Eggsquisite: Glitter Dragons Book 1, Jinx Jax

I think it was the writing and the pacing and the overall voice that threw me off.  By all rights the premise and the fact that are are legit glitter dragons threatening to dominate the world via social media with the force of cute should have been enough to have me ass over tea kettle in love with the story.  Except I wasn't.  I wanted to, really, I truly wanted to love this story, but I just didn't.

Even the intimate chemistry was lacking along with the actual romance.  Nothing actually built, it was just a whole lot of hesitations, distractions, interruptions, and spontaneous shifting that I really didn't believe the idea of mates by the end.  I'm a sucker for fated mates and while this was purported to be a magical mating situation, very little of it felt magical.

And speaking of magic, very little of that was explained or demonstrated, with notable exceptions of weird glitter explosions and happy-feeling makings once the shifting happens.  Yes, each dragon has individual abilities, but an overly enticing pool isn't enough to convince me that the magic is actually a compelling element of the story or the characters.

Between the awkwardness, the disrespect and insecurity, the rushed pace of everything, the vague discussion of magics, and the overall dynamic between all the characters, there wasn't much left to rave about in a positive way.  Oh the story was fine, it was interesting in its unique elements, it just failed to wow me.  I won't be continuing the series.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Just when you think you've seen it all...

Heavy metal musician Keith Lane knows all about the hustle. After all, he's been chasing fame and fortune for almost a decade while working as a pool boy. When he stumbles upon six stunning and very naked men claiming to be dragon-shifters from another world, he's dubious until one changes right before his very eyes.

Captive to a cruel king, Nionn has longed for freedom and a mate. With the help of his brothers, they use magic to travel far from home and into the presence of one destined to help them. When Nionn senses Keith is his mate, he refuses to believe he deserves him, choosing instead to think he must be overcome by the perilous journey.

When the dragons enchant every human who sees them, it becomes clear they have remarkable star power. Keith vows to keep them safe from unscrupulous promoters and human groupies. Of course, he'll have to start by keeping his hands off Nionn, and that's going to be almost impossible when he feels an overwhelming urge to be with him.

With a scheme to help the dragons become celebrities, and a group of talented and dedicated humans determined to pull off the superstar launch of the century, will Keith and Nionn come together or will they find a way to resist the powerful allure of the mating call?

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?

Love You So Special: Love You So Book 3, Tara Lain

Artie, precious, wonderful Artie.  His unpretentiousness and genuine appreciation of music, his surprising insight, and his love of his fish, all of it worked together to become one of my favorite characters this author has created.  Francois worked well with him in all his invulnerability and genuine need to be seen, truly seen.  Together they were sweet and simply fit together just right, and that was the overall feel of the whole story.  Sweet, uncomplicated fluffiness.

So this earned a respectable 4 adorable stars with how precious Artie was and how fascinated by him Francois was, but seriously, what was up with the mall sequence?!  It didn't work with the story's flow, it was random and unnecessary, and it felt so out of place.  If it weren't for that it would have kept all four of those stars, but that whole scene was like minding your own business on a lovely day and then getting slapped with a fish...yeah, random, bizarre, and somehow insulting.

*$4.99 on Amazon

The plumber, the pianist and a tank full of fish.

Artie knows he’s nothing special—just-your-regular-brown hair, a solid plumber’s job, not much education, and a family that can barely get off the couch.

Francois was born special— famous, rich, and revered as one of the world’s great classical composers and pianists.

But then Artie loves tropical fish, his existential philosophy-quoting neighbor, and anything that Francois plays.

While Francois’s fear of crowds reaches near paralysis and only Artie’s strength and certainty gets him through.

This might be a match made in heaven if Artie can believe he deserves it.

Words and Music, JD Sampson

I was drawn in by the premise and had high hopes for found family, personal growth, discovery, and healing.  The reality was a little of all of that, but none in quantities that were truly moving or captivating.  I ended up being more interested in the surrounding situation rather than the MC's and was left underwhelmed by them and their journey.

While there were some tender moments, there were a lot of transitions between them that didn't sit right, didn't flow, and just plain didn't wow.  With a lot of potential for an angsty ride to a powerful love, the reality fell short for me.

The story overall wasn't bad, I think I just didn't enjoy the flow, the MC's, or the "necessary" dramatics to get Kieran to pull his head out.  Assault and kidnapping near the end of the story seemed like overkill at this point.  There was something incredibly traumatic in his past and the reveal felt awkward and while Miles said he'd be patient, there were a lot of times where he was short-sighted and selfish.  Those two terms could describe so much of Kieran's actions as well, unfortunately.

So while I wasn't enthralled by the story, it wasn't a bad one, I'm sure a lot of people will love the music and poetry elements as well as the surface story between Kieran and Miles, but for me there was just too much and yet not enough.

*$2.99 on Amazon

A rock band tour bus is an unconventional place to raise a child, but indie artist Miles Mason is doing his best to be a stand-in father for two-year-old Bowie. But when Bowie’s real father turns up looking for the boy he hasn’t seen in years, it’s up to Miles to help this skittish Irishman bury the secrets of his past in order to become the father and partner he’s dreamed of all his life.

With less than two weeks left in the tour, the clock is ticking not just on fatherhood but on love. Can these two learn to make beautiful music together or will a secret from the past keep them from becoming a family.

If A Butterfly Don't Fly: Out of Underhill Book 2, Mell Eight

If A Butterfly Don’t Fly

Series: Out of Underhill, Book Two

Author: Mell Eight

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 04/05/2021

Heat Level: 1 - No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 41,600 words

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fae/faeries, mythical creatures, disabilities, magic, performance arts, security guard, musicians

With beautiful imagery and a sweet character leading us through the chaos that is being thrust on him, this is a solidly interesting story.  There's a lot of lore that could have confused us completely, but since Merridy has basically the same level of understanding as the reader, what he needs to understand is laid out fairly simply.  The chaos is pretty natural considering the situation, so the jumble we find ourselves in is excusable.

And then we venture Underhill.  The dangerous elements aren't always what they seem and while the more villainous characters are pretty obvious, with such a short story I was glad it wasn't more complicated than it was.  What I wish were more developed was Merridy's magic, his growth in it, learning what else he was capable of, and what exactly went on in the forest during the big battle when they returned Overhill.

The romance was tame, par for the course with this author, and it took a supporting role to Merridy's self discovery.  It was sweet and full of hope as well as hesitance so the story ended with an HFN both for Merridy and Fion as well as Merridy's relationship with his father.  So a nice ending for a nice story, one that I would have liked to be a bit longer to really give a clearer sense of Merridy's evolution.

*3.99 on Amazon

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

Merridy has always loved music but can’t sing. The only job in the music business he can get is as a security guard for the Bard and Sons, a premier record label. He keeps their secrets and patrols their hallways, always wishing for a big break he knows will never come.

Changeling’s Court is a brand new band struggling to record their first single. Merridy chances upon a scrap of their lyrics without accompanying music notes and can’t help composing a simple melody for them. If he’s found out, he’ll probably get fired.

Instead, he finds himself in a strange new world of magic and faeries—and danger.

*Can be read as a standalone, relates only vaguely to Kelpie Blue, book one of the series.

Excerpt

Music was embedded in the very fibers of the building.

Merridy took a deep breath as he stepped out of the stairwell and onto the first floor of practice rooms and felt the remnants of the notes played on instruments and sung into microphones swirling around him. They chimed in his ears and seemed to fill the air with a shine he could almost reach out and touch. Merridy wanted to touch it so badly, but instead, he let out his breath and smoothed down the front of his security guard uniform before reaching for the door handle...

...He walked farther into the room, seeing four guitars—a bass, two electric, and one acoustic—on stands and a drum snare on top of the new piano. They were probably a pop-rock or rock band. In the back of the room, near the private bathroom, was a desk strewn with staff paper. Many of the sheets had been crumpled into balls and tossed aside. The ones still flat on the desk had dozens of cross-outs, some lines excessively crossed, the pen having cut deep.

Songwriting obviously wasn’t going too well for the new band.

Well. Either they’d figure it out, or they’d get out. That was the way the business worked. They had been given their chance with the nice studio. If the band blew it, too bad. It was more of a chance than Merridy had ever had. He sighed and resolutely pushed his jealousy away before heading into the bathroom to double-check it was empty. Merridy had a good job. Just because he wanted to switch places with someone in the new band wasn’t reason enough to let resentment simmer and ruin his night. The sink, toilet, and glassed-in shower stall hid no one, so he turned to head back out.

There was one piece of regular lined paper on the desk next to the bathroom door that wasn’t crumpled or covered in pencil scratches. Merridy couldn’t help stopping to read the four simple lines handwritten there.

In my dreams, I know you see me,

And in my hopes, you’ll hold my hand.

Reality hits, so does the truth:

You and me will never be we.

NINESTAR PRESS

AMAZON

About Mell

When Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.

Follow Mell...

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

AMAZON

GOODREADS

Don't forget the giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a $50.00 NineStar Press Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Tour hosted by IndiGo Marketing & Design

Holding Hans: Ever After Book 2, Tara Lain

Right away my heart went out to Hans.  He's young, figuring things out for himself with the help of a cute new guy in town, and so very responsible before his time.  Dealing with a confused father, a massive debt, a twin who loves him but still manages to be a bit self-centered, and a passionate love of music and overwhelming talent but not being able to do anything great with it...there was just so much on his narrow shoulders that I couldn't not want more for him.

The plot twisting around a mysterious manor and some awkwardly shady dealings surrounding guests and lodgers was a much darker take on the story, but I actually felt it was incredibly modern in its subject matter.  It was handled delicately, which was appreciated, except it felt a little unfinished.  Rune's original job took over at one point and muddied the whole thing going on with Hans and it pulled too much attention away from what should have been the plot's focus.  There were threads left untied, justice unserved, and questions unanswered by the end that took some of the attention and joy from the happier ending we got in the epilogue.

And speaking of the epilogue, it was totally sweet and very fitting, but it was a bit abrupt because we didn't really get a whole lot of settling into the happy between Rune and Hans.  So while I liked Rune, there just wasn't a lot about him, not very much true telling of his own background to satisfy my hopes for him coming out from being undercover.  The intimacy between them was alright, though truncated due to Hans' innocence and Rune's job objectives, and was kind of dimmed under the weight of everything that was going on.  Because of that I didn't mind the fade-to-black bit near the end because without a lot of development between them with transparency a super steamy scene would have made me slightly uncomfortable to read.

A couple of other peeves of mine in the story were Greta and Red.  Greta's self-serving attitude put them all in danger, though without her the plot would have gotten nowhere, so I can't be too upset.  I just felt like their bond through the whole story was one-sided until the end where she only came to the rescue only because she overheard something that gave validity to all the warnings Hans had been trying to tell her about.

Red was supposedly Hans' best friend, but where was he?  Knowing about Hans' difficult life situation, even if only the basics, should have meant that he would be genuinely concerned enough about him to check in every now and again, to at least inquire if he could help, or even just be there for advice about Rune.  There were quite a few moments that I felt like there was so little support.  That could have been the point, but it didn't match the characters.  Even with the attitude of not airing dirty laundry for the town Hans didn't seem the type to have a best friend he virtually never spoke to until Red shows up in the epilogue to support Hans' public performance.

Despite a few frustrations, the story overall was incredibly updated and I truly enjoyed the reading.  My favorite side character was Corey Orey and I wish so much that he had gotten a bit more page time, that he and Hans had a little more opportunity to develop a friendship and some collaboration to nurture Hans' curiosity and passion for his music.  For now, I'm not ready to leave Ever After so I'm going to read Eli Easton's contribution with Billy & the Beast.

*$4.99 on Amazon

How much evil can you cook up in one small town?

When your father gets wonky, marries a weird woman, and runs off to Europe, leaving you and your twin holding the bag for the bills, what else can you do but –
Sleep a night in the forest,
Follow a trail of pebbles to a strange mansion,
And succumb to the attraction of cinnamon rolls, the world’s most beautiful piano, and Madame, the strange woman who gives you your dreams for next to nothing.
But fairy tales teach one lesson –
--when things are too good to be true – run!
Hans Meyer finds that out the hard way, when he wakes up tied to a bed in the dark. Even Rune, the cute guy who buys him root beer floats, isn’t who he seems.

Can piano power, twin power, and a healthy dose of love power overcome the darkness and finally make Hans happy in Ever After?

It's a Steal, Arden O'Keefe

I adored the premise and thought the beginning was quite cute with the complete opposites of the two mens' personalities, but it kind of quickly went off the rails and added a whole lot of elements and intrigue and drama that detracted from the whole overall feel.  Honestly this was a low 3 star, maybe even a 2.75 star book for me because of just how much was added to increase the conflict for no conceivable reason.  Manufacturing situations to make the story more interesting totally didn't work here.

What should have been a simple meet*cute between two men that had great reasons to discover more about one another through their individual differences alone devolved into cybercrime, family drama that was pretty much solved by one sisterly outburst that was one-sided and unfair as well as being overly simplistic, a rockstar that was actually a rocker with a respectable and enthusiastic fan base rather than a rock star, and a different family drama that was solved by a black hat hacker with a soft spot for a young man they hadn't spoken to in nearly a decade breaking silence and making actual contact so they could wave their magic wand and fix everything that was wrong.

It was just too much crazy with too little substance.  There were some nice moments, but timelines in the background snippets we got were confused and confusing, there was very little actual connection between the men, and way too much in-the-head explanations that basically told the story and not enough dialogue or depth driving the story.  So it was nice, just not my favorite.

*$4.99 on Amazon

*Prices accurate on date of posting*

Edric Wilcher has realized growing up that there are simply two things in this world he can never imagine his life without—music and coffee. This is the reason why he chooses the life of a famous rock star—at least, famous in his own small town, and then, goes ahead and opens up Rockstar’s Hideout Café. Every morning he serves his regulars and has a nice, long chat with them before they go back to their daily routine. His charms work wonders on them. Thanks to the good genes bestowed upon him, he doesn’t look half bad. So, it strikes him as odd that this new customer who walks in that morning carrying a heap of books doesn’t seem to even spare him a second glance.

“Coffee” is what he orders and Ed goes out of his way to make him feel special. But the redheaded nerd—okay, a cute nerd, probably cutest he’s seen in his life—just leaves with his books, leaving even the muffin-on-the-house completely untouched. The mystery surrounding this guy gets the best of Ed and when he finds a book left behind by this customer, he can’t help follow the trail to see him just one more time. Even if it is to get a name.

Dean Harrett has somehow misplaced the one thing that was supposed to help him out of his current problems—and that thing is not a cheesy, romance novel. What matters to him the most is what he’s kept in the book—the perfect plan that can make or break his future. And that book has gone now. Only if he can remember where he’s last seen that book…

Of course! The café, where that annoying barista just wouldn’t leave him alone so he had to leave.

But now Dean has to get back there and look for himself before anyone can lay their hands on it. He doesn’t even want to think about the worst-case scenario of someone finding out what he is up to. But this only means he will have to face the annoying, but handsome barista again. Ugh!

To celebrate Arden's debut release they have organized a MASSIVE giveaway!

Head over to Facebook to enter for you chance to win:

https://www.facebook.com/authorardenokeefe/posts/127174749062744

Amazon Gift Cards worth up to $200 and some amazing goodies are up for grabs!!!

"An enormous, gigantic THANK YOU everyone who has pre-ordered or purchased  IT'S A STEAL! This is a way of me showing how much I appreciate it. By following THREE easy steps (refer below), you stand a chance to win one of over TEN prizes!!!

I call this giveaway MASSIVE for a reason ... read on" -Arden O'Keefe

Here's what you're competing for -

❣️ A grand prize winner who'll receive $50 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen on September 1st, 2020)

❣️ 5 lucky winners who'll have a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen every Sunday in the month of AUGUST)

❣️ 2 lucky winners who'll receive $10 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen at random any time during the contest)

❣️ 1 lucky winner will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen at random at the end of the contest)

❣️ 1 lucky winner will receive a pack of amazing goodies!

(Chosen on September 1st, 2020)

Enter the contest in THREE easy steps over on Facebook -

Step 1: Like Arden's Facebook Page.

(Please note you will also be invited to my Facebook Group "The A-OK Squad")

Step 2: Fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/cYuEqk5GK7GGzQgv5

Step 3: Come back and tag AT LEAST 10 friends in your comment on the Facebook post HERE.

And that's it!

About Arden

Arden O’Keefe has several passions and reading is one of them. It is through reading the works of several loved authors that O’Keefe was inspired to craft out some personal creations. The muse never stops to motivate and that’s how the story of Edric and Dean just developed by itself. This is where O’Keefe begins the journey hoping that it doesn’t end anytime soon.

Follow Arden...

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

TWITTER

Forces of Nature Double Cover Reveal, R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill has a series

with new covers to reveal!

Released from DSP and

Coming August 1st...

The Forces of Nature

But first, a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hurricane Reese and Typhoon Toby

By R.L. Merrill

Releasing August 1st

The life of Tony-winning musician Reese Matheson resembles a natural disaster, and caregiver Jude De La Torre is caught in the eye of the storm. But can the love of two opposites survive caring for an ornery octogenarian with wayward balls and a meddling family insistent upon tradition?

Fresh off the successful London run of his musical, the last thing Reese expects when he comes home is a house surrounded by paparazzi and his girlfriend throwing his stuff into the pool. All he wants to do is spend time with his beloved grandfather and musical mentor who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Reese knows he doesn’t have much time left before the elder Matheson forgets who he is. In classic “Hurricane Reese” form, he moves into the cottage by the sea and displaces Jude, the intriguing caregiver he hired two years before.

When Grandpa proves too much for Reese to handle on his own, Jude comes to his rescue, taming Grandpa… and the Hurricane as well. Soon all Reese can think about is how to get Jude out of his scrubs and into his bed―permanently.

Will Hurricane Reese destroy everything in his path, or will this odd couple learn to harmonize together?

Add to Goodreads TBR list!

It was supposed to be a no-names vacation fling, but when Spencer sees the man of his dreams on TV and fate throws them together again, can their love survive the torrential downpour from Toby’s past?

On the surface, Toby Griffiths appears to have it all: talent, money, a brilliant mind, and model good looks. With his best friend, Reese, he’s built an empire as a singer/songwriter. But beneath that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with lovers, no names, no personal information. But a vacation fling in Bali changes all that, and he can’t get his recent playmate out of his mind.

Therapist Spencer Hart left Bali with a bad case of pneumonia and a broken heart. Although he’s recovering, he’s shocked to find his secretive partner on TV, and he’s determined to see him again. Spencer arranges to attend one of Toby’s fundraising galas, and their reunion is tense. Toby tries to stick to his rules… until a New Year’s kiss with Spencer washes away the last of his resistance. But Toby is a man with secrets, and when the storm comes ashore, it could devastate not just his professional life but his fledgling love affair and his longtime partnership with his best friend.

Will Spencer stand by his side and help him weather the storm as Toby faces his worst fears?

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

About R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill brings you stories of Hope, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll featuring quirky and relatable characters. Whether she’s writing about contemporary issues that affect us all or diving deep into the paranormal and supernatural to give readers a shiver, she loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after. Winner of the Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” Best Contemporary award for Hurricane Reese, Foreword INDIES finalist for Summer of Hush and RONE finalist for Typhoon Toby, Ro spends every spare moment improving her writing craft and striving to find that perfect balance between real-life and happily ever after. She writes diverse and inclusive romance, contributes paranormal hilarity to Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Universe, and works on various other writing and mentoring projects that tickle her fancy or benefit a worthy cause. You can find her connecting with readers on social media, educating America’s youth, raising two brilliant teenagers, trying desperately to get that back piece finished in the tattoo chair, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more Rock 'n' Romance.

Follow R.L. Merrill...

AMAZON

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

GOODREADS

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

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.

Taste on My Tongue: Kitchen Gods Prequel, Beth Bolden

Landon and Quentin are a sweet couple in the making and I got to know them through the Kitchen Gods series before I read this story.  What I was expecting wasn't exactly what we got, but what was presented was mostly sweet with a bit of secrets that had the potential to complicate things.

Landon's POV is the only one we get and I can't say I was in love with that.  Even with a shorter story, as this one is, we really needed something to balance Landon's more high-strung personality.  He dominated every scene and not only because we're in his head all the time.  There were times that I wasn't convinced of his sincerity because despite the sweeter moments of connection, there were so many times we went straight back into his self-serving behaviors.  Rarely did we see Landon thinking about Quentin's needs, what he deserved from Landon, and I think it became a flaw that didn't really go away.  On the other hand, we can see that most of that is a cover for his insecurities and where we ended up went quite a way to soothing my frustrations.

I felt there was a bit of an imbalance between both characters, not in their relationship, but in the attention given to each of them, and didn't get a chance to connect with Quentin much at all.  He was the softer, more understanding, more grounded of the pair and I would have loved to hear from him.

The whole story would likely have benefitted from Quent's insight though I will say that this story was more about Landon's evolution and Quent was a part of it as well as a catalyst for Landon's new outlook.  It was less about the relationship itself, but how it helped Landon to find what he needed.  What he needed gave him the strength to let go of those things holding him down and ultimately gave him wings, a freedom and a peace he hadn't yet experienced.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Almost pop-star Landon Patton has just turned a corner on the worst two years of his life: dropped by his label and dumped by his ungrateful ex-boyfriend. However, his new agent's brilliant plan for Landon's superstardom doesn’t have anything to do with his music – it’s called Kitchen Wars, and it’s the hottest new reality show on TV.

Landon wishes he could have nothing to do with it.

Since the first morning he mixed flour and water, Quentin Maxwell knew he wanted to be a baker. After becoming the pastry chef at a popular LA bakery, anyone else might be satisfied. But Quen wants to call his own shots. Going on Kitchen Wars to win the money for his own bakery seems like a huge risk, but maybe it's worth it.

They’re an unlikely pair. Landon can’t even figure out how to turn an oven on, while Quentin makes his living with one. But with each passing week on Kitchen Wars, they discover what a great team they make – on set, off set, and between the sheets.

Winning should be everything, but what happens when the tastiest pairing is their own?

Second Song: Sugarhouse Blues Book 1, Edie Danford

Written as if this whole story were a song, the story is very beautifully framed and sometimes motivations are slightly obscured in the prose. But what comes through is love, all kinds of love, and that carries the stories, the men, the families that share an incredible connection.

There were quite a few times that I felt like I could skim because it was taking a really long time to say certain things, to do something, or to actually get somewhere. It was a very, very slow-burn romance. At first I felt a little annoyed by that, but I think the time between their real-life connection and their re-connection with romantic intent was necessary. Kind of an 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' thing. But even then things weren't really emotionally smooth sailing. It wasn't until nearly the end when Antonio has a forced heart-to-heart with his sister-in-law that he finally jumps in with Sage with both feet and no reservations. I didn't see the reason for his fear and hesitation before that point and while I think it fit and made sense, it was a bit out of left field and seemed a little forced when I think Antonio just needed to stop making romantic decisions for Sage and for them without Sage.

Except when we get to the epilogue I'm completely won over. It was so sweet and pretty much perfection for the couple and the entire family.

I'm not opposed to a whole lot of family involvement in a story, especially one like this where without them both men's situation and hearts necessitate their family support. Did it need every interaction with the kids? Probably not, but it made Sage and Antonio a little softer for me and I liked it. It definitely added to the length of the story though as well as depth to all their complications both on their own and together.

This was a long read for me and I enjoyed quite a lot of it. The themes and feels made it worth reading and I wouldn't be opposed to getting Shiloh's story because I'm wondering just what kind of person will be the perfect foil to all his glittery, jittery hardness and vulnerability.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

A wounded singer's second act. A bodyguard's chance at redemption. Two wounded souls find healing in love's sweetest song.

After a brutal attack killed his bodyguard and left his voice permanently damaged, superstar singer Sage Hazen retreated to his Vermont home, unsure he'd ever perform again. Four years later, Sage is testing the waters with a new act, and there's just one man he trusts to handle security--Antonio Callan, his former bodyguard's brother.
For Antonio, touring backwoods Vermont is the wrong gig at the wrong time. Still, it's only right to help the wounded kid his brother died protecting. But a week into the job, Antonio feels more helpless than heroic--and it's his heart that's at greatest risk. 
The more time they spend in close quarters, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks flaring between them. Turns out protecting two wounded hearts from love is an impossible job. And harmonizing two very different lives will demand a brand-new take on courage.

A Rhythm You Feel: The Rock Gods East Coast Label Book 1, Ann Lister

Nico's earnest desire for a good life is shaken for good by a rocker who explodes into his store with pleading eyes and a sexy everything else.  Blade is a bit bowled over by the honest man that gives him refuge and pursues Nico in a way that's completely new for him.  Both of them are stunned by what they find in one another and I really liked that there were complications, demons, and adjustments that were necessary before they found their HEA together.  While a little Hemingway at times, there was enough flow to the story that I could overlook that in favor of watching everything unfold.

Blade had a lot going for him but I never really felt that he lived up to his potential.  He was a spoiled and rich rockstar that could have found ways to enrich his life after finding someone that made him think far beyond himself.  Instead, the only change he found in his life was the relationship and his heart toward Nico.  The bratty attitude wasn't endearing.  What was fabulous though, was his determination at the end to keep Nico from pushing him away when circumstances made him lash out at Blade.  That level of maturity was kind of unexpected, but truly appreciated.

It was Nico that stole the story for me.  I liked his complications.  Sometimes it was a bit much, but it all worked together.  Like, they fit the man in addition to how each complication fit with the others.  Family loss, drugs, ex-con, sobriety, attachments...all of it worked for me.  Even though I didn't like the lashing out near the end, it was a long time coming and I was glad that Blade was there to help him work through it.  I will say though, that it was resolved relatively simplistically.  Far too simply to be satisfying.  For it all to work out the way it did was kind of implausible.

There were a few other things that didn't get resolved, such as Tigo's situation, but I'll be honest and say that while I could have pointed them all out as soon as I finished the story, a couple days removed and most of them I can't remember at all.  My overall feel for the book is very positive and I liked both men, but loved Nico.  The way his issues, especially his sobriety, were handled was what stuck with me the most.  As for the romance, I believed it, liked it, but didn't really feel completely moved by it either.  Definitely steamy, that's for sure, and it was also quite raw at times with the feels, so that was another big plus for the book.  I was drawn in to the music, the bands, and all the stories that are yet to be written for these intriguing men.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Blade: As the lead singer of Hard Core, I’ve been taught several key life lessons. Unfortunately, I've also ignored many of them in the last twenty minutes alone, which is why I'm now being chased by a horde of crazed fans.

But my worst misjudgment today? Going outside in public without security or a backup plan. Screaming fans come with the job and the fame is as much of a blessing as it is a curse, but I still couldn't imagine doing any other line of work.

Music owns me and I am happy to be her bitch.

Nico: I knew who he was as soon as he burst through the front door of my store and I was absolutely starstruck and speechless. Yes, me with my own hardened attitude and jaded outlook on life had lost the ability to talk in the presence of Blade.

I'm an ex-con. I paid my debt to society, and I have my own brand of scars to show from the time I spent behind bars. My life's regrets stain my soul as much as the ink of my tattoos color my skin. Solace for me came with ownership of a bookstore. It was a peaceful place to work until a certain rockstar blew in from the street like a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Blade was about to make landfall and I wasn't sure I'd survive the storm.