Review: Secret at Skull House (Secrets and Scrabble #2) by Josh Lanyon

Secret at Skull House
(Secrets and Scrabble #2) by Josh Lanyon

Published April 28th 2020 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.

Genre: M/M, Mystery, Romance

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ellery Page is back--and in hot water again!

Unlike everyone else in Pirate's Cove, Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, reigning Scrabble champion, and occasionally clueless owner of the village's only mystery bookstore, is anything but thrilled when famed horror author Brandon Abbott announces he's purchased legendary Skull House and plans to live there permanently.

Ellery and Brandon have history. Their relationship ended badly and the last thing Ellery wants is a chance to patch things up--especially when his relationship with Police Chief Jack Carson is just getting interesting. But then, maybe Brandon isn't all that interested in getting back together either, because he seems a lot more interested in asking questions about the bloodstained past of his new home than discussing a possible future with Ellery. What is Brandon really up to?

Ellery will have to unscramble that particular puzzle post haste. Because after his former flame disappears following their loud and public argument, Ellery seems to be Police Chief Carson's first--and only--suspect.


***This story contains no on-screen sex or violence

An M/M Cozy Mystery.

I have a confession. I really like Ellery! More so in this book than in the first. He's settling in quite nicely with his shop, the theater, scrabble club, and the mystery book club. And he's at a happy place in his friendship with Jack. I'm still on the fence about Jack. I want to like him for Ellery's sake, so I'm willing to cut him a little slack. I could appreciate his honesty regarding a certain situation, even though it hurt Ellery. I suppose it's better to know up front rather than when you're head over heels. But, oh, the lost potential makes me so sad!

I do usually prefer one character in Lanyon's books, while the other one frustrates me beyond belief. That's what is happening again! I'm looking forward to learning more about Jack and the events in his past that make him behave this way. I can't wait to see how his and Ellery's relationship evolves.

The secondary cast of characters are, once again, a mixed bag. The gossip flies around town faster than I could keep up with. I just shake my head every time one of them encourages Ellery to investigate a murder. Enough already! I feel as though Pirate's Cove is running low on murder suspects, so I think some fresh faces need to be introduced pronto!

Lanyon’s writing talents are spot on, always providing a well paced and easy to follow mystery that holds my attention to the end. I can't wait for the next book!

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Review: Murder at Pirate's Cove (Secrets and Scrabble #1) by Josh Lanyon

Murder at Pirate's Cove
(Secrets and Scrabble #1) by Josh Lanyon

Published February 29th 2020 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.

Genre: M/M, Mystery, Romance
Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, Scrabble champion and guy-with-worst-luck-in-the-world-when-it-comes-to-dating, is ready to make a change. So when he learns he's inherited both a failing bookstore and a falling-down mansion in the quaint seaside village of Pirate's Cove on Buck Island, Rhode Island, it's full steam ahead!

Sure enough, the village is charming, its residents amusingly eccentric, and widowed police chief Jack Carson is decidedly yummy (though probably as straight as he is stern). However, the bookstore is failing, the mansion is falling down, and there's that little drawback of finding rival bookseller--and head of the unwelcoming-committee--Trevor Maples dead during the annual Buccaneer Days celebration.

Still, it could be worse. And once Police Chief Carson learns Trevor was killed with the cutlass hanging over the door of Ellery's bookstore, it is.

**This story contains NO on-screen sex or violence.

I haven't read a lot of cozy mysteries, but it's Josh Lanyon, so of course I was going to read it! It's a different genre than I'm used to, but I enjoyed it enough to read it in one sitting because I just had to find out what happened!

I loved both of the main characters. At first, Ellery was a little timid, but he soon proved just how much of a busybody he was. He was all up in everyone's business trying to investigate the murder on the sly. And Jack seemed like a nice, manly fella with terrific policing instincts. Ellery and Jack's paths crossed frequently, and I really enjoyed their interactions.

The mystery plot went along nicely, becoming more and more complicated with each turn of the page. A whole slew of suspects were introduced, and numerous secrets were revealed. There was certainly lot of nefarious activity for such a small seaside village!

Overall, this was a very entertaining cozy mystery, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

arc received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Blind Side (Dangerous Ground #6) by Josh Lanyon

Blind Side (Dangerous Ground #6) by Josh Lanyon

Published January 30th 2020 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

With resources already overstretched, the last thing Will and Taylor need is another client.

And the last thing Will needs is for that client to turn out to be an old boyfriend of Taylor’s.

But Ashe Dekker believes someone is trying to kill him, and Taylor is determined to help--whatever the cost.

I did a reread of the entire series so I would be ready when this was released! The ending of this series was a long time coming and I'm so sad to see it go. I'm going to miss having new adventures with these characters.

Blind Side was a bit light on the action and adventure, and heavy on Will and Taylor's relationship. The men were still working through their issues, so miscommunications abound. However, I really liked that they acknowledged the problems they had been having and wanted to work through them. It would be unrealistic to expect everything to be resolved immediately, but there was no denying these two are in it for the long haul.

As if their personal problems weren't enough, Will and Taylor's work situation was not in a good place either. They were both unhappy, but trying to make the best of the situation that they found themselves in. Once again, it truly made me so happy when they finally discussed things like adults, rather than ignoring their problems.

The writing was excellent, as usual, and the ending left me satisfied. So overall, this was a great read, but I'm still not thrilled that the series is over. I'm sure I'll be giving this entire series another reread in the future.

arc received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: I Buried a Witch (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #2) by Josh Lanyon

I Buried a Witch (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #2)
by Josh Lanyon

Published November 30th 2019 by Josh Lanyon
Genre: M/M, Paranormal, Romance
Amazon

Synopsis:

Something old, something new, something borrowed…something blacker than the darkest night.

Cosmo Saville adores his new husband, but his little white lies—and some very black magic—are about to bring his fairytale romance to an end. Someone is killing San Francisco's spellcasters—and the only person Cosmo can turn to—the man who so recently swore to love and cherish him—isn't taking his phone calls.

The only magic Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith believes in is true love. Discovering he’s married to a witch—a witch with something alarmingly like magical powers—is nearly as bad as discovering the man he loved tricked and deceived him. John shoulders the pain of betrayal and packs his bags. But when he learns Cosmo is in the crosshairs of a mysterious and murderous plot, he knows he must do everything in in his mortal power to protect him.

Till Death do them Part. With their relationship on the rocks, Cosmo and Commissioner Galbraith join forces to uncover the shadowy figure behind the deadly conspiracy…

Can the star-crossed couple bring down a killer before the dark threat extinguishes true love’s flame?

I Buried a Witch is the second book in the smart and sexy Bedknobs and Broomsticks romantic gay mystery trilogy. If you like endearing characters, spell-binding conflict, and spooky, good fun, then you’ll love Josh Lanyon’s tale of a blue knight and his slightly wicked witch.

I Buried A Witch was another well written book from Josh Lanyon. I liked what was going on here with the world building and the character development. The first book was a bit of a blur with a lot of introductions, so I was happy to settle in with this one and just enjoy the story.

I was looking forward to getting to know John better, but he's still mostly a mystery to me. Except that he's very judgemental! Almost to the point of being unlikable. Oh well, Cosmo sure seems to love him, so I will at least give him a chance to redeem himself. We'll see. As for Cosmo, being a bit out of practice leaves him fumbling his way through some awkward and dangerous situations. I found myself liking him more and more as the book went on. Especially when he finally opened his eyes and saw his and John's relationship for what it really was. It was a bit of a reality check for Cosmo, but I think it was needed for him (and for the readers.)

So far, this series is working for me. It may not turn out to be my favorite Lanyon series, but it has potential. I like that the relationships and characters aren't perfect. It seems like a lot of changes are going to have to take place for things to work out. Especially if Cosmo and John are going to get an HEA.

Part of the mystery was solved by the end, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions! I can't wait to see how things turn out in the next book.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Mainly by Moonlight (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1) by Josh Lanyon

Mainly by Moonlight
(Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1) by Josh Lanyon

Published August 1st 2019 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc

Genre: M/M, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A gay high-society wedding. A stolen book of spells. A love-threatening lie.

Can a witch avoid a murder rap without revealing the supernatural truth?

Cosmo Saville guiltily hides a paranormal secret from his soon-to-be husband. And if he can’t undo a powerful love spell, uncertainty threatens his nuptial magic. But when he’s arrested for allegedly killing a longtime rival, he could spend his honeymoon behind bars…

Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith never believed in love until Cosmo came along. Falling head over heels for the elegant antiques dealer is an enchantment he never wants to break. So when all fingers point to Cosmo’s guilt, John races to prove his fiancé’s innocence before they take their vows.

As Cosmo searches for the real killer among the arcane aristocracy, John warns him to leave it to the police. But with an unseen enemy threatening to expose Cosmo’s true nature, the couple’s blissful future could shatter like a broken charm.

Can Cosmo find the lost grimoire, clear his name and keep John’s love alive, or will black magic “rune” their wedding bells?

Mainly by Moonlight is the first book in the sexy Bedknobs and Broomsticks romantic gay mystery series. If you like spell-binding suspense, steamy star-crossed fun, and a dash of paranormal, then you’ll love Josh Lanyon’s charming tale.

I really liked this! Lanyon gave me the perfect blend of whirlwind romance and murder mystery in this first installment. There was a lot going on in a very short period of time, so the story held my attention and made this a quick read. I didn't want to stop reading until I found out what was going on. This is the first part of a continuing story, so the end of the book was really just a stopping point. I'm so glad the rest of this series will be releasing soon because I don't think I could wait too long.

Because this was told in Cosmo's POV, we didn't get to know John very well, so I can't wait to learn more about him. So far he seems very 'by the book' and a bit detached, but resigned to love Cosmo, so I can definitely see the $hit hitting the fan when he finds out the truth! Cosmo is a bit different, but likable, and he has a big heart. I'm looking forward to more character development as the series progresses.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how hard Cosmo and John land when they come back to earth after their whirlwind engagement and wedding! Things are bound to be rough, and I do love my angst in romance books!

I completely understand other's lack of enjoyment with this book, but I've read enough of her books to know what to expect, so I try to not look for 'more'. Yes, I had some issues with a few things, so no, it's not perfect, but I still enjoyed it very much. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series (and hoping that she follows through with making this more than a 3 book series.)

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: The Doctor's Date (Copper Point Medical #2) by Heidi Cullinan

The Doctor's Date (Copper Point Medical #2)
by Heidi Cullinan

Published June 18th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The hospital’s least eligible bachelor and its aloof administrator hate each other… so why are they pretending to date?

Dr. Owen Gagnon and HR director Erin Andreas are infamous for their hospital hallway shouting matches. So imagine the town’s surprise when Erin bids an obscene amount of money to win Owen in the hospital bachelor auction—and Owen ups the ante by insisting Erin move in with him.

Copper Point may not know what’s going on, but neither do Erin and Owen. Erin intends his gesture to let Owen know he’s interested. Owen, on the other hand, suspects ulterior motives—that Erin wants a fake relationship as a refuge from his overbearing father.

With Erin suddenly heading a messy internal investigation, Owen wants to step up and be the hero Erin’s never had. Too bad Erin would rather spend his energy trying to rescue Owen from the shadows of a past he doesn’t talk about.

This relationship may be fake, but the feelings aren’t. Still, what Erin and Owen have won’t last unless they put their respective demons to rest. To do that, they’ll have to do more than work together—they’ll have to trust they can heal each other’s hearts.

While I may have liked this book slightly more than the first, this wasn't what I thought it would be from the synopsis. Erin and Owen's situation ended up being quite different from what I was expecting, so that threw me off. Somehow, they made things work by dealing with their issues together. The more time they spent together, the more they made sense as a couple, and I wanted to see them get their happy ending.

Overall, this was just another okay read. It was a bit boring at times, and there's not much excitement. I'm glad that the spelling of Erin's name was cleared up for me (it really bothered me in the first book!) I'll still be reading the 3rd and final book in this series since I need to know what happens for the next couple.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: The Doctor's Secret (Copper Point Medical #1) by Heidi Cullinan

The Doctor's Secret (Copper Point Medical #1)
by Heidi Cullinan

Published April 23rd 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The brilliant but brooding new doctor encounters Copper Point's sunny nurse-next-door... and nothing can stand in the way of this romance.

Dr. Hong-Wei Wu has come to Copper Point, Wisconsin, after the pressures of a high-powered residency burned him out of his career before he started. Ashamed of letting his family down after all they’ve done for him, he plans to live a quiet life as a simple surgeon in this tiny northern town. His plans, however, don’t include his outgoing, kind, and attractive surgical nurse, Simon Lane.

Simon wasn’t ready for the new surgeon to be a handsome charmer who keeps asking him for help getting settled and who woos him with amazing Taiwanese dishes. There’s no question—Dr. Wu is flirting with him, and Simon is flirting back. The problem is, St. Ann’s has a strict no-dating policy between staff, which means their romance is off the table… unless they bend the rules.

But a romance that keeps them—literally—in the closet can’t lead to happy ever after. Simon doesn’t want to stay a secret, and Hong-Wei doesn’t want to keep himself removed from life, not anymore. To secure their happiness, they’ll have to change the administration’s mind. But what other secrets will they uncover along the way, about Copper Point… and about each other?

I haven't read very many books by this author, but I was really looking forward to reading this new series that is set in a hospital. For a lot of reasons, this first book fell short of my expectations.

I liked both characters well enough, but neither one really made an impact on me. Their romance happened instantly, and I never really felt their connection or the saw the reason why they were good together. There was immature drama instead of angst, and that made it hard for me to get behind their relationship.

The story dragged a bit in the middle, and I thought the hospital board's no dating policy was out of line. So overall, this first book was just an okay read for me, and that makes me sad because I had such high hopes for this series.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne

Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne

Published October 8th 2018 by Carina Press

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.

Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late.

I think I enjoyed Craft Brew more than I did the first book in this series. Although there wasn't quite as much character and relationship development as I would like, it was enough to progress the story along nicely and still leave room for more in book 3. I also loved that the guys were closer in this book, so I was able to feel more for them as individuals and as a couple.

Nic and Cam were struggling to keep their relationship on the down low, and then they suddenly had Cam's family drama to contend with. Luckily, they had really good friends they could count on who freely offered up help when needed.

Overall, this was another excellent story from this author with a great mix of action and romance. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.



An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Imperial Stout (Trouble Brewing #1) by Layla Reyne

Imperial Stout (Trouble Brewing #1) by Layla Reyne

Publication: July 23, 2018 by Carina Press

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Suspense, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Layla Reyne spins off from her pulse-pounding Agents Irish and Whiskey books with Imperial Stout, the first installment in the Trouble Brewing series.

It’s a good thing assistant US attorney Dominic Price co-owns a brewery. He could use a cold one. Nic’s star witness has just been kidnapped, his joint operation with the FBI is in jeopardy, his father’s shady past is catching up with him and the hot new special agent in San Francisco is the kind of distraction best handled with a stiff drink.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne has his own ideas about how to handle Nic, but his skills are currently needed elsewhere. The by-the-book FBI agent goes deep undercover as a member of an infamous heist crew in order to save Nic’s witness, break up the crew and close the case before anyone else gets hurt. Nic in particular.

Things heat up when Cam falls for Nic, and the witness falls for Cam. As the crew’s suspicions grow, Cam must decide how far he’s willing to go—and how far into his own dark past he’s willing to dive—to get everyone out alive.

I've been looking forward to the start of this spin off series, and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed this author's AI&W series, and she delivered again with another action packed story. The pace, the storyline, and the chemistry between Cameron and Dominic was spot on. The case they teamed up on provided good suspense and brought in a lot of characters from the previous series. 

I enjoyed learning about Dominic and Cameron, and their back stories really left me wanting to know more about them! Their relationship was definitely a slow burn, but it was SO worth waiting for. I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship progresses in the rest of the series.

Imperial Stout can be read as a standalone, but I feel that it would help if you’ve read the Agents Irish & Whiskey series so you aren't completely lost with the multiple characters and the previous goings on.


An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run #5) by Abigail Roux

Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run #5) by Abigail Roux
Kindle Edition, 330 pages
Published May 18th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Left alone in Baltimore after his unpredictable lover bails, Special Agent Zane Garrett takes his frustration out on everything in his path until he is ordered to Chicago to back up an undercover operative. When he gets there, though, he finds himself face to face with his wayward partner, Special Agent Ty Grady. They have to deal with the uncertainty lingering between them while they work to retrieve their intended mark, a retired hit man and CIA wet-works operative named Julian Cross.

Ty, once a marine and now an FBI hotshot, has a penchant for being unpredictable, a trait Zane can vouch for. Zane is a man who once lived for his job but has come to realize his heartbreaking past doesn’t have to overshadow his future. They're partners, friends, lovers, and the go-to team for unusual cases. With Cross and his innocuous boyfriend, Cameron Jacobs, in tow, Ty and Zane must navigate the obstacles of a cross-country trek, including TSA pat-downs, blizzards, their uncooperative prisoners, CIA kill teams, a desperate lack of sleep or caffeine, and each other. Ty and Zane are determined to get Julian Cross to DC in one piece, but it’s starting to look like it might be the last thing they do.

I have to admit that this series is addicting. I'm just happy that I am able to read the whole series in one go, rather than reading them one at a time when they were released. I don't know how anyone didn't lose their shit waiting for each book!

After 5 books, I still don't know who I like more - Ty or Zane. They are both equally aggravating, but then they have moments where I love them so much. There were a couple of  'romantic' gestures from the guys that really saved this book for me.

Ty and Zane have changed so much from the first book, and I am frustrated that they are just now getting around to 'talking'. I know, I know, 2 tough guys being afraid to talk about their feelings is understandable. But this shit is getting downright ridiculous. They really need to start sharing more and not be afraid to ask questions about each other.

Zane: "Do you have a history with every guy with a gun in the Northern hemisphere?"
Ty: "Oh, like you don't have some winners back there you hope we never run into. Let's head to Miami and see what comes out of the woodwork."
Zane: "Ty."
Ty: "I like guys with guns!"

There were parts of this book that I loved, like the epic sex scenes and the sharing of feelings. And then there were parts that could have been better - the writing is still choppy and all over the place, and these guys are the worst FBI agents EVER! They are just completely terrible at their job. (I blame this on the writing, not on the characters themselves.)

I'm also hoping for more insight on Zane's character in the future. I'm especially interested in learning more about his wife's death, how he's dealing with his addictions, his family troubles, and just what the hell happened in Miami.

I'm happy that my library has these books available on Hoopla so I can keep chugging along with this series and see if my guys get better at opening up, and if their job performance improves.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: The Veranda (Lavender Shores #3) by Rosalind Abel

The Veranda (Lavender Shores #3) by Rosalind Abel
Kindle Edition, 260 pages
Published August 25th 2017
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Donovan Carlisle helps countless people in Lavender Shores with his skills as a therapist. It seems, however, that his ability to enable others to live their happiest life only works outside of himself. Donovan truly loves his life, but isn’t able to find a relationship that satisfies his heart’s craving. Maybe the problem is that the only man he wants is off-limits.
Spencer Epstein came to Lavender Shores to find himself. Instead, he married one of the local town beauties. He’d thought his prayers had finally been answered. Then, he met his pregnant fiancée’s brother. It turned out those answered prayers were just cruel twists of fate.
A decade later, after a divorce and the crumbling of all Spencer thought was set in stone, he sees his brother-in-law at a masquerade sex party. He takes full advantage of the anonymity and acts on the desires he’s held at bay all those years. The problem is, those silent and frenzied moments didn’t satiate anything. The fire and heat between the two men only grows as secrets are uncovered and they must determine if the cost of their passion is too high...

I am really enjoying this series! I was seriously looking forward to reading Donovan's story after I liked him SO much in The Garden. I ended up completely loving this book, although I did have reservations after reading the blurb.

Donovan and Spencer had a complex and controversial relationship, but they were so strong together that I couldn't help but want them to get their HEA (despite my feelings regarding the 'ick' factor.)

I truly felt that both men deserved love, and I was pleased that once they put voice to what they wanted, they both went after it without looking back. They were determined to be together and be happy, and I absolutely loved that neither one wavered on that decision!

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: The Garden (Lavender Shores #2) by Rosalind Abel

The Garden (Lavender Shores #2) by Rosalind Abel
Kindle Edition, 264 pages
Published July 25th 2017 by Wings of Ink Publications, LLC
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Beautiful Gilbert Bryant designs jewelry for the rich and famous, and he made his escape from his gossipy little hometown of Lavender Shores. However, with so many friends and family, he keeps getting pulled back. When he attends his best friend’s engagement party, Gilbert can’t help but sample one of the new men in town. It’s just some innocent—or not so innocent—fun. Nothing that will even cross his mind once he gets back to his everyday life.

Walden Thompson dreamed about living in Lavender Shores since he visited as a child. He finally gets his chance, and he embraces the opportunity to start over, to become someone new. He leaves both hurts and dangerous habits in the past, where they belong. When Gilbert crosses his path, Walden gives in to his baser instincts. He can indulge in the carnal pleasures this once and still be okay.

Their few hours together haunt Gilbert, the two-hundred-mile buffer from home no longer shutting out the past or the sexy man he left behind. Walden is just beginning to recover from the smoldering encounter with Gilbert when they are thrust together once more. This time, neither of them can walk away, no matter how hard they try. But when their pasts crash into each other as surely as the magnetism that pulls them together, walking away may be the only option.

I enjoyed The Garden SO much more than I did the first book in this series, The Palisade. I wasn't sure I was going to like Gilbert - first impressions are everything - but I liked him more and more as the story progressed. And now I can firmly say that he completely won me over! And Walden? Simply too adorable for words! I loved them both so much, and they were just too cute together.

Gilbert and Walden were both such beautiful characters, but they were damaged and carrying a bit of baggage. The story wasn't too weighed down by their issues, and I loved that both characters realized not only were they deserving of love, they were capable of loving each other. I felt they couldn't be more perfect for each other!

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Trick Roller (Seven of Spades #2) by Cordelia Kingsbridge

Trick Roller (Seven of Spades #2) by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Published January 29th 2018 by Riptide Publishing
Page Count: 295
Genre: M/M, Romance, Crime

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It’s the height of summer in Las Vegas. Everyone believes the serial killer Seven of Spades is dead—except Levi Abrams and Dominic Russo—and it’s back to business as usual. For Levi, that means investigating a suspicious overdose at the Mirage that looks like the work of a high-class call girl, while Dominic pursues a tough internship with a local private investigator. The one bright spot for both of them is their blossoming relationship.

But things aren’t so simple. Soon Levi is sucked into a dangerous web of secrets and lies, even as his obsession with the Seven of Spades intensifies. Dominic knows that Levi isn’t crazy. He knows the Seven of Spades is still out there, and he’ll do anything to prove it. But Dominic has his own demons to battle, and he may be fighting a losing war.

One thing is certain: the Seven of Spades holds all the cards. It won’t be long before they show their hand.

The first book in this series, Kill Game, was one of my favorite reads last year. I'm placing Trick Roller right up there on a high shelf as my favorite read so far this year. I'm convinced the rest of this series will not disappoint!

I am loving the progression of Levi and Dominic's relationship. They are absolutely perfect for each other and I love seeing them together. They have the potential to be tremendously awesome! I'm still waiting for them to have the 'relationship talk', but neither is ready to admit just how much they mean to each other. I may have to guard my heart (and break out the tissues) if they have tough times ahead.

Levi and Dominic's working relationship is an important part of why I enjoy them so much. The professional attention they give to each other speaks volumes about their mutual respect. They are both dedicated to doing their jobs well, and I like that Dominic is 100% behind Levi and his theories regarding the seven of spades killer.

Once again, the writing was impeccable. The plot had a ton of depth, and I loved how the the author managed to intertwine Levi's current murder investigation together with the seven of spades investigation.

Trick Roller was quite an enjoyable and memorable read. The murder / mystery plot was very tightly-constructed and kept me interested right to the end. After such a shocking ending, I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens in the rest of this 5 book series.

An arc of Trick Roller was generously provided by the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Review: Tequila Sunrise (Agents Irish and Whiskey #4) by Layla Reyne

Tequila Sunrise (Agents Irish and Whiskey #4) by Layla Reyne

Published November 13, 2017 by Carina Press

Page Count: 120

Genre: Romance, Suspense

Synopsis from Goodreads:

True love perseveres in this Agents Irish and Whiskey spin-off novella from author Layla Reyne.

Former FBI agent Melissa “Mel” Cruz spent years skirting the line between life and death, knowing the next assignment might be her last. Back from overseas and eager to enjoy life outside the Bureau, she's ready to give Danny Talley a Christmas Eve he'll never forget.

A proven asset in high stakes missions, Danny's known for having the skill and brains to get the job done. When the Talley Flag Ship is hijacked during the company holiday party, he’ll do anything to save his family, his love, and everything they’ve all worked so hard to build. But their enemies have a secondary protocol—leave no survivors—and that plan is already in play.

Navigating through a tangled web of lies and betrayal, Mel and Danny race against the clock to retake the ship before their future goes up in flames. As the seconds tick down, they're forced to face their greatest fear—losing each other.

I really loved the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, so of course I was excited to read Tequila Sunrise. It really was wonderful to catch up with all of the characters again, especially Jamie and Aidan, even though they didn't have much 'together' time in this novella.

I loved getting a first hand look at how Mel and Danny's relationship turned out. They made such a lovely pair, and they worked so well together. It was great seeing what a long term relationship would be like between them. The flashback scenes were a nice way to fill in the gaps in Mel and Danny's relationship, but I have to admit that they pulled me out of the current story too often.

The hijacking plot brought a lot of danger and thrills to my favorite characters on Christmas Eve. I think this action packed story is a perfect addition to the series. I only wish it had been longer.

I'm looking forward to reading more of this series. I particularly need some Nic and Cam action!


**ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Collusion (Diversion #2) by Eden Winters

Collusion (Diversion #2) by Eden Winters

Published June 20th 2015 by Rocky Ridge Books (first published February 24th 2013)
Page Count: 226
Genre: M/M, Crime, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Dead men can’t love.

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.

While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.

When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.

I ended up enjoying Collusion more than I did the first book. Lucky is showing more personality this time around, and I love that I get the opportunity to 'see' his innermost thoughts. He has really strong feelings for Bo, even though he is terrified to admit it out loud. Part of Lucky's charm is also part of what frustrates me about him - he really hides his true feelings, especially from Bo. On the surface, it appears that nothing gets to Lucky, but Bo has managed to worm his way into Lucky's heart, and I think he's there to stay.

I'm loving Bo so much more in this book, mostly because of the little things he does for Lucky that shows how much he cares. I also enjoy how much patience he shows when dealing with Lucky's gruffness. I would have preferred Bo having a bigger role in this story so I could spend more time getting to know him.

Lucky and Bo are undercover working on a highly emotional case, and dealing with the bad guys really hits both of them hard. But I love how much effort they put into taking care of each other, both professionally and personally, during trying circumstances. They really do work well together.

I wasn't bored with the case, but what really what kept me interested in the story was Bo and Lucky's relationship. I can't wait to read the next book!

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Suspicious Behavior (Bad Behavior #2) by L.A. Witt and Cari Z.

Suspicious Behavior (Bad Behavior #2) by L.A. Witt and Cari Z.

Publication: August 21st 2017 by Riptide Publishing

Genre: M/M, Crime, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Detective Darren Corliss is hanging by a thread. In between recovering from a near-fatal wound and returning to work at a hostile precinct, he’s struggling to help care for his ailing brother. His partner and boyfriend, Detective Andreas Ruffner, wants to help, but doesn’t know how. And with his own family crises brewing, Andreas is spread almost as thin as Darren.

For cops, though, life takes a backseat to the job. When a stack of unsolved homicides drops into their laps, Andreas and Darren think they’re unrelated cold cases. But when a connection surfaces, they find themselves on the tail of a prolific serial killer who’s about to strike again.

Except they’ve got nothing. No leads. No suspects. Just a pile of circumstantial evidence and a whole lot of hunches. Time is running out to stop the next murder—and to pull themselves back from their breaking points.

I love these guys so much! This is turning out to be such a great series. This book picks up right after the events in Risky Behavior, with Darren and Andreas dealing with the fallout from their actions. Things are definitely difficult around the precinct, and both guys are frustrated with the way they are being treated. Their investigative skills are put to the test as they work together to find a serial killer. The highs and lows these guys went through while working this case definitely kept me interested.

Andreas is in full on daddy mode throughout the story. Even with Darren - he's watchful, overprotective, and caring. I loved seeing this side of Andreas because it was really lacking in the first book. In fact, I had a hard time believing he actually was a father in the first book. So it was good to see him in action.

Darren is still trying to recover from his injury in the first book. He's getting physically run down by the new case, and dealing with his brother is becoming more difficult. Luckily, Andreas is right there to keep him from falling completely apart. In turn, Darren is supportive of Andreas' parental obligations.

Challenges with their personal lives are keeping both men busy, so sexy times are definitely at a minimum. Their feelings for each other have strengthened, and that added intimacy and depth to the relationship. I enjoyed the slow steady burn of Andreas and Darren's attraction to one another. I actually really love the May/December aspect, so their age difference intrigues me.

Engaging dialogue, a varied supporting cast, and the dual pov brought me right into the story. I enjoyed getting down and dirty with Andreas and Darren during their investigation. I really love both guys and how they played off each other both personally and professionally. They're just so darn likable! I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

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