Find the Jinn: Wilde Contracts Book 1, Maz Maddox

The premise grabbed me right away and I was ready to jump right in. Despite feeling like we were coming in a chapter or two later even though it was the opening scene, this wasn't the first story I've read that did this kind of thing. I was sure we would get a little explanation, back story, or something to catch me up so I pressed on...but we didn't get any of those things.

For the first book of a series it felt like I was missing something -- constantly. I've read in other reviews about Killing the Messenger (or is it Kill the Messenger?) that I got through a Prolific Works giveaway event so I'll need to back to that and read to see if there's anything that can give me a better picture, but I'm not sure what to expect in that regard.

I really enjoyed all the characters, but for very different reasons. Dallas was incredibly flawed and we can see pretty early on that there's a torturous tragedy in his past that he's running away from by using drugs, danger, bravado, and any and all kinds of avoidance. I'm sure there will be a sharing, a reckoning that will take place, but that wasn't here in this first book. So for trigger warnings, there is drug use, unfaithful partners, alcohol use, and servant/master type situations.

The two other characters that play a pivotal role may or may not be actual love interests and they intrigued me from the beginning as well. There's an incubus, Sias, who seems to care for Dallas, but has no commitment or intentionally tender moments to show us that there's more than a preferred "meal" situation between them. Is there a possibility for more? Definitely. There's also some incendiary spice between them in a club where Dallas is offered up as a delicacy...

Zane is the one that intrigued me the most out of the two possible interests there. There's a bit of an enemies to reluctant partners to possibly something more spicy to maybe lovers kind of situation brewing there. Because of the connection between Zane and Dallas there's bound to be confusion, frustration, and a reluctant amount of feels that may be misconstrued, argued away, and eventually explored. At least, I sure hope so!

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the progression, all the types of progression, that we're going to get in this series. Opening of hearts, vulnerabilities, and a whole lot of answers needs to happen before the end of it though, otherwise I might revolt...kind of, haha.

There isn't an actual romantic relationship by the end of this first story and, to be honest, I'd be a little on the disappointed side of apprehension if either potential love interest is chosen over the other one at this point; I'm kind of hoping for an MMM situation even though that's not my preference in pairings. It kind of feels right for now to imagine that will be the outcome, but there are still two more books to go.

But really, the thing to keep in mind here is that in this first book you're going to feel lost, frustrated, intrigued, annoyed, disappointed, and eager for more all at the same time. Maybe you'll be more on one side than the other, but I think you should really give the rest of the series a shot before deciding overall that this just wasn't for you. This isn't the best showing of the author in a first-of-the-series way, but it is definitely their style and I'm sure we'll get something great to follow it up...well, after being stymied by more frustration first. There are A LOT of threads that need tying off because they keep getting dropped for no good reason.

*$6.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

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?

Finding Me: Voice Out Book 2, Stella Rainbow

Brady's spark and loyalty was engaging when we first met him in Finding You and here we get to see him get his happily ever after with the person who fits all of him.  Luckily Charlie is just as wonderful and a great match because they have their own journey to travel and it's not always on an upward slope.  Together they navigate change, acceptance, and love in a way that was full of challenge and tenderness.  This was such a wonderfully sweet story with an insightful look into how difficult some personal evolutions can be.

Charlie was shy, vulnerable, and so very curious.  Their openness served them well at the same time as giving the reader a glimpse into the ups and downs of accepting your true self after hiding away for decades.  The body dysmorphia was especially interesting in a way that a cis female like myself wouldn't truly be aware of had I not found a story like this.  Not liking myself or being dissatisfied with my body's appearance has nothing on what Charlie and many other non-binary individuals have to face and I absolutely appreciated how this topic was described and handled.  Following that up with Brady's fierceness in the face of hurtful family members showed a lighter and positive outcome for bringing family together despite all the hurt.

Brady's constant encouragement and support was invaluable to Charlie and their dynamic really worked for me.  This was a much lighter story in comparison to Finding You, but its subject matter was completely different and held a different intensity.  The Voice Out community is full of love and brightness in a world that doesn't accept all humans in their variety of flavors.  I'm a fan of this series and am eager for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Brady:
I thought I was happy with my life. I have a successful business, an awesome found family, a dog who is a bigger princess than me and volunteer work that keeps me busy and satisfied when nothing else does.

I was content—and I'd thought I was happy, too—to live my life just like that. No mess. No one to demand things of me I wasn't willing to give. No complications.

But then I met Charlie.

Charlie:
For my whole life, I'd been sure I was destined to live a half-life, to hide a part of myself so I wouldn't lose the only two people I cared about. And I was resigned to my fate.

But when my dad died of a sudden heart attack, I realized life was too short to keep hiding. I moved to a new city, but I had no clue how to go about finding a part of myself that I'd buried so long ago.

And then I met Brady.

A man who is out and proud of who he is and a person who has spent their life hiding a part of themselves. Will they be able to forge a path together or would their differences end up pushing them away?

The Magpie Lord: A Charm of Magpies Book 1, KJ Charles

I adore this story.  I've read it probably five times and feel the series fits the genre, the period, and the two men are given adequate justice in the romance, the sexual, and the intrigue department.  This book is worth devouring as the magic is fascinating as is the whole structure surrounding the use of magic.  Stephen is wonderfully insecure and yet self-assured and Lucien is his match in fierceness and determination.  They make a wonderful pair and I find myself coming back to this series again and again when I want a detailed yet fast-paced story filled with magic, frustration, and sexy MM love.

Lord Crane is arrogant, lofty, frustratingly dominant, and yet fantastic.  There's something in him that drew me in right away and his "eff you, London" attitude was refreshing as he wasn't a repressed aristocratic "gentleman".  Stephen is equally frustrating except in a very different way.  Their relationship will absolutely be difficult because where Lucien has all the "freedom" afforded him by money, options, and societal respect due to his title, Stephen has nothing but his spit and pride.  They're an awesome match in far more than the bedroom, but it'll take quite a while and a journey to get them onto the same page and to get Stephen willing to be all in with Lucien.

Being a practitioner is no easy thing because there's a whole hierarchy and in-fighting and justice issue piling up and Stephen is bearing an incredible weight under it all.  And to top it all off with a request to help a man with the name and face of his family's tormentor and you've got a virtually unbearable load on his incredibly slight shoulders.  But when they find themselves in the country and at the mercy of some very evil warlocks, we get a ton of excitement, utterly intriguing magic use, and a powerful alliance.  The action, once it gets to the big confrontation, is both disturbing and awesome.  It moves so quickly that you almost fight to slow down to catch every word, every nuance, every bit so you're not lost.  Much of it comes back in the third story of the series, so my caution is to get caught up in the pacing, but be careful in its reading.

I can't find anything I don't love in the story.  While not something I expected to love because sometimes historical MM romances can be a bit dodgy, this fit nearly every bill and left me both reeling and swooning.  Such an awesome read.

*Currently FREE on Amazon!
~All prices are valid at time of posting~

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

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

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

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

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

*$3.99 on Amazon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding You: Voice Out Book 1, Stella Rainbow

Scott and Luke were incredibly sweet together when Luke's walls dropped.  With a difficult past that left scars both physical and mental it's no surprise that the relationship takes time to grow and I was glad the story focused on the growth rather than a cliche "sexual healing" scenario.  Luke needed time to learn trust and comfort and to find the strength within himself to progress beyond his past horror.

What I enjoyed most was the sweetness and tenderness that took precedence over sexual interest.  I'm all for a deliciously smutty story, but when dealing with trauma it's more important to heal the brain before jumping back into the sack, even if you never do make it there.  Scott's sexuality was almost too perfect for Luke, but that's actually a sweet way to write in a simplified journey for both men.  At the length of the story it was important not to overcomplicate things.  Luke's trauma is plenty.

The confrontation at the end was a little overdramatized, but nothing unbearable or out of the realm of possibility.  Overall this was a very good story that focused on healing, honesty, and how Scott and Luke forged a future together amidst trials.  With a supporting cast that really lifted the story I'm definitely interested in coming back for more from the series.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Luke:
It has been a year since I escaped my three years of hell. Twelve months, and yet I felt just as broken as I had all those months ago. I had a job now, a home and people who cared about me, and yet I was all alone in this darkness that surrounded me. My past haunted me day and night and there was no one who could protect me from it.

Until I met Scott.

Scott:
Losing every person I loved one after the other made me realise just how much loving someone could hurt. Without even realising, I made a decision to never love another person again, lest I lost them too. For years, my life revolved around studying and then working and the only person I was close to was my best friend, who wouldn't leave me alone, no matter what I tried. I was content to stay alone.

Until I met Luke.

A man shy of loving someone again and a man haunted by his past. Will they be able to help each other heal? Or will they just end up breaking each other?

Has Brady found his own match?

Meet Luke's friend Brady

as he helps Charlie find himself,

and maybe some love along the way.

 *Pre-order for $3.99 on Amazon

Brady:
I thought I was happy with my life. I have a successful business, an awesome found family, a dog who is a bigger princess than me and volunteer work that keeps me busy and satisfied when nothing else does.

I was content—and I'd thought I was happy, too—to live my life just like that. No mess. No one to demand things of me I wasn't willing to give. No complications.

But then I met Charlie.

Charlie:
For my whole life, I'd been sure I was destined to live a half-life, to hide a part of myself so I wouldn't lose the only two people I cared about. And I was resigned to my fate.

But when my dad died of a sudden heart attack, I realized life was too short to keep hiding. I moved to a new city, but I had no clue how to go about finding a part of myself that I'd buried so long ago.

And then I met Brady.

A man who is out and proud of who he is and a person who has spent their life hiding a part of themselves. Will they be able to forge a path together or would their differences end up pushing them away?

Dancing with Daddy, Susan Hawke

There were three moments in the story that really grabbed me and brought so much enjoyment to my reading.  The first was the communication between the men before they ever met in person.  Their emails were filled with exploration, honesty, and a simplicity that set a true beginning for their friendship and a foundation for their later romantic relationship.  Second was their confessions.  They were simple and straightforward that, when coupled with the first moment I mentioned, were believable and earnest.  Third was the end scene that brought everyone and everything together.  Creating the family both men had always craved but hadn't found until then was a fantastic way to end the story.

Those moments aside, there was a very serious pacing issue.  It was difficult to read continuously without taking breaks because it constantly felt like we were getting nowhere fast.  I'm all for a slow-build where appropriate, but this was a little too slow for me.  Also frustrating was the insta-trust in bringing a stranger, even a blood-related one, into your home with your child.  Amazing email communication and a few phone calls aside, there just wasn't enough there for me to trust their initial living situation.

Yes, this is a fictional story, but it still brought up some serious red flags for me.  Being a single mother myself and also having had the not-really-a-pleasure of beginning a couple relationships through fantastic messages and calls only to have it all turn out to be lies only made me immensely grateful I didn't introduce these cretins to my children.  This story was a sweet and idealized version of a relationship lots of single people engage in and was more fantastical in their genesis than based in reality.  So reader beware, there are enough issues that you'll need to suspend reality to believe their beginning wasn't super sketch.

The one thing that wasn't sketchy despite having all the hallmarks of betrayal and heartache, was the paternity of a sweet little girl.  When it's discovered that blood types didn't match, the relief was palpable under the weight of serious health concerns and the laughter wasn't out of place at all.  Sometimes that's just how relief is expressed.  And knowing she didn't cheat, it was just some incredibly close timing between a moment of rekindled passion and then finding your forever person within a very short time-span, was a huge relief to me as a reader.

Overall this was a very sweet story that moved slowly, but had a great ending for three good people who deserved all the happiness they found together.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I love my daughter, but finding out she wasn’t biologically mine is the best news ever.

I’m a widower who is too scared to have the stupid test that would tell me whether or not I even have the gene that would mean dealing with a horrible illness and certain death. A gene that could’ve also been passed to my child, had she been mine.

She’ll need her father, if something ever does happen to me…That’s why I search for Maddie’s biological father, and when I find him, ask him to become part of her life.

What I didn’t expect is for him to become my best friend. Shane is fun and easygoing, the exact opposite of me. He makes me laugh. He’s the perfect antidote for my neurotic existence. And he’s bi, like me.

But am I courageous enough to take the leap into falling in love with him?

Dark Alpha's Redemption: Reapers Book 8, Donna Grant

This is the first book that focuses on the new set of Reapers that we learned about in Dark Alpha's Hunger, book six in the overall series. It's there that we first learn about Bradach and why we should be interested in him in the first place. It's only a glimpse, but it does tell us he's loyal, determined, and fierce when necessary. I'll be honest though, the newer Reapers are interesting, but I can't say they drew me in as the first group did...at least not yet.

On his own, Bradach took a lot longer for me to warm up to. Not because he was flawed or bad, just because he was kind of subdued, a whole lot judgy and grudge-holding, and sparse on the details about him and his past that would give us some kind of connection with him. Maeve on the other hand, was fierce, strong-willed, intelligent, vulnerable, caring, complex, and just a strong-as female. Definitely worthy of being a female lead to love from the get-go. She was complex in a way that gave her depth and not ineffective half-assed complications.

One nitpick for me was Bradach's skills. The reason he was chosen for this particular mission was his incredible attention to detail in the broad scope of the bigger picture and his ability to have a level head. They were used only once when that was the push for getting him to agree to the assignment in the first place. It just wasn't enough to prove it was a skill instead of a gut feeling in one instance. The same with his level head. I know Maeve and his attraction to her pretty much knocked him ass over tea kettle, but there were rarely, if any, moments of cool heads and minute detail observations.

The relationship itself was pretty good because both characters held something within them that was just what the other needed. There were moments that Maeve got all hurt when she jumped to conclusions and Bradach denied things for far too long for my liking, but once they were on the same page I was a believer. Their passion was banked but present throughout the story. It was also sufficiently intense in the one brief moment they had a chance to give in.

As for the plot, it hinged on the problem that is the Queen of the Light. She is a problem for everyone in their world and finding out exactly why, what she's up to, and who she's consorting with was the focus. She's ultimately a problem for the Dragon Kings, but because she's a fae she also falls under Death's purview. I loved seeing things ramp up with the confrontation with Usaeil and who all the players will be and why, but unless you've read the other connected series or the other books in this series, it would be difficult to see just why she's such an issue.

If you're reading the Dark Kings series, this story will be an incredible gem for seeing Usaeil in all her "glory", so it may serve as a bit of a spoiler for those who haven't started that series prior to reading this story. This is kind of a standalone, but best if read in order of the Reapers series as it's only a "bonus" for the other connected Dark Kings series.

So while I wasn't immediately drawn in by the newer set of Reapers, I'm invested now and really want to see how each of them find their mates, what dangers they'll face and why, and how the overall story ties them all together.

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There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

My duty to Death drives me forward. I've never once strayed from my path – not even when the future seemed uncertain. However, Maeve's intelligence, cunning and determination challenges me in ways I never imagined. Finding out what she knows is the key to learning how to conquer our enemy. The Dark Fae breathes new life into me unlike anything I've ever known. For Maeve, I will risk trusting the Dark. For her...I will battle darkness itself.