Book Review

Exposed by Christmas: A Secret Santa story by Hayden West: RB, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 18, 2022 by Denise

. .

Secrets refuse to stay buried.

Pulled in for an op he never wanted, Michael Little knows it won’t be a hardship to pretend interest in his target. What does prove difficult is knowing that when it’s over, he’ll have to walk away.

Radek Dionne has busted his ass to keep his name away from the shady dealings his family is involved in. Used to people wanting him either for those connections or due to him being a player in the NHL, he keeps to himself. Until one night when he meets someone who gets to him on a level he’s never expected.

But family has a way of showing up when you least want them to and his is no exception. Secrets are exposed and loyalties tested. Will they be together by Christmas, or has this last secret ruined any chance of a happy ever after?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, sexual harassment, blackmail, and kidnapping. There is mention of child abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse, human trafficking and child trafficking.

Exposed by Christmas by Hayden West

General Release Date: 13th December 2022

Word Count: 32,013

Book Length: SHORT NOVEL

Pages: 135

Genres: ACTION AND ADVENTURE; CHRISTMAS; CONTEMPORARY; EROTIC ROMANCE; GAY; GLBTQI; SPORTS; THRILLERS AND SUSPENSE

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First For Romance

I’m not sure that I’ve read anything by Hayden West before, and I very rarely read hockey books, because I don’t know the sport at all, but I’m a junkie for the holiday books, so had to give it a shot (pun intended).

Radek is a hockey player who meets Michael at a party, and they immediately get involved. Meanwhile, Michael is an undercover CIA agent, working with the FBI, trying to bring down Radek’s brother who he’s done everything he could to distance himself from. Michael falls in love with Radek, but he has to follow where the job leads him. He never believes that Radek is guilty of any wrongdoing, but they need Radek to draw his brother out.

The secrets, of course, come out, and all hell breaks loose. Radek had every reason to be angry at Michael. And being the alpha male he was, he really wouldn’t let Michael explain, he just turned away. Radek was hard to like when he was angry and jealous, and he was A LOT. But it was obvious how much he loved Michael.

Fortunately, they do get the bad guy, and the HEA. And wow, the epilogue…my heart!!!! (I wanted it to be a little longer, to be honest.)

The book was a novella, but it had a little bit of everything happening. Some sexy times, some action and adventure, friends that wouldn’t turn away from Radek, and some very questionable dealings.

It was a good ride, and I enjoyed it.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Hayden West lives in the Pacific Northwest, enjoys being outdoors, and hanging out with friends when not working on the next novella to be released.

Find Hayden at their website and blog.

Author Links

Website: https://authorhaydenwest.wixsite.com/authorhaydenwest

Blog: https://authorhaydenwest.blogspot.com/

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Sleigh Ride with Kellan by Sophia Nixs: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 14, 2022 by Denise

. .

A rugged, bearded mechanic becomes my knight in shining armor.

Traveling three hours to make my twin daughter’s Christmas come true.

I never expected him.

We are the complete opposites and he infuriates me like no one else.

Love was never on the cards for me.

A blizzard holds up my plans and I end up staying the night with him.

Everything I never thought I wanted.

I thought being stranded at Christmas was the only surprise I was in for. How wrong was I?

Title: Sleigh Ride with Kellan
Authors: Sophia Nixs
Length: 20K
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Grumpy sunshine, Close/ Forced proximity, Secret Billionaire, Alpha male.

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I hated waking up early but I knew that Kellan needed to be back on the road as soon as he could; especially with only two days until Christmas. He needed to get back to his girls. I hated leaving him alone sleeping away in my bed but I’d never seen anything so perfect before as I creepily stood and watched him for a few moments before I got dressed and left him. I bet with the girls it was rare for him to have a full night’s sleep or to even sleep in this late. At least this way he could travel home refreshed and ready for the excitement of Christmas ahead.

I ensured Pip was okay and cleaned up the mess he had made before topping up and giving him a hand fed treat of some wet food and water. I grabbed my truck keys and Kellan’s car keys, determined to try and fix this mess he’d got himself into and help him on his way, while hopefully making sure his Christmas dreams didn’t shatter before his eyes.

I just needed to hope my skills were up to the job because no matter what, I couldn’t be the man to destroy two little girl’s hearts. They needed Kellan and one way or another, I’d get him back to them, even if I ended up buying him a brand new car myself.

This was a quick read, and since I haven’t read anything by this author (or her original pen name), I figured I’d give it a shot.

This is 100% insta-love. If you don’t like insta-love, this isn’t going to work for you. It was a sweet and sexy story, with a cute dog, even cuter twins and a little bit of alpha male thrown in.

Kellan, as a foster parent, was all about just getting back home to his girls with the puppy that they so desperately wanted. But as can happen in the winter, blizzard comes along and takes out the car, leaving Kellan and little Pip in a dangerous place. Eli, the son of the people Kellan purchased the dog from, came to the rescue. As a mechanic he could take care of the issues. However, first they had to stay at Eli’s for the night.

This was a feel good story, with insta-love, and an ever so patient man left back in Pennsylvania. Eli never called or even texted for three weeks. That seemed odd to me. I know he was giving Kellan space, but even a “I’m thinking about you” would have been good. And Kellan never once looked Eli up on his phone? “Man of my Dreams”? I guess I struggled with that a bit.

Probably my biggest issue, and it’s one I very rarely bring up, was the editing. When I receive ARCs, I very rarely comment on editing, as often the book hasn’t been through a final round of edits, etc. However, it needed a good edit, from either an American editor, or one who is very experienced in editing America based books. One of the MC’s was from Manhattan, the other Pennsylvania. Somebody should have caught things like “we’re a right pair” or “stay at mine”. It does jump the reader out of the story.

In the end, a lovely holiday ride. It did have a very happy ending, with the twins falling in love with Eli instantly, when Kellan introduced them. Couldn’t ask for more from a holiday romance.

3 pieces of eye candy

. .

Sophia Nixs is a romance author from the United Kingdom that writes steamy contemporary MM romance.

Sophia is a romantic at heart, she adores everything to do with love. In her eyes, when someone finds loves that’s all that matters.

Sophia’s dream is to live in the countryside where she can write her stories from her book nook whilst looking out at the gorgeous scenery in peace and quiet.

Connect with Sophia:
https://www.facebook.com/SophiaNixsAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/sophianixsauthor
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Prince of L.A. (FBI Files Book 1) by Patricia Logan: Audiobook Review

December 13, 2022 by Denise

. .

Special Agent Leo Reeves is new to the FBI’s LA field office. His career has been on track since the day he joined the bureau. He loves his job as a profiler, and being assigned to a new team in one of the busiest offices in the nation will be the opportunity of a lifetime…if he can put the past behind him. The face Leo shows the world is strong, focused, dependable, and capable. The long list of citations in his file only serve to prove how good he is.

If he could only forget he was sired by a monster.

Former marine staff sergeant Max Prince leads by example. Whether it means protecting men in battle, working for the US marshal service, or being the best damn field agent the FBI has ever seen, he brings a special kind of bravery to the job. His teammates depend on his ready smiles and his funny jokes and know him as the excellent agent he’s proven to be. They never see the man who buried his heart eight years ago.

The last thing he wants is to fall for the new guy.

When a serial killer suddenly starts targeting innocents, both men have trouble pinning down who they’re dealing with. With victimology all over the place, Leo can’t make sense of a profile, and Max simply wants to put the bastard away before he murders anyone else. The case is maddening, but worse, the attraction the two men find every time they look at each other is beginning to get in the way.

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Audible

What can I say about this book?

First, the action and suspense were all done very well. It was obviously well researched and plotted out. And even though we don’t get a full resolution, there is the beginning of one.

However, this book could have easily been about 1/3 shorter, and gotten the same amount of story across. There was a large excess of, while not fluff, unnecessary verbiage. In almost every new location, every single detail was laid out for the reader. The color of the sofa, along with the type of material, etc. It was too much. It was a perfect example of forgetting to “show, not tell”.

It was the same with the characters. The reader received so much information on the characters that entered the scene, their height, eye color, hair color, skin color, etc that it was too much. It all washed into the background. In addition, there were SO MANY times that the new character(s) to the scene were described as beautiful, gorgeous, best looking, etc. It was complete overkill.

And not to pile on, but maybe not 600 characters in one book. I exaggerate, but only a little. There were A LOT of characters to keep track of. (One major character in one scene, I can’t figure out why he was introduced at all. Maybe it will make sense in a second book?) It was impossible. Many were from what I was able to glean, a different series. As this is book 1, it should read as a book 1, and not a continuation of the other series.

The narrator, Michael Dean, was usual did a great job of keeping the characters distinct, which wasn’t easy with different accents, multiple characters, and different first languages.

If you are a fan of this author’s books, you will likely love this one. There’s a lot going on, but the action and suspense flows well. There’s just too much other stuff that I felt got in the way of telling the actual story that the author was intending to tell. I’m going to give book 2 a shot to see if it fares better for me.

2 pieces of eye candy

The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

December 13, 2022 by Denise

. .

Two grumpy bears and a holiday season neither will forget…

Joe

So this sexy silver fox rolls into my small New England town and buys a run-down old house in need of renovation. That’s where I come in. My job is to do some basic repairs, so he can write in peace. Yep, the hotshot is a bestselling author, but that’s not why I recognize Cameron Warren.

No worries, I won’t let a one-night stand make things awkward. I could use the work, but is he seriously asking me to help him buy a Christmas tree too?

No way.

Cameron

I’m a good-natured guy all year long, but I have to admit…I hate the holidays.

There. I said it.

This season, I’m hiding away on the opposite side of the country in a picturesque village. My family isn’t excited about my decision, and the only way to assure them I’m fine is to deck the darn halls. Or hire someone else to do it.

The handyman might not be the logical choice for an elf, but his grumpy act makes me smile. Which makes me think the holidays might not be so “bah-humbug” this year after all.

The Humbug Holiday is a bisexual, age-gap romance featuring two grumpy bears who find unexpected magic and learn to embrace everyone’s favorite time of year!

Title: The Humbug Holiday
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 35k
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday.
Tropes: Bears, Second Chance, Holiday Romance, Romantic Comedy.

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Audible – Narrated by Michael Dean

Goodreads

A playful smile ghosted over Cameron’s full lips. “You’re stubborn, but loyal. You’re extremely private, but I can’t tell if that’s a protective mechanism or defensive. You’re a loner.”

All true.

“Anything else?”

“Well…I think you have a bit of a God complex,” he replied carefully.

I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me?”

“You’re a control freak. In a perfect world, you’d like to control or manage others’ expectations. You hate that you care what others think, but you do. That probably has something to do with the fact that you come from a good place and you don’t like the idea of anything tainting it. Big cities have a way of desensitizing. Trust me. I know how that goes.”

I was too taken aback by the ultra-personal read to reply immediately. Surprise gave way to righteous indignation and anger.

I glowered as I moved toward him. “What the fuck? You don’t know me or anything about my life or—”

“Hey, relax.” Cameron held his hands up in surrender. “It’s an observation, not an insult.”

“Well…don’t observe me. It’s creepy,” I growled. “Especially coming from someone who writes murder mysteries.”

A slow-moving pirate’s smile took over his face. “Fair point, but as you said, it’s my job to watch and take note of my surroundings.”

I cocked my head, studying his chiseled features and proud carriage in those designer duds. Everything about Cameron Warren screamed “special,” and I had no doubt that was the case. But I was still smarting after his astute analysis. I couldn’t help wondering how much of his dapper bear façade was for show.

“Hmm. Maybe. Or maybe you snoop to dodge your own reality.” I shrugged. “Just a thought.”

He arched a brow but didn’t speak.

Was it my imagination or was the air suddenly buzzing? My gaze darted to the darkening skies out the window, but the sizzle of electricity was all us. I couldn’t read any signs.

Were we joking? I mean, we were throwing some personal shit out there. We were both guilty of being borderline rude…and too familiar. It should have felt unsafe to have someone poke at me for a reaction, but damn it…it turned me on.

He turned me on.

Okay, I have a very soft spot for grumpy bears…my dad was one. Bah Humbug! all the way for him. But he had the softest heart buried in that grumpy face that he was so well known for. So, there was zero chance I was passing up not only a grumpy bear book, but two grumpy bears and a holiday story to boot. I was not disappointed.

I will admit, I’ve not read a lot of Lane Hayes’ books…I’ve seen the error of my ways, I promise! This book just hit me in so many good ways. These two did not love the holidays, and both with very good reasons. However, those around them did (all the older ladies who would not let them just be by themselves was so funny to me!) and so because they loved those people, they “suffered” through the holiday season, with all the gruff exterior they could muster. Until they met their match in grumpiness in the other.

Joe was hit hard in the past by a former lover/boss, as well as some nasty allegations against him, and came home to essentially lick his wounds. After being in that situation, I’m sure you would want to be somewhere where people love you, appreciate you, will leave you alone a bit, and that feels comfortable. A bit like curling up with a hot cocoa under the covers. Cameron meanwhile, needed a change of pace, a slower one in order to breathe, away from his aunts, and everyone wanting a piece of him back in California. He had his own demons to battle with regards to the holidays that had been sitting in the background for decades.

These two somehow found a way to learn to like the holidays again, through the magic of being with each other. Or at least, they probably always liked it a little, but came to realize that they did, by finding each other. It was a gradual process, but fun to see the progression.

This book wasn’t super funny, although definitely had its moments. “I picked up a red bulb and gingerly attached the hook to the tree. Okay, that wasn’t so bad.” But it just felt so good to read. Seeing these two big old grumps learning they can be happy inside, and with each other, even if they feel the need to keep up their front to the outside world for their own sanity. Until, of course, everyone just knew they truly loved the holidays. It did my heart more good than I would have ever imagined. It’s definitely on the read again list.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not-quite-empty nest.

Connect with Lane:
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Blog: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/Lanehayesauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes

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Vow Maker (Mixed Messages Book 4) by Lily Morton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 8, 2022 by Denise

. .

Dylan Mitchell wants to get married.

However, after seven years of being engaged, that’s looking slightly doubtful. After going through ten wedding planners, they’re gaining a reputation somewhat akin to Henry the Eighth on the wedding circuit.

Gabe has vetoed symbolic dove releases, forests of flowers, fire-eating performers, and puce as a wedding colour. He’s confounded an army of wedding professionals, and now Dylan, the man who knows and loves him better than anyone, has joined the ranks of the confused. Can anything please his fiancé and get them to the altar?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes the sequel to Rule Breaker. A romantic comedy novella full of family chaos, meddling friends, sexy bathroom encounters, and love. Always love.

Title: Vow Maker

By: Lily Morton

Series: Mixed Messages, Book 4

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Book 1: Rule Breaker

Book 2: Deal Maker

Book 3: Risk Taker

“Okay. I can certainly see what I can do, but at this short notice, many big venues are booked. They’re probably booked until you both draw your pensions.”

“Really?” Dylan asks.

I stir. “Even if we throw obscene amounts of money at the venue?”

Joe blinks. “You’re going to gazump a bride?”

“If necessary,” I say silkily.

“Well, I like a brave man. Brave or foolhardy? I’ll leave that to posterity and whoever does the speech at your funeral.”

“We are not doing that, Gabe,” Dylan says firmly. “For shame.”

I sit back in my chair. “I sense my bloodthirsty nature isn’t suited to a marital discussion.”

“You’d be amazed,” Joe says cheerily. “You’ve obviously never been near the Harrods bridal department during a sale. Russell Crowe could have done all his research for Gladiator in one fell swoop.”

Engaged for SEVEN YEARS? That’s bonkers. But I digress.

Dylan and Gabe were my first story by Lily Morton. And probably many people. We just fell in love with the cranky, perfectionist boss and sassy, sarcastic assistant. It was hard not to. Two more books with other couples followed and we’ve circled back around to the originals.

Now I am going to admit that sometimes I feel like follow up books like this are thin. No real substance, just wanting to be a people pleaser that sells. But this one didn’t feel that way for me at all. I was thrilled to pick up seven years later and watch them try to plan their wedding. As soon as they could find a wedding planner.

The wedding planner they do ultimately hire had a very easy chance of taking over the story with pratfalls, etc. But nope. He mostly stayed in the background, gently guiding both men toward their goal.

Of course we get a little Ivo, Henry, Jude and Asa. And Dylan’s boisterous family.

In the end, they get their perfect wedding and we get the perfect end to a great story line.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Lily is a bestselling gay romance author. She writes love stories filled with heat and humour.

She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.

Lily has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – Chocolate Baileys.

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Christmas at Queens Crescent by Kristian Parker: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 7, 2022 by Denise

. .

Jeremy Brookes is having a mid-twenties crisis. After losing his mother, he’ taken up his father’s offer to move from Canada to London to start a new life. The problem is, he has no idea how to do it. His billionaire father as some ideas… Once Jeremy is installed in the exclusive neighbourhood of Queens Crescent, he will have to sort his life out pretty damned quick if he’s to avoid a lifetime at the pharma company where his father is CEO and his stepmother rules HR.

Jeremy isn’t cut out for that life or that of a spoiled rich kid, worrying where his next designer label is coming from. Then he happens upon Stuart Monroe, the handsome Scottish florist with a shop around the corner. As the only socialist in Kensington, Stuart’s lowly background makes it a challenge to be surrounded by such wealth. Instantly drawn to this rebel in their midst, Jeremy decides to do the sensible thing: go undercover as Stuart’s new shop assistant to get to know the enigmatic stranger better.

What could possibly go wrong?

Title: Christmas at Queens Crescent
Authors: Kristian Parker
Length: 42K
Series: Queens Crescent, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Christmas, Opposites attract.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

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Jeremy exhaled. “She’s a force to be reckoned with.”

Stuart leant against the counter, grinning. “So are you. You’re going to be running the place if I’m don’t watch ma back.”

Jeremy’s neck burned. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t overstep the mark. I saw you letting go of an opportunity just because she pissed you off. Nose cut, spite face came to mind.”

Shaking his head, Stuart straightened up. “And a bit of psychoanalysis on the side? Is there no end to this man’s talents? Well, how about you show me how talented you are at emptying a van? It’s parked out the back.” He handed Jeremy the keys.

“You’ll be thanking me,” Jeremy said with a grin. “I like expensive champagne.”

“Duly noted.” Always an advocate of quitting while he was ahead, Jeremy wandered into the storeroom, painfully aware that Stuart would be watching him.

When he got to the van, he allowed a smile to creep over his face. It was going to be interesting working here.

This book is all about starting over after a huge loss, and finding something completely new, and hopefully amazing. Jeremy lost his mother to cancer recently, and moves to London to start over…with his life and with his father, and hopeful for a love interest in there also. I loved the idea after such a challenging time with a dying parent that you adored (having been there less than a year ago), he gave himself permission to just see where his new life would lead him, and be open to it.

Stuart, the florist around the corner, had been bullied as a child by rich kids in his private school, that he’d had a scholarship at. He was understandably wary of anyone with more money to spare than sense. However, even with all that, he moved his business to this neighborhood. I struggled with that idea. If it was as triggering as it seemed to be, why would he put himself in that space, no matter how good the space was? And he seemed to at least like some of his clients, but never said anything but negative things. His back and forth with Jeremy, also was a bit exhausting. He was a good hardworking, lovely Scottish man, who just wanted his business to do well.

Meanwhile, Jeremy went about it completely the wrong way, lying to get into the job, to get to know Stuart. It showed a lack of maturity on his part, although in his defense, he went to college, and then right into caring for his dying mother, so he hadn’t learned how to deal with people in the outside world as much. However, he also didn’t learn any sort of humility. At one point he says “I’m not going to apologize anymore” and I just thought it was too soon to make that type of statement.

However, I really liked their interactions, and that they had fun together no matter what they did. Jeremy showed that even though he hadn’t gone to many of the places he tried, he was willing. He just didn’t know how to hide that he had money.

The side characters were great. His stepmother turned out to be so kind and gentle with him (as a child with a stepmother that I adore, I am always happy when I read about good stepmothers). His father, while a bit overbearing, also wanted only the best for his son. And the neighbor, Mrs. Wimpole…I kind of want to be her when I grow up.

All in all, a nice holiday story, with a great visual backdrop.

3 pieces of eye candy

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Connect with Peter:
Website & Newsletter – www.kristianparker.com
Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristiansworld
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @kparkerwriter
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