Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/ Review * ONLY FOR HIM by Natasha Madison

March 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/ Review * ONLY FOR HIM by Natasha Madison

Only For Him by Natasha Madison
Series: Only For #3
on March 13, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Kylie

I learned early in life that love isn’t just given, it’s earned.

Now I’ve decided love isn’t worth it.

At least that type of love.

Until him.

He was broken.

It was safe.

But then I went and did the unexpected.

I fell in love with him, knowing he would never love me back.

Knox

I thought I had it all.

I was playing hockey in the NHL.

Three beautiful kids and a wife who loved me.

Until I walked in on her in bed with my brother-in-law.

Everything I thought I had was a lie.

She was everything I thought I didn’t want, and when I least expected it.

I just hope when I finally figure it out, I haven’t lost her for good.

The next book in Natasha Madison’s Only For Series is sure to please with an enemies to lovers/teammate’s little sister trope and angsty drama galore! We are familiar with both of the main characters from previous books in the series, but if you’re not reading in order, it’s no biggie and you’ll be able to pick up who is who and the past details fairly quickly. Knox is picking up the pieces of his family after his marriage splitting up and Kylie is settling in to help Kirby and Lexi run their brand new foundation. A snarly meet-cute flames the drama quickly and has Knox and Kylie simmering for each other from the start. I enjoyed both characters a lot and felt they were fairly well developed. With her, I wanted a bit more back story to fill in the pieces of what made her leery of love and with him, well, his family was just atrocious and that was very disappointing.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with equal parts team camaraderie and game action with passion and drama as one teammate after another finds their forever love. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

Blurb:

Nothing could prepare them for what was to come.

Kylie
I learned early in life that love isn’t just given, it’s earned.
Now I’ve decided love isn’t worth it.
At least that type of love.
Until him.
He was broken.
It was safe.
But then I went and did the unexpected.
I fell in love with him, knowing he would never love me back.

Knox
I thought I had it all.
I was playing hockey in the NHL.
Three beautiful kids and a wife who loved me.
Until I walked in on her in bed with my brother-in-law.
Everything I thought I had was a lie.
She was everything I thought I didn’t want, and when I least expected it.
I just hope when I finally figure it out, I haven’t lost her for good.

Purchase Link:
https://books2read.com/Only4HimNM

Available in KU

Meet Natasha Madison:

https://linktr.ee/natashamauthor

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the
kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring
kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do
what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A SIDE CHICK by Lani Lynn Vale

March 10, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A SIDE CHICK by Lani Lynn Vale

Not A Side Chick by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #3
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Edith “Eddy” Wheeler was having a bad day.

A no good, very bad day.

It’s understandable, really. I mean, there didn’t seem to be anything worse than walking in on your elderly parents doing things no child should ever see. Add into that their proclivities, and Eddy is disgusted and disturbed.

So of course, after seeing the atrocious things her parents—the pastor and pastor’s wife that are supposed to be holy and a teacher of faith—are into, she makes it her life goal to expose them to their masses. The cult-like following her father has will see him for the man he is—an abuser who gets a sick thrill at seeing his girls suffer.

She will no longer allow the people of Sawtooth, Montana, to think that they’re safe when they’re anything but.

That’s where Weaver Grant comes in.

A sexy lineman who climbs poles for a living, has forearms that can break a woman in mind, body, and soul, and a smile that does things deep inside of her that she refuses to acknowledge just yet.

She has a plan.

A really good one, too.

But that plan dies a thousand deaths when she’s attacked by a bear on a hike that she was using to cleanse her soul. She thought she was supposed to be afraid of men, but that rabid bear showed her a new side of herself.

She spends weeks in the hospital, and a certain hot lineman takes it upon himself to see her healthy again. He never leaves her side. He solves all her problems. And he shows her how a real man treats a woman.

But once she’s healed and her world is once again righted, will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

Vale’s characters always draw you in quickly and take you on the ride of a lifetime! The next book in the Don’t Date Him series brings us Eddy and Weaver. She’s a soccer coach/teacher and he’s a lineman/electrician. He is another of the escaped/thought to be dead convicts and has quite the back story. She’s stumbled across a horror she needs help uncovering. Both characters are very likable and the connection they get upon meeting is instant and sweet. His back story was very emotional and I loved seeing him get to have his life back again. Her drama plays out throughout the book and is very addictive. Well developed characters, lots of angst and so much love and passion.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a redemption story with a guy who deserved better than he got and is making his way into a new life that plans on delivering just that. The storylines are gritty, emotional and heartfelt. Looking forward to more to come in the series!

Title: Not A Side Chick

Series: Don’t Date Him #3

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Grumpy (Her) / Sunshine (Him)

Forced Proximity, Who Hurt You, Small Town

Release Date: March 10, 2026

BLURB

Edith “Eddy” Wheeler was having a bad day.

A no good, very bad day.

It’s understandable, really. I mean, there didn’t seem to be anything worse than walking in on your elderly parents doing things no child should ever see. Add into that their proclivities, and Eddy is disgusted and disturbed.

So of course, after seeing the atrocious things her parents—the pastor and pastor’s wife that are supposed to be holy and a teacher of faith—are into, she makes it her life goal to expose them to their masses. The cult-like following her father has will see him for the man he is—an abuser who gets a sick thrill at seeing his girls suffer.

She will no longer allow the people of Sawtooth, Montana, to think that they’re safe when they’re anything but.

That’s where Weaver Grant comes in.

A sexy lineman who climbs poles for a living, has forearms that can break a woman in mind, body, and soul, and a smile that does things deep inside of her that she refuses to acknowledge just yet.

She has a plan.

A really good one, too.

But that plan dies a thousand deaths when she’s attacked by a bear on a hike that she was using to cleanse her soul. She thought she was supposed to be afraid of men, but that rabid bear showed her a new side of herself.

She spends weeks in the hospital, and a certain hot lineman takes it upon himself to see her healthy again. He never leaves her side. He solves all her problems. And he shows her how a real man treats a woman.

But once she’s healed and her world is once again righted, will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

ALSO AVAILABLE

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

COMING SOON

Releasing April 14

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

AUTHOR LINKS

AMAZON

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FACEBOOK

PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

TIKTOK

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * ALMOST RUINED by Abby Millsaps

February 25, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * ALMOST RUINED by Abby Millsaps

Almost Ruined by Abby Millsaps
Series: Men of Evercrisp Orchard #3
on February 25, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

I told Mercer I’d never forgive him, and I meant every word of that promise.

He hurt Tytus in the most awful, deleterious way while Noah just stood by and let it happen.

All three men in my life have contributed to the toxic, unnecessary agony of our collective heartache, but I’m the one who brought them together. This is all my fault. Everything is ruined, and I have no one to blame but myself.

I almost captured that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I was lucky enough to experience it three times over. But almost has never been enough.

I’ll miss Mercer’s bold, dominant attentiveness just as much as I’ll yearn for Noah’s sweet, gentle brand of care. I’ll spend the rest of my life craving Ty’s intense possessiveness.

It all ends now.

I refuse to choose between them, so I’m opting out entirely. I’d rather break my own heart and mourn the loss of them for the rest of my life than let them hurt each other ever again.

The highly anticipated conclusion to the Men of Evercrisp Orchard trilogy is addictive and attention grabbing for sure! We are quickly thrust back into the turmoil from the cliffhanger of book two and taken on a roller coaster ride for the first couple of chapters to see what the outcome for Tytus is going to be. Sawyer quickly disappointed me and buried her head in the sand and went back to her wild ways to cope with the trauma of the time. I really thought she had grown during her time with Mercer and Noah, but the communication they had instilled in her quickly crumbled. That part of the book in and of itself tainted my enjoyment, and unfortunately she didn’t redeem herself much at all. I loved the connection that Noah manages to forge with Tytus and feel like if the development of the entire story had stayed on that same wavelength it would have flowed much better. Instead, we had a whole lot of her desperation, too much physical emphasis being put forward in the story instead of giving it the depth it needed with some true communication and spoken affirmation of what everyone was feeling, wanting and deserving. Some true therapy needed to be happening here. Overall, I enjoyed the trilogy and was truly hooked throughout to see what was going to happen, but this conclusion needed more depth and growth to make me walk away feeling fulfilled with what this relationship is truly going to be moving forward. I’m walking away with some disappointment.

Almost Ruined by Abby Millsaps is now live!

Mutual destruction makes way for hope and healing in Almost Ruined, the third and final book in the new dark, why choose, college hockey romance series from bestselling author Abby Millsaps.

I told Mercer I’d never forgive him, and I meant every word of that promise.

He hurt Tytus in the most awful, deleterious way while Noah just stood by and let it happen.

All three men in my life have contributed to the toxic, unnecessary agony of our collective heartache, but I’m the one who brought them together. This is all my fault. Everything is ruined, and I have no one to blame but myself.

I almost captured that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I was lucky enough to experience it three times over. But almost has never been enough.

I’ll miss Mercer’s bold, dominant attentiveness just as much as I’ll yearn for Noah’s sweet, gentle brand of care. I’ll spend the rest of my life craving Ty’s intense possessiveness.

It all ends now.

I refuse to choose between them, so I’m opting out entirely. I’d rather break my own heart and mourn the loss of them for the rest of my life than let them hurt each other ever again.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/4nBzkn4

Start reading Almost Ravaged, book 1 in the Men of Evercrisp Orchard series!

https://geni.us/AlmostRavaged

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Lt48ZL

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Re-Release Blitz/Review * ACE by Kat Mizera

February 23, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Re-Release Blitz/Review * ACE by Kat Mizera

Ace by Kat Mizera
Series: Royal Protectors Companion Novel
on February 23, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He lives in the shadows.
She’s the one he never forgot.

Life as a CIA operative is full of danger but it’s also painfully lonely. Living under the radar doesn’t leave room for relationships, let alone the white-picket-fence future she wanted.
There was someone once.
I walked away.
And I never stopped regretting it.
Now my years of service are catching up with me, and I’m finally ready for something different. I just never expected that change to be Shannon—or that she’d be in serious trouble.
One kiss. One mistake. One feeling I can’t shake.
The man in me still wants her.
The soldier in me will protect her at all costs.
She doesn’t want my help. She doesn’t trust the life I live. But I’m done walking away—especially when someone is watching her, closing in, and pushing us toward a confrontation neither of us is prepared for.
Even if saving her means losing her… again.

Author's Note: Ace falls into the Royal Protectors series as book 1.5 and was formerly published under the title "Cocky Protector" as part of the Cocky Heroes Club series.

Suspenseful and quick to catch your attention! This book is a companion novel to Mizera’s Royal Protectors series because he knows and talks with King Erik and company during the book, but this particular story doesn’t have a lot to do with Limaj or the royal family, just a side bit about plans, etc. I was quickly hooked by Shannon’s stalker and on their past connection. There’s a lot to like about their backstory, but there’s also bits that are distracting that didn’t really play out well … like the outcome of who was doing what for what reason. It fell a bit flat. I enjoyed seeing them find their way to each other and get their happily ever after though!

Takes you a ways back in time of the Royal Protectors series and was previously released as Cocky Protector as part of the Cocky Heroes Club series

ACE

Kat Mizera

Release Date: February 23

Available in Kindle Unlimited

He lives in the shadows. She’s the one he never forgot. Life as a CIA operative is full of danger but it’s also painfully lonely. Living under the radar doesn’t leave room for relationships, let alone the white-picket-fence future she wanted. There was someone once. I walked away. And I never stopped regretting it. Now my years of service are catching up with me, and I’m finally ready for something different. I just never expected that change to be Shannon—or that she’d be in serious trouble. One kiss. One mistake. One feeling I can’t shake. The man in me still wants her. The soldier in me will protect her at all costs. She doesn’t want my help. She doesn’t trust the life I live. But I’m done walking away—especially when someone is watching her, closing in, and pushing us toward a confrontation neither of us is prepared for. Even if saving her means losing her… again. This romantic suspense features second-chance love, a protective alpha hero, high-stakes danger, and a woman who may be the key to his redemption—or his undoing. Author’s Note: Ace falls into the Royal Protectors series as book 1.5 and was formerly published under the title “Cocky Protector” as part of the Cocky Heroes Club series. Grab your copy! https://amzn.to/3NR9BuC

Meet Kat Mizera:

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach. Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart. To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/ Connect with Kat Mizera: https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat Hosted By:

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* Release Blitz/Review * ON THE BRINK OF BLISS by A.L. Jackson

February 10, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

On the Brink of Bliss by A. L. Jackson
Series: Moonlit Ridge #5
Published by A.L. Jackson Books Inc. on February 10, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The last thing I expected when I found the trespasser bathing in my river was for it to be her…

Daisy Adair has always been my dream girl. From when we were best friends in high school to finding her now.
A gorgeous mother who shows up on my property with three kids in tow.
But I became a recluse for a reason.
The life I chose is full of wickedness and peril. The last thing I need is the object of my every fantasy invading my space and risking her life because of me.
Only when she tells me she’s on the run from her ex, I promise to do anything to keep them safe, even marry her to protect her kids.
That single kiss at the altar rips through every barrier, our passion unleashed.
Now, living under the same roof blurs the lines I’ve drawn.
Each glance of her down the hall and I am splintering.
Each brush of her hand and I am brought to my knees.
Our future—bright, hopeful, and almost within reach—hovers on the edge of becoming real…
Until we discover the threat surrounding her is grimmer than either of us imagined.
Now I’m fighting to save her and her children before our second chance at forever is burned to the ground…

Such a dramatic and heartfelt conclusion to an amazing series! Book 5 in Jackson’s Moonlit Ridge series finally gives us some answers of why Cash is the way he is. His backstory is powerful and emotional and brings so much depth into the series. Daisy is a sweetheart and I loved her from the very start. Her kiddos are so adorable and added so much joy into their painful storyline. We get a glimpse into the past throughout the book every other chapter or so which isn’t exactly my favorite method of storytelling, but for them it worked without feeling broken up. There’s quite a twist at the end that I wasn’t expecting at all. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a morally gray hero who finds love that he never was looking for but couldn’t deny once it hit. They’re a found family who step up for each other on the regular and love so very hard. Great series with lots of turmoil, danger, emotion and passion. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys again down the road!

On the Brink of Bliss by A.L. Jackson is now live!

A sizzling single mom, fake marriage, heroine in danger romance from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, A.L. Jackson

The last thing I expected when I found the trespasser bathing in my river was for it to be her…

Daisy Adair has always been my dream girl. From when we were best friends in high school to finding her now.
A gorgeous mother who shows up on my property with three kids in tow.
But I became a recluse for a reason.
The life I chose is full of wickedness and peril. The last thing I need is the object of my every fantasy invading my space and risking her life because of me.
Only when she tells me she’s on the run from her ex, I promise to do anything to keep them safe, even marry her to protect her kids.
That single kiss at the altar rips through every barrier, our passion unleashed.
Now, living under the same roof blurs the lines I’ve drawn.
Each glance of her down the hall and I am splintering.
Each brush of her hand and I am brought to my knees.
Our future—bright, hopeful, and almost within reach—hovers on the edge of becoming real…
Until we discover the threat surrounding her is grimmer than either of us imagined.
Now I’m fighting to save her and her children before our second chance at forever is burned to the ground…

Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/OTBOBAmznOP

Also available in audio!

Narrated by: @seanmastersaudio & @ms_brentmoor

Listen today: https://geni.us/OTBOBAudio

Enter the release day giveaway!

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Goodreads: https://geni.us/OTBOBGoodreads

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * PEOPLE WE AVOID by Lani Lynn Vale

February 10, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

People We Avoid by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #2
on February 10, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

All Birdee Calvert wanted was to be normal.

She wanted the parents who didn’t divorce when she was a kid and make her life a living nightmare. She wanted the sisters who actually liked her. She wanted to live in a town where everyone loved her and didn’t have a single bad thing to say about her.

That was not the life Birdee was given.

She had the exact opposite life. The kind of life where she slunk through the grocery store with a hoodie on so no one would recognize her. The kind of life where men like Creed Daugherty didn’t give her a second look.

After years of abuse and heartache, she built walls. Big, huge, thick ones that no one could ever breach. If she didn’t put forth the effort to get to know someone, she couldn’t be hurt.

At least, that was the theory.

She never counted on Creed Daugherty hitting her with his truck. Then, deciding that once he entered her life, he would never leave it.

Though Birdee should’ve known that Creed was too good to be true.

All it takes is one mistake on her part, and Creed freezes her out. Then forces the rest of the town to make it almost impossible for her to live in Sawtooth, Montana, anymore.

Birdee only thought it couldn’t get worse.

But Creed makes sure to show her that it can and will.

The thing about rock bottom?

Once you’re there, you have nothing else to lose.

And Creed Daugherty just made himself enemy number one.

Dramatic and scandalous but oh so good! The second book in Vale’s Don’t Date Him series is Birdee’s story, and if you read the first book in the series you never would have thought that you’d be able to like her, but I adored her and felt so bad for her and how everyone treated her … even her step-sister Mable who I loved in book one. I’m kinda pissed at her now in all honesty. Anyway … the plot is thick with tension as she meets Creed and falls hard once all is said and done between them. He’s great, even though he riles her up during a small stretch of time. I wasn’t expecting a few of the twists, and enjoyed the book wholeheartedly. I can’t wait to see what else these guys have in store for us in the series. Well developed, attention grabbing from start to finish and filled with heart and emotion! Highly recommend to anyone who loves their romance filled with tension, passion and twists of secrets and lies. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

Title: People We Avoid

Series: Don’t Date Him #2

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Secret Identity

Grumpy/Sunshine

Release Date: February 10, 2026

BLURB

All Birdee Calvert wanted was to be normal.

She wanted the parents who didn’t divorce when she was a kid and make her life a living nightmare. She wanted the sisters who actually liked her. She wanted to live in a town where everyone loved her and didn’t have a single bad thing to say about her.

That was not the life Birdee was given.

She had the exact opposite life. The kind of life where she slunk through the grocery store with a hoodie on so no one would recognize her. The kind of life where men like Creed Daugherty didn’t give her a second look.

After years of abuse and heartache, she built walls. Big, huge, thick ones that no one could ever breach. If she didn’t put forth the effort to get to know someone, she couldn’t be hurt.

At least, that was the theory.

She never counted on Creed Daugherty hitting her with his truck. Then, deciding that once he entered her life, he would never leave it.

Though Birdee should’ve known that Creed was too good to be true.

All it takes is one mistake on her part, and Creed freezes her out. Then forces the rest of the town to make it almost impossible for her to live in Sawtooth, Montana, anymore.

Birdee only thought it couldn’t get worse.

But Creed makes sure to show her that it can and will.

The thing about rock bottom?

Once you’re there, you have nothing else to lose.

And Creed Daugherty just made himself enemy number one.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

ALSO AVAILABLE

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

COMING SOON

Releasing March 10

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

AUTHOR BIO

AUTHOR LINKS

AMAZON

BOOKBUB

FACEBOOK

PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

TIKTOK

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * PENALTY KISS by Kat Mizera

January 26, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * PENALTY KISS by Kat Mizera

Penalty Kiss by Kat Mizera
Series: Pucks & Penalties
on January 26, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

One disastrous season. One last chance. One forbidden romance that could ruin everything.

After a career-wrecking season, being claimed in the expansion draft is my shot at redemption. New team. New city. Clean slate. This time, I won’t screw it up.

Then I meet Jayne.

She’s a quiet, irresistible librarian who looks at me like I’m more than my reputation. With her, I want to be better. Steadier. Worthy.

There’s just one problem.

Her father is my new coach.

Now I’m trapped between the career I’m desperate to save and the woman I can’t stay away from. Because if I cross that line, I don’t just risk getting benched—I lose everything.

And Coach made one thing painfully clear: His daughter is completely off-limits.

Kat Mizera is bringing on all the feels in this destiny driven forbidden love story! With the first book in a brand new Pucks & Penalties hockey series, we see several familiar faces as players from former series converge together to form a new expansion team in Atlanta. I dearly loved Jayne and Bodi’s meet cute and the way they just kept finding themselves in each other’s realm no matter how much they tried to stay away after they discovered her dad is his new coach. There’s a secret dating aspect, roommate camaraderie, new team troubles and outright scandal. Great development to hook us on the new team, and a sweet yet sexy love story for straightlaced librarian Jayne. I loved every minute of their story and can’t wait to see what the other guys on the team have in store for us! Highly recommend to hockey romance fans!

PENALTY KISS

Kat Mizera

Release Date: January 26

Available in Kindle Unlimited

One disastrous season. One last chance. One forbidden woman who could cost me everything.

After getting picked up in the expansion draft, I’m determined to prove I’m not the screw-up everyone thinks I am. New team, new city, fresh start—I’ve got it all mapped out.

What I didn’t plan on was Jayne, the sweet librarian who sees past my reputation and makes me want to be the man she deserves. But when I discover her father is my new coach, everything changes.

Now I’m caught between the career I’m fighting to save and the woman I can’t live without. One wrong move and I’ll lose them both—because coach made it crystal clear: his daughter is completely off-limits.

Grab your copy!

https://geni.us/PenaltyKiss

Meet Kat Mizera:

Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.

To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/

Connect with Kat Mizera:

https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat

Hosted By:

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* Release Blitz/Review * JUST DON’T CALL IT LOVE by Erin Nicholas

January 23, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Just Don't Call It Love by Erin Nicholas
Series: Bayou Blades #1
Published by EN Fiction on January 23, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Welcome to Rebel, Louisiana—where the humidity feels personal, even the otters hold grudges, and chaos is a competitive sport.

I used to play hockey in sold-out arenas. Now my wrecked knee and I are stuck in a little bayou town that’s been mad at me for a year. I need a big comeback–and ZERO drama.

So first thing, I get tackled at the airport by a sunshiny woman in yellow overalls who’s thwarting my kidnapping… by her grandpas.

That’s Nora Delaune—Parks & Rec director, caffeine-powered menace, and the only person in Rebel willing to give me a chance. She needs me to win games and help save the town’s ice arena before it gets turned into a laser-tag nightmare.

And I… kind of like being needed by her. Even when she’s producing a singing, dancing, wig-wearing ice extravaganza that is definitely not hockey.

Then my sister—the team’s new owner—drops the bomb: if Nora and I “date,” the town might stop hating me.
Fine. We’ll fake it. As long as we don’t call it love.

But between late-night practices, the sugar-addicted swamp-werewolf mascot, otter drama, and the way Nora looks at me like I’m worth rooting for…I’m in trouble.

I came to Rebel to rebuild my career.
I didn’t expect to lose my heart doing it.

Wild and crazy hilarity with a huge side of heart! Erin Nicholas is simply synonymous with heartwarming characters, snarky sass and smoldering passion! I’m a huge fan of all of her Bayou series offshoots and was overjoyed there was going to be another … or two! Don’t go into this book if you’re a die hard hockey fan and it’s going to drive you crazy if you don’t see true hockey playing out on the pages … because this book is filled with the heart of a player, but the humor of a town participation craziness that they make into their version of hockey. It’s funny and the characters on the team really make the whole thing work, but it’s not a national league type of sport. I sincerely loved every minute though! Nora and Alex meet indirectly and then plot to trick the town so he has an easier integration into making a success of the team and saving Mayor Harley’s job. The family and friendships surrounding them really add a heartwarming side to the story as their fake relationship turns into something very real before they can even turn around. There are many familiar faces if you’re a fan of Nicholas and it’s really cool to get to catch up with some favs and get more background on others. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series … and to getting Alex’s sister Astrid’s story in a spinoff Bayou Billionaires series soon! Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a close knit town who loves hard and isn’t afraid to give some sass when it’s needed as one of their favorite members find her forever love.

Just Don’t Call It Love

Welcome to Rebel, Louisiana—where the humidity feels personal, even the otters hold grudges, and chaos is a competitive sport.

I used to play hockey in sold-out arenas. Now my wrecked knee and I are stuck in a little bayou town that’s been mad at me for a year. I need a big comeback–and ZERO drama.

So first thing, I get tackled at the airport by a sunshiny woman in yellow overalls who’s thwarting my kidnapping… by her grandpas.

That’s Nora Delaune—Parks & Rec director, caffeine-powered menace, and the only person in Rebel willing to give me a chance. She needs me to win games and help save the town’s ice arena before it gets turned into a laser-tag nightmare.

And I… kind of like being needed by her. Even when she’s producing a singing, dancing, wig-wearing ice extravaganza that is definitely not hockey.

Then my sister—the team’s new owner—drops the bomb: if Nora and I “date,” the town might stop hating me.
Fine. We’ll fake it. As long as we don’t call it love.

But between late-night practices, the sugar-addicted swamp-werewolf mascot, otter drama, and the way Nora looks at me like I’m worth rooting for…I’m in trouble.

I came to Rebel to rebuild my career.
I didn’t expect to lose my heart doing it.

Just Don’t Call It Love is a hot, hilarious, full-of-hijinks small town rom com with grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, found family energy that will make you want to buy season tickets to the wackiest hockey league ever!

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * ATLAS by Sawyer Bennett

January 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Atlas by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #19
Published by Big Dog Books on ‎ January 13, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Heartfelt and emotionally riveting! All of the guys that make up the Pittsburgh Titans family are great and I adore revisiting them all time and time again, but Atlas’ story punched a little harder than many of the rest. I would venture to say the trauma and loss in this book was even better written than the plane crash era in the beginning of the series. I was hooked from start to finish and really felt the depth of the pain and then the joy as they healed and forged a new life. Very emotional, sincere and loving.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys seeing the pieces coming back together in life after a momentous loss. Atlas and Maddie each lose their best friend and have to overcome their own dislike of each other to forge a healthy atmosphere for the light of that friends life. You can’t beat the brotherhood of this series!

Blurb:

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/SB_Atlas

Meet Sawyer Bennett:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:
https://geni.us/SawyerBennett

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * HOUSE OF BS AND LIES by Lani Lynn Vale

January 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

House of BS & Lies by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #1
on January 13, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

She was enraptured by the man they called Romeo the moment that he turned those butterscotch-colored eyes her way.
What wasn’t to love about a big, burly, plaid-wearing lumberjack?

He was tall, gorgeous, and knew how to wield a chainsaw better than Leatherface. He could fell a tree in seconds, had thighs that were as thick as said trees, filled out a pair of Wranglers better than any cowboy ever, and didn’t care that she could operate heavy machinery better than him.

He was everything a girl like Mable could ask for.

The caveat? He was a convicted felon that’d just escaped from prison, faked his death, and ran from his home in Texas to the mountains of Montana.

At first, Mable didn’t know what kind of man he’d been before coming to her small, mountain town. He led Mable into a false sense of security, made her fall madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with him, and then shocked her by sharing his darkest secret.

Now, she’s left reeling, thinking life couldn’t get more complicated.

Until she finds out her stepmother knows Romeo’s secret and plans to exploit him. To make matters worse, Romeo goes on the run to protect Mable from himself, and she realizes that she has a dark side, too. One that’ll stop at nothing, not even murder, to make sure that he can live free.

Gritty and emotional! It’s always fun to kick off a new series with Lani Lynn Vale, so a good bit of time was spent building up the list of characters and letting us get to know a little about each. Romeo is immediately endearing and heartfelt with his connection to her dog and returning him to her no matter how attached he was, etc. I felt like we were slightly overwhelmed with Birdie and the core of Mable and Romeo were rushed over a little bit more than normal in a LLV love story. I enjoyed them both, loved their connection and look forward to more in the series, I just wanted a little more here and now too. Overall, this was a well developed set up of the series and had a solid hook to keep us reading to get to know the other guys more. I enjoyed getting to see more of Apollo from the last series too!

Title: House of BS & Lies

Series: Don’t Date Him #1

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Bad Boy Ex Con/Small Town

Alpha Male

Release Date: January 13, 2026

BLURB

She was enraptured by the man they called Romeo the moment that he turned those butterscotch-colored eyes her way.

What wasn’t to love about a big, burly, plaid-wearing lumberjack?

He was tall, gorgeous, and knew how to wield a chainsaw better than Leatherface. He could fell a tree in seconds, had thighs that were as thick as said trees, filled out a pair of Wranglers better than any cowboy ever, and didn’t care that she could operate heavy machinery better than him.

He was everything a girl like Mable could ask for.

The caveat? He was a convicted felon that’d just escaped from prison, faked his death, and ran from his home in Texas to the mountains of Montana.

At first, Mable didn’t know what kind of man he’d been before coming to her small, mountain town. He led Mable into a false sense of security, made her fall madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with him, and then shocked her by sharing his darkest secret.

Now, she’s left reeling, thinking life couldn’t get more complicated.

Until she finds out her stepmother knows Romeo’s secret and plans to exploit him. To make matters worse, Romeo goes on the run to protect Mable from himself, and she realizes that she has a dark side, too. One that’ll stop at nothing, not even murder, to make sure that he can live free.

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