Home to Texas (Brides of Rough Creek Texas #2) by Kaki Warner

  

 Lieutenant KD Whitcomb had mapped out her career from West Point to the Pentagon. But when an injury under questionable circumstances forces her to leave the army, her dreams fall dead at her feet. Feeling lost and needing to rediscover the tough woman beneath the uniform, she heads back to the family ranch in Rough Creek. Only two things get her through the nightmares and sleepless nights: the support of her family and the CID officer investigating the incident in Afghanistan. He infuriates her. Makes her laugh. Gives her hope.

  Richard Murdock is struggling, too. There’s something fishy about this last case…and the threats coming from Afghanistan aimed at both him and KD. He’s ready to leave the army and make a new start. But how will he protect KD? And what should he do about the growing attraction between them? He’s been burned before. But there's something about KD's vulnerability and strength that calls to him, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect her and give her a chance to build new dreams…including helping her start a PTSD equine therapy program at the Texas ranch.

    If they can overcome the threats against them and heal old wounds, this second chance might be better than they ever dreamed.

The romance is everything I could have asked for. KD and Richard are so perfect together and I really commend the author for the absence of the common "miscommunication as drama" trope as way of keeping them apart. Their relationship was completely honest even with everything each character had going on. There are plenty of heavy issues at play and I was completely enthralled by their dedication and devotion to each other. 

And as always Happy Reading!!

Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries (Modern Mail Order Brides, #12) by Olivia Gaines

      Lakota Simjak is nothing like he looks. A laid-back kind of fella that takes life as it comes, while enjoying the simple beauty of the day to days. However, the lonely nights and eternal mornings tells him it’s time for a change. He wants a wife.

Melody Willis’ trophy case displays thirty years of being in the music business and performances all over the world. Yet, she goes to bed alone. Tired of fighting in the rat race she takes a chance. Dressed down, she heads to the offices of the Perfect Match and sits in front of the screen. It didn’t take her long to find the one thing she wanted. Through the screen his heart called to her as well.

“Coraline, I’m going to marry him,” Melody said with a definitive nod of her head.

The rest they say, is for the history books. Pack your bags and climb aboard for the funniest ride into the remote wilderness of Maine for a hearty helping of Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries.

This book was everything. It was so funny, god, I laughed so hard. And the love was sweet and honest. I wasn't expecting it to be so good. Melody was my favorite, I loved how her character and her story came to be.  Lakota was a good hero and partner to Melody but the supporting characters  Elijah and Lorelai just add even more humor and love to story. It was such a sweet story and I was a little upset it ended. 

Brava to the author, this is definitely an entertaining read.

And as always Happy Reading!!!

The Mixtape by Brittainy C. Cherry

 Since the death of his twin brother, Oliver’s caught between pleasing his fans and finding himself. Emery finds him first.

   Emery has never felt more alone. Raising her daughter is both her pleasure and her pain as she struggles to hold on to her job as a bartender and keep a roof over their heads. With no one to help them—no support system—any unexpected expense or late bill could turn their whole world upside down.  

   Reeling from the death of his twin brother and bandmate, rock star Oliver Smith is trying to drink his problems away. Apparently he isn’t very good at it; they follow him wherever he goes. Also in hot pursuit are the paparazzi, who catch Oliver at his lowest low. He could have walked into any bar in California, but he walked into hers. Emery helps Oliver lose the crowd, and they find themselves alone: two people whose paths are marked with loss and pain. However, they hold an unshakable hope for healing. They find solace together, but can their love withstand the world?    

This was a good afternoon read. My first book by the author and plus with prime reading, it was free. The synopsis grabbed my attention. Even thought I didn't have any true expectation, where and how I thought the story would go, it didn't. This book is filled with true emotions and heartache. There were times, I was reading it and had to walk away to get myself  together. There are a few predictable moments but other than that, this was a really good read.

Hope you enjoy it, too!

And as always Happy Reading!!

My Pride To Be Read List!

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

I have yet to read any of these but its on my TBR. So I thought "hey! Its still Pride, let me put a couple of my TBRs out in the universe"  so tada!

            Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out she's going to be sent to live in America with her father because her strictly religious mother caught her with her secret girlfriend, the pastor's daughter. Audre's grandmother Queenie (a former dancer who drives a white convertible Cadillac and who has a few secrets of her own) tries to reassure her granddaughter that she won't lose her roots, not even in some place called Minneapolis. "America have dey spirits too, believe me," she tells Audre.

    Minneapolis, USA. Sixteen-year-old Mabel is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why she feels the way she feels—about her ex Terrell, about her girl Jada and that moment they had in the woods, and about the vague feeling of illness that's plagued her all summer. Mabel's reverie is cut short when her father announces that his best friend and his just-arrived-from-Trinidad daughter are coming for dinner.

    Mabel quickly falls hard for Audre and is determined to take care of her as she tries to navigate an American high school. But their romance takes a turn when test results reveal exactly why Mabel has been feeling low-key sick all summer and suddenly it's Audre who is caring for Mabel as she faces a deeply uncertain future.

Moonstruck, Vol. 3: Troubled Waters by Grace Ellis

Spring comes to the supernatural town of Blitheton, which can only mean one thing: It's time for the annual mermaid festival! Werewolf barista Julie meets one of her girlfriend Selena's friends, but as per usual, things take a turn for the worst. Why does everything seem to go wrong for Julie and Selena? Is the universe conspiring against them, or is it something more sinister? More importantly, will their relationship survive once it starts taking on water?

The third chapter of the popular, all-ages magical adventure from Lumberjanes creator GRACE ELLIS and talented newcomer SHAE BEAGLE.

Love Is Love: A Comic Book Anthology to Benefit the Survivors of the Orlando Pulse Shooting by Many authors

 

 The comic industry comes together in honor of those killed in Orlando. Co-published by two of the premiere publishers in comics—DC and IDW, this oversize comic contains moving and heartfelt material from some of the greatest talent in comics, mourning the victims, supporting the survivors, celebrating the LGBTQ community, and examining love in today’s world. All material has been kindly donated by the writers, artists, and editors with all proceeds going to victims, survivors, and their families. Be a part of an historic comics event! It doesn’t matter who you love. All that matters is you love. 

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals #2.5) by Alyssa Cole 

     While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she's determined to rediscover her joy--so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.

     When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after

So I hope you get a couple for your own TBR!

And As always Happy Reading!!

            

Freak Show by James St. James

 

To continue with my Pride Month Reads, which showcases LGBTQ books and themes. I just wanted to bring some attention to some young adult books that I read. So this will dictated to those teens and young adults, who even in such an open world still feels rejection, unloved ,and unseen. I want you to know that you are seen, you are loved, and most of all you are accepted.

Synopsis:

Billy Bloom is gay, but it's mostly theoretical, as he hasn't had much experience. When he has to move to Florida, he can't believe his bad luck. His new school is a mix of bible belles, amber zombies, and football heroes -- none of which are exactly his type.

Billy's efforts to fit in and stand out at the same time are both hilarious and heart warming. In this novel from adult author and media personality James St. James, readers are in for a wild ride as he tells Billy's fascinating story of bravado, pain, and unexpected love, inspired by his own experiences.

Love it!!! I definitely loved every moment of this. Freak show reminded me of my friends and I in high school living our blessed POC cis and queer lives. There were moments when I was like " Oh! I did the same thing!" Ha!. And being in drama did not help because everything and everywhere is a stage. This book brought me so much joy and laughter.

And as always Happy Reading!!!

HAPPY JUNETEENTH

 

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. And is consider the African American Independence Day. We celebrate in remembrance of those who did not get to see this day. 

Second-Story Man by Robert P. Rowe

      A really good read. Funny, heart warming, heart breaking, and amazingly heartfelt story. That just worms itself into your soul and doesn't let go. I loved Carlos!! He was just everything!!*sighs* And Michael was a sweet guy. He seemed the strong quiet type but also emotionally damaged; in some ways, they both were.

Synopsis: Offering a would-be thief a second chance is risky—especially when he could steal your heart.

Carlos had it all: a good-paying construction job, a truck, a rental house and his girl. Then he lost his job and everything else along with it. Desperate, he turns to crime—only to fail in his first attempt when he accidentally climbs into the wrong window. Carlos has to rethink his life when his victim becomes his only friend.

Michael has lost too many times in love. Prince Charming won’t be knocking at his door, with its do-not-disturb sign permanently in place, when fate finds Carlos climbing into his window. Michael’s compassion for this down-and-out lost soul turns to friendship. But Michael can’t allow things to go any further and still feel safe from heartbreak.

There are no accidents, and the second-story man discovers that in life and love there can be a second story.

It was an amazing story to read.

Hope you enjoy it, too.

And as always Happy Reading!!

Acrobat by Mary Calmes

Synopsis: Forty-five-year-old English professor Nathan Qells is very good at making people feel important. What he’s not very good at is sticking around afterward. He’s a nice guy; he just doesn’t feel things the way other people do. So even after all the time he’s spent taking care of Michael, the kid across the hall, he doesn’t realize that Michael’s mob muscle uncle and guardian, Andreo Fiore, has slowly been falling in love with him.

Dreo has bigger problems than getting Nate to see him as a potential partner. He’s raising his nephew, trying to leave his unsavory job, and starting his own business, a process made infinitely more difficult when a series of hits takes out some key underworld players. Still, Dreo is determined to build a life he can be proud of—a life with Nate as a cornerstone. A life that is starting to look like exactly what Nate has been looking for. Unfortunately for Dreo—and for Nate—the last hits were just part of a major reorganization, and Dreo’s obvious love for Nate has made him a target too. 

Ugh!!!!!! Why did it have to end!! I know why, but why?! It was so good!!!! It's funny and witty. So sweet and filled with amazing depth. I loved Nate, he was everything. His character made the story. It's like, without him, the story would have fell flat. 

Thanks Mary Calmes for another great read.

And as always Happy Reading!!😎