robinellen

Well -- *looks around, swipes at dust* -- I have been a little busy. However, I'm still reading a lot (close to a book every day or two). But because I'm swamped, I'm going to take an even bigger break from my usual posting style and only post series that I've truly enjoyed. First, here's the link to my GR page (for anyone who's actually still here and interested): https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/93775930?page=1&ref=nav_mybooks

So I've read a few series since the end of January that I really liked:

1. Cordelia Kingsbridge's Seven of Spades: This m/m romantic suspense is gritty and angsty and so intriguing! I really like Levi and Dom, and the secondary characters are also well drawn. The mysteries are interesting too, and I enjoyed all of the 5 books (except #3 -- because I couldn't handle watching one of the characters unravel -- all of these are 5-star reads).


2. Cole McCade's Criminal Intentions: Okay, so this m/m police procedural is very graphic and gritty, and I had to skim the truly gruesome parts; plus, there's a true creeper stalking Seong-Jae throughout, and the tension levels are high. Season One is 13 parts, and I read most of them (and loved them). Again, really intriguing plots, great (and complex) secondary and primary characters, multi-POV -- he's got it all! (Pix of those which I 5-starred -- but I read all but 11 & 12, and #9 was the only 3 star; the others were 4 or 5 stars.)


3. On the lighter (and paranormal) side, Jon's Mysteries, by AJ Sherwood: These m/m paranormal police procedurals (so pretty different, LOL) are almost split 50/50 between Jon and Donovan's relationship and the strange mysteries/cases Jon works. Jon's voice is light-hearted and upbeat, and even though we hear from Donovan, as well (who isn't as upbeat), the overall tone is definitely more on the fun side. (Pic of my favorite of the 4)


4. Josh Lanyon's The Art of Murder series: I really like Lanyon's writing style, and this series with Sam and Jason is my favorite (thus far). Both are FBI agents, though Sam is part of the BAU and Jason is part of the Art Investigations. Their relationship is intriguing and well done, and the mysteries are solid (and also intriguing). I actually read the last of the 4 published so far (I believe there's going to be another?) a couple years ago, but now I've added the other three to my list. (Pic of my favorite again, though the others all got 4 stars.)

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. Only those books which get 4 stars and above will be featured here (with their own link to the specific reviews). My star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

(The +5 is for the 5 re-reads; I want to keep them as part of my count, but I won't repeat their reviews here.)

Here's my GR overall book page: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/93775930?page=1&ref=nav_mybooks

*****
Ground Zero, by Aimee Nicole Walker -- m/m police procedural/mystery

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4516952216

****+
Devil's Hour, by Aimee Nicole Walker -- m/m police procedural/mystery (book two)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4516963352

****+
Zero Divergence, by Aimee Nicole Walker -- m/m police procedural/mystery (book three)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4516987160

****+
Breakaway, by Avon Gale -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4481605454

****+
Dearest Milton James, by N.R. Walker -- m/m romance (set in Australia)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4481593305

****
Tapped By My Roommate, by DJ Jamison -- m/m romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4481563012

****
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson -- YA suspense

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4459076520

****
Starting Point, by NR Walker -- m/m mystery (book three)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4459060812

****
Breaking Point, by NR Walker -- m/m mystery (book two)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4459048512

Hopefully I can at least post these once a month, right? :)

Well, this has been my biggest list for a while, and I suspect that's due mostly to the Kindle I got last Christmas. It certainly makes it easier when I can use the Kindle Unlimited aspect to 'check out' any number of books. ;)

Here are the 5-star reads of this year, organized by author (alphabetized) -- you'll notice some trends, LOL:


The Secret, by May Archer -- male/male small-town romance


The Hawthorne Legacy, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes -- YA suspense/mystery


Enemies of the State, Enemy of My Enemy, The Jock, The Murder Between Us, The Night Of, by Tal Bauer -- four romantic (political) suspense (male/male) and one jock romance


Deke, Puck Drills & Quick Thrills, by Eden Finley -- male/male sports romance


Butterfly, Off the Ice, by Michaela Grey -- male/male sports (hockey) romance


Flight, by Laura Griffin -- adult romantic suspense/mystery


Chrysalis, Cross, Spooky Business, by S.E. Harmon -- male/male paranormal thrillers/mysteries


Locked in Silence, The Truth Within, by Sloane Kennedy -- male/male contemporary drama/romance


King Me, Body & Soul, Hot as Heller, by Lucy Lennox -- male/male humorous romance


Madison Square Murders, Mystery of the Spirits, by C.S. Poe -- male/male romantic mysteries (closer to procedurals)

So yeah, I prefer mysteries/thrillers/suspense -- but I need that hint (or more) of romance, as well, and sports' romances (between men) and small-town/humorous romances definitely attract my attention.

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

I'm so far behind in posting here that I'm kind of embarrassed (still). But to expedite, I'm going to simply link to my GR page and only actually post the covers for books that I really liked below.

****+
Mystery of the Spirits, by C.S. Poe -- male/male romantic mystery -- the final in the Snow & Winter series

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4427921565

****+
The Weight of It All, by NR Walker -- male/male romantic comedy -- set in New Zealand

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4422209030

****+
Puck Drills & Quick Thrills, by Eden Finley & Saxon James -- male/male hockey-related romance -- the final in the series

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4422190401

****
The Holiday List, by Lane Hayes -- male/male holiday romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4422168990

****
Sundae's Best, by Riley Hart -- male/male contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4422145636

****+
You'll be the Death of Me, by Karen McManus -- YA mystery/thriller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4421706084

****
Without You, by Marley Valentine -- male/male romance -- hurt-comfort-grief

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4402873056

****
Christmas Wish List, by N.R. Walker -- male/male holiday romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4402850649

****
The Lost Bones, by Kendra Elliot -- romantic mystery novella (the 8th in the series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4402793884

Up next, 2021 in review (only 4.5/5 star reads)!

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

I'm so far behind in posting here that I'm kind of embarrassed (still). But to expedite, I'm going to simply link to my GR page and only actually post the covers for books that I really liked below.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/93775930?page=1&ref=nav_mybooks

****+
Chrysalis, by S.E. Harmon -- male/male sci-fi romantic suspense

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4371778169

****+
Cross, by S.E. Harmon -- male/male sci-fi romantic suspense (book 2 of 2)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4371786177

****
Forever Wilde in Aster Valley, by Lucy Lennox -- male/male holiday romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4371819357

****
Double Shifting, by Michaela Grey -- male/male hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4335139524

****+
Off the Ice, by Michaela Grey -- male/male hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4323930875

R ****+
Unforgivable, by Laura Griffin -- romantic suspense (Tracers series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4309895761

****
Buried Bones, by Melinda Leigh -- romantic suspense/mystery

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4309886013

****
Messy Love, by Riley Hart -- male/male contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4300299766

****
Puzzle, by Nora Phoenix -- male/male political thriller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4300267802

****+
Never Stay Gone, by Tal Bauer -- male/male romantic suspense

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4300247636

****
Gone But Not Forgotten, by Charlie Cochet -- male/male urban fantasy thriller (Therian series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4300233853

****
[Chef's Kiss, by Jarrett Melendez/Danica Brine -- male/male graphic novel (humorous)]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4300225233

****
Last Seen Alone, by Laura Griffin -- romantic suspense

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4280421332

*****
Madison Square Murders, by C.S. Poe -- male/male romantic mystery (loved this!!)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4280385044

If I remember, I'll do a summation of the year before 2022 ... not sure how many 4 and up stars I'll read before then. ;)

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

I'm so far behind in posting here that I'm kind of embarrassed. But to expedite, I'm going to simply link to my GR page and only actually post the covers for books that I really liked below.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/93775930?ref=nav_mybooks

*****
The Hawthorne Legacy, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes -- YA mystery -- this is the second book in the Inheritance Games duology

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4246878938

**** R
Untraceable, by Laura Griffin -- adult romantic suspense -- the first in the Tracers series

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4246871982

****
Legacy, by Nora Roberts -- adult contemporary (with a hint of mystery)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4246839584

****
Getting Friendly, by Saxon James -- m/m contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4192940847

****
Heartscape, by Garrett Leigh -- m/m contemporary romance (part of the Vino & Veritas series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4188843098

****
The Quarterback, by Tal Bauer -- m/m football romance (a sequel, of sorts, to The Jock)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4188780191

****
Awkward Love, by Riley Hart -- m/m contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4163186979

**** R
Desperate Girls, by Laura Griffin -- adult romantic suspense (Wolfe Security)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4125958880

***** R
Her Deadly Secrets, by Laura Griffin -- adult romantic suspense (Wolfe Security)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4258583658

****
Nautical, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m humorous romance (Forever Wilde series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4119814811

I'll try to post more regularly with these ...

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

[Note: Because I've put this off so long, I'm only going to show my rating, a basic description, and link to the GR page. Also, I'm bolding the title/description of those which got 4, 4+, or 5 stars.]

****
Fired Up, by Riley Hart -- m/m sports/firefighter romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4080468995

***-
Final Play, by Eden Finley -- compilation of endings for all the previous books in the series

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4080478572

****+
Hudson's Luck, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m humorous romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4080487094

****-
His Saint, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m contemporary romance/mystery

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4088467373

****
Line Mates & Study Dates, by Eden Finley and Saxon James -- m/m college hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4088467373

***+
Choose Me, by Tess Gerritsen and Gary Braver -- adult suspense/thriller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4088484240

***-
Just Friends, by Saxon James -- m/m contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106452240

***-
Smoke Show, by Ashton Cade -- m/m romantic suspense (kind of)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106466996

*****
King Me, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m romantic intrigue (with humor too)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106480231

****
The Endgame, by Riley Hart -- m/m sports (football) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106490694

**
Rockstar Hearts, by Eden Finley -- two novellas, m/m rockstar romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106516022

**** R
Weep No More, My Lady, by Mary Higgins Clark -- adult (barely) romantic suspense

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4106556209

****
Roughing, by Michaela Grey -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4107260481

****+
Butterfly, by Michaela Grey -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4107263332

****-
Power Play, by Michaela Grey -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4112594001

(Part two) -- and yes, I can tell it's summer break. I've also been re-reading some books (doing my practice of reading 4 at once by rotating through), and I only included one of those here, LOL. I wonder if I'll actually make it to 200+ by the end of the year ...

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

[Note: Because I've put this off so long, I'm only going to show my rating, a basic description, and link to the GR page. Also, I'm bolding the title/description of those which got 4, 4+, or 5 stars.]

****
Trick Play, by Eden Finley -- m/m sports (football) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4052439023

***-
Odd Man Rush, by Michaela Grey -- m/m/f hockey romance (kind of -- the romance seems to mostly be between the guys)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4052425615

****-
Blindsided, by Eden Finley -- m/m sports romance (football)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065925745

***+
Felix and the Prince, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m humorous romance (and yes, totally unrealistic, LOL)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065934079

***+
By the Way, by Lucy Lennox and Molly Maddox -- m/m contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065946387

****+
Deke, by Eden Finley -- m/m sports (hockey) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065958880

****-
Facing West, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m contemporary romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065977166

***
Laugh Out Loud, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m humorous (supposedly) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065987743

****-
Hat Trick, by Eden Finley -- m/m sports (hockey) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4074430379

***
Whiskey Throttle, by Riley Hart -- m/m sports (motocross) romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4080439763

(Part one)

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

[Note: Because I've put this off so long, I'm only going to show my rating, a basic description, and link to the GR page.]

****
Blindside Hit, by Michaela Grey -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4043249076

****+
Hot as Heller, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m small-town romance, lightly humorous

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4043224747

**
Intoxicating, by Onley James -- m/m bodyguard-guardee romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041325103

***
IRL: In Real Life, by Lucy Lennox & Molly Maddox -- m/m romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041315117

****
Fakeout, by Eden Finley -- m/m fake-boyfriend romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041305767

**+
Soft Hands, by Ariel Bishop -- m/m hockey romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041296594

*+
His Shield, by Sue Brown -- m/m second-chance romantic suspense (with no real suspense and very little romance)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4024106915

****
Soul on Fire, by Tal Bauer -- m/m romantic suspense (very suspenseful)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022257361

***
Always Mine, by Sloane Kennedy -- m/m romantic suspense (cowboys too)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022236707

*****
The Jock, by Tal Bauer -- m/m college football romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022219378

***
Off Key, by May Archer -- m/m small-town humorous romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022202256

****-
Above & Beyond, by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy -- m/m May-December romance (#4 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022182150

****+
Body & Soul, by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy -- m/m romantic suspense (#3 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022168486

***
Somebody to Love, by April Wilson -- m/m mystery romance

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4022145465

****
Goal Lines & First Times, by Saxon James, Eden Finley -- m/m hockey (college) romance (#3 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4005132802

***+
Power Plays & Straight As, by Saxon James, Eden Finley -- m/m hockey (college) romance (#1 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4005108160

****
Safe & Sound, by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy -- m/m romantic drama (#2 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4005081065

****
Lost & Found, by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy -- m/m romantic drama (#1 in series)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4005065587

****
Ranger, by Nora Phoenix, KM Neuhold -- m/m romantic drama

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3990226225

**
After the Crash, by Emma Alcott -- m/m small-town, romantic drama

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3990209586

Whew -- I need to start putting them here right after I review at GR ...

Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:

* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read

***+
The Ivies, by Alexa Donne -- YA suspense -- Olivia is part of a group of girls who will do anything to claim their spot in an Ivy League school; but when one of the girls is murdered, Olivia discovers that maybe some people have a different definition of *anything* than she does.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3965997429?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

***+
Muscle and Bone, by Mary Calmes -- m/m romantic mystery -- Avery is an omega, but he doesn't act like one, and he certainly has no interest in being given to some alpha who can't find his mate; however, other omegas are apparently willing to kill to get their chance, and Graeme, the newest alpha in town, becomes the object of desire for some omegas who have no qualms about doing what's needed to get his attention.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3983482677

****+
Friends, by Nora Phoenix -- m/m romantic mystery -- Seth can't believe the president was assassinated, and now he's joining the investigative team as the White House liaison; Coulson travels from the NY office to help head up the team for the assassination because of his background in domestic terrorism, and as the two become friends, they discover more than simply answers about the murder.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3983501764

***-
Click, by Nora Phoenix -- m/m romantic mystery -- Rhett wants to lose his virginity; Calix is still mourning the death of his husband five years earlier; but when things at the White House continue to fall apart, the two are drawn together in unexpected ways. (Note: I really like the world and the mystery here; I simply didn't 'click' -- haha -- with these particular characters.)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3983518726

**
Serve, by Nora Phoenix -- m/m romantic (kind of) mystery -- the plot here continues from the previous three books and is very good; the so-called romantic aspects did not appeal to me at all (a BDSM threesome).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3983535350

****
Sweet as Honey, by Lucy Lennox -- m/m romance (with a hint of mystery) -- Truman is tired of being targeted by the bullies in town because of a mistake made in his past; when Sam comes to town to visit Mikey and Raine, he also notices Truman's troubles, and he decides he can't let this man suffer alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3983548180