Kevlar to My Vest by Lani Lynn Vale

You’re the Kevlar…

Behind the badge and the pretty face was a heart. A heart that bled just like the rest. A heart that was so in love with Viddy Sheffield that it was humiliating. Trance had been burned before by a woman that couldn’t handle the fact that he risked his life each and every time he went on shift. She was too vulnerable; somehow he had to convince his heart to let her go. His life would chew her up and spit her out.

To My…

Viddy couldn’t get the man out of her head. Just the thought of Trance put a smile on her face. And when he walked into the same room? Words couldn’t explain. God help her, but she was even in a relationship with another man. She shouldn’t be thinking about the sexy biker with the voice that made shivers dance down her spine.

Vest…

Then the unthinkable happens, and the sexy cop she can’t stop thinking about is there for her, giving her what she never knew she needed. One moment in time, and she finds herself falling for the man, lock, stock, and barrel. The two of them have a lot of work to do to make this relationship succeed. What they didn’t know, however, was that there were people behind the scenes that were working to keep them apart. Sometimes the saying is true. You can’t always have what you want.

Find Kevlar to My Vest on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dazSPh

I loved these characters so much! Their connection started in the last book and only grew stronger here. It was a bit messy and a lot wonderful.

Trance was amazing! He was taking care of and doing right by Viddy before he even had a claim on her. Definite book boyfriend material right here!!

And Viddy... she was such a marvel. After a horrific accident took away her sight, she never let it get her down. She wasn't a victim and there were times that I would forget that she couldn't see. And when miracles happened, I was all for it! Who deserved a bit of magic more?

A creepy stalker, weird police calls, and a ton of fun times amongst the friends made this such a beautiful story to read. I was happy even when I probably shouldn't have been smiling so much at parts, but this book really did it for me. If you love love in all of its forms, you should definitely read this!

Killian/Trance & Vidalia/Viddy family tree:

    Their children
        Oakley Rose (daughter) - I'd Rather Not
        Ford Bryce (son) - Maybe Swearing Will Help
        Banner (son) - Somethin' About That Boy

    Trance's family
        Miller (older brother) - Execution Style
        Foster (younger brother) - Charlie Foxtrot

    Vidalia's family
        Adeline (twin sister) - Halligan to My Axe
        Jefferson (brother)

Check out my reviews of the previous books:

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Stop delaying in tackling things that terrify you.
Because you never know.
The spoils might be sweet.

Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley

Standalone - Dream Team #3
Release - May 25, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Dual POV - Hattie/1st person & Axl/3rd person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the publisher
Length - 393 pages
Publisher - Forever

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina—she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help . . .

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.

Find your copy of Dream Spinner here:
Amazon * Nook * iBooks * Kobo

Can you tell me what is so addictive about KA's books? No? Yeah, neither can I. All I know is that I'm hooked!

There's Hattie, who has suffered many years of abuse from her father, who has built up walls that allow her to deny herself her greatest wish, walls that do their best to keep Axl out. Then there's Axl, a man who has been through a lot. He has his own demons, he has a huge heart, he's compassionate and patient, he's bloody awesome!

I wasn't Hattie's biggest fan in the beginning, but I grew to like her as the story developed. Now Axl, I loved him from the start. Again, this is something I find with many of the KA books I've read. Love the hero, like the heroine, ecstatic over the journey to get to the end.

Dream Spinner gave me tons of feels, oodles of laughs, and a story I could really sink my teeth into. Whether you're an old hat like me or new to this author, this is definitely a book to fall in love with.

He stared down at me, unmoving.

I stared up at him, the same.

The air around us grew heavy.

And he was so gorgeous, saying such incredible things, not to mention right there, and I was touching him, I couldn't stop my lips from saying, "Shut up, shut up."

The words that came after that lingered in the air unsaid, but they were there.

Kiss me like you mean it.

And he heard them.

I knew he did when his arm sliced around me and my hand on his chest was forced up into his spiky hair because my body was plastered to his.

And his mouth was on mine.

He kissed me.

Axl kissed me.

And he did it like he meant it.

His other arm swept around me, and I came up on my toes, his head angling, mine tipping the other way. He held tight and I pressed deep and I tasted, and I took, and I gave, and I drank, and he plundered, and he sucked, and his tongue danced with mine and yes...

Yes.

He kissed me like he meant it.

And I kissed him back the same way.

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, was a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and now she resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She currently writes full-time.

This is our life. No touching. No nakedness. No kissing. No loving each other.

Rebellious by Kristy Marie

Standalone - although reading the Commander in Brief series first really gives a fullness to this story
Release - April 30, 2021
Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance/best friends to lovers
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5/a few descriptive scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 257 pages
Publisher - Indie

A love controlled by guilt, contained by rules… One summer will change everything.
No kissing.

No cuddling.

No blah, blah, blah.

He wrote the rules onto our skin—every ink stroke tragically smeared by the lines we’d crossed.

He claimed it was the only way we could be together—the only way we wouldn’t destroy our families.

But there was an exception to his rules—one he never saw coming.

All I needed was opportunity and a sunburn.

The girl who played by his rules is gone.

This girl… is not his “friend.”

Find your own copy of Rebellious on Amazon: CA * US * UK
FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited

Oh, the sweet, sweet agony of angst! Rebellious is the love story of Aspen Von Bremen and Bennett Jameson and it pulls on those heart muscles like a beast! Throughout this book, I kept thinking of that quote from Tennyson: 'Tis better to have loved and lost, / Than never to have loved at all. Except for the most part, their love was a huge secret (although not really a secret to ANYONE) and we spent the majority of the book wondering 'will they or won't they?'

Fine. We knew they would and that it was a matter of when, but they worked that when like a stripper on a pole — smooth and tantalizing. Obviously I'm talking about a talented stripper.

So here's the deal... Aspen has loved Bennett since she was two years old and was handed his newborn body to hold. He's loved her just as long. But Bennett's an honorable guy. He's a guy that cares about his family, ALL of his family, and he doesn't want anything to mess up what they have going. So being Aspen's bestie will have to be enough. Almost kisses and slightly inappropriate touching aside, they've kept things platonic (if you don't count certain things that they do that you will discover when you read the book), but Aspen's graduated and she's going to be leaving. Bennett's lifeline will soon be out of reach. When he finally caves to give them one summer of loving each other without rules... That's when things really start to get interesting... and messy.
While I'm not a big fan of new adult romances, Kristy Marie has this special way of writing them that draws me in and keeps me engaged. There's none of the usual whining or unnecessary drama. It's just straight heart, humor and feels.

I loved how she displayed the dynamic between Aspen and Bennett. He was the brooding, unapproachable hero who had a soft spot for his girl. She was the one constantly trying to break all of his rules and draw out the amazing guy she knew he was. She was trouble and he was trying to keep them out of it. She was temptation and he tried his best to resist. In the end, they were perfect for each other and no one who reads this story can deny that.






A self-proclaimed reader enthusiast, Kristy started her writing journey back in 2009, reading and writing when her daughter was napping. Establishing her place in Corporate America (because something had to pay the bills), writing became her dirty, late-night secret.

After eight long years, she released her debut novel, Commander in Briefs. It was a long road, but she can honestly say, the road less traveled had the most beautiful sights.

The only thing Kristy Marie loves as much as reading and writing is sports! Especially those that require muscles and a nice ass. Her favorite is, and always will be, baseball. She's such a fan, that she even married her small town's high school's centerfielder where they still live with their three badass kids.

Commander in Briefs is her first series but definitely not her last.

"There is absolutely no reason you need to hide your thoughts from me, Ryn... Or anything... Any emotion. Any reaction." - Boone

Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley

Standalone - Dream Team #2
Release - December 15, 2020
Genre - Contemporary Romance/alpha/drama
Dual POV - 1st person for heroine/3rd person for hero
Heat level - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - eARC provided by the publisher
Length - 481 pages

Ryn Jansen has no interest in taking a risk on Boone Sadler. Thanks to a long list of men who've done nothing but let her down, Ryn vows to stay far away from the caring, protective commando. And when Boone confronts Ryn with evidence that her loved ones are conning her, Ryn is less than thrilled -- with her family and Boone. But even as Boone proves he's the kind of guy to meet her every need, she doesn't trust him to stay when life gets hard . . .

Boone Sadler's never been one to back down from a challenge. He's determined to show the funny, sexy Ryn that the irresistible connection between them is worth exploring. But caring for Ryn's heart and body becomes a matter of life and death when Ryn's beloved niece and nephew are put in danger and dirty cops begin gunning for Ryn. Soon Boone realizes their romance is in danger of more than heartbreak -- and to have any future together, they'll have to put their trust in each other.

Boone wants Ryn. Ryn wants Boone. But Ryn won't let Boone in because... well, only she knows the answer to that. It seemed, to me, that she was a bit lost with her own logic. If she didn't get it, how could I? And how could Boone? After asking and being turned away repeatedly, it's no wonder he went somewhere else. So why is Ryn all torn up about it? And why is Boone still looking out for her? And why is she mad at him for looking out for her? Ah, the drama... you were missed!

Getting into the heart of this story wouldn't be right. It needs to be experienced. You need to take this journey for yourself, to find out why Boone and Ryn were perfect for each other. You need to learn, through these words, how KA was able to capture the true essence of these characters, bringing them to life, highlighting their flaws and bestowing us with their virtues. Boone was one heck of a hero. Such a good man. And Ryn gave just as good as she got.

There was chaos, bits of suspense, familiar faces, new alliances, and the setup for what I believe will be the love story to follow -- I can't be the only one who was feeling all there was to feel with Axl and Hattie.

I don't think there's anything in the world quite like getting lost in a book by Kristen Ashley. Dream Chaser is said to be a spin-off of two of my favorite series (Dream Man and Rock Chick) and if Boone and Ryn are any indication, this seems about right. Whether it was Boone's alphaness or Ryn's independence or the camaraderie of the larger group that convinced me, it doesn't even matter. I enjoyed every word!

Amazon * Nook * Kobo * iBooks * Google

“Baby?”
I stopped feeling sorry for myself and focused on Boone.
His mouth came down on mine.
I thought maybe it was some weird, kinda-friends, kinda-not, should-be-lovers, but-weren’t, never-gonna-happen good-bye kiss.
I realized it was not when his tongue came out and he traced the crease of my lips with the tip.
They opened.
Really, there was no way I could have kept them closed.
Just a taste.
I’d give myself just a taste.
A taste of Boone.
Even if that tasted like never.
He slid his tongue inside, and he didn’t taste like never.
He tasted rich and decadent and heady and hot and male.
And he kissed like Boone.
Man and alpha and strength and protector and Dom.
Without a fight, without even a thought, I submitted to his tongue and his mouth and his kiss and him.
I was holding onto him, yielding to the plunder, my legs trembling, when he lifted his mouth from mine. With an eyeful of nothing but green, I heard him say, “Lock up after me, sweetheart. Get some sleep. I’ll catch you later.”
And with that, he let me go, left me swaying in my living room….
And he was gone.

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, was a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and now she resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She currently writes full-time.

In For a Penny by Melissa Foster

Standalone: The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7.5
Release: December 9, 2020
Dual POV: 3rd person
Heat level: 4 out of 5
Format/Source: eARC provided by the author
Length: 74 pages

Friendships and family abound during a week of love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Catch up with your favorite characters and enjoy Bones and Sarah’s wedding while falling in love with the newest Whiskey-world couple, Penny Wilson and Scott Beckley in this Whiskey series novella.

When everything you want is right in front of you, but it's still out of reach… Penny Wilson has a successful business, more friends than a girl could ask for, and a boyfriend she’s madly and passionately in love with. Scott Beckley is honest, loyal, hands down the best lover on the planet, and absolutely gaga over his nieces and nephews. Scott’s a keeper…as long as Penny doesn’t ever want to hear those three magical words that would take their relationship to the next level. Scott escaped abusive parents at seventeen and was forced to find his way alone in the world. Even though it’s been more than a decade and he’s reunited with his estranged sisters and built a good life in Peaceful Harbor, Maryland, he’s still tortured by his past. Penny knows he loves her with everything he has, but for a girl who wants a family and a guy who is afraid of having one, love might not be enough. In For a Penny started out scorching hot and ended delightfully sweet. Penny and Scott were obviously in love and everything should have been easy breezy... but they weren't. Scott couldn't admit his love for Penny in words because those words would lead to expectations. He couldn't give her a home or children or forever. Despite the fact that his love for her was evident in his every word, touch and action, he was terrified of fully giving in. And for Penny, it was all heartbreaking. While all of their friends are enjoying love and bliss, she's full of doubt. Can her love give him the courage to face his greatest fears?

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Scott was a dirty-talking hunk and Penny was the sweetheart of his dreams. I didn't like some of Penny's thoughts, but her heart was definitely in the right place. There's just something about this author's writing, the small town charm she injects into all of her stories, that just keeps me smiling right to the end. For all fans of the Whiskeys, this story is not to be missed. Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s 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, the perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole.

Nobody Knows by Lani Lynn Vale

Standalone: SWAT Generation 2.0 #11
Release: November 10, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Dual POV: 1st person - Malachi Gabriel Gnocchi (used to be Stokes) & Sierra (sister to Samuel Adams from Say It Ain't So)
Heat: 4 (one scene)
Format/Source: eARC provided by the author
Length: 204 pages

All he ever wanted was to matter to someone.
What he didn’t know was that he did matter to someone.
Someone that worried about him every single day that he was gone.

Malachi Gabriel Gnocchi was missing for two years. Thanks to a mission gone wrong, not only had he been captured, but his best friend along with his fellow teammates had been taken, too.

He spent two years in hell, hoping and praying that one day he’d get to go home.

And one day he does. Only, he isn’t the same person that left. Every single thing that made him Malachi is no more.

Leo is FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US * Amazon CA

One single summer changed them forever, and one moment of devastating silence destroyed it all.

Growing up with six siblings, Leo Preston has always struggled to find his voice.
While his brothers are loud, greedy, and somewhat obnoxious, Leo is forever the quiet one.
The thinker.
The listener.
He watches his life pass by as an outsider in his own world, absent and alone.
Lost.
Until he finds her.

For Leo, Mia Kovács is like a prize, a gift wrapped in passion and devotion.
And she’s his—his very own secret he doesn’t have to share.
Together, they can overcome anything…
heartache and destruction, guilt and regret.

Mia gives Leo everything he didn’t know he needed,
including her fragile heart.
The only thing she doesn’t give him...
are secrets of her own.

In a sprint, every millisecond counts.
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.

High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each other.
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven.
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.

It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.
Eight life-changing seconds.
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32282814-lucas

Six years on the inside gave a man a lot of time to think. And a lot of time to plan. When I got out, I was determined for things to go a different way. I never wanted to lose control and rage out again.

The only way to accomplish that, though, was to shut it all down.
Complete disconnect.

That meant no family, no friends, no links to anything attached to the man I was before.

Of course the problem was, I never factored HER into my plans. And try as I might, I couldn’t find a way to shut it down, to disconnect from her.

I had a sneaking suspicion she was going to take all my carefully constructed plans and toss them out the window, was going to force me to face up the demons inside and confront the ghosts from my past.

Those ghosts?
They wore the faces of my family.

And a confrontation with them, yeah, I had a feeling it was going to show me that I had spent six years taking action on beliefs about the demons inside. Demons that had never actually existed in the first place…

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36161136-eli

Kristy Marie brings you a laugh out loud comedy about what happens when a hot mess of a girl takes down the resident bad boy.

She wants something real. He wants something now. Together they’re trouble in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s sexy and funny twice-in-a-lifetime love story.