Wrangling Wanda by Heather Long

Blurb:

No one taught him how to disarm his heart…

Clayton “Brick” Wall specialized in explosive ordinance removal, but a near miss, which almost cost his team their lives, left his nerves shot and his spirit a little broken. Even with his trusted buddy Hondo at his side, medical discharge feels like just another test he didn’t study for—what the hell is civilian life anyway? A friend sends him to Montana to heal and the Brotherhood Protectors give him a place, and a purpose.

No one taught her to stay over the safety net…
Ex-CIA asset, Wanda Aiken is working overtime to keep her grandfather’s Merry Circus afloat. Coming back had never been a part of the plan, but she’s burnt on operations and family is family. When a series of accidents threaten to sideline the whole operation, she’s torn between going old school, and throwing in the towel.

No one taught them how to not go it alone…

Sent to protect Wanda, Brick’s not prepared for the stubborn, infuriating woman determined to do it her way. All he needs is one foot to get in the center ring. Fortunately Hondo has four paws and Wanda’s charmed by him. 

My review:

Wrangling Wanda is a sweet and sensuous read. I fell for Brick and Hondo right along with Wanda. I liked the slow burn. I loved that Wanda was so strong in her own right. I read this story in one sitting and didn’t want to let the characters go.

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Peachy Flippin' Keen (Southern Eclectic #1.5) by Molly Harper

Blurb:

A prank war erupts in Lake Sackett, Georgia and coroner Frankie McCready has to turn to the gorgeous but surly new sheriff for help in Molly Harper’s newest Southern Eclectic novella, perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Amy E. Reichert.

The McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop has crickets running rampant in the store and hot sauce in the Snack Shack’s ketchup bottles. But as the county coroner, Frankie has enough on her plate without worrying about the increasingly mean pranks being played at her family’s business. And the arrival of Sheriff Eric Linden, both devastatingly attractive and painfully taciturn, is enough to push her over the edge.

Linden, who didn’t seem to get the memo about men in uniform and Southern charm, is condescending and cold, revealing absolutely nothing about his past as an Atlanta police officer, while also making Frankie’s job as coroner as difficult as possible. And with the town’s Fourth of July celebration coming up, it’s essential for McCready’s to be cricket-free and in good working order. Strangling the sheriff will make her job even harder. Can Frankie hold off the threats to preserve her own sanity?

With her trademark “clever humor, snark, silliness, and endearing protagonists” (Booklist), Molly Harper invites fans to return to the family they first met in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. Y’all sit down and stay a while, won’t you?

My review:

In this return to Lake Sackett, Georgia we get a sneak peek at the kerfuffle that is Frankie McCready’s life. Frankie is dealing with a prankster in the form of a snot nosed teen, being the towns mortician and coroner and dealing with the sexy if taciturn new sheriff in town. This book sets up the next one in the series Ain't She a Peach? coming out in June. I enjoyed this novella but really wanted more. It will tide me over till June.

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A Bear Comes to Town by Macy Babineaux

Blurb:

Ben Blackpelt has been on the run for twelve years, ever since his father was betrayed and murdered by a treacherous wolf shifter who became the new leader of their clan. 

When he stops in the small town of Lockdale, Texas, he meets Savannah Dean, a pretty, full-figured single mom who makes him want to stay in one place for a little while. But assassins are on his trail, and his attraction to Savannah might put them both in danger.

My review:

A bear on the run finds home in a fiery red headed single mother. No he just has to keep them all alive. A Bear Comes to Town is the first story I’ve read by Macy Babineaux but it won’t be the last. I really liked Ben and Savannah and was rooting for them to find a way to be together.

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Love You So Hard (Love You So Stories #1) by Tara Lain

Blurb:

Craig Elson’s life has hit rock bottom. Even though he’s one of the best strategic planners around, a more confident guy takes credit for his work, and despite being a good-looking man, he suffers insults from the slimiest creep at the bar. Taking care of his beloved mom, who has Alzheimer’s, uses all his funds, leaving him in a plain, depressing car… and a plain, depressing life.

Until he sees gorgeous grad student Jesse Randall and his T-shirt that reads “I Would Bottom You So Hard.” The message seeps into Craig’s soul, and he asks Jesse to teach him to top.

Jesse’s had his eye on the quiet hottie who comes into the coffee shop, and he’s more than eager to perfect his tutoring. He sets out to get Craig a new job, a new apartment, and a new life so far outside plain and depressing that it’s unrecognizable. The problem is, Craig loves his lessons—and his teacher—too much to want to graduate. How can Craig reach the top without losing his sassy bottom?

My review:

m/m

Craig Elson’s life is grey, boring just blah. The highlight of his day is seeing gorgeous grad student Jesse Randall at the coffee shop. When things are at their lowest Jesse inserts himself into Craig’s life bringing joy, life and color. Love You So Hard is a short sweet read that will leave you with a smile.

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Running the Risk (Endgame Ops #2) by Lea Griffith

Blurb:

Survival is crucial. 
Trust is optional. 
Love is unstoppable.

Jude Dagan's life as he knew it ended a year ago. On a mission gone wrong, he was forced to watch as Ella Banning, the only woman he's ever loved, was killed. Or so he thought.

Jude wasn't the only one who lost something on the day Ella was presumed dead. She sacrificed Endgame Ops, the love of her life, and parts of herself she can never get back. Now she's determined to take down the world's most dangerous terrorist--even if it means working for him. 
When Jude and Ella are reunited, they'll battle the lies Ella has been forced to tell...and struggle to save a love that knows no bounds.

Endgame Ops Series: 
Flash of Fury (Book 1)
Running the Risk (Book 2)

My review:

Running the Risk is a tangled, convoluted web of intrigue, suspense and love. It has a cast worthy of War and Peace and most have three names, first, last and call sign and use them interchangeably. Yet I still found myself flipping pages wanting to know what was happening and wanting to know if Jude (Keeper) Dagan and Ella were going to find their way back to each other, wanting to know if the bad guys were going to get theirs and wanting to know who the bad guys were. I didn’t read the first in this series and don’t know if it would’ve helped but once I got into it, it really didn’t matter. This is one heck of an exciting read.

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Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail-Order Brides Intergalactic Dating Agency, Book 1 By: Susan Hayes Narrated by: Tieran Wilder

Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail-Order Brides Intergalactic Dating Agency, Book 1 By: Susan Hayes Narrated by: Tieran Wilder

Blurb:
What do you do when your planet runs out of women? Send for takeout, of course.

Joran, Crown Prince of Pyros, needs to claim his mate in order to ascend to the throne one day. The problem? His destined mate isn’t on Pyros.

When a galaxy-wide search uncovers a backwater world full of potential mates for Joran and the other unmated males on his planet, plans are set in motion and Star-Crossed Dating is created. Now, the first wave of men are on their way to claim their unsuspecting brides. Joran’s mission: Go to Earth, claim his mate, and bring her back to Pyros. How hard could it be?

This audiobook contains a redheaded barista who doesn’t believe in aliens and a prince who is used to getting anything he wants without having to work for it...until now.

My review:

This is a fun and sexy fairytale from out of space. Three friends (earth women) are tired of dating trolls so they agree to give a new dating app a try. This is Maggie’s story. Maggie is a barista just getting by. When the hot hunk that wanders into the shop at closing time turns out to be her date she is suspicious. Maggie proves to Joran that not all earth girls are easy but she is worth everything he has to do to make her his queen.

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Audible

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, narrated by Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, narrated by Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul

Blurb:

HBO's Emmy-winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents a picture book about a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny.

Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence - the Vice President of the United States. But on this Very Special Day, Marlon's life is about to change forever...

With its message of tolerance and advocacy, this charming children's book explores issues of same sex marriage and democracy. Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different.

100% of Last Week Tonight's proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. 

My review:

I’ll admit I bought this book as a way to help The Trevor Project and AIDS United and express my problems with Mike Pence. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo is an inclusive riff off of Marlon Bundo's: A Day in the Life of the Vice President, a children's book written by Mike Pence's daughter Charlotte Pence. VP Pence is notoriously anti-gay so this story probably put a twist in his panties. Bottom line; A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo is a fun childrens story and a great way to educate kids about love in all its forms. I enjoyed it and think kids of all ages will enjoy it as well.

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Audible

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