What He Finds: Desires: New Beginnings Book 2, E.M. Denning

Quentin and Toby had an adorable beginning and I loved watching them evolve. Seeing how Quentin's Dom was just right for Toby's sub made me believe in their dynamic, that it wasn't contrived, it fell into place naturally.

There were a few scenes that I skimmed over when it got spicier, but that's just because my flavor of spice isn't quite in favor of the types of names used. Totally doesn't bother me at all, it just wasn't something I felt like reading every word of the scene. That being said, it was some dang good steam. It was both spicy and sweet and that's definitely my favorite flavor.

Overall I felt that there were a couple things that detracted from the story for me, the first was the constant returning to the same "problems" again and again. It seemed to be either resolved or on hold for that resolution and then it got brought up again as if we hadn't just rehashed the same issue a few pages prior. And second, I kind of don't know if I felt the scene with the former partner of the former boyfriend was necessary because it didn't bring answers, closure, or peace.

But if you're looking for quick, sweet, dirty spice, then this is the story for you. Even though there are cameos from other characters in other stories related to this world this is absolutely a standalone.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Needing the Kraken: Cursed Mermen Book 6, Aramis Jordan

This book was...interesting.

I liked the premise and was drawn into the general story trajectory and was tantalized by the tentacle love... But somewhere between the beginning of the middle and the very end I got lost. The spice was there, oh holy good night, was it there, but that was kind of what carried the story. There were feels and they came on slowly since admissions were kind of few and far between with most of the feels being revealed through actions and inner dialogue rather than being shared and communicated.

The scene where certain personal truths were shared and explained was actually done well with tact, heart, and acceptance. Perhaps it was a little too easy, but by this point there was a whole lot of drama put behind them, danger conquered, and time for genuinely deep feelings to take root. I didn't mind that it was more tender and sweet rather than complicated.

And we have the implantation and birthing scenes....oh my... If that kind of cephalopod stuff is not your thing, understandable, just skip ahead.

Also, if this is the first book of the series that you read, as was the case for me, there's nothing included, even in the epilogue, that would give spoilers for any of the previous books. There are a couple characters and groupings that interested me in the epilogue, but I have to say, despite that interest, those stories will likely not make the top ten on my To-Read list merely because the writing is very word heavy with less progress achieved than expected with the sheer number of words. I totally feel the reviews of readers that said they skimmed a whole lot. At times I wish I had.

*$4.99 on Amazon or Free on KU!

A man on the run.

A dangerous sea witch offering shelter.

Nobody can know who Sebastian really is. Driven from his home and chased by the king’s henchmen, Sebastian runs into Malik, a sea witch and kraken shifter. At first he’s repulsed by Malik’s eight long appendages, but with nowhere to go, Sebastian has no choice but to fling himself into Malik’s many arms.

Malik is the mightiest witch in the New World. His magic grants him dark powers, but the one thing he can’t have is love—because Malik guards a deep secret. When Sebastian comes to him for protection, he grants it. As they grow closer, the pressure on Malik to reveal his best-kept secret mounts. But what if the truth sends Sebastian running into the arms of his enemies?

Needing the Kraken is a 72,000 word MM romance. It features an intense love story, plenty of steam, secret identities, close proximity and a non-binary main character. This gay, paranormal romance is a standalone and the final book in the Cursed Mermen series. HEA guaranteed!

Show Me How to Heal: Juniper Creek Book 2, Ray Celar

From the very beginning I felt for Luke.  He was so broken, just floating on the brittle mantra of "I'll be okay, I'll be okay", and needing someone to wake him up to not only his path to healing, but to just acceptance of himself, his situation, his desires.  Finding that in Zayne was perfect and even though there was a sizable secret between them their connection was everything I was hoping for in this series.

I truly love this setting, the characters are captivating, problematic, and make me yearn for them, the town and surroundings are things I can imagine and want to visit, and the relationship pairings are well crafted with personal evolution and a believable outcome.

My only frustration is the immediate shutdown of Luke by Zayne.  Yes, secrets are hurtful and when they're revealed in a surprising way from the wrong source it can exacerbate that hurt, but to immediately run to "everything there ever was was a lie" is a personal pet peeve that drives me insane.  I get it.  I do.  I just don't like it, like, at all.  You end up increasing the hurt for yourself and for the other person and it makes the apologies fall flat when they finally come.

Maybe it's a trust issue thing that I have, that when something happens later on and you end up counting on your partner to blow up and run away or kick you out because of a situation blown out of proportion.  I'm not saying that Luke's issues with the lie of omission wasn't big, no, that's not it at all.  I just don't think Zayne's actions were completely justified, especially his first thought of everything being a lie because he was extremely intuitive to Luke's real feelings even when the details were vague.  The hurt, pain, yearning, loss...it was all there and Zayne specifically mentioned it in those moments.  The surprise about the career truth should have clicked rather than exploded in his brain.  At least that's what I hoped would have happened.  It's not though, and I'll have to live with that.  It's the reason for a 4 star rating instead of a 5.

So overall I truly enjoyed this book and would read it again.  I'm absolutely coming back for more from this series and can't wait for all my favorite men to have their own HEAs.  My one pet peeve thing likely didn't bother a lot of other readers so take my review with a grain of salt and dive in because Luke and Zayne have some amazing moments that make their whole relationship worth realizing.

Micah: Love at the Haven Book 3, Stella Shaw

I've been intrigued by the men at The Haven from the beginning with their personalities and unknown backstories.  I was looking forward to Micah's story with all the hints of still waters running deep, his ability to keep the peace, the music he brought to the hotel, and his generally calm nature.  He maintained all those things in this story, but I felt they got lost within all the drama that was often overdramatic rather than a byproduct of more organic conflicts.

This was the most juvenile story of the series, though with how the characters were written, especially Micah, that shouldn't have been the case.  Both Fox and Micah didn't do a ton of growing in the story despite it having adequate page time to do so.  Fox was definitely young and sheltered and found difficulty standing up for himself until things really came to a head.  He had to make a lot of difficult choices and so his maturing was there, though off page.  Micah had a lot of life under his belt for being so young, and a lot of hardship to face.  But when faced with hard personal choices he ran.  Can't say I was a fan of that.

For Micah to throw the appropriateness of their relationship due to obligations and responsibilities, basically laying selfishness at Fox's feet, was a low move yet one he should have taken to heart as well.  Seeing him do nothing to fix his issues as he said he needed to in the same breath as chastising Fox to do the same was an unfortunate misstep as it decreased Micah's appearance of maturity and resolve.  All ended up well, but the journey there was crisis after crisis softened only in The Haven's Room 2 where both Fox and Micah could let down the walls and be themselves without shame or pretense.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Micah and Fox weren’t each other’s first choice - but might they be the last?

Easygoing Micah takes the role of peacemaker at the Haven Hotel, where he's one of the long-standing escorts. But beneath his tolerance he’s hiding turmoil and anger he daren’t let loose—the last time it got the better of him, his whole family fractured. However, on one fateful night, Micah strikes back at an abusive client, and also finds startling passion with a pop star travelling incognito. Blindsided by both, his life is never going to be the same.

Fox's band is an online sensation, just about to break into live events. A talented songwriter with his career on the rise, he’s held the band together since they were all in college. So why does his public life now fill him with dread, threatening to rob him of his precious voice? Seeking anonymous comfort at the Haven, he’s mistakenly paired with Micah, and what was meant to be a straightforward business transaction affects him in a way he never imagined.

Two confused men in need of love and understanding—can they find it together?

Forever Mann: Bear Valley Book 1, Aries France

This wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but while this author's style isn't something I'd gravitate toward, I couldn't help but be insanely curious about the men of the Mann family.  Each one is different, has their own trauma and needs, and are a part of a family and community that draws you in and threatens to keep you.

There was a lot of tense switching, something I struggle with myself, but it made for a confusing first few chapters.  Likely this was the author getting their flow going and the voice set up, but it was jarring and difficult to follow until the story found its footing.

Drama didn't show up for a while, but when it did, it did so with a huge set of teeth.  I thought it would have played more on the family side of the drama, Perrin's family, as the constant conversational evasions lead to a tense social gathering that forced out some answers, but while that was a passing moment that got absolutely no conclusion or resolution, the more serious drama came from Perrin's relationship and career history.

When it came it was pretty sudden and then it became a slow build up to a really big, violent climax.  As the progress was on the periphery to catch the villain it also got a longer timeline.  We followed along with Jack and a few moments with Perrin and though the view we got was more a glimpse each time of the progress, it was more believable plot-wise because no investigation with legal and FBI-type ramifications is over in a second.

Jack and Perrin were good, solid, and engaging, but I'm not sure they really packed a memorable punch.  It was the story and plot rather than the men that keep me reading until the end.  Though I have to say that the big question came from exactly who it should have come from.  It was a fantastic way to bring them back from the trauma they both experienced and to show exactly where their path was going to lead them on the way forward.  I will absolutely be back for Quinn and Bishop's story.

*$5.99 on Amazon

Jack: 

Family. Bear Valley. Work.

My life is full. I wouldn’t mind finding someone to share these things with, but finding something that fits is harder than it looks. But, then Perrin Thayer moves to Bear Valley and fits so right - in all the ways - I can’t help but fall hard for the sexy C.R.N.A.

Perrin:

Hospitals. Skiing. Travel.

I’ve been gone from the U.S. for five years of some long soul-searching. I want a permanent life somewhere. And I want it with a guy like Jack. But, when my past shows up in Bear Valley, I’m not sure if Jack and I can get through it for a future on the other side.

Chance Encounters, A.T. Brennan

Honesty.  That's the word I think of most when I think about this story; from the communication between Hayden and Eric to their eventual admissions to themselves and their community.  Once everything was out in the open they really stuck to it and made an effort to communicate often and honestly so petty things didn't come between them.  It made their whole journey so much more wonderful to watch unfold.

The drama came from far less predictable sources and it was refreshing even though the conflicts that came up on Hayden's end were a little forced.  Like, can a bad guy be that bad and then get worse with only a quarter of the book left?  Though I will say that it pushed another element of trust to the fore so they could move forward and through difficulties as a partnership.

I was glad of the secondary characters and their timely and candid support from the very beginning even when Eric and Hayden weren't yet willing to accept everything they were to one another.  This story was a bit surprising for me in a very pleasant way.  I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated after being drawn in by the synopsis.  I'm not sure what exactly I expected, but whatever it was wasn't what I got.  Definitely a good read despite the slightly rushed and shorter ending.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Two men with undeniable chemistry, one chance encounter that starts it all.

Hayden Murphy is done with love. He’s sworn off finding another partner after the death of his husband eighteen months ago. He’s finally starting to feel like himself again and is focused on rebuilding his friendships and his work as a physiotherapist.

Eric Connors is over relationships. After breaking up with his longtime girlfriend, he’s ready to enjoy the single life. He doesn’t want or need another partner… Until he meets Hayden at the scene of an accident while on duty as a paramedic, then keeps running into him in the most random places.

Neither man can deny the chemistry between them or the fact that fate seems bound and determined to keep thrusting them together. As the men continue to meet and give in to their desires, that chance meeting grows into a friendship with benefits. Both men are reluctant to want more, but even they can’t keep things completely casual the more time they spend together.

Will their pasts keep them from seeing what’s right in front of them? Or will Hayden and Eric realize that there is life, and love, after loss?

A Reluctant Boy Toy: Men of St. Nacho's Book 3, Z.A. Maxfield

Virtually no conclusions about anything, but I still really, really liked it.

So this wasn't actually set in St. Nacho's despite being "marketed" that way by being included in the series.  There's a connection, but a vague one at best, so I don't know how well it fits in terms of setting or cast, but in feel and theme it really does so whatever you choose to make of that, there it is.

Stone really got to me.  Maybe because I relate to the demi discovery after a failed marriage, but there's something in his tremendous heart and infinite care of those he cares for that hits me right in the feels.  His shame and guilt are a bit painful to watch because the way he describes his fears and his vulnerabilities feel real and not something made up to give him complexity in a story that eventually gets an HEA.  That's not what happens at all.

And then there's Bast who has a truckload of unresolved trauma that comes back with a vengeance.  All the good he's done and the healing he thought he achieved before that happened falters in the face of a very real and disturbing situation.  I liked him and that no one let him continue running from the consequences of PTSD from whatever really happened in his past. His honesty with Stone and his expressions of mortification were endearing as well.

So then there's the whole plot and character progression and the romantic arc to consider...

Plot: not much of one, to be honest.  It basically centers on the personal evolution of each MC and how that brings them together.  Throwing around little to no detail of Bast's past except that one video and a lot of intimation from one uncomfortable conversation with a pervy dude because of the NDA was annoying, actually.  I get that we didn't really need a whole rehashing of some sick stuff that older dudes in the industry perpetrated on young, naive kids new to the scene, but it felt way too swept aside with the mention of the NDA even in Bast's personal thoughts.

Character progression: Stone does most of the growing because he's got a lot to discover about himself and come to terms with at the same time as making peace with his past.  It's not complete by the end, but there is huge progress on the past front and a full acceptance of who he is in relation to Bast and what he wants out of that relationship.  Bast doesn't actually deal with much of anything by the end and his character is left hanging despite being under the care and encouragement of Stone.

Romance: definitely on a good footing by the end, though the HEA is implied and not explicit because of where the author chose to end the story.  Very slow burn and very low steam as well.

By the end I felt it was a really wonderful story and I was actually glad the author didn't try to cram in full resolutions on Bast's legal issues, Bast's emotional issues, Stone's relationship with his ex, Stone's relationship with his kids, Bast's career, Stone and Bast's living arrangements, therapy, etc.  To do that the story would really have to be lengthened quite a bit.

Perhaps some of it could have been left out completely from the outset to keep the story simpler.   Maybe we could have gotten a lot less of Stone's job and the repetitions of wolf-dog issue explanations.  The balance could have been improved, yes, but judging the story for what we got, I was actually not displeased by the end and really felt for Stone and enjoyed the read.  I'm still all in for the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A physically scarred veteran. An emotionally scarred young actor. Can they let go of the past and find a future together?Stone Wilder is happiest with his emotional support dog and the hybrid wolfdogs he rescues. They don't react to his scars or call him queer because sex doesn't interest him all that much. Maybe that's why he doesn't believe the rumors that paint gorgeous Sebastian Keye as an unprofessional "it boy." To Stone, Sebastian is simply a nice kid who shares his interest in dogs.

Sebastian is drawn to Stone's warmth and caring nature. With the help of his stalwart PA Molly, Sebastian and Stone begin a quiet friendship. But a video from Sebastian's past suddenly goes viral, causing old hurts and humiliations to destroy his emotional stability and nearly cost him his life.

After Sebastian's world falls apart, Stone wants to support him. But Stone has his own tortured past, and they can't move forward unless he makes things right.

Will growing close to Sebastian lead Stone to a new understanding of who he is and what he wants?

Crossing Lines: Hollywood Hopefuls Book 3, Jeris Jean

Crossing Lines (Hollywood Hopefuls Book Three)

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Age-gap, Hollywood

Themes: Trust, commitment

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 61,095 words/181 pages

In Drawing Lines we got a glimpse of something between Jasper and Matt so I was intrigued before this release was even announced.  What we got in their story was far more depth, hurt, patience, and growth than I expected.  Jasper and his successful yet stagnant life met Matt's burgeoning yet haunted life and neither expected the chemistry, disappointment, insecurity, or the love that they'd find with one another.

Aside from the bar scene, their sexual chemistry was kind of muted for most of the book.  There were definitely some spicy scenes, but in the face of Matt's history and hang ups there were other things that became more important.  Jasper's patience with Matt's limits was wonderful because it showed how much he truly valued Matt and was willing to go at his pace.

That being said, both men had a tendency to get a bit too much in their own heads and then get hurt and then offended and lash out at one another over a few issues that really would have been solved by good ole fashioned communication.  They were stellar at it in some cases and then not at all when it came to really sensitive things.  Adding in some contradictory actions and statements and I was left a little confused a couple/few times.  Not enough to write anyone or anything off, just enough to be taken out of the flow of the story unnecessarily.

While this wasn't my favorite of the series, it was a solid follow up with some incredibly tender and sweet moments that stemmed from individual growth and realizations that brought both men to exactly where they needed to be and who they could share it all with.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

Crossing Lines is a sexy and sweet age-gap, opposites-attract mm romance set in Hollywood.

When Matt is propositioned by Jasper, a hot older guy, he’s more than down. That is until he realizes Jasper has a boyfriend, and Matt would be joining them both. He’s not into it, especially since the boyfriend is a jerk. What Matt doesn’t expect is the lingering disappointment that the handsome man who approached him wasn't single.

Jasper is not used to rejection. He didn’t become one of the most successful executives in Hollywood by accepting defeat. So when Matt, the sexy young barista, turns him down flat, he's determined to find out why, especially when there is such undeniable chemistry between them.

*Crossing Lines is the third book in the Hollywood Hopefuls series, but it works as a standalone novel, though I absolutely suggest getting to know Ethan from Drawing Lines since he's adorable, the best friend of Matt, and there is a bit of storyline overlap that adds perspective.

Excerpt

Jasper turned in Reid’s arms and simply nodded. Reid’s face lit up, and he drug Jasper off the dance floor. They made their way to the bar to reload on drinks, then they found a small table in the bar area to scope out their options. After quickly scanning the bar, Jasper knew they’d have no trouble finding a willing third. While he was probably a solid 8, even at his age, Reid was a fucking 10, taking tall, dark and handsome to a whole other level. Jasper could already see guys shooting them the Pick me! Pick me! eyes. They were practically licking their lips.

“How about him,” Reid said, nodding his head toward a table near the back. Jasper followed his gaze to a table with three young guys, seemingly in jovial conversation. He watched the three men for a few minutes, trying to gauge their relationship to one another. It certainly seemed like they were close, but the vibe was very platonic. Easy laughs, casual postures, but not sitting close or touching at all. They appeared to be oblivious to the entire club around them, and from what Jasper could tell, they were celebrating. Judging by the baby face on the one guy, it could be his 21st birthday. Jesus. I’m old enough to be that kid’s dad.

“I hope you’re not talking about the ginger, because if you are, I’m going to have to institute a must be old enough to rent a car policy.” He shot Reid a judgmental glare.

Reid laughed. “Not the baby gay. The blonde.”

Jasper considered this. The blonde was also really young, early twenties at best. He was good looking in a boy-next-door sort of way, but Jasper wasn’t particularly attracted to the innocent type. If they were going to have a threesome, he wanted someone who would know what to do. And when his eyes flicked to the third man at the table, all Jasper could think was “Bingo.”

“Him,” Jasper said, not phrasing it as a question.

“Lip Ring?” Reid lifted an eyebrow.

Jasper slowly raked his eyes over the man, considering his appearance. There was something about him that seemed vaguely familiar, thought he was sure they didn’t know one another. He’d certainly have remembered meeting him. He was young, too, but older than the other two. Definitely still in his twenties. He had black hair that was shaved on the sides and longer on top, and it had a few streaks of blue in it. He had piercings in his eyebrow and lip, and while the black hair and piercings would make a lot of guys look rough, the man’s clear blue-grey eyes and easy smile made him seem approachable, kind even. He was long and lean, dressed in all black, tight jeans and a t-shirt that was rolled at the sleeves. His exposed arms were all creamy-pale skin contrasted with stark, bold tattoos, all black and grey and striking blue.

“Yeah,” Jasper croaked, realizing he had been staring for longer than he probably should have been, “him.”

Reid grinned. “Fuck yeah. I’ll go say hi. You go grab a…looks like he’s drinking a beer?”

Jasper stood up quickly. “I’ll go talk to him. You get the drinks.”

About Jeris

Jeris Jean is a life-long Minnesotan with an obsessive love of books. She has a master's degree in English Literature but didn't write her first novel until she was in her mid-thirties.  Something just "clicked," and all fell into its rightful place.

Jeris is a lover of cats, coffee, binge-watching tv shows, her bffs, puzzles, knitting, white sunglasses, black nail polish, purple hair, and reading and writing like it's going out of style, especially mm romance.

She lives with her husband, two sons and their cat, Fluffy Cat Love, in a lovely little suburb of Minneapolis.

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The Harder We Fall, Rebecca Raine

Tristan caught my attention right from the start with his stubbornness, his damage, and his unnamed trauma. His personality was gruff, but you could immediately tell that he had a hugely valid underlying cause. As the story unfolded I was floored by just how deep his guilt went and just how far he was willing to go to keep it as he would a lover.

So when the real-life lover came along, I had to find out exactly how Sam would fit, would provide the path to healing and forgiveness. Sam had his own bag of problems and a past holding him prisoner, but unlike Tristan, Sam's problems were more mental than emotional. His tenderness, insight, and patience were a testament to the quality of human he was and how much he could come to care for Tristan.

Despite everything Sam was and provided for Tristan, true forgiveness and healing came only after he found it within and what gave him the key to that was a very surprising source. It was exactly right. The romance gave Tristan the foundation and support he needed to walk his path. I did have issues with Sam's reaction to a big disappointment though. It spoke to a selfishness that I hadn't seen before then. The disappointment was exactly what Sam needed to find his freedom too though, so laying it all on Tristan was unfair and I didn't like it at all.

But all's well that ends well, because they came together and forged something stronger in the end.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Insomnia. It's the penance I pay for my greatest mistake. But when an ill-timed doze behind the wheel almost introduces me to a pole, I know something has to change.

Sleep with Me, a locally-made meditation app, promises a cure. I don't expect it to work. Nor do I expect to be seduced by the voice of its creator, Sam.

Night after night, he gets inside my head. Coaxing me. Manipulating me. The situation becomes intolerable and I decide to meet the man I've been 'sleeping' with. I must own his secrets - before he ends up owning me.

In person, the quiet and reclusive Sam is his own kind of complicated. He needs my help as much as I need his and we form an unlikely partnership.

It's only business. It can't be more. Even if Sam refuses to deny the pull between us. Even if my need to get closer is more than my guilty conscience will allow.

I have no right to love, not after the damage I've done. How can I give Sam all he deserves, when our chance at a happy ending was ruined before we even met?

Bear Essentials: Bear Lake Chronicles Book 1, Rain Carrington

Self-discovery is something very moving, very powerful, and when written well it can allow us to search within ourselves to discover something new on our own.  For Ked it's a journey to seeing who and what he needed to find his center.  For Sean it's finding the one person who could understand and yearn for everything he is and could be.  They both needed exactly what each could be and I loved that they found their ultimate happiness with one another.

But I had serious issues with a lot that happened.  My first and largest frustration is the issue of trust.  I totally get that in outlining rules between the two there were certain expectations Sean had for Ked, but demanding trust from the sub while giving no such assurances as the Dom, having double standards are what led to the huge blow up and separation.  And then for the apologies and the guilt and the restitution to come from the one person who was left questioning, vulnerable, and hurt by the omissions...I felt I truly didn't want to finish the book, except a good portion of the book was left and I can't stand to leave a book unfinished.

While the ending kind of made up for the biggest missteps, I still felt quite sour about a few things and don't think it fully redeemed itself.  The book was fair overall, but really didn't work for me in enough ways to engender a recommendation.  There were some gems, the potential as with the town and some side characters that could persuade me to revisit the series.  The excerpt from book two featured one person who intrigued me and one who needs a bit of redemption; both need to find courage.  I hope the series progresses and improves.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A sleepy little town doesn’t know what, or whom, is about to hit it when Ked, Kaden Edmond Donegal, comes there to live.

Hyper and determined, Ked longs to be a great forest ranger, taking care of the land, watching over it like its protector. What he didn’t count on is falling in love with the people there nearly as much as the land, and one in particular that doesn’t give him the time of day.

Sean Ashby moved to Bear Lake to hide away from the world after he nearly died while serving in the army. A local artist, he makes his living bringing pieces of wood to life with stories of their own. When he sees Ked, he sees someone who needs tamed, but he doesn’t feel as if he’s up to the job.

Not giving up on the bearded ginger bear, Ked does everything he can to get in the way of the man, and he finally gets what he wants. Or, at least, what he thought he wanted. Sean is a dominant who needs a submissive, and Ked never thought of himself that way. With Ked’s rambling voice hushed and his hyper movements slowed, Sean leads him into a new life he didn’t realize he needs so badly.

The townspeople take him in as family, a man loves him unconditionally, and poachers are in need of catching. Is Ked up for his new life? Can he be a part of a community that is quirky and quiet, or will his own quirks and rarely silent voice make him permanently an outsider?

About Rain

 

I love writing, it's been my dream for many years, and in October of 2013, when my first book went live on Amazon, that dream came true.

Writing love stories that are centered on flawed but lovable characters is my passion. Finding love between people is't easy, nor should it be. Even in a book, there have to be obstacles for the story to feel real.

I am a mother of three amazing people, and three adorable fur babies. I live in Colorado but love many other places besides my home. One state in particular is New Mexico, the state where I was born has always held a place in my heart.

People and places make my stories what they are. Each character I've written is a part of me in some way. Each place I write is as well. Adventures come in many ways, and each of my stories has taken me on an adventure that I treasure.

Come with me on my adventures and fall in love with my characters, as I have. I promise, you will love the ride.

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A Flighty Fake Boyfriend: Men of St. Nacho's Book 2, Z.A. Maxfield

These men were a total surprise for me, a fantastic one, in fact.  I went into this thinking it would be pleasant, one of my favorite tropes, with a side of well-written cliched scenario that works out in the end with feels and a touch of humor.  I was both right and so very, very wrong.  This was most of that and yet so much more.

Ryan was ultimately an emotional wreck with a defeated heart and unhealthy habits that could only lead to destruction, well, maybe just an insane ulcer with a side of cancer.  There was an incredible sadness inside him that he hadn't processed until Epic.  The beautifully deceptive Epic.  Under his insightful tenderness and incredible passion he unlocked the grief Ryan had been burying.  With that freedom came fear.

Epic was way more than merely a waiter.  He was vivacious and bubbly and had a zest for life, for experience.  He came across as perceptive and also very young and flighty.  But quite quickly his youthful silliness was shattered as we learned just how much depth there was to this young man.  Being so much more than initially perceived lent a distinct weight to his observations and his care of Ryan.  And his rescue of Ryan not only at the end, but during one particularly messed up scene in the garden at the resort...such a strength and determination in someone still in his early 20's.  He's still young though, so his reactions to Ryan's fear were predictably immature.

The emails.  Damn.  The emails began with hardness, vulnerability, sarcasm, and regret, but bloomed with so much honesty and heartfelt pleas that it was heartbreaking and also the perfect place from which to grow.  Their reconciliation was earned though it was also kept brief.  And then the epilogue sealed their happiness in a way that was so solid and sweet.  It could have packed more of a punch, but it was subtle and not altogether unpleasant.

I was surprised by the story, by the men, and truly enjoyed reading this story.  Epic and Ryan work so well together and their interactions were quietly funny and also very illuminating into who they were individually.  The work Ryan did and the level of intelligence from both men added something extra to this story that made them a little extra special.

*$3.99 on Amazon

All Ryan Winslow needs is a fake date for his ex's wedding. What happens when a fake date turns into real, but impossible, love?

Ryan Winslow has everything he needs to attend his billionaire aristocrat ex's wedding. He's got an out and proud A-list celebrity date, reservations at an exclusive resort in Santa Barbara, and two weeks to enjoy a vacation—his first in six years.

The drive down gives him a chance to visit old friends in tiny St. Nacho's, but that's where things start to go wrong. His workaholic, driven lifestyle takes its toll, and his date calls to say he can't make it. How will he ever find a substitute date for a formal wedding in time?

Epic Alsop waits tables, but that's not all he does. He pays special attention to people, and responds to their needs accordingly. When he meets an overworked, underfed Ryan, he offers him a healing smoothie and a little extra care. When Ryan's date for a wedding cancels, Epic offers to be his fake boyfriend.

What Epic doesn't expect is Ryan's kindness, or the amazing resort vacation he offers. He doesn't expect Ryan's patience, his wit, or his passion.

But they live in different countries, and Ryan's job leaves no room for a social life. The hunger and weariness that drew Epic to Ryan in the first place is only a symptom of the reason they can't be together.

Can fake lovers who fall in genuine love find a way to make their relationship work? Or are they destined to be alone forever?

Hunter's Moon: Alpha Triplets Book 1, Minerva Howe

This story definitely made the most of the tropes.  Fated mates with instant attraction and aggression toward the interlopers and insta-love being at the forefront of those tropes.  I'd say this story was a little light on the plot and the depth, but if you can get past all the gratuitous sexy times, you do find the bits of a plot that rescues omegas in danger as well as a set of alpha triplets that are as unique as they are the same that have a lot of potential for a fantastic pack.

The world itself is interesting, but we get very few, read none, of the details of the unique aspects of it, like the different names of the moon, the significance of triplet alphas that share a soul, the different wolf breeds, the pack structure they do and don't follow...there's a lot of detail that is missing and brings down the enjoyment of the story.  I'm hoping we get more in the subsequent stories, but I doubt it if they're all meant to be short stories that focus on the sexual healing of the magic peen and the bonding of mates through that oft-repeated act.

I actually felt myself being interested in the alphas and when the story finally got to the plot outside the bedroom.  The MC's in this particular story felt unbalanced and unlikely, though Derek was interesting because we actually got more of his thoughts regarding his family, job, art, and future hopes.  Ethan was kind of a stereotype come to life and his naivety was written more like a child and both his style and level of communication came of so childlike that it made nearly every intimate scene quite uncomfortable for me until near the end when he started to read as simply a naive, abused young man.

Despite feeling this book is more of a 2.5 stars than a legit 3, there are some grains of potential that I'm mildly interested to find out how they turn out.  Chris intrigues me as do the other alphas, Jax and Ryder, so I'd be willing to give the series a further read, but I can't say I'm running out to add them to my TBR list either.

*$2.99 on Amazon

When a rogue wolf brings a sweet omega to Derek Lowell's tattoo shop, he takes one deep breath and knows he can't let Ethan leave with the jerk. This omega is meant to be his, and Derek will do whatever he needs to do to save him.

Ethan is a Worthless One, an omega sold to a bad pack as a child, but he has a core of steel under his vulnerable exterior. When Derek offers him a safe haven, Ethan knows he has to try to overcome his past and grab his new Alpha with both hands. Cam Derek keep Ethan safe and teach him how to accept all the gifts Derek has to give him?

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?

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...