Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4) by Annabeth Albert

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

One too many…
Doctor Quinn Strauss is beloved by his small-town patients. He almost never drinks, especially not alone on a weeknight. But he’s heartbroken over an unexpected reminder of exactly how much his bad breakup has cost him. And the sexy ginger bartender keeps making him special drinks that go down a little too easy.

Take a drunk doc home…
Bartender Adam Ringer can tell when someone’s hurting, and the heroic local doctor is practically radiating pain. Adam’s a natural caretaker and can’t help but spring to Quinn’s rescue. And when the drunk and rambling Quinn reveals a mutual sexy interest, Adam’s other instincts are intrigued. He can’t wait for Quinn to sober up.

All mixed up…
When Adam offers Quinn a chance to explore secret desires he’s long repressed, Quinn finds himself saying yes to a summer fling with the younger Daddy bear. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan, but amid all their steamy encounters and intimate exchanges, a deep, emotional bond is forged. Summer is nearly over. Real life pressures are mounting. Can they grow enough to find a way to forever?

Hope on the Rocks is a brand-new, full-length Rainbow Cove novel featuring a younger Daddy and a doctor convinced he’s too old to follow his secret desires. Contains a lot of sexy exploration, opposites attract, loads of feels, and a guaranteed happy ending. No age play or cliffhangers!

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Hope on the Rocks is the fourth book in the Rainbow Cove series. This Annabeth Albert is a nice addition to the small town series. 

I like Quinn and Adam from the start. We first meet them in a cute, drunken moment that develops into more. 

The couple is certainly good together, as well as cute and good compliments for each other. I enjoy their opposite natures and the way everything develops between them. 

One of my favorite aspects of their relationship is Quinn's lack of confidence in having a Daddy. He believes he's too old to explore the type of relationship he wants. Luckily for him, Adam thinks that's BS.

I enjoy the way Quinn falls into calling Adam Daddy. It's both easy and natural, despite his hesitation. That said, I love the way their Daddy relationship plays out. They are definitely into the lifestyle, although it's not a 24/7 thing. They make it work the way they want it to.  

The migraines are a great addition to the story, both in moving things along for them, as well as adding a lot of heart to the story. If you enjoy a man who helps nurse the one he loves, you will appreciate this element.

Hope on the Rocks is a nice sweet and steamy romance. Annabeth Albert entertains in this Daddy romance. 

Up in Smoke (Hotshots #4) by Annabeth Albert

 

Amazon Link   

Goodreads Link

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Up in Smoke is the fourth book in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert. It's easily read as a standalone. I love this series, but I struggle with this one. 

Brandt and Shane are reunited when Shane shows up with Brandt's baby in tow. With baby Jewel being abandoned by Shane's sister, suddenly the two men are left with a baby. 

There are a lot of readers who don't like siblings sleeping with the same person. If you are one who hates that, run from this book. 

Personally, I can overlook the sibling thing, but I wish they had met when Shane shows up with the baby, and not the year before. I think that would have helped me connect with them more as a couple. 

They're hot together, but it all falls a little flat for me. The baby stuff is good, both sweet and cute. I love the way they are with Jewel. I enjoy how easily their lives and priorities change. 

Family is a large aspect here, with two men who both never had their feet firmly planted in a family unit. With Jewel, and the two falling in love, they find themselves with a family for once. 

I usually love the author's writing style. Written in alternating first person pov, with a pleasant tone, and plenty of humor, it's an easy read. But this one definitely is slow and drags a bit. I found myself skimming during the middle. 

I think I found myself waiting for a scary moment for Brandt with his job, like we've seen before, but that never happens. 

Overall, Up in Smoke is a good read. This Annabeth Albert book is my least favorite in the series as far as the romance is concerned, but I still enjoy it. 

Up in Smoke (Hotshots #4) by Annabeth Albert

 Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert is available in eBook, mass market paperback and audiobook formats on April 27th!

 

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

Hotshots

Book 1: Burn Zone My Review

Book 2: High Heat My Review

Book 3: Feel the Fire My Review

Book 4: Up in Smoke - My Review to follow soon!

Add Up in Smoke to your Goodreads!

Buy Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert

Harlequin.com: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335484727_up-in-smoke.html 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335484727 

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Up-in-Smoke-Paperback-9781335484727/771807836 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Up-Smoke-Firefighter-Romance-Hotshots-ebook/dp/B08K3GLM91 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/up-in-smoke-annabeth-albert/1138801894 

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/up-in-smoke/id1533416234  

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Annabeth_Albert_Up_in_Smoke?id=EEv_DwAAQBAJ 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/up-in-smoke-27 

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Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert 

Featherbed (Vino and Veritas #1) by Annabeth Albert

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

When a bookworm on borrowed time meets a younger, free-spirited chicken farmer, sparks and feathers fly…

Harrison Phillip Fletcher III isn’t supposed to be here. Not in Burlington, Vermont, not running Vino & Veritas, a quaint inclusive bookstore and wine bar, and definitely not still alive at forty-two. Also not supposed to be here? An unexpected delivery of chickens.

Finn Barnes knows chickens. The burly organic farmer knows all about rare breed poultry, but dealing with a hot, older bookseller is an entirely different matter. City slicker types like Harrison never end up staying in Vermont for the long-term.

They should steer clear of each other. But the flare of attraction is mutual. And somehow, amid book discussions and farm tours, they discover plenty in common. Now they’re stealing kisses in Finn’s barn, sneaking out like teens, and burning up the sheets.

What starts as a fling brings very real feelings for two lonely souls, but a future together seems as unlikely as chickens in a bookstore. Feathers may be flying, but learning to trust takes time neither may have. Can they take a leap of faith together before it’s too late?

Featherbed is a stand-alone novel in Sarina Bowen’s True North world. This opposites attract, age gap romance features a low-angst, fluffy—and feathery—romp as a fish out of water discovers the home he never thought he’d find. 

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My Rating - 4 Stars!

Featherbed is the first book in the Vino and Veritas series. This is Annabeth Albert's contribution to this multi-author series that is set among Sarina Bowen's True North world. 

Harrison and Finn's journey starts off with a chicken delivery gone wrong. 

Poor Harry. He's sullen and giving up on life. Then he meets Finn, a younger organic farmer who breathes some fresh air into Harrison. 

The characters are intriguing and charming, with some fun banter and a smoking chemistry. I enjoy that we follow as the two men get to know one another with a benefits only arrangement where the lines start to blur. 

And as they fall in love, it's sweet and tender. They're two men helping one another to live fully and without fear and it's a great journey. 

At the heart of it is the weight of fear and anxiety. Harry's crippled by his anxiety. I enjoy the way the author explores this. It's written with care and compassion.

The setting is a small town in Vermont, which is truly delightful. The small town is well developed and can be felt throughout. I am excited for more of this series.

The writing style is great. Written in dual first person pov, the characters fully come to life. We even get adorable ducklings. And, damn, the ending is perfect

Featherbed is a wonderful start to this series. Annabeth Albert brings Vino and Veritas to life. I'm only sad that it isn't real and that I can't visit. The rest is great.

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Annabeth Albert Excerpt for Bloggers

“What’s next?” Harrison was so serious that I wasn’t sure whether he meant us or the shelf project, but I couldn’t resist messing with him a little.

“Screwing,” I deadpanned.

Predictably, Harrison made a sputtering noise. “Pardon?”

“With a drill, Harry.” I held up the trusty cordless I’d retrieved. “With a drill.”

“No one calls me Harry.” His mouth pursed. I wanted to kiss it. Perversely, the more uptight he got, the more I wanted to unravel him.

“Not even your mom?” I found the correct drill bit for the project and slotted it in.

“Ha.” Harrison had locked his gaze on my hands in a way that made me both self-conscious and more than a little turned-on. “I call her Mom only because she dislikes the formality of Mother.”

“Whereas you love the formality. I get it. Harry.” I put deliberate emphasis on the nickname, so that I could categorize all the different shades of pink and purple he was turning. Besides, it was a good distraction from how his shrewd eyes made me feel.

“I said—”

“You’re fun to harass.” I grinned at him, which earned me an eye roll in return.

“I try. Now give me something to do.”

“Okay, okay. Back to work. You can help by measuring to mark each of the screw holes.”

“Why do construction terms always sound so suggestive?”

“Because you have a dirty mind, Harry.” I gave him an exaggerated leer.

“You better stop that.” He didn’t sound particularly convincing.

“Stop teasing or stop looking at you?” Laughing, I waggled the drill in his direction. “I’ll remind you that I’m the one holding power tools.”

“So you are.” Harrison kept holding my gaze, eyes soft and expectant behind his glasses, tongue darting out to lick at his lips. In that moment, he was infinitely appealing and nothing at all like Astin.

Maybe I’d been mistaken in thinking he was a branch of the same tree of rich dudes who had no issues taking what they wanted. Like him, Astin had favored designer clothing, pricey-looking watches, and the same luxury brand car, and had also dropped clues about inheritances. But unlike Astin, there was a certain humility to Harrison, and he didn’t try to tell me how to do my job.

Oh, Harrison was still a city slicker, and probably not sticking around, but he wasn’t an entitled asshole either. He wanted to kiss me. That want was all over his face, but so was his restraint. As with the woodworking, he’d let me lead. He’d wait for me to make my move and didn’t have a ready arsenal of slick lines. His uncertainty was perhaps the most charming thing about him.

And so, still meeting his eyes, I set the drill back down on the workbench. “No power tools now. You still want to shut me up?”

I stepped closer, in case he had any doubt as to my intent. He smelled good. Expensive, like someone had married delicate herbs and leather scents in an aftershave that probably cost more than a year’s supply of my soap.

“Yeah. I think I do.” His cultured voice had gone husky, but still contained that vulnerability I found so damn intoxicating.

“Show me.” Touching the sleeve of his waffle-knit sweater, I turned him toward me. There. I’d made my move. The next was his. 

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Cup of Joe (Bold Brew #1) by Annabeth Albert

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Sometimes an ordinary Joe is all you need…

Newbie barista Levi Miles is having a bad day in the middle of a bad month. He’s trying to figure out post-graduation life, and a recent breakup hasn’t helped. The one bright spot? The charming blue-collar customer with the simple order and reassuring voice.

Electrician Joe Simmons can make anything light up—except his love life. As he gets older, he remains unsure about what he wants from a relationship. But an innocent flirtation with the fresh-faced barista is exactly what his ego needs.
Levi doesn’t need a boyfriend. Or a Daddy. But bantering with Joe feels so good, and when their tentative friendship takes a turn for the sexy, a summer fling seems fun. Exploring long-held desires brings them closer with each steamy night, and the idea of parting gets harder.

But Levi’s only in town temporarily, and the end of summer is approaching. Both are reluctant to disclose their feelings, but pushing past their fears may be the only way to keep this special thing going. Can they order up a happy ending before time runs out?

Cup of Joe is a stand-alone novel in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional small city. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! This 53,000 word age gap story contains a reluctant Daddy, lots of fluffy steam exploring new desires, low angst, and a guaranteed happy ending!

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Cup of Joe is Annabeth Albert's contribution to the multi-author Bold Brew series. 

When Levi and Joe meet, they're intrigued from the start. I love the dynamics between these men. Levi's a brat, and Joe is happy to combat his bratty side. 

The men make a BDSM arrangement, trying to explore what kind of kink works for them. And I have to say, I enjoy the way this is carried out. But soon they bond on a non kink level too, finding themselves spending a lot of time together. Pure sweetness.

This is a hot age gap romance. The men are great together, as Joe loves caring for Levi. Adding to the fun is the appearance of lace. Lots of lace! Love it.

This is a sweet tale mixed with some light angst, as Levi's future is up in the air. 

Written in alternating first person pov, we get to know both men well and enjoy the attraction between them. 

Cup of Joe is a nice, easy to read age gap romance. Annabeth Albert adds in some heat and kink along the way. It's just a nice romance with some tender BDSM elements added in. 

COVER REVEALS - VINO AND VERITAS #1-3 by Annabeth Albert, Garrett Leigh, & Eden Finley

  VINO AND VERITAS #1-3: COVER REVEALS!

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FEATHERBED BY ANNABETH ALBERT

Release Date: March 15, 2021

Pre-Order here: Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

When a bookworm on borrowed time meets a younger, free-spirited chicken farmer, sparks and feathers fly…
Harrison Phillip Fletcher, III isn’t supposed to be here. Not in Burlington, Vermont, not running Vino & Veritas, a quaint inclusive bookstore and wine bar, and definitely not still alive, at forty-two. Also not supposed to be here? An unexpected delivery of chickens.

Finn Barnes knows chickens. The burly organic farmer knows all about rare breed poultry, but dealing with a hot, older bookseller is an entirely different matter. City slicker types like Harrison never end up staying in Vermont for the long-term.

They should steer clear of each other. But the flare of attraction is mutual. And somehow amid book discussions and farm tours, they discover plenty in common. Now they’re stealing kisses in Finn’s barn, sneaking out like teens, and burning up the sheets.

What starts as a fling brings very real feelings for two lonely souls, but a future together seems as unlikely as chickens in a bookstore. Feathers may be flying, but learning to trust takes time neither may have. Can they take a leap of faith together before it’s too late?

Featherbed is a stand-alone novel in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. This opposites-attract, age-gap romance features a low-angst, fluffy—and feathery—romp as a fish out of water discovers the home he never thought he’d find.

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HEARTSCAPE BY GARRETT LEIGH

Release Date: March 22, 2021

Pre-Order here: Amazon

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Cover Design: Christine Coffey

From award-winning author Garrett Leigh comes a gorgeous new romance in the True North world! Think: great food, burly men and good times. Beards are optional but encouraged.

I’m not the obvious choice to run Burlington’s coolest wine bar—quiet, brooding, clueless about tannin content, and always one wrong turn away from another downward spiral.

But no one seems to mind that I'm a wreck. Besides me. I just focus on getting through each shift until the night a beautiful stranger appears, looking as lost and damaged as I feel.

When a mutual friend calls in a favor, the sexy newcomer winds up crashing on my couch. I don't know if it's his melodic Cornish accent, or his ocean blue eyes, or the rock-hard body with the mysterious scars, but I get the feeling whatever happened to him runs far deeper than those wounds. 

Having Jax in my home makes my chest warm. Makes me shiver. Makes me want more. But I've got a pile of baggage and I don't want to be a burden on anyone let alone a man who seems to have enough demons of his own. 

Our chemistry is off the charts. His arms feel like home. The last thing I want is to screw this up. Is it wrong to hope we can heal each other? Or will one of us die trying?

HEARTSCAPE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers romance in the True North world, with a brooding bartender, a rugged outdoorsman, sweet angst and lots of Shipley cider. Triggers: contains mentions of depression, suicidal ideation and PTSD recovery.

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HEADSTRONG BY EDEN FINLEY

Release Date: March 22, 2021

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Cover Design: Christine Coffey

A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? 

When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that broke my heart.

But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away.

Agreeing to be his wingman should’ve been simple. Watching him flirt with other guys made things complicated.

Whit challenges me in every aspect of my life, from my hatred of hockey to the new questions I’m asking myself. Like why a straight man suddenly can’t stop thinking about kissing another guy.

I think the answer lies somewhere on Whit’s lips...