Shipping Orders (Valentine's Inc. Cruises #2) by Ashe Winters

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Blurb

A happy ever after is not in the cards for me. But a short fling aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic might just be exactly what I need.

When my friends suggest I take a much-needed vacation on their Valentine’s Inc. hosted cruise, I leap at the chance. I don’t have a lot of expectations for this matchmaking singles cruise—I’m certainly not looking for a future Mr. Chase Kelton.

What I’m not prepared for is walking into my assigned suite to find a man passed out on the first day. I recognized the shy barista immediately. He’s been serving me my morning fix for a year and driving me crazy with the hard shell he keeps locked around him. I want to break it. I know there’s an entirely different man beneath it that I’m itching to reveal.

Reign is the proverbial fish out of water, and when I learn the real reason he’s on this cruise, I see an opportunity I can’t resist. He needs a companion to show him the ropes—I can do that and so much more.

An introverted barista with a crush, a wealthy executive afraid to fall in love, and a twist on fake boyfriends. Shipping Orders is a full length, standalone novel in the Valentine’s Inc. multi-author series.

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Ashe Winters' contribution to the Valentine's Inc Cruises, Shipping Orders, is wonderful. If you enjoy cruise ship romances, you don't want to miss this one.

Reign and Chase have long crushed on one another, as Chase always stops by Reign's coffee shop. Now they find themselves on the same cruise, and can't help up to get to know one another. Their time together is emotional, with a strong connection, some hot sex, but a limited time frame. 

As for their sexual connection, it is spicy and steamy, as Reign likes to be restrained, and Chase is all for it. This definitely makes for some fun scenes.

I love this book. All of it. The bond formed between the two men is beautiful, yet also devastating in it's finality. With a mystery of why Chase has to end things after the cruise, the reader is left broken hearted along with both men. 

One of my favorite things is the reasoning behind Chase calling Reign "puppy." It is seriously a great reason, and left me smiling every time he said it. 

Their story includes some childhood trauma, a demanding family, and some great friends. The writing is fun, keeping the reader fully engaged throughout. The characters are interesting and both have good backstories. 

Overall, Shipping Orders is a great contribution to this multiple author series. Ashe Winters does a superb job with this cruise ship romance. 

Defiant by Max Hawthorn

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Blurb:

I don’t like it when people don’t do as I say.

His quick wit and sharp tongue have gotten playboy Jayden Deus into and out of plenty of sticky situations. Grieving his disapproving father and suddenly in charge of a huge company, a threat to his life comes out of the blue. Jayden's a fighter, but this is going to be the kind of battle that takes fists, not words.

Lucas Neal used to be a Navy SEAL, but he quit to take care of his sister and her little girl. These days he's in the bodyguard business, and his new client is the guy whose company jacked up the cost of his niece's meds. Frankly he thinks Deus deserves the bullet, but it's Lucas' job to make sure the hit never lands.

Worse, they recognize each other from a bar hookup the night Jayden's life changed forever. Unable to stand the memory, but unable to put it aside, they struggle to keep it professional as they're forced to work side by side. Like it or not, Lucas' mission is to protect this mouthy nerd. The best way to do that is to figure out who wants him dead - and try not to lose his heart along the way.

Defiant is a standalone, steamy, kinky romance about two men who have every reason to hate each other as they fight for their HEA. It features a belligerent geek, a rocky working relationship, and all kinds of makeshift restraints.



REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!


Defiant by Max Hawthorn is a fun love story packed with some mystery.

Jayden's life is being threatened and Lucas is hired to be his new bodyguard. Of course, it's a little weird that this is the guy from his hook-up a year ago. 

Lucas originally hates Jayden. The unique thing with this story though, is that Lucas actually listens to Jayden and admits to making the wrong assumptions. It is refreshing to have men who actually are willing to listen to each other.

As for their sex, it is hot, it is intense and I love it. Jayden likes letting Lucas be in complete charge in the bedroom. He enjoys being able to let his mind go free for a while. Jayden loves that Lucas knows exactly what he wants. He feels safe with Lucas and can be himself with him instead of being who the rest of the world expects him to be. 

The author does a fantastic job of creating some fun characters, a good romance, and a wonderful plot. The mystery of who is trying to kill Jayden is well done.  The death threats keep coming and both men get closer to one another as they do. 

I really enjoy Defiant and highly recommend it. Another great job by Max Hawthorne!