Law of Attraction (A Cold Case Psychic Spin Off #10) by Pandora Pine

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

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Boston Police rookie Greeley Fitzgibbon has seen the worst life has to offer. Shunned by his family for coming out, he lived life fast and hard on the mean streets of Boston, until he came up against a serial killer, who nearly made him a statistic on his kill list. Like the fabled phoenix, Greeley rose from the ashes by getting clean and then adopted by BPD Captain Kevin Fitzgibbon. All he’s ever wanted was to follow in his father’s footsteps. Greeley’s about to get that chance, whether he’s ready for it or not.

Major Crimes Sergeant Rockland Mars is investigating a case of human trafficking horrific beyond any other he’s worked before. What he needs to solve the case is an undercover officer capable of playing the role of chameleon, morphing seamlessly into whatever form is necessary to bring the trafficking kingpin down hard. Rock has the perfect candidate in mind, but Greeley won’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. Not after an evening of drinking led to a night of passion Rock was unable to handle.

Greeley knows he’s the man for the job, but can he keep his feelings for Rock out of the equation? He’ll need to, or risk becoming a statistic on a kill list after all. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Law of Attraction is the tenth book in Pandora Pine's Cold Case Psychic Spin Offs. It's a great addition to her world of action, danger, and romance. It's definitely best if you read the series in order. 

Aww. Rock and Greeley. I'm so excited to finally get Greeley's story. They had a little hook up and now have to work together. 

I enjoy the emotions surrounding the hook up. Rock might be an ass, but he has his reasons for what he did. And now, the two still can't keep their eyes off each other. 

Their story involves homeless teens, child trafficking, and undercover work. 

And poor Greeley. He's sent undercover back to the world he once belonged to. It's hard to read at times. My heart definitely hurt for him. 

Both men are multi-layered and develop even more throughout the story. The writing is fabulous, as usual. It's fast paced so don't blink or you'll miss something. The action is wonderfully done, as always, and is exactly what I'm come to expect from Pandora. 

Law of Attraction is a great addition to this world. Pandora Pine once again kept me reading late in the night. This one definitely doesn't disappoint. 

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Undercover (Vino & Veritas #4) by Eliot Grayson

 

Release Date: March 29, 2021
Pre-Order here: Amazon Link
Add to Goodreads here: Goodreads Link
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Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already…

Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.

Tall, dark, and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats. 

When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to…

Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?

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My Rating - 4 Stars!

Undercover is a good small town romantic suspense by Eliot Grayson. The fourth book in the Vino & Veritas multi author series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

Alec's working undercover when he meets Gabe. Of course, it's a conflict that Alec is investigating someone close to Gabe. Yikes! 

Their story is definitely enjoyable, as they connect well, but have some issues to deal with. Not only is Alec lying, but the truth is ever looming over their heads. 

This is a story with secrets, suspense, and danger. There's also some humor and steam, including a hot rimming scene and some lace. Good god, I love the manties and lace aspect!

The investigation and action part of the story is decent. It wraps up quickly but it all works for me. 

My main complaint is that I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have preferred. I would have loved some more development there to help me connect with them more. 

Undercover is a sweet small town romance. This Eliot Grayson tale fits in well with the rest of the series and is a fun, short read. 

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I swallowed hard, not missing how his eyes flicked down to my throat for a second, and finally found my voice. “What do you want?” I’d tried for challenging, but it came out husky and a little plaintive. Like I’d really said something more like, Looking for a good time?

He took another step, putting him squarely into my personal space. I caught a faint thread of the scent of him, leather and man, just like I’d imagined. Oh God.

“I’m kind of new in town,” he said, still staring right into my eyes. I pressed my hands back against the side of the building, concrete rough beneath my sweaty palms. “Where does a guy go to have fun in Burlington, anyway? You kind of look like you’d know.”

He looked down, pointedly doing a sweep of me from my purple Chucks, up my skinny legs, over my chest—lingering there for a second; could he see the outline of my right nipple piercing through my shirt?—and back up to my ear piercings and multicolored hair. He landed right back on my eyes again. His own seemed wider and darker. Dilated. Yeah, he liked what he’d seen.

Fuck it. Maybe there was something wrong with me—okay, I knew there was something wrong with me. I always went for the wrong guys, and this was wronger than usual.

But fuck it, seriously. I’d never been cornered in a park by a guy who looked like he could break me in half, and maybe I’d been missing out. Not like I could get away if I wanted to.

And I really, really didn’t want to.

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The Long Game by Anna Martin

 

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After spending six years deep undercover, special agent Calvin Purnell has a new mission: stay alive until his dangerous ex is apprehended. Survival means going off the grid and staying radio silent, totally disconnected from his old life. He's scraping to get by in a nowhere town, isolated and alone… until he meets AJ.

As a high school counsellor, AJ Morris is used to piecing people back together, and experience tells him Calvin's nothing but trouble. AJ already bears too many scars from his difficult adolescence to fall for a man who might leave at any time. But attraction isn’t rational, and the risk seems worth it, right up until loving Calvin turns into a threat to AJ’s own life.

As the past catches up with him, Calvin must return to where his nightmare started in a race against the clock to rescue AJ. But he quickly learns that he’s not the only one playing the long game.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

The Long Game is an interesting romance by Anna Martin. 

Calvin is incognito, which leaves him without a resume to get a job. He's been undercover for the FBI and is on the run, trying to save his life. He suffers from PTSD and is always looking in the shadows. This aspect pulled me in, as I felt for him immensely. Seriously, there's a lot for him to deal with, including an ex wife he never even wanted to marry. 

AJ, meanwhile, is a counselor who was burnt in a fire years ago and is still traumatized by it. The issues he has with his body is hard to read. He desperately wants to find love, but it's tough for him to trust anyone. 

The trust between the two is instant and they grow close quickly. Oh course, the attraction is strong and the sex is good.

Honestly, you can feel the connection early on. Calvin immediately feels that he can trust AJ and is finally able to open up to someone. 

The danger and suspense part of the story is when things really get good. It does take a long time to get here though, so hang in there. Calvin is on the run, so yes, someone is after him. I couldn't read this part fast enough.

In the end, The Long Game is a good hurt/comfort read. Anna Martin keeps things interesting in this tale of healing. 

Exposed by Skylar M. Cates

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

After years of running from a traumatic secret, young journalist Rafe Quintero is making his way in the world alone. Now that he’s landed a job at a Miami newspaper, he’s hungry for success. His goal? A blistering exposé on closeted PGA golfer Daniel Andrews. Rafe will stop at nothing to get the scoop—even if it means going undercover on Daniel’s private yacht.

Daniel is used to being in the spotlight, but his reputation for being cold and unfriendly hasn’t made him very popular. Still reeling from his mother’s death and his ex-boyfriend’s engagement, he hides out on his yacht to escape the press hounding his every step. His instant attraction to Rafe, his new crew member, is a problem he can't ignore.

When Rafe and Daniel begin a steamy affair, Rafe knows it’s only a matter of time before Daniel discovers his betrayal. Now he has to choose: confess and hope Daniel can swallow his pride and forgive him, or put his ambition ahead of his heart and follow the story 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Exposed is an interesting read by Skylar M Cates. It starts off a little slow, but it didn't take long to have me obsessed with the story.

Daniel's a PGA golfer who is wanted by the press. Everyone wants to know why he walked away from the game and they want to prove he's gay. The adventure starts with an undercover reporter assignment by Rafe, as he takes a job on Daniel's yacht. 

What follows is a sweet romance between two men who clearly compliment one another well, all developing upon lies of omission. My heart was breaking for these two. I truly enjoy them together and wish they didn't have a game changing obstacle in their way.

They are hot together, they are open and mostly honest with one another, and they trust one another. But then...

When the angst hits, I was gutted. It was no surprise, but it had me hurting none the less. I felt every single second of the betrayal and pain.

Sports romance are my go-to, as I am utterly addicted to them. With Daniel being a golfer, I love the sports aspect of this story. That said, if you are not a sports fan, take note that this book takes place away from the game. Rather, this is a tale exploring the greedy nature of the press to invade every aspect of famous people's lives. Every second of that is realistic and well written. 

Exposed is a riveting read. Kuddos to Skylar M Cates for creating a romance that has disaster written all over it from the start, yet drawing me in hook, line, and sinker. I couldn't put this book down. It is nothing complex, but it had me connecting fully to the characters and their journey. I love it. 

The Trouble With Tony (Sex in Seattle #1) by Eli Easton

Amazon Link - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

Blurb

As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under cover with one of his suspects. He can’t help it—Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely-eyed hero Tony goes for. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.

Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?

Review 

My Rating -   4 Stars!

Eli Easton's The Trouble With Tony is the first book in the Sex in Seattle series. From the start, this series that revolves around a sex clinic is fascinating. 

Tony's a PI working undercover investigating Jack, a sex clinic doctor. So, yes, I knew immediately that this one had potential.

In this short, quick romance, Tony ends up working with Jack, discovering that he's demisexual. The author does a wonderful job demonstrating some of the aspects of demisexuality we rarely hear about, including confusion and fear. 

The attraction and chemistry is strong between Tony and Jack, but they're conflicted by their doctor/patient status. The level of their longing and desire makes for an emotional read at times. 

Both men are interesting characters. Tony's a complex character, confused by his lack of sexual feelings, torn between his job and his desires, and a man who desperately wants to feel again. Meanwhile Jack's job is unique, and his developing feelings for Tony have him torn between his professional oath and his personal desires. 

The Trouble With Tony is a fun read which includes some light mystery and a little danger, along with a small amount of heat. Eli Easton has definitely left me wanting more, leaving me excited to read the rest of the series. 

If Wishes Were Horses by Silvia Violet

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

A cop and a rancher who never meant to fall in love.

Andy’s last undercover assignment nearly broke him. He’s got another chance to capture his target, but the gorgeous rancher he’s investigating makes him long for things he can’t have.

Ken gave up his society life to run a ranch, and he’ll do anything to protect what’s his. When he starts to suspect his new employee is hiding something, he knows he should send the man away. But Andy is as gorgeous as he is infuriating, and he‘s pulling Ken to him like a magnet. Both men long for control, yet neither knows how to surrender.

A clash of wills is inevitable, but neither man expects the tenderness that grows every time they touch. With secrets between them and outside forces threatening the ranch, each man will need to decide how far he’s willing to go to protect the other.

This 73k western MM romance was previously published. It's been re-edited and an epilogue has been added.

Andy’s last undercover assignment nearly broke him. Now he’s got another chance to capture his target, but the gorgeous rancher he’s investigating makes him long for things he can’t have.

Ken gave up his society life to run a ranch, and he’ll do anything to protect what’s his. When he starts to suspect his new employee is hiding something, he knows he should send the man away. But Andy is as gorgeous as he is infuriating, and he‘s pulling Ken to him like a magnet. Both men long for control, yet neither knows how to surrender.

A clash of wills is inevitable, but neither man expects the tenderness that grows every time they touch. With secrets between them and outside forces threatening the ranch, each man will need to decide how far he’s willing to go to protect the other.
Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Silvia Violet's If Wishes Were Horses is a decent suspenseful/action romance.

From the start, I became intrigued by Ken's decision to leave his company and family behind. This quick glimpse into his personality makes him immediately likable. Fast forward and he owns a ranch, having left his old life firmly in the past.

Andy's an undercover cop who's working on Ken's farm while trying to make a drug bust. The two get off to a good start, full of banter and snark. And lots of flirting. They are full of quick wit and some hot tension. But, as much as they liked one another instantly, it took me a lot longer to feel their connection. Why? Because it's all angry sex and push and pull. The lack of trust they have for each other, and the secrets between them firmly keep them at a distance emotionally.


Both men are well developed individually. The reader fully understands their emotions and their backstory, both of which drives this plot. Their story is full of danger and suspense, as well as hot sex and domination. I love their physical connection, but the emotional connection took a while to be established.

As for the action, I liked it, but it also seems a little forced. Secrets and trust issues greatly affect the way they act. I enjoy the depth of their emotions, but I still felt like things didn't always work together. I found myself confused at times, and wishing the reader knew a little more of what was going on.

I enjoy the author's writing. It's always fluid with interesting characters. In this one, she mixes a semi complex storyline with some BDSM to keep the sparks flying.

Overall, If Wishes Were Horses is a decent read. Silvia Violet manages to fully draw the reader into the pain, fear, and doubts. There's plenty of action and emotion to keep one intrigued.

GRL 2019 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - The Scoop by Louisa Keller

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

I am reviewing 

Louisa Keller's

The Scoop!

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

BLURB

“I don’t normally open up to anyone like this…”

Neil: Until I met Easton Devereux, I had no idea that a single night could change my life. One minute our eyes were meeting in a hotel bar, and the next I was falling hard for him. Instead of holding back like I normally do, I found myself wanting to share every part of myself with Easton—my deepest secrets, my darkest fears, and every inch of my body. Saying goodbye in the morning was the hardest thing I’d had to do in years, and I drove up to Maine lamenting the fact that we only had one night together. Or so I thought…

When Monday morning rolls around, I find myself standing in my brand-new classroom, where I will spend the next year teaching philosophy to the students at an elite private high school. And who is sitting there, drumming his fingers on his desk? None other than my life-changing one-night stand.

“There are things you don’t know about me. Big things.”

Easton: At twenty-three years old, I’m well on my way to achieving my goal of becoming an award-winning journalist. When my boss sends me to the exclusive Laurelhurst Academy to go undercover as a student, I’m over the moon. This is my chance to break a huge story. But everything starts to crumble around me when I find myself face-to-face with the man I slept with—and started falling for—right before arriving at Laurelhurst.

I desperately want to tell Neil the truth about who I am, but blowing my cover is not an option. For one thing, I can’t do anything that might jeopardize the story I’m breaking. But the bigger issue is Neil’s safety, because I was sent to Laurelhurst to uncover the principal’s homophobic hiring and firing practices, and the more Neil knows, the more likely his job will be in jeopardy.

The Scoop is a contemporary romance with student/teacher, hurt/comfort, and hidden relationship themes, plus a very happy ending.

REVIEW

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Louisa Keller's The Scoop is a great teacher/student romance. 

This is the story of Easton and Neil, who meet and have a hook up that feels meaningful. Ends up they're in class together, as student/teacher. Taboo, right? Well, Neil doesn't know that Easton's actually an undercover reporter posing as a student. 

The heart of their story revolves around the fact that Neil's a closeted professor working for a homophobic university administration. With this being the administration Easton's investigating, the secrets and lies are all they have. Neil's hiding his relationship with Easton from everyone, and Easton's hiding his undercover status from Neil, as well as everyone else. Yikes! 

Having a relationship based on lies, their romance is more than just a taboo one. Their story involves PTSD, a fire, and trauma. Their story is one of learning to live with pain. It's a story of learning to trust and take chances. 

The author's writing is fantastic, with loveable characters, a great storyline, and a wonderful pace. 

Louisa Keller's The Scoop sucked me in from the start, leaving me reading late into the night. I couldn't put his superb romance down. 

Louisa Keller

Louisa Keller is a queer adventuress who has spent most of her life living in New England and the Pacific Northwest. While her academic background revolves mainly around French Studies and Philosophy, she has strayed from these considerably in her professional pursuits. Over the years Louisa has been a tutor, goat farmer, concierge, and freelance copywriter. She has also hiked hundreds of miles across northern Spain, volunteered at a medical clinic in Honduras, and spent many a summer living in small cabins and platform tents. When she's not off gallivanting, Louisa can be found with a whiskey-ginger ale in one hand and a Philip Pullman book in the other.