The Alpha's Fake Mate: Omega Misfits Book 2, Wendy Rathbone

Holland and Orion are made for one another, though neither expects that at all.  Holland is absolutely given the short end of the stick in his life and when his incredibly traumatic experience colors his view drastically, it takes all the patience and interest and determination Orion possesses to give the Omega another chance to see another side, a side that could include love.

Orion is atypical in his desires and also in the way he endeavors to run his inheritance.  Those aspects bring him Holland.  He also has a savior complex that gives Holland exactly what he needs to escape the life that is threatening to suffocate him.  Holland's perspective opens Ori's eyes to a life he never thought twice about.  I really liked their dynamic because it was so very atypical to their society.

There were so many parallels to the plight of women and anything other than a wealthy hetero male and while the references and frustrations were a bit heavy handed, they were still relevant.  Holland had an admittedly horrendous experience and I don't blame his bitterness or dissatisfaction one bit.  What I did have a bit of trouble with was how vitriolic he was, how angry he stayed even when he saw clearly who Ori was and what he did for Holland.  Being upset with the world and encouraging Ori to use his position and wealth to do more was great, but that he took all that anger out on the man he absolutely knew was the exception to his hatred was frustrating.

Everything really did work out for both men and I truly enjoyed their dynamic, it made the story much more interesting.  I would have liked to see a little more into the brothel after various changes were made and for there to be a little more in the way of seeing Holland soften rather than it being a kind of sudden moment.  Those two things would have been appreciated.  Overall I enjoyed the first story in the series more, but am interested to see where we may go from here based on how different Ori and Holland's story was from Kris and Thorne's.

*$3.99 on Amazon

The Alphas think they own everything. Including people. Well, I’m here to say they don’t own me, and I will never let one of those bastards touch me again.

The frenzy of their Burn cannot be trusted. I know from experience. My first time with an Alpha nearly ended in my death. And because of the laws which favor Alpha rights, and place a large number of unbonded, adult Omegas on chattel farms, my abuser can never be tried for his crimes against me.

Omegas are being hurt. Omegas are dying.

All Alphas are violent. Or so I believe. Until I meet Orion.

Ori is everything a guy could want in a mate. Six foot three. Beautiful brown wavy hair. Bright, dark eyes. Muscles like chiseled marble. He even says “please” and “thank you” at all the right times. He’s got it all, except he’s an Alpha.

Though he has given me a room in his home free of charge, and has signed fake paperwork saying we are bonded so I don’t have to answer my attacker’s claim, can I trust him?

But now I’m in danger. If I don’t take a real mate, my life as I know it will be over. Can I believe in the goodness of Ori? Can I learn to love again?

Final Score: Off the Pitch Book 3, Charlie Novak

This story was so much awesome.  I'm sad to see the series end, but it's one that I'd actually go back and re-read from the beginning.  Each one is so wonderfully connected to the rest and yet separate enough to know that each pairing has their own story independent of the sport and team they share.  The lives of the men are just as interesting as their romance and this addition to the series is no different.

Jordan is the feel-good friend that is comfortable with his role, his job, and his decision to keep a certain aspect of his life private.  It's not in shame, which I totally appreciate, it's for a deeper reason that resonates and is believable.  The way he comes out is absolutely in character for him and I really enjoyed the moment.  While it shifted the spotlight and could have been interpreted as a bit selfish and more than a little ill-thought spontaneity, it worked for all the characters involved because of who they all are, their comfort levels, and Jordan knowing both what's in his heart and what his friends needed in that moment.  There's something wonderfully insightful about him that endears him to me even more.  I genuinely liked him.

Felix was a little more difficult to fall in love with right away because the chip on his shoulder made him seem a bit more defensive and a little to callous with his playboy attitude.  That quickly went away after we see him become fascinated by Jordan.  There were no other partners once they came to an understanding, even if exclusivity wasn't discussed.  It was a bit of an insecurity and concern on an individual basis regarding their thoughts of commitment from one another, but it wasn't actually something to worry about.  Having both POV's was super helpful in alleviating any concerns I had as a reader about this.

Their conflict was more of the heart and reconciling not only their feelings for one another, but their feelings regarding the sport that is so much a part of their lives.  Watching Felix come to terms with his own past was really wonderful and his openness with Jordan was exactly what both men needed.  Jordan's situation was unexpected and yet a fantastic way to connect both men and see how connected both of their hearts had become.

I think what I loved most about this story was the fact that the angst was kept at a minimum, the conflict was believable, and both men were captivating on their own before they came together for some seriously steamy awesomeness and balanced it all with tender feels.  The only reason it wasn't 5 stars was because I generally hand those out for all the reasons listed above but including humor...better still if that humor makes me laugh out loud in real life and necessitates putting my reader down so I can have that laugh.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Can one perfect night lead to more?

Jordan Green is too busy for a relationship. With the World Cup looming, his focus is on making the England team, not finding someone to spend his life with. His friends may be settling down, but Jordan’s had enough of planning weddings. All he wants is some fun, and Félix is the perfect person for that… even if he is his boss’s brother.

Félix Trossero is not looking for love. Or a relationship. Or anything beyond tomorrow morning. He’s rich, he’s handsome and he’s incredibly happy with his playboy lifestyle. He doesn’t want anything else. That is, until he runs into one of his former flings at his brother’s football club.

Neither of them want commitment, but neither of them can resist their connection. While Félix is forced to deal with his past, Jordan must face his worst fears. Will they put their hearts on the line for one final score?

Power Switch: Power Play Book 3, Kennedy L. Mitchell

Randi and Trey are back with more danger and lies surrounding them than ever before.

Can they, and their love, survive their enemies?

April 20th, 2020...

Book Two – POWER SWITCH

Release Date: April 20, 2020

Lies. Deceit. Espionage. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg here in DC.
 My boyfriend is fake engaged, I’m pretty sure someone out there is trying to kill me, and now a sexy-as-sin attorney from the Justice Department is investigating me and I have zero clue as to why. Torn between duty and love, I’m not just floundering in my role as VP, I’m drowning.

When the pieces of the president’s plan come to light, I know I have to stop him. Permanently this time. How I’ll get out of this alive, I have no idea, but at least I still have my favorite secret service agent, Trey Benson, by my side—for now.

I’ll do whatever it takes to remove Kyle from office, even if it means sacrificing everything I love. Again.

Power Switch is the third book in the five-book Power Play series and is a continuation of Randi and Trey's epic love story.  Each book CANNOT be read as a standalone. All five books follow one main couple's relationship as it grows through a five-year time period. It's suspenseful, steamy, and oh so unputdownable.

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!
*Pre-order for $2.99!

About Kennedy

Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.

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NEWSLETTER

Project Hero, Briar Prescott

Dang, this was such a cute story!!  It definitely follows the formula for the tropes included so the overall story is lighter, fluffy, and has a fair bit of steam to make it all the better.  There is virtually no angst and the Big Mis is more about reconciling the beginning goals with the feelings for someone different which causes a little heartache, but nothing major and it's easily rectified.  The ending was totally sweet and really worked for both characters as individuals and as a couple.  And with an epilogue that brought them through the years to a truly happily ever after, I was gone.

Andy rambles, is incredibly intelligent, awkward, and more honest than anyone could anticipate, and absolutely adorable.  He's misguided, but it's clear that he doesn't dwell in denial at all and for that I'm grateful.  There are moments where his initial intention wars with his newfound feelings, which is understandable, but the distance that precedes the confessions of feels is on Law rather than Andy.

Law is sweet and earnest and despite his struggles with his family, he's not angst-ridden and doesn't let it carry over into what's growing between him and Andy.  I like that he knows what he wants for his life and even if he's reluctant to come clean to his parents it's not one of those conflicts that make the story overly complicated or overly dramatic.  It's handled off page but revisited in the epilogue in a satisfactory way.

While Falcon was the best friend and original love interest, he wasn't around much and it was pretty telling that their relationship was changing and had always been imbalanced.  I really had zero interest in Falcon right from the start and was glad he didn't take up very much page time.

Ultimately it's all about the fluff, the awkwardness, the acceptance of everything you are and the person that sees it all and wants it all.  I liked both guys and thought they were really well-matched.  The story was just the right kind of sweet that I needed for a quick pick-me-up.

*99¢ on Amazon!

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What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy?
Andy:
If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover. Change everything about myself so that when Falcon returns from his summer vacation, he can finally see I’m the love of his life. I totally know what I’m doing here.
Well, not really.
If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn’t look like every nerd cliché wrapped into one awkward package.
In short, I’m screwed.
But then Law Anderson enters the picture…

Law:
It’s all very simple. I need somebody to tutor my hockey team, and Andy needs somebody to help him with his crush. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
Only the more time I spend with Andy, the more I like this quirky guy who makes me laugh, and pretty soon I’m the one who’s tutoring Andy in way more than we initially agreed upon.
It’s fine.
I have it all under control.
But as weeks pass and the chemistry between us turns explosive, I’m starting to think that I might be in way over my head with Andy.
If only I could make Andy realize that he doesn’t need to change himself for love. If only I could make Andy see that he just needs to be with somebody who has considered him perfect all along…

The Parable of the Mustard Seed, Lisa Henry

Wow.  Not an easy story by any means.  Healing from trauma is never easy and Caleb has it rougher than most.  The man who loves him suffers right along with him with a tenderness and compassion that is not only admirable, it's enviable.  To know exactly what you're protecting and then to eventually fall into the love that gripped your heart for years is so very sweet.  While it's more bitter than sweet for John and Caleb until the past is finally put to rest, it's a rough journey with a forever after full of hope and promise.

I enjoyed John's character quite a lot.  The entire story is told from his perspective with chapter introductions serving as the flashbacks that give appropriate insight and background.  Because we get so much from him we find out what kind of man he is and why we want him to take a chance with Caleb.  There were frustrating moments when it felt like we were just rereading a reworded scene because the sentiments were reiterated again and again and over again.  What I appreciated was his emotional honesty.  He knew he was struggling, he knew the dangers of becoming romantically involved with Caleb, he acknowledged his failings, he gave Caleb both freedom and support as often as he could, and he was under no illusions about Caleb's condition and the future of that condition.

Caleb was more pitiable because we see his plight through the lens of one who is there to pick Caleb up when he struggles.  We get to see the fallout of his past.  We see the consequences of others' cruelty.  What we don't see is his emotional turmoil or growth.  If all that is the roller coaster of his mental state were included in the story we'd have a much darker, angst-ridden story that would likely have been much longer as well.  I'm glad we were spared that because all of these men deserve more positivity than they've been dealt thus far.  All this just means that we don't really get to know Caleb through any other lens than John's.  His ability to see reality as well as Caleb's heart is good, just one-sided.

As for the villains that both bring John and Caleb together and show up at the end, they're totally evil.  I don't know that needed what happened to go down the way it did, but it did do quite a lot to vanquish the threat of Caleb's demons returning.  We spent a long, long time with the minutiae that made up the mental process that led John into Caleb's eager arms and while that wasn't all bad, it just felt a little drawn out and repetitive at times.

This wasn't an easy story.  I'm glad we didn't find any magical cures or solutions to Caleb's struggles because that's just not reality.  I like that there was a true grounding in all the complications and permanence and ups and downs of mental anguish.  I especially like that there was so much love and hope.  Life isn't easy, but both of these men found the partner that could love them through all that life throws their way.

*$4.99 on Amazon

The past never stays buried forever.

John Faimu is an Australian-Samoan police officer who deals with hurt kids every day. He loves what he does, but he’s tired of the grind of shift work, and of trying to find a balance between his job, his family, and the young man who straddles the increasingly blurry line between both.

Caleb Fletcher was the teenager John saved from a cult eight long years ago, and he’s now the young man John wants in ways that neither of them should risk.

Eight years after his rescue, Caleb is still struggling with PTSD and self-harm. John has always been his rock, but now Caleb wants more. Can he convince John to cross a line and love him the way they both crave? And when the monsters from Caleb’s past come back seeking to silence him for good, will John’s love be enough to save him?