The Businesswoman and the Bartender

Title: The Businesswoman and the Bartender
Author: Brianna Bancroft
Publisher: Self-Published
Order: Amazon

Rating: 4 *s

Description: April Markham might be jet-lagged beyond belief, but at least the bartender at her hotel is easy on the eyes. After years of throwing herself into work to combat the pain of a failed relationship, a bit of innocent flirtation is exactly what she needs to get her groove back.

Nick is the full package—charming, handsome, age appropriate, single. Plus, he makes a fantastic gin gimlet. One night of conversation turns into two, and his company quickly becomes as irresistible as the cocktails he crafts. Although April never intended to mix business with pleasure while traveling for work, things are destined to move from the bar to the bedroom.

But as the red-hot flame of attraction burns bright, reality threatens to douse their heat. She’s a businesswoman from New York; he’s a bartender in Seattle. And as her flight home looms, April must decide whether to risk her heart on a cross-country affair or announce “last call” on what could be the romance of a lifetime.

My Review: April is away at a work conference in Seattle and stops in for a drink at the hotel bar. What she doesn't expect is Nick and the yummy gin gimlet he makes. She finds herself fantasizing about a short, steamy affair with him. Can she let her guard down to have a little fun?

Bancroft does an excellent job at giving us character development, suspense, and very steamy moments! This is a fast paced, short read. The beginning of this story is a little of a slow burn but after reading the entire story, the build up is half the fun!

Brianna Bancroft has gained a new fan and I cannot wait to dig into more of her work!

Watch Her Bleed

Title: Watch Her Bleed

Author: Emily Klepp

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: February 23rd, 2024

Order: Amazon

Rating: 4 *s

Description: What do you do when your blood sugar crashes and you dump a bottle of wine on the most handsome man you’ve ever met? You panic. That’s how it all started... I panicked and felt up this mystery man while he smiled down at me, igniting something inside of my soul that I had never felt before. When he turns out to be my new boss, everything started to unravel one thread at a time. One minute I am convincing myself to keep going and the next I am facing my demons with the alluring Matt Russo by my side.

He’s protective…

He’s intense…

And he’s all mine…

When my living nightmare comes for me, God himself could not stop what happens to my attacker. Will I adapt to my new identity or will I succumb to the horrors of my past?

This is a dark romance novel with heavy triggers. Caution is highly advised. Triggers include sexual assault, domestic violence, mention of kidnapping of a child, kidnapping, mention of abuse to animals(not detailed and off page), serial predator, medical conditions, including hypoglycemia, Somno, consensual/nonconsent, etc. Please visit edknovels.com for a full list of triggers and tropes.

My Review:  This is my first time reading Emily Klepp's work. I was drawn in from the blurb. The trigger warnings are definitely something to read as this may be triggering for some. If you can get past the triggers you are definitely in for a treat. 

Aurora is focused on moving forward and ignoring anything that could cause her to back-step into her past. She escaped but it doesn't feel like she really escaped. She has a lot of trauma buried deep that she hasn't dared share with anyone. They wouldn't understand or they would judge her, wouldn't they?

Her best friend Kaia is always there for her. She looks out for and has become more family to her than her own flesh & blood. When Aurora has a meal at her parents, she isn't prepared for the series of events that unfolds. Kaia tells her, enough is enough and it's time to come clean and hold her family accountable.

Matt can't place his finger on what it is that is so different about Aurora but he knows he wants to know more about her. He can't help his intrigue with her but something is off. Is she hiding something or is her family? The more Matt gets involved, the more he just wants to protect Aurora and give her the best future imaginable.

Overall, this was a great story. I really enjoyed the way Klepp focused on her health concerns and her mental health. Klepp handles Aurora's past trauma in a delicate way. We feel for Aurora and find ourselces just wanting to hold and console her.  Matt stays at bay and lets Aurora lead the way into their relationship. He lets her call the shots and she gives into her feelings with him while also handling her past trauma. This won't be my last time reading Klepp's work. I really enjoyed her story building and how it gripped me from page one. I can't wait to read the next story in the Watch Her Series!

Haunt

Title: Haunt 
Author: Rachel H. Drake
Publisher: Arla James Publishing 
Publication Date: December 6, 2022
Order: Amazon

Rating: 5 *s

Description: "Imagine Casper all grown up and hotter than ever."

My ghost has been my protector and friend for as long as I can remember. But recently, our relationship has changed. He grows stronger each time he touches me and feeds off of our physical chemistry. I want him, but he is a ghost, and I am very much alive. How can this work?

Now I'm finding out there is more to our relationship. Something has connected him to me and my family in the afterlife. Can I use this connection to bring him back? Though he has never scared me, this does. I’m afraid of how I feel and even more fearful of what I’d do to keep him with me, forever.

WHAT READERS CAN EXPECT: Haunt is the first book in an interconnected standalone paranormal romance series. Books in this series can be read in any order, depending on your craving. Haunt is a ghost/invisible man romance, it is not a suspenseful read. You will enjoy this series if you like happily ever afters (HEA), breeder trope, pregnancy, paranormal spicy books, and possessive men.

For a full list of potential triggers, visit the author's website - content in the Creature Cravings series is intended for mature audiences and reader discretion is advised.

My Review: The description alone sold me. It left me curious and ready to dive in. I found myself immersed in Emily's story and curious to see how the author would answer my questions and tie the story together. I loved that the concept was original and just zany enough that it could work.

This is a story of healing, past trauma, love, and most importantly faith. Emily knows her ghost is the one for her but can she get help in being with him in the physical world?

There isn't too much detail you can give about Haunt without spoiling it. I loved Drake's way of enveloping us into the world of Emily and her Ghost. I found myself rooting for Emily every step of the way and I loved the heavy spice involved. It doesn't take away from the story line but is a crucial piece to the puzzle. 

This is just the first installment in the Creature Cravings Series and I can't wait to read more!

Finding Her Sweet Spots

Title: Finding Her Sweet Spots
Author: Joya M. Lively
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: February 11, 2024
Order: Amazon

Rating: 4 *s

Description: The gorgeous Sweet brothers are New York City’s most eligible bachelors. They're anyone’s dream come true. But they can’t be mine.

I made a vow to myself to take control of my life and make all my dreams come true. And that was going pretty well… Until them.

A decade younger than me, I tell myself they’re nice to me because we work well together in our graduate program. Nothing else.

Until one night, I run into them at a very steamy club and normal rules don’t seem to apply.

Surrender tastes sweet, but it can't be anything other than one night. Until they offer me a deal I simply can't refuse...

FINDING HER SWEET SPOTS is an extra-extra-steamy reverse harem contemporary romance with lots of fun and light moments. HEA guaranteed! (While this book is part of a series, it also works as a standalone.) Happy reading!

Review: The author's note definitely sets the tone for the wild ride you're about to endure! Finding Her Sweet Spots is short, steamy, and to the point. Emily is focused on her goals and her future. She is determined not to let anything stand in her way. That is until the Sweets brothers have other intentions. Can Emily let down her walls and let the Sweets in?

I loved how even in a short novella Joya Lively gives us a story line sprinkled with tons of spice. Emily goes to a sex club for research and ends up diving into a new and fun adventure that she hopes will never end.

If you're looking for something short and fun to read then definitely give Finding Her Sweet Spots a try! I loved this and read it in one sitting. It isn't often that you find an older female character who is driven. I was rooting for Emily to let her walls down and the Sweets brothers in! Definitely a fun read!

Phoenix and Giovanni

 

Title: Phoenix and Giovanni

Author: Rayona Lovely Wilson

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: February 29, 2024

Pre-Order: Amazon

Rating: 5 *s

Description:  The mirror has always been the enemy. The reflection a mockery of the person I want to be. Every day I battle with gender and body dysphoria—it colors every aspect of my world.

I struggled with my own existence—until I meet Giovanni—an unexpected solace amidst life's turmoil. A traumatic experience deepens our bond, birthing an unspoken trust between us.

Giovanni gives me the strength to embrace myself and to discover love and connection where chaos once reigned.
Now, I have to embark in a journey of self-discovery and learn to love myself and the person reflected in the mirror.

My Review: Let me preface this review by telling you to read the trigger warnings. Phoenix and Giovanni handles heavy subject matter and it may not be for everyone to read but I do hope you give it a chance because it is so worth the read. 

Blown Away. Sucked in. Couldn't put it down. Just a few short phrases to describe my feelings and I delved into Phoenix and Giovanni. 

Phoenix is the story of a non-binary who is discovering themselves.  It is a place we have all been in during our younger years and even in our adult lives. My heart ached for Phoenix as I read their journey. The journey of self-love, healing, and most importantly forgiveness. Rayona handles mental health awareness delicately and in a way that is relatable. It is something I wish more authors would write about and bring awareness to. Phoenix and Giovanni had me in tears, laughing, and feeling Phoenix's pain as they navigated through high school.  It is a beautiful coming of age story and I thank Rayona for having the courage to write such a tough but crucial story. It is one of those stories that as you're reading, you don't realize just how much you needed to read it.

 Rayona is a first time author for me but this will definitely be the first of many things I read from her.