Thursday, October 1, 2015

September Top Reads #Reviews #Giveaway

It's a new month and of course that means it's Top Reads time!!! These are books I read in the month of September that I thought were just the best! Of course publication date means nothing, just that I read it that month. So check out these books by these amazing authors and enter the giveaway at the end for your chance to win one!





Fit To Be Tied by Mary Calmes:

Deputy US Marshals Miro Jones and Ian Doyle are now partners on and off the job: Miro’s calm professionalism provides an ideal balance to Ian’s passion and quick temper. In a job where one misstep can be the difference between life and death, trust means everything. But every relationship has growing pains, and sometimes Miro stews about where he stands with his fiery lover. Could the heartstrings that so recently tied them together be in danger of unraveling?

Those new bonds are constantly challenged by family intrusions, well-intentioned friends, their personal insecurities, and their dangerous careers—including a trial by fire when an old case of Miro’s comes back to haunt them. It might just be enough to make Ian rethink his decision to let himself be tied down, and Miro can only hope the links they've forged will be strong enough to hold.

My Review:
Mary Calmes is by far one of my all-time favorite authors. The characters she writes are so brilliant. In Fit to Be Tied we once again find ourselves in Miro and Ian’s world. (Book 1 is All Kinds of Tied Down) I don’t want to give a lot away but while Miro and Ian are trying to figure out their lives, a serial killer from Miro’s past is trying to end his.
This was quite suspenseful and I was nervous. When you are at a dark part of a book and you see there’s a lot left in the story, you get scared! I did. I loved it though. The killer is creepy marvelous. So well written. It’s not a mystery so much as a thriller, romance, suspense. Those are the categories this falls in for me.
Always a pleasure visiting with Sam Kage *Sigh* Love that man so hard. And if Miro and Ian bring him into our lives for glimpses… we’ll take it.

I love this story and look forward to more Miro and Ian!





Put A Ring On It by K.A. Mitchell

Kieran Delaney-Schwartz—adoptee, underachiever, and self-professed slacker IT guy—lives his under-the-radar life by the motto: Don’t try, don’t fail. His adopted siblings are all overachievers thanks to his driven, liberal parents, but Kieran has elected to avoid disappointing anyone by not getting their hopes up. He’s coasting through his early twenties when he’s hit head-on by Theo. The successful decade-older Broadway producer sweeps him off his feet for a whirlwind thirteen months that are pretty sweet until it all comes screeching to a halt on Valentine’s Day, with an unexpected proposal via a NYC Times Square Flash mob.

Now everyone wants in on the wedding, except the grooms…

My Review:
I am fairly certain my blood pressure was all over the place during the reading of this book. Where do I begin? I adore K.A. Mitchell’s books. Her mind is a plethora of creativity and it shows in every story she writes. Put A Ring On It was emotional. The main emotion was frustration. Kieran is a mess and through this whole story I found myself not understanding him. Why is he like this? But you have to look at the big picture. We don’t ALWAYS have to understand people or why they do what they do. More importantly we have no right to judge people’s feelings. No one MADE Kieran this way it’s just who he is and Theo loves him flaws and all. Theo is no Georgia peach either. He’s a Prince, yes. He’s handsome, rich, creative, kind, selfless… Okay he’s practically perfect. BUT he has his own flaws too and when it all hit me I took a breath. We are human not robots. Love isn’t always easy. You have to work in a relationship and if this book shows you anything it’s that lesson. It’s that no matter how it looks on the outside to the whole world, when the door closes and the two people who are in the relationship have to live with each other. THAT is real. THAT is the real show! K.A. makes you ponder things in this book. So, you may want to fish slap Kieran and you may want to hug Theo while simultaneously hitting him in the back of the head, you can’t look past the truth of this love story.
Well Done, K.A.






Better Than Safe (The entire Better Than series actually) by Lane Hayes

Paul Fallon is a fashion advertising guru. He’s a genius at dealing with difficult editors, art directors, and designers alike. He thrives on the chaotic atmosphere and constant challenges. But in his personal life, he’s hoping for peace and stability. Settling down with a nice doctor or lawyer sounds perfect. Anyone but an artist. He’s been there, done that, and he doesn’t want to relive the heartache.

Seth Landau is a model, occasional guitarist, and aspiring painter. He’s quirky, flighty, and wise beyond his years. Life has taught him some tough lessons, then given him opportunities he never dreamed of. He’s learned to appreciate the fragility of life and to express it in his work. Seth’s flare for the absurd combined with a supple mind and a beautiful body are too alluring for Paul to ignore. Against his best intentions, Paul is drawn to the younger man whose particular brand of crazy challenges Paul to accept that things aren’t always as they seem. Sometimes taking a chance is better than being safe.

My Review:
Paul and Seth… what is there to say? How about, OMG ALL THE FABULOUS! Seriously, this series hasn’t faulted yet. Each is spot on and crisp. Each character’s slight complexity is relatable and the execution of every situation is flawless. Seth is an artist in every way. Body, heart, mind, soul. Paul is not fond of the whole artist thing. But this story shows what we perceive as toxic for ourselves sometimes is our salve. As usual, Lane had me in tears. My bottom lip is all chapped from worrying it and I’m tired because I couldn’t put the book down until everything was okay. This series is out of the park good! I love all her MC’s and with each passing book I never tire of any of them. I love how she incorporates them into each book. None are forgotten. Huge praise on that. Too often in a series we don’t get to see our favorites anymore. This is not the case with this book or any of them. Bravo, Lane. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!






Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

It isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it.

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart.

Rafe Andrade returned home to lick his wounds following his ejection from the band he helped form. A recovering drug addict, Rafe spends his time wallowing in guilt, until he finds himself faced with his original addiction, Quinn Morgan—the reason he fled the city in the first place.

When Rafe hears the Sinners are looking for a bassist, it’s a chance to redeem himself, but as a crazed murderer draws closer to Quinn, Rafe’s willing to sacrifice everything—including himself—to keep his quixotic Morgan safe and sound.

My Review:
I really love the Sinners series. A lot! I feel like I have been waiting forever for Quinn’s story. I have gravitated toward him since the first mention of him. This was a special sort of treat. In a family as big as the Morgan Clan (That keeps growing with in laws) it’s easy to feel left out, different… even if Brigid is the Mom of the Year. Quinn has had a hard time finding a groove that people understand. But a past love comes back and it’s like the best understanding ever. BUT, it wouldn’t be a Sinners book without a mad, crazed loon trying to murder a Morgan. (Either adopted or blood) I really wonder what their blood pressure must be because my lord! Someone has set their sights on Quinn Morgan but he’s oblivious and worse stubborn. With the whole Morgan family and the love of his life, Rafe, guarding him, he has to try to finally live the life he has always longed for.
I adored this book it was suspenseful, thrilling, funny, and exciting!!! It’s a great series by an amazingly talented author!!





Lovers, Losers, and You by Skylar M. Cates

How can you lose one dream and still find another?

Owen King is a lonely history teacher who wants to be braver. So when Owen learns about the deceased brother he never met, he breaks free of his safety net and risks answers. Despite his loving, adopted family, Owen wonders if there are missing pieces inside of him. Visiting the seaside town of Ocean Vista, where his brother lived and died, will be no vacation.

Andrew Teagan wants to be a winner. After being dumped by his last boyfriend, Andrew is through letting others dictate his life. To prove that dreams are possible, he’s going after his ambitions full force. Having signed on for a cooking reality show, Andrew’s ready to make his small cafĂ© into a sizzling success.

When Andrew aids Owen on the beach, what starts off as an act of kindness turns into a hot temptation. But can a sweet budding romance survive when the time comes for Owen to leave town? Both men must learn to trust each other if their love will conquer the miles between them.

My Review:
This was actually tricky for me at first. I was given this book to read for a blog tour not knowing it was book 2 of a series. So this review is based on reading this first. I was a bit confused at first about the pain and loss of Brendan. Of course Skylar does a great job of explaining who Brendan was in book 1 and the story there so I got through my confusion quickly. I’d recommend reading book 1 first though. Owen and Andrew are such a stunning pair in every way. Owen is from Georgia and Andrew is from Florida and of course they meet and just click perfectly. This story was about inner strength. Knowing your worth and respecting boundaries. It’s about growth, acceptance, and healing. So much healing. I can feel the pain of Brendan’s loss in every man in this house. I teared up so many times and was blown away by the elegance of Skylar’s writing and passion in the emotion of her characters.
This is fabulous work and highly recommend.






Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews

He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.

Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef.

It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.

Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.

But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?

My Review:
The second I read the blurb I knew this book would be mine! It had all the things I love in one. Money, Power, men in suits! When I read it I realized it was that, and so much more. Shane is a secret service agent pushing 40, Rafa is the president’s son, 21, closeted. Rafa stole my heart early in. I wanted to hug the shit out of him and make his whole life better. Of course, that’s what Shane is for. I will say this, I cried! Shane’s partner, Alan has a hell of a life full of guilt and sorrow and I broke for him… But where there are secret service agents, a closeted son, and terrorists, there’s suspense! And I was on the edge of my seat for that entire part.
Shane and Rafa’s “love” is effortless. But maintaining it is like trying to dance in a minefield and the grass is on fire and there’s no water, oh yeah, and people are shooting at you. LOL.
I seriously loved this book. It’s a book that has everything!








Giveaway
One lucky person will win one of these books! Simply fill out the rafflecopter below! Contest ends October 15th. Winner will be contacted via email so check your spam!
Good luck!









a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. Listened to Chase in Shadow and The Locker Room by Amy Lane. Both were fabulous. I enjoyed reading The Altered 3 by Annabelle Jacobs for an ARC review.

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  2. Cool list. Frog by Mary Calmes is my favorite book of September. Ty for the giveaway.

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  3. Thank you so much for this amazing chance to win an ebook. My fave book last month was Love comes Unheard by Andrew Grey.

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  4. So many great books were out in September and as usual Dreamspinner books were all fab especially "Put A Ring On It" by K.A. Mitchell. Great giveaway.

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  5. Cronin's Key III by NR Walker was my favourite read in September

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  6. I finally got around to reading Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan Great read

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  7. I loved Dirty Deeds by Rhys Ford. Can't wait for the next book.

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  8. September was a crazy month here, I barely was able to read anything. My favorite of what I read was First by K.C. Wells

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  9. My favorite book from September would be Rhythm of Us by Aimee Nicole Walker

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  10. Randomly ended up reading The Christmas Throwaway by RJScott. Got me feeling all festive : )

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