I’ve had a good reading month. Not in the way that I’ve read loads and loads, but what I’ve read, I’ve really enjoyed.

Catching Orion by Sloane Kennedy 

I’ll start with my least favourite of the month – that does not mean I didn’t like it! I wanted something short, and this is short, and it sounded cute. It was cute, though a bit too insta-love for my taste. Still, it kept me entertained.

***PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS PART OF AN ANTHOLOGY***

This SHORT STORY (15k words) was previously published as part of the Heart2Heart Vol 2 Anthology but is now being offered as a single title since the anthology is no longer available. Please make sure you haven’t already purchased this story as part of that anthology unless your intent is to own two copies of the story. There is no new content.

Ryan

Dressed appropriately for quiet night at home? Check.
Spoiled, needy cat present? Check.
Gorgeous, mysterious stranger randomly showing up at my door claiming to have a date with me? Wait… what?

Knox is exactly the kind of guy my ugly past has taught me to avoid, but when the heavily tattooed biker shows up at my door with flowers and a gentle touch, I’m kind of a goner. But agreeing to the blind date I knew nothing about is just the start of a crazy night of ogres, onions, wine and dangly bits.

Way too many dangly bits.

Knox

I knew letting myself get set up on a blind date was a bad idea, but I can’t deny that there’s a little part of me that really wants to find Mr. Right. Especially after having been with Mr. Wrong for so long. And everything about Orion “Ryan” Abernathy screams right. But when the cute, young social worker has no idea who I am or what I’m talking about, I know we’ve both been set up.

I fully expect my chance at finding out if Ryan is my Mr. Right to go up in smoke, but when he agrees to go out with me, I’m certain not even the hint of a haunted past can come between us.

Problem is, it’s not his past that comes between us, but a whole lot of naked old man.

Leave it to me to manage to finally find Mr. Right only to scare him off when our first date goes oh so wrong.

Or does it?

https://books2read.com/CatchingOrion

Ghost of Lies by Alice Winters

Next up was Ghost of Lies. I love mediums, and I’ve been glancing at this many times but 415 pages feel a bit intimidating with my attention span. I gave it a go, and I really liked it. Ghosts are always cool, and while reading, I kept telling myself I need to write more stories with ghosts in them.

Hiro
Though I was born with the ability to see the dead, I struggled with it until my brother was killed and his ghost was left behind. Now, I’m determined to figure out who is responsible for his death… the problem is that Detective Maddox Booker, the one working the case, is a grumpy and stubborn man who wants nothing to do with me and definitely doesn’t believe in ghosts. It doesn’t help that I keep finding myself looking ridiculous in front of the detective, thanks to interfering ghosts who enjoy laughing at my expense. Still, the more I’m around Maddox, the more I realize that beneath that surly exterior is a kind and caring man who will do anything to help.

Maddox
When another man dies, I know we have a serial killer on our hands—the same murderer who has remained elusive for a year and a half. To add to my frustration, I keep running into Hiro at crime scenes only to hear him claim that he can talk to ghosts. The words of the dead could lead us to the serial killer and even tell us who is next, but ghosts? There’s no such thing as ghosts. Hiro is determined and charming, and no matter what I do, I can’t stop letting him get involved. He’s definitely snagged my attention, but when he nearly winds up dead, I know he’s getting closer to the truth—and if I don’t do something soon, he might be next.

https://books2read.com/GhostofLies

Dragon Ever After by Louisa Masters 

A little while back, I read Spirited Situation by Louisa Masters, my first ever Louisa Masters, and I enjoyed it a lot. This, this was even better! I’ve been looking at How to Date a Dragon in the YBBB giveaway, but I still haven’t downloaded a single story from there – I need to grab a few – and now I wish I had read that before I read this. But it doesn’t matter. I was laughing out loud while waiting for the ‘danger’ to happen, but it never did. It was a restful, funny, cute read with a dragon shifter and a cat shifter. Awesome. I’m so glad I read it. 

Note to self: You can’t teach an old dragon new tricks … he likes to invent his own.

After half a century of chaos, my retirement from leading the Community of Species Government has been bliss. No more hellhounds playing pranks. No more snippy demons demanding my attention. No more cajoling money from the wealthy to support the community. Just peace while I avoid my overbearing father and try to work out what my next steps will be.

Although… maybe three years of peace is enough. It might even be starting to get… boring. In fact, an adolescent dragon crash-landing on my landlord’s shed is just the kind of excitement I need—especially when he brings his species leader to my door.

Brandt. Wing leader of all dragons, suave, sexy, and … slightly unhinged. It doesn’t take much for him to convince me to give up my solitude and spend some time getting to know him. It’s hard to care about the future when I’ve got a dragon of my own to “play” with. Naked dragon rides for the win, right?

But Brandt’s the leader of his people, on call for them all the time, and I’ve left that part of my life behind me. Plus my father insists I should fulfil my duty to the family by getting a nine-to-five job and “marrying well.” That’s not what I want, but riding herd on a group of beings who fly, breathe fire, and could literally crush me beneath their feet would be a huge challenge, especially since Brandt’s kind of loose with rules.

It all comes down to how much I want my very own dragon ever after.

This exciting spin-off from the Hidden Species series kicks off with Percy’s story.

https://books2read.com/DragonEverAfter

Secrets and Scrabble by Josh Lanyon

Now… I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again. Josh Lanyon is an awesome writer. When I don’t know what to read, I pick Lanyon or Mary Calmes depending on what I’m in the mood for, but I’m not a Lanyon fangirl. Again, don’t get me wrong, she can write, the mysteries are good, the characters great and so on, but I’m seldom…touched.
I’ve been looking at Murder at Pirate’s Cove many times, I really like the cover, and now I finally read it. I was surprised by how much I liked it, so I read the second book two, right after. Right after! I usually need a break, and that break often turns into years, before I pick up the second book in a series, but I was all for creepy houses, pirates, and scrabble. Then I realised how many books there are in this series, and my soul died a little LOL. But hey, I read two, and I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

You Get Full Credit For Being Alive by Cari Z.

Last, but not least, the reread of the month. You Get Full Credit for Being Alive is awesome, and I’m chatting more about it over at Holly’s blog, so have a look there if you want. It’s a freebie, so grab it if you haven’t read it!

I was never one of the good guys. Never got along with people and never felt the need to. I did a lot for money. Even killed, especially killed, but never without a good reason. After years in this violent business I retired to a quiet life in the woods because I was sick of all the blood. No one knows me here and everything was fine until that night…

First I didn’t see the body through all the rain and darkness but when I drew near I saw him. Thought he was dead with all the blood. But he wasn’t and I considered for a moment to end the job because really… it would have been a mercy kill. He wouldn’t survive those injuries and even if he did he would be a vegetable. I mean… look at that head wound!

But something in the way he was dumped on the back of my property in his ripped police uniform and the word FAG scrawled on his chest made me help him.

So now I’m here. His guardian angel, kind of ironic considering what I did in the past. I watch over his recovery, standing in the shadows where no one can see me.

Words: 38,804

Download here

June is National Adopt A Cat Month, so I thought we’d do some cats. At first, I drew a blank and could only come up with my own books despite knowing there are cats in so many stories I’ve read. Then more and more titles started to pop up.

Which is your favourite book with a cat?

Hard Tail by J.L. Merrow

The first kitty to come to mind was Wolverine, an awesome cat. I’m not up to date on all my J.L. Merrow books, but of those I’ve read, there are cats in most of them, and they’re definitely worth reading.

“Finding love can be a bumpy ride. “

His job: downsized out of existence. His marriage: on the rocks. It doesn t take a lot of arm twisting for Tim Knight to agree to get out of London and take over his injured brother s mountain bike shop for a while. A few weeks in Southampton is a welcome break from the wreck his life has become, even though he feels like a fish out of water in this brave new world of outdoor sports and unfamiliar technical jargon.

The young man who falls literally through the door of the shop brings everything into sharp, unexpected focus. Tim barely accepts he s even “in” the closet until his attraction to Matt Berridge pulls him close enough to touch the doorknob.

There s only one problem with the loveable klutz: his bullying boyfriend. Tim is convinced Steve is the cause of the bruises that Matt blows off as part of his risky sport. But rising to the defense of the man he s beginning to love means coming to terms with who he is in public in a battle not even his black belt prepared him to fight. Until now.

Warning: Contains an out-and-proud klutz, a closeted, karate-loving accountant and a cat who thinks it s all about him. Watch for a cameo appearance from the “Pricks and Pragmatism” lovers. May inspire yearnings for fresh air, exercise, and a fit, tanned bike mechanic of your very own. “

https://books2read.com/HardTail

Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan

This is not a book I rec often because it makes me a little (read a lot) uncomfortable. I don’t have a poly bone in my body so whenever we’re talking more than two in a bedroom I wince and squirm and not in a good way. But, Ms Cullinan can write, so if BDSM and multiple partners are your thing, give it a go. And there is a kitten.

Know when to show your hand…and when to hedge your bets.

Randy Jansen can’t stand to just sit by and watch as a mysterious man throws money away on the roulette wheel, especially since Randy’s got his own bet going as to the reason this guy is making every play like it’s his last day on earth. The man’s dark desperation hits Randy right in the gut. Half of him warns that getting involved is a sucker’s bet, and the other half scrambles for a reason—any reason—to save the man’s soul.

Ethan Ellison has no idea what he’s going to do with himself once his last dollar is gone—until Randy whirls into his life with a heart-stealing smile and a poker player’s gaze that sees too much. Randy draws Ethan into a series of wagers that leads to a scorching kiss by midnight, but he isn’t the only one with an interest in Ethan’s vulnerability. Soon they’re both taking risks that not only play fast and loose with the law, but with the biggest prize of all: their hearts.

https://books2read.com/DoubleBlind

The Invasion of Tork

I love this book and I’ve recommended it several times. Today it makes the list because of Dickens the cat LOL

Adam is cool, intelligent and drop-dead gorgeous – all the guys tell him so! When he is forced to start voluntary work at the local homeless shelter, all he worries about is keeping the clients well away from him and finishing the placement as soon as possible. Until he meets Tork.

Tork is clever and funny. He makes origami models and reads Dickens. Tork has green hair and makes Adam’s heart race with longing. But Tork is homeless and not at all impressed with Adam’s attitude.

Can Adam see past his fear and arrogance? Can Tork give Adam a chance?
Can two such different men turn the world upside down and find out what really matters? Read to find out their story.

Content Warning: the story includes reference to and description of self-harming.

https://books2read.com/TheInvasionofTork

Dead Man and the Restless Spirits by Lou Harper

We need a little paranormal in the mix, so here are some ghosts and of course a cat.

Dying sucks hairy monkey balls, even when you’re not the stiff.

Denton Mills has a secret: he can see dead people. Or rather, how they died. It’s quite a drag in a city like Chicago, teeming with the echoes of the no-longer living. Rather than whine about it, Denton has learned to live with his troublesome talent. His adaptability comes in handy when he meets his enigmatic new neighbor.

Bran Maurell catches Denton’s eye right away, but unfortunately Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious is as standoffish as he is alluring. However, after an unexpected introduction from Bran’s cat brings the two men together, Denton discovers they have a mutual interest in the spirit world. Herbalist by day, Bran moonlights as a witch, performing house cleansings for a fee.

From Bran, Denton learns that his knack for interacting with the dead qualifies him as a necromancer. It makes good business sense for them to team up and rid Chicago of its pesky spirits one grateful client at a time. Amongst ghostly adventures the attraction between the men is impossible to ignore. They seem like perfect partners—unless Bran’s not-so-little secret comes between them.

Warning: men loving men, ghosts with attitudes, and a portly feline with hidden talents.

https://books2read.com/DeadManSpirits

Chalk Butterfly The Complete Trilogy by Audra Red

It’s been a long time since I read this, but I remember liking it, and I think there is a cat? Or at least one of the characters really likes cats.

Alexander Price, a sweet and stunning young librarian, is trying to get his own bite of the Big Apple. The only thing holding Alexander back from the life he dreams of is a devastating secret; he suffers from a rare skin disease that makes the skin on his hands and feet as delicate as the wings of a butterfly.

Beyond shy, gorgeous Alexander has never been kissed, though his body craves the touch of a strong, yet gentle man.

One unusual autumn morning on the subway, Alexander meets the handsome and rugged millionaire Daniel Sommers, who is instantly infatuated by the coy and delicate young man. Daniel longs to be the first and only man to open Alexander’s eyes to love, the joys of sex and a life lived without secrets.

https://books2read.com/ChalkButterfly

The Ghost on My Couch by L.A. Gilbert

Ah, bunny slippers. It’s soo many years since I read this, but I doubt I’ll ever forget the ghost on the couch LOL

The Cat’s Meow by Stormy Glenn

Since I’ve mentioned this a zillion times lately, I might just as well continue. I love the beginning of this book. It’s not a book I would include on a list of my absolute favourites, but the beginning LOL

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is not always a bad thing…

Noah Anderson is odd and he knows it. He has a strong obsessive compulsive disorder that keeps him organized but distances him from the world around him. He doesn’t have any friends, family, or even a lover. He’s never had a lover.

When he finds himself in the wrong place at the right time, Noah discovers that the dangers posed by having sex for the first time pale in comparison to having sex with the assassin that comes to kill him, even if it means his life.

Gage Tynan is a killer. It’s what he’s always been. And he excelled at his job until he jumped into the car of a passing motorist when his latest mission goes wrong. The man driving is so odd that Gage suspects he might have been sent to harm him. Gage has no idea that the little man that asks him to take his cat will change his life in ways he has no clue of.

Gage is dragged into a world of shifters and exiled kings, one where his strength will be called upon to keep Noah safe from the pride soldiers sent to keep him from taking the throne.

https://books2read.com/TheCatsMeow

Widdershins by Jordan L. Hawk

I had this there-is-a-cat-in-Widdershins-isn’t-there-thought, so I went searching and ended up reading Rescued which is a flash about how Griffin first found Saul. So yes, there is a cat.

A reclusive scholar. A private detective. And a book of spells that could destroy the world.

Love is dangerous. Ever since the tragic death of the friend he adored, Percival Endicott Whyborne has ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man. Instead, he spends his days studying dead languages at the museum where he works. So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible.

Griffin left the Pinkertons after the death of his partner. Now in business for himself, he must investigate the murder of a wealthy young man. His only clue: an encrypted book that once belonged to the victim.

As the investigation draws them closer, Griffin’s rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne’s iron control. But when they uncover evidence of a powerful cult determined to rule the world, Whyborne must choose: to remain safely alone, or to risk everything for the man he loves.

Widdershins is the first novel in the Whyborne & Griffin series, where magic, mystery, and m/m romance collide with Victorian era America. Buy it today and join the adventure.

https://books2read.com/Widdershins

Ready for the ego wall??

I’ll pick three. I have more than three books with cats, but Booksy in #PictaBook is an adopted cat. Ginger in Hop Hop, Carrot Top was meant to be a foster, but they kept her. And then we have Toffee and Caramel in Pet Delivery. Gabe’s biggest dream is to start a cat sanctuary.