but once it gained traction both Jude and Damon captured my attention and held it.  Both men needed someone to see to their tender soft parts and the good men they were inside and fortunately they were in the perfect situation to give one another time to do just that.  There's a bit of mystery that surprised us near the end giving a hint of what we'll find out as the series continues and since we're following Jude and Damon on their adventures I'm so very in for more.

I'll admit that I was wary at the outset that I'd have a tough time getting through all. The. Words.  The pace picked up quickly once Damon made contact with Jude though and I was continually impressed by Damon's sincerity and understanding as well as Jude's thoughtful capitulation and maturity when reality and possible consequences were laid out clearly for him.  They worked so well together in so many ways that when physical intimacy became part of their story it was so organic and right for both of them.  They'd built a foundation of trust, respect, and affection which allowed Jude to be confident that Damon was his choice as well as in other life choices and for Damon to open up and share his grief and his heart with Jude.

With very little angst other than Damon coming to terms with his past and the slightly confusing mystery that causes more than a few problems, this was an enjoyable read with two men that I don't want to leave just yet.  I'm eager for more from them and hope their story continues in the same lighthearted and intriguing way.  Aside from the title that doesn't really seem to fit the story, I'm all in for the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Former CIA operative, Damon Thorne, is a fixer. He cleans up messes other people make of their lives to forget the wreckage his own has become. Whether it means retrieving a drug addict whose family is being blackmailed or rescuing a furball who’s the subject of a custody dispute, Damon just gets things done.

When the job means kidnapping the wild son of a prominent Senator in an election year, it should come with hazard pay.

From the day Jude Chenoweth was born into wealth and position, his father has groomed him to follow in his footsteps. Jude has other plans. Openly gay and infamous, all he wants to do is live his life, create his art, and never settle down.

Life has a way of kicking butts, even the sexy ones. Thrown together in a situation neither wanted, Damon and Jude must now decide how to move forward. Jude knows something is wrong when he gazes into Damon’s haunted brown eyes and Damon recognizes there’s much more to Jude than the caricature he shows the world.

This might be the beginning of a journey… or an incredibly stupid mistake. Perhaps working together will help them process their own demons. Whatever happens, neither of them believes Damon’s assignments will always come with a heaping helping of bad guys.

Not always… right?

About Patricia...

International bestselling author Patricia Logan, resides in Los Angeles, California. The author of several #1 bestselling erotic romances in English, Italian, French, and Spanish lives in a small house with a large family. When she’s not writing her next thriller romance, she’s watching her grandchildren grow up way too soon, and raising kids who make her proud every day. One of her favorite tasks is coaxing nose kisses from cats who insist on flopping on her keyboard while she tries to type. She counts herself lucky to be surrounded by people who love her and give her stories to tell every day.

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Deacon's Defender: Protect and Serve Book 2, Pandora Pine

I loved and was intrigued by Ozzy from the moment we met him in Gunnar's Guardian so I was super stoked to get his story next, especially with the tragedy that we were left facing at Gunnar's conclusion.  While not what I expected, Deacon's Defender gave us some cheesy, some tender, some hot, and some surprising moments that culminated in a pretty good story that fit with the series.

Ozzy has a lot on his shoulders and isn't truly coping well.  Thanks to a fantastic family he's able to see a light at the end of the tunnel of his grief and frustration, but it's Deacon that helps him find that light.  Deacon brings out feelings and hopes in him he'd thought he'd never feel again.  After having disappointment after disappointment in his romantic life he'd pretty much given up on finding his person and when a horrid order from his superiors forces him to get closer to Deacon he's surprised to find that an unfortunate situation brought him something good.  But guilt and shame and suspicion are muddling the path forward and it was so hard to watch him suffering and falling in love at the same time.

Deacon was a little harder for me.  I wasn't charmed by him at all and felt little connection with him.  While his attributes seem to be a match for Ozzy, it's really Ozzy that carries the story.  The suspicions are valid and it was nice to see that Deacon supported the initial questions after a bit of justified frustration, but I found myself very bothered by his declarations to be wiped out by his dramatic reactions.  I wished that I loved him as much as I'd grown to care for Ozzy.

Finding the arsonist was both predictable and also a surprise.  Predictable because we could see the character that would likely be written in as the culprit once other secrets were revealed, but surprising in the way it played out because it seemed quite over the top.  I can't say it was my favorite reveal and it didn't really feel organic to the overall story, but instead it was a way to make it way more dramatic, as if it were competing with the horrors we witnessed in Gunnar's Guardian.  I'm hoping the next brother's story flows a bit better than this one did and while I'm not looking for the chaos of Book 1, I do hope it flows organically like it did.

$4.99 on Amazon

Hot on the trail of a crazed arsonist, Fire Captain Ozzy Graves has been ordered to stick close to the number one suspect in the string of deadly fires; mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Deacon Fairbanks.

Spending time with Ozzy is a dream come true for Deacon, who’s been in love with the ornery captain from afar. Deacon’s wildest dreams become reality when Ozzy asks him out.

The new relationship burns hot, but there’s trouble in paradise. Each of the lovers is keeping a devastating secret that could not only threaten to send Ozzy and Deacon’s fledgling relationship down in flames, but the entire city as well.

The Redemption of River: Sex in Seattle Book 4, Eli Easton

After leaving the series on such a fantastic high note with incredible depth and connection and understanding between James and Michael in The Mating of Michael, I wasn't sure River's story could match it.  But those concerns were pretty much obliterated because it came damn, damn close to being just as awesome.  In some ways I liked it more, because dogs and raw healing, but the relationship between James and Michael still wins a bit more for me.

Moving beyond grief is hardly ever an easy thing and for someone like Brent it was so much worse because not only did he suffer while watching his wife suffer, he unknowingly took her pain into himself.  His loss of libido was the least of his worries at first, but when it begins to concern his friends and himself he seeks out our favorite clinic and finds a lot more than his missing libido.

"...What did you do to me, Mr. McKay?"
"Love you, maybe? Yeah. I think I just loved you. With everything that I am."

River has a love/let-go (not hate) relationship with his mother and it bleeds into not only his actions, but in his own perception of himself.  That self-sabotage lasts a little too long for me, but no life-altering realization comes quickly or easily and the writing really makes it easy to forgive how long it takes to get River home.  His homecoming is rather wonderful with a humorous moment followed by vulnerability and a plea for forever that really hit me in the feels.

Even though it's Brent that begins our story, the true transformation is in River.  He's held on to his mother's insistent idea of who and what they are that he needs to realize what he has by nearly giving it up.  I'm not usually a fan of separations between lovers once they feel as deeply as Brent and River do, but it really was an important part of River shedding his blinders and realizing what's most important.  Seeing that what he needs above anything else is waiting for him in Seattle takes a little push and some supremely wise insight from Harrison, a fabulously gay octogenarian and friend.

"...whatever it is I've been searching for, it's not out there.  It's not with some guru.  What I've been searching for...is you."

With the grand gesture being made by the right person, a couple that absolutely belongs together, along with some interaction with the other men of the series I've come to love, and a perfectly fitting end and this book is a winner.  How could it not win with its depth of feels, interesting characters, intense and steamy intimate moments, and a wonderfully happy ending?

*$4.99 on Amazon

River Larsen is a world traveler, truth-seeker, and tantric healer.  He's a master of loving all—and no one.  Both his past and his spiritual path warn him against attachment.  When he falls for his surrogacy client and coffee magnate, Brent McKay, River tells himself it's a temporary idyll, a beautiful encounter they'll both enjoy and move on from like mature adults.  Only his heart misses that memo.

Brent McKay hasn't been interested in sex since his wife died two years ago.  When he goes to Expanded Horizons sex clinic in Seattle for help, he meets River Larsen, a sex surrogate specializing in reiki massage and tantric sex therapy.  Brent never expected to be interested in a man, but River's light-filled spirit, inner peace, and electric touch bring him back to life.  Brent's loyal heart is ready to commit again.  But how can he convince River that love can last forever—if you just have faith?

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Forged in Magic: Twin Star Witches - Witches of Ruby Gulch Book 2, B.A. Tortuga

There was so much feeling and trepidation that filled the prologue that I was emotionally primed for whatever the rest of the story offered.  And then we meet Owen who is gruff, gritty, and grieving.  The tone was really set right from the start with how harrowing their journey might become.  Add in a wonderful guardian, some truly interesting and humorous side characters, and this was a solidly enjoyable story.

But I have to mention the stuttering feel of the writing, the dialogue, and the timeline confusion.  I didn't think the story actually flowed smoothly from one moment, one crisis, one passionate embrace to the next.  The transitions and feelings that connected each of those could have been polished and finessed so it could effectively carry the feels we were set to expect with the beginning of the story.  It wasn't clear how much time passed between the tragedy and the reunion either.  Though if it was and I missed it, that's my bad, but seasons were mentioned, Owen was uncomfortable yet resigned to the idea that his beloved was dead and so he sought physical affection from purchased bodies, and the appetites of the Eaters in relation to how often and how much they fed from Jericho's magic...all of these things pointed to a longer time apart, but it also felt like it was maybe not very long?  I just didn't like constantly wondering whenever some time frame was referenced and I had no actual reference to refer to.

The side characters, the number of animals, the sweet children, the very clear love between the MC's, and the interesting element that was the Eaters were all parts to enjoy in the story.  While not my favorite book in the series, it's a solid addition and hasn't given me any reason to not continue with the next book I can get my eyes on.

*$2.99 on Amazon

When Owen McBride sees his lover Jericho stagger into their homestead outside of Ruby Gulch, New Mexico, he thinks he’s seeing the dead come back to life. Jericho was lost to him when the wagon train he was leading was taken by monsters called Eaters, and Owen expected to be alone the rest of his life.

Blind, poisoned by magic, and near real death, Jericho Nater comes back to Owen, needing the love his man offers, and his help. The doomed wagon train’s children are still alive, and Jericho has promised to go back for them. Owen can’t bear to lose Jericho again, but he would never deny Jericho something so important. Together they must find a way to save those kids, and to make their way home alive.

Little Infinities: Love by Chance Book 1, Kiska Gray

Full warning, there is another partner.  True, Seb and Apollo aren't technically together when it happens, but it is after they have their weekend of sex and true connection.  When I read what Apollo did I felt sick and nearly gave up reading.  I even teared up.  I truly can't stand MC's that do that; it gouges out a scab I have in my heart for denying your soul what it needs, who it needs, and in the case of Apollo and Sebastian, there are no two souls that need one another more.  And seriously, it was only the next day that Apollo went out and slept with someone.  Not even a week later it was Sebastian who made the grand gesture to get them back on track.  I wasn't a fan of that at all.

But...I was glad I stuck with it.  The story was sweet with a whole lot of tenderness and steam to match.  The conflict wasn't in Apollo's actions after their big weekend, it was Apollo's fear and insecurities.  That was handled pretty well, but we didn't really get anywhere with it as it was basically just a constant companion and filled most of his thoughts whenever he reflected on his relationship with Sebastian.  I can't say there was any true healing, but he did come to accept everything Sebastian offered him and that it wasn't a misguided or mistaken desire, Sebastian truly wanted Apollo for everything he was and wasn't.  He just wanted him, in all that that meant.

Sebastian was easy to love right from the start, with his passion, open heart, honesty, and earnest desire for a settled and happy life.  There were times that I skimmed through his inner dialogues because they were a bit repetitive, but other than that he remained the same all the way through the story.  I think that was really what worked for this story even though it made it a little on the simple side.  There were no huge conflicts, the characters basically opened their eyes and hearts to a future with one another, and everything ended with happiness and a puppy.  If you were expecting complexity and angst, this isn't really going to give that to you.  It was simple and effective where we begin with a moment that saved two souls and ended with those two souls forging an intertwined future.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Apollo

On my darkest day, a handsome stranger saved me, but one look into his eyes and I knew he was broken, too.  I promised myself that one day, I'd find him and thank him, but what do you do when your savior turns out to be rock god Sebastian St. Crow?

I'm about to find out.

Sebastian

On my darkest day, I found someone who needed help maybe even more than I did.  Someone whose pain echoed mine, and in that moment, I'd wanted to save him.  I gave him a second chance--bit forgetting the beautiful young man with those haunted eyes was next to impossible.

I can have anyone I want, but I want him...and I think he wants me, too.

A Bit of Me, Kent Lowe

With a good ending and characters that made me feel conflicted, there were some great aspects to the story that other readers obviously really enjoyed.  My enjoyment was a bit less however, because there was just too much conflict that felt forced, enhanced, and prolonged far beyond what was necessary.  It's like the fighting became the focus instead of the changes in the individuals and their relationship.  I didn't dislike the story, but I can't honestly say I loved it either.

George was so juvenile and whiny and immature and reactionary all. The. Time.  The first few pages were interesting because we could see someone who is young but clearly struggling with where life seemed to be taking him, his girlfriend, his friends, and then there was the slightly baffling interest in the young tattooed man across from him in the train.  There was a great start, but very quickly it was snuffed out by the rest of his pouting, lamenting, pining, and general ornery sullenness.  Combine that with his disrespect, drunken behavior, and the incessant moping and I was so very over him.  Only later in the story, much, much, much later, did he start to turn around and with the new softness that Jack brought out in him I could finally see some potential for him and them together.  Of course it wasn't something that lasted in the face of his all-too-frequent freakouts.

But thank goodness for a great grandmother.  She was pretty much the star of the book and I was incredibly interested in Aimee, but she kept getting shunted to the side with all of George's intentional avoidance of anything positive in his life for so long.  Without them I'd probably have skimmed a lot more of the story than I did.

The real conundrum was Jack.  He had an incredibly interesting and complicated past that bled profusely into his present and his situation was vastly more interesting than George's.  Except we didn't really get much of that.  His character was much more problematic and traumatic and the processing of all of that with the requisite healing that needed to happen for him to embrace some kind of future with George was so slow coming that I wasn't sure it would ever happen.

The course and transformation should have been the focus of both sides of the story, but we got mired in all the awful before the switch came, and when it did it happened too quickly to be truly believable.  The moment itself wasn't a bad one, it's just that it wasn't developed into something really transformative, something real and the mark of something that would build a foundation meant to last.  They were both still so young and getting their actual romance in nearly the end of the story wasn't satisfying enough.  So while their story wasn't bad, it was far too focused on the angst and wasn't given enough time to develop into something positive and loving enough to balance the heartache they both faced.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Submitting to Fate: A Collection of Strays Book 5, Toby Wise

Rhett and Wyn have both led lives that seem to imply they're either perfect for one another or "never the 'twain shall meet" and I'm so glad that both men found a way to submit to Fate and all the ways they could fill one another's souls.  There were some rocky moments, but just like with each and every story in the series, they pulled it out in the end and gave in to a plan larger and more knowledgeable than their own.

One bit that didn't gel for me was their big moment of "communication" where the lead up to Wyn and Rhett's dynamic was building only to culminate in a moment that felt uncomfortable.  Wyn's thoughts regarding knowing what Rhett needed and yet ignoring the signs didn't feel right and that their moment of sharing all the angst from their hearts came so late in the story didn't exactly fit their flow either.  With such a short story I wasn't expecting it to be all hearts and roses, but two really big things that were specific to them and their story weren't given enough page time to feel resolved.

What I did love were all the sweet moments when you could see Rhett growing from the brat-for-brattiness'-sake into the brat-with-a-cornerstone.  With Wyn to ground him, to give him the peace he needs he could assume his role as the brat with more humor than before because he didn't need the facade to cover his pain.  Wyn softened as well and his journey was more one of bringing his past alongside his present and reveling in love instead of grief.  Rhett's insistence in keeping Wyn's past as an integral part of their hearts and going so far as to pass it on to their future was immensely wonderful.  It showed growth and a true understanding of love multiplying rather than living with a heart divided.  That was my favorite part.  These two men needed one another and I was pleased overall with their story.

$2.99 on Amazon

I hide behind snarky comments and teasing smiles because letting people see the true me is terrifying. The day I find out Wyn is my mate, all the BS falls away. He sees me, the real me, and instead of running for the hills, he stays by my side. My past reminds me of my failings but Wyn says I’m good. As I submit to him, just maybe I'll learn to believe him. -Rhett

Here I am, finding myself mated for the second time, pregnant without even really trying with a mouthy, bratty alpha. What the heck was Lady Fate thinking? As time goes on and with a little trial and error, Rhett and I learn to fit into our new dynamics. Rhett may submit to me, but I submit to Lady Fate, and so far, She's never pushed me past what I could take. -Wyn

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 47

  

• Becoming Sienna: Tide Series Book 0, T.M. Bashford
• Rebound: Latent Series Book 0, Alana Timms
• Whispers of the Heart: Hartwood Valley Book 1, Anita Therry

There were a few things that held promise, but I'm not sure that everything worked together to actually draw me into the larger series.  The two MC's can be great for one another if they can only figure out what the specter in Sienna's world and what they want.  With a mystery within a mystery there are a lot of tangled threads to unravel and it left me with a more confused and dissatisfied feeling than intrigued and invested.  Quite a lot of the emotional aspects felt forced and I had a hard time with Sienna's end choice.  Yes, healing is necessary, but I don't think her choice is actually the right one for both her and for the situation.  Overall I'm just not exactly a fan of the story and it didn't make me want to read more from this world, especially because the first story in the series isn't about the MC's from here.  2 stars.

I find that this story lacked balance for me.  We spent far too long pining for a friend who though virtually nothing of Trent, not even enough friendship to care about their dynamic and the situation Trent would face without him.  Chasing after his own urges put Trent into a situation that was more than unfortunate.  I did like Noah, though I thought there were so many threads and desires he had regarding his views on their inner wolf that would have beefed up the story and made it so very intriguing.  If we hadn't spent so long on Trent's yearning and the discordant feelings for both alphas we could have had an amazing story.  As it stands, Trent was alright though a bit one-note with a bit of a backbone, Noah was intriguing though in a basic way, and the story was merely alright when so much potential was set aside.  Honestly though, the vampire lounge thing really should have happened, I was really interested in that, but it too was set aside in favor of other unimpressive details.  3 stars.

I liked both characters and thought they matched together as a couple.  Their attraction in the past was there and while I didn't like that it took so long for them together, once they gave in to what they really wanted, it worked out in a sweet way.  That both men didn't expect monumental changes or for the "lowly omega" to give up his dreams and hard work now that he had an alpha in his life was wonderful.  Not everything was easy, especially with someone attempting to undermine and lie their way into taking everything away from them.  As they discover who it is and why it gives both men a chance to support one another.  And in the face of everything, they not only come together as a partnership, but they created a family and an environment where they could all truly thrive.  3.5 stars.