Snow Time for Love: Tales of the Circle Book 3.5

After becoming curious about the slightly off-putting realtor in Heart from the same series, I was weirdly interested in reading his story.  What we got could be sweet so some, sexy to others, but mostly it was rushed and disturbing to me.

To start, did we have to read about Ralph boning his FBuddy with only about an hour and a half of reading in the whole book?  Couldn't we have just started with the morning after?  It was so uncomfortable for me to read the rest of the short story because I was already having a graphic display of what he got up to with one guy in the morning and am expected he comes to love another guy by the end of the night.

Sure, he knew the guy he fell for and was always attracted to him, but the transition from attracted business colleagues to lovers and more felt jarringly abrupt and icky.  Add in the flashback to Ralph's initial come-on to Bo and I'm seriously anti-Ralph on the basis of his behavior just not being okay no matter how much his heart yearns for love.  He's constantly making inappropriate and over-the-line propositions that I can't take him seriously.

Bo, on the other hand, was a bit different because he was sweeter, more earnest, and was in a position to give in to his attraction and did so in a way that was more genuine.  I just liked him better.  That's not to say I didn't feel that "love" came too soon, it just felt more organic from Bo's end.

But honestly the whole thing felt like we were racing to the finish and the subtleties and growth were lost in the rush.  There was so much time spent on reminiscing and describing the moments of attraction that I wondered for nearly the whole story if all their feels were just in their heads.  Overall it was sweet, lots of steam, and while it wasn't a bad story, it just made me uncomfortable for too long, was followed by a rushed romance, and then it ended...nicely.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Lonely for company, Realty-Man Ralph seeks to celebrate a pricey property flip with his favorite contractor, Bo. But Bo is afraid Ralph will discover he’s squatting in the house they’re currently renovating. A winter storm is coming, and the forecast is heavy snow… with a chance of tequila, Chinese food, and love.

Dark Alpha's Obsession: Reapers Book 11, Donna Grant

If you're engaged in the series and have read from the beginning, including the Dark Kings' that precedes and also runs concurrent to the Reapers' series, this fits right in and though short and not filled with a ton of detail, it does bridge the gap and give us a really exciting change that's going to really shake up their world going forward.

This story felt different in that it wasn't complicated with a billion secrets, side stories, and subplots, it was straightforward with one particular situation that needed recon with a couple surprises along the way. One surprise was Fianna. Her strength and vulnerability were perfectly matched to Rordan's vigilance and quiet strength. Though I will admit, Fianna's strength and general badassery was lost along the story outside of the one sparring session and was a bit of a letdown. On the other hand, until she responded to that one call, she really did do what she promised and I loved her for it. Too many times you have the TSTL moment that puts them and everyone else in more danger than necessary because they saw fit to broke their promise.

And then there was surprise number two where Rordan's past came back to, not haunt him, but to free him. I absolutely did not see that one coming and I enjoyed it quite a lot. Despite it not ending in the best way, those moments were ones that set this particular story apart from the whole rest of the series and made it even more unique. Adding in the other unique bit with how the Reaper reveal info came about, and this became a story to appreciate instead of just enjoy for a few passing moments.

So keeping in mind that this is absolutely part of the series and not a standalone, it really worked. On its own it was simple and really light on information, discovery, and action, but there were enough moments of conflict to move the overall plot along. I'm definitely looking forward to what's coming next.

*$4.99 on Amazon

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…

When Erith directs me to infiltrate the enemy and topple them from within, I immediately accept the challenge. I figure it’ll be easy until a stunning warrior goddess crosses my path and diverts my attention. The problem? She’s in league with those I was sent to take down. However, I soon discover there is more to her than meets the eye and quickly find my mission divided: disband this new group of Fae Others and save the gorgeous Light from her family—and herself. All it takes is one look, one conversation to know that she’s mine, and I will chance Death’s displeasure to make it so. But the risks are great. Because when you fall in love with the enemy, more than your heart is on the line.

Love You So Sweetly: Love You So Book 4, Tara Lain

This was...way too similar to Love You So Madly.  A rich guy and a poor guy, one in a committed relationship for most of the story, an insanely fast turnaround from breakup to in love with the other MC, remaking a life/location for the relationship extremely soon after getting together as a grand gesture...far too many similarities and very little transition between the relationships to make either believable.

Unlike Ben making an effort to be around and involve Dusty in a lot of his life, in Remy's case he spent so long dithering and also sending Harper to other admins and departments that he didn't actually have more than a passing acquaintance with the man in order to develop the kind of love they're professing by the end.  I just didn't buy it.  And with almost a deus ex machina saving of Windy Pines that magically solved Merced's grocery business it was just too much with too few pages to do any of it any justice.

I liked the story overall, it wasn't complicated, but it was convoluted and way too rushed to find it truly enjoyable enough to recommend.  My least favorite of the series by far.  Not a bad story, just not one for me.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Can he read his future in a glass of sweet tea?

Remy’s a sophisticated LA billionaire.

Harper’s a rural Arkansas, small town boy.

Remy’s rich.

Harper’s poor.

Remy has a girlfriend.

Harper has a boyfriend.

Harper’s gay.

So’s Remy, he just doesn’t know it yet.

In a desperate effort to save Remy’s family business, the two join forces, but before they can forge a future—they have to let go of the past.

Micah: Love at the Haven Book 3, Stella Shaw

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

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

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

*$4.99 on Amazon

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

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

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

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

Royal Line: Tattered Royals Book 1, Carrie Ann Ryan and Nana Malone

From the start it was easy to tell that London wasn't truly a pampered royal and it was easy to like her right away.  I grew to love her when it was clear that even under duress, while stressed, feeling vulnerable, and nearly blindsided by an unexpected lust for her savior, she didn't run in fear and was absolutely in control of her reasoning.  She knew not to be an idiot about her safety.  While not wanting to give up everything about her life, she could also admit when it was far too dangerous for her to continue and again, not be an idiot about her safety.

Of course, she chafed at the restrictions, but that was completely understandable under the circumstances.  And not just because of the threat nipping at her heels.  I applauded her for chafing at the high handedness of all the men in her life and especially calling Kannon out numerous times about his astonishingly awful behavior.

In fact, I am so, so sad to say that I didn't like Kannon and he never grew on me.  Not even a little.  His attitude was more than just growly lion with a thorn in his paw, a tortured hero with a traumatic past, or even just a plain ol' jerk in unnecessarily large quantities.  He was disrespectful and patronizing and hurtful on so many occasions that not even his groveling near the end nor his confession enough to redeem him for me.

So the romance didn't just fall flat for me, it tanked and I'm incredibly sad about that.  And honestly, everyone except for London, Sparrow, and Rian were Judgy McJudgersons in virtually every aspect and at every opportunity.  I got really tired of that.  Adding in the very, very obvious villain (way, way too many references to how good and obligated they were smacked of trying too hard to direct attention elsewhere) with a lackluster confrontation (insanity and monologuing and a far too descriptive fight scene?) and you've got a 2.5 star story for me.  I rounded it up because London was a woman worth knowing.

The epilogue was incredibly predictable, I mean, the only surprise was the hair color(s).  I can't say I'll be reading the brothers' stories because they really didn't wow me in any way, it was London that was memorable.  Though I will admit that the chemistry was definitely there, it needed a balance of tenderness and affection, not a wishy washy, fickle, woe-is-me martyr of a dude who suddenly decides London is worth a forced plane trip and no counseling to get his issues taken care of before attempting to win her back.

I love Nana Malone and her writing, her characters are usually compelling, the action well-written and complex enough to draw interest, and the love just as palpable as the physical chemistry.  This story did not live up to what I know I'll get from her books.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I never asked for my tiara.

My dreams were always bigger than a palace. They're as big as the world.

Being fourth in line for the throne should have guaranteed me freedom.

I thought I was one step from walking away forever, but a long-forgotten rule forces me to run instead.

I refuse to marry a Duke and bear an heir to save our titles.

I trust my brothers to find a way to save my future, but first I need to save myself.

Only I never expected to meet danger...and Kannon Adams along the way.

I never asked for her.

My security business has secured all the clueless princess types I can handle.

Princess London Waterford of Alden is a whole other level of trouble.

Not to mention gorgeous and tempting as royal sin. Too bad she's also in danger.

When the bullets fly, I trust no one else to protect her, even if she pushes me away.

Together, we must find who's behind the threat to her life and try not to get caught in the crossfire.

One night together might never be enough, but if those who want her dead have a say, it'll be our last.