Review: Beauregard and the Beast by Evie Drae

Beauregard and the Beast
Beauregard and the Beast by Evie Drae

Beauregard and the Beast by Evie Drae is a contemporary romance set in Las Vegas. Bo Wilkins becomes the personal assistant for Adam Littrell, a MMA fighter who’s known as The Beast.

Bo and Adam make such a sweet couple! Bo knows what he wants but lacks confidence. It’s wonderful to see him become more sure of himself. Adam says what he means and follows through. He’s clearly made a solid life for himself and could live up to the nickname he earned in the octagon. Instead, he’s patient and finds Bo’s awkwardness to be charming.

Both guys have instances where they’re worried about how the other person feels. Fortunately, they don’t let those doubts linger. They discuss the issues, instead of becoming over-dramatic and letting problems fester. That leaves more room for romance, which is the perfect mixture of sweet and sexy.

General thoughts:

  • I had strong feelings about the side characters, which means they’re distinctive and well-written. I was glad to see how Lulu matured and changed. Kyle is a lovable troll, who has the best intentions for Adam and Bo.

Favorite Moments:

  • Bo waking Adam up in the mornings.
  • Adam and Bo realizing, at different times, they’d fallen in love.

Questions:

  • Will Bo open his own bookstore?
  • What musical will Adam and Bo go to next?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I’m looking forward to more of Evie Drae’s stories!

Summer 2019 Story Updates

Sand with seashells and starfish.

I’m enjoying Summer 2019, while making progress on my stories. Here’s what’s happening:

Balance: I’m sending this to an editor in September. In the meantime, I already had a gorgeous book cover designed.

The Architect’s Guardian: I’m a few chapters away from completing this current draft. The story is shaping up nicely. I also have ideas for at least one sequel.

Vaironian Tides: This one is still a priority, but I’m mainly focused on Balance.

Review: American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

Cover of American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera. Nesto wearing a blue shirt and looking off into the distance.

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera is a contemporary romance set in New York. Nesto Vasquez takes a big chance and moves his Afro-Caribbean food truck to Upstate New York. He gives himself six months to succeed. While the pace of life is slower than in New York City, there are still challenges. This is clear to Jude Fuller, who’s doing his best to deal with his loneliness. A stop-over at the food truck sets him on a path he didn’t expect. Nesto and Jude have to navigate choosing between opportunities, building trust and balancing a career with having a relationship.

Nesto and Jude have become one of my favorite couples. As much as Nesto tries to focus on his business, he realizes he needs a more balanced life. Jude also can’t help admitting that he wants to be in a deep and fulfilling relationship. Their story is a mix of sweetness and painful realities. Their love scenes are vivid. More importantly, their non-carnal scenes are equally as vivid.

General thoughts:

  • The supporting characters are as lively as our main guys. My favorite is Nurys, Nesto’s mother. Nothing gets past her.
  • If Nesto and Jude jumped off the page and landed right in front of me…well, it would scare the hell out of me, but then I’d hug both of them.
  • You know a book is great, when you start talking to the characters.

Favorite Moments:

  • Nesto thinking about Jude: “He looked like a fashion magazine’s version of a sexy librarian.”
  • Jude noticing Nesto’s mannerisms and loving them: “He used his whole body when he talked, his hands, his shoulders, even his eyebrows.”
  • Nesto and Jude going away for a romantic weekend.

Questions:

  • Can I get OuNYe to deliver?
  • Where do Nesto and Jude go from here?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Book cover for Rafe, by Rebekah Weatherspoon. Rafe looking off to the side. He has red hair and a beard, with a tattoo of a human heart on his neck.

Rebekah Weatherspoon’s “Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny” is a contemporary romance. Dr. Sloan Copeland hires Rafe Whitcomb to take care of Sloan’s twin daughters, Addison and Avery. Rafe and Sloan quickly become attracted to each other. They have to navigate what that means, including addressing the ethical dilemma of what begins as an employer/employee relationship.

Rafe and Sloan have become one of my favorite romance couples. Rafe is confident and his security in his masculinity is incredibly attractive. He’s overall mellow but pulls and pushes in the right amounts. This is perfect for Sloan. As one of the best cardiac surgeons in the country, she’s great with physical matters of the heart but struggles with the emotional elements. Even so, she gathers the courage to let Rafe know her feelings. They’re well-matched and able to grow together.

General Thoughts:

  • Since Rafe and Sloan have excellent communication, the main conflict they experience is external, in the form of Drew, Sloan’s ex-husband.
  • The side characters were fleshed out enough that I could get a strong sense of who they were. Addison and Avery are especially adorable.

Favorite Moments:

  • Rafe teasing Sloan during the “app” conversation.
  • Rafe saying he might want to interview for “the other job.”

Questions:

  • Is “yuriXviktor2k4ever@memail” a “Yuri on Ice” reference?
  • What kind of dog will Rafe and Sloan get?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 50

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Izdahl participates in the opening ceremonies for the Elite Fire Sparring, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 50. Here’s an excerpt:

Izdahl held his head in his hands, momentarily lost as waves of sharp pain cascaded in his skull. He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision. When his eyesight stopped blurring, Metienne was the first person he saw. She loomed over him and grinned. She casually touched his shirt with one index finger and it burst into flames. Smoke curled off Izdahl, as he used his water elemental powers to put out the fire. As steam rose off him, he took a deep breath, to get his temper under control.


Review: A Princess in Theory

Alyssa Cole’s A Princess in Theory is a contemporary romance that’s part of the Reluctant Royals series.

Summary: Naledi Smith is a busy grad student who keeps receiving emails about being betrothed to an African prince. Naturally, she doesn’t take that seriously, but life is strange and the emails turn out to be true.

Prince Thabiso, of Thesolo, has a duty to marry and searches for Naledi, the woman destined to be his wife. There’s a major misunderstanding, which is the source of humor and also strife.

Thabiso started out quite arrogant and a bit devious. Still, overtime, he managed to charm me. I saw the best of him once he returned to the palace and was more in his element. That helped support why Naledi had taken such a chance on him. Considering all that was thrown at her, she handled the situation well. She has spent most of her life with little support. So, to believe in Thabiso meant dealing with a huge impact on her life.

General thoughts:

  • The story felt a little rush towards the end. I wish there was more exploration of why her parents left Thesolo. There was an explanation but it could have been more detailed.
  • There are great side-characters, especially Likotsi, Thabiso’s Executive Assistant. Nya and most of the others we meet back in Thesolo are quite likeable too.

Favorite Moments:

  • Thabiso and Naledi cooking together.
  • Thabiso and Naledi in the cave.
  • Quiet conversations in Mrs. Garcia’s apartment and back at the palace.

Questions:

  • Will we get to see Naledi and Thabiso again?
  • How will Naledi handle being a princess?
  • On a lighter note, will Naledi introduce Nya to New York style pizza?

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Alyssa Cole. I’m looking forward to more of her romances!

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 49

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Armando and Izdahl make more memories at the cabin, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 49. Here’s an excerpt:

The next morning, Izdahl rested casually by Armando, his head propped up on his left hand. He smiled, as Armando awakened and his lover’s vibrant hazel eyes adjusted to the light.

“Seriously?” Armando asked. “You watch me sleep?”

“Yes. It’s the first time you’ve caught me doing it.”

“I don’t know how I feel about that.”

Izdahl tousled his lover’s hair. “Be honored by my stealth admiration.”