WHAT ARE WE READING & REVIEWING IN January 2025?

Tell us What You Plan To Read in January

Carol's Reads for January
⛄ -★
47/47
⛄Baby Teeth -Zoje Stage - 4.5★ (#8 Friend)
⛄The Warsaw Protocol- Steve Berry - 4★ - (Group Read) (2)
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⛄You Again - Dianna Roman -5★
⛄Budding Attraction - Saxon James -5★
⛄Rule Of Law - Isla Olsen -3★
⛄The Flirty Vet - Casey Cox - 4★
⛄Always Eli - Charlie Novak - 3.5★
⛄Just Bomantically Invested- Saxon James - 4.5★
⛄Not Dating Material - Saxon James - 3★
⛄Risk The Fall- Riley Hart - 4★
⛄Merry Measure - Lily Morton - 4.5★
⛄Snowbody Like You - Ariella Zoelle - 2.5★
⛄Squeeze Me- Brittany Cournoyer - 5★
⛄On the Edge - Annabeth Albert - 5★
⛄Loathed Lagan - Nora Phoenix - 5★
⛄Nicked Nordin - Nora Phoenix - 5★
⛄Until You Say Otherwise - Kate Hawthorne - 5★
⛄Eyes Only For Me - Andrew Grey - 5★
⛄Off Balance - Brigham Vaughn - 5★
⛄Bully & Exit - Brigham Vaughn - 5★
⛄No Quick Fix - Mary Calmes - 5★
⛄In A Fix - Mary Calmes - 5★
⛄Fix It Up - Mary Calmes -5★
⛄The Fix Is In - Mary Calmes -5★
⛄The Big Fix - Mary Calmes -4★
⛄Bay - Gianna Holmes - 4★
⛄Gunner - Gianna Holmes -3.5★
⛄Marine Biology - G.L. Carriger -4.5★
⛄Once Upon A Second Chance - Davidson King -5★ (27)
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⛄The Chestnut Man - Soren Sveistrup- 4.5★
⛄One by One - Ruth Ware - 5★
⛄I Found You - Lisa Jewell - 4.5★
⛄Mary - Nat Cassidy - 4★
⛄Nestlings - Nat Cassidy - 5★
⛄What Feasts at Night - T. Kingfisher - 5★
⛄Rolling in the Deep - by Mira Grant - 5★
⛄The Ballad of Black Tom - Victor LaValle - 3★
⛄Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead- Jenny Hollander - 4.5★
⛄Midnight Assassin - Patricia Bryan - 5★
⛄The Girl They Took - Leslie Wolfe - 4.5★
⛄Sulfur Springs - William Kent Krueger - 4★
⛄Trail of Lightning- Rebecca Roanhorse - 4★
⛄Counting Miracles - Nicholas Sparks - 5★
⛄A Sea of Unspoken Things - Adrienne Young - 4★
⛄Cross Her Heart - Melinda Leigh - 5★
⛄Little Eve - Catriona Ward - 5★
⛄The Kiss Curse - Erin Sterling -3★ (18)
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One By One - Ruth Ware - (France)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
5★
The streaming app, "Snoop", is devastatingly successful, and the company is on the edge of a major buyout, that is, if the shareholders vote to do this. The founders, Topher and Eva, are torn, and the other three shareholders are being courted to encourage them to a choose side. Most of the pressure falls on Liz, an awkward individual when compared with the glamorous, beautiful people who head up this company. Though she doesn't work directly for Snoop anymore, Liz is included in the leadership retreat: It's her and eight other board members at a lush, remote French ski chalet for a little skiing, a little more pampering, and quiet a lot of back-biting business talk. Erin and Danny, the caretakers of the resort, notice all the tensions among the members of the group right away, but overall, it seems like just another wealthy, entitled corporate gathering. Meanwhile the weather on the mountain has grown increasingly dangerous, and then nine people go out to ski and....you guessed it... only eight returns. Fear and suspicion start to rear their ugly heads. Then we have an avalanche that cuts the chalet off from the rest of the world...no contact with the outside world whatsoever. Then another member of the group dies...this time it appears to be from poison, and then another one is murdered because of something she saw. The survivors split up to search for help before there's no one left. The story is mostly told in alternating chapters expressing Liz's and Erin’s point of view, Ruth Ware does what she does best...sets the stage for a "locked door" mystery and lets the tension and suspicion simmer and marinate until they reach the boiling point. While the reader will discover that the solution is maddeningly simple...the construction is nothing short of masterful.

Merry Measure - Lily Morton - (Netherlands)
Genera: M/M Romance/Christmas
4.5★
It's a little holiday magic in book form. Lily Morton describes the city of Amsterdam so well that it makes you want to hunt down the nearest travel agent and buy a ticket. The book should be endorsed by the city's travel office as "required reading". If you are reading, or have already read this book, then you obviously are an M/M romance fan ...OR, you are by the third chapter, beyond shocked. If you are uncomfortable with reading step by step accounts of "bedtime antics".... then don't even open the book. I belong to another group that will eat this book up and search for more just like it, so, it's okay if it's not your "Cupa Tea"... not all genres are for everyone. The bedroom scenes always help to forward the emotional journey of the characters. Overall, compared to some M/M romances that I have read, it was on the light side. I've never read a Lily Morton book that wasn't good, well written, with characters that are funny, snarky, and loveable. This setting was exquisite, and so easy to picture in your mind while reading...but most important element was that the story was filled with love, beauty, and the most perfect "happy ever after". Why didn't it get 5 stars? It was just too darn short.

Baby Teeth -Zoje Stage
Genera: Horror
4.5
This was a new author for me, and I have to say that she did a fantastic job of pulling off the concept of this psychological thriller. The major strength of the book is that the author continually builds suspense on top of suspense. Every time a chapter ended, you just had to keep reading to find out what Hanna was going to do next and what possibly could a seven-year-old child manage do to an adult that could be so bad? Boy, did we find out! The author never disappointed and did a great job of keeping us guessing. The conclusion was absolutely appropriate in light of what we had learned of was happening with Hanna, making it more than another run-of-the-mill horror story. The one thing that earned it a 4.5-star rating, and was very disappointing, was that we never really learned what was "wrong" with Hanna, and believe me, there was SOMETHING VERY WRONG. But there is good news...I have learned that there is a sequel, so maybe we will find out in that one.

Squeeze Me -Brittany Cournoyer
Part of the Bears-4U Series
Genera: M/M Romance/Daddy/boy
5★
Roark had had enough of dating until a friend suggests it isn't dating itself that always turns out wrong, it's the type of guys he goes for and suggests that he change to something else. What he suggests is an app called Bear-4U. He's a bit skeptical but he downloads the app and gives it a try, finally swiping on someone who unleashes something he's never felt before. He's swiped on Cassius profile. Cassius isn't without dating problems of his own. He has recently experienced heartbreak, so he keeps his guard up, but his best friend is having none of that and encourages him to try the Bears-4-U app. He downloads it and then doesn't pay any attention to it.... Until... he matches with someone who starts to break down his walls as they begin to chat more and more. He actually begins to look forward to those chats. When they meet its instant attraction and they both start to learn to trust and love again, but will the bond they build be strong enough to withstand anything? By this time the reader has fingers and toes crossed for them to find their happiness. It was nice the way that their relationship started out slowly with just messages and getting to know one another before they met in real life. Their first date was a picnic and then it moved onto something more physical and also kind of goes down the "instalove" route... but that was okay, and the story was still believable, not to mention that by now I really, really wanted those two together. There were some great side characters also...like Roark's best friend and Cassius's mother and numerous other little bits that enhanced the depth of the story. it was easy to read, easy to feel for the two main characters and understand where they had come from and what they were wanting for themselves.

The Girl They Took - Leslie Wolfe
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4.5★
This story is told by multiple characters from Tess as she tries to find the kidnapped child, to the kidnappers as they try to work out how to retrieve their ransom money and we hear from each of the grief-stricken parents as they try to comply with the kidnappers demands and terms all make for some great characters and a nail-biting investigation. Tess is used to being called reckless and a loose cannon, so she is surprised when she is the only FBI Agent called in to investigate a child abduction case, especially as her background is serial killer cases. She learns that the child's father is the reason she is called in. She has faced him many times across a court room. Now he needs her reckless behavior to help find his missing daughter. The kidnapping was well planned but something about it is just "off" and she can't help but wonder just what the state district attorney is not telling her. Can she meet the kidnappers demands and get his daughter back or is there something else going on and will she and computer special analyst Donovan be able to uncover it in time? This has become one of the boldest kidnappings the bureau has ever seen. There were several "plot holes", hence the 4-star rating, but overall, an enjoyable read.

Risk The Fall - Riley Hart - (Oregon)
Narrator: Kale Williams
Genera: M/M Romance/Drug & Violence Parts
4★
Riven is a man who was caught in a bad situation. He took the fall for an accidental manslaughter charge...a crime committed by his best friend, Rex. It was either that or risk Rex’s drug-dealing father killing his grandmother. Riven goes to prison for the crime, does the two and half years, and now he’s been released, and his only choice is to return to his small Oregon town where the criminals he once called his adopted family still live. The only work he was able to find also employs Parrish, Rex’s younger brother. Parrish has tried to obey all the rules of his wreck of a family, and he’s been helped by Riven’s willingness to do whatever dumb things Rex has tried to get Parrish into. Parrish was always fond of Parrish, seeing his kindness, and later became attracted to him physically. He’s angry with Riven about going to prison, because he can’t admire a murderer–even if it was accidental. It’s clear that Riven’s still got anger with his dad and Rex, though, and Parrish doesn't know why. Not until he overhears his dad talking about how they plan to use Riven in more of their drug dealings, since they know that Riven can be manipulated because of his love for his grandmother. It melts Parrish’s heart for Riven. There are a lot of struggling people in this story, and most of the time their options are neither black nor white. Riven has to choose between bad and worse repeatedly. I cheered when he chose to pursue Parrish. Their enemies to lovers' dynamic develops, and now they are able to support one another in both big and small ways. The drama builds to its height at just the right moment, and unexpected help arrives to free both guys from the dark shadows they lived under by Rex and his dad. I liked the story, but it is really dark and decidedly gritty. I liked how Riley Hart painted Parrish as a good man, in spite of his family. Riven’s loyalty, especially to his grandmother was beautifully portrayed. The relation developing between Parrish and Riven was something to cheer for. I would definitely recommend this story but be aware that it is a "darker side" romance with some really flawed characters.

On The Edge - Annabeth Albert - (Oregon, a little bit Utah)
Mount Hope Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance/Age Gap
5★
There's a 20-year age gap between Jonas and Declan. I always hate that this comes up s a huge problem in almost all romance books, no matter what genera they may fall into. If the couple are both adults what the heck difference should it make to their friends or their family members? Can't anyone just be happy for them and wish them well? Anyway...rant over:) We briefly met Declan in book #2 of this series. in the opening chapter of book 3 he has had a serious accident while competing in a motocross championship, he's left needing help that he's of course unwilling to accept and, after a hospital stay, and a couple of surgeries, he returns to the house that his dad's other best friend Eric owns. While in the hospital, one of his dad's friends that also lives in the house goes to stay at the hospital. Jonas, being a nurse, is helpful in helping the others understand exactly what Declan's condition is and what his chances are of ever retuning to motorcross racing again. At this point the jury is out but there is going to be a LONG recovery time. What starts in the hospital as an unlikely friendship soon turns into something much deeper once Declan can acknowledge his attraction to men, which has had to be pushed aside while he's been competing. Needless to say, Declan has a fair amount of stored up anger and a little repressed homophobia to deal with because he's always been envious of how easy his dad had it when he came out. The story flows at a steady pace throughout, there's no rapid jump from friends to lovers, more a slow burn. Neither of them has a burning desire to go into anything fast so they continue along with what they find gives them a deep, emotional connection. Of course, we know in any of these books that the path of true love never runs smoothly. There are a few hiccups on the way. Both men need to make some important life decisions, but each of them makes them for the right reasons...to better their own lives and their happiness. There are teenagers living in the house also that are a big part of the story the other characters presence sees to only enhance the story rather than taken away anything. They only aid in creating an expanded family all living together in the old house. This #3 book is another beautiful and solid entry in the Mount Hope series. I guess that Eric's happiness is next, and I hope it's with who I think it will be. I'm really anxiously waiting that one.

What Feasts at Night - T. Kingfisher - (Poland)
Sworn Soldier Series Book #2
Genera: Horror
5★
This is a chillingly, creepy story, a part of T. Kingfisher's "Sworn Soldier" series. You really need to read the first one in the series, "What Moves the Dead" before tackling this one. We follow our main character, Alex Easton, who is a gender non-binary soldier with PTSD, a condition from their time on the battlefield. They return back to their family’s hunting lodge, and find that strange deaths are occurring at night, while people are dreaming. It goes on to be a retelling of something called the legend of the “nightmare.” This was only 160 pages but so much horror was crammed into those pages. I'm not usually a big fan of novellas but I really enjoyed this one. T. Kingfisher is always wonderful at giving us creepy and unsettling images to play on our vivid imaginations. I have a friend and a son with PTSD and she handled this subject so very carefully. I was appreciative of that. As with the first book, the story was atmospheric and wonderfully eerie...in short, a really good read. This series mises the wry sense of humor and weird, quirky writing that some of her other books did but overall, a tale that will chill you to the bone. Just what a horror story enthusiast could ask for.

The Chestnut Man - Soren Sveistrup - (Denmark)
Genera: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
4.5★
Possible Trigger: Mutilation
A serial killer in Copenhagen is targeting young mothers as part of a complex scheme that may have ties to the murder of the government minister, Rosa Hartung's 12-year-old daughter, Kristine, a year ago. The homicidal "Chestnut Man", named for the chestnut and matchstick dolls he always leaves behind, is a murderer that not only kills in cold blood but also amputates the hands of the women he abducts...seeming while they are still alive. If you are still reding this, then this might be a story for you. A pair of investigators are reluctantly sent on the case; Naia Thulin, who is a local cop. She's tired of what she calls of "tedious" assignments with the Major Crimes Unit and has her fingers crossed for a promotion to the cybercrime's unit. She's teamed with Mark Hess, an agent on temporary leave from The Hague to serve his penance for some of his "blunders." The big, complicated thing here is the absence of any proof that Kristine, who disappeared, is even dead; and her fingerprints have shown up on one of the chestnut dolls. Everyone hopes that this means that she yet in fact, still alive. The p takes a little bit of time for the story to set itself apart from other thrillers of this genera. What is the intention of the killer leaving the chestnut dolls? The plot here is densely layered... the setting is chilling, and we are given multiple suspects with murderous grudges...all the things to make a perfect murder mystery. it is a page-turner, but it also so contains a level of violence that some readers may find unnerving. On the other hand, it could be promising us at least one sequel.

Snowbody Like You- Ariella Zoelle
Genera: M/M Romance
Suite Dreams Series Book #1
2.5★
It's the story of two guys that met in the airport just before a blizzard strikes their town. Of course, anyone that lives where it snows knows that the best laid plans...and airplanes, are often delayed...and this is what happen to them. Their flight is delayed until the storm is over, and in the meantime, they are marooned together in a luxury hotel suite with a king-sized bed...curtsey of the airline. They had already learned that they had a great deal in common, something that both guys made several references to... so being in the same room, and in the same huge bed, was no big deal...A bit fast...but you do what you have to do. The storm raged and by day two it all begins to feel a bit claustrophobic...but they didn't care by now. The story felt a little like a Hallmark movie. The guys share some strange fascinations during their snowstorm hotel stay, like their height difference, one was tall, and one was short...then there was what they referred to as their “gifts” and their abilities as well as how much the short guy enjoyed those "gifts". It's all initially sweet and charming to begin with, but after a time it became a bit like that extra big piece of cake… there's just so much butter-creme frosting you can take. Romance novels are read by folks for a variety of reasons and none of those reasons are to improve your brain power....so while the sex scenes were at first pretty intense and there were an incredible number of them....no sleeping going on in that airline furnished luxury room... I don't remember the mention of any sleeping. Throw in a few role-play fantasies, some "toys", and a few...I kid you not...drag costumed fantasies! There were enough "scenes" to fill two or three more books. There was also a sub-plot going on about Jude’s straight best friend having been miss treated by a fiancé that had absolutely nothing to do with what was happening and just felt like an add-on to make up word count. There were even some outrageous relatives of the two guys that carried the story along but had no rhyme or reason to be there. As far as the story goes it started out with potential ...but the majority of it took place in the room and there wasn't much happening except in that bed. I've read this author before and loved her books...just not so much this one.

Mary - Nat Cassidy - (New York)
Genera: Horror
4★
From the book description
A quiet, middle-aged woman experiences terrifying visions and discovers they're echoes of an infamous serial killer, just as the killings begin again.

This is an original, quirky, fun book that no two readers will experience quite the same. The reading discoveries are exciting and thrilling. Cassidy has a skilled storytelling voice capable of intense, graphic imagery and scary scenes as well as laugh-out-loud humor. Our main character, Mary, has returned to her New York, childhood hometown, though she has very few memories of this home or of her childhood for that matter. Things seem to be strange there, and she begins to hallucinate, she writes things she has no memory of writing...things she doesn’t even understand...and then, people start dying. It all seems connected to a serial killer who’d been captured and executed decades before. The characters are, for the most part, very well-done. The lead character... Mary is for the most part, relatable, though she's not entirely likable. This story is, however, told entirely from her perspective. Figuring her out is a big part of what makes the book interesting. She wasn't my favorite character in the story, but I don't think she was supposed to be. That honor belongs to one of the supporting casts members for reasons I can’t say without giving away the ending. Now we come to the ending itself…that’s where I think the book went a bit "off track" and earned it 4-stars. Up to this point I was really enjoying the book... right up to the ending when I felt like that climax, while not entirely unbelievable, marred the essence of the story in presenting the message too directly. I would still recommend this book to any horror fan, even if I didn't care much for the ending. I imagine ending stories of the horror genera would be difficult.

The Rule of Law - Isla Olsen
Narrator: Kale Williams
The Goode Life Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance
3★
George and Lawson are friends that has the entire town betting on if and when they will finally get together. Lawson has had a crush on George for a while and George who always thought of himself as straight, realizes Lawson may be a lot more than just one of his closest friends. I liked the two guys. I liked their times together, going to the fair, meeting at the bar, all the things that people, no matter what sex they each are, just do when they're dating. What I didn't care for and could have absolutely done without was the Facebook like narrations, before each chapter, where the entire town commented on about the two guys. Hey people...it's 100%, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! Once maybe would have been tolerable...but before every single chapter??? I love the sound of Kale Williams' voice, and he managed to do well with the voices of each of these busybodies...it was the fact that the entire town felt it was their "God given right" to make any comments in the first place! It was nothing short of annoying. Maybe if I had read the actual book, it wouldn't have bothered me so much. Anyway...George and Lawson were sweet and very much in love and more than worth rooting for. Overall, the story can be described as a steamy short but sweet low angst read.... (except for those annoying nosy town folks). The 3-star rating was me using the gift of generosity). Kale Williams gets 5.

Loathed Lagan - Nora Phoenix - (Washington)
The Foster Brothers Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
Lagan absolutely despises his law professor, Killian Evans. He sees Killian as being arrogant, snobby, a know-it-all who looks down on anyone who’s not up to his perceived standards. What he doesn't see yet is the Killian that has been badly hurt in the past and now is afraid to give his heart again...and he so very much wants Lagan Foster to have his heart. Killian has already formed misconceptions of Lagan also. He thinks Lagan Foster is a lazy, fly-by-the seat-of-his-pants, C+ student who barely can be bothered to pay attention in class. In this "Hate to Love" story we follow Lagan as his life is about to turn into chaos and when suddenly his world is turned upside down and the person he least expected to stay by his side and be there for him, no question asked, is suddenly without questions being asked..."THERE"...and a bond between them slowly but surely begins to turn from hate to something they both are afraid of taking a chance on.... TRUST. Killian isn't without his secrets. He's hiding a past that nearly broke him, and he's too afraid of any relationship after having been hurt so badly in the past. A past that nearly laid his job, and completely laid his love life, into tattered shreds. So, it was no big surprise that in order to protect himself when Lagan comes along and shakes up that structured life that he has created for himself, he tries to resist with everything he can. Then when an unforeseen event occurs in Lagan's life a few days later, and to Lagan's utter surprise, Killian doesn't hesitate to step in and just "be there" in any way that he can for him. This is another beautifully, emotional story in the Foster Brothers series by Nora Phoenix and it's a story that fans of this author don't want to miss. It's a story about how hate can also turn to love when the right person comes along and shows that love is always worth fighting for no matter how painful it may be. These two men learn that they are much more alike than they first thought. This is a solid "must read" for Nora Phoenix fans. The books should be read in order to see the procession of the brothers found happiness. One more Foster brother to find his happiness...Nordin.

The Ballad of Tom Black - Victor Lavalle - (New York)
Genea: Paranormal/Dark Fantasy/Novella
3★
From The Book: A young man delivers an occult book to a sorceress, awakening a deeper realm of magic and earning the attention of dangerous beings.

I like the horror genera as a rule, but this really didn't hold my interest very well. Not that it wasn't well written. Heaven knows, seeing as how I haven't got a " Best Seller" out there, I should be the last to tell an author how to write a book! I just didn't care for the characters or really care what happened to them. We meet Charles Thomas Tester, "Tommy", who lives in Harlem with his father. Tommy does odd jobs to help keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. As the story opens, Tommy is delivering a strange book to an even stranger woman, in a part of town where he clearly doesn't belong and shouldn't be. Tommy is black and the neighborhood he's in is blaringly white. He tries to be inconspicuous, but along with the book he's also carrying a guitar case and wearing bright, easily noticeable clothing, so hiding or "fitting in" is out the window. He's attracted the attention and is now being followed and taunted by two white men who are loudly reminding him of where "his place" is and that place is certainly not in this neighborhood. Tommy knows a little something about the occult and magical things, so he knows what the book he is delivering contains and is what it is capable of. This fact gives Tommy an air of mystery. The author seems to want the reader to wonder, or second guess why Tommy gets involved in this kind of stuff to begin with since he knows what can happen...what a book like this is capable of. He attracts the attention of a man, Robert Suydam, who, "recognizes" something in Tommy. Suydam offers Tommy a large amount of money to play his guitar at a party he is throwing two days later. Tommy goes early to audition for Suydam, and enters a house that is very strange, where things aren't as they appear to be. Tommy is frightened, but there is all that promised money. Tommy is followed by a couple of police officers when he leaves. What Tommy learns is that Suydam is deep into the "mysteries of the Old Ones" and is wanting the book to summon some things that are better left alone. This is a 160-page novella with almost more characters than a 300-page hardcover novel. As I said, this is not in any way a bad story. I'm sure it will be 160 pages of pure fright and delight for a lot of people. I haven't been frightened by anything I've read since my third reading of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but overall, this little offering is well worth your reading time IF you are a horror story enthusiast.

The Ballad of Black Tom - Victor Lavalle - (New York)
Genea: Paranormal/Dark Fantasy/Novella
3★
From The Book: A young man delivers an occult book to a sorceress, awakening a deeper realm of magic and earning the attention of dangerous beings.

I like the horror genera as a rule, but this really didn't hold my interest very well. Not that it wasn't well written. Heaven knows, seeing as how I haven't got a " Best Seller" out there, I should be the last to tell an author how to write a book! I just didn't care for the characters or really care what happened to them. We meet Charles Thomas Tester, "Tommy", who lives in Harlem with his father. Tommy does odd jobs to help keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. As the story opens, Tommy is delivering a strange book to an even stranger woman, in a part of town where he clearly doesn't belong and shouldn't be. Tommy is black and the neighborhood he's in is blaringly white. He tries to be inconspicuous, but along with the book he's also carrying a guitar case and wearing bright, easily noticeable clothing, so hiding or "fitting in" is out the window. He's attracted the attention and is now being followed and taunted by two white men who are loudly reminding him of where "his place" is and that place is certainly not in this neighborhood. Tommy knows a little something about the occult and magical things, so he knows what the book he is delivering contains and is what it is capable of. This fact gives Tommy an air of mystery. The author seems to want the reader to wonder, or second guess why Tommy gets involved in this kind of stuff to begin with since he knows what can happen...what a book like this is capable of. He attracts the attention of a man, Robert Suydam, who, "recognizes" something in Tommy. Suydam offers Tommy a large amount of money to play his guitar at a party he is throwing two days later. Tommy goes early to audition for Suydam, and enters a house that is very strange, where things aren't as they appear to be. Tommy is frightened, but there is all that promised money. Tommy is followed by a couple of police officers when he leaves. What Tommy learns is that Suydam is deep into the "mysteries of the Old Ones" and is wanting the book to summon some things that are better left alone. This is a 160-page novella with almost more characters than a 300-page hardcover novel. As I said, this is not in any way a bad story. I'm sure it will be 160 pages of pure fright and delight for a lot of people. I haven't been frightened by anything I've read since my third reading of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but overall, this little offering is well worth your reading time IF you are a horror story enthusiast.

Trail of Lightening - Rebecca Roanhorse - (Arizona/New Mexico)
The Sixth World Series Book #1
Genera: Fantasy/Native American Legend
4★
From the book: “Sometimes, the ones we call our heroes are the greatest monsters of all.”

Maggie, (Mags) is a protagonist with some incredible gifts; but she is overwhelmed by guilt. She has a hard time coming to terms with defining exactly "what" she is. Is she a monster or is she just a person who has done terrible things in order to survive? This is mostly the theme of the story, sometimes it's just present in Mag's mind, but it's there none the less. She often wonders if we, as people are nearly always defined by what we do, or is it really possible for us to rise above our pasts? Mags...the heroine or Mags the monster, is our main character, but the story also has some well written supporting characters. There's Grandpa Tah, who as far as I was concerned, could have been the main hero all by himself. He's an old medicine man that has helped and saved Mags in the past when no one else would or could. He thinks of her as an "adopted daughter" and treats her like family. Tah’s grandson, Kai was also an interesting addition. Kai starts out as a charismatic character but further along changes how we feel and think about him as we learn more about him and his motivations. As a child I spent many summers with my cousins in New Mexico and heard many stories of the rich Native American culture, which always fascinated me to no end...so I was really looking forward to this one. It was a well written story but there were a few things that I had minor problems with. Some of the character's interactions were a little confusing, especially at the end. I had hoped that the relationship between Kai and Mags would have progressed a little slower, especially with how reticent Mags was in trusting anyone in the first place. Overall...it's a bit more "fantasy" than I was expecting and which I am not a big fan of...but if you are a fantasy fan or love stories from our Native American's culture...you will probably like this one and others by this author.
2019 LOCUS AWARD WINNER, BEST FIRST NOVEL - 2019 HUGO AWARD FINALIST, BEST NOVEL & Nebula Award Finalist for Best Novel

You Again- Dianna Roman - (Washington)
Men of Olympus Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
This is a fun story. Aiden works with his family in a small town. He identifies as being bi, but most of his relationships have been with women, keep in mind again it IS a small town. Then, Johnny comes to town. With his flamboyant style and snarky personality, he attacks Aiden from the moment he lays eyes on him. Johnny can't believe that Aiden would be interested in anyone like him. Through a series of dating mishaps, they keep getting thrown together in several really funny scenarios. The story is well written and absolutely charming. You won't be able to help falling in love with Aiden and Johnny and they fall in love with each other.

>16 Carol420: Quick note about The Ballad of Black Tom... it is a direct response to Lovecraft's The Horror at Red Hook so may appeal more to those who have read the original. Fair warning though, THaRH has the reputation of being one of Lovecraft's more racist stories - and he is pretty much known to have been quite racist.

>20 ScoLgo: I had read some reviews that said the story was very racist...and they were right. Seems we haven't advanced very far in some things. Thank you for the info.

Nestlings- Nat Cassidy - (New York)
Genera: Horror
5★
A couple wins an apartment in a prestigious building, but strange events and Ana's growing paranoia suggest something sinister within its walls.
Nat Cassidy is fast becoming one of my favorite horror writers. His novel, Mary, was good, but Nestlings, is excellent, amazing and so very, very creative! It a new look at how the old vampire trope is presented. I didn't especially care for the character of Ana...until about 3/4 of the book she began to "grow" on me. Nat Cassidy gave Ana, in her wheelchair, perfect literary life. By the end of the story, I was actually rooting for Ana and invested in her finding her safety and happiness. Nat Cassidy has managed to create a book with the same creepy horror factor as Rosemary's Baby" and The Haunting of Hill House, two of my many times read, horror favorites. This story was down-right creepy especially when the new neighbors that moved in next door, promptly blacked out all of their windows. It's a deliciously scary tale and an absolute page turner...even the building had a morbid "personality" all its own. Our apartment winners are going to quickly find out that there is no such thing as a free apartment!! By just reading the description you knew that these folks should turn around, shut the door, and run for their lives! Better yet, burn the place down! I kept thinking "DON"T GO IN" ...but of course, they never listen to me, and they did. As I have already said...none of the characters...Reid, Ana and even baby Charlie were especially; likeable, yet I wondered how they were going to manage...and I really wanted them to get out of the ever-increasing stranglehold they had found themselves in. The vampires & gargoyles were truly, nasty, but yet even they were a bit helpless, just like Ana was, stuck in her wheelchair. Charlie, the year-old baby, was an innocent, and Reid was a wimp. I loved the skeletal bird cover of the book:) Horror fans will eat this one up.

Budding Attraction - Saxon James
Divorced Men's Club Series Book #3
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
Even though it's a romance, it deals with some heavy topics, mainly grief and moving on after the death of a spouse. However, it does it while managing to be a big warm hug wrapped in several layers of humor and banter. There is so much chemistry between Ford and Orson at times that is not only hot, but also hilarious, and cozy. The relationship just had to work since their communication was also truthful and open. It was really refreshing to see this in a romance with no major drama...at least, not any that lasts… or caused by miscommunications or misunderstandings. These two guys knew how and when to talk to each other and most of all, to listen. Ford is the sweetest guy all wrapped up in a hot, tattooed, mechanic package, and Orson, the florist, has so many hidden surprises beneath his mild-mannered and laid-back demeanor. I've read the first two books in the series before this one and somehow it seems that each one is better than the last. so far, this one is my favorite and Orson and Ford are my favorites. The books can easily be read as standalones. That being said, no matter which order you read them in... they are all amazing.

Sorry, I haven't figured out how to bring up the book and its cover on this site.

I just finished reading and love this series Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams

>24 GrammyTammyM: I'm going to attempt to tell you how to do pictures for your books.

You will have need to have added your books to your shelf on your home page. I don't have the ability to see that, At the top of your home page home page you should see a black bar that says Home - your books - Add Books - talk... click on Add books and type in your books that you want to show on that shelf...what you have read, what you want to read, what you haven't read yet. The book you'll be shown a list of the books by that title...click on the one that is the one you want on the shelf. You'll have to do that with each book but they will stay on your shelf.

If you want to show the book on your review or a message that you are sending...

1.Right Click on the book on your shelf...
2. on the drop-down menu click on "copy image link". It won't show anything yet...but the link is stored.
3. Go to where you want to place the picture of the book ...here's where it may get a little tricky.
4. Right click on the word "place".
This is what will appear
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/1634766865.01._SY95_SCLZZZZZZZ_...

In front of the http type IMG SRC=

put an arrow pointing left in front of the IMG and an arrow pointing right behind the jpg

It sounds complicated but after a while it will become second nature. You can copy and paste almost any picture using this same method. be aware that there are a few pictures that won't allow themselves to be copied, but most will.

Don't give up.

#1- Set in Iowa

Midnight Assassin - Patricia Bryan & Thomas Wolfe- (Iowa)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/True Crime
5★
This is based on the case of the little-known but gruesome murder of an Iowa farmer.
The authors, a married couple; Patricia Bryan a law professor at the University of North Carolina; & Thomas Wolf, a writer, have done amazing work opening a previously kept private window on the Hossack family, a mother and a father with nine children, five who were still at home. They lived near the small Iowa town of Indianola. On December 1, 1900. Neighbors knew that their marriage was a troubled one. John, the husband, was often prone to fits of violent rage, and the long-suffering wife, Margaret, had occasionally reached out in desperation for help, but none was forthcoming. On the night in question, she claims to have awakened to find John bloody and wounded by blows to the head. She claimed that an unknown intruder had entered the home and he and John had fought. John dies within hours. The family’s ax, used occasionally to kill the turkeys that the family raised, is presented at the inquest during which Margaret denies there was any serious trouble in the family. She is arrested and the case is soon brought to trial. The authors, mostly through the coverage of the murder and the trial by Iowa journalist Susan Glaspell and told though many printed articles exactly what the life and times of a farm wife at the turn of the century was like. Pre-formed attitudes toward women become a feature for both the prosecution and the defense, inevitably going back eight years to the well celebrated trial of Lizzie Borden, who had been acquitted of the ax murder of her parents in Fall River, Massachusetts. Margaret was convicted by the local jury, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. She was relocated to another Iowa town, but still under what amounted to "house arrest" and at the age 60 she was finally freed, with the jury being hopelessly hung. Questions not voiced at the trial was finally brought to light...was she perhaps protecting one of the children? This added intrigue to one of her neighbor’s casual comments... “When a man don’t like a woman there is lots of things that comes up to make them contrary to each other.” Guilty or innocent??? The jury didn't know although the entire town was rampant with theories...I guess we'll never really know one way or the other. If you like true crime stories you might want to investigate by the printed word, in this small Iowa town.

Nicked Nordin - Nora Phoenix - (Washington)
Foster Brothers Series Book #4
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
"Four young boys stuck in Foster Care, who formed an unbreakable friendship...even changing their last names to "Foster" to seal them the rest of their lives as "brothers of the heart" if not of blood.".
Oh, how I wish Nora Phoenix had created two or three dozen more Foster Brothers and their stories instead of only four. Come on Nora!! I love everything this author creates, and this four-book series is certainly on my top 10 list. This is the last of the brothers for us to hear his story, Nordin was always kind of the leader, and also the most secretive. The others, Jaren, Hadley, and Lagan were always the definition of an "open book"... but not our Nordin. He had made a promise to the three younger boys when they were in the group home, that he would always...no matter what life might threw at them... take care of them...and he’s faithfully kept that promise to the letter. When the youngest brother, Lagan, turned eighteen, the four boys... now all men, had gone to the courthouse and changed their last names to "Foster". They weren’t officially adopted brothers, but brothers in every other way possible, just the same. Then they all moved from Chicago to Seattle, finally leaving their childhoods behind them. Three of Nordin’s brothers have now found their "happy-ever-after's" – Jaren with Reid (book #1), Hadley with Sebastian (book #2), and Lagan with Killian (book #3). Nordin has always been their protector, the one who always made sure they had food, gifts, and other necessities that the group home never provided for them. Now that they have almost all found love, Nordin is a little lost, and a lot lonely. Nordin would like nothing more than to walk away from his "career", which we always knew was a bit questionable, and also find love...or actually be with the man he already loves. Nordin's story starts by going back to 2004, when we see Nordin at 14, doing something for his three brothers. It also shows us a little about how he became a con man, a grifter of sorts. We had already learned that what he did wasn't exactly illegal, but very much, on the line. We were never actually told what it was. We learn more and love Nordin even more with each chapter. Chapter 1 starts in 2008, and the chapters move forward in years until the last one. I usually try to avoid "flashbacks" but, once I started, I just couldn't stop reading. The Nordin we meet here, is now 18 and has aged out of the foster care system. He’s in the CPS office when he sees a hot guy close to his own age who has a black eye. They start to talk and neither wants to stop. Nordin learns that he’s there for the same reason Nordin is, and his name is Tavin. They plan to meet in the park later. Between the CPS office and the park meeting, Nordin has been busy doing his "job". He has managed to "score" suits for them both... some cash...and a hotel room in the Waldorf-Astoria. We already know that none of this was legal, but Nodin is determined to do something "special" with and for Tavin, even if they haven't yet had that first kiss. When it finally happens, they both know this is IT for both of them and they will have a life-long connection. It's the beginning of a true love story that will be fifteen long years in the making.... but so very, very worth waiting for. I guess Nora Phoenix, isn't going to get on with those 20 other books in the series that I wanted, so guess I'll just have to reread these. (sigh). It'll be a tough job, but someone has to do it:)

>24 GrammyTammyM: I have found this thread helpful: The Green Dragon: The New How To Do Fancy Things In Your Posts Thread

>29 ScoLgo: Haven't heard from in in ages. Hope all is good in your world. Thanks for this info. I pinned it to the threads in the Mystery & Suspense Group. Explaining it to someone is not an easy task. This will help the newbies.

Counting Miracles - Nicholas Sparks - (North Carolina)
Genera: Contemporary Romance
5★
A man raised by his grandparents goes on a journey to find his biological father and meets a single mother with a story to tell.
This story can best be described as a heart-tugging, and nostalgic tale that takes us into the life of Tanner Hughes, who is a former Army Ranger who, after caring for his grandmother, finally learns who his biological father is, He then travels to Asheboro, North Carolina, to try an learn a little more about his parentage and perhaps find a place he can finally call home. My mother loved Nichols Spark's writing. She always called it heart-warming and sentimental...and she was absolutely right. His characters are the type that simply flow from the page. They're always multilayered, independent, strong...sometimes head-strong, but usually always kind. The plot of this simple story is simply charming and so full of life, love, loss, grief, heartache, healing, intrigue, friendship, self-discovery and, of course...romance. Fans of this author will call it is another hopeful, tender, immersive tale by Nicholas Sparks that reminds us that life is complicated, sometimes messy, occasionally challenging, way too short, and even heartbreaking, but filled with wonderful things, lovely times, and those special and often brief moments that happen in-between. If you are already a Nicholas Sparks fan, then you will recognize this work as being Nicholas Sparks at his very best. If you have never read this wonderful author or if you want a book that that will make you feel almost every human emotion possible...then this is your book.

>30 Carol420: All is well, thank you. I lurk on LT all the time but rarely post.

BTW... I saw where you pinned the Green Dragon thread. If you want the link to be active, here is the code to make that happen:

    <a href="https://www.librarything.com/topic/177029#n8674717">The Green Dragon: The New How To Do Fancy Things In Your Posts Thread</a>

>26 Carol420: Thank you I tried a few times, hopefully in time I will get it.

Until You Say Otherwise - Kate Hawthorne
Lonely Hearts Series Book #4
Genera: M/M Romance/Heavy BDSM
5★
Richard is a man who is growing older... (36 HA!), and he's tired of the "one-night stands". He has been comfortable in his lifestyle for so long that he is not sure if he can completely change it, but he is at the point that he feels he really needs to try. He's working on recovering from the death of his brother who was the long-time partner of his best friend, Christopher. I felt sorry for...but admired Sam for how he handled his previous unhealthy home life. He has left it all behind for a new start, even if he is still living in his car and trying to get a job in order to be self-sufficient. The one thing that is holding him back is the lack of an address for the job applications. One "out in left field" idea from Sam along with a chance meet-up with Richard, is what starts these two guys on a journey that will change both of their lives, for the better. The title sums up how their relationship worked. Richard told Sam that anything that they agree to do together, in their relationship as a couple, or in their BDSM activities would ALWAYS be consensual, "Until You Say Otherwise"...then everything STOPS! This book really had it all. It's kinky, sweet, emotional, kinky, sexy, kinky.... hold on...did I mention it was kinky? :) BDSM scenes are throughout the greatest part of the book...some I thought were a lot more on the dangerous side than the sexy side, but my friend who's into the "lifestyle" assured me that they were actually fairly tame. Okay...that alone is more than a little scary...so quiet obviously this book will diffidently NOT...I repeat NOT, be for everyone, even those of us that read M/M Romances...or for the "faint of heart". The rest of you read on and enjoy...that is..."Until You Say Otherwise." (I just had to work that phrase in... again:)

Just Bromantically Invested - Saxson James - (Washington)
Accidental Love Series Book #4
Genera: M/M Romance/Friends to Lovers
Narrator: Teddy Hamilton
4.5★
Madden & Penn have been best friends for a long time who have always been there for each other. Madden is self-aware that some of his lifestyle choices aren't for everyone and decides to step away and help build a place where his lifestyle is accepted. Penn has always been close to Madden, and when he feels him pulling away, he realizes something new about himself. Penn is aware he has a codependency issue, yet he doesn't communicate them enough with Madden, which in turn hurts him. When these two do communicate, it works when they don't. I at times wanted to strangle them and tell them "Hey guy you've been best friends for a reason...so act like it". Madden is learning to step back and think about the things that are important to him. He's beginning to realize how much his dynamics affect all the relationships in his life. It was great to see him become aware and make better progress on many different aspects of his life...and finally find the one true love that was there all the time.

Rolling In The Deep - Mira Grant - (California -The Mariana Trench)
Genera: Horror /Fantasy
5★
We are going to board the SS Atargatis and head for the Mariana Trench to search of mermaids. We know from the beginning of this novella that this voyage will not end well. Once n board, instead of the documentary about mermaids that we are expecting, we are handed an excerpt from a documentary about “Modern Ghost Ships: and guess which ship is one that document...yep...The Atargatis.” We learn that the Atargatis and all its passengers and crew were lost at sea... or, at least, we are wanted to think they did. But guess what?? We learn that no one has ever again seen any of the scientists, the crew, or the actors that set sail on that ship. The story then takes us back to 2015, when an unlikely set of people are gathering on the Atargatis. Captain Jovanie Seghers knows she’s going to have her hands full dealing with idiot television 'stars" that are worried about getting the right light than anything else. Then there's the "prima donna" scientists, and a troop of "mermaids": not the real thing...just women who wear tails and swim around in the water as a means of making a dollar. We do learn a great deal about oceanic science though along with some more interesting info about the "merfolk". No one on board really believes that there is the slightest chance that the scientists or anyone else will see mermaids, but everyone thinks it will be fun to play along. Once the cruise gets underway, things quickly turn strange. An early probe returns with blood instead of water, and it's found that it shares the characteristics of mammalian blood along with fish blood. Then things take a turn for the worse...a crewman disappears, and one of the studio's "mermaids" doesn’t return from a deep-water dive.... and that's only the beginning. It’s fun to see the author's imagination at work as she gives her mermaids life and puts them into action. The horror of the tale was never lessened. The empty ship was eventually found floating empty 200 miles away from where it last reported in. The immediate investigation does nothing to solve or cast light on the mystery or tracking down the source of the strange lights in the water or the odd noises heard at night. Questions arise, such as what if these "creatures" get the idea that the land is just good a source of food for them as the sea is a for humans? And that chill you felt as the book ends???...could that have been a drop of seawater?

Eyes Only For Me - Andrew Grey - (Pennsylvania)
Eyes of Love Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance/Friends to Lovers
5★
Andrew Grey's has long time been one of my favorite authors. His "newsletter" is one of the few that I have ever signed up to receive. He always has such sweet, lovely comments about his husband, Dominic, and he has dedicated this book, to him. Andrew Grey had me hooked with the first book I read by him, Fire and Sand... book #1 in his Carlisle Troopers Series. I have read that series more than once. This one, Eyes Only For Me has also taken a place on my "read this again" list. I'm not sure if it was the element of taboo of "friends to lover's" or that I just liked the "Ronnie" character so much. He was simply amazing. I think Clay was supposed to be the guy we first fell for in their budding relationship...and he did start out as my favorite... but he lost "relationship points" with me over some of his actions regarding Ronnie later on in the story. He and Clay seemed destined to be together, but it was not always an easy thing for either of them. Clay Potter is secretly in love with his "Bestie", Ronnie, but he thinks he has to keep his feeling hidden...after all, everyone knows that Ronnie likes women...actually it appears that Ronnie likes EVERY woman...that is until Clay's father has a health setback, and Ronnie and Clay spend time together at the hospital. Ronnie realized that he never felt totally complete until Clay was there. Together they are dynamic, and they make this one a fun and steamy read. Outside the bedroom Clay was the quit one; always reserved and relaxed; but not inside the bedroom. Ronnie is Clay's polar opposite. Outside the bedroom he was brash, shameless and always having fun. Their interactions with one another showed that they were definitely made for each other...but the question also hung in the air...could Ronnie and Clay make the transition from friends to lovers or will their feelings for each other complicate things too much and destroy their friendship? I'll give you a hint..."Happy Ever After". Another great Andrew Grey offering.

I Found You - Lisa Jewell - (England)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4.5★
A single mom finds a man on the beach outside her house with no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. "“His passport is fake, Mrs. Monrose. There is no Carl John Robert Monrose".
A man, with no memory of who he is or where he came from, is found on the beach by a single mother. She feels sorry for him and invites him into her home, which we knew to begin with was a terrible... awful... and the "badest" of bad ideas. In the meantime, across the country, a young newlywed woman is frantic when her husband doesn't come home from work. We are given the story by three different viewpoints which at times becomes a little confusing, but the reader needed to hear all the voices in order to solve this mystery...yeah, right. Don't plan on solving anything any time soon. You think "AH HA...I know who the man with no memory is"...but of course... you don't. That would be way too easy, and this story is nothing even close to resembling easy. just wait until you find out who this man really is, and how the 3 viewpoints collide into one unforgettable climax that will heart break your heart in the end. There were so many twists and turns in this tale, and they wrap you up and hook you quickly. The characters are well done and interesting. It will take no time at all for you to find yourself actually caring about them. A beautifully written story.

The Flirty Vet - Casey Cox - (Australia)
Boys Down Under Series Book #1
Narrator: Rupert Channing
Genera: M/M Romance
4★
What happens when an up-tight New Yorker meets a flighty Aussie vet?
Wilby was an out and proud Australian that had not one ounce of shame about who he was or who he loved. He's also a veterinarian with a love of karaoke and flying and of course, animals. He's a bit wild, crazy, and flirty... but in a good way. He has many friendships and great colleagues, that makes him a pleasure to get to know, and Col diffidently wants to know him a lot better. Col on the other hand is more reserved, and anxious...especially when it comes to flying...so someone thought it a brilliant idea to send the poor guy to Australia...FROM NEW YORK no less!! He's also not very outgoing, actually he's way too serious most of the time. In spite of all this, he's a good reliable guy with a great big heart. I really liked him... and so did Wilby. Col would do anything for Wilby, including flying all over Australia when the need occurred. Wilby had a mixed-up family, and because of the way the family long ago wrote the land deed, they are now in danger of losing their home and land. It seemed their only choices are either pay millions of dollars...which they don't have...or forfeit the land. Wilby's vet hospital, his lively hood, sits on that land...and guess who has been flown half-way around the world to work out a payment plan? You guessed it...Col, who is now head over heels in love with Wilby. Wilby learns that Col is the guy the company has sent to collect either payment...money or land. But now that he sees what that land means to Wilby and his mixed-up, super sweet, family, so he works to find a way for the land to remain with the family...but Wilby is angry and won't listen to him...at least not at first. I didn't quite understand what it was that "worked" in the deal that Col came up with and what didn't but let's just say more DID than DIDN'T. Col and Wilby made a great couple and I'm looking forward to meeting them again in the next book.

A Sea of Unspoken Things - Adrienne Young
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4★
The story has a lot going on to easily hold the reader's attention. The characters all have a very complex relationships that gives you the motivation to keep reading. James’ connection with her twin Johnny, is sometimes a bit "disturbing". James was, in my opinion, too overly protective, and I really didn't like how she babied Johnny. That said, her grief was certainly "real", and a great deal of the story’s emotion was the result of this. If you add in the romantic history between James and Micah...that brought another layer of heartache...especially when we learn the secret Micah shared with the twins when they were teenagers, that was tied to a traumatic incident. that could have been a story by itself. While the mystery of Johnny’s death is the story's main theme, complete with clues and revelations that gradually unravel creating an air of suspense, the story was often weighed down by unnecessary distractions...the incident involving James, Johnny, and Micah as teenagers...that was interesting but really didn't have much impact on the overall storyline...nor was it all that significant or surprising. Now about the "tease" that there was a supernatural element that I suppose was to lead readers to believe there might have been a psychic connection between James and Johnny. Didn't happen...It was never there. Nothing resembling anything "supernatural" took place..."strange" maybe...unusual...but never actually supernatural. In the end it felt like a half-formed and unnecessary marketing effort, adding little or nothing to the plot. The story as it was carried itself well...thus the 4-star rating...but let's not tack on something that never appears in the story.

Off Balance - Brigham Vaughn - (Georgia)
Peachtree Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance/Age Gap
5★
Russell Bishop is a rising star at Vantage Marketing. Stephen Parker is the company’s CFO. A spilled cup of coffee gives them an opportunity to act on the mutual attraction they’ve both been trying to ignore.
Stephen Parker is a sexy "silver fox". He’s more than financially secure. All he wants or needs now is the right guy to enjoy the fruits of his hard work. He thought he had that at one time...but a traffic accident took from him his lover...his heart...and his dreams. Enter Russell Bishop. He's young, 27...still climbing the corporate ladder, and his education expenses has put him in massive debt. A slip and fall that Stephen unintentionally caused with his spilled cup of coffee is the catalyst that may restart his hopes and dreams, in spite of the 20-year age difference that does make for some serious conflict. One man has “been there and done that,” but the other man has to still experience the “been there and done that.” Russ's sprained ankle on Stephen's spiled coffee gives them an unexpected opportunity to get to know one another when Stephen offers Russ to stay at his house while it heals and not have to climb the steep four flights of stairs to his low-budget apartment. That says a great deal about the type of person Stephen is. They "connect" in all the important ways. Stephen wants to spend money on Russ...a new suit to replace the coffee covered one...but above all he wants to 'provide" a life that Russ is hesitant to accept. Actually, he's very vocal about NOT accepting it. I thought that the social differences were much more of a problem for them than the 20-year age difference. Brigham Vaughn does an excellent job of portraying what could be called the "same fight,” because the “same fight” was going to happen until they find their common ground. This “same fight” is what makes or breaks many fictional as well as real-life relationships. It’s usually the “same fight” that either leads to divorce or allows folks to overcome the hurdle. So, for these two to tackle that problem head-on so early said a lot about them and their commitment to each other. The book spans about five months but they accomplished what sometimes takes a good five years or more. This is not a slow burn romance. Things move quickly...but so very well. Overall...this is a nice enjoyable read by an author that is quickly becoming another of my favorites.

The Warsaw Protocol - Steve Berry - (Poland, Belgium)
Cotton Malone series Book #15 (Group read for Mystery & Suspense group)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense Thriller
4★
One by one the seven precious relics of the Arma Christi, the weapons of Christ, are disappearing from sanctuaries across the world.
We have something for almost everyone here. Holy relics, a salt mine, and loads of treachery, all together in this 15th book in the long-running, Cotton Malone series. A former lawyer and American intelligence officer, Cotton Malone is now a bookseller who goes to Bruges, Belgium, for an antiquarian book fair. He’s hired by his former boss to steal the Holy Lance, one of the seven “weapons of Christ,” or "Arma Christi". That is the price of admission to a secret auction, in which various countries will bid on compromising information about Poland’s President, Janusz Czajkowski. The point? That was sometimes a bit difficult to figure out. Czajkowski is an honorable man who will not allow the U.S. to build a missile system on Polish soil, and the EU and NATO-hating U.S. President Fox is one of several people who want the Polish leader out of the way at all costs. I loved this quote which I have come to believe many of today's politicians are guilty of making it their very own today... “If I wanted a conscience, I’d buy one,” President Fox says. Very close attention will have to be paid to figure out the meaning of Czajkowski’s "Warsaw Protocol" because the author hardly ever brings it home. Nevertheless, the story is fun regardless, especially with characters like the very smart and unusually resourceful, Cotton Malone along with the Polish foreign intelligence officer, Sonia Draga, who is "a human fortress that is never conquered.” The complex plot leads to a magnificent Polish salt mine, a real place, by the way, that’s deep in the ground with nine layers, and hundreds of miles of tunnels, and brine lakes that people can’t sink in, and draws lots of tourists. Steve Berry builds suspense, allowing his readers to anticipate the violence that eventually comes. To a great extent, the novel is a wonderfully detailed homage to Poland, its culture, and its ability to survive so many invasions over the centuries. The connection between Arma Christi and an unwanted American missile system feels a wee bit "iffy", but fans of this series won't care. Overall, it's an enjoyable read, and fans of the series and Steve Berry won’t at all be disappointed.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead - Jenny Hollander - (New York)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Psychological Thriller
4.5★
She has everything to live for---and everything to hide. An event that took place ten years ago still plagues Charlie.
Charlotte, (Charlie) struggles to remember exactly what actually did happen that night. She knows she was a survivor of what was called “Scarlet Christmas” by the media because it involved the deaths of several graduate students at Carroll University School of Journalism where Charlie was a student. Charlie has attempted to repress the memories of what happened and get on with her life. So much for the past...now we are brought forward to the present. We aren't actually "present" for the murders, but we learn about them through the media coverage and Charlie’s sessions with her therapist. Charlie has an incredible life in the present day, at least on the surface… a Londoner living in New York, Charlie is the editor-in-chief of "C", which is a popular women’s magazine linked to a large newspaper. She is also engaged to a man; Tripp, who is handsome, richer than Midas...the heir to a publishing magnate. More importantly, Tripp is kind, and he dearly loves Charlie. Charlie starts to receive email from a former classmate saying that one of their cohorts is producing a movie based on the events of that night long ago, Charlie spirals. She has worked hard to repress memories from that night. She may now have no choice but to relive that night, but she does everything she can possibly do to stop the movie from portraying the "truth" of that night. And by this point in the story, you will absolutely want to know the truth. Other readers have disagreed about that...but I think it differs with every book, depending on the reader. The main complaint is not the reliving the night of the murders but the ending. I actually liked the ending and how it all came together. The epilogue answered some of those lingering questions that are always present in psychological thrillers where we are left to wonder what happened to some the characters that you had started to know, and either loved or hated, over the course of a book?” This is a story of repression, survivor’s guilt, and the power and happiness that can come from revealing our worst parts of ourselves in order to heal and move forward. Not everyone will like or agree with some parts of this, but fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers may want to give this one a second look.

Always Eli - Charlie Novak
Forever Love Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance/Drag Queen
3.5★
You just have to love Eli. He was irreverent, he was brash...but he was simply, wonderful. Tristan was perfect for Eli. He was quiet, mature and just submissive enough to receive all that Eli and his "drag-queen" persona could throw at him. There is the added "wrinkle" of Eli and Richard's strained, on again-off again relationship that added the right amount of angst to the story without going overboard. I hate romance stories of any genera that the couple spends more than half the book being apart or "working" out their relationship instead of just getting on with it and actually having one. The story is well paced, very sweet, hot and steamy, and even capable of producing a laugh at times. If you have read any of the "Roll For Love" series, you will recognize several cameos from that series and see a hint of more books to come for Eli's siblings. Also, Mom, Dad and Paul are back again and sharing their family and wisdom...which we probably don't want to take too much to heart:)

Sulfur Springs - William Kent Krueger - (Arizona/Mexico)
Cork O'Connor Series Book #16
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Thriller
4★
A man is missing, and his mother and stepfather go looking for him in Arizona, where he was last known to be.
Cork and Rainy Bisonette are newly married when she gets a voicemail from her son, Peter, saying that he thinks he's in trouble. Numerous attempts to return his call are unsuccessful, so Cork and Rainy travel to Arizona hoping to learn what has happened. It seems that Peter has been hiding things from his mother...like the fact that he was no longer employed at the rehabilitation facility where he had once gone for help with his drug addiction. Some folks tell them that Peter was using again, while others say that that isn't true. Cork and Rainy soon learn that there is no one in Coronado County that they can really trust. There are several drug cartels, border patrol and DEA agents, illegal immigrants, crooked law enforcement officers, as well as all types of human interest and vigilante groups. In the desert of Arizona, we learn more about Rainy’s past and that she has kept some important secrets from Cork. The desert of Arizona is a different setting from the usual one of Minnesota. We are introduced to several new characters, some are likable, others not so much. The plot is s always with this series, well-paced and will keep you guessing until almost the end. There is one thing that kept me from giving these one five stars. The author felt the need to interject his what appears to be his own political views which had nothing really to offer to the story. Everyone has a right to think whatever they want about our "situation" ...but please, our books that we read for the pleasure of reading, doesn't need comments from either side of the fence. Overall...the story itself was good and the new location a good change of pace.

Bully & Exit - Brigham Vaughn - (Kalamazoo, Michigan/last few chapters in Chicago)
Midwest Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance
4.5★
Theater loving Caleb and hockey star Nathan were hot and heavy in high school, but Then Nathan screwed everything up at their senior prom leaving Caleb utterly heartbroken.
I have really enjoyed this author as she writes stories set in a place that I am very familiar with. They're almost all set in Michigan, but this one mostly takes place in Kalamazoo, just 12 miles from my town of Battle Creek. The story is 90% about the pain of first love and all the mistakes we make when immaturity, hormones, and expectations all combine into us making wrong and sometimes, seemingly unforgivable decisions. It’s also a story about second chances and the power of forgiveness. This story begins in 2013 with several chapters flashing back to 2009, that shows us the events that led up to the present and how the two main characters, Calab and Nathan, remember it. We didn't get any idea of the event or WHY what happened; happened at all, until a lot later in the story. That was a bit frustrating, but it 100% changed the reader's conception of events and their feelings when we finally got both characters version of the very important event starting with their previous relationship in high school. I could see how it absolutely effected Calab like it did...it was heart-breaking to an adult, so I could imagine what it did to a "kid" still in high school who was in his first real relationship, and a gay relationship at that. I did enjoy the story. The characters are well portrayed as they aged in the storyline. They both had their faults, and they were both right, but at the same time, they were both wrong. Nevertheless, I was rooting for them. The way the story is told reveals information in such a way that you’re never quite sure whose side you’re on in their previous break up, but the way the character of Nathan is written...made me eager for Caleb to forgive him. This is not by any means a low angst story...and it took almost the entire book for things to be righted between Nathen and Caleb, hence the 4.5-star rating.

Not Dating Material - Saxson James - (Washington)
Accidental Love Series Book #2
Narrator: Teddy Hamilton
Genera: M/M/F Romance
3★
Molly moves to Seattle to start anew, but her romantic struggles continue until Seven, her roommate, offers to help
Seven's life is a mess because of his childhood trauma and unhealthy codependent relationship with his best friend Xander. Molly's baggage claim is her neediness and ability to jump the gun in just about any relationship. They sound like a disaster waiting to happen, yet these two ended up being exactly what the other needed in the end. Molly was so accepting of Seven and Xander's co-dependence. It was a bit of a surprise as I wondered how if anyone that was dating someone who had such an intimate bond with another really would have reacted to that. I bet a lot differently than Molly did. Molly was either a little mixed up in the head or very, very understanding. She was even into the fact that she got to have a relationship with Xander as well....and it seemed that this was all okay with Xander...he was actually the biggest "cheerleader" in this unconventional relationship. Falling in love with the man who is taking you on fake dates to give you dating tips isn't the usual or best way to find your true love. Molly had made the mistake of reading too much into their hook-ups far too many times before...and was almost sure that Zander had no desire for things to stop between the three of them. Actually, Seven was the biggest obstacle to their relationship. He treated Molly like they were a couple but continually reminded her that that wasn't the case. I felt rather sorry for Molly sometimes, but then I realized it all came from Seven's low self-esteem. It may have taken him longer than most to realize what was right in front of him, but he was brave enough to stick it out and got there eventually. This was not anywhere close to my favorite Saxon James book. I thought the whole relationship was eventually going to explode and thake them all with it.

Cross Her Heart - Melinda Leigh -(New York/Pennsylvania)
Bree Taggart series Book #1
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
5★
A homicide detective’s violent family history repeats itself in this novel of murder, secrets, and retribution.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I will diffidently be looking forward to more. This story is filled with twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat right up until the last sentence on the last page. The characters are captivating, and the mystery will have you guessing. There is also a potential romance between the main characters of Bree and Matt. I didn’t know who the bad guy actually was until the very end...and it's a shocker....and I was wrong. This...the first book in the Bree Taggart series, introduces us to a host of wonderful players. We meet and get to know Philadelphia Detective Bree Taggert. a bit of history. The year was 1993, in Gray’s Hollow, New York. Bree was 8 years old, her sister, Erin was 4, and baby brother, Adam was less than a year old when their abusive father was having a "knock down drag out" fight with their mother; a fight that really scared Bree, especially when she saw the gun pointed at her mother's head. She grabbed baby Adam and Erin and ran with them from the house. It was the dead of winter in New York, but the children hid under the steps and heard the shot that killed her mother then the shot that killed their father. Since that night she has never been back. Then when she receives a desperate call from her sister Erin, Bree returns... armed with the determination to now find her sister’s killer. Readers will like Bree. She’s strong, relatable, and determined. As we get to know more about her and her tragic family, I found I was sympathizing and rooting for them. These characters are as much of where the author shines, as the story itself is. Melinda Leigh has created these people that can stand on their own but also know when they need to take a helping hand. I'm really looking forward to more of this series.

>50 Carol420: The author has done some crossovers with Kendra Elliot, who writes similar series that are pretty good reads.

>51 genesisdiem: Thank you for the info. I think I have read something by Kendra Elliot, but it's been a while.

No Quick Fix- Mary Calmes - (Montana)
Torus Intercession Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance/Friends to Lovers
5★
Emery’s future is riding on his upcoming nuptials, but being with Brann makes him and his family feel whole again. Too bad there’s no way for them to be together. Or is there?
Five months out of the military and Brann is working for Torus Intercession, a security firm. His new assignment has him going to Montana to be a nanny to Olivia and April while their father, Emery, handles other responsibilities. Emery is a widower and his life is chaotic. Not only is he trying to be a parent, but he’s also a high school English teacher, he sits on the board of his late wife’s family business and is planning a wedding to the daughter of one of the town’s most esteemed citizens. It’s pretty obvious right off that the wedding will be for business purposes only, though the bride-to-be seems to want more. Brann is a retired Navy SEAL. He's going to watch the kids, not because there is any threat thus far but with their dad's future bride's richer than Midas father and a business that he has that smells a bit fishy...the girls could be money makers for someone...so Brann becomes the nanny. Brann is a hit with Emery and the girls from the minute he walks in the door. Olivia loves him right off. It takes a little while for April, but before long, she’s loving him as much as her sister. He and Emery quickly become friends, though Brann would love for it to be more. Brann SEAL training has already, because he happened to be in the right place at the right time, settled disputes and a situation that a woman could have been killed...so the little town likes him and welcomes him in. The upcoming wedding is a torn in his side...he's already fallen for Emery's girls...and Emery is just the kind of man he's always wanted...but he's not going to make waves...that is until the pressure becomes too much and he ...does. There's no cheating in this story...and in the end everything works out more than okay. The only problem, and it's not a big problem, that I had was how long it took Brann and Emery to finally get it together and get together... I was running out of book...come on fellows!! Overall, like most of Mary Calmes books, it just a nice, sweet romance. I have the rest of the series and I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the Torus Security guys.

In A Fix - Mary Calmes - (Nevada)
Torus Intercession Series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/Suspense/Thriller
5★
When Croy Esca comes crashing into Dallas's life, it doesn't take long before he's struck by how desperate he is to make sure the fixer doesn't become the one that got away.
This is what the reader can always expect from a Mary Calmes book. It's an incredible love story, with action and adventure, a couple of unexpected surprises, a little angst, but not enough to ruin the story, majorly hot sex, and really wonderful secondary characters. I loved the character of Croy Esca...what an interesting man. He hasn't had an easy life but made the life that he wanted all by himself. When he came out at eighteen, he was disowned and tossed out. Seems he was expecting something like that to happen and he was ready for it. He put himself through college and then moved halfway across the country. He changed his surname to that of his maternal grandmother’s, became a police officer for six years before he decided he didn’t like the way the department was run, and was then hired as a "fixer" by Jared at Torus. Croy is a deliberator. He runs everything through his brain and analyzes it before ever taking action. What makes him makes him supremely interesting is his lack of understanding when it comes to himself. For a man who spends the majority of his time thinking things through and analyzing everything, he’s a little clueless about his own personality. Watching him discover these things was more than half my fun in this story. Now we have Dallas, an FBI Agent who probably needs to take advantage of the department therapist. He over analyzes everything; and he rarely sleeps anymore....but he seems to not have that problem with or when Croy is around. Early on the two find that they fit together in more than just "the job". This was definitely "insta-lust" and "insta-love"... but it was so well written that it didn't matter. Readers come to expect certain things from Mary Calmes’s, and if you have followed her books then you’ll recognize Croy as you’ve seen his personality before in other characters. Until the next one in the series, which of course I have...I just have to say, "thank you for this one and all the others you have given us."

Bay - Gianni Holmes
The Smoky Vale Alliance - Book 1
Narrator: John Solo
Genera: M/M Romance/Mystery/Bikers
4★
I’ve been a politician, husband, and father. But I never counted on being a biker’s plaything—a biker who’s almost half my age.
This is the story with many...almost too many, different facets. We have an older man, Gerald, who is in his late 40's, who is the past mayor of the city, a man who has been deceived by his ex-wife, and a scandal he has been inadvertently dragged into, a stepson and a private life...and then we have Bay, who is an enforcer with The Blood Hounds...a local biker group, who is extremely determined and very clear about what he wants... and what he will do to get what he wants...namely, what he wants, and what he gets, is Gerald. Gerald's ex-wife is not by any stretch of the imagination, a good person. She soon winds up in prison...a prison being run by a warden that should be in prison himself. There is an intriguing part of the story concerning missing babies that have more than likely been sold by the prison warden. The story is filled with high-level corruption that will keep you reading simply because you NEED to find out what happens! The bikers who usually are portrayed as the "bad guys" were actually so much better than the other characters that were supposed to the "good guys". I can't say I really liked the story, but I can't say that I disliked it either. I have read and liked others by this author so I probably will give the second book a try.

Fix It Up - Mary Calmes - (Mostly California)
Torus Intercession Series Book #3
Genea: M/M Romance/Tours Intercession Bodyguards
5★
Possible Trigger - Some graphic description of animal cruelty that had already happened years ago.

How will a man who doesn’t believe in fairy tales ever hope to recognize when he’s found the love of a lifetime?
Loc is the kind of man who never thought that he would spend even one moment of his life as nothing more than a glorified babysitter. That's exactly why he told his prospective client, in no uncertain terms, that he's diffidently not the right "fixer" for this job when Torus Intercessions is hired to play what amounts to a life coach for a spoiled, burned out, fresh-out-of-rehab, young rock star. The rock star, Nick Madison, has been living "on the edge" since he was seventeen. Now, at twenty-six, he finds himself to be aimless and close to losing everything, what's worse is that he can't seem to bring himself to care. He wakes up one afternoon, hungover and strung out, to find that a stranger has taken over his house, ordering everyone around like he owns the place. Nick is fairly sure he's woken up in his very own corner of Hell. Nick is positive that he doesn't need anyone's help, least of all from the walking, talking definition of infuriating, hot as hell, man that has taken over his house and his life. Nick has met every challenge and is finally ready to spread his wings and fly, but not alone, which means another daunting challenge to face. Soon though, Nick finds that he needs...desperately wants... to convince the "fixer" that he's there to stay... that he...the big rock star...is meant to be his "happy ever after", which may prove to be Nick's biggest challenge yet. There is good bit of humor when we meet Loc's mother a little more than half -way through the story. What genuine "class act" she is!

I am reading Berkley Streetby Ron Ripley. The first book of the Berkley Street series.

Gunner - Gianni Holmes - (Ohio)
Smoley Vale Alliance Series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/Enemies to Lovers/Motorcycle Club
4.5★
A ruthless MC president seeks revenge on his rival, Chief Witter, for stealing the love of his life. But as they work together on a dangerous case, their mutual hatred turns into explosive attraction.
Possible Triggers: graphic violence, baby farm
Gunner and Ben's story is an enemies-to-lovers tale. You can feel their animosity, fueled by years of resentment, betrayal, and tangled emotions oozing off the pages. Gunner is the fierce, brooding president of the Blood Hounds Motorcycle Club, and Ben, is the principled and unyielding Chief of Police. How could two characters be more opposite? They have several fiery clashes throughout the story. Every scene explodes with energy and making you wonder if they're going to tear each other apart or just give in to their undeniable attraction. Turns out that they often do both. What sets this book apart is how the author has the ability to portray their complicated, and very unlikely, relationship. It’s not just their chemistry, it’s their history, the events of their past, the things they have in common; like a cheating ex-lover, and the grudges they’re forced to confront. Both characters are so well developed, and their journey from enemies to totally unexpected lovers is filled with twists, emotions, and vulnerability. Watching them slowly fall for one another is a testament to the author...Gianni Holmes, storytelling abilities. If you like "enemies-to-lovers" romances, with a slightly darker edge, this one is a "must-read". It’s intense, emotional, and impossibly addictive, with a perfect balance of heat, and action, but perhaps most importantly.... filled with loads of heart.

The Fix Is In - Mary Calmes - (Oregon)
Torus Intercession Series Book #4
Genera: M/M Romance/Bisexual/Bodyguards
5★
“I could imagine myself at home instead of on this whack-a-doodle assignment.” - Shaw James
A down-to-earth realist of a man, who is also a paranormal investigator, and a dyed in the wool believer in the paranormal, are the two guys destined to get together in this fourth book in the "Torus Intercession" series. You would think that since Shaw James is the "seventh son of a seventh son", he should have been more of a believer in the possibility of the supernatural based on just that, blended with his Scottish ancestry that should have only added even more to the possibility. But Shaw had grown up in a family that believed "absolutely none of that-nonsense". Benji Grace, on the other hand, truly believes to the depths of his soul, in the possibility of spirits, ghosts, and demonic intervention. Shaw loves his steaks and Benji is a die-hard vegetarian. Shaw is a very large man and Benji is small. The two men couldn't have been more opposite if they tried. Shaw and the other men that work at Torus Intersessions are absolutely convinced that, Jared Coulter, their boss, seems to pick and assign them their jobs somehow, so that each man gets the job they absolutely DID NOT...never in a million years... want. Jared appears to be not only a good boss but also a matchmaker disguised as a "fixer". It's worked so far since each of the men in the last three books have ended up with the "love of their life" after being assigned to that particular case. This time Jared has Shaw heading to Rune, Oregon, a little coastal town, to protect Benji, the paranormal investigator, who seems to be the target of someone wanting him either injured or killed. Either will do. Shaw sums his feelings up fairly well when he comments... “I was so out of my depth with him. Talking to him, being around him, everything was so easy. It made no sense.” I knew that Shaw was a "goner" long before he did. Figured that he might as well give in and prepare to kiss his single life goodbye. There is some mystery & suspense in the story, and it is very well done, but the true delight comes from the love connection between Shaw and Benji. Benji is convinced it’s because they’ve known each other in a previous life, while Shaw is just trying to figure out why he’s so comfortable with this man right from the start, since that is NOT his normal reaction to a client.... EVER. I definitely could have had more interaction with Shaw’s huge, delightful, and wacky family. There was so much happiness and hilarity among them. I absolutely loved his six brothers. Actually... I enjoyed every moment of this book and look forward to the next one. Thanks to this talented author for bringing us such wonderful guys thus far in this series...hope you have many more Torus books in your head, Ms. Calmes, that can go on paper. Alas, probably not.

Marine Biology - G.L. Carriger - (Ireland)
San Andreas Shifters series Prequel
Genera: M/M Romance/Urban Fantasy/Short Story
4★
Delicate Sensibilities? This story contains confused, lovelorn werewolves and very pretty ex-Goth mermen who are exclusively interested in each other. Also contains fish, Irish mafia, and an utterly shocking lack of tea.
I don't know if the author really meant it to be, when she wrote this story, but in spite of it being short, it's also rather amusing. The author, Gail Carriger, does an excellent job of developing the characters, the story, and the plot...and she does it in only 78 pages. Our main character, Alec, is a werewolf with some...shall we say, "problems". They may not seem to be "big" problems, but when we meet the rest of his family, we understand. You see, Alec is a mild-mannered marine biologist who loves reading literature. So, what's the problem you may ask? In a nutshell...it's the rest of his family! His father and his brothers are all beer guzzling, rowdy, very manly, and very hairy...werewolves. Alec wants... and he tries his darndest, to fit in, but it's not easy...actually, in spite of his efforts...it's impossible. You see, Alec is gay... and he's in the deepest, darkest closet he could find. His "peculiarity"... (the author's word, not mine), doesn't go unnoticed, and when a pack meeting is held about another problem other than him for a change...they see a way to not only make him "absent" but maybe solve a few more of their pack problems. Since Alec, is a marine biologist, he is teamed up with a mermaid and merman to investigate an Irish Mafia scheme involving some devilish, pesky little selkies. Alec thinks Marvin, the merman, is handsome, a man's man and the greatest thing to come along since "sliced bread" and Marvin is totally, 100%...in agreement...so they are drawn to each other. WAIT! STOP! Hold the horses...Can't go there!! Alec quickly remembers that he's still in that proverbial deep, dark closet, and his family...and the ghost who haunts the family home...almost forgot about him...seem to be everywhere. It's cute and it's funny, and it's short...so don't expect everything to be resolved. This author has bigger fish to haul out later.

Little Eve - Catriona Ward - (Scotland)
Genera: Horror
5★
A strange clan prepares to bring about the end of the world and its imminent rebirth on a wind-battered isle off the coast of Scotland.

At the start of the story, the year is 1921 and several mutilated bodies have been discovered arranged in a circle, with the heads pointing outward like on a compass. Even more disturbing, the right eyes of all the victims have been gouged out, apparently like a part of some occult ritual. Not all the victims are dead. As hard as it is to believe, one is still alive. Dinah, the survivor, blames a fellow cult member Evelyn (Eve)... as being the killer. Most of the story is told from the perspectives of Dinah and Eve allowing us to learn the beliefs and the rituals of their cult, while giving us a better understanding of the events that led up to what amounts to, mass murder. Members of this cult worship a snake deity known as the "Adder", who will pass along its powers to one follower who has proven to be worthy, as they prepare for the end of the world and its eventual rebirth. Evelyn will do anything to be the one to receive those powers. Evelyn narrates most of the chapters, which are very disturbing and detailing, telling of the cult’s snake-worship, blood sacrifices, and other horrific practices. Evelyn is quickly learning the art and the power of violence, while proving herself to be a much willing student. We also get the truer picture of the workings of the cult through the more objective perspective of Inspector Christopher Black, who is given the dubious "privilege" of investigating the case. He has taken a particular interest in Eve. She gives "belonging" and "family" entirely new and deadly meanings. The cult members...including all the girls have been separated from their biological families...and are led by a charismatic, snake-handling patriarch whom they call "Uncle". The story runs from 1917 to 1946, covering the backstory of the cult and its members and the impact of their violence. The time span gives the narrative a bit of a "wobbly" feel at times, but everything comes together at the end, with a satisfying conclusion. All in all, this is a mesmerizing Gothic horror story that shows the ease that the human mind can sometimes be controlled and how easily it can be steered to insanity and violence.

Once Upon A Second Chance - Davidson King
Part of Once Upon A Holiday series by various authors (2024)
Genera: M/M Romance/Christmas Short Story
5★
Can two men weighed down by their pasts find a future with each other?
I'm a wee bit late to the party, but so glad I finally received this little treasure. On a snowy evening Aaron's car breaks down leaving him stranded in this small town in the middle of a big snowstorm. What started off as something bad turned into something good when he was found by Daniel, the sexy silver fox. Daniel is going to have to prove that smile was as innocent as it appeared to be in order to win Aaron's trust and any other favors. There is just something about a little holiday magic that made this "love at first sight" story so incredibly delicious and sweet. The stubborn young vagabond being rescued by the most honorable and richest man in this small town, who turns out to be an absolute "Prince Charming"...what could be better? We have a recipe for love and hope with a blizzard, a sprinkling of luck, the best hot cocoa ever brewed...blend all this together and you have a lovely little holiday romance. Everyone deserves a second chance and to find their very own "Daniel". I was happy to see that Aaron found his and together they gave us a lovely little Christmas read...even if it is almost February:)

The Big Fix - Mary Calmes - (Thailand Mostly)
Torus Intercessions Series Book #5 - (Jared & Owen's Story)
Genera: M/M Romance/ Action & Adventure/ Espionage
4★
Possible Triggers: Several entire chapters of extreme torture at the hands of the enemy
When Owen Moss, the person closest to Jared Coulter, goes missing.... A carrot is dangling to lure Jared out, and into the hands of an unknown enemy.

To say that this book was a departure from the first 4 books in the series would be like saying that a 1,000-pound grizzly was just an overgrown Teddy Bear. The story also takes place eight years after Book #4; Shaw and Benji's book, The Fix Is In. The character of Jared Couter has aged of course and is now 53. I don't consider 53 is, by any means...old...and neither did Owen who had been in love with Jared almost since he first came to live with him after his father, Jared's best friend was killed. Jared gets word the medical examiner in Thailand that they have the body of Owen Moss and would come identify and claim it if it is Owen. Off to Thailand he goes, and the story takes off with the arrival of some of his guys that we've met in the first 4 books. Of course, you have probably figured out that Mary Calmes wouldn't kill off one of her main characters...but for the last 1/3 or so of the book I was beginning to have my doubts.

Jared was by no means dislikable, but he frustrated me through the majority of the book with his inability to "see" Owen. To see that Owen wasn't a child; he was a full-grown adult man. Owen knew what love and attraction was, and he knew he was attracted to, and loved Jared; he was also capable of subtracting 23 from 53 and realize that the 20 years between them made the odds of them growing to be very old together was probably about 50% or less...Come ON JARED...GIVE HIM A BREAK!

Overall...I absolutely loved the first 4 books in this series, and I highly recommend them, and I also recommend that they be read in order. With this one we have a dark tale of espionage, gun fights, lots of death, a bunch of evil criminals, a kidnapping and brutal torture scenes, that some may want to skip entirely.

I have never written a book...but I know it can't be easy to please everyone every time...so I will just say that there was some of this story that I really liked...but not the entire book like I had the first four...but I still, and will always love your books, Mary!

The Kiss Curse - Erin Sterling
Graves Glen Series Book #2
Genera: Small town Rom Com Romance/Witches/Magic
3★
Rival witches accidentally share a magic-induced kiss, forcing them to team up against a mysterious new coven threatening their town.
The Kiss Curse is a small-town witchy romcom perfect for fall and Halloween...since it features "enemies to lovers". The town of Graves Glen is small but filled with magic, witches, and warlocks reminiscent of a year-round Halloween-town that's grumpy with sunshine. I enjoyed Wells and Gwyn’s “enemies to lovers” romance. All of the funny moments were hilarious, especially Gwyn’s enthusiastic and often mischievous trainees ...or as she called them “Baby Witches”. Gwyn also has an outspoken talking cat. I want one of those:) The story is filled with "witchy puns", and a really funny incidents like the one involving a glittery “love spell” along with sweet and "swoon worthy" moments. When the meaning behind the fondness of Gwyn’s pink hair streak was explained I was thoroughly engaged in this story. I liked that the author didn't give too much away but kept me guessing while smoothly moving the plot on. It didn’t feel like the ending was predictable either. The seasonal vibe of the small-town of Graves Glen was dream - worthy with all the Halloween and fall festivals taking place in the town. In spite of all the things that I really liked, there was a slight downside. The conflict was wrapped up too quickly in the last couple of chapters and I felt like everything wasn’t fully resolved by the end of the book. Perhaps this was done to leave the story open for a possible sequel, maybe for Rhys and Wells’ brother Bowen. Overall... Although I'm not a fan of the "cozy mystery" genera... I think this book was meant just to be a quick lighthearted fun read.