Winner - - The Fake Mate

 

The randomly chosen winner of

a print copy of 

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson is:

Nicole B

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - At First Spite

 

The randomly chosen winner of

a print copy of

At First Spite by Olivia Dade is:

Cindy_S Ev0lvin

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

 

Review - - Fish Out of Water

Fish Out of Water

by Katie Ruggle

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

When Dahlia Weathersby's sister disappears on what should have been a simple day hike, Dahlia immediately heads deep into the Colorado Rockies to find her. Knowing she'll never survive the mountains alone, she convinces the local hermit—adorably grouchy survival expert Winston Dane—to be her guide. All it takes is a good helping of Dahlia's charm…and just the teeniest bit of blackmail…before she's got all six-foot-something of him wrapped around her finger. But even with her very own mountain man in tow, things aren't going to be easy. There are:

• Long hikes through gorgeous wilderness? Check.
• Bears? Check.
• A single shared sleeping bag? Check.
• Enough sparks to set the Rockies ablaze? Check, check, check.

With everything the wilderness has to throw at them, it'll take more than charm and some city girl ingenuity to make this trek anything but a disaster waiting to happen…and an adventure she'll never forget.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been reading Katie Ruggle since her debut novel. Her slightly offbeat characters, complex storylines, and slow-building, edge-of-your-seat suspense have landed her first two series on my keeper shelves and cemented her as an auto-buy author. After a few years publishing hiatus, Ruggle is back with something a little different. There's still the quirky characters and terrific banter of her earlier books but Fish Out of Water is lighter in tone, more romcom than suspense, though still with a bit of danger.

I enjoyed this book that pairs a chatterbox makeover artist from the city with a Mr. Grumpy Pants, reclusive author from the mountains. Dahlia and Winston are hilarious, endearing, and more than a little quirky. It's a vibe Ruggle has used before and does well. Even during the spicy bits I found myself grinning and chuckling along with the unlikely couple who somehow seem perfect for one another. I admit that there were times when I found myself wondering if they had forgotten about Dahlia's missing sister. I had to suspend belief a bit there but I willingly did so because this book was more romcom than suspense and, also, I was having fun with these two. Even when the danger showed up around the 80% mark, I was so entrenched in the lighthearted vibe of the story by that point that I took it for granted that all would be well.   

Did I miss the complex character development, emotional depth, and breath-stealing tension of Ruggle's earlier books that I love so much? Yes, I did, but once I realized that this was a different type of book I was able to appreciate it for what it is: a lighthearted, laugh-inducing, slightly bonkers, adventurous romcom...with a touch of danger and a happy ending. 

Review & Giveaway - - At First Spite

At First Spite: A Harlot's Bay Novel

by Olivia Dade

Harlot's Bay - Book 1

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

When Athena Greydon’s fiancé ends their engagement, she has no choice but to move into the Spite House she recklessly bought him as a wedding gift. Which is a problem, for several reasons: The house, originally built as a brick middle finger to the neighbors, is only ten feet wide. Her ex’s home is literally attached to hers. And Dr. Matthew Vine the Freaking Third—AKA the uptight, judgy jerk who convinced his younger brother to leave her—is living on her other side, only a four-foot alley away.

If she has to see Matthew every time she looks out her windows, she might as well have some fun with the situation. By, say, playing erotic audiobooks at top volume with those windows open. A woman living in a Spite House is basically obligated to get petty payback however she can, right?

Unfortunately, loathing Matthew proves more difficult than anticipated. He helps her move. He listens. And he’s kind of…hot? Dammit.

Matthew may not regret ending his brother's engagement, but he does regret what the breakup has done to Athena. He'll help her however he can. If that means finding her work, fine. If that means enduring nightly steamy story hours, so be it. And if that means watching Athena through their windows a bit too often and caring about her a bit too much…well, nothing can come of it. She’ll never forgive him. Even if she did, how could he ever tell his beloved younger brother the truth—that Matthew wants the very same woman he encouraged Johnny to leave?

PJ's Thoughts:

Tickled my funny bone, touched my heart, and checked every one of my happy reader boxes. 

The first book to land on my Best of 2024 watch list, Olivia Dade's At First Spite took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. This story has payback, hope, heartbreak, swoony romance, joy, body positivity, snark (Athena, you're a master), sadness, laugh-out-loud humor, delightful nerdiness, "murder dolls" (I feel ya, Matthew), an emotional support chicken, and so much more. I was snort laughing one minute, mopping up tears the next, and reaching for a fan (the steam...so delicious) in between. I could not have loved Matthew and Athena more. Their flaws. Their fears. Her devious creativity (so hilariously creative). Their good hearts. Their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. And finally, a heartfelt (and hilarious) grovel to beat all grovels. By the time I turned the final page of their story I felt like their personal cheerleader. I just wanted to surround them with a huge hug and usher them forward into their hard-earned future of love, happiness, delicious pastries, and monster erotica book club. 

Dade tackles some tough topics in this book, including grief (death of a child/off page and before the story begins) and clinical depression (different character - unrelated to above). Both have profound impact on the lives of the characters dealing with them. The depression in particular is presented in a raw, realistic way that figuratively lays open the character then slowly, carefully, realistically, stitches them back together with love, medical care, kindness, and a gentle hand. If I hadn't already bonded with the characters, these scenes would have clinched the deal. It brought me to tears for those who deal with depression daily and had me giving thanks for the Matthews out there who lead with love, care, and zero judgment. It also gave this book the heft that not only made it a Top Dish but put it on my Best of 2024 watch list. In my opinion, the manner in which Dade presents this life-altering condition, organically weaving it into the story and taking no shortcuts, is exceptional, lifting At First Spite, already a stellar novel, to another level. 

I'm already invested in multiple citizens of Harlot's Bay and excited to discover who Dade has her eye on for the next book in this series. Whoever it is, I'll be buying that puppy the minute it goes up for preorder. 

Have you read any of Olivia Dade's books?

Are you as intrigued by a town called Harlot's Bay as I was?

Do you enjoy books that take you on an emotional roller coaster ride?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 14 will receive a print copy of At First Spite. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Coastal Magic Spotlight Review - - Must Love Bees by Sasha Summers

Must Love Bees

by Sasha Summers

Honey Acres - Book 2

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

For a cheerful beekeeper and her reclusive new neighbor, love is the sweetest surprise…

Astrid Hill can calm a hive full of restless bees, but she has no idea how to make her gruff new neighbor smile. Charlie Driver intends to hightail it out of Honey, Texas, as soon as he’s sold his aunt’s property, and Astrid worries her family’s adjoining honey business may be affected. But however aloof—and annoyingly attractive—Charlie may be, his daughters are too adorable to ignore.

Charlie would rather untangle a line of computer code than deal with people, and the stress of single parenthood isn’t helping. Yet Astrid has a knack for overcoming his resistance to this quirky small town and her beloved bees. What if his girls become attached, only to once again lose someone precious? Then again, in love, the more you risk your heart, the sweeter the reward…

Includes the bonus novella, Honey Ever After!
A wedding on Hill Honey Farms means family, honey and laughter. For this special day, all the Bee Girls are home—but that’s not the only surprise... A brand-new baby beekeeper will be joining the family!

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm not sure why Sasha Summers didn't land on my reading radar before now but this error has been corrected and will not occur again. I've already downloaded the first book in this series, The Sweetest Thing and preordered the third book, Honey, Be Mine (June 25, 2024).

I was completely charmed by Honey Hill Farms, the Hill family, bee whisperer Astrid, new arrival Charlie, and his adorable daughters. I loved how fully developed these characters were, even Charlie's daughters, young Nova and tween Halley. Both were integral pieces of the plot, helping to move both the story forward as well as the growth of  Astrid's and Charlie's characters, and their own in the process. 

There was a lot of fun and charm in this story and a sweetly satisfying romance, but a surprising depth of emotion as well. Charlie, in particular, was a fascinating character. I enjoyed the gradual evolution of his character without sacrificing the neurodiversity that made him unique, especially in the growth of his relationship with Nova and Halley as well as his slow-burn romance with Astrid. I wanted to be besties with Astrid. She really is the nicest person in town. I loved how she interacted with Charlie, appreciated him once she got to know him, how the gradual deepening of her feelings for him occurred because of the whole person he was, not in spite of it. Unlike his estranged family who - yes, I cheered - got exactly what they deserved.

The supporting Honey Hill Farms cast brought everything together in a warm, welcoming hug of affection and acceptance. I adored them. I wanted to spend the day baking with them. I even wanted to help tend the bees...and that's something I never expected to say in this lifetime. I was fascinated with the honey bee knowledge I gathered from this book, especially the organic manner in which it was delivered. It left me - someone who has always been afraid of bees - actually feeling affection for them and wanting to know more. As for the delicious recipes (all using honey) in the back of the book? I plan to make them all! 

Can't come for the whole weekend? There are one-day registrations available! 

Grab your book bestie and join these authors at the beach for this year's Coastal Magic Convention. Or come on your own and make new book friends! 

Review & Giveaway - - The Fake Mate

The Fake Mate

by Lana Ferguson

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: December 5, 2024

Reviewed by Nancy

 

Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.
 
Mackenzie Carter has had some very bad dates lately. Model train experts, mansplainers, guys weirdly obsessed with her tail—she hasn’t had a successful date in months. Only a year out of residency, her grandmother’s obsession with Mackenzie finding the perfect mate to settle down with threatens to drive Mackenzie barking mad. Out of options, it feels like a small thing to tell her grandmother that she’s met someone. That is, until she blurts out the name of the first man she sees and the last man she would ever date: Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General.
 
Noah Taylor, interventional cardiologist and all around grump, has spent his entire life hiding what he is. With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas that have people wondering if they still howl at the moon, Noah has been careful to keep his designation under wraps. It’s worked for years, until an anonymous tip has everything coming to light. Noah is left with two options: come clean to the board and risk his career—or find himself a mate. The chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asking him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he’s called to meet the board has to be kismet, right?
 
Mackenzie will keep her grandmother off her back, and Noah will get a chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate—a mutually beneficial business transaction, they both rationalize. But when the fake-mate act turns into a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realize love is a whole different kind of animal.

 

Nancy’s Thoughts: 

When The Fake Mate arrived in the mail, I was initially sorry to see that it’s written in first person, present tense. That’s really not my favorite. However, the story drew me in so quickly that I forgot to notice that structure. 

The story opens with Mackenzie (Mack to her friends) in the hospital break room on the phone with her grandmother. Lest Gran set her up with yet another in a series of blind date mismatches, Mack blurts out that she’s seeing someone. Gran naturally wants details about this imaginary person. Mack is fumbling to come up with some when Noah comes into the break room. Desperate, she blurts out his name. This gets Gran off her back, but now she has the problem of convincing Noah. 

They discuss their mutual problems and agree to pretend to Mack’s grandparents that they’re dating and to the hospital board and staff that they’re mated. What could go wrong?

As it turns out, deceiving almost everyone they know is tougher than they expect. Add in a strong mutual attraction, and complications ensue. 

So what sets The Fake Mate apart from other “pretend courtship” romances? 

Ferguson’s voice is engaging. Even as Mack remembers the bad dates Gran set her up with, she doesn’t whine about it. She doesn’t describe them all as weird or too socially inept (though one was . . . seriously weird), just as not good matches for her. Mack’s interactions with her friends, only one of whom is in on the secret, involve internal narrative that’s a little wry but often affectionate. It’s obvious that she loves her grandparents and appreciates the concern behind Gran’s matchmaking even though it frustrates her. 

Each chapter has the point-of-view character’s name at the top of the first page, but I would’ve known which character was narrating without that. Ferguson gives them sufficiently different voices and world views that it’s easy to tell. Noah’s narrative doesn’t have the teasing, sometimes-joking-as-cover notes of Mack’s. 

The supporting cast characters range from smarmy and scheming to sweet and loyal. One is a dedicated gossip whose mom knows Noah’s mom, and Ferguson uses that to great effect in the story. 

This is the first shifter romance I’ve read to make extensive use of scent to convey presence, mood, relationship, and sexual reactions. (There may be others, but I’m not familiar with them) In worldbuilding, using the five senses scent often gets short shrift, but Ferguson wields it effectively. In her world, mated shifters smell of each other, and she uses that to bring Mack and Noah into physical contact from the beginning of their ruse. One thing leads to another as the emotional attraction grows. 

Ferguson also creates anatomical differences—beyond the shifting, of course—between humans and shifters, particularly alpha shifters like Noah and the type of shifter Mack is, which I’m not revealing to avoid spoilers. There’s also one other factor important to shifters that plays a critical role in the relationship arc. 

One thing I most like about the book is the way Noah gradually realizes that keeping his secret has rippled through his life. His relationship with Mack shows him another way, and his responses to that made perfect sense. 

When the crisis comes for Noah and Mack, he reacts as many people would. It takes a conversation with someone important to him to change his thinking. Mack reacts in her own way, probing and questioning, and the resolution was thoroughly satisfying. 

Readers should be aware that the love scenes are not only explicit but fairly lengthy. I would’ve preferred to have them a little shorter, but others may disagree. They’re used effectively in developing the relationship. 

In summary, The Fake Mate has engaging, layered leads it’s easy to root for, a logical plot that works, and inventive worldbuilding. The secondary cast are varied and used well, and the story moves at a good pace. My only quibble is my preference for shorter love scenes. 

Highly recommended. 

4.5 stars 

~Nancy

 

Readers, what do you think of shifter romances? Do you have any favorites?

Have you read The Fake Mate or any other books by Lana Ferguson?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 9 will receive a print ARC of The Fake Mate.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - The Duke's All That

The Duke's All That

by Christina Britton

Synneful Spinsters - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

A heartbreaking betrayal. A secret life. A love that deserves a second chance.

Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, has spent the last thirteen years believing his wife is dead—until he receives word that she is very much alive and living under an assumed name on the remote Isle of Synne. He sets off with only one goal in mind: bring his wife back to Scotland where he can divorce her and expose her for the liar she is.

After a devastating deception by the man who was supposed to love her, Seraphina did what was necessary to keep herself and her sisters safe. And though she’s still haunted by the events that tore her world apart all those years ago, she’s made a happy life on Synne, surrounded by loyal friends and building a secret career as a popular author. Now that Iain has found her, however, all that is at risk.

Despite their long separation, the attraction between Iain and Seraphina still burns strong. But with so much hurt and betrayal between them, can they possibly find their way back to each other?

PJ's Thoughts:

I fell in love with Christina Britton's writing while reading her first Isle of Synne book, A Good Duke is Hard to Find, four years ago. Since then, each successive book set on Synne has only reinforced that initial reaction. Her newest, The Duke's All That, just may be my favorite of the whole bunch. 

Seraphina and Iain checked all my happy romance reader buttons with their enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, road romance. I always knew there was more to Seraphina's story than what had unfolded during the course of her stay on Synne. I never imagined the layers, the betrayals, the heartache and pain, but also the strength and courage that lurked in her secretive past. Every time I thought I couldn't admire her more a new secret was revealed and my admiration, and affection, doubled. Iain is a new character so I had no idea what to expect from him but it didn't take long for him to forge his way into my affections as well. These two had been betrayed in a horrible, life altering manner. I couldn't help but pull for them to find their way back to one another. 

I love a story that pushes all my emotional buttons and this one certainly did that. There's yearning, angst, retribution, character growth, family dynamics, steamy desire, and the love and support of a steadfast community of women...a couple dukes...and one salty parrot, with a Scottish brogue, who is the source of much humor but also heartache (no worries - the parrot is hearty and healthy at the end). Nothing in the journey feels rushed. Britton takes her time with these two, slowly revealing secrets and layers, unveiling the events of the past thirteen years that they've been apart. She also takes her time rebuilding the trust, affection, and desire that had been such a crucial part of their young relationship, before it was blown to smithereens. There were more than a few twists along the way but by the time I reached the conclusion with these two both my mind and my heart were happy with the outcome. 

The Duke's All That is a tumultuous, deeply emotional, sometimes humorous, and thoroughly satisfying reawakening of love that's going straight to my keeper shelf where I have no doubt I'll be visiting it again. Though characters from earlier books appear in this one, readers new to Britton could absolutely enjoy this as a standalone. If you prefer to read books in order but are put off by the length of the series, I recommend beginning with Some Dukes Have All the Luck, book one in the Synneful Spinsters trilogy set within the Isle of Synne world. If you want to go back to the beginning, I've listed all of the books in order below with links to my reviews. 

Isle of Synne:

A Good Duke is Hard to Find

Someday My Duke Will Come

A Duke Worth Fighting For

Synneful Spinsters:

Some Dukes Have All the Luck

What's a Duke Got to Do With It

The Duke's All That

Winners - - February Coming Attractions

 

The two randomly chosen winners of

a print book from my book stash are:

Ina

and

Patricia Bennett Barber

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Coming Attractions & Giveaway - - February

 

Welcome to February, the month of love. And, boy howdy, do I have a lot of love on the schedule! There are some terrific books being released this month and I'm excited to share them with you. Here's the schedule.

We start the month on Friday, February 2 with Hellie's review of Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura. Hellie says there's a lot of action - and steam - in this enemies-to-lovers adventure romance. 

Join me on Tuesday, February 6 for a review of The Duke's All That, the final book in Christina Britton's Synneful Spinsters series. I have loved these independent spinsters. And that cover. Yes, please!

On Wednesday, February 7, Nancy brings us a review of The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson. This steamy paranormal wolf shifters romcom has me intrigued! 

Stop by Thursday, February 8 to read my thoughts about Must Love Bees by Sasha Summers. I was thoroughly charmed by this second book in Summers' Honey Acres contemporary romance series. 

Monday, February 12 brings my review (and a giveaway) of At First Spite by Olivia Dade. Dade is one of my favorite authors and this first book in her new Harlot's Bay romcom series the best, in my opinion, that she's written.

Join me on Tuesday, February 13 for a review of Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle. I've been waiting almost five years for a new book from Ruggle and this one did not disappoint. 

I'm sharing my thoughts about Tracy Solheim's Catch and Release on Thursday, February 15. This third book in the Milwaukee Growlers Football Romance series is filled with steam, humor, a second-chance enemies-to-lovers romance, and a whole lot of emotion. 

The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell is in our spotlight on Thursday, February 22. Stop by for a review and giveaway of this third book in Caldwell's All The Duke's Sins historical romance series. 

Thursday, February 29 brings a review of Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall. This M/M romance is the second book in Hall's Spires series featuring a story of healing from heartbreak and reopening one's heart to love. 

I'm excited to read In Want of a Viscount, the next book in Lorraine Heath's The Chessman: Masters of Seduction series. This one features an English viscount and an American businesswoman. Stop by on Wednesday, February 21 to read my review. 

Don't miss a review and giveaway of Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong on Friday, February 23. As the book's tagline says, this is "the debut of a dynamite new voice from the South, Love and Hot Chicken is a spicy and hilarious Tennessee story about family, friendship, fried chicken, and two girls in love."

Monday, February 26 brings a review of Naima Simone's The Single Dad Project. I've loved every book in the Rose Bend series and am eager to read this one. 

We wrap up the month with a review of Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman on Wednesday, February 28. I've enjoyed Hobman's previous books and am looking forward to this second installment in her Highlands contemporary fiction series. 

Tell me what you're looking forward to this month. Are any of the titles above on your reading list?

Two randomly chosen people posting a comment before 11:00 PM, February 4 will receive a book from my stash.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18