Miracle by RJ Scott Release Blitz

An abandoned baby, a poignant note from his long-lost twin, and unexpectedly, Jax’s world is turned upside down.

Despite being adopted by a loving family when he was a child, Jax feels part of his life is missing, and driven by dreams of his brother being in danger, Jax is consumed by his search for his biological twin, sacrificing family events to follow leads, and missing out on his daughter’s milestones. Shocked to find a surprise delivery on his doorstep, Jax discovers that not only is he an uncle, but apparently, he’s legally a father to the baby Charlie. He calls on the unwavering support of his friends and family to solve the mystery surrounding the new arrival, but also finds help from an unexpected source—Arlo, the enigmatic bear of a man who’s worked for him since Jax first conceived of starting his own company.

Arlo is no stranger to caring. When his parents passed, he dropped out of college to care for his siblings, working construction to pay the bills. With his brothers grown and having left home, it’s Arlo’s turn to live, but when the next stage of his life means owning up to his love for Jax, he can’t do it. The problem for Arlo is that he’s been in unrequited love with his boss for three years and can’t bear to not be part of his life. Is it too much to wish for a miracle to make Jax fall for him too?

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Single Dads series!
For book one, Single, click HERE.
For book two, Today, click HERE.
For book three, Promise, click HERE.
For book four, Always, click HERE.
For book five, Listen, click HERE.
For book six, Pride, click HERE.

 

 

Book 7
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Paperback (US)

 

 

“No… mumble…” he cursed again.

This time, I tugged on his leg to get him out of the cupboard. “Out!”

He unfolded himself from where he’d been lying and propped himself up on his elbows. There was a smudge of paint over his left eyebrow, the same snowy white as the streaks in his steel gray hair. He was only thirty, but like his dad, his dark hair had lightened to salt and pepper when he hit puberty. His gray was as much part of him as his gorgeous eyes, and yes, I stared at him a lot.

When he wasn’t looking of course.

“What were you trying to say in there? Did you find something?”

“No.”

I sighed with relief. “So, what was all the mumbling about?”

“I can’t come over tonight,” he admitted, and couldn’t quite meet my gaze.

“What? Why?”

Wait, could I even ask that question? That wasn’t the kind of thing a boss asks the man who works for him, right? Arlo was under no obligation to spend time with me, but on the weekends when I didn’t have my girls staying, he would always come to my place on a Friday. We’d have beer, and he’d stay over in my spare room after we’d talked until late.

It was our thing.

“Are you okay?” I placed a hand on his knee to let him know I was there for him. He moved his knee, shrugged my touch away, and I wasn’t stupid, there was something off about all of this. “Are you ill? Shit, is something wrong with one of your brothers?”

“No, and no.” Arlo shimmied up, then leaned against the sink cupboard. “It’s just, I have this thing.”

“What thing?”

He stared at me and seemed to be steeling himself to give me bad news, so I sat my ass on the floor and crossed my legs. It couldn’t be too awful because, yes, he seemed distracted, but not completely miserable, so my first guess was it had something to do with his brothers—they were the only reason he’d skip what had become our regular thing. Although, why would any of that affect our standing date-slash-non-date, I didn’t know.

“What thing?” I repeated and poked him to encourage a smile.

He wouldn’t quite meet my gaze, and again, he moved away from my touch. That never happened—Arlo was a big cuddle monster, a soft bear of a man who was tactile and open with his feelings. His heart was so pure, so freaking full of love that sometimes, he couldn’t even contain it and would hug me so hard I couldn’t breathe.

He bit his lip, a typical Arlo habit when he was stressed. This was at odds with him saying everything was okay.

“Ihaveadate,” he blurted in one long run-on sentence, then dipped his gaze, and I swear his face was scarlet.

I slowed down the words to parse their meaning.

I. Have. A. Date.

“You’ve got a what now?” I asked after a pause; not sure I was hearing right.

He cleared his throat and, at last, held my gaze. For a moment, I was lost in watching him tug at his gray hair and seeing the uncertainty and nerves in his intriguing gray eyes. “A date,” he repeated in a softer almost apologetic tone.

Of all the things he could tell me, why was it something that was going to make me spin out?

Since when did Arlo date? He’d told me point-blank that being responsible for his two younger brothers, plus working for me, was enough without contemplating dating. I’d taken that at face value and almost settled into that sweet spot where we could be friends and I could lust from afar, ignoring the unrequited everything I had going on.

The last thing he needed, or should expect, was for me to ask why he was going on a date. Don’t ask. Don’t freaking ask.

“Why?” Shit. I couldn’t help myself.

He shot me one of his affectionate, patient smiles. One of the cute ones that made his eyes sparkle with mischief. Or something.

“Just because…” He sighed. “Sutton left for college, and now… I’m ready to move on. I need to date.” He stared at me.

I tried to read his expression and the determination in his tone. “Date,” I repeated.

A familiar smile teased his lips. “Trace downloaded this app thing, and I swished or swiped or whatever, and then, someone matched me, so I’m meeting this guy called Wilton tonight.” In one sentence, he threw open all my tightly checked emotions and ripped apart my ordered world.

Apparently, he was ready to date.

Date other people.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
Another sweet story to add to the series. Jax and Arlo are so amazing. To watch them together when dealing with the baby showing up on the front doorstep and finally figuring out their feelings for one another. This was a read that gave you the feels, and you went through all the emotions with them. Jax and Arlo are perfect for each other and I loved watching them together.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Miracle is a sweet, heartfelt, found family, m/m romance.

Jax was adopted as a child and has found out that he has a biological twin. He has felt the need to find his brother, Zach, for years but always just seems one step behind him. Jax owns a construction company and that's where he met his best friend, Arlo. Jax finds himself attracted to Arlo and wants more with him but is scared it will ruin the friendship. He has had partnership papers drawn up for months but wants his feelings for Arlo known before he offers a partnership in the company. He would like a partnership in all aspects of life with Arlo. When Arlo and Jax arrive at Jax's house and find a baby waiting, they don't know what to think. Accompanying the baby's things is a letter from Zach asking Jax to take care of Charlie, who is Zach's son, until he can come back and get him.

Arlo raised his two younger brothers when their parents died. He gave up his dreams to raise them and never thought twice about it. Sutton and Trace mean everything to him. When he started working with Jax, he was instantly attracted to him and loved the friendship they developed. He's terrified to tell Jax how he really feels but loves their Friday night sleepovers at Jax's house. With his brother's help, he tells Jax he has a date from an app. Does he want to date? No, but he needs to get himself out there and tell Jax how he truly feels. Then those plans are put on the back burner when Jax's nephew shows up and needs Jax. Of course, that means that Arlo will do everything he can to help Jax with Charlie.

I loved watching Jax and Arlo open up to each other and find out they were feeling the same feelings. They so easily fell into a ready-made family with Charlie. It was very heartwarming with a dash of suspense with the addition of Zach and his goings-on. I am super interested in going to read that series to get the full story!

 

 

USA Today bestselling author RJ SCOTT has written over one hundred and fifty romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.

She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.

Connect with RJ Scott!

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Facebook Group: RJ Scott – Special Secret Group
Facebook Group: MM Hockey Romance

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Miracle (Single Dads #7) by RJ Scott to read and review.

Red Flagged by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

Ex-US Marshal turned Cooper Springs Chief of Police, André Dear isn’t looking for love. He’s too busy hunting a killer.

The last person André expected to see in Cooper Springs was Dante Castone. He left Dante and the rest of his old life behind him when he moved to Washington State and what he thought would be a quiet job in a small town by the ocean.

Dante Brown went into WITSEC for his sister’s kid—sort of.

In reality, Dante's DIYing it; he isn’t the trusting sort. Daniella was the only witness to her mom’s brutal murder and needs both protection and anonymity—plus as normal a life as possible. It's just a bonus that Cooper Springs has André Dear too.

He and André have a history, and Dante wants to see if they might have a future. Someone is gunning for André and, like it or not, Dante is going to protect him. And yeah, feed him too. Does the man never eat?

André needs Dante’s help even if he doesn’t want to accept it. Dante's ready to settle down but he’s going to have to prove himself before André lets him in again.

Together, they need to catch a killer and maybe find each other in the process.

Red Flagged is book three in the Reclaimed Hearts series. A second-chance, older-lovers redemption story and thrilling romantic suspense set in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Reclaimed Hearts series!
For book one, Adverse Conditions, click HERE.
For book two, Below Grade, check back in January.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

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Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

André’s evening reading was interrupted by a banging against his front door. The hammering was loud, purposeful, and, in André’s opinion, full of false promise. He briefly contemplated not answering. The reverberation alone told him who was on the other side.

He had a choice to make.

For fuck’s sake, the thundering knock hadn’t even startled him.

Damn.

Annoyed, he set his mystery novel—a British cozy he’d been half paying attention to while listening to the rain pound against the roof—face down on the arm of the couch and rose to his feet. Traitorous anticipation bloomed slowly, languorously, alongside the growing exasperation in the pit of his stomach, rising like the steam from a freshly brewed cup of tea.

“Dear, I know you’re in there. Answer the fucking door. It’s pissing down out here.”

Wasn’t forty-five too old for a booty call? Was it a booty call when the ass in question showed up unannounced and, well, uncalled?

André didn’t have time to answer any of that in the short distance between his couch and the front door. Reaching out, he flipped the lock open and then twisted the handle, his hand shaking slightly.

This would be the last time.

Seconds later, André was slammed back against the living room wall, his hands automatically slipping under Dante’s leather jacket and cotton t-shirt, his fingertips sliding against Dante’s chilled, damp, skin. Dante murmured something and then his mouth was on André’s, claiming him as he always did.

Always. But never forever.

Within minutes, they were mostly naked and stumbling into André’s bedroom. A trail of clothing was strewn behind them, much like Hansel and Gretel’s trail of breadcrumbs so they could find their way back out of the wicked forest.

André felt his personal forest was much more complicated than Hansel and Gretel’s, but he’d finally found a way out of it.

This was the last time they were doing this.

At least this time, they made it to the bed and hadn’t just ended up on the couch like so many nights before. Falling onto the mattress, André had landed on his back and currently was gazing down his body, watching an equally naked Dante press his nose into André’s crotch. He liked it.

God, he liked it.

His cock did too. His cock was a fan of everything Dante. But it needed to stop. It had to. A relationship that consisted of late-night knocks on the door (followed up by the best sex André had ever experienced) and an empty spot next to him in the morning was not what he wanted.

The sex was incredible but what happened afterward made him intensely lonely.

As ridiculous as it was for a man of his age and profession—a U.S. Marshal, for godsakes—André wanted a partner. A real partner.

Dante Castone, an undercover operator for the DEA, was not the man for the job.

He wanted someone who’d stand by his side through good and bad times and vice versa. Dante was not that man. No matter how fucking incredible his lips felt as they closed around André’s cock.

“Jesus,” André groaned, arching his back.

Since a partner didn’t seem to be in the cards for André at this late stage in the game, he’d decided to settle for a job that wasn’t actively trying to kill him. He wanted to head into his twilight years like a cop on The Andy Griffith Show or Mayberry R.F.D. , giving advice to innocent kids and chatting with senior citizens who would end up having the answer to everything.

“You’re distracted tonight,” Dante rumbled as he let André’s cock slip from between his lips so he could begin licking his way up André’s body. He was heading toward André’s neck, which seemed to be a favorite place of his.

“Don’t leave marks,” André complained, his hips jerking as Dante nibbled on a sensitive nipple. “I don’t want to have to explain anything to my coworkers.”

“So many rules. You know I love breaking rules.”

Dante did love breaking rules—André’s rules, at any rate.

“Quit thinking so hard.” Dante punctuated his demand by biting and then sucking hard on André’s nipple, tracing around the nub with his hot tongue.

“Fuck.” André’s cock throbbed with anticipation of what was to come—himself and Dante—and he writhed desperately underneath Dante’s pleasantly heavy, muscular body, needing more contact, more of everything.

Tomorrow he’d tell Dante they couldn’t do this anymore. No more rule breaking.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series and runs concurrently with some of the events of book two – most definitely following on from book one – so you really should read them in order! Each book focusses on a different relationship, but the underlying plotlines benefit from prior knowledge.

In this installment, we learn more about the Chief of Police and his past, as well as learning about who could also be in his present and future. André is staggered to see the man who ghosted him turn up in his small, backwater town, but is planning on finding out just why Dante is staying there with his niece. He not only finds out that the spark is still there between them, but that there are fireworks of a criminal nature not conducive to their survival. I really enjoyed the drama, especially when even André realises that going to a remote location alone wasn't the wisest move!

It was refreshing that they accepted that should they resolve the problems surrounding them, that they had every intention of making a future together – and we had enough going on without questions over the romance too! As well as their bit of crazy, we are still in the dark about the other murders in the town, so I am already looking forward to more clues in the next book.

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes M/M romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest with some contemporary romance thrown in. She's passionate about writing inclusive romances with complex characters and a unique sense of place. Her characters start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they find the other half of their hearts and ALWAYS get their happily ever after.

In 2017 Elle hit the publish button for the first time and hasn't looked back. Being an author is the best job Elle has ever had and now she has over thirty books available for you to read or listen to!

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and has a cribbage habit her husband encourages.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle Keaton!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Red Flagged (Reclaimed Hearts #3) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Holiday Crush by Lane Hayes Instagram Tour

The hockey has-been, the barista, and some holiday magic…

COURT

Cut from the team, fired my agent… now what?

This can’t be it for me. Unfortunately, the phone isn’t ringing. My best bet is to head home for the holidays and regroup.

Problem: I don’t know what to do with myself. Helping out at the rink might be my ticket out of here, but nothing is happening fast enough. And then there’s Ivan. No, no, it’s not what you think. We went to school together. We’re acquaintance-friends… nothing more.

But you know, I like him. A lot. He’s funny and relentlessly upbeat. I’m a better person when I’m with him—the kind who volunteers to deck the halls and wrap garland on lampposts and—

Whoa. What’s happening here?

IVAN

I love the holidays! But running the coffee shop on my own during the busiest season of the year is going to be a challenge. And the sudden appearance of my former crush is all kinds of distracting.

See, I spent my formative years mooning over Court Henderson, our high school’s hockey phenom, even though he was out of my league. Thankfully, I grew up and left the silly remnants of my youth behind. Or did I?

Grown-up Court is full of surprises, and under his gruff yet extremely fine exterior, he’s a good soul with a huge heart. He’s charming, sweet, handsome, and— Uh-oh.

My crush is back. Just in time for the holidays…

Holiday Crush is an MM bisexual, small town romance featuring a renewed ancient crush, some mistletoe latte art, and a little seasonal magic.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Court shook his head at my amazing, incredible Christmas tree on his way to the door. “I can’t get over that thing. It’s wild.”

I beamed. “I know. I love it. I buy a regular tree too, even though it’s holiday overkill. But who cares? This is my favorite time of year, and I celebrate to the nth degree!”

He shoved his arms into his jacket, a playful grin on his handsome mug. “And do you celebrate by watching scary movies and stringing candy corn and plastic spiders into garland?”

“No, smartass, but damn, that’s a great idea for Halloween next year.”

He chuckled. “So… what do you do for Christmas?”

I braced my left hand on the doorjamb and cast a quick glance at the fireplace to keep from staring at my guest. Standing a foot apart in the cramped doorway between my foyer and living room felt oddly intimate. Court took up space in my tiny abode, with his broad shoulders, towering height, and big muscles. I was more aware of him than ever. It took me a second to gather my thoughts and remember what we were talking about.

Christmas. Right.

“The usual—decorate my house, string lights outside, drape fresh garland everywhere. And yes, there’s always mistletoe. I also watch holiday movies and listen to Christmas music from mid-November till the end of the year. I bake cookies too, which always turn out to be a hot mess, but baking is festive and fun, and my family and friends are kind enough to compliment me anyway. And… I sign up for every holiday event in town, including the Skate with Santa party at the rink, caroling at Wood Hollow’s Home for the elderly, Toys for Tots Sled Fest next to the Christmas Tree Farm in Fallbrook, and of course, Holiday Bingo. By the way, all of those, including Bingo, have volunteer positions… if you’re interested.”

“I’d rather shovel snow in Siberia,” he deadpanned.

I grinned. “Your holiday spirit needs a tune-up.”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t do holiday spirit.”

“That’s an awful thing to say!”

“Why? There’s no point. I’m usually on the road, so I’ve never bought a tree and I don’t always remember to buy gifts, either. My brother shamelessly shows me up every holiday. Oren bought our folks an oil painting of their ten-year-old golden retriever a couple of years ago. And it was really nice. I bought Mom the same gloves I bought her the previous year and the wrong-sized slippers for Dad.”

“Oh, dear. Well, I’m happy to help you this year. I’m an expert at gift-giving and—what’s so funny?”

Court’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “You’re Elmwood’s emo elf, aren’t you?”

“Ha. Ha.” I moved by him to unlock the door. “Good-bye, Grinch.”

He snickered. “Later. And thanks for tonight. It was fun.”

“Yeah. It was,” I agreed, smiling as he stepped closer.

This was where I was supposed to shuffle out of the way to give him room to slip outside without letting the cold inside, but my feet were seemingly glued to the floor. And now, we were inches apart. So close I could see flecks of gold in his blue eyes and a scar half-hidden in his left brow. I should have jumped away and laughed off this little dance before I accidentally made it awkward.

Too late.

Ugh. Now I was staring at him and he was staring at me and… his mouth was right there, hovering over mine. I could feel his breath on my lips and smell gin and something woodsy and masculine on his skin. And nope, I couldn’t resist.

I leaned in, set my palm on his chest and pressed my lips to Court’s.

And that was the match that started the fire.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Holiday Crush is the third book in the Elmwood Stories series. It can be read as a standalone without issue – I have not yet read the first two and had no issue with this read.

Court Henderson just lost his job and fired his agent; with no one beating down his door to add him to another team, his only thing to do is go home and figure out his next steps. Working with a few former hockey players at the local rink seems like his best idea. It'll keep him on the ice and working on his skills, what he doesn't expect is working with small kids being fun for him. Running into Ivan, who owns the coffee shop next to his family's bakery. He finds himself enjoying the time he spends with Ivan and wants more from him.

Ivan has had a crush on Court for as long as he could remember. Having him back in town and finding out he's bisexual is more than Ivan ever expected. Spending time with Court is everything he's ever wanted but he knows his time is short lived because Court will get signed to another team.

I was so invested in this holiday read. Court and Ivan were so cute together and had so much chemistry. I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the latest in this fun series – mixing hockey stars with small-town life in a very engaging way once again!

Court Henderson has lost his playing mojo, and when his team pays him off and he sacks his agent, he knows it is time to go home to Elmwood and regroup. He finds a welcome from the retired stars who now coach juniors and are reviving the hockey fortunes of his town. He also discovers that the young emo friend he remembered from junior high is now running his own coffee shop, and making very, very good coffee.

Ivan has never forgotten his first crush on Court, but as Court dated a girl, Ivan's heart broke and he got on with his life. Little did he expect to see him again rather down on his luck, but even more unexpectedly, Court's admission to being bi. This blows his mind and annoys him greatly, given that he suffered being interested in guys all on his own when at school. But Court wears him down and they are soon meeting up and enjoying each other's company!

As Court rehabilitates himself, through coaching, training, and volunteering, Ivan is wonderfully supportive and selfless. They make a great pair, and it is such fun watching them develop a close friendship and romance, even if there is a deadline looming... or is there?

Delicious new installment with lots of Christmas magic thrown in!

 

 

 

LANE HAYES loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters.

She loves red wine, chocolate, and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.

Connect with Lane Hayes!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Lane's Lovers

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Holiday Crush (The Elmwood Stories #3) by Lane Hayes to read and review.

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

It’s the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through.

The hotel won't stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel—and their jobs.

As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there's more at stake here than the hotel's future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?

 

 

Buy Links

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Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Berkley (PRH)

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars

Having worked in a hotel myself, I was sure that I would enjoy a romance based in an independent hotel – and it certainly did bring back some amusing memories of how crazy the hospitality business can be.

As Izzy and Lucas compete with each other to be the more invaluable, both needing their jobs for different reasons, we get to meet the regular guests, deal with some serious maintenance issues, and get ready for what might be the last Christmas at the resort.

If you like the idea of understanding some of the behind the scenes escapades at a hotel, and the competitiveness of the two leads in trying to save the hotel, you will enjoy this fun story. It is a nice easy read with low angst and some really amusing as well as moving moments.

 

 

 

BETH O’LEARY is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over half a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg’s production company. Beth writes her books in the English countryside with a very badly behaved golden retriever for company. If she’s not at her desk, you’ll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).

Connect with Beth O’Leary!

Facebook  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided with a free copy of The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary to read and review.

Christmas in Painted Pony Creek by Linda Lael Miller

Can a Christmas miracle mend her broken heart?

Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel… even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart?

When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother. He’s always wanted a family of his own. Maybe this Christmas, his wish will finally come true. But the walls around Tessa are impenetrable, and when Tessa’s past threatens their newfound future—and the family he’s come to love—Jesse won’t let them go without a fight.

 

 

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Hardcover (US)
Canary Street Press (HQN)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and I have to admit my first – but I have every intention of going back and reading earlier installments, as I loved the people of Painted Pony Creek. Their support of Tessa and Isabel is unrivalled, and whilst Tessa feels she may still need to leave, she certainly doesn't want to – and Jesse may be part of the reason!

I really liked that we learn early on about Tessa's past and her unwavering love and commitment to her daughter's well-being. She had no childhood to speak of, so her devotion to working hard to support and protect her daughter is clearly her priority – and she finds the care with which the rest of the town embrace them both wonderful, even if their desire to match her with Jesse is enticing, but not possible.

I really enjoyed the tension due to the attraction between the two of them, how it played out, and how it got me into the right mood for Christmas!

 

 

LINDA LAEL MILLER is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than one hundred novels. Long passionate about the Civil War buff, she has studied the era avidly and has made many visits to Gettysburg, where she has witnessed reenactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow.

Connect with Linda Lael Miller!

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Facebook Group: Linda Lael Miller Fan Club

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided with a free copy of Christmas in Painted Pony Creek (Painted Pony Creek #4) by Linda Lael Miller to read and review.

True North by TA Moore Release Blitz

Despite what his co-workers say Belling, Montana paramedic Dylan Hollie does not hate Christmas.

It’s just that as an ex-foster kid he learned early on that Christmas just didn’t have much relevance to his life. He’s seen no evidence since then that he’s wrong.

That said, if Santa ever delivered a six-foot plus wall of hot muscle under his tree he’d be willing to reconsider. He’s even sourced an available one locally in the taciturn Somerset North and his impossibly blue eyes.

So really, at this point the ball is in Santa’s court.

There’s just one problem. Well, just one to start with anyhow. The battered, dying man someone dumped from a height onto Dylan’s car outside the Just-as-High, Somerset’s bar. He gave Dylan an old, well-worn watch and begged him to keep it safe.

Now Christmas is relevant to Dylan’s life in the worst way. The Winter Court has loosed their Wolves on the world and Dylan is on the run with Somerset North. A man who seems to know a lot more about what is going on than a Montana bar owner with exceptional shoulders should.

It turns out that Santa is missing, presumed dead. And the key to the hotly disputed succession crisis is a foster kid who never celebrated the season.

 

 

Book 1
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Twenty years since Somerset had tried to tap the power of his old position. Now he had done it twice in one night. He would never admit it, but as the wind blew up into his armpits, he wasn’t sure the magic he’d set aside would answer.

Apparently though, there were no hard feelings.

Cold filled his chest and soaked out into his body. It spilled out of his mouth on white fog and turned his marrow into frost. The only heat in him came from the prickle of pain as a dozen tiny fractures crazed along the bones of his arms and legs. The threads of the North Wind surged up around him and thickened under his feet. His boots skidded on the slick, snow-vapor surface at first. It was solid, but not still. The wind blew and eddied under his weight. It made for unsteady footing.

The weight of Dylan as he swung awkwardly from Somerset’s grip didn’t help. Somerset briefly indulged the thought of letting him drop. He was not a sentimental man at the best of times, that wasn’t what his kind had been made to be, and the chill of Winter magic in his bones reduced the idea of logic and odds.

Mostly.

Dylan didn’t scream or thrash. He gripped Somerset’s wrist with white-knuckled fingers and kept his eyes closed so he didn’t give in and look down. Somerset had always liked that quality about the wiry paramedic. No matter what happened around him, Dylan was always the calm at the heart of the storm. It made him… pleasant… to be around.

Something in Somerset’s chest, buried down deep under permafrosted meat and organs, felt warm. The rest of him was too Winter-numb to put his finger on what the feeling was. Guilt maybe. Or something stupider.

Either way, as he remembered the knack to riding the storm, he dragged Dylan into his arms. The other man resisted at first—Somerset didn’t take it personally—but the only other option was to fall. It wasn’t a hard choice to make. Dylan pressed against Somerset’s chest, arms wrapped around him so tightly that Somerset could feel knuckly fists dug into the small of his back.

Somerset enjoyed the feeling of the warm, lean body pressed against him for a moment, then he had to focus on what he was doing.

“You can fly?” Dylan asked, his voice ragged and his breath warm against Somerset as it seeped through the cotton T-shirt. When Dylan laughed, it was a thin, nervous sound. “Explains what happened to my car.”

Somerset hesitated as he narrowed his eyes. He could see the snow caught in his lashes. Dylan was right; that probably had been what happened.

As many questions as that answered, though, it raised more. Wolves couldn’t walk the storm, so who’d brought Gull down? Had he already been injured?

The wind took advantage of Somerset’s distraction and tried to drop from under him. He stumbled, caught himself, and did his best to ignore the way Dylan’s arms tightened around him.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up

This is the first in a new series and mindful of that, I expected some world building; however, I did feel that we were expected to have some understanding of things which didn't really ever get fully developed – it will be interesting to see if future installments fill in the details. I particularly would have liked a little more on the main characters before they were pitched into the crazy.

Some elements were telegraphed loudly though, and that was both confusing and intriguing! What I did feel was missing was any softness whatsoever. Whilst I hadn't expected a sweet and cosy Christmas love story from the blurb, I did expect more emotion or romance. There was much merit in showing the darker underbelly of the Santa story, the violence and power play at times overrode the message of the book.

I am very curious to read the next installment!

 

 

T.A. 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.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of True North (Yule Lads #1) by T.A. Moore to read and review.