Three’s Company by Kristian Parker

October 19, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Three’s Company by Kristian Parker
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

They’re the perfect throuple…if only the rest of the world agreed.

Will Johnstone’s father is desperately ill, and he races home from London to the Yorkshire village of Napthwaite to be with him. Almost immediately he meets cute postman, Hardeep and mysterious newcomer, Andrew. There weren’t handsome men like this in Napthwaite when he lived here…

Heat flares between the three very different men, passion they have no intention of resisting, or denying. But having their roots deep and their lives entwined in a small village is not like living in a bustling metropolis. And with domineering mothers, problem teenagers, sick fathers and someone’s past knocking at the door, the path of true love is anything but smooth.

Can Will, Hardeep and Andrew, three very different people, steer their relationship past the rocks and find a way into uncharted territory…together?

When Will got the call that his father was ill and needed his help, he put on the role of dutiful son and came home. However, when he arrived in the sleepy little village of his childhood, he stumbles into something he’d never anticipated. Something that could change his life – for the better – forever. But is he strong enough to embrace it?

Will’s situation was a tough one. He and his father had a strained relationship that kept them apart for various reasons, reasons that were understandable, but not insurmountable. It was stressful at first, watching their interactions, but as the story moves forward and they spend more time together, they begin to get reacquainted. Seeing their relationship mend was one of the highlights of the story, in my opinion.

Andrew is stuck in a time loop it seems. He wants desperately to move on from his previous, unsatisfying relationship, but doesn’t seem able to move on. It makes sense when you finally find out more about his past, but his entire attitude towards Will and Hardeep almost ruined it all for me. Luckily for him (and me, I suppose), his two potential boyfriends aren’t willing to give up on him.

My favorite of the three by far was Hardeep. I could relate to him being a single father and the clashes he had with his daughter felt very real. He’s also very closeted and, while I’ve never gone through that myself, I could empathize with the fear and anxiety over being discovered. He also had a very sweet relationship with both his mother and his daughter.

Three’s Company is a sweet, spicy, and sometimes difficult story of finding your way through the trauma and hatred to the happiness you know you deserve. The author’s writing style is easy and flowing, and kept me engaged, despite switching between three different points of view. I was thrilled to see them find their happy ending after all they went through. Although part of a series, it works well as a stand-alone, and pertinent events from the previous novel are explained enough so that you don’t feel lost when they’re brought up. I’m looking forward to going back and reading the previous book as well, the inhabitants of Napthwaite are too much fun to leave behind.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Spotlight on Love by Kristian Parker

October 18, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Spotlight on Love by Kristian Parker
Speak Its Name, book 3
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Historical, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating; 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

If love conquers all, George Lomax has its biggest challenge yet…

It’s 1923 and George Lomax is on the run. Not from the law but from his boss, the predatory stage company manager Waldo Waddington. George came to London from the States in a Harlem-style musical, but Waldo demands more than just a good performance on the stage from the males in his cast.

Fleeing, George arrives at Safe Haven Boarding House in Brighton and immerses himself in the loving, accepting world of Tanner, Charlie, Frank and Michael. A stroll in the local park brings him to Stanley Butterworth, a war veteran who’s experienced his own horrors, and it’s love at first sight for the two very different men.

But Waldo is hot on George’s heels, using George’s employment contract and visa to drag him back into his clutches. Can George find a way to not only be free but be free to love Stanley…if Stanley can overcome his own demons to love him back?

Two souls who should be together, searching for forever together and it’s so sweet.
I’m a sucker for Kristian Parker’s books and the moment I saw this book. I’ve loved the others in this series and knew I needed to read this one. I love that it’s interracial, I love that it’s the twenties and that these characters are so different. I’m not wild about first person writing, but this book delivers.

I love George and Stanley together. They’re great for each other and it was nice to catch up with the other characters from this series. I’m not wild about what happened to George, but I do like the twists involved. It’s good. Plus, there are moments of heat and sweetness.

If you’re a fan of historicals, want a good one that’s of a time period not often dealt with in romance, plus one that features LGBTQ characters and is well-written, then this is the book and series for you. Try it!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Wylder Rose by Jane Lewis

October 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Wylder Rose by Jane Lewis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rate: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Rose O’Brien is a stage actress masquerading as a Saloon Singer in Wylder, Wyoming. With an abusive lover hot on her tail and a handsome Scotsman proposing marriage Rose decides to flee to California before her secret can break Callum’s heart -and hers.

Callum MacPhilip has loved the Irish lass since he saw her enter a carriage on a street corner in Cheyenne. When a snowstorm and a turn of fate brings them together, Callum vows to protect her –and convince her to take a chance on love.

This story captured my attention on page two and from then on, I could not put it down. The hero, Callum, is the epitome of my kind of hero. I am a huge fan of stories where the hero saves the damsel in distress. The heroine, Rose, is definitely in need of a hero.

The characters are easy to bond with and well-developed. I enjoy reading stories with a small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and has the camaraderie of a football team. “When you mess with one, you mess with us all”.

Rose and Callum definitely have chemistry and are an example of Love at First Sight. It’s the perfect type of romance that makes me feel gooey at heart. Callum was sure of his feelings right away. I kept cheering for Rose to take a chance with Callum. It took Rose a few chapters to figure it out because she did have an abusive boyfriend on her trail. That plot thread was a little suspenseful but also encouraging to those who are victims of abuse. It took courage for Rose to escape, and I was happy that her escape led her to Callum.

I pleasantly discovered that The Wylder Rose is part of a twenty-eight-book series called “The Wylder West”. I read a few of their synopses and I’m interested in reading a few of their stories. I also noticed that the books in this series are written by different authors and some of the authors I’m actually familiar with. How did I not know about this series?

I love westerns. I’m going to have to investigate this series further, especially if they are all as good as this book. If the synopsis intrigues you as it did me, then definitely pick this book up. I recommend The Wylder Rose by Jane Lewis.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking by Sean Robinson

October 13, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking by Sean Robinson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Do you want to take a break from alcohol easily and safely? Reading Going Dry will inspire you and change the way you look at drinking.

When COVID-19 shut down Canada and countries worldwide, Sean Robinson experienced a dark year. His drinking habit was one constant he could continue in an otherwise pandemic-disrupted routine. But at the beginning of 2021, he decided to make a change.

In Going Dry: My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking, Sean tells his story of choosing, one day and one month at a time, to carve a new lifestyle for himself. Despite growing up in a home where drinking was a normal part of life and being surrounded by constant social pressure to drink, Sean surprised himself and those around him.

His story provides inspiration and strategies for eliminating bad habits and replacing them with a more positive outlook and approach to life.

Going Dry is a testament that anyone can change, and it’s worth the effort.

Now is the perfect time to make healthier choices.

Alcohol misuse comes in many forms, not all of which are necessarily easy to recognize without some education on the topic. Some of the most interesting passages were the ones that explained the author’s relationship with alcohol, why he thought it was becoming unhealthy for him, and what subtle signs lead him to this conclusion. Alcoholism, and even an unhealthy relationship with that substance in general, can exist in people whose lives are otherwise pretty well put together. This isn’t the case for everyone, of course, but it was interesting to confront my own assumptions about this illness and what sort of person might develop it. I thought I already had a decent understanding of this topic, so I was surprised by how much more there was to learn about it.

I would have liked to see a little more time spent on the coping mechanisms Mr. Robinson leaned on to help him stop drinking and change his relationship with alcohol. These were such an important part of the process that I was surprised by how quickly those sections ended. This was a minor criticism of something I otherwise found well worth reading.

As someone who has medical reasons for not drinking alcohol and who therefore has never had a problem with this substance, I was surprised by how much overlap I noticed between the author’s experiences as an ex-drinker and my own as a non-drinker. Some folks become very uncomfortable in social gatherings if everyone isn’t drinking even if those of us who are abstaining have excellent reasons to order a soda or something instead. The peer pressure to drink is real, and Mr. Robinson had some fantastic tips for holding boundaries with friends or relatives who have trouble with this concept. Honestly, it made me want to go out to an alcohol-free dinner with him and dive even more deeply into the question of why some folks become so agitated by non-drinkers and how they can be redirected or deflected when necessary.

You don’t need to have a history of drinking alcohol or of misusing it to get something out of this book. Everyone has at least one bad habit they’d like to change, and Mr. Robinson found many similarities between the decision to stop drinking and the decision to replace any other number of habits with healthier life choices. Figuring out what to do instead and how to deal with peer pressure to fall back into old patterns is important for everyone who is trying to improve something about their lives.

Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking was a thought-provoking and educational read.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

October 12, 2022 By Leave a Comment


On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God (Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, 16+, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Georgia Nicolson has started dating the Sex God (aka Robbie). So life should be perfect . . . except in Georgia’s life, nothing is ever perfect. Her cat, Angus (the size of a small Labrador), is terrorizing the neighborhood. Her sister, Libby (who is slightly mad), hides her pooey knickers at the bottom of Georgia’s bed.

Then the Sex God breaks it off because she’s too young. It’s time for a plan. It’s time for a Red Herring. It’s time for Georgia to become a “heartless boy magnet!”

Very much a YA novel, but it’s fun.

I picked this up because I was told it was banned. That’s a sure-fire way for me to want to read a book–if I’m not supposed to, I will. I’m glad I did. This story moves along at a good clip and got me engrossed right away.

I have to add a few caveats. Georgia is 14 and the sex god (ah, the conversation of teen girls) is 17. That age gap might bother some, but there wasn’t much to the relationship of any controversial nature other than that. They break up because he thinks she’s too young. See? It works out, sort of. Also, this book is told through the viewpoint of a 14 year old girl. She’s going to see the world in a much more myopic way than someone older. It’s the nature of the teen. But take into consideration Georgia is an overly dramatic teen, she’s a teen and she’s been through some drama that she can’t control. It’s okay that she’s…well..Georgia.

If you’re looking for something light and easy for a weekend read, then this might be the one for you. There’s slapstick humor, chuckles and it’s a cute teen read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle

October 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, YA, 14+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Armed with a one-way ticket to New York City, small-town theater geek Nate is off to start rehearsals for E.T.: The Broadway Musical. It’s everything he ever practiced his autograph for! But as thrilling as Broadway is, rehearsals are nothing like Nate expects: full of intimidating child stars, cut-throat understudies, and a director who can’t even remember Nate’s name.

Now, as the countdown to opening night is starting to feel more like a time bomb, Nate is going to need more than his lucky rabbit’s foot if he ever wants to see his name in lights. He may even need a showbiz miracle.

Cute, sweet and a little unbelievable but fun!

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! follows the book Better Nate Than Ever is a cute, sweet read about a young man, Nate, who wants to become a star on the stage. He’s got big dreams and even bigger pressure to produce.

I liked this book because it showed a young man, Nate, who is trying to come to terms with what he wants–fame–and who he is. He’s coming out and finding he rather likes being true to himself. It’s a sweet thing to read about.

There are also a lot of nearly impossible things happening in this book. He’s a small town kid about to make it big, he’s already on the stage, he’s in an improbable situation…but it’s fun. It’s cute and quirky.

If you’re looking for a story that’s a little about coming out, a lot about the stage and a lot about life, then give it a try. It’s funny and worth the read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh

October 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh
A Men of Summer novel
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

THE HEART HAS ITS SECRETS.
Zack Richards knows he’s asking for trouble. Trying to protect a member of the notorious Maddox family could get a man killed—even a battle-scarred, muscle-ripped alpha like Zack. But the woman who has captured his wildest fantasies is nothing like the rest of her power-hungry clan. She’s innocent, beautiful, and has quickly become the one shining light in his dark, desperate world. The only woman worth fighting for…and dying for…

BUT PASSION NEVER LIES.
Her name is Grace Maddox—and everybody knows that she is a marked woman. Targeted for her family’s sins and hunted like a wild animal, Grace has no choice but to accept Zack’s protection. In his arms, she finally feels safe. In his eyes, she sees an insatiable desire that mirrors her own. But the truth is dangerous—and could end up tearing them apart. Will surrendering to Zack end up being the biggest mistake of Grace’s life?

Lots of lies, lots of love and a lot of heat.

I know when I pick up a book by Lora Leigh that I’ll get something fantastic. This book was no different. There was heart, heat and so much steam. The writing flowed well and caught me right up in the story from page one. I didn’t want to put it down, even though I had to…darn sleeping anyway.

Zack loves Grace. Always sort of has, but he knows she’s off-limits. Then he’s given the task of protecting her and decides a fake relationship is what will do the job the best. I liked that he was so take-charge about it. He knew what was best. But I also liked that she didn’t let him just do whatever he wanted. She challenged him all the way and that was great, too. Grace isn’t a wilting flower. She’s just as strong, even if she’s caught in something she doesn’t understand.

I liked the chemistry between Grace and Zack and could tell he’d give his life for her. The heat between them scorched the pages.

If you’re looking for something hot on an autumn afternoon, then this might be the book for you. Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters

October 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Logan Foster has pretty much given up on the idea of ever being adopted. It could have something to with his awkward manner, his photographic memory, or his affection for reciting curious facts, but whatever the cause, Logan and his “PP’s” (prospective parents) have never clicked.

Then everything changes when Gil and Margie arrive. Although they aren’t exactly perfect themselves—Gil has the punniest sense of humor and Margie’s cooking would have anyone running for the hills—they genuinely seem to care.

But it doesn’t take Logan long to notice some very odd things about them. They are out at all hours, they never seem to eat, and there’s a part of the house that is protected by some pretty elaborate security.

No matter what Logan could have imagined, nothing prepared him for the truth: His PP’s are actually superheroes, and they’re being hunted down by dastardly forces. Logan’s found himself caught in the middle in a massive battle and the very fate of the world may hang in the balance. Will Logan be able to find a way to save the day and his new family?

Shawn Peters’ debut novel The Unforgettable Logan Foster is a simply unforgettable read!

Logan Foster is a unique kid, and he’s sadly given up on the dream of ever being adopted. Despite being fostered out to Prospective Parents, or “PPs” multiple times, adults have never connected to his awkward personality, his love of comic books, or his other quirks (namely his photographic memory, being on the autism spectrum, and developmental coordination disorder). Things change for him though when he’s introduced to Gil and Margie, and he quickly learns that there’s more to his new foster parents than meets the eye.

As a loyal fan of the superhero genre, I’m always happy when there’s a great new book to read. The book is action-packed and fast-paced. I loved how the author built comic books and superheroes into the worldbuilding of the story. I also appreciated how the big superhero organization in the book did not try to copy the Justice League or the Avengers. MASC (Multinational Authority for Superhuman Control) occupies a very different role in the world than the two other organizations do.

While superheroes are a big focus of the book, Mr. Peters also focuses on some more mundane topics like adoption and neurodivergence. Logan’s been somewhat hardened by the multiple failed fosterings, so he resists warming up to Gil and Margie (expecting he’ll be back in the orphanage before the month is out). Their initial awkwardness (due to hiding their secret identities as superheroes) doesn’t help matters. There’s also the issue of Logan’s quirks. Most are put off by the multitude of random facts he spouts (courtesy of his photographic memory), and his autistic nature makes some of the more nuanced social interactions in his new school challenging. Never fear though – things work out well in the end for Logan, and he even has his own “superpower” just like his new parents! You’ll have to read the book to find out exactly what I mean.

The only weakness of the book I noticed, and an area of confusion for me as a reader, was the connection to Logan’s (possible) sibling. Logan opens the book directly speaking to a sibling, and the book is pretty much a diary addressed to them. He even has a best big brother shirt that means a lot to him. However, said sibling doesn’t actually show up in the book. That was a letdown for me, so I’m hoping they’ll show up later in the series.

It’s reminiscent of a cross between Disney’s The Incredibles and Meet the Robinsons. If you or a young reader would enjoy a story filled with superheroes, friendship, found family, and lots of comic references, then pick up this book today! It would also be a great choice for those looking for a mainstream book featuring adoption and fostering. I’m excited to see what’s next for Logan in the sequel, The Unforgettable Logan Foster and the Shadow of Doubt (which comes out in January 2023).

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Final Hour by Tom Wood

October 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Final Hour by Tom Wood
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE…

Victor is the ultimate predator. He surfaces to kill, then disappears into thin air. But he’s a disposable commodity for the powerful people he works for—both the good guys and the bad. And no one has his back. Especially now that doing black bag jobs for the CIA has put a target on his head…

…IS TO DIE.

Antonio Alvarez, a high-ranking US intelligence official, is determined to clean house and find the legendary killer who slipped away from him during an operation in Paris. There’s only one person Victor can turn to for help: a lethal female assassin whose life he once saved. And now Victor wants her to return the favor—by killing him….

Antonio Alvarez has been steadfastly tracking a killer for years, ever since one of his jobs with the CIA went very bad in Paris. Back then, he’d been called off by his superior, but now Alvarez has far more power after multiple promotions and Alvarez refuses to let this lie. Victor has continued on his way, but even he understands that sometimes you simply can’t escape the past.

I’ve enjoyed the Victor series for years and this book proves no exception. Usually, these novels can be read by themselves but for this one I’d suggest readers should have read at least a few of the previous installments. A number of characters from the previous books make important contributions to this one and while I admit much of the back story is filled in very well and readers should be able to keep up, I do feel a lot more enjoyment will be gained from having been in on the other adventures and know the history and just how everything has come to pass. I wouldn’t suggest that any of the multiple sub-plots here were left untied in the previous books, but it was fantastic to revisit where various characters are and how they moved on from their experiences – positive or negative – with Victor. I found this an absolute delight.

Victor is definitely a classic anti-hero. While there are numerous redeeming qualities to him, Victor has no illusions about who and what he is. He is a killer. He wants to survive at any cost. This is not a character who can afford to have feelings or sympathy. Readers looking for a softer character or someone who down the track might be good or saved – that’s not what you’ll find here. But for a very strongly plotted, character heavy and action driven storyline that is both thoughtful and enjoyable this is certainly the book for you. I have read each of the previous books a number of times and found this to be an excellent addition to the series.

Different and somehow managing to have emotion and heart despite the content, this is a strong book I feel will appeal to many mystery and thriller readers. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Deadly Thanksgiving by Maureen Fisher

October 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Deadly Thanksgiving by Maureen Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

The Foster sisters had inherited Grizzly Gulch Guest Ranch at an age when most sensible women contemplated retirement. No one ever called them sensible.

In Book 2 of The Senior Sleuth Mystery Series, events manager Clara Foster must ensure the success of a week-long getaway for lonely retirees—a Boomers’ Thanksgiving Festival. Too bad the arrival of a mini-coach loaded with tipsy seniors gets the event off to a shaky start, especially when one of the guests turns out to be a corpse. Worse, the Mountie assigned to the case is none other than one Hawk McDougall, the man Clara dumped via text message.

Tensions mount when the death appears to be deliberate and the prime murder suspect is Clara’s cousin.

As more suspects emerge, mysterious “accidents” force Clara to join forces (and possibly more) with Hawk to find a killer on the rampage.

Non-stop action bounces from a cantankerous cat named Snuggles to an unfortunate goat yoga incident, a perilous nature walk to a mechanical bull gone rogue, a disastrous wardrobe malfunction to a spitting llama, all culminating in a memorable takedown followed by a Thanksgiving feast the guests will never forget.
Warning: This book may contain nuggets of naughty boomer humor.

Very cute read. Lots of humor and sarcasm which I loved. The match ups and the love hungry residents coming from Lifestyle Manor make for some interesting tete-a-tetes. Nonetheless this is as clean as can be.

Author Maureen Fisher made me feel as if I were there participating in goat yoga, on a hike, or even living in a rather rustic atmosphere at Grizzly Gulch. She didn’t just make me feel I was there; she made me wish I was there having fun. I even enjoyed the new temperamental Chef Armand and his showy culinary delights. I especially enjoyed his alternative choices for a dark Thanksgiving.

A light but very enjoyable read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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