Spotlight – Something to Prove

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Lane Hayes, Smithtown Bears series, Something to Prove

Something to Prove

Smithton Bears #2

by Lane Hayes

Genre: contemporary, sports

Tropes: Small-town, College, Hockey, Geek/Jock, Light-angst, Opposites Attract

Blurb:

The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.

I’m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but don’t worry, I’ll behave.

What I won’t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer who’s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.

I know Walker’s type—sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.

Get this…he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.

Not interested. No way.

But I am curious.

WALKER

I’ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!

Look, I get that Ty doesn’t like me. As in…he won’t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.

Too bad. I’m not giving up.

I don’t want to beg, but I’m willing to barter. Every man has his price—and something to prove.

Even Ty.

Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer who’s determined to win him over…

Prior Reading: Recommended but not essential

AVAILABLE NOW

*****

Excerpt:

Sue me. I’d liked the peppy redhead’s vibe and though I’d deny it with my last breath, I’d thought Walker was cute with his wayward curls, tawny-brown eyes, and tight compact body.

But that was before he’d sold out my best friend.

I knew Langley and some of our other teammates thought I was being unreasonable and that Walker had atoned for his mistake, but he was done-zo in my book.

I gave a curt nod and spun away.

Langley followed, flinging a quick, “Later, dude” over his shoulder.

“Hang on! Ty, may I have a word, please?” Walker called.

I wasn’t going to reply. I didn’t owe him an explanation, and I was pretty damn sure he knew the score anyway.

But Langley grabbed my elbow and leaned into my space. “Be nice, Ty. New school year, blank slate, and all that.”

“Bullshit,” I coughed under my breath.

“C’mon, Jett forgave him. You can afford to be magnimonious too.”

“Magnanimous,” I corrected.

Langley rolled his eyes. “Whatever the fuck. The point is…you’re going to the AH-fuckin’-L. No reason to be bitter, right? At least hear him out.”

With that, Langley strode away, leaving me to deal with the annoyingly cheery Walker Woodrow.

I was a good six inches taller and outweighed him by at least thirty pounds of muscle. My height, brawny size, and less-than-sunny demeanor should have been intimidating, but Walker was apparently immune.

“Congratulations are in order,” he gushed. “AHL…wow! And to Jacksonville, no less.”

“You’re a hockey fan?” I heard myself ask out of the blue.

“Honestly, I think everyone at Smithton is—or they will be, knowing they’ll be able to root for one of our own in the pros.”

That wasn’t really an answer, but his smile was more brilliant than the last. It made him incandescent, as if he had some kind of inner glow.

I had to admit, Walker had a good TV face. He wasn’t classically handsome, but that spark in him transmitted nicely on-screen. It made him interesting, and it made it seem as if he were interested in you. An excellent quality for a talk show host. Or a con artist.

“Thanks,” I replied tersely. “I have to get going.”

“I’ll walk with you.” He fell into step beside me, uninvited. “I know you’re probably busy getting ready for classes. I just finalized my schedule and bought a few online textbooks. OMG, highway robbery. Am I right? I can’t believe how much collegiate e-books cost.”

His melodic laughter rang between the buildings like birdsong.

Do not cave. He might look pretty, but the man is rotten to the core.

I stopped in my tracks. “Is there something you wanted?”

“Actually…yes.” Walker bit into his bottom lip and gave a sheepish look. “I’d love to interview you for What’s New, Smithton? Our audience will go nuts for a chance to hear all about the draft, how it’s changed your life so far, what you imagine life will be like in Florida next year, and…what it’s like being an out bisexual athlete on the rise. The interview itself is generally thirty minutes long. Super low-key. We could meet at the rink or at my—”

“No.”

He recoiled as if I’d punched him in the gut. “I…uh, I can work around your schedule, of course, and—”

“No,” I repeated.

“Um…is there a problem?” Walker asked carefully.

“No problem with me. I just don’t want anything to do with you. And I’m not going to change my mind.” I stepped away from him, relishing his pointedly shocked expression. “Tell your followers that’s what’s new in Smithton.”

Okay, not my best line, but it did the trick. Walker blinked like an owl, stunned into silence. Good.

I quelled the strong desire to flip him off, settling for the nasty sneer I usually reserved for riling opponents on the ice. Curled lips, ugly stare with dead eyes…not pretty at all. He flinched, which kinda made me feel bad. But fuck that. My anger was totally justified, and it pissed me off that he dared to pull the innocent act.

Did he really think I’d forget what he’d done? Not fucking likely.

Maybe he didn’t owe me an apology, but I certainly didn’t owe him my time.

I hoped he’d gotten the message loud and clear ’cause this—right here, right now—was the last interaction I’d ever have with Walker fucking Woodrow.

*****

Author Info:

Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.

She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!

Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!

My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Website: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayesauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes
Bluesky: lanehayes.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lane.hayes6

*****

Review – Jessica’s Hero

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

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Book Review, Gia Cobie, Heroes of Sleepy Hollow, Jessica's Hero

Jessica’s Hero

Heroes of Sleepy Hollow #6

by Gia Cobie

Blurb:

Seventeen years ago, I made a terrible mistake.

One I never imagined could have such horrible consequences.

But I thought—I hoped—that time would bring forgiveness. That people would realize I was just a foolish girl back then and not the responsible woman I’ve become.

I was wrong. Instead, I can’t go a day without someone in town reminding me of what a bad person I am. I can’t avoid the judging looks and whispered insults and insinuations that I’d be better off if I’d just leave Sleepy Hollow for good.

Except I can’t. And I don’t want to. Not when Sleepy Hollow is the only place that’s ever felt like home. But when the threats turn dangerous, I know it’s time to ask for help. The only problem? No one believes me.

It all started when I found Jess crying in her car outside the police station.

I couldn’t believe it when she told me she’d been turned away by the very department I work for. And worse yet, she wasn’t even surprised by it.

At first, it seems like someone’s trying to scare Jess out of town. Then it becomes clear their intentions are much more sinister, and the threats against her keep escalating.

I don’t care what other people in town say about her. All I care about is that Jess needs me.

As a police officer, it’s my job to protect. But when it comes to Jess, it’s so much more than a job. It’s protecting the woman I’m falling in love with.

Jessica’s Hero is a small-town romantic suspense with a protective police officer hero, a wounded heroine in search of redemption, action and danger, forced proximity, thrilling twists, and plenty of sweet and steamy moments. Can be read as a standalone novel.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/9SPB3lB

Available in KU

*****

Review:

Kane is pretty much perfect (which may be annoying to some) as a boyfriend – sweet and supportive. He is a bit of a love bomber and can be a bit pushy as well as fretful about how he’s received but he means well. He works hard to lift Jessica up and help her find confidence in herself again.

Even tho we get Kane’s perspective, it really felt like Jessica’s story and I felt so bad for her. People can be small minded and hold on to things for a long time (although I am surprised that no one stepped up for her before Kane). I can also understand why she would feel self-conscious and anxious. Between her school mates & an absolutely awful man, it’s really hard to let some of that go but with Kane’s help she starts to see herself as strong and beautiful.

I enjoyed the suspense element of the story. The culprit was a surprise to me but it wasn’t totally out of left field, which can easily happen when an author tries to surprise readers. I was satisfied with how things are wrapped up, both with the romance and the mystery.

*****

Author Info:

Gia Cobie is an award winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and small zoo of animals. She loves writing about protective heroes and the strong women they fall in love with.

In her spare time (when she has any!), Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a weakness for reality romance shows, wine, and buying way too many books!

Follow Gia for updates on her latest releases!

Connect with Gia Cobie:

https://www.giacobie.com

Spotlight – Island Confidential Series

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Bed-Hopping, Dick Move, Island Confidential series, Stage Weekend, TA Moore, Wanted - Bad Boyfriend

Island men know what they want…but not always what they need.

(All the books in the series can be read as standalone stories and do not end on a cliffhanger.)

Bed-Hopping

Island Confidential Novella

by TA Moore

Length: 38 000 words

Release Date: July 31, 2025

Tense/POV: Third person, alternating POV

Tropes: Fake dating, small town romance, lies, love at first sight.

Themes: Forgiving your own mistakes, moving on, sometimes it’s worth the risk.

Blurb:

It shouldn’t have been this difficult.

All Ryan wanted was to leave his ex-boyfriend at home and go to his childhood best friend’s wedding as a single man. The only problem was that apparently he was the only sane person he knew. His actor ex didn’t want their break-up on social media until it would be good PR for him. Meanwhile the bride, and childhood best friend, was so rigorously superstitious about bad omens that the wedding would have been cancelled already if someone hadn’t ‘seen’ an extra magpie at the engagement party.

So Ryan had agreed to keep the break up quiet until after the honeymoon. It did mean he had bring his ex as his plus one to the ceremony, but it would only be a few more weeks. That couldn’t hurt.

Only problem is that now Ryan has to try and stop his ex turning their break-up into a soap opera, convince the hottest man he’s ever seen that they can kiss without it being cheating…and make sure the bride didn’t find out about any of it.

Maybe he needed some of that good luck she was hoarding?

Goodreads | Buy Links

Excerpt:

“Oh, you can’t tell her,” Jenny said from the other side of the counter. She shook a plastic bottle of mayo vigorously in one hand. “She will lose her goddamn mind.”

It wasn’t the reaction that Ryan had hoped for. He pulled a dubious face and rubbed the back of his neck.

“It can’t be that bad,” he protested.

Jenny mugged incredulity at him as she flipped the cap of the mayo bottle and turned it upside down. She squeezed a wriggly line of mayo over the curry-yellow chunks of chicken she’d already thrown onto the roll.

“Are you kidding me?” she asked. “You think that your best friend—your astrology symbol tattooed, magpie saluting, psychic consulting BFF—is going to take it in her stride that love is dead?”

She smacked the bottle down to punctuate that and raised her eyebrows expectantly at him for his input.

“OK, no, not when you put it like that,” Ryan said. “But it’s not like that. I just broke up with my boyfriend—”

Jenny wagged a greasy blue-gloved finger at him to stop him there.

“You mean, your soulmate,” she corrected him, with jazz hands for emphasis.

“I do not,” Ryan said. “If he was, I’d not have broken up with him.”

That objection was dismissed with a rude noise. “It’s not about you.”

“I…wow, sorry,” Ryan said. “There’s me thinking it was.”

Jenny shrugged as she grabbed some red onion and tossed it onto the sandwich. Then she took a beat to consider her creation and added some sweetcorn. Ryan started to object but gave it up as the yellow kernels sank into the mayo. He was hungry, and he would rather have unwanted sweetcorn he knew about than one stray left behind to surprise him.

“OK, obviously you think it’s about you,” she said. “From Clem’s point of view, though, it’s about her and her relationship. That psychic saying her and Greg are soulmates is the basis of their relationship.”

“That’s…they love each other,” Ryan objected. “They have weathered so much in their relationship and—”

“Yeah, but only because they’re soulmates,” Jenny said. She picked up the top of the roll and smacked it down on the toppings. “Remember when Greg went to Newcastle to work? Clem told me that the only reason she made it work was because that psychic told her they were endgame.”

“OK, so the psychic was right about her and Greg, but wrong about me and Devon,” Ryan said. “We’re broken up. She’s going to have to come to terms with that eventually.”

“Sure,” Jenny said. Paper crinkled as she pinched, folded, and tucked it around the sandwich. “If you’d broken up, like, six months ago! You can’t drop it on her a week before her wedding, one of the biggest decisions of her life, that the psychic was full of shit. It’s going to look like the worst omen in the world. She will definitely panic and call it all off.”

Shit.

*****

Stag Weekend

Island Confidential Novella

by TA Moore

Length: 45 000 words

Tropes: Forbidden romance, Giveaway the Bride, Lost Wedding Ring, Stag Party

Blurb:

Simon had a plan.

He’d go to his sister’s wedding, he’d keep his head down, and the whole family would finally have something other than his disastrously brief engagement to talk about. It was going to be the fact that none of them liked his new brother-in-law, but that wasn’t Simon’s fault.

It was a simple plan that really couldn’t go wrong. Not unless Simon did something really stupid, like wake up the morning after a stag weekend with a stranger in his hotel bed and no idea who it was.

That was the sort of gossip that was hard to beat.

Goodreads | Buy Links

*****

Dick Move

Island Confidential Novella

by TA Moore

Length: 20 000 words

Tropes: Rule of funny, best friend’s ex, ex complications

Themes: Accepting you’re worth more than you think, letting go of an ex, small town romance

Blurb:

When Danny Shaw’s ex dumped the job of returning some…personal items…to a short list of his previous conquests on him that seemed like imposition enough. Until he opened the bag and found that the items in question could best be described as extremely intimate and disturbingly detailed.

But when life gives you a bag of hyper-realistic sex toys, modeled after penises your ex knew and admired, what else is there to do but find the biggest dick you know and ask if one of them is his?

Meanwhile, all Will wanted was a quiet night out. Not that he was going to turn down a chance to spend time with Danny, even if it did lead to some weird conversations.

Goodreads | Buy Links

*****

Wanted – Bad Boyfriend

Island Confidential #1

by TA Moore

Length: 76 000 words

Tropes: Fake dating, opposites attract, secrets and lies, small town romance.

Blurb:

His mother. His best friend. The barmaid at the local pub. Everyone is determined to find Nathan Moffatt a boyfriend. It’s the last thing Nathan wants. After spending every day making sure his clients experience nothing but romantic magic, the Granshire Hotel’s wedding organizer just wants to go home, binge-watch crime dramas, and eat pizza in his underwear.

Unfortunately, no one believes him, and he’s stuck with lectures about dying alone. Then inspiration strikes. He needs the people in his life to want him to stay single as much as he does. He needs a bad boyfriend.

There’s only one man for the job.

Flynn Delaney is used to people on the island of Ceremony thinking the worst of him. But he isn’t sure he wants the dubious honor of worst boyfriend on the entire island. On the other hand, if he plays along, he gets to hang out with the gorgeous Nathan and piss off the owners of the Granshire Hotel. It’s a win-win.

There’s only one problem—Flynn’s actually quite a good boyfriend, and now Nathan’s wondering if getting off the sofa occasionally is really the worst thing in the world.

Goodreads | Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

*****

Author Info:

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

*****

Giveaway:

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of two ebooks or a $10 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Review – Single-Minded

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Amy Knupp, Book Review, Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, Single-Minded

Single-Minded

Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake #4

by Amy Knupp

Blurb:

Single-minded focus can get you far in business. In love? Not so much…

PRESLEY

Giving up my soul-sucking career and moving to a small town was supposed to simplify my life.

It didn’t.

Because relaxing isn’t as easy as I’d hoped it would be. Plus, the hot contractor in charge of my home reno is all kinds of distracting.

Especially when he’s so determined to keep our relationship strictly professional…

WEST

As a single dad with a military background, I’d seen it all. So, I was prepared for anything life could throw at me .

Until her.

Presley Holiday is so perfect she almost makes me forget that sleeping with a client is forbidden.

But I can’t afford to make another mistake when it comes to love. Keeping our relationship platonic is the right thing to do.

Too bad doing the right thing has zero appeal when it comes to Presley…

Single-Minded, book 4 in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, is a spicy, small town, opposites attract contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone. Download today and get ready for perfect romantic escapism in Dragonfly Lake.

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/amyknupp-singleminded/

*****

Review:

Presley is new to Dragonfly Lake, moving after leaving the life she’d spent years creating, one that included very little more than her job. But the people of her new town welcome her with open arms, helping her make new friends and figure out what her new life is going to look like. Which includes work being done by one very sexy contractor.

With an abusive dad and an all encompassing job, Presley hasn’t had any good examples of healthy relationship. And now, with her life upended and her future unclear, isn’t the best time to find herself drawn to a man. But it’s not a surprise that Presley falls for West. He’s rough on the outside but a big ole softy on the inside, especially when it comes to his adorable daughters. He’s hardworking, dedicated, and caring. And good with his hands 😉

Knupp’s latest from Dragonfly Lake is all about the slow burn, small town feels. West & Presley have an instant attraction but it’s the time spent together during her renovations that creates something deeper between them. Neither is looking for a relationship … but that doesn’t stop love from finding them.

(This is my first book set in Dragonfly Lake and while there are a lot of characters, and I occasionally I felt lost about how they were related to each other or their histories, it can pretty much stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

Amy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling Author of five contemporary romance series (Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake, Henry Brothers, North Brothers, Hale Street, Island Fire). She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.

Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband and has two children, three cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.

Connect with Amy Knupp:

https://www.amyknuppbooks.com/pages/links

Review – Flirting with Trouble

06 Wednesday Aug 2025

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Book Review, Flirting with Trouble, Melissa Foster, The Silvers at Silver Island series

Flirting with Trouble: Wells Silver

The Silvers at Silver Island #1

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Forgetting playboy Wells Silver was supposed to be easy. If only he didn’t make it impossible. Secrets are made on the sandy shores and in the sweet small towns of Silver Island, where friendships run deep, passions run hot, and the sexy Silvers are considered island royalty. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and devour this fun, steamy romance.

Being born into the Silver empire comes with certain expectations, but charming restaurant owner Wells Silver has always taken pleasure in breaking the rules—in his personal and his professional life.

Victoria Braden never expected to become a widow at thirty-two, much less still be trying to figure out how to move on five years later. She’d planned to drown her sorrows in alcohol on what would have been her anniversary, not flirt with trouble and lose herself in a night of passion with Silver Island royalty, playboy Wells Silver. Forgetting Wells was supposed to be easy. But apparently the pushy player didn’t get the memo.

BUY LINK:

https://melissafoster.com/books/flirting-with-trouble/

*****

Review:

Victory and Wells are fantastic together. He does so much to bring out a side to her that she has long ignored while she has him reevaluating what has been missing from his life. When they are together, they are playful and fun, something she seems to have been lacking since her husband’s death.

Unfortunately she’s still holding on to her old life and struggles with guilt at the idea of moving on. Wells is determined tho and works hard to break her out of the box she’s put herself in. It’s not all smooth going, and there is a lot of back & forth between them, but it is pretty low angst with no big third act blow up which I liked. We get growth, letting go, and moving to a new stage of life.

A mixture of lightheartedness and emotion and steam, Foster gives readers a delightful story for the first in her new series. Returning readers have been waiting to see Wells fall and will be happy to see some of their favorite couples again, along with a peek at who might be meeting their match soon.

(While it is technically a stand alone, I feel like their story actually started earlier and while we were given the low down on what happened during this book I think it really helped to have been there. It does give the feeling of kinda joining a story already in progress and while fun for returning readers I think that could be frustrating for some.)

*****

Author Info:

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Download FREE first in series! www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree

Never miss a release and get a FREE Braden/Remington short story! Sign up for Melissa’s newsletter: www.MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summers, Bayside Summers, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, Tru Blue and the Whiskeys, the Wickeds, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are always family oriented. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy and blue-collar heroes and smart, sassy, and empowered heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance with no harsh language or explicit scenes under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and enjoying beach life on Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

“What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about… desperately. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked.” NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis’ books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness.” –Books Like Breathing

Comments from Melissa:

I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and never a shortage of friends or pets. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and I enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Thanks for reading!

Connect with Melissa Foster:

https://melissafoster.com

Review – He Falls First

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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Book Review, Colburn Brothers series, He Falls First, Jill Shalvis

He Falls First

Colburn Brothers #1

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

*****

Review:

These two are absolutely adorable together. I loved Penny’s sass and Ryder’s calm competence and the way they play off each other so well as he romances her within her comfort zone. It’s just the sweetest and made my heart go all squishy. Both of them have issues to deal with stemming from someone abusive and it’s his experiences that help him woo her.

Maybe there could have been more to address Ryder’s relationship with his father and the scars that an abusive childhood can leave, buuuut there are 3 more Colburn siblings so I’m going to hope that we get more as the series continues. And I definitely am looking forward to what comes next with this family of loud, big personalities with hearts just as big.

He Falls First has moments of humor and fun but also vulnerability, hurt, and loss. There is so much charm in these families/friends as they provide support, love, and the occasional push when it’s needed. I gotta say, Shalvis always knows how to reel me in – by giving me entertaining, lovable, real characters. And in this case a cursing parrot … 😆

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).

Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillshalvis
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis

Review – 12 Dates of Christmas

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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12 Dates of Christmas, Audiobook Review, Book Review, Brigham Vaughn, Christmas Falls Season 2, Christmas Falls series

12 Dates of Christmas

Christmas Falls Season 2 #3

by Brigham Vaughn

Blurb:

Leo Fenner needs a Christmas miracle …

Charmed by the small town, and weary the big city dating scene, Leo moved to Christmas Falls in hopes of finding love like his college friend, Hayden.

Nick Morgan had the love of his life and lost her, but is determined to help others find their happily ever after with his matchmaking service.

His website needs work though, and Leo is just the man for the job.

The web developer signs up for Nick’s matchmaking service to get a feel for what the process is like, all while secretly hoping it’ll bring him the love of his dreams.

But as Nick and Leo work together, the sparks between them are impossible to ignore.

Too bad there’s a few little problems.

For one, Nick’s never fallen for a man before. And, oh yeah—those dates he’s planning for Leo? They’re supposed to be with other guys …

Christmas Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

Content Warning: This book contains scenes discussing the unexpected death of a spouse, grief, and moving on.

*****

Review:

I was super excited to see that Hayden’s friend, Leo, got his own book and I really liked him as a character. He’s a romantic and so upbeat & happy – well, most of the time. He’s really struggling to find his person, which is one of the reasons he moved to Christmas Falls. Nick also really loves how Leo finds the good in just about everything, even facing his bad dates with humor.

Nick on the other hand is a bit more sedate and while he loves love, after the death of his wife he is settling for finding everyone else The One. And then Leo bursts into his life. I liked that while Leo may have had a crush on Nick pretty much right away that it took Nick a little longer. He might be clueless and need a little help (and screws up a bit) he does get there but that made it more realistic for me. I also appreciated that Vaughn made him bisexual as opposed to a bi-awakening. Not that I don’t love those too, but here the growth is Nick letting go of his past relationship and moving into a new one.

12 Dates is sweet, with a few moments of spice. A slow burn burn with warmth, humor (I actually laughed out loud listening to it), and lots of holiday cheer. And just like with Scrooge You, James Edward Jones has a great voice to be reading such a feel good holiday treat.

Spotlight – Rematch

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Marci Carr, Rematch, Stingrays Hockey series

Rematch

Stingrays Hockey series

by Marci Carr

Blurb:

One night, one kiss, and a spark hot enough to melt the ice.

Preston’s all in on his hockey career as a Stingray, and Chelsea’s just about to start a new adventure in Paris—until an unforgettable night at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party changes everything. A few drinks, some dirty jokes, and a kiss under the mistletoe leads to a night of toe-curling, name-forgetting, no-strings-attached fun.

They part ways in the morning, no regrets—just a sizzling memory they both assume will fade.

A year later, Chelsea’s in Baltimore, launching her dream bakery—and navigating life with a baby she never saw coming. The father? Mystery man from that one unforgettable night. What she really didn’t expect? Him walking through her door, very real, very sexy… and very much still capable of making her forget how to breathe.

Preston hasn’t been able to get her out of his head. Now that he knows the truth, he’s not going anywhere. The question is—can they turn one accidental night into a real shot at forever?

Buy Link:

https://maricarr.com/rematch/

*****

Author Info:

Virginia native Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary sexy romance and romantic suspense novels. With over two million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research. She has over a hundred published works, including her popular Wild Irish and Compass books, along with the Trinity Masters series she writes with Lila Dubois.

Connect with Mari Carr:

https://maricarr.com

Spotlight – Make Me Yours

01 Friday Aug 2025

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Chicago Railers Hockey series, Jennifer Sucevic, Make Me Yours

Make Me Yours

Chicago Railers Hockey Series

by Jennifer Sucevic

Blurb:

Steele Sanderson has always been my safe place.
My best friend.
My constant.
My person.
So when I walk in on my boyfriend—who also happens to be my boss—screwing a colleague on his desk, it’s Steele who picks up the pieces.

Now I’m living in his penthouse, crashing in his guest room, and working as his assistant while I figure out what’s next. Every day, I tell myself this is temporary. That just because he looks at me like I already belong to him doesn’t mean I actually do.

Except… Steele doesn’t see it that way.
To him, I’ve always been his.
The only one he’s ever wanted.
The only one he’s ever loved.
He’s protective.
Possessive.
And done waiting.

I keep telling myself that crossing the line could ruin everything—that risking our friendship isn’t worth it. But when he offers a friends-with-benefits arrangement, promising to give me everything I’ve secretly craved, how can I possibly say no?
It doesn’t take long for the lines between us to blur.

Now I have to decide—keep pretending nothing’s changed or finally give in to the man who’s been right in front of me all along.

Make Me Yours is a swoony, boy-obsessed, friends-to-lovers steamy romance with close proximity, undeniable tension, and a hero who has always been all in. It’s the first book in the Chicago Railers series and can be read as a standalone.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4mTgOr0

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/438v1sn

*****

Author Info:

Jennifer is the USA Today Bestselling Author of King of Campus. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband, kids, a dog named Rocky, and a kitten named Lily. After pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology also from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, she spent five years working as a high school counselor before moving out of state with her family. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Please contact Jennifer at jmolitor6@hotmail.com. Connect with Jennifer on facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.suc… or check her out on Wattpad- https://www.wattpad.com/user/jsucevic. Jennifer can also be found on Tumblr at jsucevic (inspiration board).

Spotlight – Playing for Keeps

31 Thursday Jul 2025

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Dakotah Fox, Playing for Keeps, Seattle Hawks Ice Hockey series

Playing for Keeps

Seattle Hawks Ice Hockey, Book 4

by Dakotah Fox

Blurb:

JAY

One night in a bar when I met the most beautiful woman

Where we danced soft and slow, her body close to mine

I had no idea who she was. We thought we were strangers…

Until the spell was broken and I realized she’s my best friend’s little sister

Jade Jones…

She saw me at my darkest hour all those years ago

And she never ran away

Now we’re meeting again in Vegas for her brother’s wedding

And the embers between us burn brighter than ever

I never knew it could be like this

It scares me if I’m even worthy of her love

But she chases the demons away, demons I thought were long gone

When I’m with her, I can’t deny it, we’re breaking all the rules

And what happens in Vegas may just not want to stay there

JADE

Seeing my brother’s best friend again was a shock

He’s a hockey star now, with that boyish charm and sexy smile

But I’m cautious, I’ve been hurt before

I made it clear I won’t date a hockey player

And he’s a notorious ladies’ man of the ice

It’s just the way he is, at least, until now

I’m in Seattle trying to get my life together

Quitting my job for a chance at my passion

But there’s one thing I can’t get out of my mind

Jay Jefferson…

And my brother’s wedding is looming

I’m the maid of honor, Jay’s the best man

We can’t deny the attraction anymore

Our Vegas weekend quickly turns to passion

And the lines we blurred may just be the ones to save us

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/PlayingForKeepsBook4

Available in KU

*****

Author Info:

Dakotah Fox is a new author of contemporary and small-town romance. She enjoys walking and hiking with her pups, finding new tea haunts, and is a qualified yoga instructor.

When she’s not writing she enjoys finding a good book to curl up with, loves watching Beauty and the Geek and is the Queen of planning. You can find her living a quiet, fulfilled life in Western Australia’s Northwest with her beloved doggies.

Connect with Dakotah Fox:

https://linktr.ee/dakotahfox