Below Deck by Tara Sivec Is Now Available & Reviewed

Declan McGillis can't stand rich people. But working as a deckhand on a luxury charter yacht, he also can't escape them. Declan has spent years kissing their ass and doing their bidding... whatever it takes to make his dreams come true, and nothing will get in his way of being the captain of his own yacht one day.

Mackenzie Armstrong knows what people think when they look at her. She knows from the outside looking in, it seems like her family has it all and doesn't have a care in the world. Things aren't always what they seem, and not only does Mackenzie have the weight of her family's struggles on her shoulders, she also needs to prove to Declan that she's not the spoiled princess he believes her to be.

Declan can't ignore the sparks of lust between them, even though Mackenzie is completely off limits and absolutely out of his league.

Mackenzie thinks a vacation fling is just what she needs to forget about the mess her life has become, and Declan is the perfect man for the job.

Will this be a quick romp in the water, or will it turn into something more when Mackenzie finally gets below Deck?

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“Feminists all over the world would be hanging their heads in shame at me right now, wouldn’t they? I’m weak and pathetic and easily forgiving of asshole behavior,” I complain to Brooke, leaning against the doorframe of our bathroom while I watch her apply make-up. “Tell me I’m weak and pathetic.”

Brooke sighs, pulling her face away from the mirror and lowering the mascara wand from her eye to stare at me in the reflection.

“I will do no such thing. You aren’t weak and pathetic. And you aren’t easily forgiving, either. You stuck to your guns and made him feel like a jerk. What you are, is easily distracted by a pretty face and a magic dick,” she informs me, turning around to lean against the sink.

“You’re right,” I whisper, my eyes widening with this sudden discovery. “I’ve always rolled my eyes at women in books who keep going back to the same asshole over and over again. It’s because of the magic dick. And now I get it.”

“The fucking magic dick,” Brooke agrees with a nod.

“But seriously, this doesn’t make me weak and pathetic that I forgave him so easily and basically threw my vagina at him in a challenge?” I ask as she turns back to face the mirror and finish applying her mascara.

“He explained why he did what he did. He was an assuming asshole, but he still realized he was wrong and fixed it. You accepted his apology and admitted you’re still in need of a good dicking, and he’s the closest available dick to give you said dicking. I see nothing wrong with that,” she shrugs.

“That was a lot of dicks in one sentence.”

“There are a lot of dicks on this boat. You think you’ve got problems? Ben is the best sex I’ve ever had and he’s a man-whore,” she complains, shoving her mascara tube back into her make-up bag and grabbing her bottle of perfume from the counter.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
This book should come with a warning label saying "Readers of Below Deck will want to take a tropical holiday." I wasn't even half way through and I was looking into holiday destinations in the South Pacific.

Declan is the Boson on the Helios, a luxury yacht. His dream is to become a captain and have his own boat. In the four years he has worked on the Helios he has never crossed the line with a guest. Enter Mackenzie. She is the daughter of a tech millionaire, but nothing like the spoilt rich girls he was expecting.

This is a fun romance. While there are a few different threads to the story, they aren't anything that requires much brain power on the part of the reader. You can just sit back and enjoy the show. There is plenty of sass and banter, lots of heat, and Declan and Mackenzie have cool best friends having a summer fling of their own. Oh, and the French chef was fabulous.

The story started to annoy me towards the end when Declan kept making the same mistake over and over and over with Mackenzie. On the other side of the coin, Mackenzie holds back from going all in with Declan, thinking he doesn't feel the same. I kind of wanted to smash their heads together. Luckily for them, they have great friends to help them along the way. But at the end of the day, this couple is a perfect match and their epilogue left me smiling.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
I am a long time fan of the talented Ms. Sivec and was delighted to get the chance to review this book.

We are pitched straight into life at sea in a luxury yacht in the sun. Meeting both the crew and visiting their mean quarters, as well as the latest family of ultra-wealthy and entitled guests. Except this time, only two of the guests are really ghastly – and ghastly is an understatement! The ultimate in evil stepmother and stepsister to the somewhat gorgeous Mackenzie. Bosun Declan never mixes with the guests, but she is sorely tempting him.

For two intelligent human beings, they do have to rely a lot on their respective best friends to straighten out the repeated errors and misunderstandings. It is entertaining watching both leads deal with their hang-ups and each other, but I felt it was overdone, especially towards the end.

There were some great supporting characters. I really enjoyed Ben and Brooke and they were certainly light relief and essential for the plot. I think that the captain was an unsung hero as he definitely turned a blind eye to the goings on aboard his vessel. And Marcel, the chef, was undoubtedly the most patient and the most amusing with his acerbic wit.

Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when they all three of them become adults and move out.

After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader’s Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book and she was voted as Best Author in the Indie Romance Convention Reader’s Choice Awards for 2014.

In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she’ll do and naps she’ll take when she ever gets spare time.

Tara loves tackling new genres so there’s something for everyone! Currently, she has books in the following categories: Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense, Erotic Romantic Suspense, Romantic Mystery/Comedy, Contemporary Romance, and Psychological Thriller.

Connect with Tara

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Below Deck by Tara Sivec to read and review for this tour.

Crave Me by Cecy Robson Blog Tour

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Crave Me, it’s time for the sole sister in the family to discover love.

Wren O’Brien isn’t your typical female. As the only girl from a loud Irish family with seven siblings, she prefers fast cars to lip gloss and bad boys to good men. It’s the reason she’s nursing a wounded soul and keeping her distance from a dangerous ex.

Evan Jonah is running an empire and just moved from the lavish thoroughfares of London to the gritty streets of Philadelphia. When he walks into the nearest dealership, he’s expecting to find a reliable vehicle to handle the brutal winters, not a sexy female car rep with killer legs.

Wren doesn’t know why “Hotness in a Suit” asked her out. She doesn’t expect a great time or a night of passion that knocks her on her ass. But that’s exactly what Evan shows her.

She also never counted on how hard and fast she’d fall. But men like Evan—good men with even better hearts—don’t desire tough-talking Philly girls for long.

Evan has never met a woman like Wren. But he’s up for the challenge and ready to prove her wrong.

Book 3
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“Get the hell out of here.”

Evan lowers his plastic menu, laughing softly at my remark. When he first walked into the dealership, I couldn’t quite figure him out. The sides of his cashmere coat parted when he moved, exposing what has to be a very pricey suit. But while he’s clean shaven, he’s not exactly clean-cut.

His dark wavy hair curls around his ears, long enough that I can tell he’s overdue for a trip to the barber, but not so long he appears unkempt. I take another long look at his straight nose, broad shoulders, and perfect posture. No, he’s not unkempt. He’s cute. Damn cute if you like pretty boys with deep green eyes with specks of gold and a jawline angels must have chiseled from granite.

“I’m serious,” he tells me, the way he looks at me taking him from damn cute to sexy. “I’ve never eaten a cheesesteak.”

I reach for the iPad tucked in the bag at my feet to give me an excuse to break away from those pretty eyes and thick lashes that curl at the tips. “So when I asked you if you wanted to go out for steaks, you weren’t picturing enough flat screens to fill a cruise ship and Yeung-Ling on tap?”

“Is Yeung-Ling a beer?” he asks.

I cringe, setting my iPad in front of me. “Oh, Evan, you have a lot to learn if you plan on staying in Philly for the long haul.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. That said, this could be read as a standalone, or as a first visit to the family and then go back.

Wren has six brothers. It is difficult not to be affected by that! She chose to be a strong, confident person and, in spite of a difficult relationship with her father, she has made a good life for herself. When she sells Evan a car, she cannot deny there is a spark which she is keen to explore. That said, she is still struggling with the fallout of her terrible last relationship.

Evan is working incredibly hard to save his business. Having been in the UK for many years, his interests in the US have been badly managed and needs every hour he has to try and restore its fortunes. The last thing on his mind was romance, but meeting Wren turns his world upside down.

There is no shortage of plot, with Wren's past and the work to save the business taking up so much time that it is impressive that they find time for romance – but oh, they certainly fall into a wonderful, passionate relationship.

Whilst Wren's family are present in the story, they do not supplant the leads. It works really well, having them as supporting cast, and they embrace Evan and his obvious love for their sister. It was refreshing not to have them reacting badly, and makes for a new take on the protective brother genre.

We get a few hints as to who is likely to be the next O'Brien to fall in love. I can't wait for Ms. Robson to serve it up for our reading pleasure.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
Another fantastic book from the O’Brien series! 4.5 well-earned stars!

Erin O’Brien, aka Wren, is a woman who knows just what she wants. Having grown up in a huge Italian family, she’s loud, crass, and downright awesome. Evan is a nerdy businessman who is putting everything he’s got into turning his company into a success. I love the way their story progresses, the attraction is immediate, but Evan is shy and asking Wren on a date is a struggle for him at first. The two’s biggest challenge is time, they’re never able to spend any together because of Evan’s work schedule. Then Wren gets a stalker who destroys her work, prompting her to need a new job at the same time that Evan’s assistant gets the ax. Wren swoops in and saves the day at Evan’s business and the two are able to carve time out together while they’re working together.

I love that we also get to catch up with all the O’Brien boys a bit in this story as well. This book had me in stitches when Evan is cooking breakfast while Wren is in the shower and all her brothers show up and threaten to beat up Evan. This was a super-fast paced read with tons of drama and romance. Evan was one of my favorite characters in a long time, he’s nerdy on the surface but a total beast in the bedroom. Can’t wait to see which of the O’Briens we get next!

Also Available in the O'Brien Family Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Once Kissed post.

Book 2
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Let Me Blog Tour.

Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms and to-die-for Alpha heroes. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than sixteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Crave Me (O'Brien Family #3) by Cecy Robson to read and review for this tour.

Cheater by Rachel Van Dyken

Lucas Thorn wasn’t born a cheater. All it took was a single moment—say, a certain disastrous incident on the night before his wedding—and boom. Reputation destroyed forever and always. So now he owns it. He has a lady friend for every night of the week (except Sundays—God’s day and all), and his rules are simple: No commitments. No exceptions.

But a certain smart-mouthed, strawberry blonde vixen is about to blow that all to hell.

Avery Black has never forgiven Lucas for cheating on her sister. And suddenly being forced to work with him is pretty much a nightmare on steroids. Of course, it does afford her the opportunity to make his life as difficult as possible. But no good revenge scheme comes without payback. Because he didn’t become the Lucas Thorn without learning a few things about women.

Now Avery’s lust for vengeance has turned into, well, lust. And if Lucas stops cheating, it’s definitely not because he’s falling in love…

Book 1
Buy Links

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~  Available on KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
Not usually a fan of "cheater" books, but I'll read anything Rachel Van Dyken writes, so I was willing to give this one a chance – definitely does not disappoint. This isn't your typical cheater book, I LOVED it!

Lucas Thorn is found the night before his wedding in bed with his wife-to-be's sister. Quickly earning him the label of cheater. Lucas does nothing to defend himself and spends the next few years living life with a different woman each day, literally. He has women lined up for each day of the week except for Sunday, of course. Then Avery Black walks back into his life, the younger sister of his ex-fiancée and also the woman who used to be his best friend. Now she's his new intern and she's pissed to discover he's her new boss.

The attraction between the two is off the charts hot and it doesn't take long for lines to start being crossed. This is a great story with a lot of different aspects woven together so very well and the writing is phenomenal. I love the characters, the plot line, and the pace. Great read and I'm excited for Rachel Van Dyken's next release already!


Dawn – ☆☆☆☆
I love a good cheater book, I think I'm one of the minority; however, this isn't your typical cheater book, but it was still pretty awesome.

After a major mess up the night before his wedding, Lucas spends a while living life with different women, like it's easier that way. That is, until his once friend and sister to his ex walks back into his life.

The chemistry between these two is smoking hot. I enjoyed reading their story.

Another great book from Rachel Van Dyken.

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cheater (Curious Liaisons #1) by Rachel Van Dyken to read and review.

Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop by Isabella Louise Anderson Blog Tour

As the owner of a successful florist shop, Khloe Harper trusts her instincts. She has a strong bond with her family and friends, but after being betrayed by her last love, she's kept herself at arms’ length from romance. When dashing entertainment attorney Derek Thomas walks into her store, Khloe’s interest is piqued. What at first seems like a business relationship quickly turns into romance, and Derek slowly plucks away the petals she’s been hiding behind. Just as Khloe lets down her guard, she discovers that Derek may not be worthy of her love after all.

Frumpy Connie Albright has a faux fascination with an imaginary man named Walt, thinking that by sending herself flowers from him she’ll feel less out-of-place with the “mean girls” she works with. When she comes face to face with her possible prince charming and thinking she might have a happy ending, when a truth is revealed, she wonders if she’ll ever have a Cinderella story.

A recently widowed senior, Gabby Lewis, isn't ready to give up on love—which means releasing herself from survivor's guilt and taking a chance on finding happiness and companionship again. After signing up for an online dating site for senior citizens, much to her surprise, she’s matched with Harry, an energetic and loving man, who quickly eases himself into her heart. Will Gabby take the leap of falling in love again, knowing it’s possible to have two loves of her life?

As each woman’s story develops through flowers and cards sent from Khloe's shop during the Fall months, they begin to learn that love can only truly blossom when you trust your heart.

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Connie typed anxiously on her keyboard, looking up from her cubicle every few seconds, waiting for Sharon from Khloe’s Flower Shop to come through the glass entryway doors. She had checked her email first thing that morning, and like always, once a week, there was a confirmation about her order.

Dear Connie Albright,

Your order to CONNIE ALBRIGHT has been created by one of our team members and is on its way to the recipient.

If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please call Khloe Harper at 1-800-555-1212.

As always, I wish you a bouquet of happiness! Khloe Harper

Owner of Khloe’s Flower Shop

With a sigh, Connie looked back down at her keyboard and continued entering patients’ data into the Excel spreadsheet. Six years ago, to pay for her college education, she had started the medical data entry job, where she found mundane tasks enjoyable, and had been looking forward to making new friends. However, these days, she was now a college graduate with a degree in marketing who hated her job, finding it boring and repetitive, nor had she made friends with any of her co-workers. In fact, they barely noticed her.

Compared to the thin, sexy bombshells she worked with, Connie wasn’t anyone to be desired. She was tall, frumpy, wore glasses, and, thanks to a conversation she overheard, was known in the office as “the ugly girl who wore tacky sweaters.” With the exception of a few that her grandmother had sent her for her birthday, having crocheted each one, Connie didn’t think the sweaters were tacky.

So, after hearing enough of what was being said behind her back, and after complaining to her best friend—her diary—she came up with an idea to change things, and, so far, it seemed to have worked like magic.

“Connie!” Mia, the office receptionist, squealed. “They’re here!”

With a slight pause to get ready for the weekly act she performed, Connie popped up from her chair and watched Sharon approach. After signing her name to the page on the clipboard, she gave Sharon, the only other person besides Khloe who knew her secret, a quick nod.

Suddenly, Connie found herself in the center of a circle of women hovering over her desk, eagerly waiting for her to read the card that came with the bouquet.

“Well, what does it say?” asked a co-worker.

“Yeah, come on. Tell us,” begged another.

She took in the moment, wishing she had a real man who would say the things she had written to herself. “Your beauty captures me more each day, and my love for you grows each time I touch you. I’m looking forward to this weekend... in bed! Walt.”

Holding the card close to her chest, Connie forced tears from her eyes, forcing herself to blush in front of her co-workers. “Oh, I love that man so very much.”

“Seriously, that has to be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Mia said, dramatizing her voice and placing her hands on her chest. “Oh, Connie, you’re so lucky to have a man like him.”

“Yeah, Con, that’s cute,” began Nicola, the bitchiest of them all. “But the last time I got flowers, just yesterday as a matter of fact, they certainly weren’t carnations,” she joked, motioning her hand like she was shooing the flowers away from her. All the co-workers joined in her laughter, and then shuffled back to their desks.

Connie looked at her flowers and smiled, her feathers not ruffled by Nicola’s comment. She felt accomplished and desired. For a few moments, she’d been the center of attention of a group of women who she knew despised her. Even back in high school, she had been a female nerd, which crossed her out from being friends with the beautiful and popular girls, and in college it was pretty much the same story. It’s not that she didn’t try to make an effort, because she did, but after failing time and time again, whether it be at orientation, working together in groups for school projects, or the few times Connie went to a pub near the university in hopes of meeting up with a few girls who she thought she could be friends with, it never worked. They either laughed in her face, said that the empty seat next to them was already taken (when it really wasn’t), or simply ignored her.

Though it was beginning to get expensive and difficult to keep the lies about Walt straight, Connie had no other choice but to continue the weekly charade.

It’s just the right thing to do!, she told herself, taking a seat in her chair before continuing to enter the endless data, while thinking of what Walt’s card would say the following week.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance stories
Triggers: Death

This has three very distinct stories. Khloe, Connie, and Gabby.

Khloe and Derek's story is somewhat convoluted. While I can understand Khloe's reservations with truthfulness, I found that I sided more with Khloe than Derek. It seems like such a silly thing to be dishonest about. I really liked how much pride Khloe put into her store and how her story was more about her seeing to other people's happiness.

Connie and Walt's story was more believable, I thought. Despite the deception that went on, I found that Connie's coworker was horrible and easy to hate. Then, when things really were kind of looking down for Connie, I loved that she put her big girl panties on and kept on trucking through life. She didn't let the catty woman get to her, or even the mean lady at the gym get her down. In the end, she got the happy ending she wanted.

Gabby and Harry were a story of another generation. After the death of each of their respective spouses, they find love online – which is quite new for each of them. I loved how Harry's family accepted Gabby without questions. They just accepted that love could happen more than once for their family member.

Although each of these stories was a happily ever after, I did find that the bouncing back and forth was somewhat distracting. Also, the conflicts in Connie and Khloe's stories seemed forced – that they were finding issues where there weren't any.

Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She focuses her time on featuring other writers on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with organizing Goddess Book Tours, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Dallas with her husband, enjoys spicy Mexican food, margaritas, gin on the rocks (with a splash of lime). She loves spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Texas Rangers. Not only is Isabella an author, she’s also a Scentsy consultant and hoarder.

Isabella is the author of The Right Design and Cards from Khloe’s Flower Shop. Her short story, “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,” was featured in Simon & Fig’s Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright. She’s currently working on another book.

Connect with Isabella

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop by Isabella Louise Anderson to read and review for this tour.

Love's Tethered Heart by C.L. Etta

Two years ago Mico and his partner suffered a savage gay bashing that left Mico a quadriplegic—and ended his dreams of traveling the world as an archaeologist. Abandoned by the man he loved, he lives in isolation, tethered to his bed by the machines keeping him alive, with only his caretakers and immediate family as companions.

Assigned to interview Mico and uncover the story behind his assault and his refusal to identify his attackers, journalist Danny is unprepared for his reaction to the fragile enigmatic man. Mico is afraid to let Danny into his life, and Danny is unsure how to change his mind. Mico is also keeping secrets, and he isn’t the only one. Danny is determined to protect Mico, and he’s determined to show Mico that their feelings for each other can thrive amidst the mechanics of Mico’s existence.

If you enjoy romantic tales of heartbreak turned to hope, the life-affirming story of Danny and Mico will make you believe in the possibility of love for everyone—no matter what obstacles they face.

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This story has me so conflicted that I have to split my rating. Five stars for the story concept and three stars for the execution.

This is a beautiful and unusual story of a romance between a quadriplegic man and the journalist sent to record his history. Through Danny’s interviews with Mico and his family, readers learn about Mico’s past while also watching his connection with Danny in the present.

I really enjoyed the way time shifts as characters talk about the past while experiencing the present. Mico’s past is difficult and complicated – I found it impossible not to fall in love with him alongside Danny as his story is told. I liked Mico’s unconventional family and I enjoyed the unlikely connection between Danny and Mico. Both Danny and Mico are forced to readjust their normal and their idea of a relationship. The author brings Mico’s struggle to accept life after disability in a sensitive and realistic way that left me weepy and emotionally raw. Similarly, the consequences of Danny’s choice to pursue a relationship with Mico is also explored thoughtfully.

Now for the three stars. The dialogue in this book absolutely did my head in. The voices of the young men in this book are the voices of much, much older people. Some of the dialogue belongs in a Downton Abbey script. Young men just don’t speak like that. Even Danny’s father, who is supposed to be a minister, sounds ridiculous with his earnest Bible-quoting speeches. Danny himself is a writer – but the alliteration and the lengthy emotional pontifications make him seem like a complete prat at times. I found it really difficult to believe in characters and relationships when the conversations were so stilted. This especially affected my ability to appreciate Mico in the present. Mico only has his voice and face to communicate with and he sounds like someone’s grandfather rather than a desirable young man.

So, overall this is a sympathetic and considered look at romance after disability. I loved the slow untangling of Mico’s life and I enjoyed the relationship between Danny and Mico. I just struggled with the dialogue in this story.

C.L. ETTA, born to a bartender and his wife, became the apple of her parents’ eyes at her first dimpled smile. Developing a lifelong passion for reading, C.L. spent summers riding her bicycle to the library where she filled the handlebar basket with books before riding home. Much to her chagrin, her mother often found C.L. under the bedcovers with a flashlight, reading in the middle of the night.

Fast-forward to college, where C.L. spent good times burning bras, worked summer-stock theater, tried out potential husbands, then to her parents’ and in-laws’ delight, finally started a family. Having raised three kids and a husband, and with varied careers as a secretary, credit union loan veep, a software support representative, a mortgage broker, and a nurse under her belt, C.L. decided it was time for a break. So she retired.

It wasn’t until life had slowed that she heard voices—male voices. Alarmed, she listened, and she discovered new friends who clamored for their stories to be told. So, it was back to school where she stood outside the creative writing classroom with students who observed her silver hair and mistook her for the teacher. After completing class and going on a cruise, she sat at her computer and told her boys’ stories. Eighteen months later, C.L. has contracted with two different publishers for three books. The voices in C.L.’s head are as loud as ever, giving C.L. the impetus to keep writing.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Love's Tethered Heart by C.L. Etta to read and review.

Off the Ice by Julie Cross

All is fair in love and hockey…

Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.

Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.

It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.

For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Entangled Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

This was an okay read, I feel like the story just dragged a bit in the middle. It was really slow at parts, but I will say the writing is good and the parts that weren’t slow are great!

Tate is a goalie for his high school’s hockey team, which in his tiny town is a huge deal. Since he was a kid, he’s had a crush on this older sister’s best friend, Claire, and right before she heads off to college she witnesses his father’s drunken abuse and the two have an unbreakable connection. When Claire goes away to college Tate lets his feelings go, but when Claire comes home to help care for her very sick father, old feelings come back to the surface. Tate is fighting to earn his place on his team, get a spot on an NHL team, and battle his father’s strong-arming him and his friends. While Claire is fighting to keep her parents’ business afloat, earn enough money to pay for college and keep her dreams alive. The two have a lot going on and have to really fight at a relationship.

My favorite aspect of this book was that Tate has a long-time girlfriend, Haley, who is perfect – gorgeous, smart, cheerleader, etc. Only, she’s kind of awesome, and I found that refreshing. Usually that character is written as catty and mean, but Haley is awesome and I honestly think I wound up liking her mother then Claire (like I really hope she gets her own book – *hint, hint* LOL). This is a book that really covers it all and though I think a few of the details could have been cut out to make this a more fast-paced read, I did enjoy the author’s wide variety of characters.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
This was my first time reading any of Julie Cross' books and Off the Ice (Juniper Falls #1) was a nice introduction. The story flowed well and the characters were developed. I will definitely be looking to see what's in store next for Juniper Falls!

Claire O' Connor takes time off from college to return to her small hometown of Juniper Falls and help take care of the family's hockey bar while her father begins to recover. She has zero intentions of sticking around, but running into to Tate Tanley has her questioning everything.

I never knew I was such a fan of hockey until after reading Off the Ice. Cross does a lovely job of weaving hockey and romance. I often times forgot I was even reading a young adult book because this one seemed to straddle the line between young adult and new adult. Off the Ice was a solid 4-star read for me.

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author of Halfway Perfect, Whatever Life Throws at You, Tempest, optioned by Summit Entertainment, Letters to Nowhere, and Third Degree. Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Off the Ice (Juniper Falls #1) by Julie Cross to read and review.

There Has to Be a Reason by Kate McMurray

Dave is enjoying his junior year at a big New England university, even if none of his relationships have been especially satisfying. He plans to hang around with his best friend Joe and focus on his studies until he graduates, and then he’ll figure out the rest.

Meeting Noel changes his plans.

Noel is strikingly beautiful and unlike anyone Dave knows. Something about Noel draws Dave to him—an attraction Dave doesn’t feel ready to label. And even if he was, why would Noel be interested in Dave? And what about Joe? He hates Noel and everything he represents, and he might hate Dave if he finds out about Dave’s secret desires. So Dave will have to keep those feelings hidden—along with his relationship with Noel.

But Noel has fought too hard for his identity to be Dave’s dirty secret. Will Dave tell the truth and risk the life he’s always known… or live a lie and risk losing the love of his life?

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of a college junior who finds himself questioning his sexuality. This is an angsty new adult college romance. Dave’s journey from a comfortable existence as a typical jock to a place where he is comfortable in his own skin is alternately frustrating and very moving.

Somehow, Dave makes it to twenty before he meets a man who makes him question his sexuality. He is both a student athlete and a straight A student who needs to keep up his GPA to keep his scholarships. His friends are the ubiquitous lads/fratboys familiar to every campus everywhere. They drink, they shag, and they make offensive homophobic comments.

Noah is Dave’s opposite. Kicked out of his family because of his sexuality, Noah is out, proud, and unwilling to be anyone’s dirty secret. Dave finds him beautiful, Noah fancies the unobtainable jock and the result is heartbreak for Noah as Dave tries to hide his sexuality and Noah from everyone else in his life. Attempting to keep his sexuality a secret, Dave ends up losing friendships and alienating his family.

This is an easy college romance full of familiar college characters and tropes. The characters are young and their problems are relatively simple. For me, neither Noah or Dave ever really became more than a type – Noah is a swishy twink who loves fashion and musical theatre. Dave is a jock who loves drunken parties. As the story progresses, Dave grows up and develops some emotional sensitivity, but I’m not sure he is ever fully developed into a character who feels entirely human and loveable.

Kate McMurray is an award-winning author of gay romance and an unabashed romance fan. When she’s not writing, she works as a nonfiction editor, dabbles in various crafts, and is maybe a tiny bit obsessed with baseball. She has served as President of Rainbow Romance Writers, the LGBT romance chapter of Romance Writers of America. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of There Has to Be a Reason by Kate McMurray to read and review.