Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker

Author Ann Marie Walker brings you a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that'll warm your heart for Singles Day (the true anti-Valentine's Day!) and every day after!

Single and proud of it! Oh, oops...

As a Certified Professional Organizer, everything in Paige Parker's world is as it should be. Perfect apartment, perfect office, perfect life. And now, the perfect vacation planned to honor Singles Day. After all, what's better than celebrating her pride in being single? Because who needs a man anyway? They have zero taste in quality television, leave the toilet seat up, and sleep with your best friend. No thanks. Her life is fine just the way it is.

As the owner of a now-dormant bed & breakfast, Lucas Croft's life is simple and quiet. It's only him and his five-year-old daughter, which is just the way he likes it. Because who needs a woman anyway? They nag you to clean up your stuff, want the toilet seat put down, and expect the dishes to be done the same day the meal is cooked. No thanks. His life is fine just the way it is.

But when Paige books a room that Lucas' well-intentioned sister listed without his knowledge, their two worlds collide. If they can survive the week together, they just might discover exactly what they've both been missing.

 

 

Buy Links

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Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Paige Parker is fine being single and makes no bones about it. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, she's not eager to be interrogated as to why she's still single. Then she finds Single's Appreciation Day, which is celebrated on February 15. Determined to celebrate this day with her first vacation in years, she books a room at a quaint B&B on a remote island off the East Coast.

Lucas is furious with his sister for re-activating the listing for his now defunct bed and breakfast. Yes, he can use the money to pay the upcoming taxes, but he's not up for guests. The house is a wreck – just like his life. Being a single dad to an almost 5-year-old is no easy task and now he has to make nice to some stranger that his sister has virtually laid out a welcome mat for.

Paige's first impression of the bed and breakfast and its owner, Lucas, is not a good one. First, it looks like she is a victim of a bait and switch as the home is a dingier and grungier version of the pictures of it on the website. Second, Lucas is almost as dour as the house itself. While the outside needs a good coat of paint, the inside needs a good dose of organization, which Paige cannot help but want to get started on.

As the days progress, both Lucas and Paige come to know one other in a way neither expected. They say, all things must come to an end, but do they? Can Paige and Lucas compromise to find a life that works for them both?


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars of island romance

This is a fun read, sweet, cute, and low angst.

Parker is forced into taking a break by her hilarious assistant, and ends up paying a small fortune to go and stay in a B&B on an island for a few days’ rest. The reality is not much like the website, but a storm forces her to stay at least for a while. We really feel how she struggles to relinquish the control and the pressure that normally rule her life.

As we see her come to terms with being stuck, Lucas has to come to terms with having an unexpected guest. They are both two very hurt individuals, who also feel an inconvenient attraction to each other. And so the scene is set for a romance which in no small part relies on Lucas's four-year-old daughter.

This was a well written story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you, Ann Marie Walker.

 

 

ANN MARIE WALKER is the author of nine novels, ranging from romantic suspense to romantic comedy. She's a fan of fancy cocktails, anything chocolate, and '80s rom-coms. Her superpower is connecting any situation to an episode of Friends, and she thinks all coffee cups should be the size of a bowl.

You can find her on her website, where she would be happy to talk to you about alpha males, lemon drop martinis, or Chewbacca, the Morkie who is kind enough to let her sit on his couch. Ann Marie attended the University of Notre Dame and currently lives in Chicago.

Connect with Ann Marie

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker to read and review.

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a smart and sexy romance about a professional football hottie and the girl he’s sworn to never touch.

Homeless and heartbreakingly innocent, Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.

I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.

Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.

Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.

I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.

I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of The Game Changers series!
For book one, Not My Romeo, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

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Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the Game Changers series, and we met Giselle and Devon briefly in book one. Giselle is the one who stole her sister's boyfriend but that was a mistake because as it turned out, he was only out to use her. Devon is the teammate of Giselle's brother-in-law and they met at her sister's wedding.

These two could not be any more different, she is a physicist and he is a football player. When her building catches fire and leaves her homeless, Devon offers her a place to stay until she finds another apartment. he knows it is not a smart decision, but he can't help wanting to save her. The longer they spend together, the more the sparks fly.

Can they stay away from each other? Will Devon help her with her little problem? Is there a chance for a future between them?

I love this author and her stories about football players and the women they love are a favorite too. This story is packed with all the feels that make a story great and it also has the crazy mom and aunt to make it even better. If you are looking for a new author to read, then give this one a try. You will not be disappointed.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and as I absolutely loved book one, I certainly could not resist. I would recommend that you read them in order, so that you get the connections, but it could be a good read on its own too.

Our first introduction to Giselle was less than favourable, but we should have got that straightened out by now. And the very fact that we know she is a virgin would suggest that any cheating was not quite at the level that might have been expected. She is such a fun, clever, and enjoyable character. I love that she has high career ambitions to work at CERN, but also loves her crazy family and hometown. Her birthday woes will have you laughing in disbelief that she can really have so many disasters on that particular date!

Devon is undoubtedly a sports god, but he clearly has morals and behaves so correctly with Giselle; it is really funny watching them dance around each other. And whilst the 'helping the girl find a lover whilst wanting to date her yourself' scenario is not unique, it is played for every laugh and sexy encounter so perfectly, especially given they are sharing a home.

It was also good to see Jack and Elena, and to catch up on their relationship, as well as some of the crazier members of the family, like Aunt Clara. All in all a very enjoyable dip back into a world which gave me the pleasure of complete escapism from the everyday.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book is a great read for a snowy afternoon.

Giselle and Devon dance around each other, both wanting the other yet being too afraid to reach out. Hampering the romance is Giselle’s brother-in-law, who also happens to be Devon’s teammate.

Giselle wants to be a normal woman, not the geeky nerd in the corner who doesn’t know how to make small talk with anyone, especially good looking men like Devon.

Over the course of the book you can see Giselle’s self-confidence increase the more she gets to know Devon.

Devon really likes Giselle but he’s just a ‘dumb’ jock who knows he will never be good enough for her. Yet when she looks at him, he feels like he’s just won back-to-back Super Bowls.

Take a few hours and enjoy the story. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.


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

Giselle is a nerdy, shy virgin who just wants to teach science, work at CERN, and write her fantasy sci-fi novel, with real science facts. Her best friend is a hilarious older woman who makes me think of what a crazy aunt would be, if I had one. Giselle loves teaching her students, but her advisor is a sexist jerk who doesn’t see the value in teaching kids any other way than his way.

Giselle is also looking for love. She wants the type of love that will last forever. The fact that she is still a virgin weighs on her but she doesn’t want to just have sex to have sex. With her sister happily married and on her honeymoon, Giselle isn't expecting her brother-in-law's friend, Devon, to come to her rescue in more ways than one.

Devon knows that Giselle is beautiful and smart. If only he wouldn't be seen as such a player. Devon knows that his friend wouldn't want him dating Giselle, if only because she's so innocent. But when Devon sees that Giselle is in trouble, the words "come stay with me" just tumble out.

Giselle and Devon dance around their attraction for a while. It became almost too much dancing around – the push and pull between them was too slow at times. Giselle has to work hard to make sure that she isn't going to change her life for someone who might not change their life for her. She wants an equal partnership. But when she gets to know Devon more, she sees what he is hiding away from the public eye. You'll want to love Devon despite his player ways.

These two have a cute story with family drama and meddling friends. You'll cheer them on, groan is frustration, and cross your fingers and toes for them. With that said, I wish that we could've seen more of Giselle's intelligence in the story. I'm looking forward to the next book.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
I wanted to enjoy this more than I actually did. The story of a scientist and a football star should have been a perfect fit for me. But while there are a few great moments, the story didn’t quite work for me.

I found it impossible to feel a connection to Giselle. In my real-life Big Bang Theory-ish world, I’m surrounded by female scientists and nothing about Giselle’s studies or career ambitions rings true. Her experiences don’t make her very likeable, either. Giselle is the girl who takes a crazy amount of time off for ‘personal issues’ and then complains about discrimination when her supervisor isn’t impressed.

Apart from the scientist thing, the most interesting thing about Giselle is her virginity. There’s a culture gap for me here – I will never understand the importance placed on virginity by Americans. The drama around her ‘long preserved virginity’ is absolutely tedious. As a UK reader, I often struggle with conservative and religious undertones in American romance and parts of this one just felt wrong to me.

There are a couple of great scenes in this book. I love Giselle and Devon smashing things up in her barn – but that scene was borrowed from a show. Giselle’s neighbour and her interfering mum provide entertaining moments.

I realise I’ve forgotten to mention Devon. Probably because he has already blurred into all the other alpha/bad boy/star athletes in romance. He’s closed off because of family issues and struggles to share his feelings. Yawn. He feels weirdly parental and proprietary over Giselle. He’s weirdly obsessed with her virginity. He gets his feelings hurt when she gets an amazing job offer. Urgh. Nope. He just doesn’t do it for me.

After two books, I think I’m done with this series. I do recognise there’s a bit of a culture clash for me and this author – more conservative readers will likely enjoy the books more than I have.

 

 

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author ILSA MADDEN-MILLS is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Bestseller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

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Facebook Group: Unicorn Girls

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Not My Match (The Game Changers #2) by Ilsa Madden-Mills to read and review.

Escape With Me by Kristen Proby Spotlight

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes Escape With Me, an all-new stand-alone novel in her beloved With Me in Seattle series!

Keegan O’Callaghan has been told he’s married to his pub. It’s true. He’s happiest when he’s pulling taps and filling drink orders, so long as he can keep an eye on his family and ensure that all is well. Bringing a woman into his life for anything but a pleasant, short-term romp isn’t even on his radar.

Until she comes running through his door, soaking wet and in a princess gown.

Isabella Harris ran out on her wedding, and she’s not even a little bit sorry. She may have loved her groom a long time ago, but standing there about to take her vows, she realizes it’s not right. And that’s all she needs to know. Four hours later, she finds herself on a tiny island outside of Seattle, walking into a random Irish Pub and locking eyes with the sexiest bartender she’s ever seen. But now what? She’s alone and broke, with only a wedding dress to her name.

Despite the undeniable attraction between them, Keegan can see that Izzy’s scared and alone. The job offer he extends is only until she gets back on her feet—he has no intention of keeping her.

But sometimes Fate has other plans…

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the With Me in Seattle series!
For book #11, Love With Me, click HERE.
For novella, Wonder With Me, click HERE.
For book #13, Dream With Me, click HERE.

 

 

Book 16
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KRISTEN PROBY has published more than forty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats.

Connect with Kristen

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Facebook Group: Proby's Peeps

 

 

 

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Cry Wolf by Charlie Adhara

Agent Cooper Dayton never thought anything could be harder than solving murders. Until he had to plan a wedding.

After taking down an old adversary, Agent Cooper Dayton of the Bureau of Special Investigations has earned a break. Not that planning a wedding to his sexy shifter partner, Oliver Park, is necessarily stress free, but it’s better than worrying about the ominous warning, delivered months ago, that Cooper’s life is in danger.

When he’s dragged to an event by his family, Cooper braces for an awkward evening, but instead finds himself in the middle of an ugly feud between Park’s ex and a rebel pack leader. What was supposed to be a quick outing turns into a full-blown murder investigation after the pack leader ends up dead, Park’s ex goes missing, and Cooper and Park are sent a series of disturbing wedding gifts that are somehow connected to it all.

The list of potential suspects is long, and with the bodies piling up, Cooper must turn to the one person he trusts the least: the villain he’s already put behind bars once and who has nothing to lose by lying and everything to gain if Cooper is out of the picture—for good. 

Don’t miss this thrilling installment in Charlie Adhara’s suspenseful paranormal mystery series, Big Bad Wolf.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Big Bad Wolf series!
For book one, The Wolf at the Door, click HERE.
For book two, The Wolf at Bay, click HERE.
For book three, Thrown to the Wolves, click HERE.
For book four, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, click HERE.

 

 

Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press (Harlequin)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love this series so much! This book takes Dayton and Park to the zoo. When a family day out turns into a murder investigation, Dayton finds himself at the centre of an increasingly creepy string of events. As a serial killer, a stalker, and a new pack member frustrate Dayton’s attempt to plan their wedding, things get messy for Dayton and Park personally and professionally.

This is probably the most conventional murder mystery in the series, but it is a wonderfully complicated whodunnit. I was able to keep up with Dayton and Park, but it took work to piece together all the threads – both from this book and from previous books – and the many twists and turns. Parts of the ending still surprised me, but everything made sense in hindsight. It’s a satisfying mystery.

The romance in this book is weaker than in previous books. Dayton’s insecurities feel out of character at times. He’s way too needy here. I don’t feel like we get enough of Park to balance Dayton. There are some lovely moments at the end, but I don’t feel like either is at his best at the start of this book.

Without spoilers, I feel like this book concludes the first series story arc and opens up a whole new one. Readers will need to know the series to understand this book and I’m guessing we’ll need to know this book before moving on. I love the new direction and I loved all the fresh ideas as we get ready to move on with Park and Dayton. I can’t wait for the next book.

 

 

CHARLIE ADHARA has always loved a good story and, on occasion, a bad one. After getting her degree in neuroscience, Charlie decided she’d much rather study the heart. She now writes contemporary, mystery, paranormal, queer romance. Or some assortment of that. Whatever the genre, her stories feature imperfect people stumbling around, tripping over trouble and falling in love.

Charlie has done a fair amount of stumbling around herself but tends to find her way back to the northeast U.S. After all, home is where the dog is.

Connect with Charlie

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cry Wolf (Big Bad Wolf #5) by Charlie Adhara to read and review.

The World According to Liam by V.L. Locey Release Blitz

When you see the world through the eyes of a child, there’s magic everywhere.

And crumbs. Lots of crumbs…

But that’s not going to stop Mike and Bryn Kneller from traveling with their nephew Liam at their side. Not that deciding to take the lad to visit Bryn’s homeland was an easy decision for the two recently wedded men despite how much they adore the boy. This trip was supposed to be a romantic anniversary trip after all.

However, life, as it does, tends to lead us down a path of its own choosing. Combining an unexpected announcement from a family member with the not-so-subtle pleadings of Bryn’s parents, the decision was made. With lots of hand sanitizer and a heaping helping of patience, the journey begins, leading Bryn and Mike to discover a great deal about themselves, their marriage, and their plans for the future.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the According to Liam series!
For book one, Life According to Liam, click HERE.
For the novella, Christmas According to Liam, click HERE.
For book two, Love According to Liam, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Paperback (US)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I was so delighted to see that we had the pleasure of Liam's company again. I find this such a clever device for telling a love story, as well as being incredibly engaging.

Bryn is really excited to take his new husband, Mike, to Europe to meet his family and see where he first played hockey. A delayed honeymoon, it was supposed to be just them, but it would be difficult to deny that Liam added a lot of humour to the holiday! It was really good fun to be back with the guys and see how they are settling down, especially now that Kelly is also married and life is generally good.

I liked that we got some hockey adventures too – both in Germany and back in the US, where Bryn is still dealing with the aftereffects of his injury. Mostly those issues are mental, and I liked how we are given some insight into the approaches taken, as well as how Bryn chooses to deal with them. It gives some tension, because he has a nature worry about providing for his family, but I kept thinking that he's a clever guy and could undoubtedly do other things if necessary.

A really fun book which was very welcome in a fairly bleak winter! And given Kelly's news, I think that Liam's next adventures will be another fabulous read.

 

 

USA Today bestselling author V.L. LOCEY – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Doctor Who, 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 pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two 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 one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

Connect with V.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Vicki’s Vixens

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The World According to Liam (According to Liam #3) by V.L. Locey to read and review for this tour.

This Is Not the End by Sidney Bell Blog Tour

Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.

A bold and deeply emotional novel, This Is Not the End marks a new way of looking at love, family, and happily-ever-after.

Zacary Trevor is the love of Anya Alexander’s life. Their sometimes tumultuous marriage has survived ups, downs, and all the in-betweens. With successful careers, a lovely home, and a beautiful child, domestic bliss is a hard-earned reality for two people whose hedonistic days are in the not-so-distant past. They’re happy.

Enter Zac’s best friend, the deeply reserved Cal Keller. Zac’s friendship with Cal is the foundation of his career and—until Anya and their son came along—the most important relationship of his life. Cal’s a cipher, someone Anya can’t help but gravitate to, even if they don’t always get along. Even more, she’s drawn to the Zac she sees when he’s with Cal—a careful, cautious version of her husband, someone with hidden thoughts and desires kept secret even from her.

Inviting Cal into their home, deeper into their life, is a risk.

Zac should say no. He knows he should. But he doesn’t. From the first, the hint at the life the three of them could have together is exhilarating. And finding a new definition for family just might be worth the risk to every bond that exists between them.

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)
Carina Press (Harlequin)

 

 

On Friday night, Anya makes a veritable vat of her low-calorie beef bourguignon so there will be plenty of leftovers, and the kitchen smells rich and warm by the time the doorbell rings.

Zac is slumped at the breakfast bar fiddling on his phone, but he jumps up at the sound, bouncing like his legs have turned to pogo sticks, as if he didn’t see Cal a few hours ago. They recorded a rough cut of the first song from the new album this week, and it seems like every other word out of his mouth is about work. It’s all Cal this and Cal that, and Can Cal come over for dinner? I have a few things I want to go over with him and this way he won’t be miserable that he has to talk on the phone like a normal person.

She agreed, mostly to make Zac happy, but also a little because she’s curious to observe Cal for a bit, now that she knows he has hidden depths.

Zac kisses Anya on the cheek, telling her, “You smell good,” before turning to go answer the door.

“He used to use his key before I came along, didn’t he?” she asks, before he can leave.

Zac winces. “Yes?”

“More of the patented Cal Keller respect program, I suppose.”

Zac drums his fingers on his belly for a second. “The stew smells delicious.”

“Oh, go away, you jerk.”

He grins at her as he leaves, and a moment later, she can hear them talking in the entryway about something that happened at the studio earlier, their voices deep and soft, and Zac laughs at whatever Cal says.

She opens a bottle of wine and makes a pitcher of ice water with lemon. She hesitates, wondering if she should offer something else to drink. She’s not sure what Cal will prefer. He’s come over for dinner dozens of times, and he’s expressed so few opinions that she’s still not sure of his preferences. She only knew about his dislike for green peppers because Zac mentioned it.

That might be the most Cal thing about Cal—that she’s been the wife of the most important person in his life for almost three years now, and no matter the overtures she makes (and there have been more than a few over that span of time) they remain merely acquaintances.

It occurs to her that maybe he simply doesn’t like her.

It’s possible. She’s strong-willed and direct. She’s gotten a lot of flak about that over the years, starting in her modeling days, and continuing into the present; there’s nothing that society hates worse than a woman who dismisses the importance of others’ approval. She curses, she drinks and she smokes pot (not lately, of course, because she was carrying and then breastfeeding PJ, although if there’s ever been a daily activity that called for chemical relaxation on a regular basis, it’s motherhood). She speaks her mind and argues, she gets angry when she wants to, she’s fucked a lot of men, and on a couple of occasions, she didn’t even know their names. She’s fine with these things, but more than a few people have turned their noses up at her over the years.

Never mind that she doesn’t do a damn thing that her husband doesn’t do, and there have been whole magazine spreads about how great he is, praising his raw, masculine strength and his creative “passions.” She rolls her eyes at the thought. She doesn’t expect people to let her get away with bad behavior, but there’s a difference between bad behavior and unladylike behavior, and while she doesn’t mind being called out for the first, anyone who has a problem with the second can choke on it.

She can see how someone like Cal, someone with a wholesome, old-fashioned way of viewing the world, would find her lacking.

But at the same time, it doesn’t really fit. He’s never been anything but perfectly gracious with her. From the first time they met, not a single one of his smiles has ever struck her as forced, and he doesn’t avoid her, doesn’t look for opportunities to see Zac in her absence. He’s told her more than once that he can see how much happier Zac is now that she’s in his life, that he’s glad that Zac has her, and he legitimately seems to mean it.

No. She knows she can be divisive, but whatever this thing with Cal is, this barrier between them, it isn’t that he disapproves of her.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a beautiful and insanely sexy poly romance. On the surface, Zac and Anya are a slightly cliché rock star/model couple that I really wanted to hate. But they’re wonderful. Slightly wild, highly entertaining, and the best of friends, Zac and Anya are total relationship goals. But their marriage altered Zac’s relationship with Cal, his best friend and bandmate. This is the story of Zac, Anya, and Cal working to repair the rift between Cal and Zac while finding a place for each of them in a new relationship.

Even though this book is sexy enough to tip into erotica at points, it is very definitely a polyamourous love story, not m/m/f ménage erotica. All three characters are complex and beautifully human. Cal and Zac shared their music and their lives long before Zac met Anya, and the connection between the two men is electric. Anya is strong and confident – and she’s the one who helps both men open their mind to new possibilities.

It was Cal who stole my heart in this story. His past is dark, his demons are strong, and he struggles to love himself. Zac and Anya fight to convince Cal he’s worth loving, that he deserves a family and a home. And this is a book about consciously building a family and a home.

I really loved this book. The characters are wonderful, the writing is excellent, and the relationship that grows between Zac, Cal, and Anya is beautiful.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
As I started this book, I was a little surprised at the somewhat fiery relationship that Zac and Anya seemed to have – but it soon evened out to be normal, and I completely loved how they behaved together. Understanding their lifestyle, their past, and the pressures that they inevitably faced in the outside world made all the difference in the world.

Zac’s bandmate and very best friend, Cal, has had a strained relationship with Anya. After all, until she met Zac, they were always together. And now they also have a son, PJ (wait until you find out what that stands for!). I love how we grow to understand the quiet way Cal lives and why. I loved learning how things could change in the future, if only he can see his way to it – and how they have every intention of supporting him. It is such a great way of bringing us to the point that we can see how the dynamics of a possible trio could be. Getting the buy in from Cal, the levelling of all three of them so that they are all equal in the relationship is important to me and works really well here.

I really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more by this talented author.

 

 

SIDNEY BELL lives in Colorado with her amazingly supportive husband. She received her MFA degree in Creative Writing in 2010, considered aiming for the Great American Novel, and then promptly started writing fanfiction instead. More realistic grown-ups eventually convinced her to try writing something more fiscally responsible, though, which is how we ended up here. When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.

Connect with Sidney

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of This Is Not the End by Sidney Bell to read and review for this tour.

Trusting a Warrior by Melanie Hansen

George Monteverdi always had one goal, to become a Navy SEAL. Now both a SEAL and a K-9 handler, saving lives is his priority. When tragedy touches his own life, he handles it—with the help of his crew and his dog Bosch. Having those guys by his side means he’ll never be alone… though any sort of romance feels like a far away dream.

Heartbroken after her fiancé falls in love with another woman, Lani Abuel seeks comfort in the arms of a stranger, only to find herself pregnant and alone. She’ll do whatever it takes to be a good mother, which means finally facing the trauma in her past. The last thing she expected was a warrior with wounds all too similar to hers finding his way into her heart and loving her child as his own.

As their worlds entwine, Lani and Geo find the joy and redemption they’ve been seeking. But despite the sanctuary they’ve created, a forever love seems impossible. A K-9 handler who spends most of his time deployed with his SEAL team, staring danger in the eye, is far from what Lani—or her baby—needs, and Geo can’t imagine a future doing anything else.

Publisher’s Note: Trusting a Warrior deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including the suicide of a secondary character, as well as descriptions of grief therapy and a suicide survivors’ support group.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Loving a Warrior series!
For book one, Loving a Warrior, click HERE.
For book two, Keeping a Warrior, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Paperback (US)  Releases Feb 9, 2021
Carina  Press (Harlequin)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

Lani is a bartender who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a past she hates to think about and a future that is shaping up to be somewhat unsteady, what she can't know is that her future is going to change forever.

Geo is a K-9 handler who loves his job. But he also knows that his job comes with no guarantees. While toasting a fallen soldier, he meets Lani one night. He knows that pain – would recognize it anywhere. It mirrors his own.

This is a story about overcoming guilt, grief, and finding a new normal. It is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and makes you really have to feel the characters' grief and emotions. Get a box of Kleenex in order to read this book. There were several places that I needed to have a tissue on hand.

There is no getting around grief, you just have to get through it and find a new normal. You'll be cheering them on, wanting to hug them, and, at times, wanting to shake them. It's a very beautifully written story that will have you sighing in happiness.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Triggers: Click HERE to see Mary Jo’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Definitely not your typical romance. George is a SEAL who's also a K-9 handler. His dog has saved many lives and gotten them both out of hot spots, alive and well. It's only when George is home and away from base that he's a bit lost. He's not sure what he wants in life – or who. He's had several girlfriends and boyfriends over the years, but his last serious relationship left a scar on his heart that will never heal. George was ready to come out to the Navy as bisexual, but his partner was not.

Meeting Lani, the bartender with an attitude, changes something in him. Listening to each other's problems that night and exchanging phone numbers is the beginning a friendship that they both need.

Lani's past often comes back to haunt her in a myriad of ways. She knows that she needs help in dealing with the pain of her past but she's just not sure how to do it. Reluctantly, she begins to see a therapist and joins a support group. As she begins to heal herself, she can see the same wounds in George's soul.

As the days turns into weeks into months, George and Lani's relationship begins to grow. Love based on friendship makes any relationship stronger.

 

 

MELANIE HANSEN doesn't get nearly enough sleep. She loves all things coffee-related, including collecting mugs from every place she's visited. After spending eighteen years as a military spouse, Melanie definitely considers herself a moving expert. She has lived and worked all over the country, and hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to the love stories she gets up in the wee hours to write. On her off time, you can find Melanie watching baseball, reading or spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.

Connect with Melanie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Trusting a Warrior (Loving a Warrior #3) by Melanie Hansen to read and review.