Archives for February 24, 2023

* Review * ANNOYED AT FIRST SIGHT by Lani Lynn Vale

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ANNOYED AT FIRST SIGHT by Lani Lynn Vale

Annoyed At First Sight by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Gator Bait MC #4
on February 28, 2023
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The first time Cassius Ulysses Costas met Alice Paradis, she was in a string bikini and filling up a long line of boats that were there just to see her. She was eighteen and every man’s wet dream.

Even his.

For the longest time, he went out of his way to stay as far away from her as he could get without actually taking his eyes off of her. For years, he was the better person. He played his hand close, and not a single person would know just how obsessed he was with her.

Then he goes to prison and comes out a man that couldn’t care less about anyone or anything, least of all what someone thought of him and his actions. But not one second while he was behind bars did he forget about Alice.

He tries to stay away. For a few long months, he fights his every instinct to make her his. But, as if the universe is conspiring against him, Alice is thrown into his path time after time, instance after instance.

And his resolve is waning. Fast.

In one last ditch effort to stay away, he walks away, hoping making her mad enough will force her to do the work for him.
However, when Alice is attacked, it isn’t Cassius’s harsh words she remembers, but the way he makes her feel safe.

Soon, the very last thing he’ll do is let her walk away. He did the right thing, and that didn’t work out. Now, it’s time for him to embrace the wrong.

What a ride! The fourth book in the Gator Bait MC series had me quickly hooked and wanting more as twists and turns for both Cassius and Alice keep the book exciting and unputdownable. The characters are good-hearted and sincere and the turmoil they each face only brings them closer together. Her family makes for a good bit of entertainment.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a tight-knit group of guys who have formed a brotherhood based on situation and always have each others backs as each one succumbs to their happily ever after.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * CANNON by Sawyer Bennett

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Cannon by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #6
Published by Big Dog Books, LLC on February 28, 2023
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Cannon West left his hockey playing days behind to care for his dying wife but has since found success on the other side of the bench. Now, as the youngest head coach in league history, he’s hoping to lead the Pittsburgh Titans to a winning season. The last thing he’s looking for is a relationship, but life sometimes takes us in another direction.

The Pittsburgh Titans are still working to move on from the tragic plane crash that forever changed the landscape of their organization. Having lost my wife, I know all about grief and the guilt of survival which makes me uniquely equipped to take this team to the next level. From the very first time I stepped inside the Titans’ arena, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.

New to town, I’m still establishing my routine, but I have the most important aspect under control—the coffee shop where I stop on my way to the arena every morning. A strong cup of java and the gorgeous manager who I can’t help but chat up is quickly becoming my favorite way to start the day. But no matter how much I enjoy the blush that stains Ava Cavanaugh’s cheeks with my admittedly awkward attempt at flirting, I know it will never be more than brazen banter with a new friend. My job consumes almost all my time, and I know firsthand what that level of commitment can do to a relationship.

That doesn’t mean I’m not open to some fun. My career comes first, but Ava understands my boundaries. The only problem is that once I give into her temptation, the rules I set for myself become blurred, and my mixed signals hurt Ava—the one thing I promised I wouldn’t do. I’ve put myself in what seems to be an untenable situation, but I’ve faced those before. Now I need to find the strength to move past my fears, or risk losing my second chance at love with the woman who has stolen my heart.

Emotionally tempting! The sixth book in Sawyer Bennett’s Pittsburgh Titans hockey series is centering around the new head coach and the lady who has caught his eye. The characters are kindhearted and endearing and the backstories are attention grabbing. I loved seeing Cannon get his happily ever after and can’t wait for more to come in the series.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a hockey romance with a whole lot of healing happening behind the scenes as a team is resurrected and love and friendships are forged.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * COLD BLOODED LIAR by Karen Rose

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLD BLOODED LIAR by Karen Rose

Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose
Series: The San Diego Case Files #1
Published by Berkley on February 28, 2023
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Sam Reeves is a kindhearted psychologist who treats court-ordered clients. After one of his patients—a pathological liar—starts revealing plausible new details from a long-unsolved serial murder case, he’s compelled to report anonymously to the SDPD tip line, though his attempts to respect patient confidentiality land him facedown and cuffed by the aggressive (and cute) Detective McKittrick.

San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick loves the water. She lives on a boat, and when she’s not solving crimes with the SDPD, she’s assisting her foster sister with her charter fishing business or playing with her poodle. But there’s nothing that intrigues Kit more than a cold case, so when an anonymous caller leads her on the path of a wanted killer, she’s determined to end the decade-long manhunt.

Sam is soon released but goes home with both a newfound distaste for the SDPD and a resolve—not unlike Kit’s—to uncover the truth. Kit and Sam repeatedly butt heads in their separate investigations but are forced to work together to find one of the deadliest serial killers the city has faced in years.

Electrifying chemistry and undeniable angst! Karen Rose is taking her reader for a wild ride into the heart of murder and mayhem with the first book in her brand new series, The San Diego Case Files and you won’t want to miss a single heart-wrenching moment! The stage is set from the very first page with a backstory filled with despair that leads Kit McKittrick to become a homicide detective who puts her heart and soul into solving as many cases as she can. There’s a whole lot of procedural bits about this case as it unravels but there’s also so much heart as friendships and familial love shines bright. I loved every minute of this book and cannot wait for more to come in the series!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HERO’S RISK by Gina Azzi

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hero's Risk by Gina Azzi
Series: Tennessee Thunderbolts #5
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on January 3, 2023
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Nine years ago, Celine Hernandez broke my heart. Eight years ago, she stomped on it for good measure. When Celine moved to LA after high school, I enlisted in the Marines.

After an honorable discharge, I’m home, in Tennessee, living out my dream as a professional hockey player. Now, she’s back in our hometown, filming a movie, and reminding me of a past I’ve tried to forget.

She’s got her name up in lights. She’s shining so bright; she’s acting like she never left. Celine’s everywhere I go — visiting my Gran, having coffee dates with my sister — and forcing me to remember a time when life wasn’t so harsh. When I was whole and thriving. Happy.

But I can’t trust those feelings anymore. I’m not the same man Celine remembers. I’ve lost too much, grieved too hard, and am too broken down for do-overs.

Is my ex-everything a risk my heart can handle? Or is our second chance more sacrifice than salvation?

Emotional and heartwarming! With the fifth book in her always entertaining Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey series Gina Azzi delights her readers with a little more angsty of a character than we are typically used to from her. Beau comes back from the Marines a changed man after all he has seen and done while serving his country and seeing him begin to heal both from the love of family, friends and teammates as well as being reunited with the love of his life is really sweet as a backdrop to the sizzling romance occurring between him and Celine. Filled with heart, humor and happily ever afters!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * FRIENDS … WITH CONSEQUENCES by Jules Bennett

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FRIENDS … WITH CONSEQUENCES by Jules Bennett

Friends...with Consequences by Jules Bennett
Series: Business and Babies #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on February 21, 2023
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“Why do you have to be the one I can’t stay away from?”

CEO Zane Westbrook is Nora Monroe’s boss, her best friend’s brother…and after one unexpected night, the father of her baby! Moving in with Zane so he can take care of her is one thing—sharing his bed (again!) is quite another. Suddenly, Nora’s doing both, and the nights sizzle. But can their deepening bond survive Zane’s brother discovering their betrayal?

Love when they least expect it! The first book in Jules Bennett’s Business and Babies series is sure to please as it has a best friend’s brother story and a surprise baby trope all rolled into one! I loved the characters and the back story they each came into this relationship with made for a satisfying backdrop as they wove their way into a relationship. Looking forward to what’s still to come in the series!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * DECKER by Kat Mizera

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Decker by Kat Mizera
Series: Sidewinders: Generations #5
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Up-and-coming hockey star Decker Reese plays hard but works harder. He keeps his head in the game and avoids personal entanglements like the plague. He’s done everything in his power to put his past behind him, and keep his private life just that. The last thing he needs is to fall for a friend of his teammate’s girlfriend, even if she is only in town for the holidays.

Eden Walsh has sworn off men. Her last two relationships blew up in her face and she’s not interested in testing the “third times a charm” theory. Her only focus now that she’s graduated college is moving on. But a short trip to visit her friends goes from relaxing vacation to recovery staycation after a skating accident.

Now she’s stuck in Vegas and the sexy commitment-phobic hockey player keeping her company has her tempted to break all her rules. But when his past gets in the way, is it game over for them both?

A great addition to the series! Decker is the fifth book in the Sidewinders: Generations series and matches Decker up with Eden Walsh who will be familiar to fans of the previous couple of books when her BFF’s met their matches in Van and Slava. I loved every minute of their story and can’t wait for more to come from this band of players. Good character development, lots of drama to hold a reader’s attention and just enough angst to make the love story all the better in the end.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * COWBOY WILD by Maisey Yates

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Cowboy Wild by Maisey Yates
Series: Four Corners Ranch #3
Published by HQN Books on February 21, 2023
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Hunter McCloud is the wildest cowboy of all…until he meets the one woman even more untamed than him…

After growing up around Hunter McCloud, Elsie Garrett considers herself immune to his particular brand of cowboy. Her brother’s best friend is too big, too broad, too everything for comfort. But when relationship-shy Elsie decides it’s finally time for her to get some romantic experience, Hunter suddenly might be useful after all. Maybe he, with his many casual hookups, is the perfect cowboy to teach her how to flirt?

Elsie is the best horse wrangler around, but Hunter can see she doesn’t know anything about men—orphaned as a child and brought up by her brothers, she’s so wild she’s practically feral. But Hunter has always looked out for her, and he’s not about to stop now. Until Hunter realizes he’s playing with fire. Elsie might not understand the chemistry slowly building between them, but he does, and it’s burning stronger and hotter than anything he’s ever experienced. And when Elsie decides to act on it, Hunter knows that it could threaten to consume them both.

A trip to Oregon with a Maisey Yates story is always a joy! The third book in the Four Corners Ranch series is Hunter and Elsie’s story and was quick to catch this reader’s heart. It was slower paced than some in the series and drug a tad but the characters and setting always pick up the slack with this series. Warmth and sass steal the show when this worldly brother’s best friend teaches the spunky youngster a thing or two. I’m looking forward to more to come in this series as always!

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* Review * IT’S ONE OF US by J.T. Ellison

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IT’S ONE OF US by J.T. Ellison

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison
Published by MIRA on February 21, 2023
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Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .

Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.

DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.

As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?

This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .

Riveting from start to finish! J.T. Ellison’s latest is filled with secrets, lies and attention grabbing characters and is guaranteed to hold your attention throughout. It was a tad raw and disjointed and not this author’s normal style, but I found myself quickly hooked and trying to figure out all of the secrets that began to unravel from the very beginning. I enjoyed the hunt for answers and the outcome in the end.

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* Release Blitz * THE BEST MAN’S PROBLEM by Sera Taino

February 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

💙 The Best Man’s Problem

by @serataino is out now! 💙

If you like:

😒😊Grumpy/sunshine

⛓Forced Proximity

🚷Forbidden attraction

💍Wedding shenanigans

🍰Guava cheesecake for breakfast

❄ Snowed-in

Then you NEED this book!

Download here:

https://books2read.com/u/m0EG1J

Add to your TBR on Goodreads here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61928703-the-best-man-s-problem

About the book:

He can’t forget the kiss he shared with the best man.

But is he the best man for him?

His sister’s wedding isn’t the ideal place for Rafael Navarro to reconnect with the man he kissed in a moment of reckless abandon. But it’s impossible to avoid best man Étienne Galois! The gorgeous Haitian photographer hasn’t forgotten the intimate moment they shared, even if Rafi is the most maddening person he’s ever met. Can the two find common ground, proving opposites not only attract—they can become lovers for life?

Filed Under: Release Day Blitz