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For Your Mind (For Your Love 3) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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For Your Mind (For Your Love 3) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 28, 2023

The mind is a terrible place to live.

Simon has more or less moved out, Damon is burying his rage, and me? I’m in misery, trapped in the dark hole of unrequited love. I don’t know where to turn. Entire days disappear where I have no idea how much time has passed. Just when I think my brother and I are doomed to our collective pain, we work out a truth that could patch up our friendship with Simon.

He comes home and it’s as it always was, except now it’s a little bit more. While we may push boundaries, we’ll never cross the line into too much.

Even though I wish we would.

I still struggle with one thing. Simon might have found someone who will accept our unconventional—probably inappropriate—friendship, but what about me? Will I find someone that can accept that part of me, too? Or am I destined to be alone, with the only relationship I have being the one in my mind, where it’s my best friend and me, forever?

••••

REVIEW: My favourite author hit it out the park again ?

This is book three and the last book in this series (I’m hoping for one more ?)
You really need to read the other two books in this series, it stands on its own. But reading books one and two before this one will add more background, and make things a little clearer (although things are explained)

This book is Declan’s point of view. And if you’ve read the first two books, you’ll understand his sadness/frustration and anger. His beloved friend (and in Declan’s eyes house husband) no longer has anything to do with them! And it’s killing both Declan and his twin Damon! They wander from moment to moment lost! They have each other, but their heart is missing….

Zarek is a teacher in the college Declan works in (Declan is a therapist and nutritionist for the sports department) and once sighted Zarek is smitten (but so is half the students and teachers ?) but catching his attention is proving challenging, but Zarek loves a challenge…..

I’ve read both books before leaping into this one. There are triggers (you are warned by the author) but I needed to find out how Declan and Zarek get together and for me the triggers weren’t a problem.

The relationship starts out as just $exual (Declan can’t think further than that) Zarek is happy with that (for the moment anyway)
But when Simon gets back in touch, poor Zarek has to compete for his lover’s attention!

I loved Zarek’s sisters (they were a riot) they fully supported Zarek and one another (their parents had preconceived notions on how their children should grow up!) Zarek is bi and one of his sisters wasn’t a sister to begin with!

By the time I’ve read this book, I’d forgiven Declan and Damon for the way they treated Simon and his new partner) I see how they revolves their lives and world around Simon (he lost his mother at a young age, and his father became an absent parent!) It also explained their relationship in more detail than the first two.

This book will have you wiping tears, smiling till your face hurts and shouting at your kindle. The journey Zarek and Declan travel isn’t a smooth one, it has so many bumps I had bruises (Zarek knows all about bruises ?) Zarek has so many issues with himself, but also the relationship the twins have with their BFF, it’s hard for him to accept and grow with it, it doesn’t help that there are people in this story that are waiting in the wings for Zarek to walk away so that they can swoop in and take Declan away!

The only person missing (and I hope gets his own book one day) was Vulcan, who stole the show in book one ?

It says it’s a HEA ending (I think it felt more of a HFN Happy For Now) they are still finding there way, I’d love for the author to come back and do a novella in the future (just an update that all us good in the Whittaker World)

So my recommendation is to read the first two books then read this one (my opinion)

Another emotional, but amazing read.

Reading Order and Previous Review
For Your Time
For Your Heart

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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For Your Heart (For Your Love 2) by Crea Reitan -review tour

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For Your Heart (For Your Love 2) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2023

The heart is a cruel master.

After the fallout between me, my brother, and Simon, I find myself either wallowing in a black pit of depression or lashing out with vicious rage. Technically, Simon still lives in the condo the three of us bought together, but ever since our relationship imploded months ago, I’ve barely seen him.

His absence is loud and it feels like a knife through my heart.

I miss dancing with him. I miss having him sandwiched between my brother and I at night. I miss the soft brush of his lips against mine, just because. I miss him.

A newly single co-worker strikes a bargain. All he wants is someone to wreck his body while I get to let out my anger. It’s a win-win….

Except I’ve still lost.

Once, the only future I saw was with Simon, but I don’t see a future at all anymore.

Because all I have left is a broken heart and no one to pick up the pieces.

••••••••

REVIEW: After reading book one (For your Time) I really didn’t like twins Damon and Declan. They weren’t very nice to Simon, made his life miserable, and in my opinion caused Simon to leave and not return messages or phone calls.

I didn’t like the dynamics between the three, I felt it was just wrong. But that’s just my opinion.

Damon is still in love with his best friend, he doesn’t ever see that changing. But he won’t get to see him if him and his twin don’t change their way of thinking!

Sage is a fitness and nutrition professional in the same gym Damon works in. He’s had a crush on Damon for a while now, but has never had the never to approach him!

It’s starts with Sage proposing a casual relationship (just s£x!) to Damon, and even though both know it’s going to end up in disaster (Damon knows he’s going to break Sage’s heart) they approach each other with caution…..

It took till about chapter 12, for me to forgive Damon and for said character to pull his head out from his a$$ and see what a wonderful man he had in Sage. Once he came to that conclusion (after almost losing him!) he couldn’t hold back his love, he wanted Sage to be his and his alone ?

Additional characters were all needed in this book, including the brainwashed ex girlfriend and Sage’s horrible mother! She was a vile individual and I was glad when Damon evicted her from Sage’s life. I loved catching up with Simon and ? Didn’t see Vulcan in this book (sadly) but we did find out who Declan falls for ?

I want to see Declan’s side of the story now (even though we get a glimpse at the end of this book ?) I want to read his side immediately ?

And I’m going to admit I was wrong, I’m going to eat humble lie and beg forgiveness from both the twins and the author. I was ready to hate the book, and all the characters in it (I’m still in love with book one)

I ended up loving this book (book one still my favourite)

There a lot of triggers in this book, including a taboo subject that a few readers might find hard (and I have a feeling it might evolve in book 3 ??‍♀️)

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one FOR YOUR TIME

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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For Your Time (For Your Love 1) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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For Your Time (For Your Love 1) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 17, 2023

The best time to find yourself is before you hit rock bottom.

My mom died when I was ten, taking my happy family life with her. And since my dad’s only useful enough to drain a bottle, I’ve learned to live with nothing, except the love and generosity of my best friends.

My relationship with twins Damon and Declan has always been close. Too close according to what society has deemed appropriate between guy friends. But that’s never stopped our hugging and cuddling—in public or private. My best friends know I didn’t receive affection from home, so they never let me go without it.

But at twenty-two, the guilt of taking handouts from my friends catches up with me. Filled with self-loathing, I decide it’s time to make a change.

Determined to pay my own way, I accept a strange proposition from my former professor. Suddenly, I find myself with a sugar daddy, and a whole lot of questions I’m not sure how to process.

The twins have always known they were gay—just like I’ve known I was straight. But now, I wonder if the love and affection I’ve always craved was for something else entirely.

•••••••

REVIEW: Again something different from one of my favourite authors. It has triggers, so I do advise reading them before opening. Because once you open you won’t put it down!

Simon just makes you want to cuddle and protect him, he also wants to make you want to take him away from a relationship that really isn’t doing him any favours! His relationship with his best friends (twins Declan and Damon) in my opinion was suffocating! They come across as controlling and possessive! They might have been friends forever, and their parents took Simon in when he lost his mother and his father just stopped caring! But that didn’t give them the right to take over his life! Simon had gotten so much love from his parents as a child, and when that got taken away, he was left open and vulnerable, and I think the twins at first were doing it from a good place, but as they grew older I think they hoped Simon would announce he was gay. And maybe the twins thought he would be theirs!!

But Simon only hooks up with girls, and even then it’s more as a function than a need ??‍♀️ And even a one night stand with a guy doesn’t really excite him! But the twins are furious! (Were they hoping to be his first gay experience?)

Quinlan is a teacher with a huge crush! Meeting Simon in his class last semester had a huge impact on him, but fraternising with a student is a big NO! He wouldn’t put his career on the line, but there was something about Simon that pushed all of Quin’s buttons. So when an opportunity arises, Quin is there to fill out a fantasy! But before he can ask Simon out on a date…. The twins descend and take him away!!!

Simon might like the attention and the love Declan and Damon give him, but he’s not happy with taking money from them (even though they constantly offer and sneak him money) and so when a debt comes in, Simon is going to pay it off himself….. the answer….

What comes next is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. As an outsider you can see where this is going. But reading it makes you experience this ride. And let me tell you I did not put the book down. It pulls at your heartstrings, it will make you want to throw your kindle at the wall, and it has me throwing my hands up several times shouting “why would you do that?” ?

Can Simon explore his newfound sexuality (apparently he’s only gay for Quin!) without losing his two best friend? (Who are vile in some instances!) Will there be a time when Quin will have Simon all to himself? Or will he have to constantly vie for his lovers attention?

I did like the way Quin supported and cared for Simon. He gave him the tools to make his own decisions, their relationship although rocky at first, gathered strength.
Is it a HEA (happy ever after)? I don’t know. I know it’s a HFN (happy for now)

I’m hoping the next book in this trilogy has a few snippets of Simon and Quinlan. I’m not ready to let them go ❤️‍?

Do I want a HEA for the twins? ?

Oh…. And Vulcan! Yes that’s his real name (best friend to Quinlan) is absolutely adorable, I want a HEA for him, I’d love him as a friend, he sounds like the coolest guy alive ?he brought laughter and tears to this book. He was a great addition to the characters.

It’s another really well thought out and beautifully written book. The author is stretching her wings with different genres, and it’s another one that’s going to be a favourite of mine.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Through Your Eyes by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

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Through Your Eyes by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

 

For Your LoveAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
ONE LAST CHANCE

Deirdre Murphy has had her life planned for her since she was born: Work in her parents’ noisy pub in rural Ireland. Live with her family until she marries. Marry her childhood sweetheart ASAP, since he’s decided sexy fun time should wait for marriage. None of it excites her. But before her fate closes in, Deirdre’s got one last visit to her Chicago cousins—where she can spend her mornings in a peaceful bakery, keep to herself, and savor the space she needs…. Until she meets Tommy O’Malley.

Tommy is as tough as his city and twice as ready to welcome her in. He’s covered in tattoos, stays up half the night inking them on other people, and has a reputation for being good with his hands. And he’s heart-pounding, forgot-her-words, can’t-stop-staring exciting.

Tommy knows he’s the opposite of everything Deirdre has prepared for. But to watch her set herself free, he’s willing to risk almost anything…

 

 

Review:

Through Your Eyes by Shannyn Schroeder is the 3rd book in her For Your Love series.  This was a very nice sweet romance, and especially good because we get to spend a lot of time with the O’Learys, whom we fell in love with in that series by Schroeder

Deirdre Murphy, our heroine, arrives in Chicago from Ireland to vacation with her cousins (O’Learys).  Deirdre received a Christmas present from her boyfriend to return to the states, since she was her happiest when she last visited.  Deirdre was somewhat disappointed that she did not get a proposal from her boyfriend, but was happy to return to the states for a month.  She is not too happy at home, since she has too much pressure from her family to run their pub, and uses this opportunity to give herself a break. 

Tommy O’Malley, our hero, is a tattoo artist, who has many tattoos himself and is a hockey player.  Tommy still thinks about the lost opportunity to introduce himself to Deirdre that last time she was here, and is shocked when he visits the bakery, to see her working there.    In a short time, Tommy asks Deirdre to go out with him, but she puts him off due to her having a boyfriend in Ireland.  But every time she talks to her boyfriend, he keeps telling her to have fun, even to go out with others.  Deirdre knows something isn’t right, but she does then accept Tommy’s advances; soon Deirde, who is a virgin, begins to feel a strong attraction to Tommy.  He was determined to win her over, and in a short time both of them realize they were falling in love.  The problem….she was soon to return to Ireland, as she knew her family depended on her.   

Things change once her boyfriend explains why he is pushing her to date others.  He is gay, and wants to marry his boyfriend.  After getting past the initial shock, Deirdre is happy to explore more of her feelings for Tommy.  I thought Tommy and Deirdre were so perfect for each other, and together they will find a way to stay together.  Despite their love for each other, both families ( O’Learys- O’Malleys) for the most part are not too happy with their decision.  I loved seeing the O’Learys, especially Maggie, and Moira, and though he was tough on Tommy, it was good to see Jimmy, though I wanted to smack him a few times. 

What I loved about this story was seeing two people fight for their love, and in Deirdre’s case, possibly hurt her family to allow herself to be happy.  There were some ups and downs for them, mostly from the family pressuring them, but love will prevail. In time, it becomes apparent to all how much they truly did love each other. Through Your Eyes was a wonderful romance, a great couple, fantastic family, and some issues that threaten their relationship.  Once again, Shannyn Schroeder gives us another sweet story that you should be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

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Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

 

Under Your SkinAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Blood Is Thicker Than Ink. . .

Norah O’Malley has been alone for a long time. It’s been ten years since her father and four brothers shipped her off to be raised by her aunt. Seven months since she’s seen the guy who got her pregnant–who still doesn’t know. And it’s two weeks since she came home to Chicago and discovered none of her family wants to talk–or listen.

She never expected to walk into a tattoo shop seven months pregnant and get her socks knocked off by instant attraction. She can’t even see her socks. But Kai Ellis is big and gruff and sexy as hell, and if he has a past, well, so does she. Even more, Kai knows how to listen so that Norah feels just a little less alone . . .

All the chemistry in the world can’t help Norah make her decisions. And no sizzle of desire will make Kai believe in happy endings. But a little time with someone who understands might just change everything . . .

 

 

Review:

Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder is the 1st book in her new For Your Love series. I loved the O’Leary series by Schroeder, and I am happy to say that Under Your Skin is a wonderful start to a new series.  We even get a member of the O’Leary family in this book; Moira O’Leary is dating Jimmy O’Malley, who is the brother of our heroine.

Norah O’Malley is our heroine, who has returned home after 10 years.  Norah had been sent at the age of 12 to live with her aunt, since her father and 4 brothers could not take care of her. Now she is pregnant, and comes home to be with her family, as she decides what to do about her pregnancy.  We meet Norah and her family from the start, giving us a chance to learn about the O’Malley’s.

Norah was a great heroine; sweet, fun, beautiful, independent and determined to live her life the way she wants to.  She decides she needs to get a job, as she is bored with being home.  Visiting her brother Tommy, at his job in a tattoo parlor, Norah meets the boss, Kai, our hero.  

Kai has had a rough childhood, spending much time in gangs, and eventually going to jail.  But he has learned from his past mistakes, and now runs a good business, and determined to keep himself clean.  Norah begins to crush on Kai, but he wants nothing to do with her, as he feels he is unworthy.  With his mother coming home from the hospital, Kai needed someone to take care of her during the day.  When he is desperate, he hires Norah, which will turn into a mistake…..a good mistake.  

A major part of this story was Norah making difficult decisions on what to do about her baby.  The father of her child makes an appearance, and they remain as friends only.  Norah will stand firm that she will do what is best for the baby.  Very nicely written.

This was a very slow build romance, which was also fun watching Norah do all she can to seduce Kai.  It was nice to see Norah become friends with Moira, her first friend since she came home.  I enjoyed meeting all her brothers, with Jimmy and Tommy my favorites.  I look forward to future stories on them all, though there will be no story on Jimmy, since he and Moira had theirs in the O’Leary series (you do need to read that series).  Kai’s mom was also a great character, as she was fun at times. .  I loved Norah, and did like Kai, but his constant refusal to open himself to love was annoying at times.  He had to let go of his past to move forward with Norah.

Under Your Skin was an enjoyable read, great characters and very well written by Shannyn Schroeder.  I suggest you read this book and join the fun when we get more stories on the O’Malleys.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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