My Personal Review for Stirring Up Trouble by ZA Maxfield

I had the pleasure of reading one of the funniest and well written books I have read in a awhile. Stirring Up Trouble is funny, heart warming and sexy all wrapped with a big red bow. Ms. Maxfield delivers a story that will charm the socks off of you and leave you smiling once the last page is read.

Now onto my review of Stirring Up Trouble......

All Toby Andrews knows is that he is a good Chef but has lousy luck when it seems bad things happen whenever he is around. He can’t help it when things go wrong, he just magically in the thick of it. Forced out of working the haute cuisine in the heart of New York City, Toby finds himself unemployed and eager to get revenge on the food critic that destroyed his dreams. Finding work at a local restaurant that is on its last legs, Le Potiron, Toby finds he likes the area, the people and especially the surly owner/cook, Evan Blankenship. Sparks fly between the two men as both men find out the lesson in success as they work together in and out of bed to make Le Potiron successful.

I got to admit, I love stories with a little humor tossed in the story to liven things up. Z. A. Maxfield does a wonderful job in creating a story that is funny, sweet and sexy all at the same time. Ms. Maxfield is a talented author who knows how to create the right balance when adding humor to her stories. Too much overwhelms, too little makes it seem off balanced. This author knows how to keep the balance and delivers a classic comedy story that will have you laughing out loud at times while rooting for Toby and Evan to get their happily ever after. 

What I loved the most was the setting. I could literally picture Le Potiron in my head and the delightful cast of characters that run it. All the characters were multi-dimensional, flawed beings that I could relate to. Toby had an ego but he was so charming it was cute. Evan hated people and being in the restaurant business, all he wanted to do was cook and not deal with them. Enter in Toby. Sparks fly between the two as Toby helps Evan and La Potiron become a success. Toby also learns that he cannot just steamroll over Evan either. It was fun to see these two work out their differences even as their relationship grew amid the pages. A few secondary characters had me hoping they return in the second book, All Stirred Up. They kept the story moving nicely and there was no interruptions in point of view. 


Stirring Up Trouble is a perfect beach read on a sunny afternoon. Light hearted, sensual and fun, ZA Maxfield has another winner. I am eager to see what goes on when we see what happens to Evan's brother, Brandon in All Stirred Up. ZA Maxfield has a talent in creating stories that have a sweet yet sexy romance with a dash of humor in it. I look forward to seeing what else this author can deliver for her readers in the future.


My Rating for Stirring Up Trouble: 4 Stars


Read Stirring Up Trouble and find out what happens for Brandon, Evan's brother in All Stirred Up.

My Personal Review for Promises by Marie Sexton

I picked up Promises because I liked the sound of the blurb. Wasn't sure what I was getting story wise but the minute I started reading I was hooked. This is the first book in the Coda Series and I have to admit, I stayed up really late just to finish it. Needless to say once pay day hits, I am getting the rest of the series to read. :-)

Now onto my review of Promises.....

Jared Thomas loves his small town of Coda, Colorado. He lives, works and has an enjoyable life…a bit one that is a bit lonely as well. Being the only other gay man has it disadvantages mainly there are no single gay men to have a relationship with. Jared was fine with that until Matt Richards walks into the door and into his life. From then on, it’s misunderstandings, falling in love, secrets and a whole lot of sexual tension between the two men. Will they be able to find a way to work past everything that is thrown at them to have the relationship they deserve?

I seriously don't know how I missed this series before now. I have seen the author around on loops, facebook, etc but never really explored her books. Well I am remedying that ASAP. Promises is an engrossing tale of a small town and the two men who find they are perfect for one another. What I loved the most about this story was how the author was able to incorporate small town life into the storyline. It made the story much more life like and I could really relate to the characters.

The characters in Promise had me at times, laughing, sighing and wanting to smack them for their stubbornness. They are so life like I swear I could find them in my small town and be friends with them. They were quite multi-dimensional and kept my attention till the very end. Jared Thomas is an openly gay man but doesn't flaunt it in his small town. He loves his town but the man prospects are dismal at best. Enter in new police officer, Matt Richards. He blew Jared away with his smile, the kindness he spies in his face and the loneliness he sees in his eyes. A kindred spirit they become friends and Jared is resigned to loving Matt secretly as Matt is straight....well Jared thinks he is that is. What results is secret desires, confusion, misunderstandings and more. Can Jared get Matt to accept and embrace his feelings or will Matt walk away from Jared forever? 

I love how this author really peeled the layers from him and Matt so the readers could see the heart of their issues throughout the story. Each time I felt like I knew the characters, another layer would be ripped open and you would see a whole new side of them. It made the story much more life like to me. There were a few secondary characters that left quite an impression on me so I am hoping the author revisits them soon.

Promises is more than a simple romance story of two friends falling for one another. It's about taking a risk to reach for your happily ever after. That, yes you are worth that love the other person feels for you. It's about hope, promises of forever, love, friendship and so much more. Ms. Sexton delivers a timeless classic in Promises and it is one book I can see reading again, multiple times. I am eager to read the next chapter in the Coda series and can't wait to see what happens next for Matt, Jared and all their friends in Coda, Colorado.

If you are looking for a new author to explore, I highly recommend Marie Sexton. She delivers character rich stories that will leave a smile on your face. I can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve for her readers in the future.

My rating for Promises: 4.5 Stars

The Coda Series:

Matt & Jared:

Promises

The Promise

Putting out Fires

Cole & Jon:

Strawberries for Dessert

Zach & Angelo:

A to Z

The Letter Z

Paris A to Z

More information on Marie Sexton and all her wonderful books can be found HERE

My Personal Review for Enchanted No More by Robin D. Owens

I loved Ms. Owner's Summoning Series through Harlequin/Luna Fantasy Line and she is back with a brand new fantasy/urban fantasy series. Enchanted No More kicks off the Mystic Circle series and I fell in love with it from the first page. Who wouldn't love fae, goblins, pixies, brownies and more enchanted creatures in their stories.

          Jenni Weavers is a Mistweaver and a half blood. Fifteen years before, her family is destroyed while trying to help the Lightfolk and Jenni hasn’t forgiven them or herself for the price her family paid that day. Forced to walk away from her last remaining brother, alienated from her lover and magic community, Jenni lives in the human world trying to ignore her heritage and live a human life. All was well until the Lightfolk come back into her life and wants the help of the last surviving Mistweavers for an important mission. Can Jenni forgive herself, the Lighfolk and find a way to stop the darkness that will consume all if she fails?

          I was absolutely thrilled to see one of my favorite authors start up a new fantasy series for Harlequin’s LUNA line. I was pulled into the story from the first page and couldn’t get enough of the Mistweavers, fae and other fantasy creatures that pop up throughout ENCHANTED NO MORE. This first book does a lot of setting up of the backstory for Jenni so it does seem repetitive at first but gradually the action picks up and the reader is then pulled into the story completely. Ms. Owens is a talented author who knows how to completely captivate her readers. Tight writing, intriguing characters and fast paced storyline help keep the reader glued to the pages until the very end.

If you are looking for a different sort of fantasy story to enjoy, then I highly reccommend Enchanted No More and settle in for hours of reading entertainment.

I give it 4 our of 5 stars.