HOCKEY HOTTIES SERIES by Piper Rayne

March 18, 2022

Book 0.5
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 3.5
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6

I started reading this series in the middle, as I often do, with SNEAKING AROUND WITH #34. I liked it, but in a weird coincidence, I read another hot hockey romance by a different author right before this one. They both published on the same date, so it led to immediate comparison, and the other book won. But not by much. And I liked this book enough that I began the hunt for the rest of the books in the series.

The first book, or 0.5 as it is labeled, Countdown to a Kiss, is actually a novella introducing the series. It was free from Amazon, so I downloaded it and read it immediately. I am not always a fan of novellas, but this was a good entry into a new series and I was glad to have read it. Some of it is repeated in the first book, in case you don’t read this one. The “countdown” refers to New Years Eve, and it is set at a New Years Eve party. We meet three of the hockey players, but the central romance is on one of the players, Tweetie (they all have nicknames) and Tedi, the woman he meets there.

Tedi is a fun character. She is basically obsessed with hockey players and has a “fuck it bucket list” and Tweetie heads the list. Neither one of them is relationship material and both are looking for a one night stand. But Tedi surprises herself by going back for more, and so does Tweetie. And before they know it, they are in a relationship.

That novella leads to the first book in the series, My Lucky #13, which was also free from Amazon. This story centers around Aiden, the team captain, and Saige, a social media manager for professional athletes. They meet at the New Year’s Eve party in Countdown to a Kiss, when Aiden’s manager brings Saige as his date to the party. Then he basically abandons her, and Aiden moves in. Wanting to date his manager’s girlfriend puts him in an awkward situation, and that is one of the major plotlines here.

When Aiden goes to kiss Saige at midnight, she suddenly backs up and throws her glass of wine in his face. Aiden has been in an eight game slump without scoring. He knows his neck is on the chopping block to get traded unless he can get back his mojo. He never believed in superstitions or the rituals that many professional athletes believe in, but after that night, he scores a hat trick (3 goals) in his next game. Deciding that Saige throwing that wine was the change he needed, he arranges for her to repeat it before the next game, and he scores again. His game is back, but Aiden decides that Saige needs to throw wine in his face before every game. A new ritual is born, plus Aiden gets to spend time with a woman he is falling for fast.

Saige has been burnt before and keeps Aiden thinking she is still dating his manager long after she dumps him to protect herself, but eventually the truth comes out and yes, they find their happily ever after.

Then I moved on to book 2, The Trouble with #9, which I found on CloudLibrary. Hoopla had the first two books but that was it. This one centers around Maksim, the Russian defender for the team. Maksim sees himself as the protector for his teammates, and every time the refs miss a call, he is there to remind the other team that he is watching. His temper is fierce on the ice, and the penalties he’s getting aren’t making the team owner happy. The owner decides to bring in Paisley, his daughter’s best friend, who is a psychologist. He wants her to work with Maksim, but all he does is flirt like crazy with her. Eventually, the owner decides every member of the team needs at least three sessions with the shrink and they all follow through except Maksim.

Ethically, Paisley is torn but decides since he isn’t talking to her anyway, she might as well date him. Maksim is really a sweet guy, and Paisley adores that side of him. Eventually she finds out why he is such a protector, and knows he needs therapy to work through his issues. But it isn’t until she dumps him that he learns that lesson. No worries, they find a happy ending as well.

I wasn’t able to get book 3, Faking It with #41 through my library so I requested they purchase it. They have the digital audiobook, but I’d much rather read it than listen. So I moved on to the next book, which is another novella, Tropical Hat Trick. I also couldn’t get that one from my library (again they had the audiobook though) so I used a credit I had on Amazon to buy it for $.99. I know, I splurged! This was a good story set at one of the team’s destination wedding – I guess from book 3?

This story is told from several points of view of the various team members at the wedding, plus a couple more who just happen to be there on vacation. One of them is Corey, a rookie, who meets Ande on the shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel. They have a steamy few days together, but he is the center of book 5, Second Shot with #76, so I suspect we will see more of Ande as well. That book comes out 4/19/2022. We also see the beginnings of something brewing with Kane, a new teammate who is one of the best in hockey, but has been around long enough that this will probably be his last season, and Jana, the team owner’s daughter. We also see Warner and Imogen meet up for the first time in years – which brings us to book 4, the one I read first in this series, Sneaking Around With #34, that feature this couple.

I will beg the publicist for the next two books in the series, or hope that my library gets them and reviews will follow. I am being very optimistic here! If you like sexy sports romances, or are a hockey fan, try this series. They are so engaging that I read all these books over a weekend, so enjoy!

The series in order:

1. Countdown to a Kiss

Three professional hockey players from the Florida Fury attend a New Year’s Eve party at the team owner’s mansion and spend time with three very different women. As the countdown to midnight begins, each of them is hoping to start the new year off right with a kiss. But if that happens, does it mean they’re destined to see these women again? A sneak peek into Piper Rayne’s upcoming series, Hockey Hotties!
 

2. My Lucky #13

Lucky.

The one adjective used to describe my entire hockey career. I prefer to call it hard work, at least I did until my game went to complete crap. I haven’t scored in eight games and the team owner is talking about trading me.

I’ve never believed in superstitions. Never needed one. I suppose I was “lucky” in that way. But now the best way to refer to me is desperate. I’d wear the same socks for an entire year just to be the high-scoring center I used to be.

Imagine my surprise when after spending New Year’s Eve with a woman, I score a hat trick in the next game—that’s three goals in one game for you non-hockey lovers. Now, I have to track her down and bribe her to do it again before every game. Get your mind out of the gutter, I’m not talking about it.

I find her and when I get to know her better, I end up spending more time thinking about her than my game, but she’s made it clear she wants no part of me. She’s going to learn that I didn’t become a professional hockey player without having to fight for what I want.

3. The Trouble with #9

Trouble.

One word that comes to mind when someone talks about me. I like to think of it as protection, watching out for the ones I love. But now I’m spending more time in the penalty box than on the ice and the team owner isn’t happy.

Finding myself across the room from the hot therapist I kissed on New Year’s Eve only makes me push my problems down further. I want couch time with her but not the kind she’s used to.

I decide to lie to her just to finish off my therapy so I can do what I really want—date her—even if she says she doesn’t date hockey players. Just when my therapy sessions are up and I’ve made some headway with Paisley, it’s my parents who throw another wrench in my plans.

If I abide by my parent’s wishes to marry the one they’ve chosen, I’ll lose Paisley forever. But if I go against my parents, I’m failing my deceased best friend all over again.

3.5. Tropical Hat Trick

It’s Ford and Lena’s destination wedding and every professional hockey player joining them for the big day are ready to let loose. But between vacation hook-ups, one player falling into bed with the boss and a surprise guest at the resort, there’s more action—and complications—than any of them could have predicted.

Note to Readers: This is a companion piece to the Hockey Hotties series but does not have to be read to enjoy any of the books in that series.

4. Sneaking around with #34

I have a reputation for being tight-lipped. You learn quick when you become a professional hockey player to be guarded with the media, so I’ve worked hard to cover up the mistakes of my youth.

But when I’m traded to the Florida Fury, where my ex–best friend is the starting right wing, I’m forced to confront my past. Ford and I have a lot of history, especially when it comes to his little sister, Imogen.

My heart still lurches in my chest when I see her.
My hands want to reach out and touch her.
My mouth wants to keep apologizing.

She’s the only woman who ever made me want more. But she’s also the one who fell victim to my most regrettable decision.

I’m not a believer in fate, but I must be back in her world for a reason. I’ve fought for everything I’ve gotten and I’m not backing down from what I know will be the best thing in my life.

5. Second Shot with #76

My mom always said you don’t get a second shot at making a first impression. I’ve remembered that my entire career. Especially since I’m one of the few black men who play professional hockey.

I’m calculated and respectful in the way I speak to my coaches, the owners, and the media. I’ve never taken a risk… until her.

I could blame it on the fact that for once I pushed away the pressure of my career for the ocean waves, the sand, and good times with my new teammates. But those are excuses because the minute I saw her at the airport, something lit up inside me and the best week of my life was spent with her in my bed.

After our week in paradise, we said goodbye, exchanged phone numbers and both assumed that unless one of us was flying through the other’s city on the opposite side of the country, our vacation fling was over.

Then one night after practice I see her. She’s here. In my city. Telling me she moved here for a job. If that’s not fate tell me what is.

I’ve never wanted a second shot more than I do this time, but she’s determined to leave what we were on the island we left behind.

6. Offside with #55

The last thing any professional hockey player wants is to be the old man in the game. The guy who doesn’t know when it’s time to retire. Still, I can’t bear the thought of leaving the game.

This past year I’ve reflected on all my regrets, and I told myself that once I retire it’ll be the time to settle down and start a family. But this is where it gets tricky.

I think I’ve found her—my Mrs. Although she’ll deny our connection to anyone who asks. We’ve been sleeping together casually and since I’m still playing hockey, I’ve let her get what she wants—me—whenever she wants.

After being told my career as a player is over, the owner of Florida Fury grants me a shot to stay in the game. A coaching position I didn’t know I wanted until it was offered. The catch? He’s also passing the family business down to his daughter.

Who’s his daughter?

The woman who’s been in and out of my bed for the past year. Which means the woman I intend to make my wife is now my new boss.

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Spotlight Review: THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb

March 15, 2022
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From the publisher:

Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. If he’s lucky, he’ll get a job at the hospital cafeteria. If he’s extra lucky, he’ll earn more than minimum wage. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music. 

When he discovers that his great-great-grandfather’s beat-up old fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach. Together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Ray will have to piece together the clues to recover his treasured Strad … before it’s too late.

With the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s great-great-grandfather asserting that the instrument is rightfully theirs, and with his family staking their own claim, Ray doesn’t know who he can trust—or whether he will ever see his beloved violin again.

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK!

https://amzn.to/3CyYzAH

This was such a good read! I can’t stop thinking about this book, even though I’ve read a few books since I finished it. This is a debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what this talented author does next!

The main character, Ray, is unforgettable. He loves music so much that he keeps practicing and studying despite the lack of support from his mother, his teacher, and his family. The only one who supports his efforts is his grandmother. Her grandfather, PopPop, also played the violin, and she is thrilled that finally someone in the family is showing an interest. She tells Ray that he can have her grandfather’s violin, if he can find it. It’s buried somewhere in the attic. It takes a while, but he eventually uncovers it and it is in very bad shape. Ray gets an early brush with racism when he takes it to the mall to have it repaired. They do a crappy job, charge him too much money, but at least he now has his own instrument instead of relying on the school rental.

Ray progresses in his music, gets a full ride to college with a wonderful teacher, a Black woman who understands where he comes from and more importantly, where he could go. He is very talented but even more hardworking, pushing that talent until it takes him to the world stage. Ray needs a better violin than the old one he got from his grandmother, but understanding its sentimental value, his teacher helps him take it to a good repair shop where he finds out it is a very valuable violin. From there, they go to New York to one of the premier violin shops in the world. Sure enough, several thousand dollars later, his old violin is completely restored and proved to be a Stradivarius worth about $10 million.

PopPop was a slave and he played that violin for his slaver, and was rewarded with his freedom and the violin. Finding a Stradivarius makes the news, and all of a sudden the slaver’s family has decided they want their violin back and accuse PopPop of having stolen it. Then Ray’s family decides they want him to sell it and give them the money. But Ray is determined to keep the instrument and keep playing it. Eventually, he hires a lawyer and tries to work out the lawsuits.

Meanwhile, he has been accepted to compete in the International Tchaikovsky Competition, the “Olympics” of music competition where Americans are rarely accepted and none has won a gold medal since the 1970s. But shortly before the competition, his violin is stolen and ransomed for $5 million. Devastated, Ray buys another violin to use for the competition, but he is determined to get his violin back.

While this book is marketed as a thriller, it is more a coming of age story, a story about racism in America and in particular, in the classical musical field. The mystery of the missing violin is a plot device that helps moves the story along, but it goes beyond that. I was so invested in Ray and his career that I couldn’t put this book down. I wasn’t familiar with a lot of the music terminology, but it didn’t matter. I loved being immersed in Ray’s world and was desperate for him to get his violin back and see his career rocket. According to the author’s note at the end, this is a bit of a bildungsroman as he is a Black man and a classical violinist.

This book was truly such a gift, and I am most grateful for it. It is sure to make my best books of the year (and I don’t say that lightly as it is only March!) Don’t miss it.

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. Anchor (February 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593315415. 352p.

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MR. WRONG NUMBER by Lynn Painter 

March 11, 2022

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From the publisher:

Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into an anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall…or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a “What are you wearing?” text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining—albeit anonymous—relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing….

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks—and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

https://amzn.to/3I4AFy7

Olivia, her brother, and Colin are sharing an apartment because Olivia’s apartment building burned down. Because of her – an accident, certainly, but nonetheless it was her fault. Believe it or not, being accident prone is part of her charm and she is a delightful, memorable character. She is constantly getting herself into all sorts of trouble, but nothing compares with the relationship she ends up in with Colin.

One night, Olivia gets a text from an unknown number; classic fare of the “what are you wearing” variety. She replies with a smart ass answer, and a text relationship is born. Dubbed Mr. Wrong Number and Miss Misdial, they continue their banter over text, never taking it any further.

Meanwhile, Olivia has been forced to move in with her brother who rents a room from his friend Colin. She sleeps on a crappy air mattress on the floor of the office, and Colin barely tolerates her. As soon as she finds a new job, she’ll move out. That’s the plan and Olivia finds the job of her dreams – writing a parenting column. Except she doesn’t have kids. She knows this isn’t going to end well, but she loves what she’s doing and her boss, and that is rare.

Meanwhile, somehow things are heating up with Colin. Even her brother is on board, but the course of true love never runs smoothly, and when someone like Olivia is involved, there is bound to be one dilemma after another. This is a really funny romcom with a lot of heart and occasional steaminess. I loved Olivia and couldn’t wait for her to get her happy ending. If you want a thoroughly entertaining book, pick up Mr. Wrong Number!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. WRONG NUMBER by Lynn Painter. Berkley (March 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593437261. 352p.

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DREAM MAKER by Stacey Lynn

March 11, 2022

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Las Vegas Vipers, Book 2

From the publisher:

A Steamy Accidental Marriage Romance 

Hooking up with my best friend’s little sister is one thing, getting drunk and marrying her in Vegas is another…

My team just won the Stanley Cup. I should be out on the town celebrating. Instead, I’m nursing a broken heart, courtesy of my ex-wife.

Next thing I know, I’m waking up with my teammate’s sister in my bed wearing a rock the size of the Grand Canyon on her finger. Neither of us remembers saying, I do… but turns out the marriage is as real as the diamond on her finger.

The press is going crazy. The team is pissed. And her brother… well he just might kill me. So, at the advice of my agent, we do the only thing that makes sense—make a plan to stay married until this madness blows over.

It might have started out fake, but Gabby is the one making my dreams come true and showing me what real love is.

Now I just need convince her to stay my wife forever.

https://amzn.to/3sYTCOc

I don’t quite understand why but I always enjoy the fake marriage romances, and this is a good one. I can suspend my disbelief to this trope without any problems. Plus it’s a hockey/sports romance, one of my favorites, although that doesn’t always guarantee a good read. I like Lynn’s books as a rule, and really enjoyed this one.

Gabby’s brother Garrett, who we met in the first book of this series, Game Changer, is Joey’s best friend and teammate, so when they wake up and realize they are married with no memory of the wedding, they know they are in trouble. They are friendly, but never dated so how they ended up married is a bit of a mystery. But if they break up, it will hurt the team, not to mention Garrett will kill Joey.

Joey is recently divorced, and is barely over it. But as he spends time with Gabby, he realizes that she may be the one for him. It takes her a little longer to get there, and there is some drama along the way, but nothing unsurmountable. Joey and Gabby have a lot of steamy sex before they reach their happily ever after, so if that isn’t your thing, skip this book. But if you like sports romances and fake marriages, or aren’t sure, but you do like hot romances, this is a terrific read. I loved it.

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DREAM MAKER by Stacey Lynn. Independently published (March 8, 2022). ASIN: ‎B09KTCKXHX. 280p.

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SNEAKING AROUND WITH #34 by Piper Rayne

March 11, 2022

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Hockey Hotties, Book 4

From the publisher:

I have a reputation for being tight-lipped. You learn quick when you become a professional hockey player to be guarded with the media, so I’ve worked hard to cover up the mistakes of my youth.

But when I’m traded to the Florida Fury, where my ex–best friend is the starting right wing, I’m forced to confront my past. Ford and I have a lot of history, especially when it comes to his little sister, Imogen.

My heart still lurches in my chest when I see her.

My hands want to reach out and touch her.

My mouth wants to keep apologizing.

She’s the only woman who ever made me want more. But she’s also the one who fell victim to my most regrettable decision.

I’m not a believer in fate, but I must be back in her world for a reason. I’ve fought for everything I’ve gotten and I’m not backing down from what I know will be the best thing in my life.

https://amzn.to/35HKncD

I just read two hockey romances back to back, so that inevitably led to comparisons. I thought the Stacey Lynn book, Dream Maker, was a tiny bit better, but honestly I probably would have enjoyed this book even more had I read something else in between – if that makes sense?

This book has a former-lover-to-enemy trope at its center. Warner and Imogen were inseparable in high school, until something happens that causes him to react badly and breaks them up. Imogen’s brother Ford plays professional hockey in Florida, and when his former best friend and Imogen’s ex shows up to join the team, he is pissed, to say the least. Imogen has recently been hired by the team to handle their social media as the team’s “hype girl,” and guess who they want her to hype.

Warner is thrilled and he tries very hard to talk to her, but she’s pushing him away as hard as she can, especially considering she still has feelings for him. Eventually, he wears her down and she finally listens to him, and she forgives him and they start seeing one another again. But Ford doesn’t know and if he finds out, heads will roll. As it is, his attitude towards Warner is hurting the team.

Eventually, Warner and Imogen reach their happily ever after, and Warner and Ford find their way towards friendship again. This is a steamy romance set in the hockey world, and is a fun read for sure. This was my first book by this author, and now I want to go back and read the earlier books in this series. Luckily, I found them on Hoopla!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SNEAKING AROUND WITH #34 by Piper Rayne. Independently published (March 8, 2022). ASIN: ‎B09D2CKW3D. 249p.

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Spotlight Review: THE SUITE SPOT by Trish Doller

March 8, 2022

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From the publisher:

We stand there on the brink of something we both feel but neither of us is ready to identify, and the little half grin he shoots me is nearly as devastating as his full-blown smile….

One of the few bright lights in Rachel Beck’s life is her job at a Miami Beach luxury hotel – until she’s fired for something she didn’t do. As a single mom, Rachel knows she needs stability, and fast. On impulse, Rachel inquires about a position at a brewery hotel on a tiny island in Lake Erie called Kelleys Island. When she’s offered the job, not even the grumpy voice on the line can dissuade her from packing up her whole life and making the move.

What she finds on Kelleys Island is Mason, a handsome, reclusive man who knows everything about brewing beer and nothing about running a hotel. Especially one that’s barely more than foundation and studs. It’s not the job Rachel was looking for, but Mason offers her a chance to help build a hotel – and rebuild her life – from the ground up.

Trish Doller’s The Suite Spot is about taking a chance on a new life and a new love.

“A perfect brew of humor and heart.” – USA Today

https://amzn.to/3J0RUSg

Rachel Beck is a single mom to a three year old daughter. She lives with her mom, works the overnight shift as concierge at an exclusive Miami Beach hotel, and wishes things would be different with the baby daddy – he’s irresponsible, pays no child support, and tends to dump his daughter when he has a date.

When Rachel gets fired from her job after a “Me Too” moment goes badly, she is desperate. She really loved that job and now she has to settle for the night clerk position at a nearby seedy motel. Then she finds her dream job as a manager at a new hotel in Ohio. She decides to take the job, packs up her life and her daughter and moves to Ohio. Except when she gets there, the hotel isn’t built yet and the owner, Mason, is a bit of a grump and more interested in brewing beer than hotel building.

Mason had this idea for a specialty hotel on this remote island near Sandusky. His family owned an old, abandoned winery and house there, and he buys it with the idea of building a brewery and hotel on the property. But in the process, he loses his family, which devastates him. Unsure how to progress, he is hoping that Rachel will be the impetus he needs to get things moving.

For Rachel, this is the dream job. It wasn’t what she was expecting, but the opportunity to help build a new hotel from the ground up is too tempting to walk away from. Plus Mason is very good looking and kind, despite the occasional grumpiness.

As Rachel and Mason get to know one another, they eventually fall in love. But then disaster strikes in the form of the baby daddy suing for joint custody. Heartbroken, Rachel knows she has to move back to Florida to give her daughter a chance at spending time with her father. As a child, her father abandoned the family and Rachel never wants to be the cause of that for her daughter.

But Mason isn’t giving up that easily. It’s a struggle but Rachel and Mason find a way to be together by the end of this charming, sweet story. Set on Kellys Island, this is a lovely small town romance and an unputdownable read for me. I loved it!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SUITE SPOT by Trish Doller. ‎St. Martin’s Griffin (March 8, 2022). ISBN: 978-1250809476. 288p.

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THE GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO RAKES by Eva Leigh

March 4, 2022

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Last Chance Scoundrels, Book 1 

From the publisher:

In USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh’s new novel a notorious rake and an innocent debutante strike a scandalous bargain…

When Kieran Ransome’s latest antics result in a massive scandal, his father issues an ultimatum: find a respectable wife or inherit nothing. But as one of London’s most inveterate scoundrels, Kieran doesn’t know any ladies who fit the bill. Or does he?

Celeste Kilburn is a society darling, beloved by influential members of the ton. But keeping a spotless reputation leaves little room for adventure and she longs to escape her gilded cage, especially with her impending engagement to a stuffy earl. When Kieran—her older brother’s best friend and an irresistibly attractive rogue—begs for her help, Celeste makes a deal: she’ll introduce him to the right social circles if he’ll show her the scandalous side of London.

In between proper teas and garden parties, Kieran escorts Celeste—disguised as “Salome”—to rowdy gaming hells, wild fêtes, and sensual art salons. As they spend more time together, their initial attraction builds to a desperate desire that neither can ignore. But when someone discovers their midnight exploits, Celeste’s freedom and reputation are endangered, and Kieran must save the woman he loves… respectable or not. 

https://amzn.to/35LFq1O

Leigh writes compelling, page turning, sexy historicals and does it again here. I didn’t quite understand the beginning premise of Kieran and Finn helping their sister’s fiance escape the alter, but with their sister sent abroad to recover from being jilted, her ex and the brothers are in big trouble with their families. They’ve been playing fast and loose for years, and their parents threaten to cut them off if they are all not married to respectable women within a year. First up, Kieran.

Kieran has been avoiding respectable society for so long he doesn’t know how to find his way back. Unless their third’s completely-respectable-beyond-reproach sister, Celeste, will help him. She agrees but with terms; she wants to experience some of London’s seedier side as her brother has done for years. Desperate, he agrees and she agrees to introduce him to polite society once again.

Kieran’s obsession with Celeste’s neck only increases as they start spending time together. Her father was a longshoreman who made his fortune and is determined to see his daughter married into a fine family. She is engaged-to-be-engaged to a Lord, and her father is deliriously happy. Celeste, on the other hand, is miserable. But women have no rights to speak of in 1818, so marry him she will. But she falls in love with Kiernan and things become dicey. Especially when they have sex.

There doesn’t seem to be a way out of this mess and Celeste resigns herself to being unhappy for the rest of her life, but Kieran refuses to allow it – if only there was a way out. It is tense until the happy ending is reached, and it looks like Finn or Dom will be getting hitched next.

This was a fast, fun read with a lot of heat. Don’t miss it!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO RAKES by Eva Leigh. Avon (February 22, 2022). ISBN: 978-0063086272. 384p.

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HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER by Tessa Bailey 

March 4, 2022

CLICK TO PURCHASE

It Happened One Summer, Book 2

From the publisher:

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man…

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time—in bed and out—and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. 

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

https://amzn.to/3KauLNl

I always enjoy a romance when it’s the man who’s all insecure, probably because it is somewhat unconventional. That is the case here, and Fox is a terrific male lead. Strong, good looking, and has a reputation for never getting serious with anyone but always leaving the ladies happy. Until he meets Hannah.

Ever since last summer when they met, Fox doesn’t seem to get any pleasure from anything except their daily texts. Hannah is in California, Fox is in this small fishing village in Washington state. They are friends now, and Fox has never been friends with a woman. Never even thought it was possible. But they had fun hanging out together, and the texting has brought them even closer. So when Hannah convinces the director of the film she’s assisting on to move the production to Washington, he loves the idea and she is secretly thrilled. Her sister Piper is engaged and living in that small town and she misses her terribly.

But Piper’s future in-laws have come for a visit, taking the guest room. They arrange for Hannah to stay in Fox’s guest room. That brings them closer than ever, and Fox is in a real quandary. He knows he can’t be in any kind of relationship. His one long term relationship in college turned out to be a lie; he was her “hall pass”, a guy to have sex with and he never really recovered from that.

Hannah is trying to move ahead in her career but lacks some self-esteem; she wants to be the “leading lady” of her life and Fox tries to help convince her that she is. He is offered a promotion to captain the fishing boat he works on but is against it. Hannah tries to convince him he is deserving and to go for it. I love how these characters both learn and grow and help one another to reach their goals.

Falling in love is an unfamiliar feeling for the both of them, but they manage to work through all their issues to reach that happy ending, but there are a lot of laughs and a lot of angst before they get there. This was a terrific, sexy follow up to It Happened One Summer, and hopefully there will be more!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER by Tessa Bailey. Avon (March 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-0063045699. 400p.

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ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT by Marissa Clarke 

March 4, 2022

CLICK TO PURCHASE

The Hideaway Harbor, Book 1

From the publisher:

Workaholic Lillian Mahoney has given everything to her job. The hugely popular lifestyle show she helped create monopolizes her time, energy, creativity, and anything remotely resembling a life. But all it takes is the show’s womanizing, egomaniac star throwing a massive hissy on live TV to utterly implode Lillian’s career in a New York minute.

Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.

But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects―and neither is Caleb…or his feisty teen daughter she can’t help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance…

https://amzn.to/3KauLNl

This is a lovely, small town romance with interesting characters and setting. Blink is a small town on the coast of Maine, population just over 200 and falling fast. There is not much here anymore; the mill closed, most of the businesses, too. Lillian’s sister bought a cottage out of foreclosure here, sight unseen, so when everything in NY blows up, Lillian decides to hide out in Blink.

Lillian had this idea of a lifestyle business but needed the perfect face for the company. She found Niles in a college bar and recruited him. Unfortunately, he isn’t very interested in what he’s actually doing, like cooking or decorating. He’s more interested in meeting women and enjoying his new found wealth and celebrity. Lillian and her sister keep him in check, for the most part, but he has to do a live cooking segment. They rehearse of course, but he still manages to screw it up and loses his temper with Lillian. This is live on the streets of Manhattan, and several of his fans are filming the blow up which goes viral. Everyone assumes Lillian work for Niles, and she is quick to point out that they work together, when in reality she is his boss. But he is the face of the company, she is behind the scenes.

On her way to Blink, her wallet gets stolen and she runs out of gas just at the edges of town. A good looking young man, Caleb, stops to help her, but she is a New Yorker and isn’t getting into a strange man’s car. She walks the rest of the way to town, the high heel on her shoe breaks, and she has $20 to her name. At the diner, she buys a cup of coffee and an old guy starts chatting to her. He fills up her car for her and she meets his friend, another old guy who is miserable and failing at life since he lost his wife the year before. Since she really doesn’t have much to do, she offers to help him get organized. Caleb is immediately suspicious; the old guy is the richest man in town. In fact, he owns most of the town.

Enemies to lovers is always a good storyline and Caleb and Lillian eventually stop fighting and find their way to each other. But Lillian has a life and a business back in NY. Before she leaves, she is determined to fix this dying town. She works hard at it, and eventually gets her way in that, and in love.

This is a sweet romance from an author who is new to me. I loved these characters and the fairy tale ending. The next book doesn’t come out until next year, and I can hardly wait!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT by Marissa Clarke. Entangled: Amara (March 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-1649371898. 400p.

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Coronavirus Diary: March 1, 2022

March 1, 2022

The news from Ukraine is just heartbreaking. My grandmother was from Kyiv, although I grew up being told she was from Russia. Turns out she was born in the “Russian Empire” in the city of Kyiv in the Ukraine. Her parents were killed and she was sent to America as an infant to live with an aunt and uncle in upstate New York. That was around the turn of the last century. And here we are again, the Jewish president with a target on his back and the country invaded by another madman.

Here’s how Americans can donate to help people in Ukraine* via the Washington Post. I donated to World Central Kitchen, Chef Jose Andres’s foundation. He is already there, feeding the refugees and anyone else who is hungry. https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine

With all the wars the US has been involved with in my lifetime, somehow what is happening in Ukraine feels different, even though American lives are not on the front lines. In 1990, I purchased a book called The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. The review is buried deep on my blog, so I’m adding it here. It is one of the seminal works of the Vietnam War. Interestingly, O’Brien won the National Book Award for Going After Cacciato (another excellent book) but not this one which has become a classic. Why am I bringing this up? Yesterday, I saw that title in the New York Times in reference to this article about Ukrainians fleeing their country: The One Item They Had to Take When These 6 Afghans Fled*

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O’Brien: I bought this book in 1990, read the first few chapters/stories and then came to “On the Rainy River.” It upset me so much that I put the book down and didn’t pick it back up again for sixteen years.

I don’t think most people would pick that particular story as the most upsetting, or the hardest to read, because it’s not about the horrors of Vietnam. Instead, it’s about the horrors of a young man getting his draft notice, and as that was a much more personal recollection for me, it packed an enormous emotional wallop. For me.

“I was a coward. I went to the war.”

I’m sure others had a much harder time with “The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”, about a soldier who smuggles his girlfriend in from the states and what happens to her during her stay there, or with “The Man I Killed” with a grenade or with “The Ghost Soldiers.”

This book is a novel, a memoir, a collection of stories, a series of vignettes, the seminal work of fiction on the Vietnam War – take your pick, it’s all of these and more. The title page emphatically states that it is fiction, and indeed, there is even a chapter/story entitled “How to Tell a True War Story”, yet it is also dedicated to men with the same names as the characters in the book, and there is even a character named “Tim O’Brien”. But as O’Brien points out, the truth is a slippery thing, and if calling it fiction works best for the author, especially in light of the recent brouhaha over creative nonfiction writing, I certainly won’t argue the point.

Several of the chapters were previously published as short stories, including the title piece, “The Things they Carried”, an amazing piece of writing either on its own or as the opening to a novel. O’Brien lists the physical items that men carried with them in Vietnam, from the mundane like canteens and a toothbrush, to the war necessities of “…the three standard weapons – the M-60, M-16, and M-79 – they carried whatever presented itself, or whatever seemed appropriate as a means of killing or staying alive.” They carried good luck charms, a rabbit’s foot, a pebble sent from a girl back home. They carried diseases, and “…all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing.”

The stories are often tellings and retellings of the same event from different perspectives, again proving how difficult it is to nail down the truth. They flow, never moving linearly but rather back and forth through time, before the war, during the war, and homecoming. All in all, a very emotional read for me and I’m very glad I finally finished it. The first half or so of the title story is available on Google Books if you want to take a look.

“But this too is true: stories can save us.”

04/06; updated 03/22 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

It is starting to feel like life is getting back to somewhat normal, or a new normal, at least. As of Feb. 25, the CDC has updated its Covid-19 guidelines. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where the COVID-19 Community Level is low, all restrictions have pretty much been lifted. You can check your Community Level by entering your state and county on the online form here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html. As of yesterday, where I live the level is “Medium” which means masks are not really needed unless you are high risk. That said, I’m not quite ready to stop wearing a mask in busy public indoor spaces, but I am definitely in the minority.

I think most people are just sick of it all – sick of wearing a mask, of isolating, of this whole damn pandemic. And I get that. But I still have some fears, especially concerning my husband and his health issues, and my too-young-to-be-vaccinated grandson, so wearing a mask makes me feel a tiny bit safer so that’s what I’m doing. For now. If my community level drops to “low,” I will probably retire my masks. As far as flying goes, that is up in the air (sorry!) The federal mask mandate is set to end soon, but whether it will be extended is unknown at this time.

Despite updated COVID-19 mask guidance announced Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the lifting of mask mandates across the country, the federal mask mandate covering planes, airports, trains and other public transportation is in effect until at least March 18.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2022/02/25/mask-mandate-travel-cdc-guidelines/6938530001/

What’s Cooking

I may be late to the party but I decided to try the viral recipe for Pasta Chips from TikTok, where all viral recipes come from now.

@feelgoodfoodie

#pastachips are my new favorite chips! They’re so good and make the best appetizer! #pastatiktok #summertime

♬ Music Food (Director Cut Mix) – Chad

I know that when I make baked pasta, like baked ziti or lasagna, my favorite bites are of the crispy pasta on the top, so this sounded interesting to me. I made some soup the other night and had some leftover “pasta ribbons” so I decided to give it a try. I accidentally bought these instead of egg noodles – they look like egg noodles but they don’t have eggs in them, so Publix calls them “pasta ribbons.” I tossed them with a bit of olive oil. I decided to go with a “cacio e pepe” flavoring, so I grated some Romano cheese, coarsely ground some black pepper, and tossed it all together. I threw it in a single layer in the air fryer, and voila! Pasta chips.

It took about 10 minutes or so in the air fryer, and since I already had the cooked pasta, only another minute to grate everything and mix it up, so it was pretty easy to make. Most people serve these with some kind of dipping sauce like marinara sauce, and a feta dip is pretty popular, too. I didn’t bother since I only had a cup or so of the noodles, so we just ate them as is. They were tasty – not the best thing I’ve ever made by any means, and nothing I would set out to make. I mean, I wouldn’t cook up a pound of pasta to make this. But if I end up with some leftover pasta again, I would make it again. As far as snack foods go, it’s probably on the healthier side of things if you don’t mind the carbs. And by that I mean healthier than Doritos or potato chips!

The Washington Post wasn’t thrilled; this was their headline: TikTok’s viral pasta chips are a mediocre mess that I’ll never make again*. That said, they did their excellent reporting anyway and dug deep into the history of this dish. That led me to Toasted Ravioli*, which I’ve been meaning to make. I even bought a small bag of frozen smoked mozzarella ravioli from Aldi to try it with, but haven’t gone there yet. But now that Voraciously, the food arm of the Washington Post, led me to their recipe, I will give it a try soon.

Chile Peppers

I stumbled across this article in the Washington Post from a few years ago: A guide to dried chile peppers — your secret flavor weapon in the kitchen. I took a cooking class several years ago and they gave us some dried arbol chilies. I didn’t know what to do with them besides the recipe we made and I wasn’t sure how long they would keep, so I ended up throwing them away. Foolish me. Recently, I was at Aldi’s, the first time since the pandemic began (!) and they had a few different kinds of dried chilies from the Badia spice company. I purchased the ancho and guajillo, and have almost used them up already. It’s been cold here in the Sunshine State and I’ve been making chili.

Unfortunately, my experience with Aldi is to not bother making a list, I just wander through and see what they have. Most of the time I never see the same things there again. Even basics can be frustrating to find. I’ve looked for celery or cucumbers or Greek yogurt and they haven’t had them at one time or another. And this was pre-pandemic/supply chain issues! But I do enjoy the serendipity of shopping there occasionally, like finding smoked mozzarella ravioli and dried chilies.

Book News

How a Book Is Made*: Ink, paper, and a 200,000 pound printer! Have you ever wondered how a book becomes a book? Join the New York Times as they follow Marlon James’s “Moon Witch, Spider King” through the printing process.

Lisa Gardner, the Thriller Writer Who Loves Historical Romance*: I’ve known Lisa for years, and now you can, too!

2022 ITW Thriller Awards Nominees have been announced!

BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL

Megan Abbott – THE TURNOUT (Penguin/Putnam)
S. A. Cosby – RAZORBLADE TEARS (Flatiron Books)
Alice Feeney – ROCK PAPER SCISSORS (Flatiron Books)
Rachel Howzell Hall – THESE TOXIC THINGS (Thomas & Mercer)
Alma Katsu – RED WIDOW (Penguin/Putnam)
Eric Rickstad – I AM NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM (Blackstone Publishing)

BEST AUDIOBOOK

S. A. Cosby – RAZORBLADE TEARS (Macmillan)
Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White
Samantha Downing – SLEEPING DOG LIE (Audible Originals)
Narrated by Melanie Nicholls-King and Lindsey Dorcus
Rachel Howzell Hall – HOW IT ENDS (Audible Originals)
Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Gregg Hurwitz – PRODIGAL SON (Macmillan)
Narrated by Scott Brick
Nadine Matheson – THE JIGSAW MAN (HarperCollins)
Narrated by Davine Henry

BEST FIRST NOVEL

Abigail Dean – GIRL A (HarperCollins)
Eloísa Díaz – REPENTANCE (Agora Books)
Amanda Jayatissa – MY SWEET GIRL (Berkley)
David McCloskey – DAMASCUS STATION (W.W. Norton & Company)
Eric Redman – BONES OF HILO (Crooked Lane Books)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL

Joy Castro – FLIGHT RISK (Lake Union)
Aaron Philip Clark – UNDER COLOR OF LAW (Thomas & Mercer)
C. J. Cooke – THE LIGHTHOUSE WITCHES (Berkley)
Jess Lourey – BLOODLINE (Thomas & Mercer)
Terry Roberts – MY MISTRESS’ EYES ARE RAVEN BLACK (Turner Publishing Company)

BEST SHORT STORY

S.A. Cosby – “Not My Cross to Bear” (Down & Out Books)
William Burton McCormick – “Demon in the Depths” (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
Scott Loring Sanders – “The Lemonade Stand” (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
Jeff Soloway – “The Interpreter and the Killer” (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
John Wimer – “Bad Chemistry” (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Maureen Johnson – THE BOX IN THE WOODS (HarperCollins)
Nova McBee – CALCULATED (Wolfpack Publishing LLC)
Ginny Myers Sain – DARK AND SHALLOW LIES (Penguin Young Readers)
Courtney Summers – THE PROJECT (Wednesday Books)
Krystal Sutherland – HOUSE OF HOLLOW (Penguin Young Readers)

BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL

Greig Beck – THE DARK SIDE: ALEX HUNTER 9 (Pan Macmillan)
John Connell – WHERE THE WICKED TREAD (John Connell)
Wendy Dranfield – LITTLE GIRL TAKEN (Bookouture)
E.J. Findorff – BLOOD PARISH (E.J. Findorff)
S. E. Green – MOTHER MAY I (S. E. Green)
Andrew Kaplan – BLUE MADAGASCAR (Andrew Kaplan)
Karin Nordin – LAST ONE ALIVE (HarperCollins)

ITW will announce the winners at ThrillerFest XVII on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City. Congratulations to all the finalists!

As always, thanks for reading and stay safe.

*Thanks to The New York Times and The Washington Post for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.

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