Kissed in Paradise (Valentine’s Inc. #9) by Crystal Lacy

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Blurb

Valentine's Inc. Book 9.

Cary:
My impromptu vacation before a job interview in Hawaii gets interesting when my best friend books me a “tour guide” for four days from Valentine’s Inc—a date-for-hire app. The guy he hired? Fei Li, an ex-classmate from high school and the guy who made me realize I was gay in the first place. Now Fei’s determined to give me my money’s worth, and I don’t know how I’ll be able to go through four days of fake-dating with him and keep from sinking deeper into my infatuation. Don’t know if I even want to try.

Fei:
Past and present collide when a last-minute gig turns out to be my high school crush, the football team captain who once walked in on me with another player in the locker room. I’m determined to prove I’m no longer the angry, nerdy kid I once was—even if being around Cary Jackson makes me feel like a teenager all over again. I’m going to make our four dates rock his world, all without crossing the professional line I’ve set for myself after a disastrous slip in the past. This is all pretend. I’ve got to remember that. No falling for a client.

A standalone novella-length story in the Valentine's Inc. universe about opposites attracting, missed chances, and new beginnings.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Kissed In Paradise, Crystal Lacy's contribution to the Valentine's Inc series, is a ton of fun.

From the very beginning, I found myself engrossed in this story, loving the opening scene. And, as I enjoy the author's writing style, I stayed riveted throughout.

Told in my favorite style, alternating 1st person pov, we get to know both characters thoughts well. 

The setting of Hawaii is entertaining, as we are able to get a feel for the islands, despite the short length of this story.

I love Cary. He and Fai being reunited, and the discovery of how well they work together is beautiful. And steamy!

Kissed In Paradise is a great read for any fans of second chance romances. It's not a classic second chance tale, but it's a variation on the theme, and it's both enjoyable and riveting.

Change For You (Oahu Lovers #2) by Crystal Lacy

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BLURB

Silver fox Stephen Webb doesn’t mean to start a workplace fling with the cute new intern. Stephen Webb has a pivotal tax season ahead of him and he doesn't have time for distractions. At least that's what he thinks—until Minoru "Max" Kamigawa walks into his life and disrupts all his plans.

Max secretly wants to follow his love of music, but family obligations keep him rooted in Hawaii. Tax supervisor Stephen Webb makes his spring internship a little sweeter, but the man's priorities don't seem to include Max. Is it only a fling or something worth staying for when his dreams come calling?

Stephen and Max must decide whether to stick to their goals or risk everything and change their course for love.

A May-December MM romance with a HEA and no cliffhangers set in Honolulu, Hawaii. 87,000 words.

REVIEW 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Change For You is a lovely May to December office romance by Crystal Lacy.

This romance revolves around Stephen, a grumpy, workaholic accountant and one of his new interns, Max. Both men take an instant liking to each other and keep checking one another out. But, Stephen knows he can't get involved with an intern. As well, he is 20 years Max's senior. 

I enjoyed both men's stories and what made them who they are. Stephen is a complicated guy, and his past is slowly revealed over time. Max's situation is certainly complicated, as he is learning accounting for the money, since his family needs it. But his dreams center around his music.

Essentially, both men have to decide if it's worth changing for love. When you have someone who completes you and who you don't want to lose, you start to re-evaluate your circumstances and your dreams. The author tackles this in a thoughtful and beautiful manner. 

If you don't like reading about indulging in alcohol, stay away. Neither are alcoholics, but they certainly use alcohol as a way for being honest with one another and taking chances. 

This book contains some great laughs (Max's grandmother!), some tender and sweet moments, and some extremely steamy moments (the spilt coffee scene. Hot damn!) It's well developed, has some great surprises (Stephen's ex) and some great board game scenes. I adore Stephen and Max together. Crystal Lacy perfectly captures the differences in their ages, while also perfectly closing that gap and bringing them to equal footing. Well done!

Change For You is definitely worth a read. I can't wait to see what Crystal Lacy comes up with next for this series!

GRL 2018 SPOTLIGHT - Annabella Michaels - Written On My Heart (My Heart Series #1)

In my attempt to cover some of the attending authors for this year's GRL,

I am reviewing

Annabelle Michael's Written On My Heart !

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Released August 26, 2018

BLURB


Garrett Sullivan’s heart was broken when he learned that the man he was secretly in love with, his best friend, Akio, was head over heels for someone else. Romance writer by trade, starry-eyed dreamer by design, Garrett leaves Chicago to mend his broken heart. After months of wallowing in his own misery, Garrett barely recognizes himself anymore. With only two weeks until he has to return home, he sets off for the beautiful island of Maui, hoping the sand, sea and sun will help him pull himself together.
Dean Wilder has worked very hard to become a household name and for his roles as a leading man in the biggest action films to grace the big screen. Considered one of Hollywood’s sexiest bachelors, Dean has had a string of meaningless relationships. The only thing his past partners have taken seriously are his fame, his fortune and the status they gain by being his plus one. Fed up with playing unfulfilling characters, frustrated and tired of being alone, he longs for serious film roles and a meaningful relationship. Desperate for a break, Dean sets off for his vacation home along a private stretch of beach in Maui.
Sparks fly when Garrett and Dean see each other for the first time, and after a wild night of passion, they agree to spend their vacations together, exploring the island and each other. But what begins as a bit of harmless fun soon turns into so much more than either man bargained for, and they must face some difficult decisions; about their lives, their careers and their hearts.



REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Written on my Heart is an absolutely delightful and enchanting romance by Annabella Michaels.

It is a sweet and heart-warming story about Garrett and Dean, who meet during their time in Maui. They both were there seeking an escape from their lives. The attraction is instant, and what starts as a casual fling soon develops into a strong friendship and the desire for a real relationship.

This story is so special in the way they connect through revealing themselves to one another. Let's just say it's emotions, emotions and emotions!! But, they don't live near each other and vacation is ending. 

Their two weeks together change them forever. Dean pulls Garrett out of his shell, and shows him so much during their time together. And in return, Garrett shows him that not everyone likes him because he's famous. Going back home to separate places doesn't feel right, but can either man suggest more?

Written on my Heart is a beautiful discovery of true love, as it's tender, nurturing and passionate. Annabella Michaels has created a feel good romance at it's finest, one that will be added to my "re-read often" list.

Annabella Michaels

“ As a kid I loved reading books that let you choose your own ending. As an author I get to create the whole story. Writing allows me to tap into a form of creativity I didn't know existed. ” Annabella 

I am married to my high school sweetheart who let's face it, is a saint for putting up with me all of these years. Together we have been blessed with the chance to raise two amazing human beings and so far we haven't screwed it up; I'll let you know for sure later. I am a business owner and spend more time laughing than actually working most days. I love watching movies, cooking, going to the beach and spending time with my family and best friends. I am an obsessive reader who is a complete sucker for a good love story, but loves to feel a broad range of emotions throughout a book. I think real life is hard enough and so my books offer twists and turns, but always with a happy ending.

Brave For You (Oahu Lovers #1) by Crystal Lacy

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Blurb

Less than a year after moving to Hawaii, construction foreman Nate Ellison’s wife leaves him and their infant son for another man. Months into single-fatherhood, Nate meets Andrew “An” Hoang and is slowly drawn into An’s life. Through An’s friendship, he finds himself finally enjoying his new home in paradise.

An Hoang hasn’t had a real relationship in years. With his pediatrics practice and a niece to care for on his days off, he doesn’t have the headspace for more than a simple roll in the sack. But when he meets Nate—who just happens to be the gorgeous construction worker he encountered in the lobby of his apartment building—something about Nate makes it impossible for him not to care. When Nate needs An’s help with his son, An doesn’t refuse.

What happens when Nate’s past and An’s old-fashioned parents interfere just as the two men begin to fall for each other? Will they find the means to be brave and give their love a chance to flourish?

A sweet and steamy slow burn M/M romance set in Hawaii.

This story is a HEA story with NO cliffhangers. Subsequent books in the series will feature new main characters.


REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Brave For You, by Crystal Lacy, is a wonderful romance that has a lot of layers and heart. 

This story centers around Pediatrician An and his neighbor Nate. 

An is a gay man who has centered his whole life around his niece Diane. He is gay, but his family refuses to acknowledge this, thus causing a lot of family friction.

Nate is a single dad, to baby Noah, after his wife left him without telling him where she was going. 

When the two meet, An is attracted to Nate, but assumes he's straight. As they start to spend a little time together, their friendship develops 

There are so many things that make this novel unique and special, including the many mentions of Vietnamese culture and the Hawaii setting. 

This book contains many things I adore in a romance, including a "single" father, slow burn friends to lovers, adorable little girl and baby. In addition there are sad aspects in the book; mother abandoning her family, homophobic parents.  

The mother issue in this story is well done, as the author fully redeems her in the end, making for a wonderful addition to the story.

The slow burn friends to lovers aspect of this story is impressively done. It is authentic, captivating and memorable. The men are a perfect fit for each other, and add so much to the other's life. 

Overall, I am happy to have discovered Crystal Lacy and recommend this debut novel of her Oahu Lovers series, Brave For You. I know I will be keeping my eye out for the next one.