A smokinโ hot firefighter. A handsome, lonely rancher. Can these frenemies turn a cosmic misunderstanding into undying love? ย Dex It was supposed to be my typical peaceful morning horse ride followed by a clandestine cruller, cup of Joe at the Flying Saucer, and the day-in-day-out routine of ranching. Instead, my world explodes like an alien abduction gone wrong when my high school crush has the nerve to cross my path. Too bad heโs even hotter than he was when he broke my heart ten years ago.ย ย Meyer I dropped everything in Chicago to start over as assistant fire chief in my hometown of Charming Butte. Of all the people to run into when my old Chevy breaks down is the one guy who inexplicably hates me. Now, I get to make my triumphant return to town on the back of his horse. But with my arms wrapped around his solid frame, I wonder if I can make him forget our past in favor of a future together. ย Note: Flirting With Fire is the first book in the sweet and spicy romance series set in the quirky small town of Charming Butte, where swoony men in uniform discover their forever after!ย
Flirting with Fire is a low angst, only slightly steamy, pretty quick read. I liked both Dex & Meyer and found them cute together. They have a little bit of drama with each other early on – a mix of leftover feelings from high school and a bit from how Meyer coming back to town might affect their lives – but then it’s all about them settling in to their romance.
If I do have any complaints, it’s that those feelings were an issue for pretty much half the book and then their relationship went from 0 to 60 in an instant. I think there needed to be a little more resolution of their dynamic and a deeper friendship created before they moved on. But it’s a small complaint as overall I got a kick out of the two of them together and the dual POV worked well as they danced around each other.
If you are looking for a light, fast read with enjoyable characters, cute banter, and quirky small town fun, Flirting with Fire is a good choice. I found it to be the perfect read for a lazy spring day, relaxing and enjoying two good & decent men find a HEA with each other.
When Calla Nikolakis gets the cake commission of her dreams, sheโs in loveโฆ with how much exposure sheโll get from doing ultra-hot lifestyle guru Jay Rustinโs wedding.
Smash cut to twelve hours later. She wakes up buck naked next to Jay, wearing a ring on her finger and sporting a Jay bird brand-new tattoo. In case anyoneโs counting, thatโs two bad decisions for the price of one.
The next thing she knows, a viral post of her and Jay saying โI doโ spreads like wildfire. Everybody and their mama has seen her become Mrs. Jay Rustin.
Normally, Calla is known for being calm in any situation. But one look into her now-husbandโs panty-meltingly blue eyes, and sheโs anything but cool and collected. Before she can freak the geek out, Jay makes her a new proposal.
Stay married for three months. Go on a crazy hillbilly honeymoon to appease his sponsors. Convince everyone theyโre the real deal.
In exchange, Jay promises to boost her business to guarantee that her bakery stays afloat. She can hardly say no. Besides, with the opportunity to spend weeks sleeping in Jayโs bedโฆ why would she want to decline?
Thereโs just one thing she promises herself: absolutely no falling in love. No looking at his sculpted muscles as they hike. No peeking beneath the covers just out of curiosity. And absolutely no swooning when he feeds her buttercream with his fingers.
Itโs all for show to convince the world theyโre a dream couple. It should be no problemโฆ just as long as he doesnโt accidentally love her back.
Vivian Wood is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon top 20 bestseller. She dreams about damaged billionaires, ruined princesses, mouthy ballerinas, and anti-heroes that are oh so deliciously bad. She writes billionaire romance, one luxurious page at a time.
Vivian’s lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: “Soulmates never die.” Be sure to follow Vivian through her newsletter to keep up with all the awesome giveaways, funny author stories, ARC opportunities, and more!
Tropes: Best friend’s brother, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, fake dating
Blurb:
The best way to get over a cheating jerk is to get under someone new.
Dominic isnโt looking for love or salvation at the Thirsty Cowboy. He needs a temporary escape from the drudgery his life has become, and the universe provides him with the sexiest distraction heโs ever seen. Sven is a sucker for sad eyes, thick thighs, and a Royal Cosmopolitan. He scores the trifecta of trouble when a broody hunk buys him a drink. Sparks fly, passions flare, and a simple kiss becomes a four-alarm blaze until an untimely interruption douses the men with an icy reality, pitting loyalty against lust.
They shouldnโt… They couldnโtโฆ Spoiler alert: they do!
It was supposed to be one and done but memories of their shared encounter wonโt let go. A single text triggers two years of conversations, healing, and an endearing friendship that could blossom into something precious if Dom and Sven were brave enough to take a chance.
An unexpected invitation could provide the nudge their scarred hearts need. Exploring their reignited passion for two weeks in Vail would be a heavenly hideaway if not for a hellish houseguestโs resolve to cause trouble. Family rifts and uncomfortable confrontations abound, and embracing a future with Sven means Dom must face his past. Is their love strong enough to withstand the fire, or will they go down in flames?
Starts With a Bangis a standalone novel within the Redemption Ridge universe. It contains mature content and is intended for adults.
Reaching into my pocket, I removed my key fob and unlocked the vehicle. The headlights flashed on, but instead of going to the driverโs door, I detoured around to the passenger side. I turned to face Stevie. No. Not Stevie. Sven. Maybe if I repeated it often enough, I could forget he was Kerryโs little brother. Sven had stopped several feet away, and my headlights illuminated his perfect body. I hadnโt been able to get him out of my mind all night. Other guys had flirted with me, but they werenโt him. Sven.
What I was about to do was wrong, but I could worry about it later. I grabbed the handle on the minivanโs rear door and slid it open. Sven was right. We were consenting adults and didnโt need Kerryโs permission. What had he meant about Sven not learning his lesson from past mistakes? It was on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I noticed Sven hadnโt budged from his spot. I forced my gaze up to his face and registered his hesitant expression.
โWhy a minivan?โ Sven asked.
I saw our interaction in a new light and admired Svenโs self-preservation. I was a virtual stranger who wanted to lure him into the back of my sketchy vehicle in a dark parking lot. โItโs convenient for my work.โ
Sven took a few tentative steps closer. โSo, no car seats or soccer ball hazards I need to be concerned about?โ
โNo kids,โ I said.
โGood to know.โ Sven edged a little closer. โWhat about tarps, duct tape, and rope?โ
I laughed for what seemed like the first time in months. โIโm not a serial killer either.โ
โPhew.โ Sven strode forward until he reached the open door. He squinted his cobalt-blue eyes and scrutinized the minivanโs dark interior. โNo lights?โ
โI disabled them.โ Realizing how bad that sounded, I added, โIโm a private detective.โ I gestured to the white van. โItโs nondescript, fits in everywhere, and lets me blend in during surveillance. Dome lights will make me stand out like a sore thumb during nighttime stakeouts.โ
Sven pursed his lips and nodded. โMakes sense.โ He reached inside the van and rested his hand on a captainโs chair. โHow far back do these seats recline?โ
โClimb on in and letโs find out.โ
โSaid the spider to the fly.โ And Sven walked into my web.
*****
Review:
Dom & Sven’s romance felt lighter than the previous books in the Redemption Ridge series (it can be read as a stand alone) but it was no less enjoyable. The beginning of the book takes us thru their first meeting and the months that follow as they slowly get to know each other better & Dom takes the time to get to a more stable place emotionally. I appreciate that they had that opportunity and didn’t just jump into any kind of relationship.
When Dom has to face his past, Sven comes along to provide moral support and a buffer. Bringing with him all his larger than life personality and confidence. And a chance to take their friendship to something more. It’s been a long, slow courtship for them. And for us ๐
Dom’s family is a hoot and Sven fits right in. By the end of the book, I wanted to enjoy one of their holidays. While I do wish we’d gotten a few more Christmassy shenanigans, overall I was satisfied as I turned that final page.
I’ve loved every book in the Redemption Ridge and while I’m sad to see it end the fact that we finish with Sven is perfect. He’s been such a high point in the last couple of books – supportive, sassy, and fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what Walker has in mind next.
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she makes a living by telling stories to others. She wears many titlesโwife, mom, and grandma are just a few. Love inspires everything she does, podcasts keep her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.
A marriage of convenience forces a powerful duke to choose between his ferocious pride and unexpected love that melts his icy heart.
Reputation is everything in the ton. And no one’s is more pristine than the Duke of Pryde’s. But when a blackmailer threatens to expose his devastating secret heโs forced to marry Miss Modesty Fairchild, a woman far below his station, his perfect facade begins to fracture.
A budding archeologist, Miss Modesty Fairchild would rather dig in the dirt than host a gala. But a deathbed promise has left her the guardian of an orphaned baby. Sheโll do anything to protect her little wardโฆeven marry the heartless duke who looks down his nose at her.
Lonely and lost in Pyrdeโs elegant Mayfair home, she despises him. But his touch awakens a longing that leaves her quaking. And when his rigid control shatters, desire consumes them both. Glimpsing the tender heart beneath her husbandโs haughty exterior, Modesty dreams of a loving future.
But a villain in the shadows plots Prydeโs downfall. And as the Seven Dukes of Sin hunt for clues, the blackmailer raises the stakes.
Faced with a dreadful choice, will Constantine sacrifice his reputation and his fortune for the wife and child he has come to treasure?
Constantine & Modesty are such a great contrast. She’s poor, lower class but raised by her clergy father to be giving to others. He’s had everything (except his father’s love & acceptance) and while he has a big heart underneath he’s been trained to show a cold, perfect facade to others. Marriage and time spent together has her seeing that loving, struggling man underneath and she starts making him want for something more. But a secret from his past threatens it all.
While I didn’t think this one had quite the emotional punch as Duke of Luhst, I did enjoy it. I found the mystery of the blackmail to be well done and I really liked when the villain was unmasked. I do feel that maybe we needed a few more close moments between Constantine and Modesty. To see just a little more of them growing closer together and falling in love because I liked them both so much. The epilogue tho is a delight and I couldn’t have asked for a better resolution for them.
*****
Author Info:
Mariah Stone is a bestselling author of time travel romance novels, including her popular Called by a Highlander series and hot Viking, Pirate, and Regency novels. With nearly one million books sold, Mariah writes about strong modern-day women falling in love with their soulmates across time. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, and audio.
At least, thatโs what I thoughtโuntil I met Conor Nilsen. In truth, I didnโt know he was the goalie for the Chicago Falcons when he struck up a conversation the night of my bachelorette party.
He proved he wasnโt just some hot guy looking to score when he helped me get my drunk bridesmaid safely back to our hotel. Thatโs when he discovered my 30-before-30 bucket listโa list I hadnโt managed to check a single item off.
What was meant to be a night of stargazing turned into so much more. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and after one innocent night together, I started to question everythingโespecially my upcoming wedding to a man I wasnโt sure loved me.
Fast forward to my wedding day, and just as Iโm standing at the altar, Conor bursts through the church doors to object. And now, somehow, Iโm his roommate. Yikes.
Audio Full Cast Narration by: Connor Crais, Luci Christian Bell, Sean Masters, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom
*****
Review:
Piper Rayne just keeps getting better and better. Just like the previous stories, the found family part of this is just the best. I love how the guys have each other’s backs and now that each is finding their other half, the women are connecting as well. This shows so well with the help and support they provide to both Conor and Eloise.
And I SO ah-dored these two together.
Eloise is working her way to figuring out who she is and what she wants out of life. She spent years with a man who didn’t love and support her the way he should have. Then she meets Conor. And, for not having had a serious relationship before, he is the best at it. He doesn’t always make the best decisions, but he’s earnest, funny, and all in with his support of Eloise. He so much wants to build her up and keep her spirits up. It’s just the sweetest.
We know that these two are going to end up together, since it is their book, but I appreciated the journey to getting there. It isn’t easy thanks to the way they met, who Conor is, and Eloise’s journey. With patience, love, and the support of their friends, they eventually figure things out.
(Part of a series, but can be ready on its own.)
*****
Author Info:
Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!
The most dream-crushing words Iโve ever heard. Goodbye NFLโs Rookie of the Year title I fought for since I was a kid, hello return to my small-town origins and wallow in unrequited love. Seeing my best friend Chaz married and trying for a baby will hurt worse than any torn ACL.
But things have changed since I escaped Pippen CreekโChaz flounders beneath financial burdens and emotional turmoil instead of living his happily ever after.
Friendship takes precedence over longing, and I gladly take on the roles of comforter and supporter since those who have the right to love him out loud only see his failures. However, the more time I spend with Chaz, the harder it is to hide my feelings.
In a moment of mutual weakness, unexpected passion ignites.
Secret betrayal is a poisonous infection, but a twist of fate uncovers even more truths that further wound us both.
Will forgiveness allow us to survive traumatic grief and overcome guilt? Or will too much honesty end the other dream of always that has owned my heart since childhood?
So I went from a low angst book to one that is pretty much ALL the angst. We get Jamie who has just had a life changing injury and Chaz whose marriage is on rocky ground. They end up back in each other’s lives and long denied emotions come out, and quite a few secrets, leading to all sorts of complications.
I feel for both of them and I do appreciate that Burke emphasizes mental health & professional help. (I am loving all the authors that have their characters address it and not just going with love fixes everything.) Chaz has a lot of issues – with his marriage, his friendship with Jamie, and his parents. It takes a while for him to come to terms with things but he puts in the work. It’s not easy, on him or Jamie, but it ends up being worth it.
As well as angsty, this one is also steamy … eventually, once they work thru their feels. It’s raw, raunchy, and spicy. These two have so much pining and suppressed feelings that when they get to that point it leads to so much sizzle.
This is my first book by Burke, but she’s prolific & well liked and I can see why. She piled it on her characters but she takes good care of them as they address their issues and try to figure out what the future holds. I’ll be keeping my eye out for what she has in store next for the men of Pippen Creek.
The last thing I expect when I meet the new guy at work is for my life to be thrown into chaos. Iโve spent years hiding my attraction to men, but Luka is funny, outgoing, and for reasons I canโt explain, he sees past my introverted nature and wants to be friends.
Iโve never felt a connection with anyone like I do with Luka. He makes me want to open up and share the parts of myself I usually keep hidden. I donโt want to make things awkward between us, but the more I try to get over my feelings, the harder it is to stay away.
Just when I think my life canโt get any more complicated, I start chatting with a guy on an anonymous kink app. Sinbin might be a stranger, but heโs everything Iโve ever wanted in a man. But then again, so is Luka.
How did I go from never having guy trouble to wanting two men I canโt have?
Luka
Being the new guy at work isnโt easy. Neither is having a crush on one of my coworkers. Zander is quiet and shy, and doesnโt have the best social skills, but heโs also sweet and caring and one of the most interesting people Iโve ever met.
Iโve never known anyone like Zander, and the more time we spend together, the harder it is to only see him as a friend. I want him, but heโs straight. And to the outside world, so am I.
In a desperate attempt to get over my crush, I log into an anonymous kink app and start chatting with a man who doesnโt just rock my world but understands me in ways no one else ever has. I might not know what MrNiceGuy looks like, but he feels familiar, like weโve known each other forever. But then again, so does Zander.
How can I be drawn to two men at the same time? And more importantly: how do I choose between them?
Genre: M/M Romance Standalone Trope: Coworkers to friends to lovers, found family, hurt/comfort, anonymous sexting, kink exploration
This is just my second book by Dixon and like It’s Complicated it is super steamy and low angst. I loved these two, alone and together. Both of them are hiding their sexuality but are secretly developing feelings for each other. And thinking the other is straight, it’s difficult spending so much time together at work, believing they can only be friends. And then when they both make a connection with an anonymous person online, it complicates things.
I actually appreciate the way that they figure things out. And the confrontation is satisfying. I do wish we’d gotten a little more of their time together, to see them deepening their connection, but what we do get is great. Luka suffers from issues with anxiety and the way that Zander supports him is just the sweetest. And the way that their friends and family react to their relationship is touching as well. They realize that they have a great support network, one that everyone should have.
I’m enjoying these stories by Dixon. Low angst and high steam isn’t going to be for everyone but I like having that option. Sometimes you want the drama but then a more realistic look at two people meeting, developing a connection, and getting involved is perfect too.
*****
Author Info:
What can I say about myself? Itโs kind of like being the new kid in school and being asked to tell everyone a bit about yourself. Anyone else forget everything theyโve ever liked, thought of, and even their name in those moments?
A few facts about me; Iโm a veteran, Iโm Canadian, and I love books! Iโve been writing my own stories since I was eight and wrote my first novel at sixteen. Iโm the first to admit those attempts werenโt my best work, but they started me on a journey of creating stories that has led me to fulfilling my dream of becoming an author. Iโve written and published in several genres under different names, but MM is by far my favorite, and Iโm so happy to be able to share my stories with people today.
I currently live on Canadaโs east coast with my kiddo and my cats. I have a shoe collecting addiction, and I enjoy taking long walks, discussions with friends, and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on.
The torment that Dani Lexington went through at the hands of her father was something no child should have had to endure. But I was the lucky one she turned to.
Our age difference and the fact that her brother was my best friend kept her off-limits, even though something was always there, lingering under the surface.
But when she was old enough, she left Bitterroot Valley, and I was forced to move on with my life.
I got married and had my little girl. Now, Iโm a single dad, focused on my job as fire chief and making sure my daughter stays healthy after a mysterious illness has plagued her for the past year.
But after Daniโs father dies, she returns to Bitterroot Valley and is now living across the street from my daughter and me.
Daniโs no longer a child. No longer off limits.
This time, I wonโt let anything or anyone stop me from being her safe place again.
Dani
Iโve been in love with Bridger Blackwell for as long as I can remember.
Heโs a smoke show, kind, and gives the best hugs in the world. But best of all? Heโs everything my sorry excuse for a father wasnโt.
Now, Iโm back in Bitterroot Valley, living across the street from Bridger and his adorable daughter.
It doesnโt take long for all those old feelings to come rushing back, and every cell in my body knows that I belong with them.
That theyโre mine.
Bridgerโs arms are where I feel safest. They feel like home.
Iโm growing to depend on him, to truly love him and his daughter. But I have deep-rooted baggage, and Bridgerโs past has decided to rear its ugly head.
Will we survive this, or is our relationship doomed from the start?
Kristen Proby is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over seventy published titles. She debuted in 2012, captivating fans with spicy contemporary romance about families and friends with plenty of swoony love. She also writes paranormal romance and suggests you keep the lights on while reading them.
When not under deadline, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and their fur babies, riding her bike, relaxing with embroidery, trying her hand at painting, and, of course, enjoying her beautiful home in the mountains of Montana.
Iโve crafted my new life in Ember Falls with two simple rules: maintain superficial relationships and always be ready to run.
But when my sonโs incredibly hot hockey coach Miles Anderson walks in, things get very, very complicated.
With his charming smile and our accidental dates, heโs the exact opposite of any man Iโve ever dated. That should make saying yes to being with him simple, but nothing in my life is easy.
In fact, itโs a mess.
Miles makes me smile and treats my son like his own. When weโre together, I forget about my troubles and dream of a life that I will never be able to have with him.
Itโs only a matter of time until the past comes knocking and Iโll have to leave, breaking us both in the process.
Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.
Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed–reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.
I lost my heart to Danny Chambers in high school, even though he parked me in the friend zone five minutes after we met. Itโs taken years to stop thinking about him at least once every hour. It helped when he enlisted in the Air Force. But heโs back, and heโs walking onto the football team. He could go to college anywhere, so why does it have to be Mountain State?
Even best friends keep secrets from each other.
When Danny earns a spot playing receiver for the Wildcats, Iโm in the clear. I can admire him from the stands and go back to my boring life of finishing my undergrad and resigning myself to being married to my career. After what went down with my one-and-only boyfriend last semester, well, I need to stop dreaming about happily-ever-after. Which makes the head games Danny is playing with me so painful. Why is he acting like he wants something more with me?
Five years ago, I made a colossal mistake.
I need a second chance. Growing up a military brat, the one constant in my life was playing football. Though I met all kinds of people while switching schools on the regular, one look at Taryn Hamilton and sheโs my girl. Yet after we met, I discovered quick she was off-limits if I wanted to catch passes on Friday nights. I paid a big price for my bad choice. Now after giving Uncle Sam four years so I could attend college, Iโm at Mountain State where Iโm taking every opportunity to show Taryn how I truly feelโhow I have always felt about her. She is so much more than my best friend.
Football was my first love. Now Iโm playing for my only love.
Tam DeRudder Jackson is the author of the paranormal romance Talisman Series and the contemporary romance Balefire Series. Her favorite โroomโ in her house is her patio where she dreams up stories of romance and risk. When sheโs not writing her latest paranormal or contemporary romance, you can find her driving around in her convertible or carving turns on the slopes of the local ski hill. The mom of two grown sons, Tam likes to travel, attend rock concerts, watch football and soccer, and visit old car shows with her husband. She lives in the mountains of northwest Wyoming where she spends most of her free time trying to read all the books. Her TBR piles are threatening to take over her office, and sheโs fine with that.
Romantic Reads and Such 