READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LIGHTING THE LAMP (Portland Timberwolves, #3) by AJ Alexander

I can’t stop looking at her like she’s the only thing keeping me upright.

Lighting the Lamp, an all-new childhood friends to lovers, slow burn, small town hockey romance and the third standalone book in the Portland Timberwolves Series from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

BLURB

I’ve always known exactly who I was: the calm and steady one. The goalie with the best save percentage in the league. The Hendrix brother who never let anyone down. Until my body stopped playing by the rules and suddenly, I’m the one who needs saving.

I came home to heal, not to fall for Alise Moore.

My childhood best friend. The girl who’s always been my safe place. The one person I’ve never had to pretend with.

But now we’re older. Everything’s messier. And I can’t stop looking at her like she’s the only thing keeping me upright.

She’s soft where the world’s been sharp. Quiet, but never weak. And when she looks at me like I’m still whole, even when I don’t feel like it, I start to wonder if maybe I could be.

Hockey was always the plan.

But Alise Moore?

She’s the reason I’ll fight to stay standing. 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE LIGHTING THE LAMP (Portland Timberwolves, #3) . . . Healing Friends-to-Lovers Story That Proves Childhood Love is the Only Safe Place

The Goalie Who Fell

If you love your sports romance with deep, gut-wrenching vulnerability and a love that acts as a lifeline, then Lighting the Lamp is the book that hits the net. This installment is an exquisitely painful and perfectly satisfying childhood best friends, wounded hero story that reminds us why the entire Portland Timberwolves family is pure fire. 🔥 We know these heroes, and watching Beau fall is the most intense ride yet.

The hero, Beau—the calm, steady goalie who never let anyone down—always knew who he was. Until his body betrayed him. When he comes home, the trauma of his injury brings the intense vulnerability we've come to expect from the Hendrix brothers. You will feel every single agonizing moment as he struggles to feel whole again.

He came home to heal, not to fall for Elise Moore. But Elise, his childhood best friend and the one person he’s never had to pretend with, becomes his quiet, non-negotiable anchor. The transition from "safe place" to passionate lover is messy, intense, and wonderfully complex. You'll absolutely love the familiar back and forth trash talking between them—it’s hilarious and perfectly shows their lifelong bond and easy chemistry. And, of course, the heart and wisdom provided by mama is exactly the grounding force these men need.

This is the kind of powerful, adult romance we crave. The stakes are immense, but watching Beau realize that his fight to stand tall isn't for hockey anymore—it's for Elise—is the kind of emotional payoff that makes this series unbeatable. Prepare for high angst, stunning chemistry, and an HEA that is fiercely earned within the love of this unforgettable hockey family.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Entertaining Great world building Wonderful characters Page-turner Easy-to-read Romantic Hockey (Should I say more)

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/45ZAZx3   

Add Lighting the Lamp to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/ltlpt3gr  

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.authorajalexander.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - SELFIE (Lessons in Love, #3) by Kay Cove

Don’t settle for a man who tells you he loves you. Choose one who shows you.

Selfie, an all-new forced proximity, age-gap, billionaire romance and the third standalone book in the Lessons in Love Series from bestselling author Kay Cove is now available!

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When my mom passed, I made her a promise that I’d take care of my little sister.

Then I find out my fiancé tricked me into draining her trust fund. There’s only one thing to do—make it right. At all costs. It’s my job to protect her…and I failed. 

Luckily, I come across a job opening as an executive assistant in a new state. Between the generous salary and a place to stay, it’s a no-brainer. Time to start over.

The only problem is that my new boss is a nightmare. The job description left out the part about working for Las Vegas’s biggest billionaire bosshole. And the worst part? He’s trying to get rid of me.

But Nathan Hatcher is dead wrong if he thinks his permanent scowl and impossible tasks are enough to make me quit. I only need to survive one year to secure the salary advance. Besides, what’s far scarier than my boss is the idea of letting my mom and sister down. 

But it’s not long before I realize that there’s a fine line between hate and lust. A tragic secret lies behind Nathan’s broody stare, and the man I loathe may want me more than he hates me.

Even worse? With the way my heart races every time he enters a room…I seem to want him too.

 

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AYqFsB

Add Selfie to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/skcgr

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . ELFIE (Lessons in Love, #3) by Kay Cove. . . Billionaire Bosshole Meets His Match: A Scorching, Redemptive Romance!

"Don’t settle for a man who tells you he loves you. Choose one who shows you." This defining statement perfectly encapsulates the emotional depth and ultimate payoff of SELFIE, which absolutely hooked me as my first read by Kay Cove!

This is an all-consuming, age-gap, forced-proximity billionaire romance that pits two fiercely broken people against each other. Our heroine, Spencer, is a woman who been through a lot at an early age and became a better, independent woman for her trials in life. Now, driven by a promise to her late mother and a devastating betrayal, she takes a job as an executive assistant with a plan: survive for one year, secure the salary advance, and protect her sister.

The only thing standing in her way is Nathan Hatcher, Las Vegas's biggest "bosshole." Nathan is broody, perpetually scowling, and actively trying to make her quit. The forced proximity of them working and living together ignites an intense, thrilling dynamic as Spencer refuses to back down. What starts as a clash of wills soon reveals a fine line between hate and lust.

I was captivated by the mystery behind Nathan's walls. We learn that a tragic secret lies behind his cold stare, proving that the man who seems to hate her actually wants her more. This story is a beautiful blend of steam and sacrifice, proving that even a powerful billionaire must learn to show his love rather than just command it. If you crave intense chemistry and deep character redemption, do not skip this compelling tale of love and longing!

Start the Lessons in Love Series today: https://amzn.to/4jZQHNi 

For more information about Kay Cove and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.kaycove.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - CHEAP SHOT (Portland Timberwolves, #2) by AJ Alexander

 Coach has one rule: don’t touch his daughter

Cheap Shot, an all-new brother’s best friend, single mom, small town, hockey romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

BLURB

After a heartbreaking loss in the Western Conference Championship, I’m stuck with an ultimatum: play for the Timberwolves or kiss my professional hockey career goodbye. Left with no other option, I move back to my small town, determined to prove I can make my own way—free from the shadow of my older brother’s success. Then I literally run into Michele Mercer.

Sparks ignite between us the moment I lay eyes on her—frustration and attraction blending into something I can’t ignore. Michele is headstrong, independent, and refuses to take crap from anyone, especially me. But when she’s assigned as my physiotherapist, I think I’ve found my chance—until I discover she’s the coach’s daughter and completely off-limits.

I should focus on making it into the starting line up. I should remember that the only person I can count on is myself. But the closer I get to Michele, the more I forget everything but her.

Coach has one rule: don’t touch his daughter or you’re off the team. My problem? I can’t stop thinking about her, and the last thing I’m going to do is let her go. 

𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐩 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟐 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . CHEAP SHOT (Portland Timberwolves, #2) . . . Forbidden Ice: The Coach's Daughter is a Cheap Shot of Undeniable Heat! "There was just something about the coach's daughter that he could not resist or obey a direct order," and this book is a steamy penalty box of forbidden desire! As a fan of hockey romances and AJ Alexander's incredible storytelling, this one delivers on all counts. I especially appreciate how this is another authentic and heartfelt interracial romance. Our hero, a hockey player facing an ultimatum after a heartbreaking loss, moves back to his small town to play for the Timberwolves. He's determined to prove himself, but then he literally runs into Michele Mercer. The spark between them is instant—a blend of frustration and scorching attraction that he can't ignore. Michele is everything the hero needs: headstrong, independent, and unwilling to take crap from anyone. But when she's assigned as his physiotherapist, the stakes get dangerously high. He quickly learns she's the coach's daughter and completely off-limits—with the strict rule: don't touch his daughter or you're off the team. The heat is deliciously palpable as the hero fights his attraction. He should focus on the starting lineup; he should keep his distance. But the closer he gets to Michele, the more he forgets everything but her. The desperate struggle to maintain distance while their passion ignites is absolutely intense. He can't stop thinking about her, and the last thing he's going to do is let her go. This is a must-read, sexy, brother's best friend, single mom romance that proves some rules are meant to be broken.

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/cheapshot

Add Cheap Shot to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/cheapshotgr  

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.authorajalexander.com

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READ-2-REVEIW - CONTEMPORARY - A SCORING CHANCE (Portland Timberwolves, #1) by AJ Alexander

  Just one smile from her sets my entire world ablaze.

A Scoring Chance, an all-new small town, interracial, hockey romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

BLURB

After a devastating knee injury puts my professional hockey career on ice, I find myself in the last place I want to be—back in my small hometown, coaching peewee hockey. I’m determined to focus on my comeback—until Ramona King shows up at my first practice.

Just one smile from her sets my entire world ablaze. I want to know everything about her. But there’s a problem. She’s the mother of one of my players and my sister-from-another-mister’s best friend, making her completely off-limits.

I should focus on getting back to my team. I should remember I have no time for anything besides hockey. But the more time I spend with Ramona and her son, the more the lines between what I should do and what I want start to blur.

Hockey has always been my life, but now, all I know for certain is the one thing I won’t do is walk away from her.

 

THE BOOK JUNKIE READS . . . REVIEW OF . . . A SCORING CHANCE (Portland Timberwolves, #1) . . .  Off the Ice and Onto the Heart: A Must-Read Forbidden Hockey Romance!

AJ Alexander hits the back of the net with A SCORING CHANCE, an all-new, deeply satisfying small-town, interracial hockey romance and the start of the Portland Timberwolves series! As a huge hockey fan, I loved diving into this world.

Cooper hendricks, a professional hockey player, is grounded after a devastating knee injury, forcing him back to his small hometown to coach peewee hockey. He's determined to focus on his comeback, but fate has other plans in the form of Ramona King.

“Just one smile from her sets my entire world ablaze.”

Ramona is the mother of one of his players and, complicating things further, she's his "sister-from-another-mister's" best friend, making her completely off-limits. The internal conflict is amazing! He should focus on his career, and he should keep his distance, but the more time he spends with Ramona and her son, the more those lines blur.

I especially love how AJ Alexander crafts real-life couples and mixes cultures in her stories. This connection felt authentic and grounded, adding wonderful depth to the drama. The journey from "off-limits" to undeniable is intense and heart-melting. He realizes that while hockey has always been his life, the one thing he won't walk away from is Ramona.

If you love the forbidden romance trope, emotional depth, and watching a professional athlete find love and new purpose in a small town, then A SCORING CHANCE is the perfect game-winner!

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZPymtJ 

Add A Scoring Chance to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/ascagr  

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.authorajalexander.com

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READ-2-REVEIW - LBTQ+ PNR - PHOENIX FOUND (Brothers of Fire, #5) by TJ Nichols

He wants to spread his wings...but can he trust them when he's never been allowed to fly?

Phoenix Found, an all-new M/M, shifter romance and the final book in the Brothers of Fire series from bestselling author TJ Nichols is now available!

BLURB

Perrin Shade’s family has worked for the phoenix shifters for hundreds of years. It was always assumed he would do the same. But as his thirtieth birthday approaches, the restlessness he’s kept hidden grows. He only knows Mont de Leucoy. He’s never had a chance to explore the world. But there is a reason his family sought sanctuary in the kingdom…

He is the kind of paranormal being that many would like to forget exists. The kinds that even paranormals hunted.

A ghoul.

Oliver has spent the last ten years being told that he is a danger to others. That the Coven would hunt and kill him if they found him and that his parents abandoned him. Now, he is being told that is all a lie.

He is a phoenix shifter and his brothers have been searching for him. They claim to know him, but how can they when he doesn’t know himself?

They have their history, their duties, and their expectations. He should be embracing all of this, but instead, all he wants to do is leave before the weight of the past crushes him. The only person who treats him as if he isn’t broken is the castle handyman, Perrin.

Can a man who is really a monster help the man who is convinced he is a monster learn how to live and love?

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4gadDrG

Add Phoenix Found to Goodreads:  https://tinyurl.com/pftngr 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . PHOENIX FOUND (Brothers of Fire, #5) . . . Found Family, Hidden Monsters, and an Intense M/M Battle for Self-Acceptance!

PHOENIX FOUND is a gripping and deeply emotional M/M paranormal shifter romance that serves as the perfect final book in the Brothers of Fire series. TJ Nichols masterfully explores two incredibly broken men struggling with identity and self-worth, making this an intense story of self-discovery.

On one side, we have Oliver, the missing phoenix who has finally found his brothers. For ten years, he was convinced he was a danger, hunted by the Coven, and abandoned. Now he is being told that is all a lie. Yet, with his history and expectations weighing on him, he feels like a complete stranger in his own family, wanting desperately to run before the past crushes him.

On the other is Perrin Shade, the castle handyman and the hero Oliver finds comfort with. Perrin has worked for the phoenix shifters for centuries, but as his thirtieth birthday approaches, the deep restlessness inside grows. He is a ghoul, a being many paranormals fear and hunt, and he's spent his life hiding his status. He wants to spread his wings, but can he trust the world when he's never been allowed to fly?

The core of this romance is the question: Can a man who is really a monster help the man who is convinced he is a monster learn how to live and love? Their connection is the healing force they both desperately need. This book is a beautiful, intense journey of accepting the monstrous parts of yourself and realizing you are not broken. A spectacular, emotional conclusion to the series!

Start the Brothers of Fire series, FREE in KU → https://amzn.to/4gcVedE  

Keep Reading for a look inside Phoenix Found!

“I know there’s a lot going on, but can I catch you about the repairs to the hunting lodge?” Perrin called after Malcolm after following him inside. A lot going on was a bit of an understatement.

The missing phoenix had returned to the castle. Dalmon’s engagement to Lucian had been officially announced, and Kaine now had a fated mate. The last time there’d been as much going on in the castle had been after the Queen’s death, and Everest had been a baby.

Perrin had been ten.

Old enough to understand what was going on. Old enough to be aware that while his father worked in the castle, and he’d grown up with Kaine, who was only a few years older, he wasn’t part of the family. He wasn’t a phoenix. Though there had been plenty of times that he wished he was.

Even at ten, he’d been aware it was best to keep his paranormal status hidden, even from other paranormals.

Malcolm stopped and turned. “How bad is it?”

While control of the repairs had been handed to Malcolm, all that meant was that Perrin needed Malcolm’s approval before he progressed to the next stage. They had discussed the immediate actions that needed to be taken to secure and protect the buildings, but now decisions needed to be made.

He pulled his notebook out of his pocket. “If you want to go through the details, we can, but you’re going to want to set aside a couple of hours. Or you can have a quick rundown.”

“Perrin hoped he’d opt for the quick option and approve whatever repairs Perrin suggested without too many questions, as it would make his life easier.

Malcolm didn’t groan, but his shoulders slumped as if he didn’t want to do it but thought he should. “I’ll schedule that for tomorrow. Can I message you?”

“Sure.” Because Perrin had nothing better to do than wait for Malcolm to ask questions when Perrin had already come up with the best option. “Do you want the thirty-second version?”

Malcolm nodded.

“The main house and the hunting lodge are both secure, though if another storm rolls through, I don’t like the lodge’s chances. The damage was extensive, both from the storm and the fire. The main house only needs some window repairs. The internal damage is all cosmetic.”

Malcolm frowned as though he didn’t understand why he needed to set aside a couple of hours. “So fix the main building first?”

“This is where it gets tricky. If you ignore the lodge, then it’s likely to become further damaged. I’ve had a team of guys out there relocating anything of historic significance, but we can’t get a removal truck out there because of the snow.” The snow and the storms were going to make all repairs dicey. Particularly if a storm hit while they were only halfway through a roof. It was possible for all the work to be undone. “I have a plan.” Which Malcolm would no doubt go through line by line. “And if you want the details and input, we need to sit down.”

Or you can leave me alone and tell me to get on with it.

Laughter and squealing rang on the stone walls. A dark-haired little girl wearing a burning T-shirt and track pants ran past them, holding a fireball.

Perrin glanced at Malcolm. Burning three-year-olds was not his department. Malcolm stared at the girl as if he had no idea what to do, and she glanced back, grinning.

For more information about TJ Nichols and their books, visit their website: 

http://tjnichols-author.com 

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