EDEN is an all-new, standalone dark romance, byXavier Neal that is coming December 30, 2021.
Eden is a dark, forbidden, MMF, taboo romance with hints of suspense. This novel is said to have several triggers. What those specifically are, I'm not certain. Should I become privy to that information, I will share.
How far will they go to protect paradise...
From a very early age, I was warned to stay away from the Lawson brothers...
It didn't matter they weren't biological brothers or that one had been adopted on a guilt-driven whim. They considered one another family. They shared a bond like any other brothers would.
Except it ran much deeper.
Darker.
Dirtier.
They had all the power, money, and hunger capable of destroying anyone who stood in their way as they trained to become icons the world watched every four years bring home gold medals.
Little did anyone know, there was only one thing the legends worshipped more than their beloved sport.
Me.
*Eden is a forbidden, taboo, MMF, dark romance novel that includes several triggers.*
Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.
In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).
She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.
In 2021 there were SEVEN book covers that I found beautiful. Yes, three of them are from the Flor de Muertos trilogy by Jocelyne Soto. Regardless, these covers are eye catching.
In my mind these covers are absolutely gorgeous, and stand out from others.
From photographers to models to designers, if the info was available in the books, I added that info here. I think it's always interesting to see what companies and/or individuals are making these gorgeous covers come to life.
I'd love to know what book cover caught your attention in 2021?
Only Ever Us is a smokin’ hot second chance holiday romance from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix! Rowan & Mae’s story is perfect for readers who love small town holiday romance, hotshot firefighters, sassy heroines, second chances, friends to lovers, slow burn, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of steam and swoon, and a broody, protective hero who has to fight to win back the only girl he ever loved.
Only Ever Us is the third book in the Light My Fire series that is set in the small town of Willow Brook, Alaska. In this book we have Mae and Rowan. Mae has recently returned to her hometown of Willow Brook due to the death of her Grandma. While preparing to make the burial plans, a fire breaks out which traps Mae in the office. Rowan is on scene, and he is able to rescue Mae before anything major happens to her. This is the first time Mae has seen Rowan in about 7 years, and she is immediately transported back to their time together in North Carolina. Of course Rowan being close by also brings back memories* of that night she'd rather forget. After all it's why she pushed Rowan away, but she can't tell him that. Can these two overcome the pain of the past, and find their way back to each other? Rowan knows Mae is the one for him, now he just needs to convince her of it. *please check for content/trigger warnings warnings.
The Light My Fire series has grabbed ahold of my attention, and it isn't letting go. I am absolutely loving this small town and it's people who live there. The fact that Only Ever Us is a second chance romance had me enjoying it all the more. Second chance romances almost always make me happy. Mae pulled at my heartstrings. What she experienced in North Carolina was horrible, and the fact that it affected her friendship (and relationship) with Rowan just made it all the worse. I love that Rowan remembered the small town that Mae lived in, and that he took the job opportunity when it was presented. It was the perfect setup for a bit of forced proximity. Their relationship definitely took time, communication, and trust to get it back to a place where they could even look toward the future. Then the big dramatic moment happened, and you could feel the pain, frustration, and heartache just pouring off the pages. Our characters were in for a fight to get their happily ever after. I can understand why Mae was feeling the way she was regarding Rowan's interference in the situation. Yet at the same time I can understand why Rowan wanted to do what he wanted to do. He was trying to protect Mae, and make sure that he could take this issue/threat away. It all comes down to a lack of communication between our characters. Yet the reunion was that much sweeter because of that dramatic moment. They learned a bit more about each other because of that experience.
I gave Only Ever Us 4 stars. This book was pretty darn good, and there was so much I enjoyed about it. Definitely looking forward to returning to Willow Brook when Fall for Me releases in February.
If you like second chance romances, firefighters, small town settings, and friends who become lovers, then go read this book. Or at least add it to your TBR!
Thank you for reading my thoughts on Only Ever Us.
Laura
That guy. You know the one? He just walked back into my world.
It all started when the curtains caught on fire at a funeral. Actually, it all started seven years ago in college. Rowan Cole was that guy—the one I couldn’t forget. We’d once been best friends. Maybe more. We almost had it all.
I’ve spent years trying to forget him and the tragic night that tore us apart. As bad luck would have it, he’s the firefighter who shows up to rescue me from the church I almost set on fire.
Speaking of flames and melting, Rowan still has the ability to set me on fire. Just by existing. He’s downright delectable, all rugged man wrapped in a body of pure muscle. I do not want to want him again.
This small town is making it awful hard to avoid him. Especially when he’s determined to prove he’s worth it.
USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs.
Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with sassy women and rugged alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing.
Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!
Wildcat is a full-length sports romance with a hot-as-puck hero, the coach’s daughter, and an unfortunate case of mistaken identity. The Wildcats are the youngest team in the NHL. On the ice, they’re cocky, determined, and ready to take the league by storm. Off the ice? They’re always up for a wild time.
Wildcat is the first book in the Wildcats hockey series by Rebecca Jenshak, and it is set in Minnesota. Wildcat tells the story of how Leo Lohan and Scarlett Miller met, fell for each other, and ultimately found their happily ever after. Of course their journey towards their HEA was not without issue. This took work, trust, honesty, and communication.
Okay quick recap: Leo is a professional hockey player who is also attending college on a part time basis. One night he is attending a trivia night at a local bar, and it is there that he meets Scarlett. Scarlett has recently returned from London, and is trying to find her footing. Of course she also needs to tell her parents that she's dropped out of college, and is pursuing photography full time. But before she can do that, she's helping out at the bar her friend works at. The only problem is that she's a mess. Making drinks was a failure. Serving tables was an absolute wreck. She's pretty certain the owner will not be asking her back. Then though she meets Leo, and she's captivated. This man intrigues her, and even though she's still mending her broken heart, she can't help but be drawn to him. Next thing we know, Leo and Scarlett are having an amazing night together. Leo promises to call, but fails to do so as his schedule is jam packed. It isn't until he arrives at the team party his coach is hosting that he sees Scarlett again. It is also at this party that he realizes she's coach's daughter. It is here that Scarlett finds out Leo isn't just a college student, but also a professional hockey player. She's sworn off athletes after everything that happened with Rhyse, so this cannot happen again.
I LOVE books that are set in my state! LOVE THEM! Add in the fact that this is a hockey romance, and that just made it even better. I'm a sucker for hockey romance. Everything about this story had me smiling. From the meet-cute, to the steamy night spent together, to the moments until they saw each other again, and to the realization of who they both are. LOVED IT. Together Leo and Scarlett flourished. Their love, and attraction, just radiated off the pages. I am just completely taken by these characters, and their story! When Rhyse showed up? OOOH, that was a lot, and had me immediately disliking the man. It wasn't until that whole scenario was wrapped up that I was even able to think positively of him. During all that my heart went out to Scarlett. She had to once again deal with the repercussions of Rhyse. Fixing her relationship with Leo wasn't going to be easy, but she knows he is worth it. Leo knows Scarlett is his forever, and this time apart has been rough. Leo met his dream girl all those months ago, and after quite the journey, he now has her by his side.
Obviously I loved the setting of this book. You can't go wrong with a book set where you live! I was drawn to the characters when we met a few of them in Wild Love, and Wildcat just had me falling even harder. As for the storyline, well I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did rate this as a 4 star read on Goodreads, as it was just missing that little something extra to push it to 5 stars.
If you enjoy hockey romances between a player and the coach's daughter, then you need to read this one. I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit.
Thank you for reading my thoughts on Wildcat. I am looking forward to reading Wild About You when it releases in May.
Laura
cover design: Lori Jackson Designs cover photo: Michelle Lancaster
I met my dream girl.
That’s right. She’s stunning and the worst bartender I’ve ever seen.
I should have gone home and gone to sleep—dream girl or not. I had an early morning and the season was starting soon. But when she threatened me with boy band karaoke I couldn't help myself. I went. The stars aligned.
I have never felt more alive or wanted anyone more than I want her.
When it’s time for me to head on my annual pre-season boys trip, I barely let her go.
It’s been a week and I can’t stop thinking about her.
Except there she is. Right here at the Wildcat’s kickoff party.
And as luck would have it, my dream girl is the coach’s youngest daughter.
But everyone knows the coach’s daughter is off limits. Right?
Rebecca Jenshak is a USA Today bestselling author of new adult and sports romance. She writes sexy, feel-good stories with lots of swoon-worthy moments.
Rebecca lives in Arizona. When she isn’t writing, you can find her cheering on local sports teams, hanging out with friends and family, or curled up with a good book.
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Today I am participating in the Joy of Christmas book tag that was created by Samantha at Novels and Nonsense. I stumbled across the tag when a google search led me to Erin's post at The Book Nut.
