Masters of Romance, Emma Alcott

Side Character

https://amzn.to/3to2Oc2

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

Bad Boy

https://amzn.to/3xS3Lww

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

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

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

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

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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Fix Me: Tattoos and Temptation Book 2, Mia Monroe

Casper and Saint share some amazing chemistry, but there's something holding Saint back at the same time that something is propelling Casper forward.  Watching them find their shared wavelength is a difficult ride, but no less full of the feels I'd come to expect after reading Marry Me, book one in the series.  I adore both men for different reasons, though I have to admit that it's Casper that really captured and kept my attention throughout the story.

If basing my enjoyment only on the chemistry these two men shared I'd be an enthusiastic reviewer.  But it was adding in the subtleties, the struggle, the pain, and Casper's individual evolution that really sold the story for me.  Casper struggled with so much more than you'd ever expect and the way he gives his everything to Saint again and again was both wonderful and agonizing.  It was Saint's reactions and hesitations that made me ache the most, not for him, but for Casper.  I was glad for the dual POV, because otherwise I'd probably write Saint off despite my general love of a gruff Daddy opening his heart fully to his boy.

Saint was a tough character for me because while I respected his journey and his emotional hesitations, I felt his reaction to his past was a bit over the top.  A lot of blame that wasn't really warranted, even the irrational guilt kind.  It was enhanced and prolonged only to add angst to Casper's own journey and I didn't really appreciate that.  Casper's difficulties stemmed from bad choices, self-discovery, not knowing themselves, desperation to find acceptance, a nasty ex, and a set of parents who were pieces of work.  It was a lot to unpack.  Everything got it's resolution in the end and I adored Casper's maturity and realization of all the good he had both in himself and in the life he forged around himself.

I can't wait to see where we go next with these men.

*$4.99 on Amazon

My crush has Daddy written all over him

The minute I laid eyes on him he became my new hobby. I turned on the charm to win him over, only to get friendzoned. The more time we spend together, the more glimpses I get of the Daddy he’s hiding under his no dating allowed exterior. Unfortunately for Saint, a Daddy is exactly what this boy is looking for.

I have no intention of staying friends with him, but with every platonic interaction, I start feeling things I never have. And not just about the sexy Scottish object of my affection.

I wasn’t looking for someone to fix me, but if I let him in we might have something amazing here.

If we can just shake the ghosts from the past…

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.

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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?

Smash & Grab: RELIC Book 1, Maz Maddox

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

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

*$4.99 on Amazon

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

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

Especially romance.

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

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

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

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

While smuggling a fossil, might I add.

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

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?

The Blacksmith Queen: The Scarred Earth Saga Book 1, G.A. Aiken

This author is seriously one of my absolute favorites and I've read everything any library I can find that carries them in both their pen names.  The insane world they create under the name G.A. Aiken is fascinating, well-detailed without being overly complicated, includes incredible creatures and their personalities are all distinct as races, and the characters are both nuanced and simple so the overall story carries a wonderful balance.  And with the irreverent, slightly immature, witty humor?  I'm just...gone.  I adore it.  And I've already re-read it four times.

With this story in particular, we're in the same world of the dragons in Dragon Kin, just in another part of the world and we get to focus on a human and the centaurs she meets all because of a quietly power hungry sibling no one ever expected much of.  I really love Keeley, how her thoughts are always of her forge and her family, that her daydreams are of what she can create from her own hands and fire.  Despite her difficult relationship with Gemma, it does get sorted in the end once they both drop their prejudices and expectations and just express their feelings, the banter and "arguments" between every other character fit with the characters themselves as well as with the author's style.  Keeley in particular is positive, loyal, determined, and just scared enough to balance out her desire to do what's best with what's possible.

Well, what's possible in this world is nothing short of fantastic.  She meets amazing creatures, amazing characters, and her adventure is more about forging her own path to becoming the kind of queen the world needs to combat her brilliant yet soulless sister.  The story follows that journey and the romance is kind of a consequence of getting to know one another in all kinds of situations.  That's something I absolutely adore about this author's stories, that lust and getting it on is rarely the first thing that happens when there's a saga to be had.

Characters are well-formed, connections are made, and the relationship is often based on a believable foundation.  When species live as long as they do in this world, it would be a shallow connection and a horrendous future they'd face as mates if it weren't strong and real before adding all the sexy times.  The romance does take a bit of a back seat in this story and I feel that was absolutely appropriate for not only the MC's, but for the whole saga that's to come.  It's a part, not the focus, and I CANNOT WAIT for more!

*$6.99 on Amazon

The Old King Is Dead
 
With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophecy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.
 
Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned …

Daddy Ink: Get Ink'd Book 1, Ali Lyda

I honestly wish I could have rounded this up for Javi because even though he was gruff and shut down quite a lot, there just wasn't enough here for me to love and recommend.

The story started off interesting enough with two men I really wanted to get to know.  Unfortunately it was pretty much a non-issue after that because neither man truly inspired me.  Javi had more potential for me because he was misunderstood, had an awesome package and a bit of damage on the inside that could have been worked into some amazing growth and vulnerability.  Except Gordo pretty much walked all over that and Javi let him for far too long.  With so much hot/cold back and forth and very little genuine warmth to build on, there wasn't a whole lot to go from and convince me they belonged together.

Gordo didn't charm me hardly at all.  I know he struggled, I'm a single parent and totally get how tough it is sometimes, but his attitude just wasn't understandable and virtually every problem in the relationship stemmed from his attitude and his treatment of Javi.  I lost interest in him so very quickly.

Javi's complications and vulnerabilities were touching in the beginning, but then they almost became excuses for his own behavior of running away and shutting down.  The Big-Mis was predictable and he proved himself cliche and impulsive in an exaggerated reproduction of his actions all throughout the story up to that point.  And then there was the accident.  It really served no point other than to put him in a physically vulnerable place and to keep him sitting still long enough for Gordo to catch up to him and do the whole explanation/insufficient groveling thing.

I just wished for a different resolution, a different journey to get to an admittedly sweet ending.  They became the family they were meant to be and while the premise promised amazing things and intriguing characters, it wasn't an easy road to get there and I didn't find myself wanting to travel it with them.

*$5.99 on Amazon

He’s raising a baby, not looking for love …

I don’t want a serious relationship, and certainly not with the single dad next door. But one look at Gordo? I’m smitten. Even though I might be a tough looking tattoo artist, I know that the ink does a lot to hide my own insecurities. It doesn’t matter how much Gordo seems to like me - I can’t bring myself to make a move.

Talking has never come easy to me - and I mean that literally. But Gordo doesn’t seem fazed by my speech problems or the mess in my head, and soon we’re forming a deep connection. But I learned a long time ago that nothing lasts forever … and when a blast from Gordo’s past shows up, it proves that everything was too good to be true.

At least, that’s what the old me would say. This time, I know that Gordo and his little baby are worth fighting for. I’m willing to walk through fire to get what I want. But can a tattoo artist with a checkered past really be any guy’s happily ever after?

A Bit of Me, Kent Lowe

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

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

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

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

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

*$4.99 on Amazon

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

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

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

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

$2.99 on Amazon

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

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

A Different Kind of Chemistry: Nerds and Tattoos Book 1, Ashlynn Mills

A bit more telling than showing than I like and the flow of the writing felt a bit stilted and sometimes repetitive.  I felt like I was reading something a bit more New Adult rather than Contemporary because both men felt so much younger than they are.  It was mostly because of how they expressed themselves, the immaturity and petulance, the quick-to-forgive when the hurts were pretty huge, and the simplistic way everything played out.

Maverick has a complicated and difficult dating history and while I understand the harsh way he treats Casey comes from his fear, he really does say and do some horrible things.  Casey's reaction to them is understandable and justified, but what isn't understandable to me is how quickly things are reconciled.  There's a severe lack of groveling for my tastes and when they get down to the big emotional reveal, it's simplified, truncated, and emotionless.

We read that Casey can see Maverick's pain in his eyes and demeanor, but it feels more like something Casey is reading into and that we believe because we've heard Maverick's side in his POV and yet objectively it doesn't connect.  And I'm not sure what the tattoo client addition was after his big conversation with Casey.  Perhaps to show his change?  To me it doesn't really matter, it just felt awkward, forced, and unnecessary.

Casey's acknowledgment of how long they've known one another and the assurance that issues like Maverick's history isn't owed to him is wise and I appreciated that.  There was a big build up and quite a lot of dickish reactions from Maverick so the truncated romantic evolution through the majority of the book felt immature, rushed, and simplistic, but Maverick's confession of both knowing where his fear came from and his clarity with which he sees the future he wants with Casey was wonderful.  It was both hopeful and realistic.

The progress that follows is slow because there's so much detail, especially regarding a lot of steam to make up for all their lost time, but it's sweet and shows us sides of both men that I wasn't sure I expected.  And with an epilogue that was full of as much feeling as theirs, it was worth the wait.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Casey's social life is much like his love life, non existant. He is constantly playing it safe and it is no longer working for him. After another date gone wrong, he finds himself stepping in a world completely foreign to him when walking into a small bar trying to drink his rejection away. Never did he think he would find something in that bar that would change his world forever, but his mind never stops thinking about that sexy tattooed stranger with the mesmerizing eyes. He tries to forget his heated moment with the stranger he will never see again, but Maverick keeps appearing in more places than just his dreams.

Maverick has rules for a reason and has been doing so well sticking with them until a nerdy science geek has him questioning everything. Maverick won't be the reason for destroying another person and everytime he looks at Casey, he is reminded more and more of his haunting past. This can only end in disaster because people like Maverick were never meant to fall in love with people like Casey, but like a moth to a flame, the adorable red head has him always coming back for more.

When two worlds collide , will they be able to let go of their past insecurities and fall into the unknown, or will Maverick continue to let his past hold him back from the one thing he wants the most.

Be Fairy Game: Starfig Investigations Book 2, Meghan Maslow

Being right isn't always a great thing.  That goes for what I was anxious about for this book as well as Twig and Quinn.  The ability to say "I told you so," doesn't feel great when you were hoping for so much more.  There were some incredibly sweet sentiments expressed, a few humorous scenes, and an incredible amount of potential for the series as a whole so the story isn't a total miss, there were just also some immensely disturbing scenes that left me feeling icky and not altogether comfortable.

What I was right about in my fears expressed in my review for book one is the relationship dynamic between Twig and Quinn.  In the name of "empowering" Quinn and not following a more stereotypical dominance dynamic Quinn continually undermines Twig's decisions, makes him doubt his intentions, belittles his instincts, hurts his feelings, and dismisses his fears.  Quinn has lowered in my estimations as a good partner for Twig.

Their whole relationship is a struggle for me, actually.  I'm still in love with their potential and I'm having a difficult time reconciling that with the reality.  There are so many, too many, times that their whole dynamic is brought up to dissect only to be dismissed or interrupted and it leads to too many moments of doubt, hurt, and unresolved frustrations.  There's a power thing going on that's taking a back seat to Quinn's consistent need for secrecy and putting his struggles, his feelings, and his issues above Twig's.  I'm not a fan.

One scene that gave me all kinds of icky feels was where Twig's first time with catching was under the influence of an incubus' magic crazy dust and Quinn's inability to care for Twig.  He's lucid enough to get acknowledge the effect of the powder and to get them to a relatively private space, but once again, his desires, his situation, is far more important than all the fear and hesitation that Twig has expressed over months of being together before this moment.  Just no.  So many times, no.  And then for Twig to reassure and comfort and seek out Quinn's well-being...this can only be a bad thing in the long run.

I don't want to make this a ranty review where it seems I don't like the story because I actually do in a general way and in the view of a series as a whole with fascinating characters and shenanigans that were quite entertaining (Bill's fear of garden gnomes, anyone?).  So in the interest of keeping the ranty bits short, I'll briefly mention the other things that bothered.  Twig's father, the too-quick-to-forgive moment with his mother, the surprising lack of empathy from Twig as we, once again, defer to Quinn's sense of right and wrong when it comes to feeling for and helping misunderstood beings (Twig should be the ring-leader in seeking to help and liberate instead of being uber judgy and needing Quinn to remind him of his own perception parallels), the lack of Twig's backbone with his father's discrimination and machinations, the lack of connections made between really obvious stuff...  I think there are a couple more, but that's quite enough, I feel.

While I don't know how I feel about focusing on Quinn in the next story, I am excited to see where this series is going.  And Bill, his yearning is palpable and when he's not acting like a preachy queen I'm absolutely in love with him and hope to see him get the being who will love him.  Bill's mention of Twig's scent is incredibly intriguing and I'll absolutely stick with this until we get that answer...there are a whole lot of little foretelling bits in relation to Twig and his eventual growth and power that I'm absolutely champing at the bit for and can only hope don't come through Quinn's power or control, but from him on his own and within himself.  I want to see Twig's brain truly engage and to find out what his fae gift is.

The list of things I'm looking forward to is arguably longer than the things that bothered me in this book so it's safe to say that I'm definitely in for more and am committed to sticking with the series and I'll be holding out hope that Twig and Quinn get it together in a way that makes me feel warm and fuzzy instead of apprehensive.

*$4.99 on Amazon

They’re baaacckk!

When a simple ‘find & fetch’ case throws private investigator Twig Starfig and newly-minted wizard, Quinn Broomsparkle, into the middle of an EBI murder investigation, it’s just another day in the Elder Realm.

If murder were Twig’s only problem, he’d be the luckiest half-dragon in the land. Murder he can handle. Fulfilling his promise to his scheming, power-hungry father to run for a seat on Lighthelm’s city council? Meh, he’d rather face a demon with a toothache.

On top of their case going sideways, and Twig running for a council seat he really doesn’t want, Twig and Quinn are forced to face some unpleasant realities about their budding romance, while still learning how to handle the wizard-familiar bond they now share. Throw in a red fury with abysmal taste in boyfriends, a ghost pirate-parrot who drinks too much, a murderer who will stop at nothing to get what they want, a host of new friends and enemies, and you’ve got a situation where no one is safe and everyone is Fairy Game.