Showing posts with label ex foster care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ex foster care. Show all posts

Sunday, November 22, 2020

No Good Mitchell by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

 



Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link





BRODY

A night on the town after a long workweek at my family's distillery should include shots and dancing--not a hot kiss with a handsome stranger. I'm straight...at least, that's what I figured until I find myself locking lips with a sexy city boy. Now all my circuits are going haywire, and the spark that ignites between us makes me even more curious.

Unfortunately, I kissed the one man who's off-limits: Cohen Mitchell--the sole surviving heir to the Mitchell Creek distillery, a rival neighbor my family has feuded with for nearly a hundred years. Until he arrived in town, no one knew there were any Mitchells left. But the business-savvy city slicker has taken an interest in his legacy. Nothing means more to me than my family, so whether I like it or not, I have to keep my hands off the sexy, green-eyed beauty who Big Daddy has not-so-affectionately dubbed that "No Good Mitchell." Problem is: my hands have other plans...

COHEN

I never expected to inherit a distillery from a father I had never known. That's how I find myself in a tiny Georgia town where everyone knows a family history I've been kept in the dark about. The townsfolk all have a different story about my ancestors, with two things in common: illegal activity and Mitchell vs O'Ralley forever.

Maybe I shouldn't like Brody O'Ralley, but I didn't grow up with this stupid family feud. I enjoy touching him, kissing him and--oops--I'm falling for the man with sweet Southern charm and a big heart. Between the O'Ralley patriarch hating me, getting the Mitchell Creek distillery off the ground, and working through my own family issues, I know I should stay away from Brody.

But I won't, and staying away is not what he wants either. I crave all the time with my country boy as I can get, even if it's breaking the rules. After all, I am a No Good Mitchell.




My Rating - 5 Stars!


No Good Mitchell is a fantastic small town romance by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack. These two can do no wrong when working separately or together. 

It's hard to explain how damn wonderful this book is. This isn't just a romance. Not at all. Instead, it's a tale of family, heartache, wounds, and love. It's a story of things discovered as a result of love. Yes, love is the guiding factor, but it's all about the family dynamics through the years that make this tale so damn messy and addictive.

It's riveting from the start, as Cohen comes to town as the long lost Mitchell boy, aka the No Good Mitchell boy. He never knew his father, always assuming he wasn't loved. But upon returning to the land and business he inherited, his journey is full of discoveries and romance. 

The forbidden romance aspect is ever present. If his coming here wasn't complicated enough, Cohen's attraction to Brody just adds to the problems. He and Brody can't keep their hands off one another. But they also can't be together. Their families hate one another and have caused one another pain through the generations. Until Cohen and Brody meet. 

Their journey includes the family feud that's fueled by jealous, love, lies, and secrets. It's complicated with multi-layered issues and a whole lot of fear and problems. I find myself both impressed and fascinated by the layers upon layers of history that's unveiled. It's one hell of mess and Cohen has no idea how he fits into everything.

As for the romance, Cohen and Brody are great together, despite everything working against them. Both are just trying to do right, for both themselves and their family legacies. The make for a wonderful, heartfelt couple.

The small town aspect is evident throughout, with everyone knowing everyone else's business. I love that the men can't be seen together in town, unless they want everyone to gossip. That is small town at it's finest.

The secondary characters are plentiful, well developed, and constantly contributing to the storyline. There's lots of banter and gossip to be had. Big Daddy is one of their largest obstacles, but in the end, he is nothing that I expected. 

And then there's Isaac. His friendship with Cohen is a thing of beauty. He's always there for him, always supporting him, and ultimately finds some answers for himself. The ending is fabulous and had me cheering!

No Good Mitchell is an amazing tale. This Riley Hart and Devon McCormack collaboration is stellar with it's complexity and the emotional rollercoaster throughout. It's full of sweetness, guilt, and grief, all while keeping things low angst and charming. It's an amazing mix and I can't recommend it enough.





Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Saxon's Savior (Protect and Serve Book 3) by Pandora Pine

 



Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link



Paramedic Dallas Haynes is between a rock and a hard place. Needing to replace a fallen paramedic, but not wanting anyone else to fill his shoes, he procrastinates until the decision is taken out of his hands. Dallas is less than thrilled when the new medic turns up for his first shift.

Saxon James hopes his first day at Gloucester’s Firehouse Three will be a turning point in his life. Sent packing from his previous job, and branded a troublemaker, this new position is his last chance to get it right. When he receives a frosty reception from his new boss, Dallas, he’s even more upset to find himself attracted to the taciturn man.

The new coworkers are like oil and water from the moment they meet. But the burning desire between them inevitably begins to draw them closer and soften the animosity between the two men.

Finally surrendering to the fiery passion between them, Saxon and Dallas are doused by approaching Hurricane Tess, who has her sights set on Gloucester. Can they band together to save lives in the height of the storm, or will their budding relationship sink in the rising tide?



My Rating - 5 Stars!


Saxon's Savior, the third book in the Protect and Serve series, is an awesome read. This Pandora Pine book is easily read as a standalone, but the books are all connected and best enjoyed if read in order. 

If you enjoy paramedics falling in love, you'll love this co-worker romance. Dallas and Saxon get off of the wrong foot when they become co-workers. But once the pretenses are dropped, and everything is forgiven, they bond over their similar pasts. They make for a fun couple from the start, but when a wrench is thrown into Saxon's life, things get iffy for the couple.  

As for the action and danger, good god, the first action scene had me on the edge of my seat. I could feel the heat from the fire. I could see the men and the car. I could feel the anxiousness of the situation. Wow! What a way to start the action. Classic Pandora Pine writing!

The author also excels in developing strong family units, always visiting with them, and making them an essential part of the storyline. Of course, Dallas is one of the many McCoy foster children. I seriously love this family. The bond between the family members is unbreakable, and dear lord, I love Mindy! I love her and her enthusiasm about helping strays. The whole family is just wonderful, continuing to charm me. They alone make this series a must read for me. 

But my favorite part of a Pandora Pine book is always the children she creates. They're lovable, sweet, funny, and always add greatly to the story. This book has two adorable kids, with one that will make you smile and laugh throughout. Seriously, Lola is the cutest kid ever! 

Written in alternating 1st person pov, the author continues to impress me. Not only are her characters well developed, it's the writing style that always has me consumed. She manages to set a scene with little details here and there, fully pulling you into the moment. She never bogs the reader down with unnecessary details, but rather just little ones that help you see what's happening. It's truly a gift to be able to write like this, as it's a delicate balance to not overwhelm the reader with too many details.

I absolutely love Saxon's Savior. From the first page, Pandora Pine had me hooked. This men in uniform romance is a feel-good, charming read, with plenty of action and obstacles throughout. This is definitely going on my re-read list. 


Saturday, June 6, 2020

BLOG TOUR, EXCERPT & REVIEW - The D- in 403B by Jess Bryant



Title: The D- in 403B
Author: Jess Bryant
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: June 4, 2020 
Full Jacket Designed by Melissa Gill Designs




Amazon Link - Available in KU






Sometimes a change of address can change your life.

Declan Ward has been called a lot of things in his life. Drug baby, delinquent and dirty little gay boy just to name a few. As a child in foster care, he heard it all and as an adult he knows better than to worry about what other people think of him. 
But when he gets into a war of words with his neighbor, he earns a new nickname and this time, it’s one he likes, one he decides he should definitely live up to.

After all, the new guy never actually said what it was the D stands for in his letters, but Declan has a few ideas and would be more than happy to show him.

Brett Coburn is a mature, respectable adult. He doesn’t get into arguments and he doesn’t name call like a kid on the playground. It doesn’t matter that the guy in 403B is the best-looking man Brett has ever laid eyes on. He’s a dickhead and Brett has the letters to prove it. 

That’s why nobody is more surprised than Brett when their thinly veiled threatening letters take a turn for the fun and flirtatious.

Is it possible they have more in common than they realized? 
Can they overcome the rough start to their friendship and turn it into something more? 
Or if they let their relationship become about more than just the “D” are they both bound to end up broken hearted?



________________________________________________________________________________



My Rating - 4.5 Stars!


The D- in 403B is an entertaining enemies to lovers romance by Jess Bryant.

In the beginning, I thought I was going to hate this book. It had the classic enemies to lovers trope going on, but I just wasn't invested in the guys. But then, later on...

I love Declan and Brett together. Their story starts with a battle of wills over a dog. It includes an ass of an ex and quite a few assumptions. 

Personally, I find the misunderstanding about Declan and Star at the beginning funny. Their real relationship is extremely touching and oh how I love Star in general. 

Then there are the notes. I love the notes.

The beauty of this journey however, is the way Declan changes over time. With the help of Star, he's able to become more willing to trust and take chances. And it's fantastic.

The writing is great, with some complex characters and an intriguing storyline. The angst is well done, with nothing forced, and there's a lot of beauty in the resolution. 

Overall, The D- in 403B is well worth a read. Be sure to check out this Jess Bryant book the next time you're in the mood for a good enemies to lovers romance.





________________________________________________________________________









_________________________________________________________________________









______________________________________________________________________________




Jess Bryant is an avid indoorswoman. A city girl trapped in a country girl's life, her heart resides in Dallas but her soul and roots are in small town Oklahoma. She enjoys manicures, the color pink, and her completely impractical for country life stilettos. She believes that hair color is a legitimate form of therapy, as is reading and writing romance. She started writing as a little girl but her life changed forever when she stole a book from her aunt's Harlequin collection and she's been creating love stories with happily ever afters ever since. 

Jess holds a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma and is a lifetime supporter of her school and athletic teams. And why not? They have a ton of National Championships! She may be a girlie girl but she knows her sports stats and isn't afraid to tell you that your school isn't as cool as hers... or that your sports romance got it all wrong. 

For more information on Jess and upcoming releases, contact her at JessBryantBooks@gmail.com or follow her on her many social media accounts for news and shenanigans.








____________________________________________________________________________

HOSTED BY:

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Back to You (Against All Odds #1) by Kim Breyon








Blurb

One of you, one of me…

As a private investigator, I have a perfect record when it comes to closing cases…as long as you don’t count the only one that ever really mattered to me.

Even after a decade, the memory of the foster boy I once shared a room with continues to haunt my dreams. For five years, Riley helped me laugh when there was so little in our lives to laugh about. His gentle touch and stormy gray eyes were the only thing that could calm the swirling and turbulent thoughts and emotions within me.

But in the blink of an eye, the safe harbor my best friend provided was ripped from my life without warning or reason. His unexplained disappearance set sail to a lonely and hopeless journey. Now, I am no more willing to let the memory of my best friend go than I am ready to give up the search for him, as hopeless as it may seem to those around me.

And then a client asks me to locate a stolen treasure box. Clues have me heading from the city of Atlanta to a small, picturesque town in South Carolina called Reedsport. There, I hope to find the missing box; what I never expected was to find something else that I’d been missing for far too long. Could I have finally found a beacon of hope that would lead Riley Tanager back to me?


Review 
My Rating - 5 Stars!


Back To You, by Kim Breyon, the first book in the Against All Odds series, is beautiful and full of emotion.

As Beckett reconnects with Riley after seven long years, he finds he can't live without him. Their tale is about discovering their missing years, learning who the other man is now, and falling even deeper in love. It's a story of wasted time, and deep feelings. It's about finding the one who makes your heart beat stronger.

The writing is great. The pace is fast and perfectly done. And the mystery of Riley's disappearance is wonderfully revealed bit by bit. I love the author's use of frequent flashbacks to let us know Beckett and Riley when they were younger. It's great to see their former relationship as well as their newly developing one. 

Back To You's definitely one of those stories you can just sink your teeth into and relax for a bit. It's riveting and compelling, with some great twists and turns. I highly recommend it to any fans of second chances. 




Monday, April 8, 2019

Secrets and Broken Pieces (Promises #1) by Karen Botha







Blurb

When hate turns to love...
AXEL
The day I started as the first junior ever to be employed at Judd Racing, I never expected to fall in love. I arrived there with vengeance in my heart. And I set about delivering my plan to right the wrongs of my past.
Or, so I thought.

FLORIAN
Axel turned up, and it was like a whirlwind walked in and snatched away my rational thoughts. Not only was he hot, hot, hot, but he had an emptiness in his soul that was crying out to be filled.
And, I knew I was just the person to do it.

The road to true love for Axel and Florian was never going to be simple though, and in this book, which is a spin-off to the Commitment series, we follow these lesser-known characters and understand exactly what makes them tick.

We cry for the pain that Axel simultaneously hides too well, and doesn’t hide at all. We root for Florian to work out the kinks and bring out Axel’s true character that we can all see hidden away under his iron-clad surface.

Axel fears what would happen if he reveals his true character while Florian fears for their future if he doesn’t.

Then we cheer for their happy ever after when they eventually work out what the hell they need to do to make their lives work.
As one.

Axel is another example of how Botha combines all the hallmarks that have made her page-turning writing a go to for anyone looking for love. Download your copy now.


Axel is the first in the Promises series of gay romance books, a spinoff series from the Commitment Series. The MM romance books included in this LGBT series are: Axel and will be followed by Florian’s story, although each book is a story in its own right and has a HEA.

Other series in the same Universe include: Love 1: Daisy, Love 2: Idris, Love 3: Cassius and the Commitment Series 1. Buckle Up 2. G-Force 3. Jump Start 4. Ignition 5. Turbo Charged 6. Pole Position

A note from Karen I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and my other series', it's always great to hear what readers say directly. All my contact details are on my Amazon Author Page, feel free to message me.


Review 
My Rating - 4 Stars!


Secrets and Broken Pieces is the start of a new series by Karen Botha, but it's set in the world of the Buckle Up series.

Axel has come to work for Elliott, but hasn't told him that he's his son. I absolutely love this. Axel's life has been awful; he's homeless, his mom died, and foster care was bad.

At his new job, Axel meets Florian. The interest is immediate, but both fight it. I love the age difference in this romance, as it's both hot and fun. Their story is one of acceptance, as well as dealing with past scars. It's a tale of guilt, deception, bad timing, confessions, and understanding. It's about trust and letting your walls down.

Holy crap, I freakin love the way Florian deals with Axel's scars. Total swoon moment!

I do find the ending to be rather abrupt, but hopefully we'll get to see more these two in another book. Overall, the story is fast paced, glossing over a lot of details, but it's a sweet story. 




Thursday, February 28, 2019

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Helix by Anna Martin







Length: 61,000 words approx.


Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design


Publisher: Dreamspinner Press




Blurb


When high school student James has trouble with his truck, Dylan, who is studying to be a mechanic, comes to the rescue. James thinks he hides his immediate attraction well, but is happy to be wrong when Dylan asks for his number. Since James is new to romance, they take things slowly, and because Dylan is in college, James keeps the budding relationship secret from his overprotective dad.

Across town, Mark, a teacher and single father to James and his sister, Frankie, meets Steve at a bar for what both believe will be a quick hookup. Mark doesn’t see any reason to tell his kids about Steve or press Steve for details about Steve’s adopted son…. It’s just sex between them. Isn’t it?

Two very different love stories grow side by side, each hidden from the other. But all of that changes at a family barbecue, when Mark decides it’s time for his kids to meet Steve and for him to meet James’s boyfriend, who none of them realize is Steve’s son, Dylan. The inevitable explosion means the two couples have some explaining to do to soothe the hurt feelings of their families—and lovers.

Review 
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Helix is a great read by Anna Martin. I fell in love with this one immediately. And damn, just check out that cover!

Two men start dating at the same time their sons start dating? Yes please! I appreciate the way this was written, it's developed well and at a good pace. There's a lot going on and it's all handled in good fashion. 

Everyone has some issues. The dads and both kids. Mark's been raising his teenage twins by himself for most of their lives. Steve's been alone since he adopted Dylan 6 years ago, focusing solely on Dylan's welfare. Steve adopting a teenager melted my heart. I love what he asked for when he wanted to adopt. He's impressive with his compassion and willingness to help. Dylan's past isn't an easy read, leaving him with some mental scars. James is still confused by his sexuality, and meeting Dylan moves things forward. 

I adored every second of the romance between the two middle aged men. That is always a favorite of mine. The exhibitionism is Hot! In general, the chemistry between them is amazing, but the desire for public sex is even hotter.

As for the heat level of this one, damn, just damn! James and Dylan have some hot moments, but holy moly, Mark and Steve are downright smoking together. Seriously hot!


As with any Anna Martin book I've read, I'm impressed with the story, in both it's writing and it's uniqueness. Anna is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Anytime I pick up one of Anna's books, I am left riveted and so damn thankful for having read it.

Helix involves a long estranged mother, ex abuse, foster care, and more. It's complicated as the two dads are dating while their sons are dating. The story is one of second chances, both at romance, and in life.


Author Bio


Anna Martin is from a picturesque seaside village in the southwest of England and now lives in the Bristol, a city that embraces her love for the arts. After spending most of her childhood making up stories, she studied English literature at university before attempting to turn her hand as a professional writer.

Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, Anna is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theater (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), going to visit friends in other countries, and reading anything thatís put under her nose.

Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, prereading, and creative ass kicking provided by her best friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept responsibility for anything Anna has written.










Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions


Season's Change (Trade Season #1) by Cait Nary

  Amazon Link    Goodreads Link A veteran hockey player and a rookie can't get away from each other—or their own desires—in this sexy, h...