As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall

January 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall
Jordan Manning series Book 1
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

When crime reporter Jordan Manning leaves her hometown in Texas to take a job at a television station in Chicago, she’s one step closer to her dream: a coveted anchor chair on a national network.

Jordan is smart and aggressive, with unabashed star-power, and often the only woman of color in the newsroom. Her signature? Arriving first on the scene—in impractical designer stilettos. Armed with a master’s degree in forensic science and impeccable instincts, Jordan has been able to balance her dueling motivations: breaking every big story—and giving a voice to the voiceless.

From her time in Texas, she’s covered the vilest of human behaviors but nothing has prepared her for Chicago. Jordan is that rare breed of a journalist who can navigate a crime scene as well as she can a newsroom—often noticing what others tend to miss. Again and again, she is called to cover the murders of Black women, many of them sexually assaulted, most brutalized, and all of them quickly forgotten.

All until Masey James—the story that Jordan just can’t shake, despite all efforts. A 15-year-old girl whose body was found in an abandoned lot, Masey has come to represent for Jordan all of the frustration and anger that her job often forces her to repress. Putting the rest of her work and her fraying personal life aside, Jordan does everything she can to give the story the coverage it desperately requires, and that a missing Black child would so rarely get.

There’s a serial killer on the loose, Jordan believes, and he’s hiding in plain sight.

The story follows Texas native Jordan Manning. Jordan’s an ambitious TV journalist who is compassionate, driven and determined to help solve the murder of Massy James. Sadly, the story of Masey Jones, a black teenager who has been missing for a few weeks is the focus story for Jordan.

I enjoyed the crime mystery mixed with journalism. I liked seeing behind the scenes as the story follows Jordan’s investigative journalism. She is set on exposing the injustice for victims as well as for the black community. Many times, she is so focused on getting the story that she forgoes eating.

A few things that I didn’t like about the writing is the very detailed backstory for each character mentioned. There were times in the book that were over detailed on unimportant situations and characters. Jordan has a lot of friends and in their introductions the story goes on long-winded tangents which overwhelmed the storyline with details that were not needed.

I admired Jordan’s strength, creative tactics and realness. She has a great and close relationship with her mother. She has a good circle of sister friends and reliable work associates. She is single but well aware that her lifestyle isn’t conducive to maintaining a healthy relationship. A late suggestion, if this is going to be a series saving some of the details of her friendships and her relationship with Thomas for a later book might have been well advised. This first book revealed everything about Jordan. As a reader I would have liked for the first book to focus on the storyline and provide some details about Jordan but leave a little mystery about her that’ll make me want to read the next installment of the series.

Jordan has a sense that something more is going on than anyone else realized. Another characteristic that I liked about Jordan is that she is willing to put herself where needed and she’s open to asking the hard questions to get the details of the story to the public. I was impressed with Jordan’s unique qualifications in having a degree in forensic science but at times she seems to cross the line in doing a detective’s job. This led me to believe that no one on the police force is capable of solving the case. Originally, the police wrote Masey off as a runaway. As the story intensifies the police are now under pressure to solve the case which leads to a questionable arrest per Jordan.

I admit, I lost interest as the story went along. It started to dwindle after the questionable arrest. There were so many people being introduced that it was confusing, and I didn’t care who the killer was, I just wanted to be finished because I knew probably wouldn’t remember them in the crowd. There may be some emotional triggers for some readers as this story does center around a missing 15-year-old girl (not disclosing specific triggers due to spoiler for potential readers), along with the mistreatment of the falsely accused.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline despite the drawbacks stated previously. This was still an entertaining read and I enjoyed watching Jordan as she went from scene to scene, following sources as she gathered details on the story while the wicked watched.

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

Escape From The Center Of The Earth by Greig Beck

January 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Escape From The Center Of The Earth by Greig Beck
Publisher: Severed Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

“Help me, it’s Ally. Please help me.”

A ghostly, sobbing voice is detected from the depths of Russia’s Kola super deep borehole – 9 miles down. A Russian team is dispatched in a desperate rescue mission to find the woman. But how did she get there?

Meanwhile, the Americans prepare their own expedition after a new rift leading to the center of the Earth has been discovered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific Ocean. Mike Monroe and Jane Baxter agree to accompany the team of soldiers and scientists to seek a compound that is potentially a cure for cancer… a cancer that is slowly eating away at them, and the legacy of their time in the boiling red hell at the core of the planet.

Now, a two-pronged mission seeks answers from the Earth’s interior, a place of impenetrable jungles, fallen kingdoms, and monstrous creatures that have never been seen on the surface and have evolved into nightmarish, deadly forms.

But there is something else – a mountainous ancient being that is as old as the world and has been awaiting them. And this time will not let them leave.

Escape from the Center of the Earth is the final edition of the blockbusting Center Earth trilogy and closes the series with a climax that will blow reader’s minds.

Jane and Mike are both fighting the long-term consequences of their two previous expeditions down into the center of the earth. Each determined to save the other, will this final trip allow them to close this chapter of their lives?

I have really enjoyed this trilogy and found this third and final installment to meet – and even exceed – my every expectation. That’s no small feat, I am a huge fan of Greig Beck and now pretty much expect a superlative read from each of his books. Fantastic blending of horror, mystery/suspense, thriller, sci-fi, techno thrillers and best of all an adventurous and amazing expedition style of story are all things that I expect from Mr. Beck and in this story he did not disappoint. I feel it’s important for readers to know this story stands very well by itself – but it is equally very clearly the final part in the trilogy, and I absolutely think readers will have a much more encompassing and enjoyable adventure if they read all three books back-to-back.

I was both cautious and excited to read about Ally. Her part towards the end of the second story was one of the major things that really, truly stuck with me for weeks after I finished reading Return to the Center Of the Earth. While much of it was my own imagination and the somewhat abrupt ending to her section, I feel anyone who reads the second book will completely understand why Ally stuck with me – in both a good and a bad way – for many weeks. So, knowing her story wasn’t over and realizing this book would progress that storyline was both wonderful and frightening for me. Without spoilers – I found myself impressed and deeply satisfied with how this story handles Ally and both the realism of her character and the progress and conclusion that was given to me as a reader. The storyline as a whole absolutely won’t be every reader’s cup of tea (and indeed for some parts it wasn’t to my taste either), but I can’t deny this is one of those stories and trilogies, a character arc that just really hits you in the heart and soul and stays with you. For good or bad it made a serious impact on me and is something I will think and talk about for a long time to come.

Jane and Mike and another set of hard-ass military professionals also were an amazing expedition party. As one would expect there are new monsters, new dangers and new wonders all set in store for them and the reader journeying along. I was thrilled when one of the characters was introduced to the party. No spoilers – but it’s a very well-known character who many fans of Grieg Beck will be hopefully as excited as I was to see added to this adventure. It really helped make the book even more amazing for me, personally, as it’s one of my all-time favourite trilogies of Beck’s.

Readers looking for an adventure, a thrill, a bit of a scare and a can’t-be-beaten “expedition party getting eaten by the monsters” style of story should absolutely be as enthralled as I was. I totally think readers should go back to the first story and read all three, but if you happen to find a copy of this just lying around somewhere then pick it up and devour it – for sure. This is an amazing book, and I can’t wait for more from this author. Highly recommended.

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

With This Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson

January 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


With This Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson
ClickandWed.com Series
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

“Uh, oh, what did I do?”

Mail order bride with a contemporary twist!

A lonely divorcee and a rancher who can lose everything with one website that matches them for marriage…

They have to learn about the importance of decisions and family or lose their one shot at love.

Stuck in a town where everyone knows her and her ex-husband, Rachel is distinctly aware of who chose his side – everyone – and who chose her side – no one. Even her hairstylist won’t schedule her.

But when she finds herself alone with a bottle of chianti and the internet, Rachel stumbles upon Clickandwed.com. The survey is easy and clicking “I Do” seems to be the magic button she’s been searching for.

Before she can snap out of her decision, she finds herself packed and flying across the country to meet her new husband.

Would her new life be better or worse than the hell she left behind?

I have a new addiction. The ClickandWed.com series is unusual, quirky, entertaining and full of heart and emotion.

Bonnie R. Paulson is a new-to-me author and the first book I purchased was via BN a while ago, but I didn’t read it right away. I have to warn you that they now can only be found and read via a Kindle. This is the first time I’ve appreciated the fact that I bought a Kindle because this series is AMAZING! I really want other romance readers to be able to relish the simple joy of reading not only, With This Click, I Thee Wed, but all of them. I wanted to make sure you knew where to find them.

This first book is an awesome setup for the whole series. The author grabbed me by the heartstrings when I met Rachel. Do you remember that feeling of empathy you had for Cinderella because the stepmother doted on her own daughters and derided and denigrated Cinderella? Everything she did, even if it was right, even when she tried her hardest, would never, ever be correct or perfect in the eyes of her stepfamily? That is how I felt about Rachel. I hurt for her. She was a wonderful heroine who had a bad marriage with a real stinker of a fellow. Then there are her parents. The only thing I’m going to say about them is that they make the wicked stepmother in Cinderella look like she’s a cranky sourpuss. What they do and say and finally what is revealed about the depths and lengths of their unparent-like behavior truly astounded me. Ms. Paulson made me gape like a fish when Rachel discovered the facts. This is one of the most effective conflicts a story could have.

Now for the good stuff. The romance. Of course, it was rocky in the beginning. Again, I reference Cinderella. But, wait for it because Logan, though a bit scattered in the beginning, turns out to be a handsome prince of a guy. He has a dream, he has hopes and he’s lonely too. He loved his parents, and he misses them. They were taken away too soon but they left him a goal, a gorgeous ranch and a house full of stuff. He’s a hard worker, and he’s respectful and supportive of Rachel. The way the author describes their interactions, dialogue and how they look at each other was perfect for building their friendship, their relationship and what will lead to their falling in true love. What helps everything along is all the steps that they have to do through the ClickandWed app. It’s a serious business and it forces the two to work together to learn about each other as they grow as a couple. It’s really a clever plot technique and the author applied it effectively and successfully.

Oh, I forgot to mention that this story is told from Rachel’s point of view. The author handled it well and it never felt awkward nor were there any mistakes or info dumps. I enjoyed the whole tale. Well, except for the stress parts of emotional drama. Again, that refers to her snake of an ex and what new tricks he was trying to pull. It of course, caused some serious bumps in the fledgling relationship but I also appreciated the skill the author applied in making sure this story didn’t get tripped up with its drama. It propelled the relationship to grow, mature and tested their commitment to each other. I think that’s another reason why I liked this story so much. Any time I felt it was falling into a trope trap, the author surprised me with the perfect resolution and solution. I never felt anything was contrived. It felt natural and engaging.

I know I’m not doing this book justice. The book is sweet and heartfelt, it’s very character driven with a hero and heroine I really liked. I enjoyed watching Rachel find her wings and fly, and Logan was right there with her. And when I say Rachel comes into her own, I’m downplaying just how marvelously clever it all came about. I had so much fun reading about it!

The epilogue is a tiny story in itself, a perfect hook. Colin Davis is the creator of ClickandWed and she already has identified the next client who needs a happy ever after. Just the way it was written guaranteed that I would want it too, and that means I need to read the next book.

With This Click, I Thee Wed is simply wonderful. It gives a reader a well-rounded romance where the couple is the focus. There’s gentle humor, tender emotion and a boatload of reasons why this story gave me the ‘feels’ especially when Rachel and Logan get everything they thought they’d never have – love.

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

Semper Fitz by Aurora Russell

January 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Semper Fitz by Aurora Russell
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

He’s always strong, always faithful…but will he be always hers?

Pregnant, alone and temporarily staying at her family’s cabin in northern Minnesota, Clara Olafson is determined to overcome the hurt of her recent past and build a good life for herself and her child. The last thing she expects to find on her morning walk through the state forest nearby is an unconscious and injured former Marine.

Colin ‘Fitz’ Fitzhugh might have initially joined the Corps to prove that he was more than just a wealthy playboy, but he grew to love the brotherhood and purpose he found there—until his last mission in Afghanistan cost the life of one of his men and left him badly scarred in body and mind. Hoping to shed some of his pain and guilt alone in the wilderness, instead he finds a feisty, pregnant angel.

Sparks fly as sassy Clara nurses the gruff and mysterious Fitz back to health, but the happiness and peace they both begin to find in the little cabin is shattered when Clara faces a health emergency. When Fitz reluctantly chooses to return to the wealth and privilege of his family in order to save her and the baby, he plunges them all into a glittering society that Clara doesn’t know if she likes. But Fitz might just prove to her that, whether he’s being a billionaire philanthropist or a sudden stand-in dad, he’s always hers.

Pregnancy can make you do weird stuff!

At least, that’s how it is for Clara. The weirdest being when she finds a hulking man unconscious in the forest and takes him home with her. Fitz has gone to the forest to find himself but, instead, finds something so much more.

This is the first book in a new series set (I think) in Minnesota. It moves along at a fair pace with some steamy scenes. You do have to suspend reality though, which is something I find a tad difficult with contemporary stories. For one thing, she recovers from a caesarian section very quickly and, just as quickly, moves onto having sex multiple times in one night. Maybe some do move on that quickly, but no one I know has. And let’s not forget all the ‘accidents’ she had that no one, not even her marine, questioned. A doctor, her brother, not questioning the exact same BP reading for a week? The exact same?!

Barring these small points though, this was a sweet read with some angst and steamy moments. If you like Contemporary Romance, then give this one a go!

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

Wolf in the Woods by N.J. Walters

January 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Wolf in the Woods by N.J. Walters
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Not wanting to be forced to mate to an eligible male in her pack who won’t take no for an answer, Addie Fuller is on the run.

Billy Gallagher might be human, but he understands werewolf culture all too well after being raised in the Salvation Pack.

When their paths cross, he helps her, even knowing it will likely mean his death. He’s no match for a full-blooded male wolf. A short, brutal fight leaves him near death and Addie fighting to save his life.

He recovers, but he’s not the same man he was. The one thing he does know for sure—he and Addie are meant to be together. All he has to do is convince her of that and deal with the threat looming over them.

Forced mating? No, thank you!

Addie goes out for a run with her packmates when she realizes things aren’t quite as they seem. What should have been a ‘fun run’ turns into a fight with a human who wants to protect her.

This is the first book in the Salvation Pack: The Next Generation, a spin-off from Salvation Pack. I haven’t read any of those but didn’t find it necessary to get the enjoyment from this one. Billy, although human to begin with, is the stronger of the two main characters, owing to his upbringing as part of a healthy Pack. Although a wolf, Addie is the one with the internal monologue as she worries about everything. The rest of the characters were written in the way you would expect from their designation as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I would like to know more about Ryan, the alpha of Addie’s Pack, as he didn’t seem a bad sort, just not interested in any dealings with Salvation.

This was a smooth, well-paced story that didn’t hold any surprises but was a thoroughly enjoyable read that kept my interest from beginning to end. There is some steam, but it is all part of the story and doesn’t take the front seat in every situation.

A great paranormal read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Nowhere To Run by Andrew Grey

January 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Nowhere To Run by Andrew Grey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Roy Unger is greenhorn running from his past. He’s gotten a ranch job and works hard to prove himself every day. Since leaving home in a hurry, he’s come to realize that this job is the only thing standing between him and starvation. He isn’t going to mess it up, no matter how much Brad might drive him to distraction.

Brad has been around the block more than once. He’s a cowboy through and through, complete with a failed rodeo career and a love life that could only be described as hopeless. He’s worked hard and kept his head down. Roy makes him want more, but Brad has come to realize that what he wants isn’t what he gets.

Brad knows what desperation feels like and how important it is to fit in. When he decides to help Roy get over his fear of horses, the two men spend more time together, leading Roy to share confidences about his troubled past. Listening builds trust, which shifts into so much more. But before they can have any sort of future, they need to deal with Roy’s past, which could ruin everything.

I found this to be a wonderful slow-paced cowboy romance. While the world and ranch have been set up in the two previous books in this series this actual story and the two heroes totally stand alone and so I strongly feel this story can be picked up and read by itself. I really enjoyed how both Brad and Roy’s characters were multi-faceted. This helped me feel like they were more realistic. I thought the author did an awesome job making both Brad and Roy feel fresh, relatable but also new to me and I loved this.

I’m not keen to delve too deeply into Roy’s past and his troubles, as I found they were different enough it was quite a pleasant surprise when I worked them out while reading the book and I’d hate to spoil that for other readers. Mostly I feel I want to commend the author for making what could have been very tried-and-true, almost trope-like problems turn very slightly and actually end up being something quite different and fresh. I also really appreciated the patience and understanding Brad had for these problems. Instead of just pushing Roy or guilting him into “fixing” everything, Brad slowly coaxed Roy into explaining everything in greater detail and then Brad supported Roy and helped him help himself. I found that really lovely and a good way for the men to become friends and slowly grow something deeper between them.

Readers looking for something intensely erotic or really fast-paced probably won’t find this romance suits their needs, but I personally felt the slower pace really matched both the character’s needs and the situation they were in. A hot and torrid affair wouldn’t have had either man end up happy and so I loved watching them really build something special between them. I’m also curious as to whether one of the other strong secondary characters (Jessup) might end up being the main character in one of the upcoming stories as he certainly seemed to be interesting and complicated enough that I feel perhaps the author was gently foreshadowing something with that brief snippet of storyline.

With a lovely pace, multi-layered and complicated characters and a lovely slow burn to the romance this was a great story and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m eagerly waiting in hope for future installments.

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

Can’t Go Back by Debra Webb

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Can’t Go Back by Debra Webb
Devlin & Falco Book 3
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Birmingham detectives Kerri Devlin and Luke Falco arrive at the scene of a double homicide to discover that nothing makes sense. A woman and her child are dead, and though the husband says he killed them, the evidence says otherwise. Why would a man confess to unspeakable murders he didn’t commit?

What starts as an open-and-shut case explodes into a web of new leads. Devlin and Falco get to work tracking down every single one—including a disturbing connection between the murders and Falco’s dark past.

Falco knows the incident from eight years ago will jeopardize the partnership he’s built with Devlin, both on and off the job. If he could go back, he would—but what happened happened, and there’s a murderer on the loose. Devlin and Falco must slog through the pain to get to the truth; and so far the only truth they know is that everyone is lying.

Can’t Go Back is an unpredictable suspense with a fast-moving plot that kept my attention. It includes strong, well-developed characters, good and bad guys, romance, police cover ups, obsession, family drama and murder. It’s a balance that gives the readers an authentic story. Book #3 in the Devlin & Falco Series can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the first two books and followed the story and characters with no problem.

There’s a lot of story going on, however the author delivers it with her special skill and talent for entertaining and telling a story. The book opens with a woman and her child found dead from a house fire and the husband admitting to the crime. Detective Luke Falco is still dealing with the incident from eight years ago and it could ruin the current relationship with his partner Kerri Devlin. There are family issues, but the author puts everything in its place and gives the characters life by adding in such vibrant personal details.

The story is told from various characters’ points of view. The author fills the plot with action, heartache from loss and two qualified detectives that are working hard to solve the double murder of the mother and daughter.

The ending revealed a skillful unique twist that I didn’t see coming. I wanted justice for the families and the author delivered that and so much more. It was upsetting that everyone appeared to be withholding information and everyone looked guilty but as it turns out that’s exactly how the author devised it. I’m sure readers will continuously question whodunnit as they continue to read to see what happens next in the case.

A good read that I would highly recommend to readers that enjoy a well-developed murder suspense that doesn’t end in a cliff-hanger.

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

The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans
Publisher: ‎HQ Digital
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sasha Hansley hates Christmas. As a child, it was her favourite time of year, but ever since the tragic death of her mother, it has completely lost its magic.

But when she gets an unexpected phone call from her estranged father, she’s forced to dust off her snow boots.

He’s been running a Lapland style Christmas village in Norway and after suffering a heart attack, he is on strict doctor’s orders to slow down. Eager to reconnect with her dad, Sasha books the next flight out there. Only she’s never actually been on a plane before, let alone to the Arctic Circle.

Met at the runway by drop-dead-gorgeous Taavi Salvesen, they sleigh ride through the snow with the Northern Lights guiding their way.

When Sasha uncovers sacks of unopened Santa mail – letters that children and adults from all over the world write to Santa every year – she realises that she can send a little bit of magic out into the world by replying to some of them.

With Taavi on hand to help, will Sasha rediscover her own excitement for Christmas and find love among the letters?

This is the most romantic book I’ve read all year!

Where do I find the words to explain the wonder I found within this book’s pages? This novel makes me want to put sparkling fairy lights all over the house, both inside and out. The Post Box at the North Pole has inspired me to decorate for Christmas like I’ve never done before. If I could hug the author for writing this story, I would. It’s incredibly happy and filled with the wonder of the Northern Lights. I adored this book!!

Can you tell I’m excited? This is only the second story I’ve read by this author and I’m a fan. I guarantee it won’t be the last and in fact, I crave more. If script writers wouldn’t mess this up, it truly would make a marvelous movie. Not Hallmark – this is better than that!

If you read the blurb/synopsis, then you know the basic gist of the plot. What it doesn’t convey is the heart and soul of what a reader will find within. Taavi Salvesen is the gruff backwoods handyman who knows his way around reindeers more than people. Sasha Hansley hasn’t liked Christmas in what feels like forever. The heroine’s father is an eccentric adventurer who doesn’t ever slow down. These three main characters are the core of the story. Their relationships change during the course of the novel and seeing it happen is like seeing a flower unfurl in slow motion. It’s beautiful, breathtaking and I’m watching it with rapt attention. So rapt in fact, it was almost 1:30 a.m. when I finished. I truly could not stop reading. The house was quiet, I’m alone and The Post Box at the North Pole transported me to a magical place of snow, hope and dreams.

The story is told in first person POV from Sasha’s perspective. The author is incredibly talented in that regard. At no time did the writing stumble. The thing with first person points of views is that not all authors can pull it off. Usually, when I see that style, I am hesitant. It can take me a while to feel comfortable with it. Not so with Ms. Admans’ writing. It’s seamless, flawless and easy to believe. Everything flows naturally and I feel like I am with a friend, watching her fall in love with the land, the man and one special reindeer.

What made this story work for me was the pacing of the romance. The way the author described how Taavi looked at Sasha and vice versa. The way she notices him noticing her. The blushes, the sassiness and funny puns and growing respect for the other. The biggest milestone moments are when either Taavi or Sasha let things slip the more they trust each other. They both have had pain in their lives and it’s molded them into the people I meet in the beginning. The people they become by the end is what matters. It’s why the romance works, why it’s believable and why I adore this book so very much. The chemistry is sizzling between them and the kisses, when they happen, are perfectly timed and ooh la la!. There is one scene where the author leaves it up to a reader’s imagination as to what went on. No matter what a reader envisions, it has the same result – it’s a turning point in their relationship in all the best ways.

Now, I know I’m being overly gushy and it may make you think there’s no plot conflict. There is. A couple of them, in fact. They are definitely character based and quite effective but nothing over-the-top. Again, it’s matters of the heart: it’s trust and healing of past hurts, to recapture the good memories of the past while moving beyond its negative parts’ hold on the present, it’s learning the truth about who they are rather than who they believe themselves to be. It’s about the healing of a family with love, in all its tears and joy. All of it embraces the Christmas spirit, but not one that happens once a year, but in every moment of every day in every year of your life. Its message is timeless. The Post Box at the North Pole is rich in so many ways, I can’t even begin to express everything I want to without delving into spoilers.

For me, The Post Box at the North Pole is sheer perfection. The talent of Ms. Admans to capture in words, both in description and dialogue, a romance story so heartwarming and real, that giving it a Best Book rating is the easiest decision I’ve made in a long, long time.

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

Bound by Fear by Jayce Carter

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Bound by Fear by Jayce Carter
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

One night of submission to prove she doesn’t crave it, and three sexy Dominants eager to call her bluff.

Sunny has come a long way in the years since escaping the abusive Dom who made her life hell. Still, when Sunny can’t shake a frighteningly strong need inside her, she decides one night at a local BDSM club, Sanctuary, will prove she doesn’t want that in her life anymore.

Instead, she meets three masked men there who give her pleasure she couldn’t have imagined and twist everything she thought she knew about BDSM. Rather than the proof she thought she’d get, that the lifestyle wasn’t for her, Sunny is further drawn to what had nearly destroyed her before.

When fears that her ex-Dom could be after her again occur, Sunny and the men are forced to confront the dangers of her past and the scars it left behind. Can Sunny risk everything for the men she’s fallen for, or will she let her fears rob them all of a future?

What do you do when your big idea of realizing you don’t like something backfires, and you realise it’s exactly what you need?

Sunny has come a long way in five years, but not enough to completely be free of her past. So, she decides to confront it head-on. Only she finds three people who treat her in a way she’s never experienced. Although she is unnerved, she finds she likes it.

I thought this was really well-written, with plenty of steamy scenes. Each of the male characters is well-defined and stands alone. They don’t all mingle together in your mind until you can’t remember which one is which. As for Sunny, she is a beguiling mix of strong and confident, and quiet and unsure. I loved how she came out of her shell and the guys were there for her whenever she would accept their attentions and/or help.

Spike though! Ah, man. He was gorgeous! (And yes, he deserves a paragraph of his own!)

The story moved at a steady pace, giving it time to develop without being rushed. I can’t say the confrontation was a surprise, but it needed to happen the way it did, and I was absolutely satisfied with the consequences.

Another winner by this author that is definitely recommended by me.

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

First Bloom by Sean Michael

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


First Bloom by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Joey works as a janitor at Dick and Rock’s gym. He’s been there since his parents kicked him out for being gay. He’s happy at his job and loyal to the men who were there for him when he needed them most.

Erik is a master’s student and competitive swimmer who started going to the gym after a hand-gliding accident. He’s trying to recover and get his mojo back.

Joey’s been mooning over the handsome Erik for months now, but hasn’t had the guts to walk up to him. With Dick’s encouragement, he finally approaches his crush. When it turns out that Erik has been watching him too, Joey can hardly believe it.

Join Joey and Erik as they discover what they can be together.

Joey works hard at his job in the gym, grateful for the chance the owners have given him after he found himself on the street when his parents kicked him out. He’s had his eye on Erik – a handsome member clearly recovering from injury – but it’s not until Joey is urged by one of the owners to talk to Erik that he screws up the courage. The two men instantly connect and find they both dearly enjoy their first bloom of romance together.

I really enjoyed this fun and sweet romance story. While there’s plenty of steamy sex in it, there is also that sweetness of a first serious romance, the innocence and fun and happiness that is just a joy to experience and read about. I really enjoyed that both Erik and Joey were both on the same page together and they clearly grew deeply attached and in love with each other at a similar pace and with equal depth. It was joyous to my mind to read and so sweet and happy I feel you can’t help but enjoy each moment.

With some lovely secondary characters in both Erik’s adopted family and Joey’s family-of-choice (who also happen to be old friends for many long-term readers) this quick read was a delight and I strongly believe should appeal to a wide range of people who just want a happy and lovely story to help lift their spirits. I really enjoyed this story.

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