Carries Book Reviews

Tempting Tristan
Melissa Foster
(Harborside Nights #3)
Publication date: October 19th 2016
Genres: Adult, LGBTQ+, Romance

Tempting Tristan is a stand-alone M/M romance featuring two sexy, lovable alpha heroes.

TRISTAN AND ALEX

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try to figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star for the incident that nearly cost him his life—and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is live the life he’s always dreamed of and forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together, the hotter the flames burn. But the closer they become, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

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EXCERPT:

She rolls her pretty green eyes. “No, Tristan. Because the hottest man on the planet just parked his motorcycle and he’s heading in here. All of my female customers are drooling, and I’m sure you’ll see a flock of them coming in any minute now. Meanwhile, I’m stuck outside and soon I’ll have a pier full of empty tables.” She grabs a handful of napkins and waves them at me with a smirk. “Drool rags.”

“Dibs,” Charley says as she whips up a cocktail.

I laugh and hold my hands up. “I’m on a hiatus from all things male, so be my guest.” My ex, Ian, is a self-absorbed ass, and I was an idiot for letting him treat me like shit. Which is why I’m taking a break from men—even if it kills me. It’s been weeks since we broke up and I moved into my buddy Wyatt’s house. Wyatt and his twin sister, Delilah, own the Taproom. They inherited it when their parents were killed in a car accident a little more than a year ago.

“I’m sure he’s straight anyway,” Livi says. “The guy swaggers like a stud.”

“Hey, gay guys can swagger like studs,” I tease.

“I know that.” Livi peers out the pass-through window to the outside seating area and tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. “You’ll see what I mean. He’s a total badass.”

I tend to my customers as the girls discuss the badass hot guy, and when the front door opens, I can’t help but let my eyes drift over. Livi and Charley fall silent, ogling what truly might be the hottest guy on the planet. Linebacker shoulders fill the doorframe. The godlike creature is carrying a shiny black motorcycle helmet in one very large hand. His white T-shirt is stretched so tight across his chest I can see every ripple of his shredded abs, and his deliciously defined biceps are seriously struggling to be set free from his short sleeves.Tear, baby, tear.

He steps inside and runs a hand through his dirty-blond hair. Deep-set, brooding eyes slide over the customers sitting at the bar, sweep over Charley and Livi, and finally land on me. Charley whimpers, and Livi makes a sound in the back of her throat, both mimicking what I’m feeling, though my mouth is too dry to make a sound.

Author Bio:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.

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Like Fresh Fallen Snow by Tara Wyatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As Ellie Richards is heading to a New Years Eve party she runs into a bit of black ice and finds herself stuck on the side of the road. Coming to Ellie’s rescue is the sexy policemen Matt Grayson who is immediately infatuated with Ellie and her off the wall humor but being Matt’s last night on the job before moving across country he doesn’t think asking her out would be a good idea.

However, as Ellie drives off to her party with her friends and an unplanned blind date Matt finds himself home alone until he gets a call from his brother inviting him out for one last get together before he leaves. As luck would have it Matt finds that the party he finds himself at is the same with the beauty he rescued earlier and now needs rescuing again from her miserable set up.

Like Fresh Fallen Snow is another quickie romance from Tara Wyatt and as with the other of her books I reviewed this one also has great writing and characters. What happened to start off as a one (or two) night stand between this pair could potentially lead to more but I would warn of again the rushed relationship for those that prefer more development time between characters.

With this book I think what really drew me in was starting off with such great humor in the situations, quite a few funny moments before moving into the sexier times that lead to the romance. A great combination that even with being short by the end you feel you know the characters and want them to find their happily ever afters.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

When Snowflakes Fall by Tara Wyatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Christie Harmon found herself having to uproot her life and find a new job after a vicious scandal. Finding herself working as a pediatrician at the local hospital in Cheyenne, Wyoming she meets a handsome single father when his little boy is brought in for treatment.

Luke Grayson is still reeling from his ex leaving him and his young son years before and normally doesn’t find himself opening up to women. There however is something about the pediatrician that treated his son and he finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with her but will her past be the thing that tears them apart?

When Snowflakes Fall is a pretty quick novella length romance read. The entire story takes place from the start of Dec until right before Christmas so I would warn that if not a fan of fast moving instant connections this one may not be for you.

The writing and characters in here were really likable, one with having a child involved is always nice when they get along with the new person in their life. There are also steamier moments between the pair. The only thing I slightly struggled with myself whether Christie should of told her past sooner but then again the relationship was only a few weeks in so her holding back on revealing those details didn’t seem too outrageous and dishonest.

Overall, a pretty good quick romance read set around the Christmas season.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Emerald Bound by Teresa Richards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maggie Rhodes was out with her two best friends one night when a game of truth or dare is suggested and Maggie’s dared to spy on Marshall Parker, the sexy star of their high school baseball team, but when they are caught by the mysterious family things get a little strange for the group of girls. Suddenly they find themselves invited to spend the night and overwhelming tired. Waking Maggie gets the feeling the group has been drugged but when she searches for her friends she finds one missing.

Emerald Bound is a fairy tale retelling of the story of The Princess and the Pea with a supernatural twist. The emerald is the center of the story and has years of history of taking the souls of young unsuspecting young girls. The book switches POVs between Maggie in the present time and her trying to find her friends that was taken by the emerald and Lindy’s story from 400 years prior and how she became involved with the emerald.

While I enjoyed the new take on an old story and thought it had some really great elements to it I also thought this story had a lot of parts that for me just felt as if they were dragging along. Switching between characters and timelines at the start was a tad confusing and it just seemed to take a while for me to get into figuring out what was going on which could possibly why it felt a bit slower paced to me.

Overall, interesting take on an old story but this one felt a bit slow to me.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Love, Christmas Boxed Set
Publication date: October 1st 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance

♫♪Put a song in your heart with 20 all-new Christmas Romances from NY Times, USA Today, and national best-selling authors. Each brand-new title is inspired by a Christmas carol and will lift your spirits and bring on the holiday cheer.♫♪

We Need a Little Christmas by Leanne Banks – Can a handsome cynic become a Christmas believer?

Frosty the Snowman by Mimi Barbour – Stranded in an Alaskan snowstorm, strangers Hali and Terry are forced to rely on each other for survival.

Last Christmas by Joan Reeves – Annabelle gave him her heart, but Rick threw it away. He wants redemption, she wants revenge.

Holly Jolly Christmas by Mona Risk – Pregnant at 18. Adoption would save the baby’s future but may cost her the man she loves.

Do You Hear What I Hear? by Patricia Rosemoor – Live-in-lovers Shelley and Jake are now in a cold war of their own over Christmas.

White Christmas by Rebecca York – Was she in a coma, or was she in a Christmas fantasy?

So This is Christmas by Denise Devine – He was her child nemesis, now he’s her best friend forever.

Grown Up Christmas List by Donna Fasano – All she wants for Christmas is to feel safe… then she meets her guardian angel.

Blue Christmas by the Sea by Traci Hall – Alone for Christmas, Tamsyn helps mystery writer Evan find his mojo–love is a gift neither can refuse.

Santa Baby by Taylor Lee – Lily’s only hope was that this time, he wouldn’t be able to find her.

Let It Snow by Stephanie Queen – A stranger and a snow storm on Christmas Eve create the ultimate test for Dane & Shana.

Merry, Did You Know? by Jennifer St. Giles – Can a Christmas Miracle change the future of a woman who doesn’t believe in love and a man who can’t love again?

O Christmas Tree by Alicia Street – Can Piper convince Cody to let go of his painful past and embrace the hope of Christmas and possibly love?

Sleigh Ride by Katy Walters – Miss Sophia Vale faces poverty. Enter the Earl of Breconbridge, renowned as a rake hell with a conscience.

Deck the Hearts by Rachelle Ayala – Can Holly’s jolly Christmas spirit help Grinch Gordon Gills save the town of Christmas Creek?

Silver Bells by Jacquie Biggar – Can a Christmas wish bring two stubborn souls together and give a little girl the gift she wants?

Hark the Herald Angel Falls by Michele Hauf – To earn her halo, angel Merit must convince the person who holds her earthly soul in limbo–her husband–to stop loving her.

Little Drummer Boy by Dani Haviland – How could a mere drummer boy help those stranded in the worst winter storm of the 18th century?

I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Nancy Radke – When former a former Navy SEAL plucks a woman from the Mediterranean Sea, he discovers a fighter tougher than he.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Cynthia Cooke – A big city girl reunites with a small town boy–magic. A Santa in need of an elf–Christmas magic.

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