Christina Diane: Avoiding the Merry Viscount

 2025 ARC read

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242472316-avoiding-the-merry-viscount

Elias (MMC) Viscount Snowden is a rake and has sworn off love from an early age his parents were a love match which was pretty rare for matches in the Ton.  At a young age around Christmas time Elias's mother dies tragically after an unfortunate accident his father is heartbroken and he makes a vow at that time to never fall in love after seeing how his father has been grieving the loss of his mother and has never remarried Elias decides it would be too painful to "love" and keeps his relationships simple not tying himself down to anyone and to play the field... yes he is a Rake. 

Lydia sees herself if not in love on her way to loving her betrothed at the beginning of the book and seeing as they are getting closer to her wedding with the man of her dreams she feels that she figures it's close enough to let him take some liberties with her.  Sneaking out of her home in the middle of the night and into her fiancé's home she finds more than she bargained for when she catches him in a compromising situation... never again will she fall for a smooth talking rake.  Thankfully Lydia's father is able to cancel any further arrangements with this cad.  Lydia has decided she will marry for love or not at all she needs a man to be faithful not a playboy heartbreaker.

The holiday season is here and everyone loves a good house party so Elias finds himself at his families country estate where his sister (with the assistance of an older family member) is hosting the event.  His sister has made sure to invite his friends and hers along with some other members of the Ton that were nice to her this season... but one of them happens to be a young widow that Elias had previous relations with but he ended a few years prior she just hasn't got the hint that things are over. 

I enjoyed the banter that Elias shared with his 3 younger sisters and his father you could tell how much they loved each other.  Lydia and her parents have also joined the house party while initially Lydia is determined to stay far away from the handsome rakes at the party.  

Diana (the sister) has set up many activities to get the single men and ladies to work together and get to know each other better and Elias has his eyes on Diana's beautiful friend Lydia... but even though she finds herself drawn to Elias and knows his reputation would it be more than a house party flirtation... he has been getting around and she wants true love would he ever give up his rakish ways for one woman? 

Some extra drama occurs when the young widow gets involved in a plan to try to separate Lydia and Elias thinking that it will push Elias towards her again.  When Lydia finds herself in a dangerous situation with her spurned ex will Elias be able to realize his feelings in time to come to the rescue or is their relationship doomed from the start?  

This was an enjoyable quick read and once I got into it I couldn't put it down.  This was a shorter book so while I know everything had to happen quicker I did find it a bit unrealistic for our Rake to go from "not going to wed for years" to "all in" in a matter of a few days leaving an insta lust/love feel.  Lydia once deciding that she couldn't avoid Elias and stating she didn't expect anything more from him then what he could give very soon after was acting jealous and wanting to know how he felt about her you two just met a day or so ago give him time lady!  

I did enjoy the leads together and the book had a lot of fun side characters that I hope will make appearances in the rest of the series.  Looking forward to the next book in this series!  

*Netgalley  *reformed rake  *quick read  *historical romance  *spice *house party *holiday romance 

*Grief (loss of mother MMC) *insta lust/love  *strong independent FMC  *drama with exes (ex lovers)

*happy ending

ARC Opportunities: November 14, 2025

 

If you are looking for a new author/your next read consider being an ARC reader/reviewer I have been doing a lot of ARC reads this year and finding a lot of new to me authors with amazing books that don't always get the hype that the more popular authors get.  

Leaving reviews matter especially for Indie authors the more reviews that a book has the more it gets shown to others as an option to read.  

Thank you for supporting Indie Authors 💓

If you are an author with an upcoming ARC opportunity and want me to place it in my next ARC opportunities blog post let me know!  

I've added good reads links for if you are interested in the book but can't commit to the ARC read and review timelines.   These ARC opportunities were taken from the authors original posts. 

*I try to not submit duplicates from week to week but I have been doing the arc opportunities post for a few months now and I'm sure that a duplicate might slip in from time to time.

1.      Alexa Michaels:  Silent Night Sins

a.      No good reads link yet

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM8Lvv-iNACN1Cap3MPgYhxscHnzD9qavr42Hw-LNkB6PRTQ/viewform

c.      Silent Night Sins is a dark novella set in the criminal Underworld of Alexa's mafia romances. It is a standalone story. 

Releasing November 21st, 2025. ARCs are expected to go out the Monday before; they will be delivered via Book Funnel.

 

* Break-In

*Chasing

*Dark Fantasy Fullfillment

*Creative Use of Christmas Decorations

*Masked Man

*Primal Play

*Bondage

*Impact Play

*Adult Language

*On Page Adult Holday Fun (Smexy Time)

*Underworld Violence

2.      J.L. Koontz:  A Frostwood Christmas Mystery

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240134515-a-frostwood-christmas-mystery?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=fbpvGfa7cK&rank=1

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdacr0rXkCnxID0Yvs7pliYBUPirPlpO73UoBHC5zoLqRYVBw/viewform

c.       She was looking for a new start. She found a town with a deadly secret.

Investigative journalist Grace Carrington's life is in pieces. After losing her high-profile job in Nashville, she inherits a house in the picturesque, Christmas-obsessed town of Frostwood, Minnesota, from a grandmother she barely knew. Seeing it as a sign, she packs her bags, ready for a quiet life of small-town charm and cozy winters.

But Frostwood's idyllic facade cracks when the town's beloved Santa Claus, a man who is the heart of their holiday traditions, vanishes without a trace.

Grace's journalistic instincts ignite. Teaming up with the handsome, by-the-book local deputy, Jack Manning, she begins to peel back the layers of Frostwood's cheerful exterior. She soon discovers that her grandmother's past is deeply entangled in the town's most cherished secrets, and that a dangerous conspiracy lurks beneath the festive lights.

In a town where everyone knows your name, but no one is telling the truth, Grace must unravel the mystery of the disappearing Santa before the Christmas magic of Frostwood is lost forever. But in a town hiding so many secrets, is there anyone she can truly trust?

3.      Tilly Tait:  Unwrapping Christmas

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243155603-unwrapping-christmas?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15

b.     https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/243798/unwrapping-christmas-a-hartwood-bay-christmas-novella?fbclid=IwY2xjawODJ21leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0M05kdjV0bWNiTXJNM0NCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHum9yrq8VqwTvEgGLc36PfYhj9Sz0uWk7Ei6baUtwQQPf-kCd9f8RPIiLNYr_aem_ny0mDOu1zVSMZyeIwnOHcg

c.      Patrick Nable moved back to Hartwood Bay following the breakdown of his loveless marriage. With the single minded determination that has seen him become the well respected high school principal that he is, he focuses on raising his teenage daughter, Cora. He likes his routines and his life in order, unlike that annoyingly alluring neighbour of his.

4.      LO Gold:  Frost

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243143921-frost?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mdr7tOmbc5elWletLQWxZuwkIw7H5w_q6Q381s1UooU/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawODJ7lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0M05kdjV0bWNiTXJNM0NCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkeI2pbSavqtYLKBn4RWJAA6DWLv4i6w0DTxrkT2U4eqZ4ThFsjvg5CM2zX6_aem_4fs-HWnySqQ17jZmK3RBYA&edit_requested=true

c.      Jack I’m a monster, a beast, a creature of shadow and legend, something children are warned about while they snuggle up by the cozy fire. I am cold, frigid, lifeless death. I’m Jack Frost.

Cursed to an eternity of wandering the woods, reaping the souls of worthless humans once every year, my existence is bathed in blood and isolation. Until her — my litill snær. Her presence in my woods brings light to the dead of Winter for the first time in a long time. But could she truly learn to love a beast?

Elisa I hate Christmas. All these cheery, happy, nuclear families huddled around the fire make me nauseous. It’s a time to celebrate with the ones you love. But everyone I loved died, leaving me alone. Which is why I decided to travel this year for the holidays. I thought that getting away for a while might help bring some holiday cheer back into my life.

I’ve never been more wrong. Now I’m stranded half way around the world with a man I’ve never met, isolated in a snowed-in cabin. And there’s something out there, something lurking in the shadows of the woods, something watching me

Frost is a dark Christmas story featuring a monster that falls for a mortal. While the story does end with a sweet HEA, the path there is bathed in blood. Proceed with caution.

5.      A.A. Fairview:  Aliens in my stockings

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241835277-aliens-in-my-stockings?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=jkoqqUbe8N&rank=1

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5xDVI2nolTImR2pUL0nVhkG6gexbrYSV5ts6tP5aKl5BdTQ/viewform

c.      Home for the holidays, Temperance would rather be anywhere else in the world– or off it. Alien abduction is a dream come true. Her alien captors, Chyme and Ivx, should follow protocol and release the Earthling

Except Chyme is absolutely sure this woman needs their help. Why else would she be so calm about her abduction? Ivx prefers to follow the rules that Chyme loves to break, but as they travel the stars it’s clear the duo is better as a trio.

There’s one big Temperance travel onboard the ship breaks intergalactic law. Once they reach their destination, it’ll take a Christmas Miracle to keep them all together.

6.      Erin Graves:  Nine Holidays Falling

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242544337-nine-holidays-falling?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeml4eL0-0dgCWgGrZYEg4pvk9UG6dRftxB2QErT_-FVVJhXg/viewform

c.      Sadie Winslow

I never expected to run into my sister’s ex-boyfriend at that New Year’s Eve party. I should’ve known it was a possibility—I mean, it was his hometown—but I never thought he’d be at THAT party.

Then the Valentine's date from hell—not even close to his hometown? And the Memorial Day barbecue and Fourth of July festival? What was happening?

It was a surprise when my sister told me they split up, but I understood it after the stories she told. Now though? I’m struggling to believe he’s really as bad as she said.

Nothing’s adding up anymore.

Reid Alexander

Running into my ex’s younger sister wasn’t on my bingo card for the year, but I’d never hold the sins of my ex against Sadie. Just because her sister was a witch doesn’t mean she is.

And with every run-in, it’s getting harder and harder to deny that Sadie might be the Winslow sister I was always supposed to be with.

If only I could figure out why she hates me so much…

7.      Amy Ressa:  Inherit The Stars

a.      Did not see good reads link yet

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAmuhlnakzjzAnjDyJTb-BlvpXXFWTqliJiw9FnPXLfFRPXA/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawODKrxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0M05kdjV0bWNiTXJNM0NCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhQeJ4UCxgW4zH6YpOtR09q3Q4Tgt9auPv5fJejCo8tEhuSDUau-D5eAb411_aem_PWDrawmHgGwrYw476Q9RZA

c.      She was born in the shadow of a tyrant. Now she must rise into the light - or be consumed by it.

Cyra is a gifted healer with an addiction to using her own dangerous magic. When her mother vanishes and a royal summons drags her into the militant court of House Mars, she’s forced to confront the truth she’s spent her entire life hiding - about her power, her bloodline, and the legacy she was born to inherit.

Lord Zevran, the brooding and battle-worn ruler of House Mars, suffers from a mysterious affliction only Cyra can soothe. Their nightly healing sessions begin to blur the line between duty and desire, binding them in ways neither of them expects.

But when a masked stranger made of darkness itself saves her life, Cyra is drawn into a web of secrets, seduction, and betrayal.

With a Conclave looming and the solar system teetering on the edge of destruction, Cyra must decide who to trust, who to love - and whether to embrace or destroy the monsters she’s heir to.

8.      Glenda Horsfall:  Angelo

a.      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154020082-angelo?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=rezVKzKcqu&rank=4

b.     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoYqthEZlIxKFWH8jxDAovKnuIttXAICoB0W2qKpBOR0sFYA/viewform

c.      Angelo is the new head of the Russo Famiglia, a job that he has been working for his entire life. He’s always known he will be married to a woman of his father’s choosing, but that didn’t stop him sowing his oats beforehand, right?

 

When he meets a woman in the club who takes his breath away, he’s delighted to see her a few weeks later when being introduced to his new fiance.

 

Cin wants out of her abusive relationship and after a night with Angelo, she knows she wants more. He is her ticket out of her life, if he’ll accept her..

 

When their wedding turns bloody Angelo will do anything to save his new wife. No one threatens his family and gets away with it.

 

Can Angelo find who shot his wife? Will he give them a reprieve? How will Cin feel about it?

Terra Weiss: Send Off

 Beaver County Prequel 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241103502-send-off

This story starts out with a heartbreaking loss Sawyer McDavid is a NHL star and in the middle of a game when he gets some of the worst news he could ever get from his twin sister's best friend who was at the game waiting for her arrival... she isn't coming she passed away suddenly while at ballet practice and now neither of them will ever be the same she was the light in their world.

While everyone deals with grief their own way Sawyer has been going through the motions he played out the end of his contract but now that it's ended what's next?  He really feels that nothing has had much meaning since losing his twin sister all she wanted was for him to come home for Christmas and he told her he couldn't make it and now she's gone, feeling it might be time to hang up his skates everyone wants to know what he's doing and he just wants to shut himself away at his parents house and forget everything else exists.

Dylan has been grieving in her own way as well putting more and more of herself into her work as a corporate lawyer and feeling really unfulfilled with a boss that could rival Scrooge she sees news that Sawyer has disappeared from the hockey world while he's still at the top of his game, feeling that she owed it to her best friend to not let her brother fall so deep into grief she does something unexpected in the middle of a big case she tells her boss she has a family emergency and goes to her bestie's childhood home to get Sawyer out of his funk.

Dylan has never been super close with her own strict family but she has always felt welcome with Eleanor's family and now that she is staying with them getting closer to her college nemesis (Sawyer) she is really seeing that he might not be as bad as she used to think... especially after their rocky past.

Next thing you know they are doing things they never in a million years thought to be doing when they find Eleanor's present to both of them that they were supposed to receive the year prior, wanting to honor her memory they find themselves going along with the scavenger hunt that she planned for them where every day they are given a new task that pushes them out of their comfort zone and closer together when they complete a task they get a code to unlock a lock to the next days task.  

Both are very competitive and not one to back down from a challenge even when it involves wearing tights for several tasks they want to find out what Eleanor had planned for them and doing what she planned for them to do last year helps them both feel like she's still with them in a way.

I loved how Sawyer and Dylan while working together on their hunt, discussing their grief and seeing each other in a new way (or perhaps just realizing deeply buried feelings that they have always had) are able to help each other see what is truly important in life.  It's time for both of them to make important career decisions but what will they do when one choice could change everything.    

Could they really be together outside of this magical holiday vacation?  Or does their time together have an expiration date and this will just be a cherished memory to think back on?  

This is a really sweet cozy holiday read that will have you rooting for them to realize that they were made for each other.  I love how Dylan helps heal Sawyer and his parents too she was just what their family needed and she needed them just as much.  

This book will give you all the feels 💓.  While it is a hockey book there is minimal hockey involved (more at the beginning and end with brief discussions about what Sawyer's future plans are) but that didn't take away from the story which focused more on a great loss and how to move forward in a healthy way while still dealing with grief. 

*Hockey Romance  *Best friends twin brother *holiday romance  *dealing with grief 

*hallmark meets spice  *Book Sirens ARC read  *Forced Proximity  *Grumpy/Sunshine  

*frienemies to more *banter  *small town

Fake off (next book in series):  https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/2025/09/terra-weiss-fake-off.html

Anyone who needs mental health-, suicide- or substance use-related crisis support, or who has a loved one in crisis, can call, text, or chat 988 (as long as telephone, cellular or internet services are available) and reach a crisis counselor who will provide skilled, caring support.

L.B. Dunbar: The Holiday Post

 Hideaway Harbor Book 4 - 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241057938

To begin we have Lumi who is in her early 40's she's always been used to taking care of others first her younger sisters then working hard to take care of her son as a single mom and now she is facing her first holiday season as an empty nester since her adult son is out in the world living his life and has told her he can't make it home for Christmas so she has thrown herself into her work as the postmaster in town and working for her families auto shop. 

Saint (it's his nickname but it fits) is a silver fox Santa look alike anyways he is driving in his luxury vehicle heading home where he's needed most as it's a busy time of year for his families business when he gets caught in a snow storm in the middle of nowhere and runs into a sign (so he doesn't hit the town's dog... it's a thing his owner passed away so he just goes where he feels like in the town and the people take care of him).  Now he is stuck spending the night in his car with limited cell service the next morning in comes Lumi to pick up his car and bring it to her shop. 

Saint needs multiple expensive and hard to get parts to fix his car he is now in a place where he has to extend his stay unexpectedly but all the rooms at any local hotel/motel/Inn are full, working out a deal with Lumi is his best option... she reluctantly at first allows him to take her spare bedroom her son isn't coming home and he offers to pay very fairly for the room.  

There are hints throughout the book as to what Saint and his family do for work, but it's never actually 100% told to us as the readers leaving us to wonder is he or isn't he?  Our couple gets close quickly during Saint's extended stay leaving to it feeling like an insta lust/love situation towards the middle of the book.  A lot of repetition surrounds the topic of our couple really liking each other a lot but he is leaving soon and she has always wanted to travel but never had the opportunity being stuck in this town.  Can they make their relationship work long term when they know already there is an expiration date on his time in town?  Will she ever be able to take time for herself and let herself go on those amazing trips she always wanted to go on?  Could they go together?  

This is the second in this series that I was able to get as an ARC read and it didn't disappoint it's exactly what I want from a holiday romance warm, friendly, sometimes cheesy (it's part of the charm) with a little holiday magic mixed in it was a super sweet quick read! 

There are mentions of some other characters from other books in the series but you don't need to read the books in order as they are complete stand alones.  If you are looking for a book (s) to kick off your holiday reading make sure this series is on your list!  

Have you read any of the books in this series?  Which one was your favorite?  

*Netgalley ARC read  *Age Gap  *couple over 40  *Spice  *holiday magic  

*small town romance *forced proximity *2nd chance for romance  *single mom (adult son)/empty nest

*hallmark vibes  *cozy read  *rom com  *secret identity  *insta lust/love  

Other ARC read in this series blog post : https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/2025/10/evie-alexander-holiday-fakers.html

*Possible spoiler

-->  I was hoping that the dog would end up going home with Saint  

Reina Everhart: Kissed on Christmas

ARC read 2025 --> Book Sirens

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243384811-kissed-on-christmas

Josie is a librarian she loves the holidays and is a ray of sunshine on the outside everyone sees her that way but inside she is a little bit lonely she lives above the library and doesn't have anyone "special" in her life.  

Wanting to get away for a bit of holiday fun she goes up to a mountain cabin with some family then the first day they get there they decide to go on a hike to see a frozen waterfall where they get separated in a sudden snow storm.  Josie gets brought back to a cabin by a stranger who at first doesn't even want her to know his name he has hidden secrets and has enjoyed his solitude for too long she shouldn't be up here with her warmth and holiday cheer.

Weylan Frost is grumpy and he also isn't fully human he is a guardian of the mountain and keeps the cold from consuming the town below... Josie's town.  In his "guardian" form he is some kind of Yeti/abominable snowman and used to many being frightened by him is surprised that Josie is not only not frightened by him... she continues to want to get closer to him while he spends a good portion of the book trying to keep walls up around his icy heart and her at a distance.

Weylan worries about Josie becoming too comfortable in his home... she can't stay it's not her place and he doesn't want anyone to be stuck in his current position as a guardian (which he's been for an unknown amount of time but it's been hundreds of years (?)) he has watched everyone he loved come and go and he remains it's better to be by himself watching over the town from a distance... but what if she wants to stay?  How would that even look for this guarded guardian with the heart of gold?  He did go out into the storm to save Josie after all    --> it's almost like he was drawn to her before he even met her.    

This is a sweet romance that has holiday magic along with paranormal/mythological elements and shows that sometimes you just need to let a little love in to warm your frosty heart.  This is part of a series but this is the only one that I've read so far and found it to be fine as a stand alone.  

I did find myself confused at times during the book I felt that I might have missed something  our characters would be in the cabin then they would all of a sudden be talking about walking around outside... when did they go outside?  they were in the cabin then no transition.  There is a lot of mentions about the glowing boundaries and the wards etc... but it doesn't give much back story about how Weylan got into this position or how long he's been doing this, I would have liked more information on that.

I had no sense really of how much time was passing in the story throughout most of the book and Josie doesn't seem to be all that concerned about if the family she went up the mountain with got to safety while staying in the cabin with Weylan it's not brought up she seems more concerned about making the cabin they are in more festive for the holiday season.  Also questions popped up for me about how well stocked with food his cabin was it seemed at one point they were just drinking cocoa but then he had supplies to make sugar cookies with sprinkles... does he go to the grocery store in town regularly (?) are they eating anything else?  Or are they just eating cookies and drinking cocoa?

The characters were likeable but sometimes the storyline felt a bit choppy I did receive an advanced copy and some of these issues may be worked out of the final book.  --> the couple is in bed maybe in the middle of some sort of spicy times when the book talks about the FMC's brother's being in the room or on the porch... later in the book she tells him that her family will love him... so were the brothers not there at the cabin earlier?  

*Grumpy/Sunshine  *Yeti/shifter romance  *Mountain Guardian  *Age Gap ;) *Holiday magic

*some spice  *Strangers -->  More  *Fated Mates  *cozy quick holiday read  *forced proximity

*ARC Read  *Book Sirens  

ARC Opportunities November 7, 2025

If you are looking for a new author/your next read consider being an ARC reader/reviewer I have been doing a lot of ARC reads this year and finding a lot of new to me authors with amazing books that don't always get the hype that the more popular authors get.  

Leaving reviews matter especially for Indie authors the more reviews that a book has the more it gets shown to others as an option to read.  

Thank you for supporting Indie Authors 💓

If you are an author with an upcoming ARC opportunity and want me to place it in my next ARC opportunities blog post let me know!  

I've added good reads links for if you are interested in the book but can't commit to the ARC read and review timelines.   These ARC opportunities were taken from the authors original posts. 

*I try to not submit duplicates from week to week but I have been doing the arc opportunities post for a few months now and I'm sure that a duplicate might slip in from time to time.

1.   Sara Sines:  Masquerade of Vengeful Hearts

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231422017-masquerade-of-vengeful-hearts

b.   Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB33juBZhDf1y5UWW2Y7SI4H6dJkTmjoAck8nEYDGQ0pf3Jw/viewform

c.    Love lures. Blood binds. And no one leaves unclaimed.

Secrets fester behind every smile in Mirafail, where Maeve Keeling knows every lurking shadow—until people start to disappear. Customers at her family’s restaurant fall mysteriously ill. Those who recover vanish without a trace. Whispers turn to accusations, and the town she loves now watches her with suspicion.
Then he arrives.
Dante Trevil is as intoxicating as the wine Maeve adores—and just as dangerous. His presence is no coincidence. Mirafail’s finest casks have been tainted with a dark promise—one sip, and the town will belong to Dante’s sire.
Despite his desire to stop this plague, the blood bond that shackles Dante to his master has made him complicit in the town’s slow death. Every bottle poured is another sin on his soul. Every glance from Maeve, another crack in his resolve.
The last and deadliest cask will be uncorked at the Fall Masquerade Ball.
If Dante fails, Mirafail will fall. If Maeve can’t uncover the truth in time, she will too. Trust is a gamble, love is a weapon, and the final toast may be everyone’s last.

A dark gothic romance inspired by The Cask of Amontillado and The Masque of the Red Death, this haunting tale is perfect for fans of Gothikana by RuNyx and Eve Silver’s Dark Gothic series.
One-click now and become ensnared in forbidden love, monstrous devotion, and vampires who offer ruin with a kiss.

2.   Rory London:  Christmas Crisis

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220982945-christmas-crisis?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=a3aP5AY9gf&rank=6

b.   Sign up:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkAtNXboLHIah9bCi1hHKm-binv7caRBq1vyMVZZ90J5vnmg/viewform

c.    Miranda’s made a merry mess.
But her best friend Leo might have the festive fix she needs.
‘Tis the season…for fake dating to become real love.

Miranda
Yikes! With one errant swipe of my finger, I’ve landed in some serious holiday hot water. Luckily, I’ve got a plan for damage control—a fake relationship to calm the masses. And I know the perfect guy for the job.

Caring, sharp, and built like a Viking, Leo is the man of my dreams. The only problem? He’s never seen me as more than a friend.

Now he’s agreed to convince the Internet we’re in love. But going on dates and sharing his bed is causing another Christmas conundrum…

I might get addicted to his embrace.

Leo
I never realized my life had grown dull and lifeless until I met Miranda.

Her vivacious charm and big-hearted spirit have inspired me to be the best version of myself. With everyone else, I hid behind my bright smile and easygoing ways, but she immediately saw every messy part of me. Saw and accepted.

Except now she needs me to play a part I feel totally unprepared for…

Her boyfriend.

3.   Kassie Mak:  Addicted to you

a.    Did not see a good reads link yet

b.   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaSv-CSmRhKtmYLsss-E84epRuZ1Gcrzs8FeNj7k6s8EuU_A/viewform

BLURB COMING SOON

What you will find inside this book:

• Rockstar Romance
• Second Chance
• Reformed Playboy
• Workplace Romance 
• Lead Singer MMC x PR Manager FMC
• Forced Proximity
• Friends with Benefits to Lovers
• Addiction Rep
• One Bed
• No Third Act Breakup

4.   Esmeray Sultan:  The Dawn of the Dragon’s Daughter

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235213036-the-dawn-of-the-dragon-s-daughter?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zF0RHLf2Ug&rank=2

b.   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSA6M4J1aijsVFOTrT8mxz6gQ5mVTlzmee69tizRsYVRXW9w/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawN57p5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUbG1FcUl2d3FQQVBWeG5jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtaA1qo8OgpJv5X5GDMI95XRRLQbX2bOXhL_bOBtgagVpamnR3TncwQBmTs__aem_h1uwO2C4nBih-i5rJA0YGw

c.    “The conquerors forced them out through blood and dragonfire.”

Three hundred years ago, when all was lost, the druids stifled their own magic to choke out the enemy’s dragons. But now they need them to fight on their side, and Aiya Velanyon is the key.

Try as she might, her dragon eggs still won't hatch. She's given them her blood, and all the magic that she has to offer. In spite of that, they remain dormant, glowing with the quiet promise of ancient beings that have called out to her since she was born.

Agrona, who had once masqueraded as Aiya’s friend, is reeling from the loss of the dragon eggs. But who-or what-is she, and what is it that she truly wants?

“Where he walks, the forest listens. Where he strikes, silence falls.”

Draven Arthmael spent his entire life protecting the rolling hills and deep forests of Glenmara. He's no stranger to the monsters that lurk in the shadows; creatures that most will only ever see in the most harrowing of nightmares.

But something ancient in the forest is awakening. The veil between realms is thinning, and danger unfolds by the day. Can he protect his people from what’s to come, when the shadow of myth bleeds into truth?

This is book #2 in The Druid and the Dragon Queen series, which must be read in order.

It contains mature themes and is intended for readers age 18 and older.

5.   Kaylene McPhee Never With You

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241984967-never-with-you?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eDGfwMRcGX&rank=4

b.   https://airtable.com/appLgyux3lsKl9GWY/shrUBOHrdQxlHvNE8?fbclid=IwY2xjawN57vJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUbG1FcUl2d3FQQVBWeG5jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqGGrm3-klBKTwJeIRTidl-lmh6OjmMJyxwMRAEQjDcjbWbl9lhi3iM-9Pt4_aem_5MV0GxzWa1OMAMAho-AVew

c.    Adam Miller follows in his superstar dad’s footsteps, all the way into the NHL as the London Panthers's new Goalie. With immense dedication, talent, and a lot of hard work, Adam is determined to finish his senior year with flying colours. But when his gradesslip, everything h e's worked so hard for is on the line. Getting tutored by a sassy brunette from his past was not on his list of things. Riley Griffin is the definition of a good girl; a sarcastic ray of sunshine whose past continues to haunt her. Her only goal this semester is to prioritize her attention on her studies in kinesiology. What could go wrong after putting miles between her and her hometown in Bayfield? Colliding into her brittle rival from back home, the tattooed star hockey player, who turns her world upside down.Riley knows avoiding Adam is in her best interest; after all, she can't afford to get distracted. However, when Adam pleads for her help, Riley senses a desperation she can't ignore. She's the kind of girl he never thought he'd be interested in, and he's everything she thought she couldn't stand. Suddenly, their teasing starts to border on flirting, and a deeper connection forms through shared trauma. All bets are off once lines are crossed, and unexpected romantic feelings emerge between them, which soon turns to blistering heat. Falling for him would be a mistake, but the only thing he truly can't do is resist her.

6.   Maham Fatemi:  Serpent Prince Drakkon

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233549126-drakkon?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=D6ICVBRECD&rank=6

b.   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVEb5y7FHRjOv66v7dBHOwu3ic1jj1oZoTBlvMBExrIJomPA/viewform

c.    He shattered her life without mercy.
Now she’s bound to him and planning his downfall.

The night the throne was usurped by the wicked emperor, Princess Biyu lost everything. Now she lives as an imprisoned remnant of a dead dynasty.

When her half-brother devises a plan to reclaim the throne, Biyu sees a chance to change her fate. But before she can act, she draws the attention of Nikator—the emperor’s most ruthless warrior.

He is merciless, cruel, and loyal to the usurper who stole the crown. And now, he's her personal bodyguard.

Desperate to shake him, Biyu turns to ancient magic. The spell was meant to drive him away. Instead, it binds them together in a cursed, unbreakable marriage.

She didn’t mean to tie her fate to a monster.
And he certainly didn’t ask to be chained to a prisoner.

Now locked in a union neither of them wanted, Biyu is thrust into a life of secrets and sabotage—spying for her brother, plotting against the throne, and doing everything she can to avoid Nikator’s suspicion.

But the longer they are bound, the harder it becomes to separate hatred from heat, and vengeance from the pull of something deeper.

She came to reclaim power.
But in a palace ruled by blood and lies, the most dangerous enemy may be the one who stands beside her.

In a world where loyalty is lethal and love is a curse, surrendering her heart could cost her everything.

7.   Nora Thomas:  Restored

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222132448-restored?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_20

b.   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFyAyahGJNoup31LbQnFyN-QkxLVpTP73I05dlwM2SY8l-wA/viewform

Flynn Byrne

I’ve held a lot of titles in my life: son, brother, friend, teammate, captain, and Stanley Cup champion just to name a few. I was content with those titles until one phone call changed everything. Now I have a new title to live up to: Da. My world shattered around me when I got the call and found out the daughter I didn’t know existed was born, and her mother didn’t make it. As if that wasn’t life altering enough, my new baby has major health issues. When my only option is to hire a nurse to help care for her it makes sense to hire the one that held my baby and kept her safe the day she was born until I could get to her. Mia Carter is kind, genuine, and damn does she stop the breath in my lungs every time I look at her. She should be in the firmly off limits category, but I can’t deny the magnetic pull we have towards each other. Will this finally break me into a million little pieces? Or will Mia and my daughter be exactly what I need to finally become restored?

8.   Justine Bennett:  Under the Aurora Sky

a.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243243765-under-the-aurora-sky?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Pr2P9vvMGp&rank=1

b.   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0x7ok4uIu2-GSAfGMPYXePydZE2w_WPAvTbEQSe3tNAB-sA/viewform

c.    Some people leave. Others never let you go. Drew was both.

By the time I was ten, I’d lived in four different towns and learned that my mother’s next drink always mattered more than I did. Stability was a luxury I never had—until I met Mel. Her family became my safe haven, the closest thing to home I’d ever known.

But I hadn’t expected Drew, Mel’s older brother. Falling for him was easy. Hiding it was impossible. Every glance, every lingering touch told me he felt the same, but I refused to risk the only real family I had. Then, without a word, Drew left.

Now, years later, I’m back in town for work, and avoiding him isn’t an option—especially when Mel volunteers him to help me scout photography locations. Then a storm rolls in, trapping us in a remote hunting cabin with no power, no escape, and nowhere to hide from the past.

Stuck together, they’re forced to face the truth—and the pain. The truth will change their lives. But can they find a way through it together?