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Our Book Picks for the Week of Jan 17th 💖 Book Thoughts and Recommendations


📚 Our Book Picks for the Week of  Jan. 17th


🛦  Take Me Away by Kelly Elliott

🦅 Fate & Fortune by Maz Maddox

🔗 Alpha's Temptation by Lillian Sable

💔 My Beautiful Poison by T.L. Smith

☠️ These Monstrous Ties by K.V. Rose

🔥 Gavin's Song by Jamie Begley


See all of our reviews and recommendations


Amazon  BookBub  Goodreads 



Take Me Away (Southern Bride, #6)Take Me Away by Kelly Elliott
Description:
From a New York Times bestselling author: Years after the accident that upended his life, Air Force pilot Nolan crosses paths with the woman he swore he’d always protect — but Linnzi remembers nothing about him. As they fall for each other all over again, can their love endure the painful past they share?
Our Thoughts 💭:
This can easily be read as a standalone - I know because I dropped into this series at this point 🤗 I will also warn you that after you finish Linnzi and Nolan's story you will be wanting to dive into everyone else's as well
I need a few moments to dry my eyes and sort out all the feels I just experienced.
Honestly, I felt like I was there in the scene with them
Nolan and Linnzi had (have) that once in a lifetime love -
They were each other's person the one -
That compliments you
Knows you inside and out,
Laughs at your quirky,
Embraces your wrath,
Accepts your limitations
All without judgment
Until a tragedy wiped it all away
Nolan's character was so vivid, full of life. He held out hope even when most would have long given up. He moved forward with his life but still managed to keep Linnzi in his world. I hated how he blamed himself but I appreciated the way he atoned for his perceived sins. I admit I laughed and cried at his stalking. That had to be so hard.
Linnzi's accident left her without certain sections of her life.
Selective memory loss - Her mind's way of protecting her from the emotional trauma of her accident.
Two things stood out beyond the haze:
1- Paris was calling her and
2- Somewhere out there a man held her heart. A man who visited her dreams at night but lay just outside her conscience touch during the day.
After 8 years of running (yes she was running) Linnzi decides to face her past and uncover the truth around her accident
Can Linnzi survive the reality of that day?
Will she forgive her family and friends for hiding the truth?
Can two souls who were meant to be one find their way back to each other?
I laughed, I hoped, I bawled like a babe
#TakeMeAway #southernbride #KellyElliott #contemporary #western #romance #kindleunlimited
Amazon

Fate & Fortune (Stallion Ridge #6)Fate & Fortune by Maz Maddox
Description:
A Skinwalker named Sky dreams of a dark fate.
Marked as a death omen by his tribe, he lives on the fringes of Stallion Ridge, silently guarding the citizens and their lawmen.
As his dreams become darker each night, he begins to dread that there is something unstoppable closing in.
As darkness surrounds him, Sky becomes captivated by a spark. Soaring into his life, Victor begins to illuminate a fate previously undreamed, a fortune previously unseen.
With an omen of death impending, Sky struggles to balance his fate and heart to save Stallion Ridge.
Our Thoughts 💭:
No way! I so did not see that coming!
Everything was looking up for Sky - then bam it all seems to just spiral out of control
I actually shed tears - Doesn't the good outweigh the accidental so claimed wrong?
Am I the only one that thinks something stinks there?
And the women in the wagon- a nice way to show your thanks
Sky has always stood just outside of Stallion Ridge. An integral part of the community yes, but never truly a participant (that is not the descriptor I want but IDK how to word it).
His past has always been a bit murky his connections with the spirits strong. He was the guardian that watched over the citizens of Stallion Ridge kept them safe.
Until now
When the traveling circus comes to town all that is about to change.
Victor stopped believing in fate, in prophecy, the night his mother was savagely taken from him. Time moved forward for him and he eventually found his happy place among his chosen family, the circus.
He still wields the cards of Prophecy but he no longer listens to them - Until an act of bravery leaves him facing the gallows and questioning everything he thought he knew.
I can't believe how this ended - I don't know if I can wait!!! Seriously you will feel the same when you find out what Sky does and who he goes to for help? If that is even the correct word for it.
I need the finale now!!!
I fell in love with the residents of Stallion Ridge the first time I happened upon the town. Packed with colorful characters, friendly shifters, plenty of trouble all rounded out with good old-fashioned smexy fun.
#fatefortune #stallionridge #Fantasy #MMRomance #LGBTRomance #mazmaddox #audible #kindleunlimited 
Amazon

Alpha's Temptation (Omegas of Pandora #4)Alpha's Temptation by Lillian Sable
Description:
he had never heard the word Omega.
When Aura crash lands on an alien planet, she finds herself surrounded by feral Alphas males. She doesn’t understand what has made them this way, but her only option is to run. They look like men, but act like animals and are consumed by the desire to take her in the most depraved ways. Ways that would literally tear her apart.
All except one.
Castor is so much more than he seems. But right now, he is the only thing standing between this strange girl and the dangerous Alpha prowling the Forbidden Zone. He has maintained his sanity while trapped in the wasteland but at great cost. The urge to claim her for his own overwhelms his fragile hold on control. He will protect the confused Omega from the Alphas intent on doing her harm, but he will also claim her for his own.
Our Thoughts 💭:
I need some answers!
A strong start to the story definitely has me wanting more.
This was the first in a possible duet?
I know I probably should have checked but the blurb seemed like a standalone or 'first in' and it also sounded really good.
Either way, I had no problem following what was going on. Did I have a bunch of questions, well yes I did, but that is just my very active curiosity streak.
The author fills in most of the blanks and turns up the suspense (and the heat) with ease. I think I was on edge from the rations line.
Castor truly comes across as one of the good guys. Oh, he is all Alpha plus a bit more do not doubt that. But he has a draw(?) to his persona that balances the caveman and the man.
Aura has absolutely no clue ~ at any time what the he ll is going on.
Seriously! One minute she is acquiring rations for her family the next she is violently ill then ... well, that would give away spoilers if I told you.
I will give her props...I would have been a blubbering mess and I doubt my psyche ever would have shown itself again.
There were a few parts that left me a bit confused.
Before I pass judgment it could be because I didn't read the earlier books ~
Or, and this is quite popular with series, my questions will be answered in the next episode.
I connected to Aura pretty quickly, maybe because the author provided a bit more of her character's thoughts
Castor, I felt I didn't know a whole lot about and we are only given but small glimpses his inner thoughts and a few breadcrumbs of the why of his circumstances.
I did appreciate this was not a love at first sniff read -
They both knew it was purely a physically driven need that brought them together.
Now I need the next book please so I can get my answers! 
#alphastemptations #omegasofpandora #dark #omegaverse #lilliansable
Amazon

My Beautiful Poison  (Wicked Poison, #1)My Beautiful Poison by T.L. Smith
Description:
SHE’S WEALTHY, HE’S A CONVICT. TOGETHER, THEY ARE THE PERFECT POSION...
I forgave him for the lies he told.
And I forgave him for breaking my body with his touch.
But I couldn’t forgive myself for staying.
Until I met you… my antidote.
I knew I couldn’t keep forgiving him, when I could be safe in your arms.
With your touch, there were no tears.
With your kisses, I could finally breathe.
You might be the villain in everyone’s story...
But not mine.
Our Thoughts 💭:
Noooooo!!!
Strap in tight this is one emotional rollercoaster!
"Dangerous game" he whispers
"All the best games are" I murmur back
I need to collect myself for a moment
This is one of those reads that the characters just draw you all in -emotionally and physically.
Yes physically - The shoulder hunch, the scare jump, the quiet scream, and the out-loud laugh.
Let me start with August ... The ultimate bad boy. An ex-con. A brutal killer. The broken soul we can save.
Next, we have the poster girl Rylee. Mommy and Daddy's little bargaining chip, don't let that fool you though under all those "yes mom"'s there is a strong and intelligent woman that knows what she wants. She was following their life plan until it hurt just a bit too much and she decided it was time to try her own path. (My personal opinion of "mommy dearest" is pretty low.)
Then we have the awesome supporting cast that is just as front and center fabulous as our two main characters
Noah, Rhianna, Anderson, the other mother, Paige, Beckham and so many more
You will instantly love them or loathe them
After August is released back to his home town he finds that bias is alive and flourishing. He just wants to move forward with his life but not everyone is willing to let go of the past.
While August is fighting for his freedom Rylee is trying to escape her own prison and spread her wings.
After a run-in with August at a welcome home party, Rylee finds her girl crush is still very tangible and within her reach.
Like the perfect launchpad for new beginnings (so to speak).
August has never known a kind hand or a loving heart so the feelings he gets when he is with Rylee make him a bit nervous but they also call to him on a primal level.
From two different worlds
Both with pasts that have claws in their present
Both needing a safe haven
This has everything -
A solid cast, that as a reader I connected with immediately
A storyline that provides all the feels from suspense and intrigue to love and laughter.
Oh and it ends on a cliffy 
#mybeautifulpoison #wickedpoison #romanticsuspense #lmsmith
Amazon  Kobo  Nook  Google  Apple

These Monstrous Ties (Unsainted, #1)These Monstrous Ties by K.V. Rose
Description:
I was Lilith.
He was Lucifer.
Halloween night, one year ago, I sold my soul to the devil. Complete with a blood rite and everything. I had less than nothing. He promised me the world.
And then he disappeared, taking my heart with him.
But now, he’s the one with everything to lose. A family. A name. A reputation.
I’ve still got nothing, but I’m clawing my way to the top, one body at a time.
This Halloween, things are going to be different. This Halloween, ‘Lilith’ is coming to take what’s hers.
Our Thoughts 💭:
I'm so dang confused!
Lilith /Sid, I don't think her last decision was that smart. I know she is angry and right now everyone is questionable. I am not sure what she is doing is going to calm her mind - or provide her with the missing pieces. Pieces even I am missing.
Lucifer - after that stunt? You can burn in the hell you created - alone
Mayhem - You? I just don't like
Jeremiah so many unanswered questions about you. That final glimpse into your soul spoke a thousand truths.
IMO this is a bit more of psychological suspense than a dark (please note my definition of dark and yours probably differ quite a bit) or bully read and at this point in the story I wouldn't really define it as a romance. There is a lot going on in the background that defines the characters. Concepts and truths that I felt I was just given tastes of, not enough to leave me sated just enough to stir my hunger and keep me hoping for more. Not sure how I feel about that -lol.
Overall?
I enjoyed the cast and did devour this in one sitting
I think the carrot and the stick concept is working here 
#thesemonstrousties #unsainted #dark #newadult #romance #kvrose
Amazon  

Gavin's Song (Road to Salvation Book 1)Gavin's Song by Jamie Begley
Description:
Have you ever wondered what happens to two souls destined for each other before they even meet? Well, this is it...
Gavin had believed himself untouchable. There wasn’t an inch of his body that hadn’t been taught to eliminate any threat, both to himself and others, as a Navy SEAL. Not only had he been trained to be a warrior, but a strategist who could accomplish any mission that he was given...
Until the day he was blindsided by a brother with his own agenda and was forced to accept that everything he had believed in had been an illusion.
An illusion that he was capable of love.
An illusion of the woman who had kept him sane during his darkest days.
An illusion that The Last Riders would always have his back.
Now he was being forced to accept the man they had created. A man who didn’t care about anything or anyone, living a life without reason, joy, or peace. A soul so broken that it couldn’t be fixed, searching for the one reason to keep himself breathing.
How was he supposed to know it was a song?
Our Thoughts 💭:
Wow - Powerful - Raw - Brutal - Beautiful
I normally don't do the MC genre, there are a few exceptions
I came across this author and series wholly by circumstance
Wondering now if it was also a touch of fate
This has to be among the top five emotionally captivating reads of this year for me
Gavin , Ginny , Reaper, the entire cast actually were so much more than just characters written on pages
They pulled down all my defenses
Leaving me emotionally drained at times
I had to read this twice - not kidding
There are so many little things interwoven into the bigger picture
I'm going to take a bit too process then I'll be back to update my thoughts
#gavinssong #lastriders #trilogy #military #eroticromance #kindleunlimited #jamiebegley


Twitter: @author_kelly @mazmaddox @LsmithT @Jamie_Begley

Instagram: @authorkellyelliott @mazmaddox @tlsmith1313 @authorkvrose 

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