There’s a new kick-ass fantasy heroine on the block, and she’s a phoenix.

From New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews:

“Fierce and captivating, PHOENIX UNBOUND is the story of a gladiator and a fire witch fighting for their freedom against an empire that wants them enslaved. With impossible odds, breathtaking battles, terrifying magic, and an unlikely love, this book is a must read. Grace Draven is a master of romantic heroic fantasy.”

If that didn’t grab your eyeballs, this should…

You can win SIX series-starter fantasy romance books from genre greats, including:

Nalini Singh, Chloe Neill, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and Anne Bishop.

Grace Draven’s new Fallen Empire series is poised to be the next great fantasy blockbuster in an already star-studded genre. And you can win an Advanced Review Copy.

Here’s what you can win

Enter for a chance to win your own romantic fantasy starter kit! These six first-in-series books are essential to building your fantasy romance collection.

In the grand prize pack:

SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh

THE FIRST PSY/CHANGELING NOVEL from the New York Times bestselling author of Shards of Hope, Shield of Winter, and Heart of Obsidian…

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Ilona Andrews invites you to experience the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring the intriguing fantasy world of mercenary Kate Daniels…

WRITTEN IN RED by Anne Bishop

Enter the world of the Others in the first novel in New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s thrilling fantasy series: a place where unearthly entities—vampires and shape-shifters among them—rule the Earth and prey on the human race.

CRY WOLF by Patricia Briggs

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs presents the first Alpha and Omega novel—the start of an extraordinary series set in Mercy Thompson’s world, but with rules of its own…

PHOENIX UNBOUND by Grace Draven

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

WILD HUNGER by Chloe Neill

In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill’s spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run.

Runners up prizes

20 runners-up will receive an advance reading copy of Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven!

This giveaway ends on SEPTEMBER 19, 2018.

CLICK BELOW TO ENTER!

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More about Phoenix Unbound

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

The One You Can’t Forget by Roni Loren is as unforgettable as its name promises.

She’s the divorce attorney who helped his wife take his money and his future.

Hello, conflict. And boy is there chemistry, even if the romantic pace is leisurely. But the real star of this story is its relevance. Social and political themes—topics that matter, like school shootings and the sheer volume of failed marriages and how difficult the spiral of depression can be to break free from—are skillfully layered into the lives and personalities of the two main characters. And it makes the story feel like more.

.@RoniLoren’s The One You Can’t Forget has weight. It touches serious, relevant topics and delves into the gray spaces of human fear, need, and doubt. @GraveTells #BookReview @SourcebooksCasa
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That said, I’m more into sexy stories than slower paced ones, and the overall story is a little predictable even if it does branch out into new territory. Rebecca is the survivor of a school shooting—the equivalent of Columbine, when it was still a shocking and unbelievable occurrence—and Wes’s failed marriage led to the loss of his restaurant dreams and his sobriety. The themes here are real and hard-hitting.

The themes in this story are real and hard-hitting.

This story is recommended for readers who love complex (yet traditionally structured) romances that feel real but take some time to ramp up. None of the twists in this book should surprise a seasoned romance reader, but the characters will definitely tug at your emotions and make you grateful for what you have.

If you’re looking for a romance with substance and relevance with today’s biggest issues, .@RoniLoren’s The One You Can’t Forget is a MUST READ. @SourcebooksCasa @GraveTells #BookReview
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This story has weight. It touches serious, relevant topics and delves into the gray spaces of human fear, need, and doubt. Not everything is black and white, not even a romance. While this story is romantic, the external story arc drives the emotion more than the relationship itself, so if you’re looking for a straight-up quickie romance, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for something with substance, that weaves a love story into the complex tapestry of today’s biggest issues—school shootings, frivolous lawsuits, political manipulation, broken families—The One You Can’t Forget is a must read.

.@RoniLoren’s The One You Can’t Forget is recommended for readers who love complex (yet traditional) romances that feel real but take some time to ramp up.@SourcebooksCasa @GraveTells #BookReview
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Intrigued? Read an excerpt below!

Copyright © Roni Loren 2018

Fifteen minutes. That was how long it took for Marco and Kincaid to abandon Rebecca and Wes in the kitchen under the auspices of Let me show you the view from Marco and Does this building have original details? from Kincaid.
Kincaid had motioned at Rebecca as she slipped out of the kitchen, some invented sign language that probably meant Talk it out with the hot chef but looked more like a drunken game of naughty charades.
Rebecca had promptly flipped her off.
But now here she was. Alone with Wes again.
Wes stood behind the large island, black bandanna keeping his hair back, gray T-shirt putting all that colorful arm ink on display, and forearms flexing as he sliced and diced an onion with practiced precision. If not for the simmering annoyance, it would’ve been a nice show to watch from her spot sitting on a stool on the other side of the counter. But he hadn’t said a word to her since they’d gotten into the condo. Just chop, chop, chop and irritated grunts.
“Do you need any help?” she asked for lack of anything else to say.
“Can you help me murder my brother?”
“I was thinking we could get rid of them both in one go. How far is the drop from the balcony?” Rebecca tapped her chin. “We could make it look like an accident. I know someone who could defend us.”
Wes smirked.
The little break in the wall helped her relax some. “Why’d you give in anyway? I was about to get us out of it. I had a whole argument prepared. There were bullet points. Closing statements. We could’ve saved ourselves this lovely moment.”
He frowned and dumped the onions into one of the prep bowls. “Yeah, but you didn’t see the look on my brother’s face.” He pushed a basket of strawberries and a paring knife toward her. “Can lawyers hull strawberries?”
“Sure.” She took the berries and stole one of his empty prep bowls. “So what kind of look was that?”
“The Don’t ruin this for me look. The Remember all the times I’ve helped you out look. That look.”
“That’s a lot for a look to say.”
“Yeah, well, it wasn’t hard to get the point. He’s always working and doesn’t get to go out and meet women. He likes your friend, and she seems to like him for whatever reason”—he shrugged and grabbed a bell pepper from the stack of vegetables—“so I’m hanging out with my ex-wife’s lawyer and taking one for the team.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. I’m just having a high school flashback.” Thankfully not the kind she’d had Friday night, but one that was unpleasant enough in its own right.
“How’s that?”
She concentrated on cutting the stem off a strawberry. “I had a friend whose parents would only let her go on group dates. So I always got dragged out with her and had to be the date of her boyfriend’s best friend, who pretty much reminded me every ten minutes that he was there as a favor and was taking one for the team by hanging out with me. It was super awesome for my fifteen-year-old ego.”
“Ouch. What an idiot.”
“Yeah, I should’ve just told her to leave me out of it and sneak out like everyone else.”
“No, I meant him. What a douche.”
“Oh. Yeah. He was.” But even as she said it, she felt a pang of guilt in her gut. Craig hadn’t made it through prom night. So douche or not, she felt guilty talking bad about the dead. “We were just in a doomed-to-fail setup. Popular jock and high-strung goody-goody were not a wise combination. Two different planets and all that. He probably thought I was an insufferable Miss Priss.”
His lip curled. “Were you?”
She lifted her hand and held her index finger and thumb an inch apart. “Maybe a little. I wasn’t…not. When they brought weed to date night, I couldn’t just say no and let them do their thing. I gave everyone a lecture about how long it stays in your system and how having something on your record could ruin your college chances.”
He cringed. “Ahh, you were that girl. We had one of those at my school, too.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “Laney Becker. And she thought I was a douche.”
“Were you?”
He lifted his fingers, repeating her motion back to her but widening the gap further.
“Nice.”
“I probably would’ve done better if I’d been friends with someone like her. I could’ve used a girl telling me not to blow off class and get high. Or doing a lot of other things I shouldn’t have been doing back then.” He tossed more chopped veggies into a bowl. “And I’m sorry about the ‘taking one for the team’ comment. I didn’t mean it that way. This is just…a screwed-up situation. I’m willing to call a temporary let’s-forget-we-have-history truce for today.”
“I’m on board with that.”
“Good.” He frowned down at her chopped berries. “Hold up. That’s not how to hull.”
She looked down at the berry in her hand. She’d cut off the top. The stem was gone. She didn’t see any problem. “What’s wrong?”
He set down his knife and stepped around the island. “You’re wasting a big part of the berry that way. Here.” He held out his hand for the paring knife, and she handed it over. He shifted until he was right next to her and held the fruit in front of her. “The woody part is just under the leaves. That’s what you’re after.”
He poked the tip of the knife right beneath the leaves and then made a circle around the stem. He popped out the stem and only a little piece of the berry, leaving much more of the fruit intact.
“See.” He held the strawberry in his palm, the sweet scent of the ripe fruit wafting up to her. “Lots more berry, and you also don’t lose the shape of the fruit that way.”
“Oh.” She tried to focus on what he was showing her and not on the fact that he was so close and she could feel his body heat against her arm. Her hormones apparently had no qualms about this man. They remembered what his lips tasted like and were ready to ignore everything she knew about him. Stupid, misguided hormones.

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | B&N | iBooks

"Absolutely unputdownable, delivers all of the feels! Roni Loren is a new favorite. Loved this."—COLLEEN HOOVER, #1 New York Times bestseller

Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter...The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn't deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she's thrown herself into her work. She can't dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca—the attorney who helped his ex ruin him—his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca's secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other

She laughed and kissed him. This morning she'd melted down. But somehow this man had her laughing and turned on only a few hours later. Everything inside her felt buoyed.

She felt...light.

She'd forgotten what that felt like.

The Ones Who Got Away Series:The Ones Who Got Away (Book 1)The One You Can't Forget (Book 2) The One You Fight For (Book 3)

Readers are Raving About about The Ones Who Got Away:"Phenomenal. Gets my highest recommendation!"—LORELEI JAMES, New York Times bestselling author"Richly layered and full of emotion... Unforgettable."—KRISTEN CALLIHAN, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author"Unique, swoony, and lively."—SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

What did you think? Have you read it? Adding it to your TBR?

If audio is more your thing, hop on over to the Infatuated Podcast and check out Season 1 Episode 7, where I interviewed Rebecca Zanetti about Vampire’s Faith and what’s coming up for her next!

Why wasn’t she cooperating? He stood to his full height. “I am Ronan Kayrs of the Kayrs ruling family. Obey me, woman.”
She snorted.
He gaped.

With an unexpectedly exciting opening scene, Vampire’s Faith plunges us right into Ronan Kayrs’s personal crisis, and boy does he make an entrance! Ronan reminded me of a vampire version of Thor, with that kingly stature—the one that says, ‘Follow me, peasant, and I’ll keep you safe’—and charming archaic speech.

Two wires sprang out, landing on Ronan’s chest. Lightning shot through him, zipping painfully. He gasped, looking down at the twin metal squares. His innards protested, but he couldn’t help but smile. Delight mixed with the pain. “You’ve learned to harness lightning.”
He yanked the offending wires out of his body and tossed them back at Joe. “Very impressive.”
He nodded at Faith. “Lightning. I never would’ve thought it.”
Her chin dropped. “How are you still standing?”

How do you introduce an ancient hero to the modern world? With humor and cheek. And this story has that in spades. It was such a rush to be reading a Dark Protectors book again. I’d nearly forgotten just why I love this story world and these characters so much.

“You are very bright.”
“I’m a Trekkie, baby,” she murmured. “Kirk and Picard would’ve had a field day with this. Not to mention Spock.”
What was a Trekkie? “Huh? Are these friends of yours?”
“No.” She chuckled. “Long story.”

The story may be light and funny on the surface, but there are deeper themes at play. Prejudice is a learned evil, and Ronan’s long time away from the world has forced him into a different mindset, one focused on war and quick action.

“That’s not how life works.”
“Considering I’ve lived many more years than you, perhaps you should trust me on how life works.”
What was it with current society and its complete disregard for the lessons of the past? For history? For a reality not caught up in smartphones and just this minute. There was so much more around them. “Even you can feel this. Feel us,” he said.

And Ronan has a disturbingly clear understanding of the circle of life, of the rise and fall of technology and the greed of those who create it.

“It’s all temporary. You understand that, true?” he asked.
She shook her head. “What do you mean?”
He swept a broad hand out. “This. The buildings, the cameras, the technology. It’s a blip in time. All this won’t be everlasting—especially with humans creating such weapons. Land and family and ties and blood last forever. That’s all.”

I’m a fan of the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, and there were a few little similarities in this book that I found delightful. One of the things that draws me to the Dark Protectors universe is the way it approaches magic as advanced science. We see even more of that in Vampires Faith, and I loved getting to spend time with some of the characters from the original series, all grown up and standing strong.

It was such a rush to be reading a Dark Protectors book again. I’d nearly forgotten just why I love this story world and these characters so much.

Existing fans of the Dark Protectors series will not be disappointed! This book extends the original stories, striking off into a fresh, exciting series arc with new threats with old ties. Growly alpha males, family legacies, smart and independent women…everything you loved about the first seven stories is packed into this one as well. And Vampire’s Faith is a great entry point for readers new to the series—you should be able to jump right in without missing out on any important series details.

Existing fans of the Dark Protectors series will not be disappointed and Vampire’s Faith is a great entry point for readers new to the series @lyricalpress #BookReview #RomancePodcast @RebeccaZanetti
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I’m always sad when I finish a Dark Protectors book. I love this story world and characters so much!

I’m always sad when I finish a @RebeccaZanetti Dark Protectors book. I love this story world and characters so much! @GraveTells #BookReview
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Craving MORE?

Check out my podcast interview with Rebecca Zanetti and learn more fun details about the book and get a peek into what’s coming next for the series! She also gives some great advice on what to do when you meet your favorite author in person. Don’t miss this exclusive interview! Click below to listen, or find it on most podcasting platforms under the Infatuated Podcast, Season 1 Episode 7.

Read an excerpt from Vampire’s Faith

Copyright © 2018 Rebecca Zanetti

“I don’t know when,” Faith said, pulling against his hold once more.
Pain flashed through Ronan’s palm, burning up his arm and right into his heart.
She yelped and tried to jump back.
“Sorry,” he said, wincing. It wasn’t much of a surprise, though. “Did I burn you?”
Her eyes wide, she slowly nodded, her scent of wildflowers filling his head. “How did you…ah, do that?” Her hand was still up toward the advancing soldiers as if she was trying to keep control of the situation.
“It’s the marking,” he explained, facing her but tracking the men out of the corner of his eye. “The mating marking.” How could she not be aware of the phenomenon?
“Huh?” she asked, her body tensing again.
What was happening? The two soldiers were getting closer, so he released her and held up his palm to show them the design. “Here. I am Ronan Kayrs. This is my marking, and this is my mate. I don’t know to whom you align, but please take your leave.”
The duo stopped.
Faith slowly backed toward the tall table. “Head injury,” she said to the soldiers as if by way of explanation. “We need to get him to a room in the north wing.” Then she studied his hand. “Nice tattoo.”
Tattoo? “No. Marking.” He looked at the jagged edges of his family marking with the K surrounded by fierce lines. “It appears when we find our mate. Surely you’ve dreamed of me.”
“Right.” She edged farther down the counter, her voice a little too high. “We’re going to get you some help. I promise.”
He turned his attention to the soldiers, seeking their vibrations. “You’re human,” he said, glancing instantly to his woman. “Why are human soldiers guarding you?” None of this was making sense, and it was time to go. “Faith?”
“Listen, buddy,” the taller of the two men said, his gaze remaining on Ronan’s face. “My name is Joe. I’m security, and I’ve been hit in the skull before. I know how you’re feeling. How about we take you to the north wing so you can meet with a nice head doctor there and get some clothes?”
Ronan tilted his head to the side to study Joe. The man appeared to be about thirty years old with blond hair and earnest blue eyes. He looked fit and his hand rested lightly on a square-shaped contraption. “I do not wish to harm you, Joe.” Even though Ronan was weak from the fall, he could overpower a couple of humans. Ronan checked out the other man. This guy was at least fifty, with a neatly trimmed gray beard and bushy hair. “Nor you, elder.”
“Elder?” the guy asked, looking toward his buddy. “All right.” He drew a barrel-shaped weapon from his belt and pointed it at Ronan. “Enough talk.”
“Agreed,” Ronan said. Apparently, the soldiers weren’t going to listen. He hated fighting naked. Nor would he attack two humans without further provocation.
“Joe?” the elder said.
“No—” Faith protested, just as Joe pushed something on the box.
Two wires sprang out, landing on Ronan’s chest. Lightning shot through him, zipping painfully. He gasped, looking down at the twin metal squares. His innards protested, but he couldn’t help but smile. Delight mixed with the pain. “You’ve learned to harness lightning.” He yanked the offending wires out of his body and tossed them back at Joe. “Very impressive.” He nodded at Faith. “Lightning. I never would’ve thought it.”
Her chin dropped. “How are you still standing?”

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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The Dark Protectors are Back! Vampire King Ronan Kayrs wasn’t supposed to survive the savage sacrifice he willingly endured to rid the world of the ultimate evil. He wasn’t supposed to emerge in this time and place, and he sure as hell wasn’t supposed to finally touch the woman who’s haunted his dreams for centuries. Yet here he is, in an era where vampires are hidden, the enemy has grown stronger, and his mate has no idea of the power she holds.

Dr. Faith Cooper is flummoxed by irrefutable proof that not only do vampires exist . . . they’re hot blooded, able to walk in sunlight, and shockingly sexy. Faith has always depended on science, but the restlessness she feels around this predatory male defies reason. Especially when it grows into a hunger only he can satisfy—that is if they can survive the evil hunting them both.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

“I love that Jake doesn’t hold her to an impossible standard of beauty.” ~GraveTells Romance review

The start of this book kept surprising me, in the best ways. When it started out with a flashback scene between a young boy and girl, I thought surely this was the book’s couple, their origin story. But then we flash ahead sixteen years and meet a very cocky and confident adult Jake, who sexes up his best friend and reveals the easy-going, no-strings nature of their friendship. Jess is an up-and-coming fashion designer, and she seems like a cool chick. Which had me wondering…wait, is this the heroine of the story? Then in Jess’s perspective, the story takes a deeper turn, diving into her past—how it defines her—and dropping hints about how perfect she actually might be for Jake.

By magazine standards, you might think she’s normal looking— whatever that means. She doesn’t have legs that go up to her neck. She isn’t six feet tall. She doesn’t have blond hair that’s polished and perfectly straight and runs down to the small of her back. She’s toned but she doesn’t have abs, or cut in at the hips. She has a flat stomach. Her breasts aren’t large; they’re just perfectly sized for her body— and my hands, in case you were wondering. The bones at her collarbone and sternum don’t show through her skin. Her jawline isn’t prominent. Her cheekbones aren’t high and dramatic. So, I can’t tell you why I’m lying here with a semi-on and thinking she is a fucking sublime human being. But damn it, she is.

The banter between Jake and Jess is fun, and their dynamic so natural and easy. I love that Jake doesn’t hold her to an impossible standard of beauty. And that they’re not afraid to openly appreciate one another, even as friends.

She nods and folds her arms across her chest. “Have a good day fishing. I can’t imagine anything worse.”
“That’s why you’re not invited,” I call back over my shoulder. “Enjoy painting the world pink.”
“Bring me back a tiny fish that is so small we can’t even cook it up.”
“Save me some cucumber face mask. You know how I love utterly pointless shit.”

And oh, OH the FEELS! @LCarterAuthor’s HEDGING HIS BETS is unexpectedly lovely, a story you can sink into, get lost in. @GraveTells #BookReview @KensingtonBooks
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This story is unexpectedly lovely. It explores the beauty in loneliness, the comfort in friendship. Through the polar-opposite voices of the two main characters, the author weaves a narrative of love, intimacy, friendship, loss, fear, hope… And growing up. It’s a story you can sink into, get lost in.

She turns to me, her eyes full of unshed tears. “I don’t even remember telling you about this. How would you remember such a small detail as how my dad used to make my pancakes?”
“There’s a very big part of me that’s designated solely for Jess, babe.”

And oh, OH the FEELS! The end of this story, although a little angsty, is just perfect, and it made me tear up. You know those moments that make your eyes wet and have you clutching your chest? This was one of those.

“You’re beautiful, Jess.” And I mean more than the way she looks. I’m talking about her soul. The way the shape of her fits the shape of me like we are supposed to be together. I see it now.

Do you love romance with heart, heat, and life-long friendships? One-click this one RIGHT NOW! Even though it’s #3 in the series, it easily stands alone.

Do you love romance with heart, heat, and life-long friendships? One-click @LCarterAuthor’s HEDGING HIS BETS right now! @GraveTells #BookReview @KensingtonBooks
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This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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A high-flying investorNew Yorker Jake Harrington loves a lot of things about living in London. His lucrative hedge fund job. The way British women melt at the sound of an American accent. His just-sex arrangement with his gorgeous roommate, Jess. And, oh yes, being thousands of miles away from the girl who betrayed him.

His sexy British flatmateJess’s deal with Jake suits her fine. No commitments, no risk of being hurt again, just friendship and mindblowing pleasure. And friends do each other favors, like agreeing to go on a trip to New York where Jake will have to face his past.

And a vacation that will change everything…What friends shouldn’t do? Suddenly find themselves feeling something much more complicated than simple lust. When “no strings” is no longer enough, will Jake be willing to take the ultimate gamble?

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Like everything else I’ve ever read by @laurakayeauthor FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING packs a hell of a punch.
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If you’ve ever read anything by Laura Kaye, you know her stories pack a hell of a punch. But you don’t usually feel it right out of the gate. One of the first things we learn about Noah Cortez is that he’s partially blind and partially deaf from an IED overseas, where he lost most of the Marine unit he’d been fighting alongside.

He pressed his lips together as he pulled the first package out of the bag. It was…the worst wrapped gift he’d ever seen. Really, a total vintage Kristina job.
“So, you’re getting better,” he said, giving her the side eye. Her gaze narrowed.
“Shut up. I did good this time.”
“Let me see your fingers,” he said, because somehow she always gave herself paper cuts when she attempted to wrap a gift.
She stuffed them between her thighs, which eked a smile out of him. “Uh huh. That’s what I thought.”

This is a friends-to-lovers romance, and Noah and Kristina are adorable together. Their closeness as friends is 100% believable, so comfortable and easy-going that it’s no surprise when one seems to always know random trivia about the other and makes a joke about it.

One second he was standing at the door, the next he was all over her. Hands in her hair, forcing her head back and her mouth open to him. Lips sliding over hers, claiming, sucking, tongue penetrating. Body fused to hers, pushing her back, one stumbling step after another, and trying to get closer. And closer. And closer.
“Oh God,” Kristina moaned, her hands clutching at his neck, his shoulders, his hair.
“One night,” he said, lifting her and wrapping her thighs around his hips. Her ass felt so lush in his hands he couldn’t help squeezing.
“One night. I need you. Now. Here. Anywhere.”
Sucking and licking at her throat, he stalked down the hall toward her bedroom. “No. I want you under me.”

Laura Kaye’s character-building is, as always, on point. These characters made me laugh, made me grip my chest in sympathy, made me feel. They’re just so beautifully open and vulnerable, on the page even when not with each other. The dialogue just flows so naturally and the characters themselves are like the best friends you wish you’d always had—even the secondaries. Noah and Kristina smoke up the pages, too.

She stroked him, root to tip, root to tip, enjoying the little catches in his breath and flinches of his stomach muscles. “All hard again.”
“Your fault,” he said , his expression playful and full of challenge.
“Aw,” she said. “Well maybe I should help you out with this little problem.”
His brows slashed down. “Little?”
Kristina laughed. “I already complimented you on your size.”
He smirked. “That shit doesn’t get old.”

Noah’s journey in Fighting For Everything is intense and a little frightening. The Warrior Fight Club probably saves his life, he gets that close to the edge. And the supporting characters introduced in this book are strong.

But if you don’t have any plans tonight, then you should come out with me and meet some of my friends. Guys I suspect are just like you.”
“Just like me?” Noah asked, frowning.
Mo nodded. “Yeah. Guys with anger and transition problems. Guys for whom fighting and training provide exactly the kind of outlet and therapy they need to deal with those problems.”
Some of Noah’s angst bled away. “There’s therapy like that?”
“Yeah there is,” Mo said. “It’s called Warrior Fight Club.”

This series is going to be something special, so don’t miss a single book of it.

@laurakayeauthor’s #WarriorFightClub series is going to be something special, so don’t miss a single book of it. @GraveTells #BookReview
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Loving her is the biggest fight of his life…

Home from the Marines, Noah Cortez has a secret he doesn’t want his oldest friend, Kristina Moore, to know. It kills him to push her away, especially when he’s noticing just how sexy and confident she’s become in his absence. But, angry and full of fight, he’s not the same man anymore either. Which is why Warrior Fight Club sounds so good.

Kristina loves teaching, but she wants more out of life. She wants Noah—the boy she’s crushed on and waited for. Except Noah is all man now—in ways both oh so good and troubling, too. Still, she wants who he’s become—every war-hardened inch. And when they finally stop fighting their attraction, it’s everything Kristina never dared hope for.

But Noah is secretly spiraling, and when he lashes out, it threatens what he and Kristina have found. The brotherhood of the fight club helps him confront his demons, but only Noah can convince the woman he loves that he’s finally ready to fight for everything.

Don’t judge Tanya Chris’s You, Me & Her by its cover. This story has a lovely flow, a lyrical beauty that pulls you in right from the start. The lead character, Nate, is no angel, but he sure makes a hell of an impression. And he’s real. Down to earth. A confident guy struggling to own his identity through the backlash of everyone else’s criticism and judgement. He’s a playboy, sure, but that’s just him, and his relationships are more long-term than one-and-done; he simply has a lot of them going on at once. He loves women, and he doesn’t want to be tied down. Nate isn’t commitment phobic—he simply doesn’t fit into the traditional one-person-for-everyone mold, and Joshua and Sherry totally get that. This story celebrates the beauty of open relationships and explores the challenges that come along with them. It is refreshing and different. You know what else I loved? This story is beautifully bi-racial (maybe tri-racial, if that’s a thing) and shows just how blind love is to skin color.

@tanyachrs’s YOU, ME & HER celebrates the beauty of open relationships and explores the challenges that come along with them. It is refreshing and different. @GraveTells #BookReview
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That said, the start of this book was a little rough for me. One of the characters—Nate’s ex-girlfriend—is a real piece of work, and I found myself fervently hoping she wasn’t a main character. It turns out she’s a significant secondary (whew, not a romantic lead!) whose story arc drives part of Nate’s (which works out nicely, indeed). And Nate himself is a bit of a quandary at first, amicable enough but also seemingly listless and unfocused. The guy you meet in the beginning of the story has some growing up to do.

“I do like you.” I nuzzled into her hair, burrowing into the warm, wild fragrance. “Even though I barely know you. Talk to me about your singing. Did I tell you how good you were tonight?”
“Briefly. You can lay it on a little thicker if you want.”
“Your voice is like iron drenched in molasses. All of you is like that. You feel soft, but you’re not.”
“You know me better than you think.”

But after Nate met Joshua and Sherry—a couple with an open marriage—I was hooked. Joshua is smooth, confident, and easy-going. The kind of guy level enough to casually hang out with and affectionate enough to enjoy a good, fun romp. And he doesn’t back down from jealous ex-girlfriends.

“Jealous shrew? Nice. I suppose that’s what you call your wife when she complains about you flirting with other women.”
“My wife and I have an open marriage, and no, I don’t call her jealous shrew. I call her Sherry, because that’s her name. Sometimes I call her baby, ’cause I’m sweet that way. You’re very interested in what people call each other.”

The sex scenes in this story are explicit, and I think I even learned a thing or two from Nate’s mad (and nicely visualized) skills.

“Friday, then?” He braced a forearm on the wall behind me. His hand toyed with one of the curls at the nape of my neck. “No rehearsal Friday night, no work Saturday morning. Sherry’s playing at a wedding—not something I can crash. Come watch a movie with me and when Sherry gets home, if you’re into it and she’s into it, I’ll make myself scarce.”
I looked into the depths of Joshua’s eyes. His irises were a three-dimensional shift of shades of brown.
“Did you just pimp out your wife so you could spend time with me?”
He sighed and straightened up. “I did say ‘if she’s into it,’ but yeah. Not good.”
“Not necessary.”

Stylistically, the writing and story feel reminded me of Damon Suede’s homey, New York big-family vibe in Hot Head and Cardeno C’s laissez-fair, easy-going, natural style of pacing a romance. Maybe it’s the setting of the New York area or maybe it’s the big-family dynamic on Nate’s side, but the narrative is welcoming and comfortable. This story feels like a comfy pair of pajamas—something soft and warm you want to spend a lot of time in, but nothing too fancy or thrilling. This story is tenaciously sexy, in all the best ways. The first-person storytelling draws you in until you are Nate, until you must have Joshua, even though you think he’s not for you.

@tanyachrs’s YOU, ME & HER feels like a comfy pair of pajamas—something soft and warm you want to spend a lot of time in @GraveTells #BookReview
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Ultimately, You, Me & Her is an exploration in polyamory. Nate is never going to be a one-person kind of guy, and everyone keeps trying to convince him that he could be, that he should be. But that’s not his truth, and I loved how he respected his own needs even when it hurt the most. The threesome really gets him going, and his attraction to Joshua builds at a natural rate. Nate’s journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance parallels what a lot of people go through even in today’s more open atmosphere.

In all the years of knowing what those words meant in modern English, I’d never before considered the ongoing burden behind them, the fact that some people were required to announce their sexuality to their friends and family in order to have it understood and respected. I’d never told anyone I liked women. Why did I need to tell them that I might, at times, also like men? I wasn’t ashamed of it. I just didn’t want to discuss it with my mother.

A solid, well-crafted menage romance with beautiful layers of polyamory, open-relationships, and self-discovery, You, Me & Her is a gem. Tanya Chris’s writing gave me the best feels, and I wanted to bundle up all the characters and snuggle them into bed with me. True threesome relationships, where each character romantically loves every other character, are extremely difficult to do well, and Tanya Chris has delivered an authentic, must-read story that stands out and demands attention in its own easy-going way.

This content warning from the author is important, especially for readers averse to open relationships in romances:

Content warning for alcoholism. This book describes an open relationship that remains open after a romantic bond is formed. It’s not suitable for readers who consider open relationships to be cheating. This book includes both M/F and M/M loving.

This review copy was provided by the Author. No compensation was received for this review.

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Nate wasn’t made to be monogamous, a fact he never fails to disclose to his partners. No matter how much he loves the women he’s with, he sees potential in others. Does that make him a horrible person? His on-again, off-again lover and current co-star, Deb, certainly thinks so.

But his other co-star, Joshua, understands. Joshua, who’s fast becoming the best friend Nate ever had, doesn’t even mind when Nate hooks up with his wife, Sherry. Well, he does mind a little, but only because he has the hots for Nate himself.

Nate’s always known he’s polyamorous, but is he also bi? He loves being with Joshua. He loves being with Sherry. He definitely loves being with Joshua and Sherry together. Can he make the transition from loves-being-with to just-plain-loves? And even if he can, how does he fit into another couple’s relationship?

Meanwhile, the situation with Deb is growing ever more toxic, the future of their show is at stake, and not all of Nate’s friends are on board with the whole poly/bi thing. It’s a minefield Nate can only navigate with the help of one very special man.

Content warning for alcoholism. This book describes an open relationship that remains open after a romantic bond is formed. It’s not suitable for readers who consider open relationships to be cheating. This book includes both M/F and M/M loving.

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I LOVE menages, especially threesomes that feature rich, full romantic connections between every partner. And especially stories with two men and one woman. These four contemporary romances are must reads for any fan of m/m/f menages.

Check out @GraveTells four must-read contemporary m/m/f romances #menage #recommendedread
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#1: Blame it on the Bass by Lexxie Couper

An Australian rock star, a Hollywood screen writer, and an erotic romance book editor? Um, YES. Read my review or snag your copy below!

Lexxie_Couper’s BLAME IT ON THE BASS is hands down one of the best menages I’ve ever read. @GraveTells #BookReview #BestMenages @EntangledPub
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Corbin Smith knows he needs to do something drastic to help his partner, Levi Levistan, out of the grief he’s been lost to. Witnessing the chemistry still present between Levi and his old high school flame, Corbin is surprised by a jolt of arousal and the beginning of an idea.

Nothing unsettles Sonja Stone. She’s not even surprised at her body’s powerful reaction to Levi after all these years. But when Levi’s lover approaches them, eyes smoldering with hunger, his suggestion shakes Sonja to the core.

Sensing their unspoken wounds, Sonja agrees to take a chance on a threesome. Their union is explosively perfect, but something is holding Levi back from sealing their emotional connection. Something that could destroy their newfound balance and love.

Each book in the Heart of Fame series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.Series Order:Book #1 Love’s RhythmBook #2 Muscle for HireBook #3 Guarded DesiresBook #4 Steady BeatBook #5 Lead Me OnBook #6 Blame it on the BassBook #7 Getting PlayedBook #8 Blackthorne

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#2: Rule of Three by Kelly Jamieson

Two best friends and the woman who brings them together. This one is a bit of a prickly ride, but I so enjoyed it. And it’s super sexy. I’m chatting about Rule of Three in an upcoming Infatuated Podcast Season 1 episode! Follow the podcast here to be notified when it goes live!

Right from the start I knew @KellyJamieson’s RULE OF THREE was my kind of menage. @GraveTells #BookReview #BestMenages
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If you follow the rules, you miss all the fun...

Kassidy is a good girl who wants to be bad. Dag is a bad boy who is very, very good. And Chris? He likes to watch…

When wicked-sexy Dag returns to Chicago to catch up with his old college buddy Chris and meet The Girlfriend, none of them are anticipating the unexpected turn of events that switches a loving twosome into a scorching hot threesome. As old feelings resurface, and new attractions are explored, a storm of sexual sparks is unleashed that leads them into forbidden areas.

Always the good girl, Kassidy blossoms under the attentions of two loving men, but neither she nor Chris are expecting the ménage to take a quarter turn toward Dag…and his feelings for Chris. When it’s revealed that Dag’s attraction to Chris is one big reason he left town, a tangled mess of old hurts and new feelings might destroy friendship. Love. Might destroy everything.

Product Warnings: This book contains a couple already in love, a couple falling in love and a couple in love who didn’t know it; also multiple scorching sex scenes including girl with boy, girl with two boys, boy with boy and two boys with girl...whew!

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#3: Love Slave for Two by Tymber Dalton

Like Rule of Three above, Love Slave for Two is the start of a series dedicated to the same three characters. The Love Slave series is a little longer, and it’s definitely kinkier. This one starts out with a gay couple—one of whom is a famous writer—who fall in love with their housekeeper. Let the sexy, kinky shenanigans commence!

I devoured the first three books in @TymberDalton’s LOVE SLAVE FOR TWO series. @GraveTells #BookReview #BestMenages @sirenbookstrand
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Nevvie Barton has never truly felt loved or like she belonged anywhere, ever. Abandoned by her adopted family and trapped in an abusive relationship, she takes a job with Tyler Paulson and Thomas Kinsey as their cleaning girl.

Nevvie knows her fantasies about "the boys" will always be just that--the two handsome men are devoted, loving life-partners. Then Tyler and Thomas fall in love with Nevvie and hatch a secret plan to seduce her and make her their permanent third.

For the first time in her life, she feels attractive and wanted. When they ask her to move in and be their personal assistant, Nevvie jumps at the chance. Her planned escape doesn't go without a hitch, and the boys must rescue her from a brutal man who would rather kill her than let her go.

Can Tyler and Thomas heal Nevvie's wounded body and soul and prove to her that she really is their dream come true?

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

#4: Downtown Devil by Cara McKenna

Of the four on this list, Downtown Devil is the most unconventional romance… at least in the Happily Ever After sort of way. You should know going in that this threesome doesn’t end up together, but a healthy couple does come out of it, and the emotions are real and complex. Absolutely recommended, but take each moment as its own scene and don’t get attached to the three as a forever-triad.

There’s an art to writing discomfort and dysfunction in such an appealing way, and Cara McKenna definitely has the knack.

DOWNTOWN DEVIL is a romance for readers who want something a little different—edgier—than the standard HEA. @GraveTells #BookReview #BestMenages @BerkleyRomance @penguinusa
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From the author of Crosstown Crush comes the second sexy novel in the trilogy that explores the illicit pleasures of ménage à trois.   At the edge of thirty, Clare is feeling restless. Even though she’s gainfully employed and pursuing her passion for photography, she can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing. Then she meets Mica. A perfect subject for her portrait exhibit, Mica is sexy, exciting, and everything Clare desires.   One night with the charismatic stranger is all it takes to leave her craving more. But the intensity Mica brings isn’t confined to the bedroom, and Clare wonders if this summer fling might turn more adventurous than she anticipated—especially as a curious energy starts to simmer between the two of them and Mica’s handsome roommate, Vaughn.   As the three-way tension mounts, Mica makes a sinful proposal. It’s an invitation Clare can’t pass up, and an erotic encounter she’ll never be able to forget. Caught up between two irresistible men, Clare is about to get all the excitement she’s been looking for—and then some....

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Want me to review your menage romance?

I’m planning a menage-focused podcast soon, and I’m looking for more books to include! Share yours with me below.

What are your favorite m/m/f romances?

I’m always looking forward to my next menage romance, so leave a comment and let me know which ones you recommend! Tweet below to invite friends to share their own favorites!

Tell @GraveTells your favorite m/m/f romances! We’re looking for recommendations! #menage #romance
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The chemistry between Adrienne and Mace is explosive. Theirs is the kind of close friendship where one person is almost always secretly pining after the other, and Mace is head over heels for his bestie. I really liked him as the hero—he’s sensitive and strong, deliberate yet passionate, dominating but respectful. I enjoyed being in Adrienne’s head too; she has admirable spirit and serious moxie.

@CarrieAnnRyan’s Fallen Ink is a fast-paced friends-to-lovers romance with heat and heart. And a whole lot of sexy ink. #BookReview @GraveTells
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Someone is trying to run their new tattoo shop out of town, and the tension from that ramps up throughout the story. Ultimately, though, I felt the antagonist was a little forced. His motivation was thin, and the depth and maliciousness of his attacks seemed unlikely.

This story features a lot of characters that are probably from previous books, and I had some trouble at first keeping up with them all. Fans of the first Montgomery Ink series will recognize the names and be delighted to see them again, but readers new to the series may be a little overwhelmed.

“I saw the way you looked at me when Jenn came on to me. She’s not you, Addi. It’s just you and me, remember? No matter who tries to come between us, it won’t matter because it’s just the two of us in the end. I’ve watched these guys come into the shop and drool as they kept their eyes just on your tits as you walked, watching the sway because you’re way more than a handful. Which, sidebar, I’m going to need to fuck them at some point. But I digress.”
She blinked, holding back a laugh at the serious look on his face as he talked about fucking her boobs. Only Mace Knight.

Fallen Ink is a fast-paced friends-to-lovers romance with heat and heart. And a whole lot of sexy ink. As a first-timer meeting the Montgomerys and Knights, I really enjoyed the close family dynamics and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

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The Montgomery Ink series continues with a spin-off in Colorado Springs, where a familiar Montgomery finds her place in a new tattoo shop, and in the arms of her best friend.

Adrienne Montgomery is finally living her dreams. She’s opened a tattoo shop with her brother, Shep, and two of her cousins from Denver and she’s ready to take the city by storm with her art—as long as she can handle the pressure. When her new neighbors decide her shop isn’t a great fit for the community, however, she’ll have to lean on the one person she didn’t expect to fall for along the way…her best friend.

Mace Knight takes pride in two things: his art and his daughter. He knows he’s taking a risk by starting over in a new shop with the Montgomerys, but the stakes are even higher when he finds himself wanting Adrienne more than he thought possible.

The two fall fast and hard but they know the rules; they can’t risk their friendship, no matter how hot it is between the sheets and how many people try to stand in their way.

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Oh, Ivan. I do so love a tortured hero. And the princess-bodyguard forbidden-love trope is one of my favorite. Like all the other books in this series and the Beyond series, every story carries little teasers and glimpses into the future of the larger story arc, and Ivan seeds some delightful new pairings.

He’d never rejoiced in taking a life, but he’d lived for those moments where the sharp pain of the needles clarified his own personal truth–there was no future for him but a good death, the best one he could wrench out of his undoubtedly short life.

Ivan and Maricela’s relationship has been simmering for a while, and their sexual tension is combustible. Ivan is a man of quick and deliberate action, and he brings a potent decisiveness to their scenes.

Ivan and Maricela’s relationship has been simmering for a while, and their sexual tension is combustible. @KitRocha #BookReview
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One of the things that keeps me coming back to this story universe, over and over, is how the landscape and history of the world is slowly, subtly, organically revealed through little moments. And there are some fantastic, bittersweet moments in Ivan.

With the sort of explosive, can’t-stop-reading ending that Kit Rocha does so well, Ivan does not disappoint! This story pulls back the curtain on royal life in sector one–the good, the bad, and the very ugly. Shit just got real. Again. I love this series!!

With the sort of explosive, can’t-stop-reading ending that @KitRocha does so well, Ivan does not disappoint! #BookReview
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PS—Also, is it me, or does Ivan look a whole lot like Karl Urban on that cover?

This review copy was provided by the Author. No compensation was received for this review.

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As the sheltered princess of Sector One, Maricela’s life is defined by duty: to her people and to her family. Her wealth and influence have allowed her to build a better world, but they come with a price---the responsibility to secure political stability with a practical marriage. Maricela cherishes the idea of marrying for love, but there’s not much romance in the endless line of suitors interested only in prestige and power.
And her handsome, brooding new bodyguard isn’t helping the situation.
Ivan is the perfect, deadly warrior, a man trained from childhood to be the ultimate protector to the Rios family. His focus on keeping her safe is intense--and a little intoxicating. When the threat of danger cracks his icy control, Maricela realizes she’s not the only one fighting against temptation.
Ivan knows that the blood on his hands makes him unworthy of the pure-hearted princess. But from the first kiss, their forbidden affair feels inevitable. He can give her a glimpse of life outside her gilded cage and a lover who wants the woman instead of the crown. The only thing he can never do is promise her forever.
Because spurning her noble suitors to marry her bodyguard wouldn’t just be a scandal. It could set off a political firestorm that would tear Sector One apart.

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Sale alert!

If you’re new to the Gideon’s Riders story world, now is a great time to dive in. Ashwin is on sale for a limited time for 99 cents. Click here or the image below to grab your copy for next to nothing! This is one series you do not want to miss out on.

If you’re a little bit sad that the games are over, or find yourself suddenly pining over social media darlings like Adam Rippon and counting the days til the next figure skating competition, you’re in good company. The world has Olympic Fever right now, and it’s not going away just because the games are over.

But we still need to, you know, function in our everyday lives. So here are my top four recommendations for taking the Olympic-blues edge off right now. Oh! And because I adore gay romance and read a lot of it, these romances are all about the boy love. =)

See which four gay romances @GraveTells recommends to take the edge off your post-Olympic blues! #FigureSkating #MensDiving #BeachVolleyball
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Figure Skating

I’ve tried a handful of Olympic-themed figure skating romances lately, but my top two choices on this list come from the same author—Keira Andrews. I also featured her a few months ago in My Favorite Things, Pirate Edition, so she has definitely caught (and kept!) my attention. Both of these romances are relatively new, but one is Adult Romance and the other is New Adult, so whether you read both those genres or are staunchly in a single camp, one of these figure skating romances should satisfy.

Psst! I talk more about Keira’s swoon-worthy pirate romance in my podcast here.

Click the links in the book info below to read my reviews on GoodReads or Amazon!

Adult romance: The Winning Edge by Keira Andrews

This multicultural adult romance is a MUST-READ for fans of gay romance, figure skating, and the enemies-to-lovers trope. As of this posting, The Winning Edge is available in Kindle Unlimited.

This review copy was provided by the Reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

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Can figure skating enemies find love off the ice?
After an explosive locker room confrontation with his Russian rival ends in the most intense sex of his life, American pairs skater Dev Avira is distracted to say the least. He’s worked for years to have a chance at Olympic gold, and he can’t let himself—or his partner—down. Playing cat and mouse with the steely and smoldering Mikhail Reznikov is the last thing he needs as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life, but they can’t keep their hands off each other as the Games approach.

Dev soon learns that beneath Mikhail’s arrogant and aloof exterior is Misha, a passionate man who warms Dev’s heart and scorches his bed. They’re both determined to win, but for Misha his freedom could be at stake if he and his partner take anything less than gold. Who will stand atop the podium? And can secret lovers from different worlds make a life together once the competition ends?

This gay sports romance from Keira Andrews features enemies to lovers, two alpha men, sequins, and of course a happy ending. Content previously published as novellas Cold War and Holding the Edge.

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New Adult romance: The Next Competitor by Keira Andrews

A must-read gay romance for fans of New Adult angst and Olympic-level figure skating.

This review copy was provided by the Reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

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If he risks his heart, can he keep his head in the game?
To win gold, figure skater Alex Grady must train harder than the competition morning, noon, and night. He’s obsessed with mastering another quadruple jump, and due to the lack of filter between his mouth and brain, doesn’t have a lot of friends. As for a boyfriend, forget it. So what if he’s still a virgin at twenty? The Olympics are only every four years—everything else can wait. Relationships are messy and complicated anyway, and he has zero room in his life for romance.

So it’s ridiculous when Alex finds himself checking out his boring new training mate Matt Savelli. Calm, collected “Captain Cardboard” is a nice guy, but even if Alex had time to date, Matt’s so not his type. Yet beneath Matt’s wholesome surface, there’s a dirty, sexy man who awakens a desire Alex has never experienced and can’t deny…

Note: This gay romance from Keira Andrews features opposites attracting, new adult angst, sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending.
First published as a YA novel in 2010. This new version has been extensively rewritten, updated, and expanded.

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@KeiraAndrews scored TWO spots on the @GraveTells #BestOf #OlympicRomance list! Check out the sexy #FigureSkating romances that made the cut!
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Summer Sports

Or, maybe you’re so done with the Winter Olympics and already looking forward to the Summer Games. I can’t deny, I love me some summer sports too! Here are two of my favorite Summer Olympics gay romances.

New Adult romance: Match Point by Leigh Carman

I devoured this book so hard I didn’t even stop to take review notes. It is emotional and angsty and I loved every second of it. This book has all the yummy things—sexy shirtless men, beachside volleyball, pro sports environment, and a scorching hot connection between the guys.

“Oh yes. Pull out your sparkly top, baby, because we’re hitting the gay clubs tonight.”
“Fuck you, Savage. I don’t own a sparkly top.”
“Rainbow?”
“No.”
Dex gives me a disgusted look. “What kind of gay man are you?”
“Not a very good one, I guess.” One who crushes on his straight teammate, that’s what kind of gay man I am. A stupid one.

See which Leigh Carman romance made the @GraveTells #BestOf #OlympicRomance list! #BeachVolleyball @HeatherCLeigh @Dreamspinners
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Two stubborn men.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.

Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.

When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.

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New Adult romance: Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer

This romance is perfect for readers who can’t get enough of men’s platform diving. If you like intense emotions, close bonds of friendship, and hot and hard bodies in tiny swim trunks, take a dip into Elyse Springer’s world of diving. Be patient with Jeremy—he takes some time to really warm up to—laugh along with Brandon’s carefree spirit, and chase that special feeling these guys do all the training for: the platform dive.

This book was a 2017 GraveTells Romance Top Pick! Read the review here!

See which @ElyseSpringer romance made the @GraveTells #BestOf #OlympicRomance list! #MensDiving @RiptideBooks
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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

Jeremy Reeve is one of the best divers in the world, and he’s worked hard to get where he is. He intends to keep pushing himself with one very clear goal in mind: winning gold at the summer Olympics in two years. That medal might be the only way to earn his father’s respect as an athlete.

Brandon Evans is everything Jeremy isn’t: carefree, outgoing, and openly gay. With his bright-blue eyes and dramatic tattoos, he’s a temptation that Jeremy refuses to acknowledge. But Jeremy can’t ignore how talented Brandon is—or that Brandon has no interest in using his diving skills to compete.

They’re opposites who are forced to work together as teammates, but Jeremy’s fear of his own sexuality and Brandon’s disinterest in anything “not fun” may end their partnership before it begins. Until a single moment changes everything, and they help each other discover that “team” can also mean family and love.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

What are YOUR favorite Olympic romances? I need mooooore! =)

If you’re a fan of Rebecca Zanetti’s wildly popular Scorpius Syndrome post-apocalyptic action romance series, then get excited. Because WINTER IGNITING— book #5, Damon’s story—is HERE!

You know, living in a post-apocalyptic world seems really rough. The heroes and heroines in this series have been through some tough times and had to scavenge for supplies at serious risk to their life and sanity. So I asked Ms. Zanetti for her TOP THREE TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE.

@GraveTells asked @RebeccaZanetti for her TOP THREE TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE. Here’s what she recommends… #WinterIgniting
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Here’s what she recommends:

Hi all! Thanks to GraveTells for having me over today to talk about the release of Winter Igniting, the fifth book in the Scorpius Syndrome. In the series, a bacteria has taken out most of the human race, leaving only our brave survivors to figure out how to survive. I did tons and tons of research to prepare for this series, and Sue asked me to give my top three tips for surviving the apocalypse. So here they are:

In the series, a bacteria has taken out most of the human race, leaving only our brave survivors to figure out how to survive.

1. Buy and store antibacterial ointment right now! Neosporin is my favorite. After the apocalypse, a scratch might kill you. So get this stuff and now. Trust me.
2. Live in a place with wild game, water, and some farming type soil. Yeah. You’re going to have to learn to farm a bit.
3. Get your hands on a cute hottie to help keep you warm once we no longer have electricity or gas. I mean, why not?

Thanks so much, and if the apocalypse comes, you’re now prepared. Kind of.

That was sort of the ANTI-PREPPER guide to surviving the apocalypse. I’m totally on board. Especially with the hottie part… 😀

Here’s more about WINTER IGNITING! Grab your copy from the links below.

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | B&N | iBooks

His only goal was survival until he met her...
With nothing to lose, former cop Damon Winter agrees to an undercover op, infiltrating a cult in the dangerous post-Scorpius world. After one look at his new partner, he knows she belongs far away from not only the cult, but from him. She's sweet and kind and has no business being in peril, but she's determined to help. Suddenly, the part he's playing as her man explodes into a passion neither of them had expected.

She hadn't purposefully faced risk until she met him...
April Snyder has survived loss, pain, and uncertainty. Now she's ready to live again. There's nothing left but to make a difference for others, so why not go undercover in the cult? Now all she has to do is keep it professional and ignore her handsome, deadly, overbearing partner, who's too sexy for her peace of mind. Intrigue, risk, and danger make for an irresistible temptation--until enemies close in, threatening everyone they've sworn to protect.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

New to the series?

Start with the novella that kicks off the series—Scorpius Rising. Watch the bacteria nearly wipe out mankind in one fell swoop. (Read my review here)

Skip to the first full story in the series, Mercury Striking. You don’t need to read the novella to enjoy jumping right in to this post-apoc story world! (Read my review here)

About Rebecca Zanetti

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over twenty-five romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestseller lists. She has received a Publisher's Weekly Starred Review for Wicked Edge, Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Nominations for Forgotten Sins and Sweet Revenge, and RT Top Picks for several of her novels. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat...and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off...and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest

Are you a fan of Rebecca’s stories? The Scorpius Syndrome series? Leave a comment and let’s chat!

Earlier this month, I posted about a new series that will be coming out later this year from one of my long-time favorite authors, Laura Kaye. Well, February is a double treat for all you LK fans out there, because ON HIS KNEES is here, and dayum is it sexy!

Today I’m bringing you not only my review of this scorching hot new gay BDSM romance in the Blasphemy series, but also a smokin’ excerpt that will leave you shriveled in a ball on the floor, begging for more. Oh, and there’s a pretty fab giveaway too. =)

GraveTells Review

I love the banter between the Masters at Club Blasphemy, especially Alex’s stern sadist front squared off against Kyler’s demanding, sarcastic wit. I’ve only read one other Blasphemy story so far—Kyler’s, which is the crossover from the Hard Ink series (read my review here)—and it was fan-freaking-tastic, but you don’t need to have read any of the previous books in this series (or the Hard Ink series) to enjoy On His Knees.

You don’t need to have read any of the previous books in this series (or the Hard Ink series) to enjoy On His Knees.

Jamie and Alex are perfectly suited to one another. Their kinks line up perfectly—an experienced sadist and a newbie masochist (who is new to both kink and relationships with men)—and these guys sizzle from their very first encounter. I don’t think I’ve seen pain play portrayed quite so honestly or dynamically. It’s not something I’m personally into, but these scenes are damn hot. Dirty hot. Brutal hot. Humiliatingly hot. Get the gist? *wink*

#BDSM pain play isn’t something I’m personally into, but the scenes in @LauraKayeAuthor’s ON HIS KNEES are damn hot. Dirty hot. Brutal hot. Humiliatingly hot. *swoon* #BookReview
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Consensual non-con is one of my guilty pleasure themes, when done right, and this story treats it beautifully. I also adore the fact that Alex isn’t Mr. Big Bad Sadist all the time. When they’re home alone, they’re a relatively normal couple. It’s such a healthy portrayal of what a lifestyle relationship can look like. Not that 24/7 relationships can’t be healthy—I just mean it’s nice to see the characters consciously make that switch and be casual outside of play time. And, of course, like pretty much every other Laura Kaye romance ever, the emotional climax of the book had me in tears. *happy sigh* I love this story. It was immediately one of my new favorite m/m romances of all time.

@LauraKayeAuthor’s ON HIS KNEES had me in tears. *happy sigh* I love this book. It was immediately one of my new favorite #GayRomance #BDSM stories of all time #BookReview
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Read an excerpt

Copyright © 2018 Laura Kaye

I LOVE this excerpt! This is one of the scenes in the book that gave me the shivers. Hope you guys enjoy it too!

Jamie was done holding back. He was done questioning. He was done feeling like he was on the outside looking in.

Now that Master Alex had demonstrated exactly what Jamie required to fully connect with another human being, he needed this to go all the way. More than that, he wanted Alex to be the one to take him there.

So he held his breath, held the Dom’s gaze, and held on to the hope that the man would agree.

“You want your first time to be non-consensual role-playing,” Master Alex finally said, his voice like it’d been scoured with sandpaper.

The tone of it gave Jamie hope. Because he was affected. Jamie wasn’t the only one who needed this, he would’ve put money on it.

Nodding, Jamie summoned the courage to say what he wanted, while the Dom was still open to hearing it. Even though, Jesus, the words on the tip of his tongue were seriously twisted. He let them fly anyway. “I want you to force me, use me, hurt me. To show me what it really means to be taken by a…a—”

“Say it.”

“By a sadist.”

Master Alex’s dark eyes flared, and his expression went a little mean. Jamie’s cock hardened, a reaction he couldn’t hide when he knelt there naked. The Dom’s gaze swept downward and settled on his growing erection, and Jamie felt the directness of that perusal as a physical caress.

Slowly, Alex rose to his full height, and then his expression went absolutely unforgiving. “Beg.”

This review copy was provided by the Publicist. No compensation was received for this review.

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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Getting on his knees makes him question everything…and want even more…

Another failed relationship has lawyer Jamie Fielding confronting the truth—he’ll never be satisfied with any woman until he admits what he needs…to submit and to be used—hard. When a friend invites him to the exclusive Blasphemy club, Jamie is stunned to find everything he ever wanted—in the fierce, ruthless hands of a man.

Psychiatrist Alex McGarry will play with anyone who craves his rough brand of domination, but what he really wants is to settle down. Which makes the submissive male he meets at his club a bad idea—the man might be hot as hell but he’s also new to everything Alex has to offer. Except that doesn’t keep them from coming together again and again, sating every one of their darkest desires.

Master Alex sets Jamie’s whole world on fire and makes him question everything—and that’s good. Because Alex won’t tolerate hiding what they have for long and he wants much more than just having Jamie on his knees...

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Don’t miss the previous standalone books in the Blasphemy Series!

Hard to Serve #.5

Bound to Submit #1 – FREE EVERYWHERE!

Mastering Her Senses #2

Eyes on You #3

Theirs to Take #4

On His Knees #5

About Laura Kaye

Laura Kaye is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. A former college history professor, Laura also writes bestselling historical women's fiction as Laura Kamoie. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

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Welcome to Episode 5 of the GraveTells Romance Podcast!

I teamed up with fellow reviewer, blogger, and podcaster Tamara Ford of Shelf Addiction to bring you our top romance book picks for this Valentine’s Day. Of course, romance is evergreen, so these sweet and sexy stories will keep you warm alllll year round. *wink*

Tamara and I chatted about our top picks across two podcast episodes—Part 1 on Shelf Addiction and Part 2 on GraveTells. Each episode features TEN romance books (5 from each of us) that cover a generous spectrum of romance genres. From kinky to young adult, there’s something here for every reader. Listen using the widget below, or visit my YouTube and Spreaker channels and look for Episode 5: Romance for Every Reader, Part 2. I’ve also included Tamara’s episode below!

Books featured in this podcast episode, part 2 of the series

GraveTells recommends

Priest by Sierra Simone* — ebook | audiobook

How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall* — ebook | audiobook

A Duke in the Night by Kelly Bowen — ebook

Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews* — ebook

Hunted by Rebecca Zanetti — ebook | audiobook

BONUS RECS:

The audio degraded in the last 15 minutes of the podcast, so I (sadly) had to edit out these mentions…

• The Mistress and Her Men by Minerva Howe — ebook (historical BDSM menage)
• Haven by Lindsay J. Pryor — ebook (paranormal romance)

* denotes spicy or kinky read

Shelf Addiction recommends

French Silk by Sandra Brown — ebook | audiobook

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover — ebook | audiobook

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout — ebook | audiobook

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs — ebook | audiobook

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker — ebook | audiobook

BONUS RECS:

• A Discovery of Witches Deborah Harkness — ebook | audiobook | GraveTells Review (paranormal romance)
• Brave by Jennifer L Armentrout — ebook | audiobook (paranormal romance)

Wanna see the other ten books that made our list?

Listen to Part 1 on Shelf Addiction! Or use the nifty widget below…

About Tamara Ford

Tamara is the creator and host of the Shelf Addiction Podcast and editor of the Shelf Addiction blog. She’s been avidly reading and loving books since childhood. Reviewing books and interviewing authors for the last 5 years.In addition to her love of books and audiobook, she love pop culture, so check out her podcast featuring Book Chat and Pop Culture Sunday episodes!

Listen to the Shelf Addiction Podcast: http://www.shelfaddiction.com/podcast.html

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Did we choose any of your faves? Let’s chat!

Leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought of our Valentine’s Day list! <3

NOTE: All book links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I will make a very small commission for the recommendation.

Guess who’s here today?!

One of my favoritest authors to hang with, whose stories always make me laugh, shiver, and sometimes even cry. Avery Flynn, the GraveTells 2016 Author of the Year, is joining us today, lovelies, and she’s treating us to a peek inside her newest release, The Schemer. I challenged Avery to pick a theme song for her hero and heroine, and here’s what she chose!

What do Kelly Clarkson & Kanye West have in common? @AveryFlynn’s new romantic comedy, The Schemer. Click to find out why! @EntangledPub
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Sing It Loud!

I love Tyler and Everly, my hero and heroine in The Schemer, because they are both stubborn, determined, smart people who sometimes have no frickin’ clue what they’re doing. Those are my favorite kind of characters to write because they always have so much to learn and make some hilarious mistakes along the way. So if each of them had a theme song, this would be it:

Everly:

Love So Soft by Kelly Clarkson. Everly is all about the tough chick persona and no apologies for who she is. I just love her.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy6vBxqlapw

Tyler:

Stronger by Kanye West. Tyler is all about making his mark on the world and what doesn’t kill him, definitely makes him stronger—at least that’s his philosophy. The man has a chip on his shoulder for sure.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO6ZnUZI0g

Tyler and Everly are both stubborn, determined, smart people who sometimes have no frickin’ clue what they’re doing.

Read an excerpt

Everly made the choice. “Tails for the parking spot.”

“Sugar,” Tyler said, tossing the coin with a hard flick, “get ready to park at the end of the garage for the foreseeable future.”

She dropped her keys the moment the coin went airborne. It flew up into the air, flipping end over end several times before she snatched it out of the air, turned it, smacked it down on the top of her hand, and held her palm over it. 2B—okay, Tyler Jacobson, she knew his name—just stared at her bug-eyed and slack-jawed.

Boys. They are so fucking easy.

Well, he hadn’t been up until now, anyway. The dark Adonis who looked like a rich woman’s David Gandy with his black hair, blue eyes, and perfect body—my God, how much time did he spend in the gym getting hot and sweaty? She could picture his biceps flexing with every curl. His thighs straining with each weight-bearing squat. His back glistening as he—

Girl! Focus!

Where was she? Oh yeah, shocking Mr. Cocksure Know-It-All by not following his playbook. Deal with it, 2B.

“What? You don’t flip so it lands on the ground like some kind of heathen, do you?” she asked as he stared at her like she was a Rubik’s Cube that needed to be solved. “You toss. I catch. That’s only fair, right?”

Tyler recovered quickly, she had to give him that. The black-haired, blue-eyed devil snapped his mouth shut, ending the motion with a cocky smile that didn’t affect her at all. Liar.

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | Amazon UK

Don't miss the hot new romantic comedy follow-up to the smash hit
The Charmer...

Tyler Jacobson has a plan for everything—except how to handle his completely annoying, utterly frustrating, and totally sexy upstairs neighbor. He couldn’t care less if Everly Ribinski thinks he’s equally irritating—until he discovers she’s the only one who can help him land a business deal that will finally make him feel like he’s more than just a guy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Color him shocked when Everly refuses to help, insisting she should have run him over in the parking garage when she had the chance. Harsh. But possibly deserved. Tyler may have spent the last few months reveling in annoying the fiery gallery owner with a dark past, but he’s got secret leverage she can’t refuse.

If only one meeting didn’t turn into a fake date that turned into more. Way more. Like naked and hot as hell more.
The last thing either of them wants is to catch feelings for someone who is so obviously not their type. Good thing that will never happen. Right?

Each book in the Harbor City series is STANDALONE* The Negotiator* The Charmer* The Schemer

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

About Avery Flynn

Avery Flynn is an award winning, USA Today bestselling romance author. She has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter sign-up

You guys know I’m a huge fan of Laura Kaye’s romances, from her crazy emotional godling and vampire stories to her super sexy menages and BDSM club stories to her exciting military and private security series. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that every Laura Kaye romance will satisfy, excite, and leave you wanting more.

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that every @LauraKayeAuthor romance will satisfy, excite, and leave you wanting more @GraveTells #FightingForMore #MMARomance
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So how excited was I to learn that Laura has a brand new MMA series coming out this year?

Yeah, that’s about right. Here’s a peek at the cover and story blurb for Fighting for Everything, the first in a new contemporary military romance series about the members of an MMA training club that helps veterans deal with PTSD and transition to civilian life—to be released on May 22, 2018!

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | BAM | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Loving her is the biggest fight of his life…

Home from the Marines, Noah Cortez has a secret he doesn’t want his oldest friend, Kristina Moore, to know. It kills him to push her away, especially when he’s noticing just how sexy and confident she’s become in his absence. But, angry and full of fight, he’s not the same man anymore either. Which is why Warrior Fight Club sounds so good.

Kristina loves teaching, but she wants more out of life. She wants Noah—the boy she’s crushed on and waited for. Except Noah is all man now—in ways both oh so good and troubling, too. Still, she wants who he’s become—every war-hardened inch. And when they finally stop fighting their attraction, it’s everything Kristina never dared hope for.

But Noah is secretly spiraling, and when he lashes out, it threatens what he and Kristina have found. The brotherhood of the fight club helps him confront his demons, but only Noah can convince the woman he loves that he’s finally ready to fight for everything.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

About Laura Kaye

Laura Kaye is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. A former college history professor, Laura also writes bestselling historical women's fiction as Laura Kamoie. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Don’t miss out— Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

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2017 was a landmark year for me, and it absolutely slowed down my reviews and recommendations here on GraveTells. Wondering what took all my time? When I wrote all this out, it was a serious wall of text, so here are some nice, clean bullet points of all the random, crazy things I did this year:

• I transitioned into freelance editing full time. It’s legit. Editing romance books is now my actual job. <3 <3 <3 *confetti*
• Became an acquisitions editor for a romance publisher (Dreamspinner Press) — also a real, paying job, one I’ve wanted to do forever! *more sparkle confetti*
• Was a featured blogger at Coastal Magic convention
• Started podcasting (Listen to the episodes on GraveTells, YouTube or Spreaker)
• Re-branded GraveTells (and got some kick-ass new business cards)
• Reviewed 85 books (not all are posted here on GT—follow me on GoodReads!)
• Bought 66 additional books (and spent nearly $300 on them)
• Spent around $300 sending birthday and prize books out to I don’t even know how many awesome readers
• Sent nearly 2,000 tweets (AgoraPulse was a real time-saver!)
• Coordinated and attended a kink convention for erotica author Eden Bradley
• Hosted the longest and most complicated Independence Celebration in the history of GraveTells (on two blogs over four weeks—what the heck was I thinking?!)
• Competed a month-long live video challenge, which started with my very first ever live broadcast, talk about terrifying. (Don’t do Facebook? You can see the videos on YouTube here)
• Co-coordinated my RWA chapter’s yearly contest, the Heart To Heart (which was the equivalent of a full time job for like a month)
• Flew cross-country and back three times (those six hour flights truly suck—why do I keep going to FLORIDA?!)
• Revived my old chainmaille jewelry business
• And started writing a book. All about blogging.

Clearly I have too much free time on my hands…said I at no point in the last twelve months.

This is also only the second year I haven’t hosted the GraveTells Book Awards or Readers Choice Awards since I started blogging (see the 2016 winners here). Aside from this year, I have only missed one year of GTRCA in the last seven years, and I’m sad to miss it this year. But I am just exhausted. Something had to give, and I needed a break this holiday season.

So thank you, lovely readers. Thank you for reading my reviews. Thank you for visiting my site. Thank you for chatting with me in comments and live videos and on social media. Thank you for keeping me company when I wondered if anyone out there was even listening. Thank you for your words of encouragement. And thank you for sharing your love of romance with me. Romance is the literature of hope, and I hope some of the books I recommended this year brought you happiness and warmth and filled your heart with hope and joy.

Thank you, lovely @GraveTells #Romance readers. 2017 was a hell of a year, and you helped make it awesome. #BookBloggers
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If you’re a fellow book blogger—whether just starting out and trying to break into the spotlight or tired, jaded, and ready for a break, or whatever your situation!—know that I feel you. I get you. I’m right there with you. This is a hard job and it pays shit (e.g. it usually doesn’t pay at all), but there are people out there who care about what you have to say. So don’t give up out of frustration or loneliness. You can always start up a conversation with me, and I’ll be happy to commiserate, encourage, or give advice. The book I’m writing is for you, and soon, hopefully, I’ll be ready to share it with the world. So please know you can reach out anytime. <3

What does next year hold?

Well probably less podcasting, reviewing, and other assorted randomness, and a whole lot more editing. I’ll still be around here on GraveTells, but likely not as active as I was in early 2017. The thing I’m MOST EXCITED about is the 1001 Dark Nights Cruise in January. If you’re going, give me a shout out and I’ll have something special for you once we’re on board! <3

If you’re going on the January 2018 1001 Dark Nights Cruise, let me know! I’ll bring you something special on board! <3

All the best in 2018. Here’s to a kick ass new year and some steamy new romances!

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What did you do this year?

What is your most proud accomplishment?

What thing-you-had-to-do took up all your time?

Did you start any brave new endeavors?

What do you want to see more of on GraveTells in 2018?

Leave me a comment and let’s chat!

It feels like Thanksgiving was just last week, and now Christmas is only a few days away! Where did the time go? If you’re wrung out from all the holiday festivities and need a little romance indulgence to renew your spirit, these five heart-warming stories will keep you cozy.

#1: Mistletoe Me, Baby by Katie Reus

This sweet, sexy friends-to-lovers holiday romance is lovely. Set in a Kinkaide-like town where Christmas lasts all year round, this story is all kinds of feel good, cozy romance. He’s sweet and supportive when she needs him to be her friend or her rock, growly and take charge when she needs it, and respectful and caring all the time—the ideal alpha hero.

I love the fake-fiancee trope. It works especially well with friends-to-lovers romances, and Miranda and Nolan generate some serious heat together. Their friendship is so easy-going, yet their relationship is all steam and urgency.

Sweet and sexy with a serious twist, Mistletoe Me, Baby is the perfect cozy holiday read. It’ll warm you up and squeeze your heart. This story is part of a series, but you can easily read it as a standalone. And you’ll probably want to read the romances of Nolan’s brothers and sister after meeting his awesome family.

This review copy was provided by the Author. No compensation was received for this review.

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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Audiobook

She needs a fake fiancé…
With the holidays fast approaching, Miranda Flores makes up a fake fiancé so her well-meaning family will get off her back. She just never expected them to suddenly show up on her doorstep a couple weeks before Christmas, wanting to spend the holidays with her. So she turns to Nolan O’Connor, her sexy best friend, and asks him for the favor of a lifetime: she needs him to act the part of her fiancé until her parents leave town.
He wants forever…
Pretending to be engaged to the woman he’s already fallen for? No problem. Nolan agrees to Miranda’s fake engagement scheme because as far as he’s concerned, she’s the one. But he plays his role too well, because soon the entire town thinks they’re engaged and things get more complicated—especially since he can’t pretend with her anymore. Then tragedy strikes and Miranda tries to shut him out, but Nolan won’t let her. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her that he wants to make her his forever.
Length: novella
O’Connor Family Series: 1. Merry Christmas, Baby 2. Tease Me, Baby 3. It’s Me Again, Baby 4. Mistletoe Me, Baby

@katiereus’s Mistletoe Me, Baby is the perfect cozy holiday read #MustRead #HolidayRomance #FriendsToLovers
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#2: Can’t Miss Christmas by Miranda Liasson

Can’t Miss Christmas is exactly what a good second-chance romance should be. I immediately liked both Graham and Grace. She has heart and kindness, and he still has a soft spot for her after the implosion of their marriage and the loss of their prematurely born child. The characters have never fallen out of love with each other and were torn apart by circumstances beyond their control, events that still haunt them and that they might never recover from. This pulls in a beautiful feeling of warmth and need and heartbreak from their very first on-page meeting and carries the intensity of their relationship straight through till the story’s lovely ending.

I’m also very intrigued by the story universe in Can’t Miss Christmas. Do I spy a possible m/m rock star romance? That’s probably REALLY wishful thinking, but hey, a girl can dream!

This review copy was provided by the Author, Publicist, Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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Help a blogger out and rate up my review on: GoodReads & Amazon

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

(A standalone Mirror Lake Christmas novella)
Here comes a charming standalone Christmas novella by Amazon bestselling author Miranda Liasson. Fans of both Mirror Lake series will recognize familiar elements and people along the way.
It’s two days before Christmas and bestselling children’s author Grace Alberts needs to fulfill a promise—to make it to a book signing for the kids at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the place that did so much for her during a very rough time. But the weather’s getting awful and all flights are cancelled out of Boston, where she’s wrapping up her book tour. Then in walks her annoying but extremely sexy ex-husband, who (as usual) thinks he’s got all the answers.
Graham Walker just stopped by to get a book signed for Grace’s biggest fan, his niece, and wish Grace a Merry Christmas—why not? But he soon finds himself troubleshooting her dilemma. He’s got a Range Rover that can plow through a hundred-year Nor’easter. He’s even headed home to Philly. Trouble is, Grace's and his past is a disaster, something he has no intention of reliving while driving through a winter storm, no matter how much he once loved her. And maybe still does.
Bad weather has a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people, and when a run in with some deer antlers leads them to a forced stop in Mirror Lake, Connecticut, anything can happen, naughty or nice. Maybe a bit of enforced alone time and some Christmas magic can be just what it takes for them to face their past—and each other—once and for all.

@MirandaLiasson’s Can’t Miss Christmas is exactly what a good #SecondChanceRomance should be! #MustRead #HolidayRomance
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#3: Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter

This story has such beautiful emotion—these guys’ love for each other shines off the pages even as they dance on each others’ every nerve. As far as second-chance romances go, this one kicks ass and takes names. It’s also on the rougher, angstier aside. Nate has serious domination tendencies, Kyle is a power bottom, and they both revel in pushing limits, both physically and emotionally. The Christmas setting in this story adds a cheerful layer of hope and celebration to the snapping tension between the two men, making for a gripping, emotional story.

Some of America wanted to believe homophobia was gone—then they’d elected a radioactive Cheeto with the morals of an alley cat.

Holy hotness, this story starts out with a scorching sex scene! And, while I generally steer away from political commentary on this blog, this book has one of the most amusing descriptions of Trump that I’ve read to date (and I’ve seen a lot of Trump slander lately!).

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

A 2017 Riptide Holiday Charity Novel
Up-and-coming film producer Kyle Wakefield lives in the closet rather than risk the wrath of his influential, conservative parents. The only time he took a chance on love was a tempestuous teenage affair with Nathan Carnes. But when Nathan proved himself hell-bent on self-destruction and wound up in prison, Kyle closed off his heart.
Almost a decade later, Kyle’s production partner hires Nathan’s stunt company, Second Chances, to work on a big-budget action film in London. Nate is floored by his explosive reunion with Kyle. But he sure as hell isn’t surprised that Kyle still treats their mutual needs—and Nate—like dirty little secrets.
As the London holiday season casts its dazzling spell, the two men find themselves falling in love again. Kyle is one breathless kiss away from declaring himself to Nate—and to the world—but they cannot ignore secrets borne of youthful mistakes. To protect their bright new future, Kyle and Nathan will need all their passion and trust . . . and a little Christmas magic.
Publisher's note: This is a lightly edited reprint of a previously published novel.
* * * * * * *
Twenty percent of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.
The Russian LGBT network was founded in April 2006. It is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. They unite and develop regional initiatives, advocacy groups (at both national and international levels), and provide social and legal services.
To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: https://lgbtnet.org/en.

@MsKatiePorter’s Came Upon A Midnight Clear is an angsty, edgy, beautiful #OutForYou #GayRomance #MustRead #HolidayRomance @RiptideBooks
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#4: Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis

I featured this one back in October, but I just adored it so much I had to include it in this must-read holiday list. You can read my full review here (lots of great book quotes in there!), or just imagine Silicon Valley billionaire geek meets overworked breakout author in the cutest of meet-cutes. Romance and shenanigans ensue , and the happily ever after is just perfect.

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Audiobook

Meet cute...
Run for the hills—temporarily. That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she's pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won't be a stranger for long.

Make merry...
Spence's commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn't have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot chemistry—he's got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she's gorgeous and a great listener just because she gets Spence immediately doesn't mean he won't be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

and hope for a miracle.
Now the clock's ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

@JillShalvis’s Chasing Christmas Eve is a delightful, heart-warming #MustRead #HolidayRomance @AvonBooks
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#5: Love Me By Christmas by Jaci Burton

This friends-to-lovers romance is sweet and sensual, with characters that will grab your heart and pull you right into the story. Nick is so adorable. In a manly way, of course. And Ellie is so worried that she’s taking advantage of Nick that she tries to pawn him off on other women (which was a little irritating but made for some fun Nick moments). They already live together—he’s the brother of her late husband—and they’re essentially already a family unit with her son.

This is a cute holiday romance. Readers who enjoy warm family dynamics, close friend circles, and engaging little kids (not the annoying kind that can ruin a story) will love Ellie and Nick’s story. Sweet, sexy, and dealing with the pain of losing a loved one, Love Me By Christmas is the perfect uplifting holiday romance to heal a broken heart.

This review copy was provided by the Publicist. No compensation was received for this review.

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Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle) | Audiobook

Ellie Washington lost her husband in a tragedy five years ago at Christmas. She wouldn’t have made it through her grief if not for her husband’s brother, Nick, who helped her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. And with every year, her feelings for Nick have grown. Now she realizes she might be in love with him, but that’s not fair, because Nick deserves a life that isn’t about his brother’s widow and son.
Sharing his life with Ellie and her son has been the balm that soothed Nick’s soul after losing his brother. Now that friendship has turned into something deeper. Nick doesn’t want to upset the status quo, but someone has to make the first move, and it’s time they figure out if their feelings are real. Nick believes in what they have. He also believes in Christmas miracles, and he thinks they’re both long overdue for one.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

@JaciBurton’s Love Me By Christmas is a sweet #FriendsToLovers #MustRead #HolidayRomance
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What holiday romances have you read this year?

A Christmas Prince. Netflix’s original holiday movie is making the social media rounds as a flick “so bad it’s good”. It’s practically already a classic. And if you haven’t seen it, thank your lucky stars and keep it that way.

I mean, what romantic doesn’t love a good fairy tale with royalty and a happy ending? But I’m telling you, A Christmas Prince is not ‘so bad it’s good’, it’s just bad—and not even bad enough to make a drinking game out of. Save your brain cells—and your Friday night—for a few royal romances you’ll actually enjoy. The book is always better anyway, right?

Here are three princely contemporary romances where the only thing bad are the bad boys that flirt their way across the pages. These aren’t necessarily holiday stories, and they have varying levels of heat. Beware #3 on the list—it just might set your reader on fire.

#1: Royally Matched by Emma Chase

Royally Matched is book two in the Royally series, and the first book in the series also features a prince…but Nicholas isn’t nearly the playboy Henry is, and his story is just a ton of fun. I love the premise of Matched: Royal Edition. Crown prince Henry of Wessco agrees to star in a reality show to find his queen. And he finds her alright, but she’s not one of the contestants, and she’s totally off limits. Henry is adorably charming, and I just couldn’t get enough.

For those of you who prefer to read your series in order, I highly recommend starting with book 1, Royally Screwed. Royally Endowed, book 3, is also fab—really you should just read the whole series, especially if you’re riding the Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle high.

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.
He’s not handling it well.
Hoping to force her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora goes on a much-needed safari holiday—and when the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:
Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.
A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.
While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.
The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit... and her naughty sense of humor.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight.
As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.

*This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

@EmmaChse’s Prince Henry is adorably charming, and I just couldn’t get enough. #MustRead #RoyalRomance @GraveTells
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#2: His Royal Secret by Lilah Pace

His Royal Secret is a modern-day gay romance about the (fictional) prince of England. He’s the perfect heir to the throne in every way…except his preference for men over women, something the crown and church will never stand for. This book needs to be read as part of the duology “His Royal Secret” in order to get the HEA. If you read my Goodreads review, you’ll see that I didn’t adore the first book but I enjoyed it enough to binge read it. The second book more than made up for any disillusionment with the first, and I still think about the series over a year later, so that’s saying something.

Unlike the other two prince books on this list—which hit hard and heavy, romance-wise—His Royal Secret is a slow burn with strong sociopolitical undertones, and it is incredibly relevant in today’s atmosphere of resistance and the ever-increasing push for positive change.

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James, the handsome, cosmopolitan Prince of Wales, is used to being in the public eye. But he's keeping a king-sized secret...James, next in line for the throne, is gay.
He’s been able to hide his sexual orientation with the help of his best friend and beard, Lady Cassandra. Sometimes he feels like a coward for not coming out, but he daren’t risk losing the crown. If he did, the succession would fall on his deeply troubled younger sister, Princess Amelia. To protect her, James is willing to live a lie.
While on holiday, he meets Benjamin Dahan—a rugged international reporter with a globe-trotting, unattached life—who catches far more than James's eye. And when Ben is transferred to London, it seems fate may finally be smiling on James.
But what began as a torrid fling grows into something far more intimate and powerful. Soon James will have decide who he is, what he wants from life and love, and what he’s willing to sacrifice for the truth...

@LilahPace’s His Royal Secret is a slow burn with strong sociopolitical undertones #MustRead #RoyalRomance @GraveTells
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#3 Royally Claimed by Madison Faye

Tropey and predictable, this erotic romance is hot, edgy, and surprisingly emotionally satisfying. Because it’s not every day a Lady-In-Waiting gets the royal treatment at a private sex party by her own trio of crown princes and manages to become their queen. That’s right—to all three of them. Ridiculous and unbelievable? Of course it is. But it’s crazy hot, a super quick read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s like a princess fantasy on steroids.

Buy or reserve your copy online at*: Amazon (Kindle)

I’m about to get royally screwed. They’re dominant, gorgeous, wealthy, and actual real-life royal princes.
And they want me.
It’s every girl’s dream to find her prince charming, but what happens when she finds three of them?
…what happens when they say like to share?
They say they come as a package deal. They say they’re going to give me one night from my wildest, darkest, most forbidden fantasies. And they promise they’re make me scream their names until I’m begging for more.
But only if dare.
Ever heard the fairytale about the girl who get’s her heart claimed by three princes?
Yeah, me neither.
…But I think I’m about to.
*Please note that each of the Triple Crown Club books are completely standalone stories centered around one heroine, with no cliffhangers.
Royally Claimed is a modern fairytale involving three utterly obsessed alpha heroes and enough insta-love, kindle-melting steam, and sugary-sweetness to make you melt. For real, you guys, the insta-love in this one is out of control! This mfmm romance is all about her – no m/m. If you love over-the-top, slightly unrealistic, and wildly dirty stories, this one’s for you! HEA with NO CHEATING!
For a very limited time, this book includes TWO other books of mine as a thank you for reading! Please note that Royally Claimed ends at around the 30% mark in this book.

@MadisonFayeSmut’s Royally Claimed is a princess fantasy on steroids #CrazyHot #MustRead #RoyalRomance @GraveTells
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Welcome to Berkley Bookmas!

GraveTells Romance is super excited to participate in Berkley Bookmas, and today I’m hosting author duo Sparrow Beckett and BDSM club owners Grant and Will from the Masters Unleashed series! Berkley Bookmas is chock full of exclusive content from authors, including exclusive excerpts, deleted scenes, author recipes and more! Check out the calendar of events below:

Interview with Sparrow Beckett and Catacombs club owners William and Grant Ellis from Master in Shining Armor

When I thought about which character(s) fans might want to hear from, my mind immediately went to the Masters Unleashed heroes – Banner, Ambrose, and Konstantin. In terms of sex appeal, these three Doms had it in spades. Add in some funny banter and we’re in for a good time. But most people already know everything about those three. Who they don’t know is their friend, and owner of the BDSM club, Catacombs, William Ellis. A man as sexy as he is enigmatic. Since Will hates these sorts of public appearances, he dragged his brother, Grant, along too.

Right when I saw them, I knew I was in for a…unique experience for the interview.

Me: So… Grant and Will. The notorious owners of Catacombs… Do you guys work well together? They say not to mix family and business but obviously the club is doing well.

Will: Yes, Grant and I tend to agree on most things.

Grant:  He pretty much does what he wants.

Will: And you agree to let me.

Grant: *grunts*

Will: See?

Me: Seeing as how you both run a BDSM club…does that mean you’re both Doms?

Will: We’re both dominants, yes.

Grant: We’re not Doms, we’re Masters.

Will: Didn’t we talk about this earlier, fucknut?

Grant: I vaguely remember you talking at me. It was early. I didn’t have my coffee yet.

Will: I said, “Grant, don’t scare the interviewer by getting into that. People don’t always understand.”

Grant: Yup. Sounded like blah blah blah – kind of like now.

Me: I heard Catacombs is being remodeled. How’s that going?

Will: Yes, we decided it was time to give the place a facelift. We’ve hired Shift Designs to come in and do our remodel. We’re very happy with their plans.

Grant: You’re happy with more than their plans.

Will: Grant.

Grant: What? She’s hot. If you hadn’t gotten there first…

Will: I’d prefer if you didn’t include that part in the interview.

Grant: Did I mention she’s vanilla? If Will ever lands her, he’s going to break her if he isn’t careful.

Will: Shut up. *points to his brother* See what I have to deal with? This is why I run the place and he *air quotes* travels for business.

Grant: You miss me when I’m gone. Admit it.

Will: *gives Grant the finger*

Me: Do either of you have collared submissives? Do you want one or do you prefer to keep things light with play partners?

Will: I haven’t had a submissive for over a year. I wouldn’t say I’m actually looking at this point.

Grant: I have my eye on someone, but she kind of hates me.

Will: Who?

Grant: You’ll find out if it happens.

Will: Why are you being so cryptic?

Grant: No reason.

Will: Do I know her?

Grant: Uhh… Do you have any more questions for us?

Me: If someone visited Catacombs for the first time, what should they expect to see?

Grant: Orgies… Whips and chains… pools of blood…

Will: *shakes head* I should have left you at home.

Grant: I’m kidding. Those are stereotypes. The real thing is never that scary.

Will: Kinksters are regular people, just like you and I. Every night at Catacombs is a little different. You might see a lot of impact play one night and then another night predicament bondage or role play. No matter what, it’s consensual and everyone is having fun. We’re a tight knit community.

Grant: A family even.

Will: We all look out for each other. Whether a dominant is giving a submissive a spanking or a top is using a violet wand on a switch, we make sure it’s safe and pleasurable for everyone involved.

Grant: *looks at me* So…when are you coming by?

Time for me to wrap things up with these two. How I wish Catacombs was a real place and close by! Master in Shining Armor and All’s Fair in Love and Mastery will be coming to all e-book distributors in 2018!

Giveaway

Celebrate the season with Berkley Bookmas! One lucky winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card and one copy each of the following books! Enter today for a chance to win!

• SHOT ON GOLD by Jaci Burton (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  From the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Score, opposites attract when a figure skater and hockey player lace up their skates–and go for the gold…
• FINDING MASTER RIGHT by Sparrow Beckett (BOUND MANUSCRIPT)
  Dominant, crop-wielding men are all Kate dreams about, but how far is she willing to go?
• NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA by Chanel Cleeton (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers her roots –and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…
• MIDNIGHT ACTION by Elle Kennedy
  He can’t trust her, but he still desires her. He also needs her help….
• PROMISE NOT TO TELL by Jayne Ann Krentz (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  A broken promise reveals a terrifying legacy in this electrifying novel from the New York Times bestselling author of When All the Girls Have Gone.
• THE WEDDING DATE by Jasmine Guillory (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in this fun and flirty debut novel.
• THE THING ABOUT LOVE by Julie James
  The New York Times bestselling author of Suddenly One Summer blows the covers of two FBI agents who can’t hide who they are from each other…
• MARRY IN HASTE by Anne Gracie
  From the award-winning author of The Summer Bride comes the first in a charming new historical romance series where marriages of convenience turn into true love matches.
• JUDGMENT ROAD by Christine Feehan (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  An outlaw motorcycle club sets up shop next door to Sea Haven in the dangerously sexy new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
• SOMEONE TO CARE by Mary Balogh (ADVANCED READERS EDITION)
  Once the Countess of Riverdale, Viola Kingsley throws all caution to the wind when adventure calls in the form of a handsome aristocrat…
• SCHOOL TIES by Tamsen Parker (BOUND MANUSCRIPT)
  From the USA Today bestselling author of the Compass Series, the teacher becomes the student in a tale of forbidden romance in the halls of an elite, all-boys boarding school…
• ELIZABETH’S WOLF by Lora Leigh
  From New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh comes a new, revised edition of a beloved classic in the passionate Breed series—experience the magic again!

To enter to win, just click here (or go to http://bit.ly/2zlFxAq) and fill out the entry form. That’s it! Feel free to leave a comment on my blog too!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between November 27th, 2017 and December 15th, 2017. Open to US residents, 18 and older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. See contest page for more details.

Have you read any of the books above? I have, so let’s chat!! Leave me a comment with your favorite!

Follow the fun

For tomorrow’s fun, head to one of the following blogs:

• Once Upon a Twilight
• Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews
• Once Upon a Book Blog
• 2 Girls Book Blog
• Night Owl Reader
• Cocktails and Books
• Stuck In YA Books
• Vanilla & Spice Books
• Alba and Her Secrets.. Book Blog
• three chicks and their books
• BCS Reviews 

Sometimes the best ideas come over tea.

Or, in my case, waiting for my kettle to boil. See, I love berry black teas—TRUE berry teas, none of that hibiscus nonsense—and they are hard to find. I was just indulging in my usual internal rant as I was capping the tin of Raspberry Earl Grey I’d just pulled for a steep. I paused and took a big whiff (this stuff smells SO GOOD) and realized that I drink this tea nearly every day. It’s one of my favorite things. When I ran through a quick list of some other things I’m loving lately, I realized there was a theme: they’re all things that sorta relate to pirates! So the My Favorite Things series of blog articles was born. And here’s the first one, inspired by my (current) favorite morning tea. I hope you enjoy this little departure from romance reviews.

<3 Sue

Tea, Earl Grey, Raspberry.

This fragrant earl grey may be a bit outside Captain Picard’s repertoire, but I drink it nearly every day. And it tastes as great as it smells. Regular earl grey has a punchy scent—that bergamot leaves a strong impression—but this raspberry version from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is beautifully balanced on the nose and the tongue. And I adore the recycled material metal tins it comes in. If you’re a fan of raspberry tea but have trouble finding a version without the dreaded hibiscus, look no further! I have another recommendation for a straight berry black tea purveyor (without the bergamot), but I’ll save that for another post. =)

The very best raspberry earl grey tea! Click above to shop Zhena’s Gypsy Tea.

A port for your favorite port of call

Anyone who follows me online knows I’m a wine fanatic, but port usually isn’t my pleasure. I’ve been tempted by a chocolate cherry port now and then, but rarely do I enjoy a traditional port. V. Sattui’s 1885 Madeira blew all my expectations away (you can watch the Facebook Live video where I gushed about it, and other wine and book things, on YouTube here). The 1885 Madeira has an almost candy finish but still captures the traditional brandy flavor that ports are known for. It also lasts forever once opened (a limitation of wine), and it’s strong enough in alcohol content that a little goes a long way. This was a favorite digestif of mine until I realized how little I have left in the bottle. Now I’m rationing it until I can manage to get another! If you do the Tower Room tasting at V. Sattui, be sure to ask for this! If you can’t make it out to Napa Valley, the price is reasonable, so you can snag your own bottle at their online store.

Even if you think you don’t like port, you must try V. Sattui’s Madeira 1885!

Pirate chicks can SO wear ruffles

I’ve been going to renaissance festivals for years (I even make my own chainmaille jewelry), but in all the time I’ve frequented faires, I have never been able to decide on a solid costume piece investment. If you’ve ever been to a ren faire, or even Burning Man, you know that good gear does not come cheap, so you need to make your choices really count. This fall, I finally found a piece I couldn’t live without (see it on my Instagram feed here!). As soon as I put this ruffle halter on, I felt like a sexy pirate chick and knew this bad boy was coming home with me! The good news is you don’t have to visit a faire to get your own. Kraken Whip sells them on Etsy, and the quality is FAB.

The front view of the ruffle halter top

Here’s a full torso pic of the halter (on me, left). Click above to see the shop images of different colors and on different people.

Who says ladies get to have all the swashbuckling high-seas fun?

I used to LOVE pirate romances. I think it all started with Johanna Lindsey’s Malory series, when the unrepentant rogue (and straight-up pirate) James Malory had his way with the little American minx pretending to be his cabin boy (Gentle Rogue). I randomly stumbled across a gay pirate romance recently and devoured it. It wasn’t at all what I expected, and even though I didn’t plan to review it, I found myself taking tons of notes. So look for that review soon, but in the meantime, check it out yourself: Keira Andrews’s Kidnapped by the Pirate. I loved how open and adventurous Nathaniel is and the duality of Captain Hawk’s good guy / bad guy persona. This is a recommended read for anyone who loves gay romance, edgy sex with a power bottom character, and redeemable characters who are actually pirates. Check it out on Amazon below!

Win a book from the Malory series!

Just for funsies, I’m giving away one paperback copy of No Choice But Seduction by Johanna Lindsey. This is the ninth book in the Malory-Anderson series (Gentle Rogue, the pirate story I mentioned earlier, is #3 in the series). You don’t need to have read the rest of the series to enjoy Boyd’s story—he’s a brother of the heroine from Gentle Rogue—but you’ll probably want to after you meet the Malorys and Andersons!

Leave a comment to enter to win a paperback of this book (US only)! Or leave a comment just to chat about My Favorite Pirate Things!

This giveaway is limited to US mailing addresses only, just to keep shipping from being stupid insane expensive. Sorry, internationals (I hate excluding you!), but definitely check out the other current giveaways to see what’s open internationally!

To enter to win, JUST LEAVE A COMMENT!

Not sure what to say? Here are some chat ideas!

• Do you love pirate romances?
• Are you a tea or port lover?
• Have you read any of the books I talked about?
• What do you think of my ruffle halter top?
• How do you like this My Favorite Things article? Want to see more like this?

This giveaway will close on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 8pm Pacific time. Any comments left after that time are certainly welcome! But they won’t count as a giveaway entry.

And anyone is welcome to leave a comment!

Just let me know where you live in the comment. I love talking about my favorite things with you guys! <3

*Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one of these, I will receive a very small fee for the sale.