My ranger station is my sanctuaryβquiet, controlled, safe.
Then she breaks into my kitchen, fills my house with the smell of short ribs, and looks at me like I’m not broken.
Three days.
That’s all it takes to fall completely.
Marcella:
I drove four hours for a blind date only to end up at the wrong cabin.
Now I’m trapped in a blizzard with a grumpy, gorgeous stranger who makes me feel things I swore I’d never feel again. Not after my ex-husband spent three years convincing me I was “too much.”
But Finn is different.
He looks at me like I’m exactly enough.
But I’ve been wrong before.
He’s ready to risk everything. She’s terrified to trust again. And when the storm clears, they’ll both have to decideβwas this real, or just the blizzard talking?
Her crew betrayed her. Her magic broke her. Her city isnβt ready for her return.
In the flying city of Newfris, where the elite soar above the clouds and the forgotten toil beneath the streets, Phoenix is more than just a killerβsheβs a survivor. As a killgirl for Her Majestyβs Navy, sheβs mastered the deadly art of forcefinding, creating powerful energy bubbles that can trapβor obliterateβanyone in her way. But when a mission goes horribly wrong, Phoenix finds herself cast out, hunted by enemies, and betrayed by those she trusted most.
Now, with only a ragtag crew of misfits by her side, Phoenix must navigate a treacherous underworld of magic, machines, and buried secrets. As she faces off against the ruthless Planners, deadly assassins, and the demons of her past, Phoenix will discover the true cost of powerβand what it really means to be free.
Get ready for a pulse-pounding ride through the skies and shadows of Newfris, where loyalty is a lie, love is a weapon, and survival is the only rule that matters.
Angela Casella lives in Asheville, North Carolina in an almost-one-hundred-year-old house with her daughter, two dogs, and an ever-changing number of fish. She worked as a developmental editor for years, both as a freelancer and at Random House in NYC before she started writing (inspired by her friend and frequent co-author Denise Grover Swank!). Now, it’s become an addiction, and she’d rather not be cured, thank you very much.
She comes from a loud Italian American family, so she basically has a phD in bickering…er…banter.
He should be off limits, but he’s the best kind of trouble.
Briar
My father gave me the family brewery as an early Christmas present.
Generous, right? Except every single person on staff just quit, and I only have a budget that’ll last through the end of the year.
I need a miracle.
Lucky for me, my best friend Hannah’s big brother, Liam, is a genius brewer, and she convinces him to quit his job and come work for me. She only has one condition: I can never date him.
It’s an easy agreement to make. I’ve vowed to stay away from men after an embarrassing breakup, and I’d never sleep with someone who works for me. Besides, Liam’s an amateur boxer and frankly a bit terrifying.
Only…it turns out my best friend’s brooding, insanely talented big brother is the only man who’s ever really understood me.
Liam
I promised my sister not to date any more of her friends, because the last time I tried, it ended badly. Very badly.
I took this job thinking it wouldn’t be a problem to stay away from Briar. She’s a daddy’s girl who looks like a princess and talks like a boarding school teacher. Not my type.
But the woman I wrote off knows a lot about beer, and she’s a whole lot tougher than I gave her credit for. I want to run this brewery with her…and I want her too.
To my complete shock, I’m falling hard for my boss, and if my sister finds out, there will be hell to pay.
Note: There are TWO different versions of this romcom:
1) A spicy open door version with some strong language and sex scenes
2) A closed door version with mild language and only kissing.
π₯Reviewπ₯ The demise of her last relationship may have left Briar cautious when it comes to men, but it also gave her a supportive group of friends. The dream of owning a brewery is within her grasp however her father isnβt making it easy for her so her friend offers up the services of Liam, her brother, to help with the only caveat being they canβt get personally involved.
Liam thought that respecting his sisterβs wishes and not getting personally involved with Briar wouldnβt be difficult as he understands the complications of dating his sisterβs friends firsthand. He didnβt expect to be so drawn to her sassy personality and that working together would be so fun and fulfilling and now they must decide where they go from here.
Liam is so protective and willing to help Briar reach her dreams while Briar didnβt think she was ready to let another man into her life but she realizes how different it can be with the right man. Humor, emotion and two people who are perfect for each other in every way.
βSilly woman, you know exactly what weβre doing, but if I must… when a man and a woman are attracted to one anotherββ
βDonβt be an ass.β She pushes against my chest. Although thereβs a lack of effort behind the action. βYou know what I mean. We said last time was the last time.β
βNo. You said the last time was the last time. Of course, you said that the time before that and the time before that…β
She rolls her eyes because she knows Iβm right. This isnβt the first time my best friend’s baby sister and I have found ourselves in the dark, lip-locked, with our hands all over each other.
In a rare instance, I render the most stubborn woman Iβve ever known speechless as I trail kisses down her neck while simultaneously slipping her scarf from her body, letting it fall to my entryway floor.
βYou arenβt my type,β she huffs, without any real conviction.
She glares at me as she unzips my Carhart jacket, pushing it off my shoulders until itβs on the floor with her scarf.
With a playful shove, I press her against the wall to get better access to the toggles on her winter coat. βCould have fooled me.β
She bats my hands away to work on her coat herself as she backs up her statement. βLetβs see, where do I begin? Youβre arrogant.β Her coat flies open, and my hands dive inside to rid her of it as she continues. βAnnoying.β
βYou love it when I annoy you.β I egg her on as she fumbles for the hem of my sweater, dragging it over my head.
βIn your dreams, Swift. Although, I see you arenβt gonna try to deny the arrogance.β
Before I can reply, her fingers work on my belt buckle, and she continues her list of all the things she hates about me. Her contempt, however, doesnβt stop her efforts to get me naked.
Bliss, Colorado, gave Hope McLean a second chance at life, but she’s hiding a dark secret.
Raised as brothers, James Glen and Noah Bennett always dreamed of finding a woman to share their lives on the Circle G ranch. James would run the ranch, while Noah served the town of Bliss as the resident vet. But when a woman came between the brothers, Noah fled for New York City and James was left to struggle for the ranch’s survival alone.
Now that Noah has returned, he will do anything to repay his debt to James. When he sees Hope, he knows she is the woman they both have been waiting for. But just as their love begins to bloom, a nightmare from Hope’s past returns to claim her.
To save Hope, and themselves, they will have to reclaim the brotherhood that was shattered and fight for their future.
π§Reviewπ§ James and his brother Noah had always thought that they would share a woman as that is how they were raised, however instead of that happening a woman came between them and Noah left town with her. Since then James has earned quite the reputation with the ladies while staying away from the one woman he really wants Hope.
Itβs been five years since Noah left town and although the woman that came between him and James is no longer a part of his life. He has regrets about the past and is nervous about returning home but knows that is where he belongs.
Both men want Hope but she has secrets from her past that refuse to stay there. If they are going to have the relationship that they all so desperately want not only will James and Noah need to reconcile their past but they will all need to work together if they are going to escape with their lives.
I really enjoyed how both Lee Samuels and Kitty Bang brought out the personalities of each of the characters as well as the relationships they shared with each other individuals and as a group.
One disastrous season. One last chance. One forbidden woman who could cost me everything.
After getting picked up in the expansion draft, I’m determined to prove I’m not the screw-up everyone thinks I am. New team, new city, fresh startβI’ve got it all mapped out.
What I didn’t plan on was Jayne, the sweet librarian who sees past my reputation and makes me want to be the man she deserves. But when I discover her father is my new coach, everything changes.
Now I’m caught between the career I’m fighting to save and the woman I can’t live without. One wrong move and I’ll lose them bothβbecause coach made it crystal clear: his daughter is completely off-limits.
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.
Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.
To find out about Kat Mizeraβs upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here
With her vampire side more or less under control, Alex Bain had finally found some happiness, especially with Finn, the charming half-fae bartender, heating things up things in the romance department. But when a desperate letter from her ex, Lucasβa warlock with a shadowy pastβarrives, her fragile peace is shattered. Unable to abandon him, Alex sets off for Brazil with her bonded mated and the snarky demon Corgi, Argo, to rescue Lucas’s sister from the clutches of a ruthless vampire Master.
Through the wild and colorful streets of Sao Paolo and the lush jungles of the Brazilian countryside, the group gains new allies and faces nightmarish monsters at every twist and turn. With every step, they all grow closer; even Argo stops giving Lucas a hard time, and Alex finds herself torn between her unresolved feelings for the fire-wielder and her deepening love for Finn. Then, when a desperate escape uncovers a sinister prophecy binding the three of them, Alex must confront the true source of her growing power and passionβone darker than she ever imagined.
As unforeseen betrayals and revelations cloud the path and threaten those she loves, will Alexβs heart guide her to a new destiny, or will it lead to catastrophic consequences? Can she master the darkness within, or will it consume them all? And does a girl really have to choose?
Roped Into Paradise: A Sweet Cruise Rom-Com Shanna Hatfield Publication date: January 29th 2026 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
A cowboy, a cruise, and a meddling grandmaβwhat could go wrong?
JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruiseβcomplete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.
Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ canβt help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the shipβs enchanting horticulturist. Thereβs just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.
With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley canβt let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.
From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.
Packed with laughter, longing, and a grandmother who refuses to play by the rules, Roped Into Paradise is a heartwarming romantic comedy about family, hope, and finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and cruise ship escapades that sweep you off your feet.
They moved off the elevator and had only taken a step when Trudyβs air-raid siren voice alerted him to the presence of his grandmotherβs friends.
The gazes of everyone in the vicinity swiveled to them as Trudy and Marsha gave Grams big hugs, then all four women turned to JJ. The scrutiny in their gazes was enough to unsettle him, but from the corner of his eye, he saw something move and shifted just slightly to see Kinsley pressing moss inside a planter filled with colorful blooming flowers.
βYoohoo! Girls! If youβre looking for a great guy to date, this one is single!β Trudy shouted, then she and Marsha made exaggerated pointing motions at JJ.
The heat searing from his neck to the top of his head made him momentarily question if he might implode. The mortification he felt was indescribable, particularly with Kinsley staring at him wide-eyed, as though she wasnβt sure what to make of Trudyβs declaration. He certainly had no idea what to do with the big-mouthed old woman.
JJ closed his eyes and wished Neptune would rise from the sea, reach into the ship, and drag him under. Where was a good, solid iceberg when you needed it for a distraction?
At the very least, maybe theyβd sail straight into the Bermuda Triangle. After all, this doomed adventure had felt like a trip through a nightmarish alternate universe from the moment his grandmother had announced they were taking it. Right now, with dozens of passengers laughing at him and a few women passing him scribbled notes with their room numbers, he forgot about the fun heβd had earlier in the day.
It was hard to focus on anything when he wanted to simply disappear.
JJ had never enjoyed being the center of attention. Sure, heβd played sports in high school and even participated in rodeo a few years after he graduated, but the attention wasnβt solely on him, like heβd stepped into the glaring center of a spotlight.
Grams and Shirley were madly whispering something to Trudy and Marsha, but before he could kick his brain back in gear enough to hear what they said, a hand settled on his shoulder. He looked over to see Ted, who nodded once to him. Wynn offered a commiserating look of encouragement.
Afraid to glance at Kinsley but needing to know if she had joined those laughing at him, he turned his head, and their gazes connected. She smiled and winked at him, and that one little gesture made him feel better than anything anyone else could have offered.
βLetβs get these cackling hens to the restaurant before they humiliate every male on the ship,β Ted said quietly, moving forward to stake his claim beside Grams.
π€ Reviewπ€
When JJ arrives in Florida to spend some time with his grandmother for her birthday he is the one in for a surprise. Not only does he find himself going on a cruise with his grandmother and her friends but while there he meets Kinsley, a woman he canβt stop thinking about even if she is off limits.
Kristy is employed by the cruise company and interactions with the guests is not allowed. Her first meeting with JJ was unforgettable however she knows she should keep her distance, but fate has other ideas. Let the fun begin!
The secondary characters and their antics were a great addition to the story and even though neither JJ nor Kristy was looking for love it found them when they least expected.
Author Bio:
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope.
Her historical westerns have been described as βreminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginianβ while her contemporary works have been called βlaugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.β
When this farm girl isnβt writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley.
To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website http://shannahatfield.com or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield
Am I broken beyond repair, or can the two men who want me, flaws and all, help me love myself enough to give us a chance at a happily ever after?
Barely escaping my abusive ex, I find refuge in a sliver of Alaskan paradise in the tiny town of Anchor Bay. A great job, a cute cabin situated inside the poly community, and new friends β things are great, except for him.
Langston Allen. Jerk extraordinaire, never lets me have a momentβs peace and, for some reason, hates me. Tatted, grumpy and with a stalking fetish, the man pushes me at every turn, but the underlying heated tension between us confuses me as much as it does him.
Good thing he comes with his best friend with benefits, West OβDonnell. Not only is he sexy, sweet, and kind, but the man has dimples that make me melt with every shy smile flashed my way.
Still putting together the pieces of my shattered self, getting involved with the two men is a terrible decision, but the pull between us becomes too much for any of us to withstand. When my past and present collide, can I withstand the impact, or will I disappear again, this time for good?
Only Theirs is the third book in the Anchor Bay series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone (each book will have an HEA for the main throuple), however the mystery/case discussed in book one will continue through the full series and will conclude in book 5. Please note this book does include two males who are into each other and one female who doesn’t have to choose between them.
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Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations 