Review – Ice Burn by L.A. Cotton

Ice Burn; Lakeshore U #1
(#1 within a series)

Publication Date: January 10, 2023

Genre/Tropes: New Adult/Sports/Opposites Attract Romance

Author: L.A. Cotton

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
I was not expecting this book to be as sweet as it was. I’m totally in love with the beginning to this new Lakeshore U series and I can hardly wait to see where the rest of the series goes.

Both Aiden and Dayna have been living in place where they are trying to escape their pasts. Dayna has been grieving her brother and Aiden has been trying to outrun his father’s history. On paper they shouldn’t work, but in person they bring out the best in each other. It was a great relationship to watch blossom.

Their relationship is certainly not one without hardship, but in the end they are the kind of couple that others strive to be. I love how sweet Aiden really is, given how Dayna is his first real relationship and while she did have a long term boyfriend before him, she wasn’t exactly in the right headspace until Aiden landed on her beach. I can’t wait to see them pop up as the series continues. I’m completely smitten by these two.

Synopsis:
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rixon Raider series comes a brand new sports romance series. Lakeshore U, where hockey is religion, and the players are gods. Are you ready to fall in love with a Laker?

When Dayna Benson moves home, she doesn’t expect to feel so torn. On the one hand, she’s glad to be back in Dupont Beach. But it means parting ways with her boyfriend and facing ghosts she thought she’d left behind.

Enter Aiden Dumfries.

Arrogant. Angry. With enough attitude to freeze over Lake Erie, he’s determined not to let anyone help him.

When he finds himself exiled to the small coastal town after a scandal that could ruin his hockey career before it gets started, his plans for summer break are dashed.

He’s Lakeshore U’s bad boy on the ice. She’s sunshine, smiles, and something that feels a lot like hope.

But can Dayna melt Aiden’s heart?

Or will she end up burned?

* Ice Burn is a standalone introductory novel set in the Lakeshore U series.

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Review – The Muse by Emma Scott

The Muse; Angels and Demons #2
(#2 within a series)

Publication Date: January 8, 2023

Genre/Tropes: Paranormal/MM/Antihero/Supernatural Romance

Author: Emma Scott

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
Oh my heart…this story…how can the story of a demon and a human affect me so? This book is written with so much heartfelt emotion and deep felt love, the fact that the love story is not between two humans doesn’t even factor in. It’s beautiful.

I fell so hard for Cas and Lucy in the first book that Ambri and Cole had a tall order to fill with their story, but let me say that this book is true perfection for the two of them and I love Ambri and Cole in a completely separate way, but just as deeply as I do Cas and Lucy.

It’s been a few days since finishing The Muse and I seriously cannot stop thinking about this book. Every character is flawlessly crafted; every trait, every detail was absolutely perfect. Details infused into each character that brought them to life making them realistic to the point that they lept off the page.

I love delving into paranormal fiction and I love the spin that Emma took on demons in this book. The kind of “demons on my back” thought that takes place is a total emotional ride. Ambri a pleasure demon, one who insights lust and desire in others. It’s been his job for a couple hundred of years and he is the perfect specimen for his job. Cole is instantly drawn to him, where Ambri becomes his muse both in human and demon form and it’s exactly what Ambri wants. He needs a soul to take to his superior and Cole is his pick.

While Cole fights off the literal demons hanging around him, he’s also drawn to Ambri…the real Ambri under the dark creature. Cole is a bright light in Ambri’s world, a beacon of hope for a man who hasn’t had any in his entire existence. Cole is so easily likeable and has a huge heart and it’s that huge caring side that draws Ambri to have hope for the first time ever. Can Ambri follow through on his mission or will love prevail?

The Muse is a deeply emotional, touching book full of hope and love. I loved the every word.

Synopsis:
An emotional paranormal romance about sacrifice, redemption, and the power of true love.

Cole Matheson didn’t expect the road toward being a successful painter would be paved in gold, but he hoped there’d be a few less potholes. Insidious self-doubt that whispers that he’s no good, talentless, hopeless has him on the brink of despair. Maybe it would be better to just give up.

A midnight visit by a beautiful creature of darkness changes everything…

Ambrosius Edward Meade-Finch surrendered to the underworld centuries ago after knowing only pain and suffering during his short life. Now, Ambri makes humans dance on his strings, feeding on their desire for his own pleasure. But his liege lord questions his loyalty and commands him to bring a pure soul into their dark realm.

Cole Matheson seemed like an easy mark, but Ambri didn’t count on his goodness or the depth of his generous spirit that wants Ambri just as he is. And Cole never expected to find in Ambri a muse who unlocks his talent and who might also be what his lonely heart has been searching for. Something fragile yet powerful grows between them, and the possibility of soul-deep love hangs in the balance, if only they have the courage to reach for it.

But fairy tale endings don’t come without a price. The dark forces Ambri answers to have been promised a soul, and they’re coming to collect…

The Muse is book 2 in the Angels and Demons series but can be read as a standalone.

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