📚 Our Book Picks for the Week of Feb 21st
🔥 Sage by Stacy Gail
😍 Spark by Chelle Bliss
🎭 Bully & Exit by Brigham Vaughn
🗡️ Ruthless King by Alison Aimes
🪦 Grave Stones by Calinda B.
❄️ That Snowy Night by J.H. Croix
See all of our reviews and recommendations
Sage by Stacy GailDescription:
Leap of faith
The cocky charm Sage exudes like a pheromone bowls Mads over straight into his bed. But as Sage tries to coax her into thinking of the House as her new home, she realizes she has a decision to make—listen to the poison her father spews, or put her faith in the man she loves.
This standalone contemporary romance contains lots of cursing from both the hero and heroine, multiple sex scenes, and a protective Alpha male who will use any trick in the book to get his chosen woman out of her shell. No cheating, no love triangles, no cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed, along with a satisfying epilogue. Due to adult language and sexual content, this book is not intended for people under the age of eighteen
Our Thoughts 💭:
Mads has been "hired" (let's be honest here she was soooo coerced into accepting the job offer) by House of Payne to be one of their premier tattoo artists but it comes at an emotional cost that Mads isn't sure she can afford. Sage has watched the Skittish and ohhhhh so sexy artist for a while (a bit of a secret there) and has never been able to get past her walls.
She refuses to connect with anyone.
Mads has her reasons for keeping the other artists at arms lengths, she knows the truth about how House of Payne started, heck she was spoon-fed by her father the tales of his theft.
She just needs proof and when everything is revealed she wants to avoid the feelings of betrayal being close to the artists would cause.
Easy solution - do her job while seeking proof
Easy that is until a very insistent Sage worms his way not just into her daily life but into her heart
One bad battery on a cold night provides Sage with the opening he needs to crack the elusive and sexy Mads.
Trust he has no intentions of letting her slip through his fingers.
He will chip away at her walls even if it takes every trick he knows -
Not to mention the patience of a saint
These two *sigh* -
The heat their attraction to one another generated could ignite a cosmic boom. I adored Sage. He just laid everything out in plain sight- Said what he thought which occasionally led to "foot in mouth" moments but hey no one is perfect
The small mix of angsty moments, skeezy neighbors, and really bad parenting just added to the story
Mads at times seemed afraid of her own shadow, not in a bad way, she would defend what was right, defend those she cared for, just not herself. She was strong but emotionally damaged.
House of Payne is one of my favorite fictional families to hang with
This is a series I highly recommend for those who enjoy solid storylines with strong heroines and slightly overprotective partners.
Romances that will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and most importantly a vivid cast that stays with you long after you close the pages.
#sage #houseofpayne #newadult #romance #standalone #stacygail
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Spark by Chelle Bliss
For that ever-elusive fairytale
The one where the girl finds the other half of her soul
The prince who arrives in a greasy t-shirt sporting an attitude
The product of a loving family who envelops and accepts her without question
A man who believes his queen should stand beside him never behind him
One who lives to make her smile
Sappy - absolutely!
Neigh impossible? Most probably
Perfect read? - Yeah *sigh*
The cavity sweet Happily Ever After
Spark by Chelle BlissDescription:
Tattooed Protector. Hollywood Princess.
Nick Gallo lives wild and free, avoiding any complications or drama. But when he overhears a conversation at a late-night taco stand, he can’t help but insert his two cents, telling the woman she was too good for that kind of hassle.
Josephine Carmichael lives in the crosshairs of the paparazzi as the child of a Hollywood power-couple. But when her celebrity boyfriend has an affair while they’re on vacation, she takes off to the middle-of-nowhere Florida, ending up crying in her nachos.
And when Nick finds Josephine sleeping in the parking lot of a local store, his protective instincts take over. What starts out as a simple favor, takes them down a road they never imagined.
Spark is the sixth interconnect standalone book in the new steamy romance Men of Inked: Heatwave series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss.
Our Thoughts 💭:
This is why I read romanceFor that ever-elusive fairytale
The one where the girl finds the other half of her soul
The prince who arrives in a greasy t-shirt sporting an attitude
The product of a loving family who envelops and accepts her without question
A man who believes his queen should stand beside him never behind him
One who lives to make her smile
Sappy - absolutely!
Neigh impossible? Most probably
Perfect read? - Yeah *sigh*
The cavity sweet Happily Ever After
#spark #menofinked #heatwave #standalone #romance #romcom #suspense #chellebliss
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Bully & Exit by Brigham Vaughn
This is the first book in the Midwest series and I can say I'm officially hooked!
The narrator did a fabulous job of bringing the characters and story to life Filled with all kinds of bumbling firsts and heartfelt sweet seconds
An easy to follow story with a cast that will steal your heart from the first hello
Nathan and Caleb are both in their last year at university.
Caleb out and proud - Nathan still in the closet.
Caleb has carried his first love with him since high school. Not for the HEA that it should have been but for the broken heart it left him with. He has used those memories to fortify the wall around his heart. To ensure no one and nothing ever broke him again.
And it has worked for almost 4 years
Until he showed up again
Nathan will never forget his first and only love. The one he betrayed, the one he hurt. He has lived on autopilot for the last 4 years now fate has given him a second chance one he intends to grab with both hands
He is done hiding
Done lying
Yes what he did was beyond cruel
but he was young, scared, unsure ...
so many factors behind his actions
There has to be a way to get Caleb to hear him out
Right?
A chance to make things right?
The supporting cast was just as front and center (if not more so)
I can not wait for Lowell's story!!!
Bully & Exit by Brigham VaughnDescription:
It’s time to leave college and the closet behind.
Nathan Rhodes has put hockey first for most of his life, but as graduation looms, he has a different goal in mind. He needs to come out and reclaim his first love. If only Caleb will believe him...
Theater geek Caleb Stockwell gave up on love when his boyfriend chose the closet over being with an openly bisexual guy. Now, he hides his heartbreak behind a string of casual hookups. He loves the drama on stage, but he’s done with the drama of Nathan Rhodes. For good.
Nathan is determined to right the wrongs of four years ago, but the clock is ticking.
One month until he and Caleb go their separate ways. One month to take a final shot at winning Caleb’s heart back.
Win or lose, everything is on the line.
Our Thoughts 💭:
❤️ Second Chances - New Beginnings ❤️This is the first book in the Midwest series and I can say I'm officially hooked!
The narrator did a fabulous job of bringing the characters and story to life Filled with all kinds of bumbling firsts and heartfelt sweet seconds
An easy to follow story with a cast that will steal your heart from the first hello
Nathan and Caleb are both in their last year at university.
Caleb out and proud - Nathan still in the closet.
Caleb has carried his first love with him since high school. Not for the HEA that it should have been but for the broken heart it left him with. He has used those memories to fortify the wall around his heart. To ensure no one and nothing ever broke him again.
And it has worked for almost 4 years
Until he showed up again
Nathan will never forget his first and only love. The one he betrayed, the one he hurt. He has lived on autopilot for the last 4 years now fate has given him a second chance one he intends to grab with both hands
He is done hiding
Done lying
Yes what he did was beyond cruel
but he was young, scared, unsure ...
so many factors behind his actions
There has to be a way to get Caleb to hear him out
Right?
A chance to make things right?
The supporting cast was just as front and center (if not more so)
I can not wait for Lowell's story!!!
#bullyexit #midwest #nathan #caleb #gay #mm #sports #romance #brighamvaughn
Amazon
Ruthless King by Alison Aimes
That is what happened here and it was admittedly one of the best gambles I have ever made
Omegaverse can be a hit or miss genre.
Too many times there I am unable to connect to the characters, they lack dimension. Many times the storyline is pitch black (which I am soooo okay with) but with no chance for salvation or redemption.
Then there are the rare times when everything just clicks!
The omega is strong despite the genetics against her - She waivers but she stays true to herself
The alpha is balanced in his desires - the call to dominate is strong (Sure I may really wish I could drop an anvil or two on him occasionally you know knock some sense into him) but he also shows the ability to nurture, to rationalize, to acknowledge his deficits and attempt to right them
Ruthless King - Was definitely one of those that clicked for me
This is the first in the series and I can not wait to get my hands on the next. The author did a magnificent job of world-building, She created this universe that provides endless possibilities for her characters and directions for the series. The cast is vivid and ... Just wait till you meet the different life forms.
Dahlia is our heroine in this first book and she is the sacrificial lamb so to speak. It is a bit hard to explain think Mafia meets Omegaverse? LOL
Things don't go quite as planned and she finds herself the possession of Nikolai who has a death grudge against her family
And the rest you will just have to read!
Know that this is full of twists and betrayals - speaking of wait until one of those little bitties is uncovered HOLY HADES soooo did not see that coming
This has plenty of push and pull between our two main characters as well as some seriously steamy moments
A lot of suspense and action
All woven into a solid story that makes sense (in a fantasy sci-fi way)
#ruthlessking #dark #mafia #omegaverse #romance #alisonaimes
Ruthless King by Alison AimesDescription:
He’s the most brutal crime boss in the galaxy—and she belongs to him now.
Payment for a debt owed. Pawn for an act of vengeance. Property to be used.
Irresistibly gorgeous mafia king Nikolai Skolov is dominant, hard, possessive—and determined to bend innocent omega Dahlia Lundin to his will. But she is equally determined to resist. The lives of those she loves depends upon it.
Except Dahlia isn’t prepared for the insatiable hunger the warlord’s discipline awakens. Or her soul’s recognition that her new master is also her fated-mate.
As dangers mount and betrayals loom, all Dahlia knows is turned on its head. Allegiances are tested. Secrets exposed. Until Dahlia is not sure if her ruthless enemy is the monster who will destroy her or the only one left who can save her...
Our Thoughts 💭:
Ever stumble upon a book and the blurb sounds good and it is a genre you enjoy and decide "What the heck I am in the mood for a gamble"?That is what happened here and it was admittedly one of the best gambles I have ever made
Omegaverse can be a hit or miss genre.
Too many times there I am unable to connect to the characters, they lack dimension. Many times the storyline is pitch black (which I am soooo okay with) but with no chance for salvation or redemption.
Then there are the rare times when everything just clicks!
The omega is strong despite the genetics against her - She waivers but she stays true to herself
The alpha is balanced in his desires - the call to dominate is strong (Sure I may really wish I could drop an anvil or two on him occasionally you know knock some sense into him) but he also shows the ability to nurture, to rationalize, to acknowledge his deficits and attempt to right them
Ruthless King - Was definitely one of those that clicked for me
This is the first in the series and I can not wait to get my hands on the next. The author did a magnificent job of world-building, She created this universe that provides endless possibilities for her characters and directions for the series. The cast is vivid and ... Just wait till you meet the different life forms.
Dahlia is our heroine in this first book and she is the sacrificial lamb so to speak. It is a bit hard to explain think Mafia meets Omegaverse? LOL
Things don't go quite as planned and she finds herself the possession of Nikolai who has a death grudge against her family
And the rest you will just have to read!
Know that this is full of twists and betrayals - speaking of wait until one of those little bitties is uncovered HOLY HADES soooo did not see that coming
This has plenty of push and pull between our two main characters as well as some seriously steamy moments
A lot of suspense and action
All woven into a solid story that makes sense (in a fantasy sci-fi way)
#ruthlessking #dark #mafia #omegaverse #romance #alisonaimes
Amazon Kobo Nook Google Apple
Grave Stones by Calinda B.
Just wait till you meet her and she is a whole lot of snark.
She had me rolling with her mental quips and verbal taunts.
After her great aunt died and well her being the executor of the estate Lassi traveled from her home in Dublin to "Ballynanowhere" to wrap things up.
Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery. And dodging small-town politics, handsy townsfolk, and the local priest (okay him not so much)
Turns out there is a lot more to the small town of Ballynagaul than the locals are sharing
A fun blend of mystery and comedy with just the right touch of romance
I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version of this series - I actually own the ebook but hearing it changed how I perceived the characters quite a bit
The narrator was solid though I admit I was not overly fond of Lassi's character - I think this is because I already had her voice in my head from reading it. The cast is so IDK variant? There is a little of everything - the perv, the gossip, the town "bicycle", the overachiever, and let us not forget the local law who believes he is in a big city
A great story that has plenty of twists and OMG moments that are sure to entertain and delight
I would label this series as paranormal humorous mystery romance
Grave Stones by Calinda B.Description:
Revenge can be bloody. Vampires are deadly.
I’m Lassi Finn, and I just want to get back to Dublin— unfortunately, there’s a score of murders preventing me from ever returning to my normal life.
I came to a small town in Ireland to bury a loved one, but now I’m caught up in a mystery of the supernatural kind. Three mutilated bodies show up on my doorstep before I even have time for tea, and the local detective knows more about me than he should. Not to mention the local priest is hotter than hell… oh, and did I mention he seems to glow, and not in the normal, “happy to see me” manner?
The killer isn’t just cold-blooded. She’s cold-hearted, literally. And I’m about to be her next victim. Either that, or go down for murder.
Our Thoughts 💭:
Grave Stone is Lassi's story. Just wait till you meet her and she is a whole lot of snark.
She had me rolling with her mental quips and verbal taunts.
After her great aunt died and well her being the executor of the estate Lassi traveled from her home in Dublin to "Ballynanowhere" to wrap things up.
Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery. And dodging small-town politics, handsy townsfolk, and the local priest (okay him not so much)
Turns out there is a lot more to the small town of Ballynagaul than the locals are sharing
A fun blend of mystery and comedy with just the right touch of romance
I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version of this series - I actually own the ebook but hearing it changed how I perceived the characters quite a bit
The narrator was solid though I admit I was not overly fond of Lassi's character - I think this is because I already had her voice in my head from reading it. The cast is so IDK variant? There is a little of everything - the perv, the gossip, the town "bicycle", the overachiever, and let us not forget the local law who believes he is in a big city
A great story that has plenty of twists and OMG moments that are sure to entertain and delight
I would label this series as paranormal humorous mystery romance
#gravestone #bloodstonequadrilogy #standalone #dark #fantasy #mythology #romance #calindab
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That Snowy Night by J.H. Croix
It was magic when they were just teens
Now?
It was like a cosmic bang had rearranged the pieces of their lives
Each moment slotting into place
Like it was always meant to be
As though they were never separated
Delilah thought she was getting a couple of weeks away to enjoy the holidays and take a breather
But fate is a sneaky brat and had other plans for her
Starting with an impossible twist of fate that would forever change her world
One that leads her back to her past and catapults her into her future
Alex - a childhood crush that never faded- rescuing her once again
This is a fast-paced, hot as hades, emotionally packed holiday romance that ticks all those second chance boxes
That Snowy Night by J.H. Croix
Description:
A second chance for Christmas.
Delilah
I never thought I’d see Alex Blake again. Most certainly not on the side of a snowy highway in Alaska.
The memory of his summer kisses kept me warm on lonely nights for years. Life and geography got in the way.
When my car skids off the highway in the darkness in Alaska, I’m plenty bitter and I’ve lost all faith in fantasies.
I didn’t count on Alex, didn’t count on him setting me on fire, and definitely not on him betting it all on us.
Alex
I never could forget Delilah Carter even though she was nothing more than a memory. Until I find her stranded on a snowy highway a few thousand miles away from where I last saw her.
The years don’t matter. This time, I get to make our wishes come true.
Our Thoughts 💭:
A serendipitous second chance holiday romanceIt was magic when they were just teens
Now?
It was like a cosmic bang had rearranged the pieces of their lives
Each moment slotting into place
Like it was always meant to be
As though they were never separated
Delilah thought she was getting a couple of weeks away to enjoy the holidays and take a breather
But fate is a sneaky brat and had other plans for her
Starting with an impossible twist of fate that would forever change her world
One that leads her back to her past and catapults her into her future
Alex - a childhood crush that never faded- rescuing her once again
This is a fast-paced, hot as hades, emotionally packed holiday romance that ticks all those second chance boxes
#thatsnowynight #intothefire #standalone #romance #jhcroix
Twitter:
@Stacy_Gail_ @ChelleBliss1 @AuthorBVaughn @alisonaimes @CalindaB1 @JHCroix
Instagram:
@stacygailsworld @authorchellebliss @brighamvaughn @alisonaimes @calindab @jhcroix
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