October 1, 2024

* Review * BEFORE I KNEW by Carrie Ann Ryan

Before I Knew by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Cage Family # .5
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on September 28, 2024
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It all began with a wrong number.
When Blakely gets added to the Cage family group chat, chaos ensues. What she doesn’t expect is to have a side chat with the eldest brother.
What was supposed to be a simple sign off, turns into a mild flirtation and invitation to lunch.
Only Aston Cage has his secrets.
And perhaps they should’ve left their conversation on read.

Before I Knew is the prequel to the Cage family series. Learn how Blakely and Aston met, before they finally get their happily ever after in The Forever Rule.

I’m thoroughly hooked already! This prequel to Carrie Ann Ryan’s much anticipated Cage Family series had me from hello and kept me captivated! As a prequel novella, it’s obviously short but it laid the groundwork of a romantic connection between Aston Cage and Blakely Graves that already has me waiting for their story to continue in their upcoming The Forever Rule book. The fun interaction between siblings also has me excited to get to know them all and see each brother fall hard when he meets “the one”. C’mon January, you can’t get here soon enough for me!

* Review * HERO’S PRIZE by Janie Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek #3
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on September 27, 2024
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When a deadly accident leaves extreme sport superstar Colton Harrison questioning what his future holds, he decides to take a timeout in his hometown of Oak Creek.

He knows the mountains and wildness of Wyoming will help him heal.

But he has no idea how he’s known sweet Ella O’Conner all his life but is somehow only really seeing her for the first time now.

People in his world may say she doesn't measure up, but this woman—and all her sexy curves—is downright beautiful to Colton.

Ella is who he wants. Who he needs. Who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Although convincing her of that will be tricky. All she's ever wanted was a quiet existence, and life in the public eye can be brutal—no matter how much Colton vows to protect her.

Especially when a stalker is willing to do anything to keep Colton for themself.

Familiar yet fresh! Janie Crouch is bringing a whole new generation of Oak Creek’s finest to life in her second generation Linear Tactical-Oak Creek series and I’m here for it! Each book has intrigue, danger, heartfelt friend and family interactions and a love story that always takes our breath away. I’ll admit that I would love to see the parents brought into the storyline a smidge more since we all know and love them so well, but I’m enjoying getting to know the kids now that they are all grown up and finding their way in life. Great characters, well developed plotlines and always lots of emotion to sink your teeth into!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series and prior Oak Creek series to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense with a strong core group of characters that are each other’s friends/family/support system throughout all that life wholes in store.