Desert Dreams (Owatonna U Hockey #6) by R.J. Scott & V.L. Locey

 

Amazon Link   

Goodreads Link

When danger stalks their new home, it’s only their strength as a couple that keeps them safe.

Ryker misses Jacob every day he’s away. At the start of a new Raptors season with everything to play for, Jacob, the desert ranch, and their small menagerie of animals have become an oasis of peace in a turbulent world. He’s never ridden a horse, he’s never considered how much this place would mean to him, but suddenly he’s forming a connection with a mare called Tops and loving every moment of this new life. Balancing hockey with his love for Jacob, he feels that nothing can ever go wrong.

With his life finally on track, Jacob is pouring all of himself into the dream he shares with Ryker. Putting the final touches on Mountain Vista Ranch, a halfway home for troubled LGBTQ youth and their families, fills his heart with pride. When their first clients arrive, he finds himself drawn to the small family and their plight. Little does he or Ryker know that the darkness the newcomers have fled from is following them.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Desert Dreams is a break from the normal world of the Owatonna U Hockey series. This edition in the series by RJ Scott and VL Locey follows Ryker and Jacob on their latest adventures.

They've opened a retreat for LGBTQ families and it's a wonderful concept for sure. And what a surprise as it starts with Jack Campbell-Hayes making an appearance! That was a total SQUEE moment, as it will be for any long time fans of RJ Scott. Seriously, I was dying seeing Jack again!

This story follows the lovable Ryker and Jacob, allowing us to follow their lives and gifts us with plenty of appearances/mentions of former characters. I just adore everything about the hockey world of these two authors. 

Of course, this story shows the adjustments Ryker has to make to ranch life as he's also dealing with team issues. Overall, there's a lot going on in this tale; some good, some bad. But, as usual, it's a great ending. 

Desert Dreams is a wonderful, heart-warming addition to this series. This author combo continues to bring these characters and their stories to live in the most lovable ways. 

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - MF - Snowballed (Moo U #9) by Melanie Ting

 

SNOWBALLED BY MELANIE TING

Release Date: June 7, 2021

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/366wdyu

Purchase here: https://geni.us/AmazonSnowballed

Moo U Hockey: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/moo-u-hockey/

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

She needs Prince Farming . . . but she got me instead.

Sure, life’s been easy for me. Growing up in an oceanside house in SoCal, playing top-level college hockey, driving a luxury car with a generous allowance—sounds like the dream, right? Turns out what I didn’t have was freedom. And when I decided to transfer to Moo U for my last year of hockey, my controlling father cut me off. 

No money, no car, no friends. I’m just another student struggling to make ends meet. The only place I can afford to live is the Meyers’ farm, where I’ll work in exchange for room and board. Farm work is so exhausting that I don’t even have time to wallow in the crappy turn my life has taken. Zoe Meyers is a hot blonde Amazon with all the energy of a chipmunk on crack. And her positivity is making me realize how lucky I really am, even though I’m broke. Too bad she’s not impressed by a guy who can’t figure out which end of a goat to milk.

Because suddenly I want to impress her. I want to do a lot more with her too . . . if I can get her out of the barn and into my arms.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Snowballed is Melanie Ting's contribution to the multi-author Moo U series. The ninth book, this is read as a standalone. 

This tale is one of hard work and falling in love with nature. I love the way the two came together, and the circumstances under which it was necessary. 

But the best is the friendship and eventual love that forms between the two. 

Both characters are well developed, with plenty of layers, and a whole lot of emotion. Their backstories are well done and make them totally loveable. 

Poor Zoe. Damn she's hard on herself. Her burdens are many and her drive is insane. But, with Noah, she not only gets the help she needs, but also the strength to me her own person. 

I definitely love these two and their story. Everything about it is compelling and intriguing. The farm setting is so damn well written, with the reader easily feeling as if they are on the farm themselves.

Snowballed is a fantastic addition to the Moo U world. I love this Melanie Ting romance and highly suggest it the next time you're in the mood for a college romance that takes place on a farm. You'll love it. 

“I’m the one who gets to take you home.” Helen has reappeared with a full drink. She’s swaying slightly.

“I don’t think you should be driving,” Noah says.

Helen lifts one finger. “Correct. So you’ll have to sleep over instead.”

Noah raises an eyebrow. “Thanks, but that’s not a good idea. Zoe, let me know when you’re leaving.”

I check my watch. “Now. Probably too early for you, right?”

“Nope. I like to get enough sleep during the season.” He looks over at the bleary Helen. “I guess we better take her home first.”

His level of consideration for Helen surprises me. “Okay, I’m still parked at the arena, so we can drop her on the walk there.”

I say goodbye to Rocky, and Noah shuffles Helen over to the front door.

“Zoe,” a voice calls out. It’s Martin. “Are you going already?” 

“Yeah. I live out in Shelburne, so it’s a bit of a drive.”

He swallows. “Well, um, maybe you can give me your contact info. I can send you my mom’s pickle recipe.”

Noah snorts, but I ignore him and exchange numbers with Martin.

“I’m sure Martin has a very impressive pickle.” Noah starts in as soon as we’re outside. Helen is on the other side of him. She’s hanging onto his arm like she’s Tarzan and he’s a vine.

“He’s a farmer. Well, his family has a farm. They’re converting from corn to soybeans.” Stop babbling, Zoe. Gah.

“That’s probably safer. Martin looks a lot like a stalk of corn. Wouldn’t want a farm accident.”

I bite my lip to keep from giggling. Martin is thin and pale, and his light blond hair is unfortunately spiked at the top. “You’re so funny. Not. I do want that recipe. Martin and I have a shared interest in canning.” If I practiced for hours, I could not sound lamer.

“Maybe a shared interest in caning would be more fun?” Noah suggests.

I ignore him. People like to make fun of old-fashioned preserving methods but when it’s time to eat they’re happy to enjoy them. And I’m trying hard not to wonder whether Noah has an interest in caning. Yow.

“Do you know how hot you are, Noah?” Helen pipes up. 

At least he has the decency to blush. “Uhh, no.” 

“It’s true.” Helen blinks at me. “Even Zoe admitted that you’re the hottest guy she’s ever met in real life.”

He grins and winks at me. “Is that a fact?”

“Yeah, and she never finds any guys cute, so…” Helen’s voice trails off before she can embarrass me further.

“I also said you have the biggest ego of anyone I’ve ever met,” I tell him.

“But is it ego if I actually am that wonderful?” Noah asks. 

Helen pulls at his jacket. “I have a question. Why do you wear so many clothes? You would look better in less clothes.”

While I agree with Helen in theory, I already know the answer to this one. He’s cold, and it’s only September. By the time it’s January, he’s going to look like the Michelin man.

Noah doesn’t even answer Helen, but she’s undeterred. She yanks on his sleeve until his jacket comes half-off. He swears and tries to get his jacket back, but instead, Helen pulls it off completely and totters away, swinging it over her head.

“No good deed goes unpunished,” mutters Noah. While I should be sympathetic, I’m busy being transfixed by the gap of skin revealed at the unbuttoned bottom of his shirt. Is that a happy trail?

Noah notices where I’m looking and swiftly buttons and tucks in his shirt. 

“Show’s over,” he says. We’re now at Helen’s place. Noah manages to retrieve his jacket and get Helen safely in her apartment without being further molested. In no time, we’re back in the car and on the road.

“I’m surprised you didn’t jump at the chance for a sleepover,” I say.

“I prefer my partners to be fully conscious.” 

I swallow and try to ignore the sudden spark in my lower body. Fully conscious sex with Noah would be both scary and amazing.

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Booklover (Vino & Veritas #6) by J.E. Birk

 

Release Date: March 29, 2021
Pre-Order here: Amazon Link
Add to Goodreads here: Goodreads Link
Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/
Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Two guys meet over a stack of romance novels. Soon they're turning pages late into the night...

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down…not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything or anyone. And that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection. Soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending . . .

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Booklover is a fabulous story by JE Birk. The sixth book in the Vino & Veritas multi-author series, this is a great addition to the small town Vermont fun. 

Jamie and Briar meet at a book club at Vino & Veritas. Both men are hurting as they have complicated lives. 

Jamie's family is draining him. They are all wonderful, and he loves them, but his responsibility to helping out at the family farm, leaves him losing his dreams. It's a large part of this story and it's so damn emotional. I just want to hold Jamie and help him. 

How can he finish college, get his dream job, and still help out his parents? He can't. And that's the problem. 

And then there's Briar. He loves his job at V&V, but his past comes knocking on his door and threatening all he has. How can he keep his past from ruining everything without actually ruining everything? And omg, when we learn his past, I was bawling. 

I love these men. And I love their story. And best of all, I love the writing. I was drawn into this story at the start, and I was consumed throughout. Oh course, the light angst definitely had me turning the pages quickly to get to the happy ending. 

Written in alternating first person pov, the men fully come to life. I felt every feeling, every emotion, every look, and every touch. And if you enjoy cute chapter titles, you will love these ones.

And then there's the setting. The Vermont aspect is well developed and is felt throughout. The mud. The farm. The maple syrup. The small town. The haunted library. All of it adds to the small town feel. 

And oh how I love the book club and all it's members. 

Booklover is a wonderful, feel good read. This JE Birk tale is beautiful, sweet, and tender. I can't recommend it enough. 

 

I start heading toward the circle of couches and chairs near the back where the inaugural meeting of The Booklover Club is supposed to take place. I make a quick stop at a shelf of new titles because the store’s got at least three that I’ve been meaning to read. I grab one of them, a nonfiction book about dairy farming, and I take a quick pause to wonder if my wallet can handle a bookstore binge. I’m still reading the inside of the jacket flap when I hear a voice behind me. 

“Can I help you?”

I turn around and try not to do that thing Jeremy says I sometimes do, where I just stand there staring at someone or something without speaking. In my defense, I think the problem comes from spending most of my childhood surrounded by cows. Sometimes I just forget how to people. 

         Especially when incredibly hot human beings are standing in front of me. Which is happening right now.  

This guy looks exactly like Porter, one of my other favorite book characters. He’s in Alyssa Samuel’s gay romance novel Lost Key, and right now I can’t help but wonder if he walked right off the pages of that book and into this store. The Porter look-alike in front of me has sharp, angular cheekbones sitting under hazel eyes and dirty blond hair and eyebrows. He’s got some scruffy I-wanna-be-a-beard-but-I’m-not-there-yet hair around his chin that’s straight out of the Vermont tourist brochures. His head is covered by a pilling green tuque, and his skin is this olive tone that should be next to impossible for any white guy to have in Vermont in March. He’s wearing a flannel shirt and jeans, which is pretty much the stereotypical Vermont uniform, but somehow on him it manages to look cool and unique.

         And as if all that weren’t enough? He’s carrying a stack of books.

         Some men dream of seeing their perfect lover strutting around in hot lingerie or tiny speedos. I dream of my perfect lover naked, with a stack of books strategically placed in front of them.

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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MF - Cowboy (Busy Bean #2) by L.B. Dunbar

 

COWBOY BY L.B. DUNBAR

Release Date: March 1, 2021

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/

Goodreads

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Purchase here:

Amazon * Apple

Kobo * Nook

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Pregnant at forty-two? Back the cow up...

Harland Bull Eaton has lost many things—his first wife, his beloved mother, those three women he proposed to . . . Oh, and there was that time he almost lost the family dairy farm due to a scandal. He’s losing faith in just about everything, especially love. 

But one night, his friends give him a dare. No commitments. No heartbreak. Just buy that gorgeous redhead a drink. The big-city bombshell he’s set his eyes on swirls him into a tailspin that lands them in bed for a one-night stand he’s pretty sure he’ll never forget. But this time, he swears, he won’t let his heart ride herd on his common sense. 

Recently separated and newly unemployed, Scarlett Russell is at a crossroads. With no other plan than visiting a friend in Vermont, the last thing she expects is a hunky, silver fox offering to buy her a drink. Even less expected is when she raises that offer to “take me to bed, cowboy.” She just wants one night to forget everything gone wrong.

Turns out once won’t be nearly enough. Won’t ever be enough, feeling the way she does. But secrets and an unexpected surprise are a lot to handle . . . unless these two can break a trail to an unexpected happily ever after.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Cowboy is LB Dunbar's contribution to the multi-author Busy Bean series. So far, it's a wonderful, heartfelt series. 

This one starts off with a one night stand between Bull and Scarlett. Bull never expects to see her again, but by the time he does, she's working at the Busy Bean and is pregnant. 

But is he the daddy? No one knows, as she slept with her husband the week before sleeping with Bull? She slept with her husband the day before finding out he was leaving her for his pregnant girlfriend. Ouch!

Scarlett's age is a big factor in their story, as she's 42 and never expected to be pregnant at this age. 

I enjoy everything about the relationship that develops between the two. Bull is just wonderful. Absolutely lovable. He's caring, protecting, and will do anything for her. And damn, he's hot for her!

But their tale is full of their own doubts and insecurities, the fact that Scarlett's future is up in the air, and some outside interference.

I continue to love the small town and the coffee shop. Everything about this Sarina Bowen created world is just perfect. 

Cowboy is a great accidental pregnancy romance. Don't miss this LB Dunbar book the next time you're in the mood for famers, small town love, or two people falling in love when they weren't trying to. 

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Cowboy by L.B. Dunbar - Excerpt for Bloggers

“A coffee, black, no sugar, no cream, and a caramel macchiato with exactly five drizzles

of caramel, fifteen pumps of vanilla syrup, whipped cream, and an extra shot.”

What the . . .

Thank God, I did not take that order. I don’t even know what that is. There’s a pause

and I’m wondering what’s happening when Bull says, “You have a little something . . .”

I just want to die a slow death as I imagine him swiping at the corner of her lip or wiping

off her nose and that sweet, tender touch will be all the spark she needs to want to

pounce on this man behind me. Bull has these deep blue eyes and that silver speckled

scruff, plus his hair that looks artfully streaked with gray. He’s just all around sexy and

he doesn’t even know it about himself. Then, his touch. The soft strokes down my

body and the delicate dips of his fingers, I just can’t—

“Have either of you seen Scarlett?” Audrey asks.

Frick.

“Scarlett?” Bull chokes behind me.

“Yeah, Scarlett. She’s our newest barista and I swear she was out here.”

“I didn’t see anyone,” Vermont Barbie states. “But then again, I’ve only been looking

at Bull.”

Okay, that’s enough.

“Found it,” I say, popping up from behind the couch and holding my fingers pinched

together like I’ve just found gold in them there wood floorboards.

“Scarlett?” Audrey blinks at me with those expressive eyes of hers . She’s a petite

blond with a lot of power behind her personality. I slowly stand but find myself dizzy as

I do and grip the back of the couch for support.

“Whoa.” I blurt, unable to stop myself as the room spins and my legs tremble. My skin

runs cold, but I break out in a full body sweat.

“Scarlett, are you okay?” Audrey asks, rushing to the edge of the couch while Bull

quickly stands to face me.

“I . . . yeah, I just think I stood up too fast.” However, that isn’t the full explanation

because that rush to my head has now settled back down to my belly.

“You sure you’re okay? You look a little gray,” Audrey asks.

“I . . . excuse me.” Rushing around the couch, I fight the pull to look at Bull, as I

disappear behind the counter, bypassing our waiting customers with one finger in the

air, and then press out the door to the grassy area behind the building for some

much needed fresh air. Once outside, I promptly bend forward and heave.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Audrey says behind me and I close my eyes, embarrassed

by my position in front of my boss. Audrey’s younger than me, but a good, business

woman and kind-hearted. She took me on without any prior experience in the coffee

industry.

“Yeah. Just something I ate, I think.” I honestly don’t know. It’s been a few weeks like

this, nausea, fatigue, and then if I do get sick, which doesn’t always happen, I feel a

million times better once I vomit. “I just have a little stomach bug, but I don’t have a

fever. I’m so sorry about this.” I point to the grass which holds no evidence of how my

stomach felt. “And that.” I nod toward the café.

Audrey’s brows crease as she examines my face. “What else is wrong? As far as how

you are feeling?”

I consider it a second and then answer. “My boobs hurt. My back kills. And I had a tuna

fish sandwich for breakfast the other day. I think there was something wrong with the

mayonnaise.” Then I reconsider what I’ve said. That sandwich the other morning had

been the best damn tuna fish in the world and the last thing I’d ever eat when it comes

to a breakfast item.

Audrey’s lips slowly curl and her eyes spark like she knows something. “Scarlett,

could you be pregnant?”

“What? No. Heaven’s no. Absolutely not. I . . .” I stare back at her, horrified at the

notion. I’m forty-two. I’m recently divorced. I cannot be pregnant at this stage of my life.

“No. I am definitely not pregnant.”