Happy Monday! I was out of town for the weekend and I am excited to bring you these reviews today.
I read five books this week. Two were ARCs, and three were from my TBR to fulfill reading challenges. "Bear the Consequences" returned me to Rochelle Paige and the next book in her Fated Mates series after I left off way too long ago at the end of book three. It met a reading challenge requirement for a shifter romance and was a quick and fun read. I read "Wyld & Dirty" by J.A. Low. It was my first book by her and I really enjoyed it. It checked three boxes for me: rockstar romance, author from the Southern Hemisphere (she is Australian), and a book by an author I get to meet in Las Vegas next weekend. I also read "King's Crown" my Marie Johnston. This first in series book met the reading challenge of a book title starting with K for two different reading challenges.
The two ARCs I read were both excellent. If you haven't read a bi-awakening book yet, you should definitely read Emily Silver's "Best of Both Worlds". Marika Ray has one of the first holiday books to release this year with "Sugar Nookie". Grab it and get your holidays started with a fun, sweet, and steamy holiday romance set in Snowhaven, Idaho.
I hope to squeeze in some more books this week as I head to Las Vegas for my first Wild & Windy event at LoveNVegas. Until next time, happy reading!
#AgeGap #Celebrity #Holiday #SingleDad #SmallTown #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this steamy
holiday romance ends in a sweet HEA. It is written as a standalone, however
readers may find the most enjoyment from reading Aksel and Morgana’s story
first. “Grumpy Little Christmas” is worth rereading, even if you have already
read it. There are so many interesting characters in this small town. If you
read both you will want to move to
Snowhaven, Idaho, just like I do.
Hutton (40) is a country music star who has his
five-year-old son Henry for the holidays. He also has some discontent with the
way his life is at the moment when he arrives in Snowhaven to sing at a
friend’s wedding. Rae (28) is an artist who nannies and fills in a lot of odd
jobs to pay the bills. Their meet-cute is beyond adorable. I giggled and
giggled throughout this book. Hutton is a good man, and I love that he shows
Rae a side of him that is different and real compared to his public persona. Rae
is bright, energetic, and fun. She is also intuitive, and she and Hutton
quickly form a bond different from anything they have had before. I loved their
chemistry, and their exuberant and intimate moments were steamy and fun. I
adored their tender moments of emotional connection. Little Henry was the most
adorable five-year-old ever. I fell hard for the kiddo just like Rae did.
Holiday spirit, small town shenanigans, and all the fun of Hutton, Henry, and Rae finding HOME in each other made this a holiday read you should not miss. I loved it.
#BiAwakening #MM #ForcedProximity #EnemiesToLovers #Sports #ARC
Book four in the Black Diamonds series wraps it up and leads
into a new team (the Nashville Knights) when Noah is traded to Nashville
mid-season. Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, readers will
find lots of cameos from the Black Diamonds and the former Mountain Lions (who
are parental units in this second gen series). We are also introduced to new
characters that make up the Knights, and they are interesting and fun. I am
very excited for their books. This book, however, tells a passionate and
touching story of Noah and Graham finding love in the last place they expect to
find it and ends with a HEA.
Noah is seven years older than Graham. Though they grew up
in the same circles, with their parents being such good friends, they didn’t
really do a lot together. They have a
lingering animosity between them when Noah is traded to Graham’s team after an
injury sustained from a hit by Graham in a game. They start off fighting- literally. When
circumstances make them roommates, they quickly learn to get along. I loved
Noah’s easy-going nature. I love that he is such a caretaker personality. He
quickly, unselfishly, and willingly gives Graham all of himself. Graham is
baffled by the feelings he develops toward Noah. Him coming to terms with those
feelings, desires, and what that means for his life is the biggest part of the
book. I appreciated how his journey was handled. I also loved Noah’s patience
and understanding of Graham and what he was going through.
Well written, steamy, goodness envelops this story of growth and loving who you love even when it surprises you. Beautiful. I can’t wait to see them as cameos in the new series.
Bear the Consequences (McMahon Clan #1)
by Rochelle Paige
#FatedMates #Paranormal #Shifter #Virgin
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this can
be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Alasdaire is a bear shifter who isn’t sure he would even
want to find his mate. Finley is the romantic young woman who dreams of a mate
to cherish her. Their magnetic draw to each other is instant and steamy as they
quickly mate and marks each other. Then things get complicated. Family dynamics
and hard feelings come into play. Alasdair is kind of clueless about making a
good relationship, which does not help things.
I love how Finley holds her own with the bears and stands up for herself
and what is right. She is a brave heroine once she allows herself to have that
voice. She is an excellent match for Alasdaire after all.
This was a quick and steamy read. Neither one actually shifts in the book, which I missed that element to their story. Overall, it was very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more of the series.
Wyld & Dirty (Dirty Texas #1) by J.A. Low
#Debut #Rockstar
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Important Note: This volume has been
rewritten and now includes the previously published books titled,
"Suddenly Dirty", and "Suddenly More" which were originally
part of the series, Dirty Texas Rockstars.
The HEA comes 2/3 through this book followed by another 20
chapters as they establish their life together.
Evan is a typical rockstar hero living a life of excess
partying and women. He falls hard for Sienna but doesn’t admit it to himself
for the longest time. He just knows he can’t get enough of her. Sienna is
coming off a difficult divorce when she meets her hall pass and new boss. Their
chemistry is undeniable. There are a lot of steamy scenes in this book as they
are constantly on each other. Evan is super jealous and possessive over Sienna.
Sometimes he takes that just too far. Sienna takes a while to find her voice in
their relationship and finally stands up for herself and what she deserves.
Their road to happiness is not an easy one and I was very happy when they
finally made it. Evan’s growth throughout the book was impressive. He grew up.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in the book
as the author sets up the series and I appreciated kind of seeing where the
band is going for their individual relationships. This was my first book by
this author, and it was an enjoyable read. I believe this was her first book
and I am looking forward to reading some of her more recent books as a
comparison.
King’s Crown (Oil Kings #1) by Marie Johnston
#AgeGap #Billionaire #SnowedIn #OneBed
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this book
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Kendall is 28, newly unemployed, and lost her house due to
unfortunate circumstances. Moving back home with her parents is not what she
wants to do but it is necessary. Flying to Denver on a private jet to interview
for a new job, she gets snowed in to a single bed hotel room in Wyoming for 4
days with Gentry King (49), the CEO of King’s Oil. When the power is out, they are
able to get to know each other playing cards and board games. I loved how they shared
things with each other and formed a friendship of sorts. Even though there is
mutual attraction and a shared bed, I loved that they don’t get it on just
because.
When they return to real life, it doesn’t stop their
attraction and they must decide if they will pursue a relationship. I
appreciated that though they have a large age gap, it isn’t really an issue.
Because of Kendall’s life experiences and maturity, there isn’t the disparity
between them that could have been there.
I also appreciated that Gentry’s sons, who are close to Kendall’s age,
aren’t won over right away. Gentry has a reputation to overcome, and
relationships with his sons to repair.
This was a fun read. I loved the chemistry between Kendall
and Gentry. I loved how comfortable they
became with each other. A lot of characters are introduced to set up the
series. Emelia and Kendall’s parents were difficult characters for me, but they
serve a purpose to the story. I am interested to read more and see how the plot
of the sons having to marry before 29 plays out.
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