Archives for February 3, 2025

* Review * HERO’S HEART by Janie Crouch

February 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Hero's Heart by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on February 2, 2025
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He was out of the game.
He should've stayed that way.

When a former FBI colleague asks Callum Webb to rescue the kidnapped daughter of an American bigwig in eastern Europe, Callum’s just got one word for him...

No.

Okay, actually two words: hell, no.

Callum is out of the international law enforcement game and has been for a long time. He’s happy in his role as gruff sheriff of the tiny town of Oak Creek, Wyoming. Even if the job doesn’t keep his nightmares at bay.

Plus, rescuing a spoiled heiress is not high on Callum’s bucket list.

When he ends up being the only viable option, Callum knows he’s not going to let a young woman die so he prepares for one last daring mission.

But nothing is what it seems, and this mission will change Callum’s life forever in more ways than one..

Unputdownable goodness! Crouch is delivering on a hero that her fans have loved for years and Hero’s Heart does NOT disappoint! Die hard fans will of course recognize former Omega Sector agent turned Oak Creek Sheriff Callum Webb and be delighted to not only reconnect with him, but see him be rewarded with a second happily ever after. I loved Sloane from the minute she stepped onto the pages and we slowly began to realize what was happening to her. She was strong and sincere and I really enjoyed seeing her get happiness in the end. This book is filled with suspense and lots of heart. Great characters, quality depth of emotion and a gorgeous happily ever after. Loved them!

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in this series and the prior mentioned series to anyone who enjoys top notch, easily relatable characters to ease you through a high impact storyline.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BREWING UP A BAD BOY by Katherine Garbera

February 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BREWING UP A BAD BOY by Katherine Garbera

Brewing Up a Bad Boy by Katherine Garbera
Series: WiCKed Sisters #3
Published by Afterglow Books by Harlequin on January 21, 2025
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A tea shop owner good girl and a reformed microbrewer bad boy reunite in this wonderfully wicked love story.

Sometimes the second sip is sweetest.

In the cozy town of Birch Lake, tea shop owner Poppy Kitchener thought she’d left her mistakes, and her failed marriage, in the past. But when her ex-husband, Alistair Miller, turns up—as charming and irritatingly handsome as ever—those old feelings float to the surface. To top it off, he has a puzzling proposition: pretend they’re still married for his cousin’s wedding in exchange for a lucrative business deal with his family.

Easy enough, right? After all, this could be Poppy’s last chance to get closure, grow her business and use Alistair’s knowledge of microbrewing to help her finish that winning recipe for the tea competition.

But even after all this time, he still knows how to make her laugh. And he’s changed in ways that make Poppy wonder about the man he’s become… Can she trust this new Alistair with her heart, or will a second chance brew up disaster?

Delightfully whimsy! The third book in Garbera’s WiCKed Sisters series is bringing Poppy to the forefront and reuniting her with the ex who she never forgot. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, so I felt a little adrift in the background of the tea shop and the friends by her side. I could have used a bit of a catch up on who was who and how they were connected to get a full enjoyment of the set up, but the drama involving Poppy and Alistair was quick to catch my attention. The main plot was interesting and I was invested in their outcome throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing him reconnect with his brother a bit as well. Good premise, fun characters and an enjoyable ending.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE SOUTHERN CHARMER by Janice Maynard

February 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE SOUTHERN CHARMER by Janice Maynard

The Southern Charmer by Janice Maynard
Series: Blossom Branch #3
Published by Canary Street Press on January 28, 2025
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Second time’s the charm.

When a guy leaves your best friend at the altar, you should hate him. Avoid him. You definitely shouldn’t fall for him…right? But when Gabby Nolan runs into her BFF’s ex, Jason Brightman, eighteen months after the wedding that wasn’t, one thing is certain: the secret crush she had on him in college—the one Gabby worked hard to bury—is still very much alive and kicking.

What’s worse is that Jason is no longer the immature, privileged boy he once was. The man who stands before Gabby now is thoughtful, self-aware and somehow more handsome than ever. But none of that changes the fact that Gabby shouldn’t be looking in the first place. Unlike Jason, Gabby has worked hard to climb to where she is, something he could never understand. The last thing she wants is to derail everything she’s accomplished for a guy.

Except Gabby isn’t the only one who’s been carrying a torch, and Jason’s efforts to make her smile are working entirely too well. Maybe yesterday’s mistakes can lead to a promising future—as long as the baggage they’re both carrying isn’t too much to bear.

A visit to Blossom Branch is always a delight! Maynard is quick to have her readers invested in the story as we are reminded of Cate’s earlier book when she was jilted by Jason but found love with Harry and now Jason is back and her BFF Gabby is finding him hard to resist. The backstory makes this book compelling right from the start even if you haven’t been following the series but if you have, you’re going to love watching Jason be redeemed right before your eyes. I loved him with Gabby and I really enjoyed their story. The characters are refreshingly down-to-earth and face real life issues with grace and healing. I occasionally wanted to shake Gabby and tell her to get it together when she gave him the run around one too many times, but I loved how they overcame it all in the end. Well developed and heartwarming!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a tight-knit small town where love finds a way no matter what the roadblocks it might face.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THIRD WHEEL by Golden Angel

February 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Third Wheel by Golden Angel
Series: Masters of Marquis #9
Published by Golden Angel LLC on January 28, 2025
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It only took one man to shatter her heart. It will take two to put it back together.

When the 'happiest' day of her life ends in humiliating betrayal, Amy turns to the one man she can still trust. Inside the club, Zach is her best friend and platonic top... and longtime crush, if she's being completely honest, though she would never act on those feelings.

Especially not now that Zach and his ex-boyfriend, Kincaid, just got back together.

Homeless and heartbroken, Amy is starting her life over by moving into the men's guest room. As she begins to heal, her imagination starts running wild with inappropriate thoughts about her handsome hosts. She can't escape the fantasies of joining Zach and Kincaid in bed, relishing the feel of being under them, and the ecstasy of being between them.

But Amy's double daydreams would never come true. After all, no one's happily-ever-after ever included a third wheel... especially one as broken as her.

Super steamy, heartfelt and oh so satisfying! The fun with the Masters of Marquis just keeps getting hotter and I’m loving every minute of each and every one of them. The set up for the emotional turmoil in this book is front and center as it kicks off and I was immediately hooked on Amy’s plight. Once Zach and Kincaid came into the picture and I got to know them, I was adoring them all separately and all together. Great build up and follow through and the characters were well developed with each having a support system and interesting back story. I loved their story so hard!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys reading about and diving heart first into the BDSM lifestyle and meeting this tight knit group of friends who always support each other and love hard while doing it. *NOTE* Must be okay with BDSM and bisexual MMF to enjoy this book.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BOUND AND BLITZED by Gina Azzi

February 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BOUND AND BLITZED by Gina Azzi

Bound and Blitzed by Gina Azzi
Series: Knoxville Coyotes Football #4
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on January 27, 2025
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Knoxville Coyotes Quarterback Avery Callaway is a football legend.

And he thinks I’m a stalker.

I promise, I'm not. Turns out we just happen to live in the same building.

Besides, I know men—athletes—like Avery. Egocentric, undeniably charming, downright gorgeous.

I dated one once. Until he broke my heart.

But that was a long time ago and I’m a smarter, more driven, and disciplined woman because of it.

In fact, I’m only in Tennessee to get my PhD in ornithology.

So what's the problem? My visa is tied up in red tape, I’m at risk of losing the career of my dreams, and Avery Callaway is proposing to marry me.

I know his reasons are selfish, and his motive is personal.

I know our marriage is just an arrangement.

I need to remember that as Avery shows up for me in ways I never anticipate.

He makes me feel seen and cherished. Cared for and loved.

But is it real?

Or is being bound to the quarterback a blitz neither of us sees coming?

A shining redemption! Azzi is pouring on the feels with book four in her Knoxville Coyotes Football series and watching Avery Callaway (who we all sort of loved to hate in his ex-girlfriend Mila’s story when she fell for Devon) is finally meeting his match and waking up to make up for his poor behavior in the past. I was able to overlook his youthful transgressions to actually like him and enjoy him with Lena. Great characters, fun plot and lots of fun moments as they work their way towards forever.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a fast paced sports romance with a guaranteed happily ever after and lots of camaraderie and romance along the way.

Filed Under: Book Reviews