Review: Bully for Sale (Heat for Sale #2) by Leta Blake

Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him.

Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life.

A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch.

Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves.

The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love.

While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully.

 

Bully for Sale is the second addition to the Heat for Sale series. If you haven't read book #1- Heat for Sale (I suggest you do- the audiobook is fantastic!) The books can be read as standalone.

Leta Blake is definitely one of the few published authors' A/B/O that I can read and tolerate. If you're not familiar with the omegaverse the author set up, women do not exist, men can be carriers (omegas), while betas are relatively human and alphas are the top of the chain, with their knots and life saving semen. Omegas have less rights and are treated as breeding machines mostly. Let's get the triggers out the way: attempted rape, dubious consent, eating disorder.

In this newest addition, the main characters are still in high school. (Don't worry, they're all legal.) Omega Ezer Fersee is nineteen, dyslexic and the bane of his wealthy alpha parent. His omega parent has been kicked out of their home, his older omega brothers seem to care only for themselves and he has know one. And to top it off, he's bullied mercilessly and labeled as the 'weird kid'. After an attempted rape by three rich alpha bullies, Ezer's life couldn't get any worse right? Wrong. Wealthy omegas usually have their heats and bodies sold to the higher bidder or Ezer's family's case, an arranged 'heat cycle'. But the person who is chosen for him... one his alpha bullies, Ned Clearwater. 

Ned is a coward and a follower, two bad combinations to have in life in my opinion. He's idealistic and romantic. And fell for Ezer the moment he saw him. Ned is trying to redeem himself and that's the crux of his arc for the majority of the book. He was loathsome and he's trying to better himself. He's a gentle giant that isn't too set in his ways that he can't be changed as he enters adulthood. I'm not a fan of cowards and Ned most certainly is one. But, he's likeable too. 

Ezer is prickly and remains true to his self for the book too. He's had a crap hand dealt to him and he learns more about himself, you can't help but feel sorry for him too. 

Essentially, this is new adult, but the adults in their lives are their puppet masters and they get thrown into too many adult things that they're not ready for. There is smut but since most of it due to their biology, I wouldn't say it was gratuitous. They need it at a molecular level. ;)

Why not rate it higher? While the story is paced pretty quick despite being 404 pages, the romance is mainly one sided for the majority of the book. (Which for me, works for the characters especially with the way Ezer is portrayed.) Thankfully, there's an epilogue! But we don't get to read the changes Ned needs to go through on page.I don't mind bully romances but something about Ned's cowardly ways got under my skin a bit.

Overall, it's a solid new adult story. I was happy Heat for Sale's main characters (Heath and Adrien) showed up a for a few. I did like the pair.

P.S. I do hope there's a story for each of the adult Fersee brothers, especially Shan. I'm so anxious at all the possibilities that could happen with Ezer's family. 

A copy provided for an honest review.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Perfectly Mismatched (Pine Wood Falls #4) by Sarah Havan

Join author Sarah Havan and Gay Book Promotions as they celebrate the release of Perfectly Mismatched (Pine Wood Falls #4)! Find out more about the mpreg romance and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Perfectly Mismatched (Pine Wood Falls #4)

Author: Sarah Havan

Publisher: Sarah Havan Books

Cover Artist: Sarah Havan

Release Date: June 22, 2021

Genres: Mpreg, Non-shifter Mpreg romance

Tropes:  Frenemies to lovers 

Themes: Recovering from trauma, starting a new life

Heat Rating: 4 flames      

Length:  approx. 80 000 words

It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK 

They’re fated even though they can’t stand each other.

Blurb

Dekker Baines decides he wants to start a family, but he doesn’t have an alpha, so he goes to one of Pine Wood Falls get-togethers. It’s where you go if you need someone to mate with, but his evening goes sideways when a few alphas don’t take no for an answer.

Ryder Remington is Dekk’s business partner, and when he gets a call that Dekk is in trouble, he runs to his rescue and comes across a scene that makes his blood boil. A month after the attack, when Dekk goes into heat again, Ryder tells him he’ll be the father of his children. Dekk is reluctant at first but can’t fight his urge to be with child.

Now they’re starting a family, but the thing is, they can’t stand each other. They are as mismatched as two people can get. Together they have to navigate recovering from trauma, try to tolerate living with each other, and get ready for quintuplets. If they can manage all of that, they might get their happy ending, but things never go according to plan.

Excerpt 

BALLING MY FISTS AT MY SIDE, I TOOK IN A DEEP BREATH. It was one of those moments where I wondered why I went into business with this man. Ryder Remington was very punchable, but like I could have ever punched him, he towered over me.

“There’s no way in hell we’re naming the bar that.” He scratched the dark stubble on his jaw and shook his head.

I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled. “Why? It’s cute, a play on words.”

“Bars aren’t supposed to be cute,” he grumbled.

“Not everything has to always be macho and manly.” I sat at the bar with my laptop in front of me. 

“Macho. Who uses that word? You know who? Someone who likes cute. For now, the bar is staying named bar.” He couldn’t even be bothered to capitalize it. The sign above the door outside seriously said bar. From where he squatted on the floor, he bore his dark-brown eyes into me, pressing his lips together. It was his go-to I’m an alpha, and you’re going to listen to me look.

“But The Ballet Bar has such a nice ring to it.”

“No.”

I stuck my nose up in the air. “Fine, always so grouchy.”

“I’m not grouchy,” he said, snarling his lip. 

“Gruff.” A perfect word for him. Demeanor and looks. He was a six-foot-five wall of muscle with light tan skin and a head of thick wavy hair. He always wore dark jeans and a black T-shirt and seemed to favor the perfect amount of stubble. And if I didn’t know him and was in a dark alley with him, I’d turn and go in the opposite direction. He always looked like he wanted to harm somebody.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing some kind of work?” he asked as he emptied the box of bottles next to him.

“Aren’t you?” I flicked my wrist in his direction, and besides, I was doing work. Someone had to keep our business affairs in order. I had just finished placing an order for a new local craft beer we were going to try.

“How did I get talked into opening this place with you?” He stood and folded up the now empty box.

“You saw the brilliance behind my plan.” Basically, I was able to front half the money to open the place. Pine Wood Falls offered a lot of assistance if you opened a business there, like land or a storefront, but there were plenty of other things needed to open a business that required capital. I had moved back to the area about half a year before and wanted something new in my life. Plus, being my own boss sweetened the deal, and my friend Lucas told me he heard about how Ryder was looking for a business partner.

He furrowed his brow and began to wipe down the counter. “And you know what?”

“You know what I know? You’re still trying to come up with a response.”

“You’re supposed to be the business end. In the back, doing the books.”

“Do you know that running a business entails more than some money and doing the books as you say?”

He ignored me and continued to wipe the counter.

“And I put up half the money, too, so I should have just as much right naming the place. You’re the one that makes the drinks, but it doesn’t make you special.” He thought since he was the alpha, he got to call the shots, but we were in it fifty/fifty. Therefore, even if he only saw me as some little omega, I still had an equal say, and I was not ready to give up my fight on naming the bar, but for the day, I let it go.

“It does. I’m so goddamn special.”

“You precious little peach you.”

“Said the ballerina.”

“Said the college dropout.”

“I went and tried. Did you ever take a college course? No.”

Well, he had me there. “I was at an elite dance academy.”

He put his hands on the edge of the bar and leaned in toward me. “For high school.”

“I was actually there until a year after high school,” I said.

“See, and you’re making fun of me. I’m a proud college dropout. You, it seems, was held back at your fancy pants school.” He smirked and threw the towel he wiped down the counter with over his shoulder.

About the Author 

Sarah Havan writes all kinds of LGBTQIA+ romance, loves watermelon flavored candy, and has a vast flannel shirt collection. When not writing, Sarah loves to read and watch shows about murder.

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Instagram  |  Patreon

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Review: His Surrogate Omega (Omega Quadrant #1) by Kelex

Omega Gray Tomlinson is positive he’ll remain unmated for the rest of his life. By his mid-thirties, he remains unclaimed and without prospects, and lives confined to the Omega Quadrant, where he’s sure he’ll end up dying alone.

When his older brother, Silver, and Silver’s alpha die in a tragic accident, Gray’s nephews come to live in his little sequestered world. Without an alpha, he knows he has little means to help support the boys. The only choice he can stomach is to offer his services as a surrogate.

The minute Gray meets Jamie, the infertile omega who so desperately wants a child, he senses a bond like none he’s ever felt before. It’s brotherly love at first sight, and Gray decides Jamie is the one, agreeing to carry his and his alpha, Rohan’s, child.

But when circumstances change, Gray is faced with new challenges, a new love interest, and a battle for the very life that grew inside him. And maybe there’s an alpha out there for him after all…

The tight grip I've had on fan fiction over the past year has been deadly. I have read some of the best written works in years during my fan fiction tight hold, creative, plot driven, excellent world-building. And one genre that I prefer fan fic style is ABO. A lot of the published ABO I've found to be more lighter, fluffier and while it's not bad, I don't mind more substance and a good plot.

I've been on a ABO binge lately (if you're on GR you can check my latest read books to see). I've found a lot of well plotted published ABO and haven't been disappointed yet. And this one that I'm reviewing is from a personal read that I am highly recommending. Because it had plot, great characters, angst, and it made me tear up...in fucking public as I read: His Surrogate Omega (Omega Quadrant #1) by Kelex.

Never read this author before but blurb read delicious to my angst loving heart. And I definitely don't mind trying new authors out.

Loved this. Loved it so much that I'll ignore the perfectness at certain parts just because on a whole, this story just works!

Triggers: cancer, death, infertility - lets get those out the way shall we. 

In the Omega Quadrant world, omegas are sectioned off in part of land where their rights are restricted. Unless they mate with an alpha, they can't leave. Alphas have their own quadrant (where it's better-go figure) and there's a Family Quadrant where mixed genders reside. Beta are basically neutral parties but aren't revered as they can't procreate. 

We start with nearly 35 year old artist omega Gray who hasn't been a prospect for a mate in many years. He's on the shelf and was happy until his omega brother and mate died. Now uncle Gray is guardian of his 3 omega nephews:19, 13 and 10 years old. (Yikes) Omegas can't work in any decent paying respectful jobs, so Gray comes up with one of the few jobs he could do: being a surrogate. 

His oldest omega nephew is actually more responsible than Gray, but Gray's getting a crash course raising his nephews and trying to earn money. Gray meets the fabulous Jaime, who is infertile due to illness. The two share a bond in a instant like brothers. And they lean on each other on their journey to surrogacy. 

Jaime's alpha, Rohan, however feels immediate attraction to Gray. But what does it mean for his bond? Between Gray and Rohan trying to deny their feelings, Gray's family issues, hell...Jaime's family issues- it kept me so engaged. This story isn't about knotting and omega slick. There's sexy and hormones but that secondary to the overall story. I was invested in their lives and found myself tearing up reading the grief and illness battle. 

Is this a love triangle? Eh...no. Is there cheating? I didn't consider it to be. 

The characters made an impression that stuck. Yes, there is pain. But the journey and battle made the happily ever after worth it. And I'll probably will reread this very soon. I want more of this world because there seems to be an omega revolution brewing. 

I am chomping at the bit for the next in the series. (no pressure to the author) Just know I'll be on book #2 (AVERY and WILDER!) and any more from this series like white on rice. 

 

P.S. Is Vaughn going to have a future book? He comes off as an ass and a half, but maybe he's redeemable? *shrug* He definitely has MUCH growing up to do.

Review: The Empires of Luxor City by Sasha Hope

In the aftermath of his father’s funeral, Dom Wesa, the new Alpha of Luxor City’s Central Empire, stumbles upon an Omega in desperate need of help. The Omega, Lin Vasiliev, wakes to find he’s been taken into Dom’s home to be rehabilitated. Dom thinks the young addict may have information about the illicit drug trade going on in his Empire. He gets Lin sober to question him only to discover that Lin is new in town and ignorant of Luxor’s laws.

Dom and Lin are both suspicious of each other at first for their own reasons, but as that wariness wears away a deep attraction develops between them. Dom dotes on Lin, leaving the once stone-broke Omega bathed in finery he never could have imagined. They start planning for Lin’s upcoming heat, when they will be driven together by their kindling bond and strong compatibility as an Alpha and Omega pair. However, in the midst of their swelling romance, Luxor’s most notorious Alpha reappears sparking a gang war that threatens to turn the entire city into a battleground.

Reading books and me haven't been seeing eye to eye lately. I've been devouring fan fiction in my free time. I've tried a good number of books in the interim but nothing stuck.

The Empires of Luxor by debut (published) author Sasha Hope however was one to finally catch and hold my attention. the blurb definitely is a SRAL magnet = ABO + mafia! Plus, the author is a fan fic writer so, it was a win-win-win on all fronts for me.

Overall, Empires is a solid story. We are thrown into a futuristic world where Alpha/ Beta/ Omega (ABO) society is supreme. The world is reformed after the great wars and Luxor City is the capital of New America. It's an island where gangster like empires run it in three different sectors, north, central and south. And we're thrust into the new leader of the central empire, Dom Wesa's reign. his asshole father just died and he tries to hold the empire together without resorting to drug use. And the illegal drug use leads him to a heroin addicted omega, Lin.

Dom and Lin were a cute pair. There was a little snark, some sass, a heavy dose of fluff with a little bit of action/illegal activity sprinkled in.

This read like fan fiction and I'm not hating on that all! I read lots of fan fic now, so it was super easy to jump into. But I can't rate this higher because I expected something more gritty with the world building and main characters and their positions. 

I had a couple of issues:

Lin - he's given the least amount of background. It's disappointing. We don't know nothing of why he left his home. Was he an orphan? Was he running from his troubles? What job did he have? We get the gist of why he turned to drugs for a brief time (kinda quick on shaking the heroin addiction btw) And once he's clean, he goes from shy to vixen? And the pole dancing? It read more gratuitous that helpful to the plot. 

The sex scenes between Lin and Dom - Lin has never had a heat partner. And yet he chose Dom, yet the knotting is glossed over and his first time was a bit lackluster. Again, it might be due to the author not fully laying out the ABO rules in this universe - knotting/mating seemed to be a big deal. The secondary couple's sex scene was way better than the main pair and they didn't even have half of the book to fully explore their plot.

The mafia - mmm...other than telling the reader about being gangsters and cool shooting scenes here and there, Dom wasn't all that bad. He was a teddy bear at the end of the day especially since he just took care of a random "junkie" without doing background checks, etc. My fave 'bad guy' was Jimena actually. 

Dom/Lin relationship - This is an issue I've read in a number of books. If a bad guy finally lets someone in romantically into their lives, there should be a good enough reason as to why the other person is THE ONE. Dom didn't seem so affected when he clapped eyes on Lin. And vice versa. Dom was kind of standoffish/cold and Lin sort of seemed reserved...why mate so quick if the passion wasn't at an all time high? I can ignore insta-love/mating if the passion each character consumes them (I've read a good number of stories where it's believable) But these two go from 0 to 60 then boom 100. Like the indulgent car or strip club scene? It read more for the reader and less for the characters, which sucks because I wanted to love the main characters. I ended the story being more invested in the secondary characters *cough* Jimena (who I couldn't stop picturing as Jidenna after reading the author's blog post)

Overall, the story is good. It reads lighter than it looks. Good world building, wouldn't mind more backstory about this version of omegas. I'd try this author's future works. They have great ideas.

Release Blitz: Malthusia Fate by Emma Jaye

Join author Emma Jaye and Gay Book Promotions hosts today release blitz for first in the series, Malthusia Fate! Discover more about the non-shifter tale today!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Malthusia Fate

Author: Emma Jaye

Publisher: Purindoors Publications

Cover Artist: Nero Seal

Release Date: 14 August, 2020

Genre/s: Dark, genderfluid parallel universe, 

omegaverse (non-shifter, scientifically plausible)

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort. Abuse/oppression survival

Themes: kidnap, scientific experimentation, forced pregnancy, 

religious/political oppression. Knotting/heat

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 130 000 words

It is the first in a series but works alone and has an HFN ending.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

Our perfect society is tainted.

Blurb

I run because I don’t have a choice. I run for those who can’t, for those inside me.

The Three Faced God should have chosen my Fate, should have molded me according to the needs of my fellow Malthusians, but some assume they are above even God. I should have been at least a beta, hopefully an alpha, but never this. They thought changing my body would change my soul, that I’d be a compliant omega while they used and experimented on me. Others die, others submit, and say its their Fate. I know different. A malthusian caused this, one of my own kind. They think they’ve won, but I’ll win, simply by living another second, another day. But can I survive alone?

Adult content, a gritty, alternate universe storyline, including genetic engineering, captivity, torture, domestic abuse, forced pregnancy, and murder. Alpha, beta, and omega genderfluid characters.

Trailer Video

Excerpt

Sunlight streamed through the windows. People were doing chores, inside and outside. How could the betas go about their normal routine as if nothing had happened? Because it doesn’t matter to them, SHE didn’t matter to them. There was a replacement on the way. Life would go on for the Grabars as if Ma had never been here. Well, Tav would remember her.

A cheerful whistle came from below. One moment Tav stood in the bedroom, the next they were hurtling out the front door, launching themselves at the surprised beta, screaming, punching, ripping at clothes. The beta fell backward, letters flying up in the air. Tav landed on top of the stunned beta, who only tried to defend their face from the hysterical assault of a child.

“Tav? Tav, what the hell? It’s just the post-beta,” Sayen shouted as the older beta tried to pull the struggling, nightshirt-clad youngster off their victim.

Strong hands grabbed Tav’s upper arms. Tav left the ground and stared into Pa’s bloodshot eyes. His bare, hairy chest, beard, and musky scent enforced his identity.

“You will not embarrass her by behaving like a wild animal. You and your siblings are her legacies. Act like it.”

Without another word, he placed Tav back on his feet, growled, ‘Deal with it’ at his sibling who had arrived, breathing hard.

Telish strode back into the house, wearing only his formal kilt, not looking back at his devastated child. Tav stood there, the anger gone, watching Ma’s mate, the alpha who had put her aside, had killed her, walk away because he had more important things to do than take time to comfort or explain why Tav no longer had a Ma. Tav didn’t matter, any more than Ma had mattered.

Sayen shooed the rapidly growing crowd away as Daven led Tav by the arm to the stone steps of the porch. Daven sat Tav down and put their jacket around the child’s shivering shoulders. The house stretched out on either side of them, the autumn flowers in the window boxes Ma had planted moved to and fro in the cold wind.

In a week, the weather had turned; Tav’s world had turned. Soon, everything would die as winter took hold. Somehow, it felt right that the whole world would soon suffer like Tav suffered.

They sat side by side, untie and nibling, silently watching the normal goings on of the estate for a good ten minutes. The estate went on as normal. Tav didn’t understand.

Not even the post-beta looked at them as they came out of the house after Sayen treated the scratches. They grabbed their bicycle and pedaled back toward the main road.

“What did the post-beta do?” Daven asked.

Tav didn't have a logical answer, so they shrugged. A long, heavy arm draped over Tav’s shoulders and squeezed. Tears prickled Tav’s eyes. Daven might not say it, but they did care, at least a little. Unlike Telish.

“Come on, Tav, there must have been something. I’d expect that sort of thing from Zep, but not you.”

Tav stiffened, insulted and a little afraid of the implications. “Why? Don't you think I can be aggressive? I'm not an omega; I don't blindly accept everything.”

Daven squeezed again. “Oh, I know that, pup. Although I’ve known omegas who packed quite a wallop before they manifested. I remember a certain scamp called Per who threw an apple at me after I stuck my tongue out at them.”

Tav turned wide eyes to Daven. “Ma did that?”

Daven chuckled. “She, or rather they at the time, most certainly did. The lump on the back of my head lasted a week. Now, what did the postie do to warrant a beating by Tav the Terrible? Because if I agree, I'm going to chase the offender down and punch them myself.”

“They were whistling.” It sounded ridiculous to Tav as soon as the words left their mouth.

Daven heaved themself off the porch, pulling up their sleeves. “Right, that’s it, bloody nose time.”

Tav jumped up and grabbed Daven’s arm, the post-beta didn’t deserve a bloody nose.

“No, don’t,” Tav giggled.

“I’ll have to take it out on you then,” Daven said and swung Tav up into their arms. After reducing Tav to a gasping wreck by tickling them to within an inch of their life, Daven turned Tav to face them. Tav’s brief happiness crashed.

Oh God, I laughed, I actually laughed, and Ma isn’t even cold yet.

Daven’s smile disappeared too. “She wouldn't want you to be sad. It was her time, part of the Almighty’s plan. Your Pa’s right, the best thing we can do to honor her is to carry on and be the best we can, but don’t think any of us aren’t upset. We all are, and although I wear kilts, not dresses, I promise I’ll be here for you, ok?”

Tav blinked back stinging tears, and Daven put them down. “That's the brave Tav I know. Go get dressed then start on your schoolwork; I'll be in later. Try not to attack any more delivery betas, even if they are whistling. They didn’t know, ok?”

Drawing up every ounce of courage, Tav nodded and went back inside to make Ma proud.

 

About the Author 

Emma was destined to be a little quirky after being born as an unexpected twin in Hungry Bottom (Yes, it’s a real place).

Known as the Queen of Angst because she loves putting damaged, often sweet and funny characters through hell before letting them have a HFN or HEA ending.

She blames her rebellious muse (who looks like Chris from the Paint Series) for the erotic aspects tickling the angst and the humour climbing into bed with the erotic.

When not writing or reading in leafy Sussex, England, she herds Birman cats and sons; both groups argue that there are too many of the other sort.

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Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Tuning the Guitarist (Seaside Bay #2) by J.S. Bright

Don't miss the last day of the Tuning the Guitarist (Seaside Bay #2) blog tour! Author J.S. Bright and Vibrant Promotions share some info about the latest in the omegaverse series and host a $50 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Tuning The Guitarist

Seaside Bay Series, Book 2

JS Bright

M/M Omegaverse

Release Date: 02.28.20

Blurb

Timothy

I can’t trust my past and relying on my future is no good either. Stopping in Seaside Bay is dangerous. I should move on, but I’m tired. Searching for food and a safe place to sleep consumes me until I land in Seaside Bay. The people here are too friendly. I should take off before someone finds out the truth. When I meet Mike, I know I can’t trust him, but he’s the safest person I’ve ever known.

Mike

My life turned upside down when I lost my hand, but moving to Seaside Bay might have saved me. From partying too hard to living the fast life, I was on a path to destruction. Seaside Bay has calmed me and convinced me I love the quiet life. Then Tim stumbles into my life, and everything gets upended. I’m lost without him close.

I’ll change everything for Tim. He’s got a load of heat on him, and I’m not sure I can save him once that heat comes down. Can I save Tim, or will his past consume him?

Tuning the Guitarist can be read as a standalone.

Buy Link: https://amzn.to/382IUbR

Excerpt

“Hey,” Mike whispered. “I’m heading downstairs. Come down when you’re ready.”

I waited until he had left the room before I dropped to the mattress, stunned by what had happened.

The bathroom called, so I grabbed my clothes then headed across the hall.

After I finished in the bathroom and dressed, I headed downstairs, pausing before I entered the kitchen. Deep breaths calmed me enough so I didn’t faint.

I stepped around the corner and Mike cut his gaze my way, a smile turning up the corners of his lips.

“I’ve made scrambled eggs and English muffins. I’m cooking up some ham right now because it sounded good. I know I said for brunch on Saturday, but I didn’t want to wait. Does this look like enough?” Mike pointed to the pan on the stovetop.

I moved closer and craned my neck to look. Mike set the spatula down and reached out, pulling me close. The look in his eyes made me shiver. Mike brushed his lips over mine in a quick move before he turned back to the food.

“I have a mug ready for you. You just need to pour some coffee up.”

The coffee smelled great as I poured myself a mug. The first sip was marvelous. The warmth and the strength of the brew ate away at the cobwebs in my mind.

“Did Spot sleep inside?” I asked between sips.

“Yep. I fed him some breakfast and let him out. He was tired of being inside and needed his freedom.”

Mike set the plates on the table then moved close and sat next to me. My experience was limited to those times alphas willing to pay to talk to me had sat in my den, my aunt and uncle watching us like hawks. It was weird being next to Mike and not having a chaperone watching my every move. I’d been fine yesterday, but after what had happened in bed, I wasn’t sure how to act.

I took a bite of the ham and cut my gaze to Mike. He was good looking, sexy in a rugged way. His lips were full, his eyes warm. Sometimes, like in the sunlight, the blue in his eyes looked brighter. Right now, his eyes seemed almost dark gray.

Mike met my gaze and smiled. “When you woke up next to me, it felt good. Having you in my arms was magical. What I didn’t like was why you were there. Tell me about the storms.”

My tongue grew thick, and my throat closed up just thinking about the storm and how I’d freaked out. The coffee helped me clear my mind, but I still flinched when a memory hit me square in the chest.

Mike’s hand was on mine, his touch comforting. “If it’s too hard to talk about, we can do this later.”

Anger and pain rushed up, catching me off guard. “You’re too nice,” I spit out. “How can you be so nice and understanding? I’ve spent most of my life with people who have tortured me, I’m not used to this.” Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Mike took my hand and tugged me into his lap. Conflict built inside. How did I want Mike and want to reject him at the same time?

Mike didn’t say more. Instead, he held me and kissed the top of my head while I calmed down.

After a moment, I slipped off his lap and finished eating breakfast before I headed upstairs to make sure I had everything. I met Mike in the entryway, ready to head to work. It was weird heading to work. No longer was I a prisoner in my aunt and uncle’s house.

When we stepped outside, the clouds parted and the sun streamed through the trees. I took two steps and paused as a wooden wind chime sounded, the notes deep. “Get on up here, Timothy and help me with this fish.” The words played in my mind, and I spun back to the deck, feeling like my father should be right there. But the memory was a little different, with pots of flowers decorating the area along with a yellow patio chair. Mike turned and lifted his brows but said nothing.

Memories tumbled over me as I followed behind Mike on my way to his truck. What had happened the day my mother died? It was on the edge of my memory, teasing me. The sun streaming in through the trees jogged something in my mind. Whatever was playing with my mind, taunting me behind closed-off sections of memory had happened in an area like this.

I settled in Mike’s truck and the memories fled. We drove to work, saying little to each other. The silence wasn’t awkward. Instead, it was like we were two friends who knew each other well. I guessed Mike knew me better than some based on what we’d done together. Heat filled me and I wanted to hide.

Mike stopped the truck and cut the engine then reached across his body, grabbing my arm with his hand. He had to lean over to touch me with his left hand, sending warmth through me. Being close to Mike felt good, like maybe I belonged with him, or was it just that I belonged in Seaside Bay.

“I want you to know I’m here for you. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here. And if you want me in your bed again tonight, I’m ready for that too.”

His words were molten lava to my soul. My only reaction was to nod. The man stirred something so primal inside and I wasn’t sure I would survive. Just being with Mike was wonderful. Being his primary focus would be overwhelming.

Taming the Doctor, Seaside Bay Book 1: https://amzn.to/2TypUhr

About the Author

JS Bright, a USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance and reverse harem romance, lives in the south where "bless your heart" is an insult and "shut up" shows love. JS has been reading since they could open a book and has taken the passion for words and combined it with the love of travel to create stories full of passion and excitement.

If you love a good book with a fantastic happily ever after and a paranormal twist, you'll enjoy a JS Bright novel. For a contemporary novel, pick up a Julia Bright book.

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Guest Review: A Dream of Daisies by Lemi Young

A tradition from days past, for when a lonely omega had no other recourse...

Since he was young, Chamomile Greenthroat has dreamed of having a family of his own. Now, growing older and still without a partner, he turns to a nearly-forgotten tradition: a charm of flowers left on his doorstep, a message to the alphas of town that he seeks a child.

The response is overwhelming, but one charm stands above the rest. An alpha who has pined in secret for years has finally broken his silence, hoping for more than just a night or two together. But first, there's the small matter of making a baby...

An Alpha/Beta/Omega mpreg novella, featuring lots of flowers, an age-gap romance, and equal parts sweet and sexy!

Reviewer: Shee Reader

This is a super sweet, age gap romance that didn’t take long to read at all. Perfect for a quick pick me up!

Chamomile is lonely and decides to try a long forgotten tradition of leaving a flower charm by his cottage door, so the Alphas of the village will know the omega wanted a baby. He gets lots of replies, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. An alpha who seems to want more than a baby making fling.

Lark is a woodworker who had admired Chamomile from afar for YEARS! They are such an adorably cute couple and the baby making takes place in earnest before a marriage vow is taken. It is such an adorable other-worldly story, but with a satisfying relationship that is such the loveliest HEA it left me smiling like a fool.

I adored how the book started my education in the language of flowers, and I’ll certainly look out for more by this author.

Highly recommended.

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Slow Birth (Heat of Love #2.5) by Leta Blake

Slow Birth (Heat of Love, #2.5) is out now! Celebrate the release of another installment in this popular paranormal romance with author Leta Blake & Signal Boost Promotions & be sure to enter the giveaway for a backlist ebook from the author too! Good luck!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited


Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Designs


Heat Of Love Series


Book #1 - Slow Heat - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book #2 - Alpha Heat - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book #3 - Bitter Heat - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link


Blurb

Jason and Vale are back in this side story set in the Heat of Love universe!


A romantic getaway turns dramatic when an unexpected heat descends on Vale, leaving Jason with no choice but to act. The resulting pregnancy is dangerous for Vale and terrifying for Jason, but with the help of friends and family, they choose to embrace their uncertain future. Together they find all the love, joy, and heat they need to guide them through!


While this story follows the characters from Slow Heat, it will be most enjoyable if read directly after Alpha Heat, as it takes place contemporaneously with that book.

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

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Review: Omega Teacher's Baby (Men of Meadowfall #2) by Anna Wineheart

Divorced and shamed for his infertility, Professor Dale Kinney has spent the past ten years proving his worth: by building a solid research lab in his field. With his tenure two years away, everything's finally going right... except he also has a secret.

Dale has a crush on his student—Greg Hastings. Sweet, straight-A alpha, and also the college president's son. Greg has been asking Dale out for coffee since semester began. And it's been taking all of Dale's self-control to turn him down.

Four years ago, Greg lost his best friend in a fire. At eighteen, he'd had ambitious plans: build a home, drive fast cars, live his life. At twenty-two, he's lost his courage to believe. How can he be there for an omega when he couldn't save his best friend? How can he promise anyone a future? The only things keeping him afloat—college basketball, and the cute, awkward professor in his classes, who sneaks glances at Greg when he thinks Greg isn't looking.

When Greg stumbles on Professor Kinney in heat, the spark between them explodes into an inferno. And despite countless failed attempts at pregnancy... Dale conceives. Dale refuses to abort the child. Greg refuses to abandon this omega. With the pregnancy an increasingly difficult secret to keep, will their slow-burning love cauterize their wounds, or burn them down?

I came here for the ABO plot and got a decent enough story. *shrug*

It's my first time reading Anna Wineheart so I went in blind. The premise is what snagged me: older divorced omega professor with infertility issues goes into heat and his 20 year younger alpha student knocks him up?

Bring it on.

The premise was nice and not complicated.

I did have concerns through out the very easy story (repetition, instalove and not enough character depth), but I finished it fairly quickly. There is a lot of smutty times (KNOTTING and slick enthusiasts would be satisfied) but it kinda overshadowed the simple plot. And was still curious enough to try more from the series. I liked both main characters and the likable side characters.

My issue with the book, it's 100K of a lot of repetition of issues  ("I'm too old" "You're my student""I don't want to plan my future") and not enough delving into the characters. For example, Dale has been triggered by his ex and their callous family saying horrible things about him when he was married 15+ years ago. He finally is pregnant after being told he couldn't by a doctor. Why in the hell would he go to a doctor especially after googling he would be considered high risk? He waits over 2 months to go.

Or it's past 75% and Greg and Dale (who declared their love for one another) are still learning the basics about each other?

So for the 100K, we get a slow first 8 weeks of pregnancy up until 70% and then we time jump with some unexpected plot devices (a surprising life or deat one) that suddenly opens the pair's eyes.

So despite the extra 50K or so that could have been shaved off because at the crux of it all it's a simple insta-love story, I zipped through this. The writing is easy to read, the plot isn't too crazy and if you're interested in just reading ABO fluff and smut, this definitely delivers. I like that the fluffed up bits weren't too sugary.

Greg's baggage while wasn't as effective as internal conflict as it wasn't written to showcase his inner struggles as well. We're told it but if it was shown in different scenes, it could have made for a better story. Same goes for Dale and his struggle with being an omega in alpha dominated field and also dealing with his 20 + struggle with being divorced.

So, I think I liked this. I'll be reading more from this series when I'm in a mood for easy on the brain ABO romance. And if you're in the mood something like this, check it out.

Review: Honeythorn by Marina Vivancos

Omega Milan Pryor knows his duty. He must travel North through the continent towards the snow, the cold, and his new betrothed. They say that Lord Alpha Raphael Ledford, the man he is to marry, is as artic as the weather of his land. But Milan has always been an optimist. Perhaps he might find friendship in the arranged marriage. Even love.

It doesn’t take long for Milan to realize that all the rumours about Lord Raphael are true. Reclusive, distant, frigid. Milan finds himself unwelcome in what he must now call his new home. He’s used to fighting for what he wants—but can he survive a husband as cruel as Lord Raphael?

Being bonded to one who rejects you is a painful thing. Will Milan be able to win his husband’s regard? What terrible secret is Lord Raphael keeping, and will Milan be able to discover it before it’s too late?

Or will Milan perish along with his heart?

Honeythorn is set in an AU with a regency feel and a healthy side of steampunk tech. I really enjoyed the world the author built and she did a great job of working it all into the story organically so I got a good “visual” of the setting. And the setting is just as much a character as the MC’s and secondary characters. Rather than a gender divide between men and women, the society is split between Alphas and Omegas where the Omegas are not typically treated as equals.

The war has ended and to keep the peace the monarchy of each country has agreed to arranged marriages between the royal families. Milan, an Omega from the warm and sunny south is paired with Raphael, an Alpha from the cold and frigid North. The two of them are opposites personified. Milan may be an Omega, but he’s no shrinking violet and he’s determined to make the most of his new life and be a good Omega to the citizens of Raphael’s realm.

In the beginning their relationship was . . . not good. Raphael was really a dick, that’s basically the best way to describe it. There were enough glimpses of interactions with his subjects to show me that he was really a good guy underneath the prickly exterior, but his dynamic with Milan said otherwise. It was obvious he had a backstory that broke him, but being that the story is told completely from Milan’s perspective I didn’t get those pieces until much later.

So, the first half of the book was the push/pull of an arranged marriage between an Alpha and an Omega who had no hope of ever falling into like with one another much less love. Raphael comes across as just plain cruel for awhile and I have to say, it was a period where I enjoyed hating him along with Milan. You know how that goes? You and an MC get on the same hate train for another character? It’s fun.

Raphael’s cruelty was born of ignorance though and when shit officially got real for Milan and Raphael had his nonsense called out for what it was, he turned the corner and became the character he was meant to be all along. His backstory came out and so did the romance. It was hard won and well earned by the time the two of them started “courting”. There was some good steam before the romance came along, but the steam in the second half was so much better because the feels were finally along for the ride too.

Milan is a great character and once Raphael got his head out of his ass so was he. If enemies to lovers is your jam, then this book will be your crack. The enemy part was so well done and visceral, I really DID NOT like Raphael, but the second half romance was even better and sold me on Raphael eventually. I also swooned over how very protective of Raphael Milan was especially considering their Alpha/Omega roles. I think that’s what I appreciated about Honeythorn so much; while the trope is not new, the delivery was fresh and fun to read.

Quick little paragraph of love for the cover of Honeythorn. Look at it. Look how pretty it is! It also captured the mood of the book really, really well. That’s Milan and one of his beautiful suits right there, no doubt about it. And there he is sitting in his favorite room of the castle. I do appreciate the author making him so much more than just a pretty face with a side of sass. His intelligence and empathy towards others made me love him all the more.

The secondary characters were very strong and I enjoyed reading the interactions between them and the MCs. Secondary characters with that much depth can be helpful when getting to know MCs with so much story to tell so I’m being shown who they are and getting to know them at the same pace the secondary characters are and it makes it so much more interesting than being told who they are.

I would love a short follow up with Milan and Raphael (and their puppies) to see them settled into their HEA. Once the BIG conflict is solved there’s some downtime for them, but I wanted some more. Mostly just because I’m greedy and I was enjoying the warm fuzzies of their relationship.

**A copy of this story was provided for an honest review**