Cat's Review of Light From The Grave by Sara Dobie Bauer @TTCBooksandmore @saradobie

I’m what nightmares are made of, but I’m not sure who’s more dangerous: him or me.

In the world of witches, Keller Rex is a legendary monster—a dark sorcerer with a gift for suffering. He has long been the protector of the Zayne coven and their ancestral home in Charleston, South Carolina. When the family matriarch, Vivian Zayne, dies under mysterious circumstances, he is tasked with finding the only person who can open her sealed Book of Shadows: the son no one knew she had.

Dylan Quinn has never bothered to figure out why cats follow him everywhere, but it’s been that way for as long as he can remember. After the unexpected passing of his adoptive mother, he had to make a new home for himself in small-town Ohio. Things have been quiet ever since, but lately, there are strange voices in his dreams and a sense of being watched.

When a striking Southern gent appears in town, Dylan welcomes the distraction. Keller is handsome and charming, but Dylan can tell there’s something else, something eerie about him. And he discovers he's right, as Keller goes from being Dylan’s seducer… to his abductor.

Now back in Charleston, Dylan’s newfound family is shocked when it’s discovered his magical affinity is for death itself. Despite his fears, he’ll need to learn to control his terrifying powers in order to open the Zayne Book of Shadows. He also needs to keep his coven safe, and time is running out. The estate's protective wards expire on Halloween, and power-hungry witches from all over are ready to pounce.

While Dylan’s awakening darkness threatens to overwhelm him, Keller finds himself confronted by feelings he thought long dead. Keller will do anything to protect his young necromancer and open Vivian’s Book of Shadows, but the Zaynes are in for a surprise when Dylan resurrects someone he shouldn’t.

Buy link: Amazon 

Cat gives this Book 5 Meows...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a cold drink while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is Light From the Grave by Sara Dobie Bauer. The cover is creepy and goes well with the title. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest, because the first line ‘who’s more dangerous, him or me.’ Then necromancers, witches, turf wars, murder, oh yes!

The story is an urban fantasy and supernatural suspense with a touch of romance and humor. Just enough humor to balance the scariness. 

Who’s my favorite main character? Dylan but Keller too. I love Dylan’s Innocence and playfulness but then the edge of darkness. Keller, I’m a sucker for a bad boy with a hidden softness. 

Was there another character I loved and why? Several. This book is full of intriguing characters. Dylan’s new family of Zanes are all interest. His uncle that dresses and acts from regency era, his aunt that looks like a swamp lady with a spider living in her hair and rats in her clothes and the other that hears voices and is a bit…off. Then there is Keller’s protege, Raven, that’s a kick butt killer 19 year old, the seer that’s a bit intimidating and, oh yes, my favorite is Binx the cat; and lets not forget bobcats that follow Dylan around. 

The story starts with Dylan in small town Ohio with the owner of the coffee house he works for and his coworkers, also both fun characters. Then moved to the mansion in South Carolina. The mansion itself is cool with a magical chef you never see and more fun twists. 

There are significant plot twists and turns? If so, what were they? There are twist’s everywhere. The story is gripping and you want to keep reading to see what’s next, plus who could be the murderer and why? And what’s going to happen on Halloween?

I loved the ending. It was an HEA and really tied up the lose ends. 

If you like supernatural suspense, witches, necromancer, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, urban fantasy, slow  burn and cats you will love this. 

Bestselling romance author.

Bisexual witch.

Timothee Chalamet freak.

Horror movie aficionado.

Feminist. Pro-choice. Anti-censorship.

Vampire mermaid in a past life.

Sara Dobie Bauer somehow survived her party-hard college years at Ohio University to earn a creative writing degree. She lives with her precious Pit Bull in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.

Website: Sara Dobie Bauer

Twitter: Sara Dobie Bauer (@saradobie) / X (twitter.com)

Facebook: (5) Sara Dobie Bauer's Sexy Circle | Facebook

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The Score (A Charleston Condors novel) by Beth Bolden Book tour with Cat's Review, Excerpt & #giveaway @GayBookPromo @Beth_Bolden @TTCBooksandmore

Book Title: The Score

Author and Publisher: Beth Bolden

Cover Artist: The Book Brander Boutique

Release Date: October 25, 2023

Genre: Contemporary MM sports romance

Tropes: bad boy reformed, forced proximity, fake boyfriend, roommates to friends to lovers

Themes: found family, trust issues, mental health, love versus lust

Heat Rating:  4 flames    

Length: 100 000 words

It is book number three in a spinoff series. 

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon  US  |  Amazon UK

Blurb

Carter Maxwell knows he’s a screwup. Four teams in three seasons tells the story, as much as he wishes it didn’t.

But finally, he’s landed in a good place, where he likes the team and the team actually likes him. Even the Condors' current rebuilding mode suits him. There’s a new owner. New coach. New players. New rules.

But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t seduce your agent-appointed c*ckblocker.

Ian Parker agrees to live with Carter and keep him on the straight and narrow for one simple reason: Alec, the agent in charge of cleaning up Carter’s reputation, has promised him something Ian wants very, very badly.

Even more badly than Carter naked above him and below him and next to him.

A chance for Ian to become an agent.

But Ian didn’t take into account just how persuasive Carter is—or just how desperately he desires to be persuaded. Or how, while spending time with Carter, they’ll somehow stumble into a fake relationship that begins to feel all too real.

It doesn’t matter that Carter’s never fallen in love or that he’s never been in a real relationship. It doesn’t matter that Ian’s risking his future as an agent.

He’s determined to score the impossible and reform the bad boy—only after encouraging Carter to misbehave one last time. But this time, only with him.

Cat gives this Book 4 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab an Asian salad and Diet Coke while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is The Score by Beth Bolden it is book 3 in the Charleston Condors series. You do don’t have to read in order but it does help understand the characters if you do. 

The cover is sexy and goes well with the title. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because, I’ll admit, I’ve been waiting for Carter’s story since book one, and Ian sounded intriguing. 

The story is a sports romance, with moderate heat and some humor. 

Who’s my favorite main character? Hard choice but I’ll go with Ian. He really had his job cut out for him.  

Was there another character I loved and why? I loved the cameos of all the team mates and Alec. I also loved Ian’s mom the therapist. As in all these books it’s full of interesting characters. 

There are significant plot twists and turns? If so, what were they? There is a couple twists but this story is more character driven than plot plus there are the games. 

I liked the ending, it was an HEA and there is a hint of the next book. If you like sports romance, fake relationships, forced proximity, football, sober companions and a great series you will love this. 

Excerpt

“Wait a sec,” Ian said, standing too, but reaching out and casually catching Carter’s arm. “I know this is going to be awkward, me being around all the time. I just wanted to acknowledge that, first off.”

“Is it?” Carter really hadn’t thought much about it; honestly, he’d been too busy trying to figure out how to get around rule number one.

“Well, yeah, in my experience it is. Most people who run into us together are going to want an explanation. Your friends. The players here. The coaches. The staff. Anyone you meet.”

“And what? I shouldn’t tell them why you’re really around?”

“I’m…” Ian hesitated again. “I know what my previous clients and I would do. We’d discuss ahead of time what role I’d be playing. Often, since I was in LA, they were well known, so it was easy to pass me off as a personal assistant or a friend. But here—”

“Nobody’s gonna have a personal assistant around them all the time,” Carter said. “Especially not me.”

Ian looked surprised again.

“What,” Carter retorted, “I’m not an idiot, okay.”

The frost in Ian’s expression melted a little more. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you were.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” Carter said wryly. “Why can’t we just tell people what you really are?”

“You’d be okay with that?”

Carter realized with a jolt that the person who was really worried about this wasn’t him, the way Ian was concerned about, but Ian himself.

Wasn’t that interesting?

“It’s hardly like people don’t know my reputation,” Carter said.

“Oh. Alright. Well, that’s your choice.”

“We can just say you’re my what…companion?”

“If that’s the word you want to use,” Ian said.

But as they walked out of the conference room, Carter couldn’t shake the feeling that Ian was the one who was preoccupied with not only what to call himself, but maybe even what kind of position he’d be occupying in Carter’s life.

As they walked down the hall, and Carter pushed the down elevator button, to take it to the lower level and the team cafeteria, Ian turned to him and said, “Well, you getting shut down by half the team is pretty good news for rule number one.”

Carter rolled his eyes. “Not when I could go to the Pirate’s Booty or any other bar or restaurant or coffee shop in the city and find someone to pick up in point five seconds.”

“Modest, much?”

“Listen, you wanted honesty, that’s the honest truth right there.” Carter had sex because it was easy, yes, and it also helped stem the tide of his temper. Maybe if sex had been harder for him to come by, he’d have found something else to use.

But sex was easy, for him, so sex it was.

Or at least it had been sex.

Carter mournfully poured one out for all the great sex he wasn’t going to be having in the next few months.

A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She has published over forty novels and novellas.

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Wild fire (WILD series book 4) by Jessica Myel Release blitz with Cat's Review @EJBookPromos @TTCBooksandmore

Title: Wildfire

Series: WILD Series, Book 4

Author: Jessica Myel

Genre/Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Arranged Marriage

Release Date: July 29, 2023

Cover Design: Jessica Myel

Love is Useless.

Lacey Donahue is the beautiful pageant queen destined for …nothing. They say judgment comes in many forms. But for most of her life she was judged on her beauty and ability to perform. After she leaves it all behind she thought she could finally take control back and make her own decisions. What she didn’t expect was for her parents to sell her off to settle a debt no amount of money could pay.

Colby West is the controlled, smart, and arrogant brother. He could do no wrong until he put West Ranch at risk. He will do whatever it takes to protect it, even if that means marrying a woman he’s never met. He had never considered love useful, but he wouldn’t be marrying for love. He would be marrying for the money he so desperately needed to save the ranch, to continue the legacy. What he didn’t expect was a woman with a resilience that would not only test his patience but his icy heart.

Cat gives this Book 4 Meows with a 4 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab some biscuits and gravy while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is Wild Fire by Jessica Myel and it is book 4 in the Wild series. You do need to read in order.

The cover is very pretty and goes well with the title. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because... arranged Marriage in this time? Toss in enemies to lovers and opposites attract in a small town setting; oh and I forgot to mention, cowboys, you have my attention. 

There is a little trigger warning. There’s off page mention of rape, violent death, and a eating disorder. So, if these things bother you skip this or read with caution. The story is a spicy small town romance.

Who’s my favorite main character? Lacy, she’s one tough cookie. I had to learn to like Colby after the mess he made though. 

Are there significant plot twists and turns? If so, what were they? Yes, there are a couple twists and a very angsty outcome.

I liked the ending, it was an HEA, though under a sad cloud. The main couples and story does have a happy ending though. I did still have a few questions though nothing that ruined the story for me. 

If you like Enemies-to-lovers, Opposites attract, first love, arranged marriage (don’t frown) Cowboys) small town romance, spice and dual POV storylines; you will love this. 

Jessica was born and raised in the Midwest. After acquiring a bachelor's in Marketingand a Masters in Biblical Studies many years later she realized her calling was writing.Her passion for words and finding her voice creates deep and emotional writing. She strives to talk about the hard things of life, such as depression, abuse and it’s many forms. In her first book Between the Threads she works through her past, her present and her future. When she's not writing she's drinking matcha, coffee, or both with her head buried in a book.

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My Darling Christmas (Willow Valley Series) by S.L. Sterling Book tour with Cat's Review @EJBookPromos @TTCBooksandmore

Title: My Darling Christmas

Series: Willow Valley Series

Release Date: October 19, 2023

Author: S.L. Sterling

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Small Town Romance, Second Chance at Love, Brothers best friend, Widower

Cover Design: Thunderstruck Cover Design

Darling Ranch. It was a family name in this town, a family business and a family way of life.

Over the past year, the place hadn’t felt like family, or home, and I was barely staying in business.

My wife had died from an aneurysm while pregnant with our first child. It happened one morning while I was out in the field tending to the animals. The doctors told me it wouldn’t have mattered had I been by her side, the outcome would have been the same. Still, I beat myself up. My best friend and neighbor, Gabe Bentley knew this. He let me mourn my own way, but now he’s pushing me harder than ever.

“What’s the rush?” I asked him one morning.

“I’m being deployed. I need to know my sister and the farm are taken care of….by the only man I trust in this town…you.”

I’d known the army was recruiting again but I didn’t know he’d been called upon. I also didn’t know Cadence was back in town. I really didn’t know if I could be the man, the friend, the rancher that he needed me to be.

What I did know?

No matter how much it pained me, I’d try to do whatever it took to make sure that I didn’t let Gabe down.

Then I saw Cadence and for the first time since my wife died I actually thought I could heal. She made me feel alive, made the pain go away. So why did I feel so guilty? One minute I was longing to hold her, the next I was pushing her away, until I finally pushed too hard and sent her running.

I didn’t want to fail my best friend, and I didn’t want to fail Cadence. We all needed our Christmas wish and I decided to do whatever it took to make sure we got it.

Cat gives this Book 4 Meows with a 1 Purr heat index...

Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a cup of cocoa while I tell you about this book I just read.  

The title is My Darling Christmas by S.L. Sterling, it is book 4 in Willow Valley series. You don’t have to read in order.

The cover is cute and goes well with the title. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because, losing his wife and his first love is coming back.

Who’s my favorite main character? Connor. I’m sorry I just couldn’t relate to Cadence. I really wanted to love her but she just fell flat on me. 

Was there another character I loved and why? Gabe. He is a great friend and awesome brother. I hope to see his story.

The story has 2 main settings, the two farms, and it's a sweet, clean holiday romance with a few twists.  

We both grew quiet as we looked out over the farmland. I’d help my friend, he knew it. I owed him after everything he’d done for me. There wasn’t much more to say. Gabe knew I’d been struggling. That was why he’d been here daily since Ella had passed—to check on me. He may not know that I noticed, but I did. I couldn’t get mad either. He was being a friend. The friend I needed.

“Are you going to be okay?” he questioned.

“What do you mean?”

“If I leave, are you going to be okay?”

I leaned back in my chair and nodded. “Do I have any other choice? She’s been gone for over a year. It’s time that I pick up the pieces and move on. I know you’re worried. It’s written all over your face, but I’ll be fine.”

“I know. I just feel like I’m abandoning you in your time of need. It’s just…”

“It’s just you have to do this for you. I get it, Gabe, I really do. Why do you think I do nothing but work? It’s my way of coping. This is yours.”

“I just wish your way of coping had changed.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, emptying my beer.

“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps you could cope by, getting involved with a woman. A relationship may do you good.”

I looked off into the distance. “Nah, I don’t think so,” I muttered, getting up and returning with two more beers. The last thing I needed right now was to have a conversation about my personal life. Gabe should know better than to start on me about dating again.

“Sorry man, I just thought that it may help you cope with things.”

I passed him another beer and sat back down. “Now I’ll do what I can to help you out, but you say you are trying to figure something else out? Care to shed a little light on that subject?” I asked.

“I’m heading out to see Cadence, to see if I can convince her to return home. If she does, I know she’ll need help. Our farm is twice the size of our grandparents’.”

First, he started with my personal life and then he mentioned Cadence in the same sentence. He better not be thinking what I thought he was. I took another mouthful of beer and cleared my throat.

“You aren’t suggesting that Cadence and I…”

Gabe shrugged and sort of smirked as he tipped the bottle back.

There had been a time that I’d had a crush on her, but she gave no hints. Then Gabe made it very clear to me and some other guys at school she was off-limits. In fact, I remembered him muttering something about the bro code after he gave another kid in town a black eye for hitting on his sister. After that, I knew better than to think about touching his sister, as did every guy in town. I enjoyed having my balls intact. Since I hadn’t been willing to ruin our friendship, I pushed my feelings to the back of my mind and gotten involved with her friend Ella.

“Cadence, from what I remember, can look after herself,” I muttered. “She’s looked after your grandparents’ farm just fine with no help from anyone. She doesn’t need my help.”

“Yeah, but it’s different here. More moving parts, bigger operation, and I’d just feel better knowing that I can count on the only man I trust here to be there if she needs something,” Gabe said, looking at me.

I chuckled.

“Please, Connor.”

I hated seeing my friend beg, but at least he was begging me and not some woman who would only slap him across the face when he got close enough. I drank back the rest of my beer and nodded my head.

“Fine. Let me know once you figure it all out. I’ll help her for a bit, but once Cadence is all settled in and things are going well, I’m done.”

Book 1: Memories of the Past
Book 2: The Holiday Dilemma
Book 3: Letters from the Heart

*Please note all books can be read as standalone, but recommended you read all the books in the series.*

S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs. 

An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born. 

When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters. 

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.

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                      Follow the blog facebook page HERE and check the giveaway tab for                                       all the current promo posts with giveaways, thanks for stopping by y'all!