Melody of the Snow (Melody # 2) by Blake Allwood

 

 

Blurb:

Family inheritance or his own passion… Can he have both?

 

Hunter’s life is turned upside down when he’s forced to leave his ‘job of a lifetime’. When chance tosses him into the path of a very talented, and handsome young nurse, his life takes on a new direction he never could’ve anticipated.

Cam’s focus had shifted from pursuing his musical passion to nursing. But a one-night stand quickly changes into so much more, especially when that one-night stand ends up helping to run his late grandmother’s resort.

Career changes, inheritances, and a greedy corporation all make it seem impossible for these two men to make it. But, on the slopes of Colorado, they might just find love in the melody of the snow.

 

My review:

This story warmed me to the tips of my toes. Two men meet in an encounter unlikely to encourage more. But life/fate will not be denied and these guys meet again and sparks fly. This book had me rooting for them from the start and I could not have loved them more.

This is a sweet and smexy tale that will melt your heart.

 

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Melody of the Heart (Melody #1) by Blake Allwood

 

Blurb:

Entrapped by his ex, life feels hopeless. Now, he has to teach a mechanic to play piano like a pro. As he fights to save his father’s beloved Steinway, he never dreamed he might also save his heart.

No one could expect Jonas to survive the humiliation of messing up his piano solo, even if he was dumped right before his performance. Now, his need for cash has ensnared him with a challenge to teach a mechanic how to play classically. But, no matter how sexy the guy might be, or how much Jonas might want to make it happen, there’s no way he can teach a man with grease under his nails to compete against the world’s best piano players!

Orlando wants no part of the piano competition when the sexy musician storms into his shop demanding he learn to play classical music. Unfortunately, always a sucker for a man in distress, he finds saying no impossible.

As Jonas and Orlando become engrossed in new styles of music, their hearts soar with the melodies they create together. The question is, will either of them survive the loss when this relationship inevitably comes to an end?

In this opposites attract, hurt/comfort contemporary romance, Orlando and Jonas must accomplish the impossible, before both lose everything they’ve ever worked for.

 

My review:

Classical pianist Jonas Ludwig has led a fairly sheltered life. Now his life has exploded. His beloved father has died and his ex has exploded his career. When he comes up with a plan to save his father’s beloved Steinway his ex manages to squirm his way into that too. This city boy is going to West by God Virginia.

Mechanic Orlando (Orli) Hancock can play honkey tonk piano but this cute city boy wants him to play boring classical music in an uptight competition. This is a challenge this country boy takes on unwillingly but when he says he’ll do something he will give it his all. 

Watching Orli remove the stick from Jonas’s butt alone makes the story worth it but watching them grow together and take on the nay sayers made my heart sing.

This story will leave you with a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

 

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Revelations of a Secret Princess (Sovereigns and Scandals #1) by Annie West

 

 

Blurb:

A princess in disguise… To find her precious daughter, stolen from her at birth, Princess Carolina will do anything. Including masquerading as a nanny! Jake Maynard, her daughter’s uncle, is all that’s standing in the way of the reunion Caro has yearned for. If only her body got the message he’s the enemy… Caro knows this powerful billionaire won’t give up the only family he has left. Yet after years of emotional numbness, Jake is reawakening her! He shows Caro a life filled with passion, not protocol, but what will happen when Jake discovers her true identity?

 

My review:

Everything you could want in a Harlequin romance. Exotic locales, handsome billionaires, secret princess, stolen baby and an unwanted attraction to the enemy.  This has all of that and more. I truly enjoyed the escape.

 

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Valdemar (The Founding of Valdemar #3) by Mercedes Lackey

 

 

Blurb:

The long-awaited story of the founding of Valdemar comes to life in this 3rd book of a trilogy from a New York Times bestselling author and beloved fantasist.

The refugees from the Empire have established a thriving city called Haven with the help of the Tayledras and their allies. But the Tayledras have begun a slow withdrawal to the dangerous lands known as the Pelagirs, leaving the humans of Haven to find their own way.
 

But even with Haven settled, the lands around Haven are not without danger. Most of the danger comes in the form of magicians: magicians taking advantage of the abundant magical energy in the lands the Tayledras have cleansed; magicians who have no compunction about allying themselves with dark powers and enslaving magical beasts and the Elementals themselves.
 

Kordas, his family, and his people will need all the help they can get. But when a prayer to every god he has ever heard of brings Kordas a very specific and unexpected form of help, the new kingdom of Valdemar is set on a path like nothing else the world has ever seen.
 

Perfect for longtime fans of Valdemar or readers diving into the world for the first time, the Founding of Valdemar trilogy will delight and enchant readers with the origin story of this beloved fantasy realm.

 

My review:

This book is everything for fans of the Valdemar series. It’s been hinted at in previous books but in this book we finally get to see where the companions come from. There is a lot of detail to the world building but for those like me the characters make the story and this is a truly fabulous story. I enjoyed every page and will re-read time and again.

 

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I'll Be Home... by Tate James & Heather Long

 

Blurb:

They say you can never go back…

‘Course, I never wanted to return. It took me years to age out. Once I made it, I took off and never turned around.

Trust me, there were only three reasons I managed to survive there as long as I did and they abandoned me as soon as they were able. I’d like to say I didn’t blame them, but that would be a lie.

I had zero desire to return. Yet here I was, on the road to Northland chasing a story cause my editor told me kids were disappearing… again.

It doesn’t matter what I want, I’m taking the fastest route to the darkest part of my past.

And then I’ll be home…

*Please note this is a reverse harem and the authors suggest you always read the forward in their books. Contains some dark elements, mature situations, and is definitely intended for 18+. This is a standalone and if you're very good, the elves might even bring it sooner than Christmas.

 

My review:

This is an often dark and twisted reverse harem that I can’t recommend enough. This story sucked me in and didn’t let me go till long after the last page.

 

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Raw Deal (Bite Back #0.5) by Mark Henwick

 

 

Blurb:

“I’d lost my entire team, and nearly lost my life. In a way, I had lost my life, and was left with this—a tightrope walk between hunting down creatures people didn’t believe existed, and being locked up as one.”

After a career-ending incident on a covert military operation, Amber Farrell is surprised to find herself back in her home town of Denver working as a rookie policewoman. But what happened in the army casts a shadow across her life from which she will never be free.

The prequel to the Bite Back series introduces Amber Farrell, a kick ass lady with a secret problem—she’s been bitten by a vampire. She’s working hard to start a new life, hold down a job and meet all the expectations put on her. When people start to die suspiciously in Denver, Amber has to decide between duty and instinct, between what she should do and what she must do.

 

My review:

Just a taste to introduce us to Amber Farrell and the world she lives in. It worked I’m hooked. Purchased the next book and am looking forward to seeing how Amber deals with the hand she’s been dealt.

 

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Last Chance Trailer Park by Mavis Stevens & Maruf Hasan (Illustrator)

Blurb:

Welcome to Last Chance Trailer Park, a hidden gem in the heart of Georgia where the lots are shady, and the future bright! In this heartwarming tale by artist and author Mavis Stevens, you'll discover a world that's anything but ordinary, filled with colorful characters and a strong sense of community.
Lucy Fowler finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of resident manager when she inherits the quirky Last Chance Trailer Park from her entrepreneurial cousin Bob. . As she steps into her new position, Lucy is introduced to a cast of characters that will steal your heart and tickle your funny bone.
Donna, the self-proclaimed medical guru of the park, draws in her medical experience to court any ailement. . Pandora, a resident who seems to exist in a world of her own.. And then there's Larry, a charming maintenance man who sets Lucy's heart aflutter from the moment they meet.
But this book isn't just about the tingly feeling of romance between Lucy and Larry. It's a collection of Mavis Stevens' own experiences "growing up trailer park." With her signature humor and storytelling flair, Mavis paints a vivid picture of a community like no other, where laughter, love, and a little bit of chaos are everyday occurrences.

 

My review:

As I walked into the bookstore wanting to purchase a copy of a thriller recommended by a friend and there was a table attended by a colorful lady selling books. And so I came to purchase Last Chance Trailer Park.

This book is a fun introduction to the quirky characters that reside in the Last Chance Trailer Park. I’m sure you’ll recognize some of the same that may live in your neighborhood. The illustrations are childlike and bright a terrific addition to the story. 

 

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Good Elf Gone Wrong by Alina Jacobs

Blurb:

When you catch your fiancé cheating on you with your sister on Christmas Eve, the elf hat comes off.

I’ve always been the good girl—the anti Scrooge—the one who sacrifices for her guests, bakes cookies for her neighbors, and stays late after a party to clean up.

I don’t mind. I like being on the nice list.

I kept smiling when I caught my fiancé coming down my sister’s chimney on Christmas Eve.

I gave polite congratulations when they got engaged on Christmas morning.

And I even offered to help decorate for their holiday wedding despite the fact that was supposed to be my dream wedding.

But when my sister cuts up our great-grandmother’s one-hundred-year-old wedding dress and turns it into a skank show, even though that was the dress I was going to wear on my wedding day?

Well, this elf is torching down the North Pole.

And what better way to get revenge than giving those cheaters a taste of their own medicine?

This good elf is bringing the bad boy home for Christmas.

Hudson is a six-foot-five, coldhearted, tattooed bad elf with a perpetual sneer and washboard abs.

He’s exactly my sister’s type.

And he’s going to help me nuke her wedding from orbit on the night before Christmas.

What he is not supposed to do is grab my ass in the kitchen while I bake gingerbread.

Or crawl in my bed half naked.

And he’s definitely not supposed to smirk and tell me to commit to our fake relationship right before he goes down on me.

Guess there’s a reason the good elves stay far away from the bad.

Good elves of Christmas unite! We’re ogling the tattooed chests of shirtless bad boys, baking massive amounts of cookies, drinking all the wine, and trying to survive recently divorced grandmothers who have a pathological obsession with our love lives. This standalone holiday romantic comedy has all the Christmas cheer you can fit in your stocking and a happily ever after, guaranteed!

 

My review:

This book has so much going on. Gracie had me wanting to Gibbs smack her a bazillion times before the end of the book. She is smart and talented yet she allows her family to treat her like a second class citizen. Hudson deserved a few slaps upside the head as well. Thank goodness for Dakota as she kept me from dumping both Hudson and Gracie. That being said, there are some truly funny moments that had me giggling out loud and enjoying the read.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

 

 

Wolf’s Midlife Christmas (Shifter Nation: Marked Over Forty) by Meg Ripley

 

Blurb:

At 48, running a café while wrangling twin wolf toddlers was hard enough.
Then fate decided to mate me with a rock star, just in time for Christmas.
Welcome to my midlife crisis, holiday edition.

Here I am, guardian of my twin grandpups and café owner,
Thinking my biggest dilemma was choosing my next muffin flavor.
But fate had a Christmas twist up its sleeve.
Enter Declan Ridgefield, 45-year-old frontman of the band Wildwood,
And every woman’s fantasy come to life.
Never in a million years did I think I’d meet him,
But my friends dragged me along to a concert—
And managed to convince me to crowdsurf after a few drinks.
For a moment, I was flying—
Until I was falling, right there for everyone to see.
I wanted to crawl under a rock,
But Declan pulled me up on stage,
And the moment we touched,
My wolf knew she’d finally found The One.
But a rock star?
Declan’s life is sold-out shows and screaming fans.
Mine’s sold-out avocado toast and screaming kids.
Then there’s his ex-bandmate with revenge on his mind,
Threatening to turn our Christmas dreams into a holiday nightmare.
Declan and I are an unlikely duet,
But maybe, just maybe, we’ll find our harmony amid the chaos.

 

My review:

Wolf’s Midlife Christmas is a sweet tale of mature love. Widow Tiffany has a full and busy life she runs her café, is raising her grandchildren as her daughter is currently unable to. Her marriage was arranged and nothing to write home about so she is content. Declan’s life is on the road as lead singer for the band Wildwood, When the band comes home for a concert he and Tiffany have a wonderful meet cute and their wolven sides scream mate! I enjoyed watching them fight fate and realizing their very different lives, working on a way to make it work without resentment. A happy addition to the series but can be read standalone.

 

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Hawking (Danger Bluff Book 2) by Pepper North and Becca Jameson

 

Blurb:

Hawking

A mysterious billionaire saved my life.
 

Now, I owe him.
 

My team’s job: Save Celeste no matter what it takes.
 

My goal: Convince her she’s mine.
 

Celeste
 

I was so close to finding the cure.
 

Why was I suddenly fired?
 

Danger Bluff will be the perfect place to hide.

If only that ripped, former military guy didn’t ooze Daddy vibes.

 

My review:

Celeste is my hero. Smart, sharp, driven and a total sweetheart. I loved watching her find happiness with Hawking amidst the danger. I am really enjoying this series.

 

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Finding the Road to Us (The Wilder Brothers #6) by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Blurb:

I was ready to say, ‘I do’, then my fiancé left me at the altar.

Broken and embarrassed, Trace and Elliot helped me run away—ditching my wedding dress in the process.

When I come back to the Wilder Retreat to show the world I’m no longer hurting, I know I must ignore my traitorous needs when it comes to these two men.

Because my body wants them both.

And my soul craves them just as much.

I know I can’t choose, and part of me asks why I should.

Only when we decide to take that chance and share everything, the danger from our pasts refuses to let our choice stand.

With one kiss, one dance into temptation, we could lose everything.

Including our lives.

 

My review:

Parental expectations, betrayal of the worst sort, faking it till you make it and finding a love that will fill the nooks and crannies of your soul. That is what Trace, Sidney and Elliot go through in this tale of Wilder love. That and a whole bunch of steamy smexy times. You can’t help but root for these three to realize they need each other for more than just fun times. A great addition to the series. And now we have cousins!

 

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Alpha's Awakening (Tales of the Tellurian Pack #1) by Blake R. Wolfe

 

 

 

Blurb:

He’s the kind of alpha dreams are made of, but I can’t make another mistake.

After a bad breakup, I can’t get out of town fast enough. I’m headed north to the peace and quiet of a borrowed cabin in a small town. It’s time for a clean slate and a chance to reinvent myself.

But with my mother calling to remind me that I must keep looking for a mate, I have no choice but to mingle with the locals.

A secret romance with a hot ginger alpha wasn’t what I had in mind, but the sweet wolf sweeps me off my feet with the love and affection I've always craved.

That is until my ex begins to harass me, and a string of nearby murders have us both scrambling to figure out what exactly is going on.

There’s also the matter that Chance is next in line to lead the pack and will have to produce an heir…

This spicy shifter romance contains jaw-dropping twists, sizzling sex scenes, a cinnamon roll alpha, and a happily ever after that will leave you speechless. It should only be read by those who like their werewolves hot and their broody boys shown the love they deserve.

 

My review:

Opposites attract in this fated mates tale. Kael is on the run from his past and trying to write the book he knows he has inside. He is snarly as all get out. Chance is the alpha’s son whose hobbies all include exercise of some sort. It’s a good thing he has a sense of humor where Kael is concerned because it takes everything he has to get past the walls around his heart. I really enjoyed this story.

 

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Her Wolf for the Holidays (Highland Wolf #7) by Terry Spear

 

 

Blurb:

Thrilling adventure and sexy holiday fun in the Scottish Highlands. 

When a new she-wolf moves in next door, only one alpha wolf can give her everything she wants for Christmas and more.

Edeen Campbell has heard many wild stories about the MacQuarrie clan living in the castle next door to her new home. She is determined that not even Lachlan MacQuarrie, the pack leader’s brother, can ruin her holidays, no matter how hard he may try or how intrigued she is by him. But as Lachlan proves to her over and over that he is a wolf to be trusted, Edeen begins to change her mind about the pack and the very handsome wolf dedicated to making her first Highland Christmas a special one.

 

My review:

A fun holiday romance with hot Scots, puppies, kitties and lots of snow. Lachlan and Edeen are terrific together. This book left me with a smile. Though this is part of a series it can be read stand alone.

 

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Dreidel Date by Eliana West

 

Blurb:

The rules of dreidel are simple--unless the hot new rabbi your friends have been wanting you to meet turns out to be your childhood crush. Now Zach Kravitz is playing for more than bragging rights as the dreidel champion--he’s playing for his heart.
 
Hanukkah parties with the Kravitz family were some of Garrett Fitzpatrick’s favorite childhood memories. Now that Garrett has a chance to reconnect with Zach, the quiet, artistic young man he has yearned after for years, he’s ready to put a new spin on an old game. Garrett has eight nights to show Zach the spark between them can turn into a lasting flame that will stay bright long after Hanukkah ends.

 

My review:

Friends to lovers. Garrett was Zachs first crush until he ghosted him and left them both wanting. They meet again and Zach wants answers. I loved watching these two find their way together as adults. Sweet, fun and adorable.

 

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The Accidental Fairy (The Accidentals Book 14) by Dakota Cassidy

 

 

Blurb:

“Did you ever think you’d meet a bigger, foul-tempered potty mouth than Nina? Well, folks, meet Primrose Dunham.

It’s Christmas and as the OOPs gang prepares for the holidays another “accident” finds its way to their doorstep. That accident turns out to be angry, foul-mouthed, rude and, well…
Just like Nina.
Primrose Dunham has been accidentally turned into a fairy. As if she wasn’t already angry enough with the world, now she has sporadic powers she can’t control, pointy ears, and a weird hump on her back that everyone keeps calling a “wing.”
If that’s not enough of a shock, a vampire, a werewolf and a halfsie come to her “rescue”…whether she wants them to help or not.
Oh, and the man she’s been trying to avoid—the “the literal boy next door and her one-time bestie, Rafferty Monroe—gets turned as well, thanks to Primrose!
It’ll take more than a Christmas miracle to thaw Prim’s frosty attitude, protect her from her sinister stepfather, and figure out why there’s a price on her head in the fairy world. But it’s nothing the OOPs ladies—along with assorted paranormal friends and framily—can’t handle.
Right?

 

My review:

The Accidental Fairy is another laugh out loud addition to The Accidentals series by the fabulous Dakota Cassidy. In this installment we meet Primrose Dunham a foul mouthed angry young woman who has been turned into a fairy. When she and Nina meet it was like looking into a mirror. This story had me giggle-snorting and sniffling at turns. Prim and Rafe are sweet together and seeing how far Nina has come just made me smile. Winter fun among the chaos.

 

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Merry Friggin' Christmas by KR Hall

 

 

Blurb:

Nicholas Whittaker, a man who hates Christmas with a passion, moves to Manitou Springs, Colorado, to start a handyman business and escape the holiday he detests.

But when Natalie Hughes and her five-year-old daughter Lainey move to Manitou Springs after her husband's death, Nicholas finds himself surrounded by the holidays he's tried so hard to stay away from.

Can Natalie and Lainey convince Nicholas that Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and miracles do happen?

Find out in this heartwarming holiday romance.

My review:

This is a sweet tale of finding love again. I could relate to Natalie as a former military spouse. It is my considered opinion that Lainey steals this book. If you want a feel good holiday romance this is for you.

 

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