Release Blitz + Giveaway: The Lights On Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish

The Lights On Knockbridge Lane release blitz is here! Join author Roan Parrish and Signal Boost Promotions share info on the new romance from Carina Press! Plus, host a giveaway! Good luck!

 

ALL BUY LINKS

Length: 224 Pages

Garnet Run Series

Better Than People - All Buy Links (Currently free from Carina)

Best Laid Plans - All Buy Links

Harlequin's FIRST EVER gay romance!

Can one man’s crowded, messy life fill another man’s empty heart?

Raising a family was always Adam Mills’ dream, although solo parenting and moving back to tiny Garnet Run certainly were not. After a messy breakup, Adam is doing his best to give his young daughter the life she deserves—including accepting help from their new, reclusive neighbor to fulfill her Christmas wish.

Though the little house may not have “the most lights ever,” the Mills home begins to brighten as handsome Wes Mobray spends more time there and slowly sheds his protective layers. But when the eye-catching house ends up in the news, Wes has to make a choice: hide from the darkness of his unusual past or embrace the light of a future—and a family—with Adam.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

ROAN PARRISH lives in Philadelphia, where she’s gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre. When not writing, she can be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through the city while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Role Model (Game Changers #5) by Rachel Reid

Troy Barrett has been freshly traded to Ottawa after calling out Dallas Kent during a team practice. He wants to be a better person, and the weird, scrappy energy of the struggling Ottawa team seems like the place to...well. It seems like the only place that will have Troy right now.

Fortunately the Ottawa team includes Ilya Rozanov and Wyatt Hayes, and also includes an adorable social media manager, Harris Drover. Harris is the opposite of Troy in every way: friendly, cheerful, chatty, and goofy with a booming voice, a startlingly loud laugh, and Pride pins all over his denim jacket. Definitely not the sort of person Troy would normally associate with, and yet…

I'm not EVEN going to perpetrate. I'm a smitten kitten when it comes to this series, so I may not be the most objective when it comes to it. I find even the ones that aren't as strong still fall in the comfort read category due to this Game Changer world that keeps hearts consistently in my eyes. Honestly, I barely read let alone review anymore mostly because almost everything I pick up I'm bored by or a I feel like I've read before but Role Model made me want to read again. For the first time in a loooooooonnnnnnnggggg time I wanted to be with Troy and Harris more than I wanted to binge watch whatever, so thank you Rachel Reid and Carina Press.

The reason I enjoyed this read so much was these characters. I'm a character person and we have two strong characters in Troy and Harris plus the ringer-Chiron. HAHA! I bet you thought I was going to say Ilya. To be fair, Ilya and Chiron do have some adorable moments together. Plus, Reid always does a great job sprinkling in the team dynamics that never fail to bring the levity and are what I crave from sports romance. But that last game scene will stick with my squishy marshmallow heart for some time to come. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏒

I love stories of redemption and Troy Barrett needs to be redeemed like nobody's business. Because J.E.R.K. Don't get me wrong, I sympathize with his trying to mask his sexuality behind an aggressive, intimidating, bullying mask but just being sorry about his behaviors doesn't absolve him of the hurt he caused. The great thing about this story is Troy realizes this but not fully until he begins spending time with a literal chirpy, out and proud, ray of sunshine in Harris. This, of course, checks off another thing I love in my romances: protagonists being good for each other.

Harris is happiest when everyone is happy. He would rather see the good in people than the bad. He enjoys or tries his damndest to enjoy every minute of his life. He makes lemonade out of ALL the citrus fruits and that sort of extroverted optimism is infectious and even a little tractor beamish for some. Troy finds himself in Harris' company sometimes not even knowing how he got there until he decides he likes being there and begins finding reasons to do so.

He just has to decide he's comfortable there which is a bigger ask. There are some communication issues but they made sense to me when paired with Troy's perspective and past, plus the payoff is so worth it because once Troy comes into his own he's SPLENDID! He has that dry sense of humor that makes me bark with laughter. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling if he put his mind to it he could give Ilya a run for his money in the one-liner department.

As you might have guessed, Role Model is more of a slow burn which worked for me given the closetedness and Troy's general self-image but there is one tongue-slap-your-brains-out sex scene coupled with nuclear levels of UST and a heaping dose of relationship development making for a winning recipe for me. 

So if you enjoy opposites attract romances that are hockey forward with an adorable puppy Role Model is another winner in the Game Changer series that you could conceivably read as a standalone but why would you want to do that?

An ARC was provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.

Review: This Is Not the End by Sidney Bell

A Polyamorous Love Story 

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.

"Everything will be okay in the end..." 

"If it isn't okay, it isn't the end."

Sidney Bell has not lost her touch. I'm not sure if my becoming verklempt at times while reading This Is Not the End was due to my being invested in these characters or my appreciation for how well Bell can craft said characters. Probably both.

Regardless.

The point is I found myself verklempt at the emotions, trials and tribulations of these characters. More importantly, I believed and invested in their journey. Each of them has their own distinct voice, backstory, strengths and shortcomings which is absolutely what I liked best about them. Anya, Zac and Cal are flawed characters and that is precisely what made them and their story so riveting.

Anya and Zac are married and have a son. Cal and Zac have been friends and bandmates for years so the UST is up on legendary. Anya and Zac are cut from the same impetuous and passionate cloth. Cal, on the other hand, is deliberate and steadfast. Anya is the lodestar. Zac is the joie de vivre and life-force and despite Cal's being a bit of a square he balances the relationship. He grounds them. 

I hesitate to explain too much about their relationship but I think this might be a make it or break it point for many. So, and this is my opinion/understanding only, I would say they have an open marriage and Zac has leanings towards cuckholding. They have sex with other men and Zac is aroused by Anya having sex with other men. They are a package deal and all the other men are guest stars, so to speak. Until Cal.

The foundation of this polyamorous relationship hinges upon intertwining them in not only a realistic but a believable way. One that's beyond the prurient and deeper, more integral. Something that will withstand the test of time. I was convinced at the end of This Is Not the End of their durability for a multitude of reasons but mostly because they care about not only each other but their relationship and that shows in how they interact. 

Suffice to say I, like many others, have had a difficult time concentrating or even mustering up the desire to read this year but I've been looking forward to this book since it was announced and I'm delighted it held my attention and gave me that immersive reading experience I've missed recently. 

Recommended to fans of hurt/comfort, polyamory or the author's work.

An ARC was provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Common Goal (Game Changers #4) by Rachel Reid

New York Admirals goalie Eric never thought his friends-with-benefits arrangement with much-younger Kyle would leave them both wanting more…

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time.

Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away.

Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they’re too stubborn to come clean about their feelings.

Everything they both want is within reach… They just have to be brave enough to grab it.

I love this series so much; it's a comfort read for me. It's smart. It's sexy. And (most importantly) it's got Ilya!

He seems to turn up in every installment to deliver the chuckles, though he was not flying the Chuckle Ship solo this time. Eric "Benny" Bennett's teammates also delivered in the levity department, something that's always a win for me.

As much as I liked Benny and Kyle Common Goal started off slow for me. The push/pull thing is not one of my favorites. I like my MCs to use their words. These two gets points for using words they just used the wrong ones. Not great but points for effort.

However, what turned the tide was Benny being willing to embrace his bisexuality for the first time in his life at 41. I'm a sucker for sexual discovery plus I really liked Benny. He's not a character that leaps off the page like Ilya or one that you want to mummify in bubble wrap like Ryan but he's just... good people. Genuine. Loyal. Humble.

He wants a relationship, someone to share his life with and because he's such a good person he feels the 16 year age difference between he and Kyle would be shortchanging Kyle. Thus the push/pull betwixt what he thinks is the "right" thing to do and what he actually wants begins.

Rest assured, he wants Kyle with the force of a Cat-5 hurricane.

Kyle even though he's still kind of rebounding from his unrequited crush on Kip quickly turns into Team Benny's #1 fan. Maybe it was too quick but then again Benny is well, Benny so... I get it and what's more, Kyle counterbalances Benny superbly. He's just exuberant enough to bring out Benny's playful and adventurous sides and they have just enough in common to make me buy into their well-suitedness.

To get the ball rolling, Kyle offers to be a "mentor" in all things gay. Let me just say, the sex is... SKYROCKETS IN FLIGHT!!!!!!!!! AFTERNOON (and evening. and morning) DELIIIIiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiIIIIiiiiiIIGHT!!!! Bossy top, edging, a little bondage, begging... *bites fist*

Their connection builds slowly and it took me a while to invest but once I did I enjoyed their journey.

Alongside Benny and Kyle's journey, what I liked a lot again were the secondary characters. I felt like I really got to know (and like) Scott in this one and the whole Maria-n-Matti Jalo thing... can I get a short on this? Do I need to beg? Though if there's one thing I crave in a sports romance it's team dynamics and those were on point in Common Goal! The whole locker room scene was funny and heartwarming... perfection.

Bottom line: Reid delivered again and I can't wait to see what's in store for us in Game Changers #5. 

*cough*Dallas Kent*cough*

C'mon! It would be the greatest twist to ever twist!

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Dine with Me by Layla Reyne

Life never tasted so good.

Miller Sykes’s meteoric rise to award-winning chef is the stuff of culinary dreams, but it’s all crashing down around him. He’s been given a diagnosis that could cost him something even more precious than his life: his sense of taste. Rather than risk the very thing that defines him, Miller embarks on a last tour of his favorite meals while he still can.

But there’s a catch: he needs a financial backer to make it happen, and he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s sick.

Dr. Clancy Rhodes has two weeks to come to terms with putting aside oncology to work at his father’s thriving plastic surgery practice. When the opportunity to travel with a Michelin-starred chef presents itself, the foodie in him can’t believe it. It doesn’t hurt that Miller’s rugged good looks are exactly Clancy’s cup of joe.

As Clancy and Miller travel from coast to coast and indulge in everything from dive bars to the most decadent of culinary experiences, they’re suddenly sharing a lot more than delicious meals. Sparks fly as they bond over their love of flavors and the pressures of great expectations. But when Miller’s health takes a turn for the worse, Clancy must convince him he’s more—so much more—than just his taste buds. And that together, they can win a battle that once seemed hopeless.

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! 

This book is approximately 69,000 words

This book made me wax nostalgic about the good ole days, and by 'good ole days' I mean pre-COVID. When we could all move about freely without fear of everyone that comes within 6' feet of us potentially being someone that could quite literally kill us and we were able to touch things freely without first ensuring we have hand sanitizer and/or gloves. Every time they talked of menus or the sommelier pouring their wine or even flying, I sighed. I remember those days fondly.

I digress.

The foodie stuff is on point. The chefery is on point too. Layla Reyne proves yet again that she believes in research but, unfortunately, that was the strongest point of the book for me.

The romance is lackluster. They have little chemistry excepting some periodic and apparently requisite cock hardness moments. I'm a fan of the sexy as much as the next person but cock hardness does not equate to soul matedness.

The specter of Miller's medical condition is the pink elephant in the room that detracted from their connection rather than enriched it. Is it that Clancy is actually falling for Miller or is it his doctor/caretaker mode conflating with Miller fitting Clancy's prototypical "type"?

Suffice to say, it all came together too quickly and too neatly for me. I like it when it's a bit messy and complicated. Though I'll give credit where credit is due, attempts were made to fit that criteria they just fell flat for me which is a shame since I liked much of the components of this story including the foodie/chef aspect to the age and size difference to the grumpy protagonist.

Not one I would recommend but my opinions are my own and YMMV.

A copy was provided for an honest review.

Review: Variable Onset by Layla Reyne

To catch a killer, a special agent and his former student will need to get close—to their target, and each other. Layla Reyne returns with a stand-alone romantic mystery.

When the serial killer known as Dr. Fear seemingly reemerges after a cooling-off period, Special Agent Lincoln Monroe wants on the case. He knows his research on the calculating criminal, who targets couples and uses their worst fears to kill them, could prove invaluable. But nothing can prepare Lincoln for the agent waiting for him in Apex, Virginia: a brash and cocky former student. Carter Warren is everything Lincoln is not, and somehow everything he wants. And they’ll be going undercover. As newlyweds.

For Carter, seeing Lincoln again—and flustered to boot—pokes his raging bear of a crush something fierce. He thinks posing as lovers will provide the perfect bait for Dr. Fear. But pretending to be married forces them to confront fears of their own…like giving in to the very real chemistry between them.

With evidence pointing to the possibility of a copycat killer, Lincoln and Carter will have to race to separate truth from fiction. But when another couple goes missing, finding the killer will test every ounce of their training, skills and the strength of their bond like never before.

This book is approximately 72,000 words

What Layla Reyne does consistently well (that I've noticed) is research whether it be technology or forensics, she puts the time in to make her stories authentic. I appreciate that a great deal.

Variable Onset toys with some tried and true psychological thriller themes that I also appreciated. Lincoln and Carter work in differing capacities for the FBI and are thrown together again on a serial killer case that involves a close friend of Lincoln's having last seen each other 8 yrs ago when Carter was a loudmouth, somewhat obnoxious student of Lincoln's.

The case involves a probable copycat of a notorious and still at large serial killer. I figured out who it was really quickly. I hate when I do that.

But this is romantic suspense so I tried not to get too disappointed about that but I had trouble connecting or even liking either one of these characters. Lincoln is older and "prickly" but he came across as whiny and nitpicking to me plus the clumsiness reminded me of a certain heroine with a penchant for sparkly vampires. Neither of them could I buy into being FBI agents owing mostly to their impulsivity.

Perhaps some of the blahness I felt toward these characters bled into their relationship because I never invested in them as a couple either. Were their attraction subtler maybe it would've worked for me but it felt like awkward telling rather than showing, though it was not sex heavy which did work for me.

Honestly, I struggled with how to rate this vacillating between 2-3 hearts but I did find it readable and finished it relatively quickly, though it should be said this is a weird time in the world so maybe I'm overthinking it? As always my opinions are my own and YMMV.

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Tough Guy (Game Changers #3) by Rachel Reid

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Honestly, I intended to wait to read this until closer to its release but I am currently muddled in a reading desert complete with tumbleweeds and the occasional snake so... I needed a slam dunk.

AND that's what Reid delivered in the third of the Game Changers series which, by the way, was completely different in tone to its predecessors. I found myself impressed with Reid's range and ability to straddle the line between sweet and meaty. Let it be known, I'm not averse to closeted characters and Ryan is in no way wearing Pride boxers in the locker room but it was a nice change of pace to have a hockey player who doesn't morph into a closet monster at the drop of a hat.

"You're a giant, orange teddy bear with deep pockets!"

Tough Guy features a ginger gentle giant that will pull on the heartstrings of even the most callous of readers. Ryan struggles with anxiety and body image issues both of which run deep. My heart broke for him more than once and I appreciated that the magic peen panacea wasn't trotted out. All his life he's found it difficult to connect with people both personally and professionally which has landed him on the trading block multiple times.

Was it possible for your heart to hold on to a ridiculous crush for thirteen years?

Which is how he lands in Toronto and with a little help from the serendipity gods has a chance run in with his high school crush, Fabian, or should I say a second chance run in? Full disclosure, I'm kind of a sucker for the unrequited love being requited trope especially when both parties were moony over each other.

"There's always been something about you. I've always been drawn to you. Is that weird?"

Ryan considered it. "I don't know. But I feel the same way." 

Fabian is Ryan's polar opposite: femme, confident, extroverted and loves the spotlight. He's an emerging local singer/songwriter who at one point was chosen for the Toronto Symphony. In short, super talented, super adorable, gives zero fucks what anyone thinks of him and, needless to say, has to carry the bulk of the lets get reacquainted portion of the relationship early on for obvious reasons. The scales do balance with Ryan treating Fabian like he's the center of the universe and Fabian's almost preternatural ability to temper Ryan's mental health issues which is a must for me as a romance reader with a squishy marshmallow center.

The relationship evolves realistically and Ryan's angst was offset by Fabian's easy-breeziness coupled with their obvious chemistry. However, while they are enamored of each other Tough Guy is considerably less sexy than the other books in the series. It's more of a quiet sexiness with one BAJANGAJANG scene that was worthy of a reread. For science. Which proved my hypothesis that jazz hands and some primal... vocalizations really enhance the experience. True story.

Also, Tough Guy's secondary characters were on point! All of them. They were fantastic and fun including a certain Russian who makes a couple of appearances which you know I was 100% on board with. #1-FAN

If you're a fan of the series, sports romance, opposites attract, second chances or someone who can appreciate a significant size difference in their reads then give Tough Guy a whirl. I, for one, am hoping these two turn up again as the series continues.

p.s. It can probably be read as a standalone, though I would never recommend that. Because Ilya.

p.p.s. Sorry. I talked a lot about a Rachel Reid book. Again.

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Thrown to the Wolves (Big Bad Wolf #3) by Charlie Adhara

Agent Cooper Dayton is going to meet his boyfriend’s werewolf family. Unarmed. On their turf. 

And he’s bringing his cat. 

When Agent Cooper Dayton agreed to attend the funeral for Oliver Park’s grandfather, he didn’t know what he was getting into. Turns out, the deceased was the alpha of the most powerful werewolf pack on the eastern seaboard. And his death is highly suspicious. Regardless, Cooper is determined to love and support Park the way Park has been there for him.

But Park left him woefully unprepared for the wolf pack politics and etiquette. Rival packs? A seating order at the dinner table? A mysterious figure named the Shepherd? The worst is that Park didn’t tell his family one key thing about Cooper. Cooper feels two steps behind, and reticent Park is no help.

There are plenty of pack members eager to open up about Park and why Cooper is wrong for him. Their stories make Cooper wonder if he’s holding Park back. But there’s no time to get into it…as lethal tranquilizer darts start to fly, Cooper needs to solve the mystery of the alpha’s death and fight for the man he loves—all before someone else dies.

This book did my squishy marshmallow heart GOOD and quickly became my favorite of the series so far. 🤞 I do so hope there is more to come from Cooper and Park. I'll beg if need be.

"You've seen the worst of me. You are the best of me. I won't ever risk losing that again."

Thrown to the Wolves finds Cooper and Park at Park's family compound for his grandfather's memorial along with Cooper's cat, Boogie, who comes in handy a time or two. From the very beginning Adhara sets a metronome-like pace with unexpected things happening and odd people emerging, all of which leaves the reader wondering if all of this is going to be important later and/or how it's all going to tie together. Cooper is mostly recovered from his leg injury and Park is as doting as ever. It's adorable.

Park is still harboring some secrets, mostly of the omission variety but many of the burning questions I had about him and his origins were answered. Park's family are quite the interesting bunch. I'll say no more but several of them kept me on my toes collecting all those dropped breadcrumbs.

Even better, Cooper is back to his entertaining self, in his own special droll way. I hadn't realized how much I missed that guy in The Wolf at Bay. He's happy and it shows and that made me happy.

However, Rome wasn't built in a day and they are by no means perfect in the communication department but they are both trying and get points for that. They implicitly trust each other and the love they share is the force that drives them both to strive for something bigger and stronger, something unique unto them.

One person can't love you enough to make up for all the people who don't, but Cooper wasn't trying for all the people. Just the one. Just for right now.

Their sex lives continue to surprise and delight me. This role playing thing they've got going... 🙌🤪👍🤯💪 ASDFGHJKLOIUYTREW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Sex Gods,

Hi there! YUGE fan of your work.

Please if you could find it in your heart to continue to inspire Charlie Adhara with a certain hunky werewolf and his slightly neurotic but totally lovable human, I'd be SUPER grateful were there to be more of their particular brand of reindeer games in my future. Perhaps something of the mating variety that included some biting? 😘

Good talk.

🍆🍑,

Me

My only quibble is the mystery wasn't as engrossing as previous one, but I quickly forgot all about that when the twist at the end came. Did not see that coming. At all. But I dug it. And I want to see how it plays out in the next book. 🙏🙏

Fans of this series should be happy with this installment and if you've not started the series, it's not a standalone so skedattle on back to The Wolf at the Door and get to work!

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) by Rachel Reid

Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander’s game—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…

True story. I read the first book in this series AFTER I read the blurb for this one. 

One might say a solid case could be made for me having a "problem" with the enemies to lovers trope based on this information so... let's just keep it between us, k?

Ilya Rozanov was introduced in Game Changer but this could easily be read as a standalone. I liked the first book fine but I LOVED this one. Ilya and his bear tattoo having "for Russia!" ass shot to the top of my most favorite characters ever list. In the dictionary next to the word "cocky" should be his picture with his devil may care smirk. He knows how great he is and is more than willing to let you know too.

Gawd, I loved him! The whole book had me strung out on snark, feels and swooniness. And it showed. On my face. In the form of a dopey grin.

Straitlaced, do-gooder Shane Hollander is Ilya's arch rival. They are complete opposites excepting hockey. Both are at the top of the NHL food chain and constantly competing. In all things. Their constant smack talking and competitive natures was sports romance gold. Even when the L word became part of their vernacular they were still razzing each other and it was fantastic!

I adored them both. I liked the contrasts in them personality-wise and enjoyed watching both evolve as they realistically moved from super casual to friends with benefits to more over the course of nine/ten years. Ilya is confident in his bisexuality and experienced whereas Shane is still trying to figure it out and inexperienced with men. Shane's sexual discovery felt organic and I appreciated Rose's characterization and positivity so much.

Even though the NHL revels in highlighting their rivalry and differences, they have no issues between the sheets. A couple of scenes... JAYSUS! Have I mentioned how much I love it when they beg? Shane turns out to be quite the bottom. Bless him.

Reid did a great job of gradually building their backstories and showing their connection. They have fun and laugh which I find appealing and I was delighted that it continued throughout the story. Their banter had me doing that weird half bark, half laugh thing that's guaranteed to make strangers look at you like you've lost your damn mind.

Tis true, there's not much I like better than sports romance. But then to add in an enemies to lovers trope, comedy, sexiness that blew my doors off and top it off with a heaping dollop of squishy marshmallowness?

The only thing missing was an age difference which likely would've caused me to burst into a cloud of marshmallow floof, glitter and bubbles so... I think we all dodged a bullet there. #messy

I usually like to close with recommending the book to people, but in lieu of that I will say I like my sleep. Rarely does a book come along that interferes with it but this one did. I couldn't wait to be back in the Ilya/Shane bublé, so I stayed up late and woke early. I also seldom want to start a book over immediately upon finishing it and I'm still tempted to jump back in this bublé.

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court #1) by M.A. Grant

Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control. 

Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope.

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick.

Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly.

Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war…or destroy them both.

Kind of a mixed bag.

I didn't hate it but there were a few things that left me feeling confused, things about the plot and/or world building that I could never reconcile.

For instance, Finn has been attending Mather’s School of Magick for the past SIX YEARS and cannot control said magic? At all.

That seems like a no brainer from a school with School of Magick in the title, doesn't it? I guess I kind of had Hogwarts in mind with objective being to train its students how to both control and utilize their powers. But this school seems to be like a any other university only with various paranormal people attending and primarily focused on forging alliances between pantheons. OK. But I still don't get why Finn was admitted since he's human.

At first I thought it was so he would be protected from random underworld beings that are trying get to him for his power which would also kill him, but...

All sorts of nasties are all over him like white on rice which "forces" his nemesis and roommate, Roark, to come to his rescue. Repeatedly.

The flip side of this uneven world building is the creatures that pop up are vivid and... pretty disgusting, TBH. The skirmishes Finn and Roark find themselves in are entertaining and they do make a good team.

I've no idea why it took them SIX YEARS to discover that they made a good team, but let me not beat the dead horse.

Roark being the Prince of Air and Darkness and the second son of the Unseelie queen is not only powerful but extremely cunning. At first he seems to be harboring a grudge against Finn for some reason but as the story unfolds we begin to learn that beneath his urbane and fractious exterior beats the heart of a man deeply and completely in love, a man who has made the ultimate sacrifice for his beloved.

Yeah, pretty swoony.

The romance and chemistry between them is solid. Had the enemies portion of the narrative lasted longer I would've been in hog heaven.

I guess I had it in my head that the next book would focus on Finn and Roark too since there were things that developed that left me wanting, but it appears the next book is focused on a different couple in which case I'm a bit disappointed by the ending. It felt rushed and though I liked the resolution I like my couples to couple a bit before The End.

Parts of the world building are good, parts of the plot are good and the overall romance is pretty satisfying but the whole could've been stronger. Perhaps it gets stronger as the series evolves. I could be interested in continuing the series; however, my opinions are my own and YMMV.

An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Not Dead Yet (Not Dead Yet #1) by Jenn Burke

Author Jenn Burke is here today talking supernatural to celebrate her recent release from Carina Press, Not Dead Yet (Not Dead Yet #1) along with A Novel Take Promotions. Find out more about this paranormal romance and enter to win a signed paperback and some Canadian swag! Not available from retailers! Good luck!

Creating a Supernatural World

By Jenn Burke

I discovered urban fantasy when I was a teenager in the late 80s and early 90s, and I’m not going to lie, my world kind of changed. I’d always loved tales about magic, and fairytales, but the idea that magic could be everywhere in our world sparked my imagination like nothing else.

The Diana Tregarde series by Mercedes Lackey seemed like it could actually happen—a Wiccan Guardian who watched over people, protecting them from all sorts of bad people and creatures. And then there was Tanya Huff’s Vicki Nelson series, which was set in and around Toronto, bringing that magic a little closer to home. And then…Charles de Lint’s Moonheart, and Jack of Kinrowan series, both of which are set in my hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, and blew my mind.

So when I started writing, I knew I wanted to write books with paranormal elements—witches, vampires, shifters, and so on—and I wanted to set them in Canada. Here are three concepts I keep in mind when I’m writing my Canada-set paranormal books.

Anchor your world

I feel strongly that when you’re creating a contemporary-set paranormal world, you need to anchor it in reality. That doesn’t mean you can’t bend realism when you need to. But the world should be recognizably ours, for the most part.

To do this, I like to set my stories in places that actually exist. My first published paranormal romance, Her Sexy Sentinel, is set in Ottawa, and I spent a lot of time prowling my city physically and virtually to make sure the settings for my scenes would work (for example, I didn’t want to set a highrise in a location where highrises don’t exist in real life).

But be flexible

You need to remember that you’re not writing nonfiction. This is your world, and you can adapt it as you need to. The key is being consistently believable.

In Not Dead Yet, Detective Hudson Rojas works nights only for medical reasons despite (from what information I could dig up) most real-life Toronto detectives being on a shift rotation. I made that restriction believable by explaining what he does to mitigate it (shorter but more frequent shifts) and the consequences (he’ll never achieve a higher rank). These are consistently believable elements that help convince the reader my world is real.

Create rules

You need to establish rules for your world early on, so you give the reader some idea of what to expect. It also helps to raise the stakes if the reader knows that the characters can’t just magic their way out of a jam.

In the Not Dead Yet world, I have specific rules for my magical characters. For example, when Wes is in the otherplane as a ghost, he can’t see living creatures clearly. They’re fuzzy, dark blobs of shadow. Lexi, his badass witch best friend, can’t cast magic for personal gain—it always backfires.

I’d say that your supernatural rules are one area where you shouldn’t be flexible—at least not if it’s unplanned or unexplained. If you make your rules inconsistent on a whim, or to get your characters out of a difficult situation, you may lose readers.

Go forth and create

These are really basic ideas to keep in mind when creating your own supernatural world. But they should give you a starting point. I hope you have as much fun as I do making new worlds to play in!

NOT DEAD YET by Jenn Burke

Series: Not Dead Yet #1

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: February 4, 2019 (ebook only)

Length: 91,000 words

Subgenre: Paranormal mystery romance

Warnings: Depression, talk of suicide, murders, paranormal violence

Links:

Harlequin | Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

Synopsis:

Dying isn’t what it used to be.

Wes Cooper was dead. Then he wasn’t—though he’s not exactly alive, either. As an immortal not-ghost, he can transition between this world and the otherplane, which makes him the perfect thief for hire. For seventy years he’s made a “living” returning items to their rightful owners, seeing his fair share of the bizarre in the process. But he’s never witnessed murder. Until now.

His latest mission brings him more than he bargained for: a very-dead actor who is definitely going to stay that way. It’s just Wes’s luck that his ex-boyfriend, Detective Hudson Rojas, is assigned to the case. Hudson broke Wes’s heart years ago—and could again, given he’s rocking a hot silver-fox look that shouldn’t be legal.

As they work together to track down the murderer before anyone else gets hurt, it becomes clear Wes and Hudson have unfinished business. And when a secret Hudson’s been keeping threatens more than just their happiness, it might mean the end of their not-life together—permanently.

Jenn Burke has loved out-of-this-world romance since she first read about heroes and heroines kicking butt and falling in love as a preteen. Now that she’s an author, she couldn’t be happier to bring adventure, romance, and sexy times to her readers.

Jenn is the author of a number of paranormal and science fiction romance titles, including the critically acclaimed Chaos Station science fiction romance series (authored with Kelly Jensen) from Carina Press.

She’s been called a pocket-sized and puntastic Canadian on social media, and she’ll happily own that label. Jenn lives just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and two kids, plus two dogs named after video game characters…because her geekiness knows no bounds.

Connect With Jenn:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeralibu

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jeralibu/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295814398039168/ (Jenn Burke’s Epic Adventurers)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeralibu/

Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/jennburkenewsletter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9869819.Jenn_Burke

Tumblr: http://jeralibu.tumblr.com/

2 prize packs:

●     One signed paperback copy of Not Dead Yet (exclusive; you can’t buy it in print!) with some Canadian swag – will ship internationally

●     $10 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway