Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Hard Breaker by Christine Warren


From New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren comes Hard Breaker, the sixth book in her Gargoyles series where even the most beastly gargoyle is able to win the heart of a beautiful human female.

Ivy Beckett 's gift feels more like a curse. She can hear things happening in distant locations, which is how she knows the very instant her family is killed by servants of the Darkness. Furious, she joins the fight to save the world – but the losses are mounting up. She thinks only a miracle can save them—but she doesn't expect the miracle to come in the form of a handsome gargoyle.

Baen is a fearsome Guardian, but when he awakes, even his surprised by war that is going on. But what’s even more distracting is beautiful Ivy. Driven by passion, she’s ready to charge head-first into battle. But Baen’s primal instincts to protect what’s his rise within him, and Ivy is dangerously attracted to him. Can she and her gargoyle warrior save the world… and fall in love?


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Book 6
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela☆☆☆☆☆
I don’t know if I can write this review. When I finished Hard to Handle, I didn’t know how Warren could hope to outdo herself. And yet she did, but I can’t tell you how she did it because I will not be the one who ruins the twists and revelations that made my jaw drop – literally – while reading Hard Breaker. As much as I enjoyed the introduction of the first female Guardian in the previous book, I loved that Warren returned to the male Guardian, female witch formula for this installment because it not only keeps Ash and Drum’s story special, but Ivy’s experiences serve to remind readers why the Guild’s misogyny and complacency contributed to the current state of affairs and the rise of the Darkness and the nocturnis.

Like some of the previous witches, Ivy gets pulled into the Light’s fight against the Darkness due to a familial connection – her Warden uncle and his apprenticing son are attacked by the nocturnis and perish. Similar to Wynn’s experience, she witnessed their death – so to speak – via her power, clairaudience, and while she may not have the visual memories of their murder Wynn does, she has the auditory memory of it – which to me, may be worse because that leaves her imagination to fill in the visuals based on what she heard that night. Because of that, she threw herself into an effort to transport the remaining Guild members to safety and away from the nocturnis and it is during one of these missions that she unknowingly wakes Baen from his slumber. While the story follows the expected formula of the witch resisting the pull between her and the Guardian and refusing to accept the fated mate bond between them is real, Warren keeps the story fresh, in my opinion, because Ivy’s issues are unique to Ivy, and Baen at least has some “helpful” guidance from his brothers and sister who have already been through that dance with their mates.

As for the rest of the story, I cannot say much because everything I want to talk about is a spoiler on some level. Baen is reunited with his siblings and Ivy learns to tap into her natural magic by working with the other witches. There is plenty of action and adventure throughout the book as Ivy and Baen, as well as the others, are forced to take on the nocturnis as they again seek to call forth another of the seven demons. But the twists… oh, the twists, had my head spinning because I NEVER saw them coming. And the biggest twist? Stunned, I say, absolutely stunned. If you’re a fan of the series, you are not going to want to miss this one. I was glued to my Kindle from start to finish, devouring the book in a single afternoon. If you haven’t yet started this series, don’t start here because far too much is revealed in this installment and you really need to start at the beginning, so you can fully appreciate the lengths the Guardians and the Wardens have gone to to save humanity. Hard Breaker was a blast and I cannot wait to read Warren’s next book!


Also Available in the Gargoyles Series

Book 5
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Hard to Handle post.



CHRISTINE WARREN is the author of Stone Cold Lover and Heart of Stone, as well as the Novels of the Others, including New York Times Bestsellers Big Bad Wolf, Walk on the Wild Side, and One Bite with a Stranger. Born and raised in coastal New England, Christine Warren now lives as a transplant in the Pacific Northwest. When not writing (as if that ever happens), she enjoys horseback riding, playing with her pets, identifying dogs from photos of their underbellies, and most of all reading things someone else had to agonize over.

Connect with Christine

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http://www.stmartins.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hard Breaker (Gargoyles #6) by Christine Warren to read and review.

Ride Wild by Laura Kaye


Brotherhood. Club. Family.
They live and ride by their own rules.
These are the Raven Riders…


Wild with grief over the death of his wife, Sam “Slider” Evans merely lives for his two sons. Nothing holds his interest anymore—not even riding his bike or his membership in the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club. But that all changes when he hires a new babysitter.

Recently freed from a bad situation by the Ravens, Cora Campbell is determined to bury the past. When Slider offers her a nanny position, she accepts, needing the security and time to figure out what she wants from life. Cora adores his sweet boys, but never expected the red-hot attraction to their brooding, sexy father. If only he would notice her...

Slider does see the beautiful, fun-loving woman he invited into his home. She makes him feel too much, and he both hates it and yearns for it. But when Cora witnesses something she shouldn’t have, the new lives they’ve only just discovered are threatened. Now Slider must claim—and protect—what’s his before it’s too late.

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Book 3
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Avon Romance



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary☆☆☆☆☆
Cora Campbell came to the Ravens with her BFF Raven and you would think she was only helping her friend escape her life of hell. But Cora had her own hell to escape from. While staying at the Ravens’ clubhouse, she meets Slider, he is a single dad in need of a babysitter. Cora loves kids and Slider’s are fun to be around and they are great kids. So, she has found herself falling in love with both Sam and Ben the more time she spends with them. But then there is Slider, he is quiet, not talkative, but Cora sees something underneath and she wants to pull him out of his grief.

Sam "Slider" Evans hasn't been a true brother in a few years, since his wife died. He has been grieving but doesn't want the brothers to know the real reason of his grief. While he works nights, he needs someone to stay with his boys. When he sees Cora at the Ravens’ clubhouse, he thinks she will do as long as she takes care of the boys. What Slider doesn't realize is that Cora will worm her way into all of the Evans boys’ hearts, including his. And she might be just what Slider needs to bring him back to his former self but better.

Can Slider and Cora be what the other needs to make a life for each other and the boys? Will Slider tell Dare the truth about why he hasn't been around much? Will the boys accept Cora in their lives as more than a babysitter? Will the Ravens ever catch who is behind the waste dumping and get Jagger out of jail?

I am loving this series and each book is better than the last, if that is possible. I hope there will be more from the Raven Riders. I love Laura Kaye's writing style when she is writing MC and BDSM, these stories will have you from the very first page and you will not want to stop reading until the very end. So grab a book and start reading now, you will not be disappointed.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is a great story. I have loved each of these stories, but this one has so much more attached to it.

Sam "Slider" is a widower who is simply struggling to make it through the day. He knows that he is giving everything he can to his boys and because of that, he doesn't have time for anything else. He has pulled away from his boys in order to preserve what little he has left of himself.

Cora is a bubbly personality unless you know what trauma she has been through. She hides it well, but deep down, she is struggling with what happened. When she finally confides in Haven, I love that they bond so well together. They were both in hell and escaped for each other and themselves. Cora is trying desperately to get Slider to see her. She loves his boys and wouldn't leave them for anything. She also is an animal lover and begins to volunteer at the local shelter. Day after day she comes home drained because she sees the abuse that some animals endure.

When the abused animals cause more issues, it's up to Slider and his boys to try to figure out who they can trust and how to protect those that they love. There is a lot going on in this story -personal life happens, plus the business of the abused animals, and club business.

I loved this story! It was about letting go of the past, learning to forgive yourself, and letting your heart open all over again. I hope that more Ravens get their own stories soon!


Lee’Anne☆☆☆☆☆
I was super excited for Slider and Cora’s story from the glimpses we got of the two in the previous books. Boy, was it everything I’d hoped for – definitely my favorite of the series so far!

Slider has two sons and has recently lost his wife to breast cancer. He’s pretty much shutout everyone in his life except for his sons and doesn’t do much of anything but go to and from work. Cora was rescued by the Raven Riders and has been taking solace in the club house since. With nothing but time and a need to earn some money she’s been offering herself as a babysitter to Slider’s kids and they’ve become pretty attached. When it becomes apparent that Slider is going to need more than just a part-time sitter, the boys jump all over him to offer Cora the job as full-time live-in nanny, and Cora is only too happy to accept. Being around Cora 24/7 has opened Slider’s eyes to the fact that Cora’s a gorgeous, hilarious woman, and slowly but surely Cora manages to bring Slider back to his old self.

I loved this story, Cora and Slider are perfect for one another and both have the absolute best personalities. Cora is hilarious and that combined with her love for Slider’s kiddos makes her one of my favorite heroines in a while. This book has drama, sexy moments, and intrigue – you won’t want to put it down once you’ve delved in! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!


Also Available in the Raven Riders Series

Book 0.5
Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Hard as Steel Blog Tour.


Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Ride Hard Blog Tour.


Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Avon Romance

For reviews & more info, check out our Ride Rough post.




Laura Kaye is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense with over a million books sold. Her Hard Ink series novel, Hard as You Can, won the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Romance Suspense of 2014. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. A former college history professor, Laura also writes bestselling historical women's fiction as Laura Kamoie. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Connect with Laura

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http://www.avonromance.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Ride Wild (Raven Riders #3) by Laura Kaye to read and review.

Blocked by L.P. Dover


He’s got every reason to be cocky... until a female cuts him down to size.

I’m Dallas Easton, the best goaltender in the league. I make a damn good living playing hockey, and with women falling at my feet wherever I go, why not enjoy it? I get whatever I want, whenever I want—that is, until I come across the one player who gets the best of me on the ice.

When I try to pummel the dude, all hell breaks loose. Imagine my surprise when the helmet comes off to reveal a woman underneath. And not just any woman, but the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Callie Davis is the complete opposite of the puck bunnies I usually go for, a good girl with sick moves and a selfless streak a mile wide. I need to make amends, but she dodges me at every turn. It doesn’t help that Callie’s brother hates my guts, or that my agent thinks she’s bad for my career.

But I could care less what they think. I can’t let our little run-in on the ice be the end of our story. Because when I set my sights on something, I won’t rest until I score.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 2
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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary☆☆☆☆
Dallas Easton thinks he is God’s gift to hockey and women. He is the best goalie in the NHL and he gets his pick of any woman he wants. He is hot-headed, cocky, and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. But when he gets into a fight, it is an angel who stitches him up and he has to find her to say he is sorry.

Callie Davis is a surgical and ER nurse and loves what she does for a living. She is also the sister of Justin, new teammate of Dallas. Which means that Justin and Dallas hate each other. Growing up with three brothers, they all played hockey. Callie loves to watch her brothers on the ice and she loves to practice with them too.

Dallas wants to know more about Callie, but she wants nothing to do with him because she knows about his past with women. She doesn’t want to be next notch on his bedpost. As he tries to win her over by sending flowers, which she gives to her patients, asking her on a date, which she turns down, he has to figure out some way to get her to see he can change for her.

Can Callie give him a chance to change? Will Dallas screw things up before he gets a chance to show Callie he can chance? Will his past come back to haunt him? Will her brothers step in and keep them apart?

I am loving this series and I love L.P.’s writing style, especially when she is writing about hockey and MMA men. They are so yummy. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with in the next book.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

You don’t necessarily have to read book one, but it helps because characters do make an appearance again from book one.

Dallas is cocky, arrogant, and kind of a hot head. He thinks that he is going to keep living the single life and love it. He has an agent who is constantly harping on him about image, so that was somewhat annoying for me. Dallas meets Callie one night when his teammates are giving him extra practice. Despite being a great keeper, he allows several goals from a teammate and is riled up – he pulls the mask off to find Callie.

Callie is working as a nurse and loves her job. Even though it’s hard to see the sick kids, she loves what she does. She lives with her brothers and even has her cousin, Maddox, constantly checking in on her and protecting her. It is a little over the top in terms of the protection that Callie is given by her brothers.

I also really loved the relationship between her best friend and brother – Hannah and Corey. I thought that it brought some balance to the book, given the dynamic of Callie and Dallas.

Dallas has to work very hard to prove himself to Callie and sometimes that seemed a little one sided. However, there was great chemistry between Dallas and Callie.

I really hope that Maddox gets the next book because I can see tons of drama to come for him.


Rachael☆☆☆☆☆
I really looked forward to the sequel to the first book in this series. I loved Kellan and Kristen in book one. Book two does not let us down either! Dallas and Callie were so fun to read about.

Dallas and his anger issues, then Callie comes in and just sweeps him off his feet. I loved it. It was hilarious watching him fall over himself when she shows that she isn't a pushover and she is much tougher than she appears.

Dallas cracked me up because he was so determined to fix his mistake when he'd first come at Callie (because he thought she was a man) that I couldn't help but love him. And while he was trying to make it up to Callie, he ends up becoming a better person and that is always a beautiful thing to see happen.

I really appreciated how hockey was a big part of the story, but it didn't take over the romance and the character development.

I will say it is a very light-hearted and fluffy story that's cute and lovey dovey, but it was very entertaining and I enjoyed it as a break from the heavier and darker books that I tend to lean toward.


Lee’Anne☆☆☆☆☆
I’m a huge L.P. Dover fan and she never fails on giving a fantastic 5-star read! I seriously couldn’t put this book down and wound up reading the entire thing in one sitting. I think I’m going to go ahead and call this my favorite book of the year.

Dallas Easton is a textbook player – he’s a hockey player in his prime and has a new woman every night. He winds up being bashed over the head and a beautiful angel stitches him up. A few days later, Justin, one of the newest hockey team members, and his siblings challenge Dallas to a duel on the ice and when one of them bests Dallas he attacks… to find the beautiful angel underneath all the hockey pads. Not having realized it was Callie, Dallas feels bad about having attacked her and is now doing everything in his power to get a chance to apologize. However, Callie’s family isn’t letting Dallas anywhere near her. Dallas tries relentlessly to get Callie to agree to a date with him, but Callie makes him jump through a ton of hoops before finally accepting. Then once the two become close, Dallas’s prior commitment to a dating show comes back to bite him.

I absolutely love Callie’s brothers being such a huge part of this book, it made for a real page turner. Dallas is one of my favorite book boys in a long time, he’s hilarious, caring, and fierce – all the best qualities of a book boyfriend! I also love how the author has set up (what I hope) is the next book in this series with Dallas’s trials with the dating show becoming... well I won’t say because that would be a spoiler, but I’m excited to see where this series goes next!


Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
We all know guys like Dallas Easton, the lunkheads, the assholes, the guys with few redeeming qualities. That being said, we also know that most of them do have a few things that make them special and when they let their guard down, we see what that is. Most times, it takes a lot of patience and determination to see beneath the bullshit to see the mushy center. Sometimes it’s worth it and sometimes it’s not. This is one of the times it’s worth the time and effort.

Dallas Easton is a bully on the ice. As he’s one of the best goalies in the league, so he can get away his attitude on and off the ice. He’s also a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy, not one for long term relationships. One of those hook-ups lead to him being struck in a head with a beer bottle and an angel stitched him up. Imagine his surprise when that angel busts his chops on the ice a few days later, and is the sister of one of the newest players on the team.

Callie has been around hockey players her entire life and knows how they play on and off the ice. She’s not surprised by Dallas’ antics that got him hurt, but she wants no part of it. She’s steadfast in her resolve until he surprises her by agreeing to visit the children’s wing of the hospital.

As Dallas and Callie’s relationship grows, factors beyond their control seek to tear them apart. Trust is essential to any relationship and once trust has been broken it’s hard to repair.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, and any fan will also see links across to the previous book – which is great! I do think that this story stands well on its own, but is even richer with some history, so do go and read Hard Stick.

Dallas is your pretty typical hockey playing stud – with an excess of aggression thrown in – so it isn't really a surprise that any other player would not want him to target their sister as the next woman on his list. However, Ms. Dover has cast him as a man who suddenly understands what he needs and who he might love, which is terribly inconvenient given his next promo project!

We get to see both sides, so we know of the impending disaster, although not quite the cause of it. The buildup is well done, the romance cute – especially for a big burly goal keeper – and the passion is chemistry laden. Lots of fun things thrown in, and an intriguing mystery to be solved regarding Maxwell and "Paige."

The potential for many more stories from this bunch of hockey players is looking good, which makes me super happy – and hopefully, Ms. Dover very busy!


Sarah☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved the moment when Dallas and Callie meet. He’s a competitive NHL goalie with a bad temper and she’s an unknown nobody who keeps getting pucks past him. It’s only after his temper gets the better of him that Dallas realises Callie is a woman – and his teammate’s sister.

This is the start of an unlikely romance between two fiery characters. Dallas isn’t terribly likeable at the start. He’s miserable and quick to anger. He has a puck bunny habit and a terrible track record with women. Callie, on the other hand, is fantastic. She’s a surgical nurse and a hockey player. Before she’ll consider dating Dallas, she sets us a series of embarrassing challenges for him.

This is a light and easy read. It is a fun romantic comedy and I really love the way Dallas evolves through the book. There are tons of characters in this story and I’m looking forward to some of them getting their own books.

I’m going with four stars, not five because the last third seemed to ramble and it felt like the story lost focus for a time. But this is still an entertaining hockey romance.


Also Available in the Breakaway Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Hard Stick post.



L.P. Dover is the New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chances series, the Breakaway series, the Forever Fae series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed and Dangerous series, and a standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. She loves not only to write, but also to play tennis, hike in the mountains, go white-water rafting, and sing. A Southern belle with a former life in periodontics, L. P. Dover lives in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls.

Connect with L.P.

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http://readloveswept.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Blocked (Breakaway #2) by L.P. Dover to read and review.

Eye Candy – The Pumpkin Was Stuffed by Tara Sivec


A frightfully good time! Dive into these Halloween novellas from bestselling authors Tijan, J. Daniels, Helena Hunting, Bella Jewel and Tara Sivec. Featuring stories set in the worlds of their popular series.

Tara Sivec gathers the Holiday family together one last time as they try to make this ghostly holiday one to remember—or one they’d rather forget.

Cozy up with a mug of hot cider on a dark night and fall under the spell of this Halloween anthology!

Add to Goodreads –



Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
St. Martin's Press



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Clowns (which I hate!)

Noel and Sam are such a cute couple. They have everything going for them right now. You see that Noel wants to live closer to her family, but with the Halloween holiday coming up fast and her dad's obsession with said holiday, you get to see in to the hilarity of the family.

I loved how supportive Sam was of Noel's dad, despite the craziness.

So, while there was a fantastic hilarity to this story, you also were able to see the love that the family had for each other.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

Ms. Sivec has a totally off beat and wonderful sense of humour, which suits Halloween very, very well. Anyone who has read the earlier Holidays stories will be all ready to roll on this one – if they are new to you, then be prepared for super-crazy and kooky! And be ready to want to go back and catch up too. Everyone gets their moment of glory, but really Sam is the hero of the hour (again) and his gesture of love to Noel is perfect! Mad, but hilarious!


Veronica☆☆☆☆
The Pumpkin Was Stuffed is the latest instalment in Tara Sivec's The Holidays series which follows Noel and Sam's romance. I've only read the first two books in this series but had no trouble following this story and think it could be enjoyed as a standalone.

This story is very funny. I laughed out loud over and over again. Noel's family are pretty nuts. Her crazy dad, who wins his street's holiday decorating competition every year and has competition from new unseen neighbours. Her mum continues to openly provide far too much information about her parent's sex lives and Aunt Bobbie needs to stay away from drugs. But most fun of all are Scheva and Alex, who are having a Halloween wedding that I would have loved to have attended. Noel's outfit, as chosen by Scheva, is hilarious.

Amongst all the hilarity we do get a little bit more of Noel and Sam's love story with Sam proving that he is the most amazing and romantic guy around.

I had a great time reading this book. If you are looking for a good laugh this Halloween, The Pumpkin Was Stuffed is well worth reading.



Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author and the Best Indie Author in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards in 2014. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children.

Connect with Tara

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http://www.stmartins.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Pumpkin Was Stuffed by Tara Sivec in the Eye Candy anthology to read and review.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Hell and Back by Dirk Greyson


Seventeen years ago, Forge Reynolds fell in love… and had his heart broken. When Staff Sergeant Gage Livingston was brought into Forge’s Army field hospital, temporarily paralyzed, Forge sat with him, read his letters, answered his mail, and formed a connection he thought would last. But Gage was sent home, Forge transferred to a new post, and his letters to Gage went unanswered.

Now in the middle of a bitter divorce, Forge is sick and tired of his husband’s manipulation. He's almost ready to make any sacrifice to get closure—then he finds Granger murdered execution-style in their home. Forge had no idea about Granger’s illicit activities, but the killers don’t believe that. They think Forge has something they want, and they’re coming after him.

When Forge’s lawyer arranges for professional protection, the last face Forge expects to see is Gage’s. Can he even contemplate a second chance for them after almost two decades, or will hope only lead to more heartache? Before they can explore the possibilities, they must figure out what information Granger had—that others are willing to kill for—or that possible heartache could become a certainty.

Add to Goodreads –



Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book. There was suspense, angst, and hot guys who lost each other and found each other again and fell in love all over again. Forge's soon to be ex-husband is murdered and Gage is hired to help protect him. They used to be in love 17 years ago. I enjoyed the story, the chemistry between Gage and Forge and the hot sex. What bugged me most about this book was Forge's feelings towards his ex. He wanted that divorce to be over so he could move on, then when his soon to be ex is murdered he seems to have feelings for the guys still. Forge’s feelings kept flipping and flopping to me, I mean I get that you wanted the divorce but you never wanted Granger (his soon to be ex) to die, but just because he was killed doesn't make him a saint now, remember all the crap things he did to you? He seemed to push all those crap things to the side at times and it made me want to scream. The book did keep you on the edge of your seat; however, when everything was finally figured out, everything moved so fast it was like the author was trying to hurry up and end the book. That part I didn't like. Overall, good book.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/M Thriller/Second Chance Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Forge and Granger have been having a difficult time as of late – but when Forge comes home, he finds something he never thought he'd see. I really enjoyed the reader's introduction to this story. You are really seeing this through Forge's eyes and I like how the story is told.

Forge then turns to his attorney for some protection because whomever has hurt Granger is still waiting and wanting certain information that they were unsuccessful as getting. In walks Forge's old love, someone he never thought he'd see again, Gage.

Gage and Forge had fallen in love several years prior, but with their feelings jumbled, miscommunication – on purpose – these two never thought they'd get another chance.

With the bad people still out to get the information they want, it's up to Forge and Gage to fight for their relationship and Forge's life. There is plenty of chemistry, some flashbacks, and a lot of making up.

I also really enjoyed the police officer in this story and Gage's friend, as well. This is a second chance romance where both men need to decide if their past needs to stay there or if they can once again, have a future.



DIRK is very much an outside kind of man. He loves travel and seeing new things. Dirk worked in corporate America for way too long and now spends his days writing, gardening, and taking care of the home he shares with his partner of more than two decades. He has a master’s degree and all the other accessories that go with a corporate job. But he is most proud of the stories he tells and the life he’s built. Dirk lives in Pennsylvania in a century-old home and is blessed with an amazing circle of friends.

Connect with Dirk

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https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hell and Back by Dirk Greyson to read and review.

Improper Fraction by V.L. Locey Blog Tour


O’Malley Ramsey, math aficionado, grew up next door to Garrison Rook, All-American athlete. While O’Malley dreamed of numbers and kissing Garrison, Garrison’s tastes ran to home runs and hot chicks. During a family celebration the night before both young men were heading off for college, O’Malley joyously discovers that Garrison isn’t quite as straight as the star athlete had been pretending to be. Vows to return to each other quickly followed a few clumsy kisses in the old treehouse in the Rook’s backyard.

O’Malley came home to Garrison. Garrison never returned to O’Malley.

Four years later, the two ex-friends meet up at a summer camp where O’Malley is serving as a counselor. Garrison is desperate to make things right with his childhood friend, but can O’Malley, still nursing the pain and mistrust of Garrison’s betrayal, ever forgive or love Garrison again?

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆
4 Warm & Fuzzy Stars

O'Malley and Garrison have been best friends and next-door neighbors since the first grade. O'Malley is out and proud, and has been harboring secret feelings for Garrison – not puppy love or a crush, true love type emotions.

The prologue set the book up perfectly, taking a friends-to-could-be-lovers into a tension-filled confrontation. The summer camp portion of the story was my favorite of the entire novel.

To me, the book read as three parts: The prologue, where the foundation between the best friends was erected. At the summer camp, where all the yummy sexual tension occurred. The beginning of their happily ever after, where it was a waiting game for O'Malley to give in and Garrison to come out.

O'Malley is a supportive, understanding, and patient narrator, as he takes the reader on a journey as Garrison's passenger. Garrison is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, unsure how his family will take the news, and whether or not being gay would tarnish his budding baseball career.

The bulk of the story either leaves the reader with the warm & fuzzies or in need of a cold shower. O'Malley and Garrison heat up the pages as we wait for one of them to make a decision. If you're looking for a book that doesn't add a ton of stress, is easy to read, and you know the couple is going to end up where you envision, then this is the perfect afternoon escape.

My only critique is the conflict. Homophobia is a valid conflict, but it almost seemed illogical without some sort of backstory. The villain of the tale needed an anchor to the storyline, as it felt as if it was just tossed in there as a plot device that took the responsibility of when/how to come out of the closet out of Garrison's hands. Garrison's personal conflicts resolved with such ease and no fallout, they were almost non-conflicts, which was great if you're looking for a stress-free romance on that front.

Improper Fraction is perfect for readers looking for a friends-to-lovers, sports-related, second-chance romance, warm and fuzzy read that has the reader rooting for our heroes' happily ever after.


Veronica☆☆☆
After a prologue that sets up O'Malley and Garrison's backstory, we join O'Malley at a summer camp where he is a counsellor. After having no contact with O'Malley for four years, Garrison shows up at the camp also to work as a counsellor, throwing O'Malley for a loop.

As a youngest in the 80s, I loved watching movies like Meatballs and Poison Ivy so I was thrilled to be reading a book set at a summer camp and I was happily reading and enjoying the book and watching these two childhood best friends try to work out their issues. But alas, time at camp didn't last forever and about a third of the way through camp ends and our heroes go back to their lives.

The story lost me a bit through the middle because it felt a bit predictable and like I was just waiting for the obvious events to happen. And the obvious did happen but it was right towards the end and it felt rushed, but I was pulled back into the story and happy to see O'Malley get his happy ending. Improper Fraction is an enjoyable stand-alone novel.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is a romance that has been in the making since O'Malley first realised he was gay and that he loved his best friend more than anyone in the world. Unrequited except for one moment of madness, he has been harbouring a great deal of resentment and heartbreak ever since. I liked however, that he had still done plenty of experimenting at college, and whilst a maths nerd, he also cared about his looks and health.

Garrison is trying to make it big in baseball – so even if he feels just the same way as O'Malley, he cannot reveal his true self, and has had a string of hookups with women ever since he left for college. Now his little sister is trying to pull the two of them back together and a summer at her Maths camp, where O'Malley is a leader, is one way of trying to right so many wrongs.

I enjoyed the summer fling approach between two people who had known each other really well, and yet had to learn about intimacy, and consider what being secretive would mean to them in the future. Given how much we are told of Garrison's family, his concerns seemed unfounded, but not unexpected. O'Malley's dad is a fabulous character – although we discover how his actions unintentionally cause a much greater harm.

There is some drama, but generally it is underplayed, and this is a warm and cuddly book, with some really fun and quirky cameos – such as the Camp host!


Sarah☆☆☆☆
The very start of this story – a graduation goodbye between childhood best friends in a treehouse – is a wonderful scene. I’m not sure the rest of the story ever quite recaptures the magic of that moment, but readers definitely understand why O’Malley struggles to move on from his teenage crush.

O’Malley is a great character. I enjoyed his enthusiasm for maths and his passion for teaching kids. He’s at his best when he’s working at a summer maths camp for girls. It’s probably completely realistic but I hated that all of his common sense (and some of his self respect) seems to disappear when Garrison comes back into his life.

Garrison infuriated me at times. While slight, effeminate O’Malley is comfortable with his sexuality and manages to deal with pretty awful homophobia, the big, strong athlete is terrified of his sexuality and seems happy to hurt O’Malley as he attempts to keep his secret. I’m not sure he ever properly apologises and while he does grow up, it felt like too little too late to me.

I loved the scene where O’Malley and Garrison are teenagers. I enjoyed their time together at camp – but I really struggled with the ending. It lacks structure and purpose. Maybe that’s the point. O’Malley flounders just like so many Millennial graduates as he attempts to find a job and make important decisions for his future. So it’s probably realistic but it is also pretty boring. My least favourite m/m trope is employed at the end – hate crime/hospital visit makes everyone reevaluate their priorities – but the frantic angst in these scenes feel jarring and out of place in an otherwise gentle story.

There are some great moments in this book but there are also too many slow and inconsistent moments and I wish that the end could be as moving as the start.




V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Dr. Who, Torchwood, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Improper Fraction by V.L. Locey to read and review for this tour.